XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS - ALTERNATIVE FAN FICTION REVIEWS
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Reviewer can be reached at lunacy@dc.seflin.org
Last updated: 02/15/01

Please make sure to read the EXPLANATORY NOTES before reading these reviews.

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REAL THING (THE) by Vertigo
Fantasy turns to reality for the warrior and bard when they notice their mutual...frustration ;-) If you want to test your constitution this is the PERFECT story to read at work >:) Invigorating little tale! - 5 pgs., 10/26/99
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Den/4287/Fiction/2/TRT.html

**REALITY by Tymedancer
An OUTSTANDING new offering with a premise that is going to BLOW YOU AWAY! Tymedancer sets her story at the end of season three presenting a VERY different interpretation of the rift and its aftermath. Devastated by the events she's been experiencing, Xena is like a wild animal - unable to distinguish between reality and illusion - reliving the nightmare of the rift and its aftermath over and over again. Meanwhile, the gentle soul she thinks lost forever remains close at hand - determined to challenge the forces trying to destroy her beloved warrior...and getting help from a VERY unexpected source in the process. A very timely story, this is *THE* must read of the summer for anyone who's been speculating about how the current situation in the TV series could be resolved. Tymedancer has come up with a storyline that works beautifully, reworking many of the situations and characters we saw in the TV series into an incredibly compelling scenario. Her characterizations are on the money, incorporating both the darkness of the warrior and the devotion of the bard. This is an emotional rollercoaster requiring you to strap that seat belt on tight but delivering one heck of a ride. DO NOT MISS!! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 29 pgs., 7/10/98
https://ausxip.com/fanfic3/reality.html

**REALITY CHECK by Donna E. Trifilo and Catherine M. Wilson - [See the AFTER THE HONEYMOON SERIES]

**REALITY CHECK by Ella Quince
In this sequel to her ground breaking story CREATIVE LICENSE, Ella continues the delightful story of one less than perfect warlord and one very imaginative bard as Xena finds herself without an army, discovering all of a sudden that there are definite advantages to that bigger-than-life reputation Gabrielle's stories have given her. Charmingly real, this Xena and Gabrielle live in a world where perfection is more fiction than anything else but soulmates can still find one another, can still love and laugh and make it easier for one another to deal with the craziness of the human condition. A welcomed break from the fantasy world of fiction, this is indeed a nice reality check, reminding us all that imperfection can have its charms too. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 9 pgs., 12/20/99
http://www.gabwhacker.com/xwp/quince/reality.html

**REALIZATIONS by Jester
This is a very passionate epilogue to the episode A DAY IN THE LIFE that has Xena and the Gabster finally realizing how they feel toward one another. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! The story is located at a *NEW* site for XWP Fan Fiction, JESTER'S BARD PAVILLION. - 7 pgs., 4/19/97
http://members.aol.com/Psy456/Bard.html
http://xwp-altfic.simplenet.com/list-al.htm

**RECEPTION (THE) by Joanna - [See the COMING OUT SERIES]

REDEMPTION by Darkone
Xena's love for Gabrielle becomes a shield for the warrior when a deadly avenger catches up with her. A nice reaffirmation of the power of love and redemption. - 12 pgs., 4/97
http://xwp-altfic.simplenet.com/darkon20.txt

REFLECTION by Silk
This latest installment in Silk's APPARITIONS OF LOVE SERIES is yet another carefully written, sensual piece, rich in imagery and centered around a highly passionate connection. Very nice. DO NOT MISS! - 4 pgs., 5/23/98
https://ausxip.com/fanfic3/reflection.html

REFLECTIONS by T. Novan
The RAISING MELOSA SERIES continues as the warrior and bard start to feel that empty nest syndrome and Mel proves her mothers' daughter in yet another...proficiency. ;-) Light-hearted and nostalgic. Part 98 of the series. DO NOT MISS! - 5 pgs., 12/15/99
https://ausxip.com/fanfiction/rm/rm98.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**REFLECTIONS FROM THE PAST by Melissa Good
Already responsible for six of the most popular, most loved XWP stories on the Net, Missy latest is a combination uber-Xena/clip show story which already looks like it will easily match the outstanding body of work bearing this writer's name. As the story begins Xena and her bard are still hibernating in Amphipolis, enjoying the peace of their home and the simple comfort of just being with one another. They decide to work on translating the ancient scrolls they found while visiting Jessan's people in BOUND. Before long they are uncovering an emotional tale, almost as passionate and poignant as their own, involving a village girl named Ardwyn and the enigmatic Viking warrior who captures her heart. All the while the story revealed in those scrolls is awakening memories in Xena and Gabrielle, memories of the times they've shared and the long road they've traveled to get to the happiness they're now blessed with. Missy's flashbacks continue to be among the best in the business, giving us insights into scenes from the TV show and filling in the time in between episodes like no other fan fiction has ever done. The uber sections in this story are also particularly well written - done in a style that is different from the rest of the novel and adds tremendously to the atmosphere of the more ancient story. In a rather angst-filled third season, this newest Missy offering is a godsend folks! What are you still doing reading this review???? GO READ THE STORY!!! It gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! [Do not miss THE LONGEST NIGHT which preceeds this story and DARKNESS FALLS which follows it, part of the JOURNEY OF SOULMATES SERIES] 158 pgs., - 1/31/98
RELATED STORIES BY OTHER AUTHORS: LITTLE THINGS by Dave G
FANFIC ART: Barron Story Cover
http://www.merwolf.com
https://ausxip.com/bards.html#melissa
http://www.merwolf.com/ffiction.html
[French version: REFLETS DU PASSÉ translated by Fryda at http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Studio/4243/missy.html]
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

REFLECTIONS OF AN OLD WOMAN by Jamie Boughen
The Warrior-Bard's new one is an unforgettable little tale weaved around the timeless healing power of love and friendship. It has Gabrielle, now past the prime of her life, thinking back on all the years she spent with her beloved Warrior Princess and the cruel circumstances which one day tore them apart. This is a beautiful, poignant story which ultimately will leave you with a very warm feeling in the old ticker. - 8 pgs., 6/97
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/reflections.html
https://ausxip.com/fanfic/reflections.html

**REFLECTIONS OF LOVE by Katelin B.
A beautiful, touching vignette that has the Warrior Princess reflecting on her love for Gabrielle and then showing the young bard the depth of this love. Sweetly romantic and very sensual. DO NOT MISS! - 3 pgs., 12/14/97
http://xwp-altfic.simplenet.com/reflections.txt

RELATIONSHIP TRILOGY by Cath, Bard - [Alt]

CONTROL
PRUNIN
POSSESSED

RELEASE ME by Lace Priest
A powerful short story that has Xena and Gabrielle desperately trying to deal with the warrior's inability to fully surrender that part of herself she's kept hidden deep inside for so long. Well written, high impact story. DO NOT MISS! [See the sequel AFTER] - 4 pgs., 7/30/98
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/6338/release.html

**RELINQUISH by L.N. James
A sizzling piece that has the warrior and bard traveling through the fabled Valley of Azure where people's most hidden thoughts and desires can be revealed in the form of dreams... Whatever you do - resist this one at work! ;-) Solid writing in an intriguing, erotic tale. DO NOT MISS! - 18 pgs., 2/97
https://ausxip.com/fanfic/lnjames2.html
http://www.squonk.net/users/lnjames/lnjames2.txt
http://xwp-altfic.simplenet.com/lnjames2.txt
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

REMEMBER EVERYTHING by Pink Rabbit Productions
This is basically a retelling of the episode REMEMBER NOTHING with an alt. slant to it. Like the episode it is poignant and thought-provoking. Nice. - 10 pgs., 10/30/97
http://www.azstarnet.com/~pbnj/pink/pgfic/rememberevery.htm

**REMEMBER, NEVER TO FORGET by Sinful
A SPECTACULAR debut for a new bard, this epic saga is a combination first-time/hurt-comfort story almost exclusively centered on the Xena/Gab relationship in a riveting tale that has them revisiting some of the most difficult episodes from their past as they try to deal with an agonizing new challenge to their happiness. Set after the events in the episode A FAMILY AFFAIR, the novel opens with the warrior and bard approaching Amazon territory as they struggle to deal with the emotions they can no longer deny feeling for one another. Those feelings end up rushing to the surface after Xena is injured in a fight, prompting the two friends to at last embrace the love and passion between them. Their happiness, however, is short-lived as fate soon tears them apart, leaving a devastated Gabrielle and a desperate Amazon Nation searching for a Warrior Princess who seems to have disappeared from the face of the world. What they'll eventually find is a woman without a past - a woman shattered by a horrific trauma who must now start to rebuild her life again with the help of a bard torn between her need to help the woman she loves - and an agonizing fear of what reliving some of that past will do to them. This is INTENSE guys. Nice writing, heavy angst, solid characterizations, a strong supporting cast and a very compelling depiction of the Xena/Gab relationship which deals not only with their love for one another but also their insecurities, regrets and fears. A thoroughly satisfying read. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 278 pgs., 3/15/00
https://ausxip.com/fanfiction/r/remembernever1.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

RESCUE by Queenfor4
In a story reminiscent of the pre-third-season XWP and which still manages to address some of the later issues explored in the series, the Warrior Princess and bard travel to the town of Landros where Gabrielle will officiate as a new tribe of Amazons is merged into her own. It's a trying time for the two friends as they find it increasingly difficult to continue hiding the deepening feelings between them but before they can deal with those one ex-warlord is gonna have to have to accept her own self-worth and acknowledge the lengths to which a feisty little Amazon Queen is willing to go to protect both her honor and her life. Queenfor4 paints a very appealing picture of the relationship in transition as the warrior begins to see her bard in an entirely new light and the bard helps her warrior let go of some more baggage from that dark past. An entertaining, nicely written tale - DO NOT MISS! - 35 pgs., 10/17/99
FANFIC ART: Calli Story Cover
http://xenafiction.net/scrolls/queenfor4_rescue.hts

**RESISTANCE by Della Street
One of my all-time favorite Xenite bards returns with a novel you WONT be able to put down!! Don't even try - resistance in this case is most definitely futile :) Set in the alternate world introduced by the two-part Hercules episode ARMAGEDDON NOW, this story puts a slightly different spin on things as it begins with Xena the Conqueror meeting with one of the dissenters recently captured by her soldiers - a seemingly harmless slip of a girl who despite her fear of the imposing ruler does not hesitate to spar verbally with her. It is a first meeting that leaves Gabrielle perplexed when the Conqueror doesn't immediately kill her, and leaves the Warrior Princess strangely intrigued by the beautiful little traitor. Unable to fight against the connection neither quite understands in the weeks to come the feared tyrant finds herself doing more and more to try to put a smile on Gabrielle's face, while the rebellious young agitator finds herself incredibly, against all logic, opening her heart to the very same warlord who once decimated her life. With elements of such classic romances like WEST SIDE STORY and THE KING AND I, this is a tale of two women from very different worlds who suddenly find themselves having to struggle against what others expect and demand when they can no longer deny the calling of their souls. It is also a story about a ruler imprisoned by trappings of her own making who finds in the love of a former enemy the strength to finally break the chains around her heart. With generous helpings of romance and the disarming humor that tends to add so much spice to Della's characterizations of the warrior and bard, this is a beautifully crafted, incredibly sweet, passionate tale that will have you breathing one heck of contented sigh when you're finished! Then if you haven't yet, go read Della's other stories for more of some of the best fiction the Xenaverse has to offer. RESISTANCE is OUTSTANDING folks! It receives my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!!! - 72 pgs., 4/8/98
https://www.altfic.com//subtextfic/Xena/della/resistance1.htm

RESOLUTIONS by C Paradee
Thoughtful tale set after the events in the episode A GOOD DAY which finds the warrior and bard contemplating the many trials their relationship has experienced when it looks like things have finally come to ahead between them. Emotional and reaffirming. - 7 pgs., 8/30/99
http://www.storycorner.org/cparadee/Resolutions.htm

**RESTORATION by Whosays
Xena finds herself at a loss to understand what is happening when Gabrielle suddenly cannot bear her touch and seems to be sinking deeper and deeper into despair. Unbeknownst to the Warrior, Gabrielle is struggling against an evil that threatens to destroy them both. - 15 pgs., 4/11/97
http://xwp-altfic.simplenet.com/whosays1.txt

RETURN (THE) by T. Novan
An old acquaintence comes back into the lives of Xena and Gabrielle - the harbinger of some bad news for warrior and bard. This latest entry in the RAISING MELOSA SERIES seems to be setting us up for yet another emotional rollercoaster ride in this excellent series. - 5 pgs., 7/4/99
https://ausxip.com/fanfiction/r/return.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

RETURN FROM POTEIDAIA by Ella Quince
Well-written story set just after the episode THE PRODIGAL which has a confused Gabrielle, now reunited with Xena, trying to deal with feelings she doesn't quite understand and sensing that her trip home may have changed things forever between her and the Warrior Princess. 4 pgs., - 5/29/97
http://www.gabwhacker.com/xwp/quince/return.html
https://ausxip.com/fanfic2/poted.html

REUNION by T. Novan
The RAISING MELOSA SERIES continues as a distraught Ephiny tries to look after her grieving Queen and the gods play with the fates of mortals once again... Another very emotional entry in the series. - 6 pgs., 12/30/98
https://ausxip.com/fanfic5/reunion.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

REVELATION by WhymZ
Temporarily separated while Gabrielle is visiting the family, both the bard and warrior find their thoughts completely occupied by one another. Sweet tale that recalls the feel of the relationship during its early days. - 4 pgs., 4/17/99
http://members.xoom.com/CornflakeGrl/xena/WhymZ/revelation.html

REVELATIONS by T. Novan
This latest entry in the RAISING MELOSA SERIES, chronicles a particularly poignant moment in the lives of Xena and Gabrielle as the warrior prepares to give up a role she's cherished for so long and the Amazon Queen learns the extent of the sacrifice her partner has made. Another solid addition to the series with a very satisfying treatment of the Xena/Gab partnership. DO NOT MISS! [part of a continuing series] - 8 pgs., 1/20/99
https://ausxip.com/fanfic6/revelations.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

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