LUNACY'S FAN FICTION REVIEWS
Baermer
Reviewer can be reached at
Last modified: November 03 2012 12:33:02

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

Alternative stories are designated as such with an [Alt] at the end of the title line.

This file features reviews of stories written by Baermer. For any other fiction by this bard please visit any of the Xena fan fiction indexes.

Author's web site located at http://baermer.com/

**BATTLE OF AMPHIPOLIS (THE) by Baermer - [See THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR SERIES]

**CAGE OF THE MUSES (THE) by Baermer - [Alt]
One of XWP fanfic's most popular bards returns with the type of epic that originally made her a favorite with fanfic aficionados. Acting as a follow-up to her earlier tales, MANTIC and THE LOST TRIBE OF THE KAPRU KALE, this new novel begins with the Warrior and Bard in Athens where they receive a summons from the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra inviting them to Syria to meet with her. Unnerved by a recent vision Gabrielle had concerning Caesar, Xena is a bit hesitant but seeing the bard's excitement over the invitation she decides to accept. So begins a grand adventure for the two as they soon find themselves escorting the scheming Queen of Egypt back home to the splendor that is the city of Alexandria where intrigue and danger awaits them as Cleopatra and her brother vie for power, Gabrielle is introduced to the wonders - and bureaucracy of the city's legendary library and Xena grasps at the chance to make her beloved bard happy. Unbeknownst to all these players they're on a course with destiny, fated to witness one of the great tragedies of their times and the beginnings of one of history's most infamous pairings. Baermer does a FANTASTIC job incorporating actual historical events and characters into the story lending it a wonderful air of authenticity. Her portrayal of the Xena/Gab relationship remains one of the most appealing in fanfic - firmly grounded in mutual respect, admiration, protectiveness and a love that is without question. Beautifully written and edited, this is one to be savored when you can reserve a few carefree hours. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 197 pgs., 11/18/99
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/m/Muses1-10.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES (THE) by Baermer -- [Alt]
A very, VERY special new story from this talented bard! - long, FULL of mystery, suspense, and a love that will take your breath away. Just as Gabrielle finally breaks through the walls to Xena's heart, the Warrior Princess is summoned to the coastal city of Eleusis where preparations are under way for the highly secretive ceremonies known as the Eleusinian Mysteries. The monarch there needs Xena's help in dealing with a deadly threat to the ceremonies - a mission that will challenge her and the little bard to try to decipher the very meaning or the Mysteries...or risk losing each other forever. Extremely well-written and edited, this story contains possibly THE most beautiful sentence I have EVER read in alt. fiction - I'll leave THAT a mystery for you all to discover ;-) VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [See also THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR SERIES] - 55 pgs., 5/15/97
http://ausxip.com/fanfic/Eleusinian1.html
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/eleusian.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**LOST TRIBE OF THE KAPRU KALE (THE) by Baermer -- [Alt]
One of my favorite writers returns with a follow-up of sorts to her tale MANTIC which explored Gabrielle's powers of prophecy. This new story opens with the bard experiencing another of her debilitating visions - this one warning of danger for the Amazons...and herself. Soon as they're able to, she and Xena head for Amazonia - arriving there to find that fate has already put into play a series of events they cannot ignore...and may not be able to escape from. This is a terrific hurt/comfort piece built around a suspenseful plot with strong supporting characters and a nicely satisfying depiction of the Xena/Gab relationship. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [See the follow-up THE CAGE OF THE MUSES] - 99 pgs., 10/29/98
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/k/kapru1.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**MANTIC by Baermer -- [Alt]
Another of my favorite bards returns with an exceptional new story to help keep away the summer doldrums. MANTIC begins innocently enough with the warrior and bard at an inn where both are busy doing what they do best - Gabrielle telling her stories, Xena protecting her bard ;-) However, the moment is just the calm before a storm which starts brewing the instant a messenger arrives with a mysterious summons...a summons for the bard...a message asking her to travel into Persian territory. Along with a VERY suspicious Xena, the bard begins a journey which will engulf her in deadly intrigue while offering her an opportunity also to at last explore a dormant potential within herself. This story is firmly centered around all the things Baermer excels at - a wonderfully solid, stoic, protective depiction of the Warrior Princess - an equally well-done characterization of Gabrielle focusing on the bard's nobility and guts - a treatment of the relationship which speaks of devotion and love - some of those great hurt/comfort moments Baermer does so well - and a carefully crafted plot full of political machinations and suspense. This is riveting guys. A MUST READ! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [See the follow-up tale THE LOST TRIBE OF THE KAPRU KALE] - 38 pgs., 5/31/98
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/m/mantic.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

MYTILENE DEBATE (THE) by Baermer - [See THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR SERIES]

**NEPENTHEAN by Baermer
Gripping story with a sense of mystery that has Xena and Gabrielle falling into the clutches of an evil warlord intent on using the bard to exact a cruel revenge on Xena. To their rescue come several old friends including a Joxer who is less goofy than usual and a strange old woman who visits Xena in the warrior's darkest moments, encouraging her to have faith and to trust that help is on the way. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 28 pgs., 5/29/97
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/n/nepenthean.html
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/nepenthean.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**OF AMAZONS, WARRIORS, AND REVENGE by Baermer -- [Alt]
This newest story by one of my favorite bards joins THE ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES on my list of best ever! As tends to be the case with Baermer's tales, this story has it ALL - suspense, mystery, action! It is a hurt/comfort story. It is a romance. It is a tale of revenge. It is unforgettable! While helping the survivors of a village that was viciously destroyed, Xena and Gabrielle are stunned to hear that the raiders were Amazons. Shortly afterwards the young bard is attacked when the villagers learn she has some connection to the Amazons. With an injured Gabrielle in tow, Xena heads off for the Amazon village where they learn that that someone has been raiding the neighboring villages and making sure the Amazons are blamed. Determined to get to the bottom of things and ignoring Gabrielle's plea to let her accompany them, Xena sets out with Epinon and Solari, leaving a frustrated bard behind. It is a mistake the Warrior Princess will live to regret for in her zest to protect the young woman she secretly loves, Xena has overlooked one crucial fact about the enemy which may cost Gabrielle her very life. This story is beautifully written and edited, using a style that at times is almost poetic. Baermer brings lots of GREAT characters from the series into this including of course the Amazons, the Centaurs and a certain young man with very good genes ;-) She also creates a fantastic new villain and an unexpected little Amazon heroine who really proves her mettle. Baermer's ability to create strong plots is perhaps outdone only by her skill in capturing the Xena/Gab relationship. For them this is a tale of discovery as amidst the chaos, a horrific experience finally brings them together. Long, and OUTSTANDING, this gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! - 70 pgs., 7/6/97
http://web.archive.org/web/20010606234709/http://xwp-altfic.simplenet.com/baermer1.html
http://ausxip.com/fanfic2/AmzWarRev1.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

OLD LESSONS by Baermer
When her family is involved in a terrible accident, Gabrielle goes back home with Xena to try to help them through their injuries. In doing so they will have to deal with the hostility the bard's family feel for the Warrior Princess and with an even greater challenge as a threat from the past surfaces that will endanger their very lives. Nice tale with moments of suspense and with lots of those emotional scenes that are the favorite of many a Xenite. - 42 pgs., 5/24/97
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/oldlessons.html
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/o/oldlessons.html

**PELOPONNESIAN WAR SERIES(THE) by Baermer [Read in the order listed below]: -- [Alt]
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**BOOK I: PRECURSORS by Baermer -- [Alt]
This story continues the tale begun in Baermer's excellent THE ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES. Set in an epic period of Ancient Greek history amidst the saga of the Peloponnesian War, this promises to be a heck of a story. In this first installment, Xena and Gabrielle return to Eleusis where they have once again been summoned by the king, this time to discuss a developing situation which the king fears will soon result in an all out war. Joining them is Pericles, the most powerful Athenian leader and his companion Aspasia - an old acquaintance of Xena's who the warrior fears may be adding fuel to the fires already being fanned by the approaching winds of war. This story is not explicit so far. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! [Book I in the PELOPONNESIAN WAR SERIES] - 77 pgs., 7/16/97
http://ausxip.com/fanfic/precur1.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**BOOK II: POTEIDAIA UNDER SIEGE by Baermer -- [Alt]
Baermer's war saga continues in this outstanding second book. Having decided to stand with the people of Poteidaia against the Athenian army, Xena and Gabrielle immediately become primary players as the warrior lends the Poteidaians her battle expertise and the bard works to rekindle in her people their sense of community and hope. Even as they try to help the beleaguered villagers, Xena and Gabrielle struggle also against personal challenges as they confront the bard's family for the first time since becoming a couple and begin to suspect that they may be pawns in a very dangerous battle between immortals. This story is exceedingly well-written with an well-structured plot, great characterizations and a romance as epic as the historic events being depicted. Note that this tale is available in both subtext-explicit and subtext-lite versions. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! [Book II in the PELOPONNESIAN WAR SERIES] - 77 pgs., 8/8/97
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/s/siege1.html
http://ausxip.com/fanfic/siege1.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

BOOK III: MYTILENE DEBATE (THE) by Baermer -- [Alt]
With the siege of Poteidaia now over Xena and Gabrielle face a new challenge - to try to locate a missing Ephiny last seen weeks before when she left the Amazon nation escorting a group of young Amazons to Sappho's school just outside the city of Mytilene. With news that the city is in revolt, the warrior and bard embark on a possible rescue mission with Solari and Epinon. It is a journey that will once again test them physically and emotionally as they struggle with the historic events unfolding around them and with serious issues still unresolved in their relationship. From the keyboard of one of our most accomplished bards, this latest book deals with difficult themes which at times makes it hard to read but like the rest of the series it is very well-written, featuring an intriguing plot and some thought-provoking challenges for the warrior and bard. Note that this entire series is available in both subtext-explicit and subtext-lite versions [Book III in the PELOPONNESIAN WAR SERIES] - 71 pgs., 9/3/97
http://ausxip.com/fanfic/mytilene1.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

BOOK IV: THE BATTLE OF AMPHIPOLIS by Baermer -- [Alt]
The final book in Baermer's PELOPONNESIAN WAR SERIES is now available in its conclusion bringing to an end this epic saga by one of the finest writers currently on the Xenaverse. This last entry in the series finds Xena and Gabrielle both trying to deal with the devastating events depicted in BOOK III. As the tale unfolds, the warrior and bard are being kept from each other by both mortal and immortal enemies. Beyond the physical separation though, they will struggle also in this book with an emotional distance that hurts each to the core and upon whose resolution the very fate of the war will rest. This final entry in the series recaptures some of the sense of family and that special quality in the Xena/Gabrielle relationship which made them such a threat to their enemies earlier in the story. In the series as a whole Baermer does a very nice job of incorporating the fictional with the actual historical events taking place at the time of the Peloponnesian War. Baermer's epic is a noteworthy addition to XWP fan fic which should NOT BE MISSED. Note that this entire series is available in both subtext-explicit and subtext-lite versions - 131 pgs., 10/25/97
http://ausxip.com/fanfic/amphip.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**PERSONAL SCROLLS OF GABRIELLE, BARD OF POTEIDAIA (THE) by Baermer -- [Alt]
There is nothing that I enjoy more in fiction than a story which reaches deep into the heart, pulling out those emotions and leaving an UNFORGETTABLE impression. This latest offering from Baermer accomplishes just that. Initiated as an experiment in stream-of-consciousness writing, the story is told as a series of diary entries and spans Xena and Gabrielle's life from the time Xena came back from death to the bard's later years. Covering the aftermath of the rift and the period following the events in the episode SACRIFICE, the scrolls chronicle Gabrielle's thoughts throughout those difficult years and the ones to follow, they speak of the hardships people endured in days gone by, they record the experiences of friends and family, and most of all, they reveal a love pure and deep and honest and unmeasurable. The story is beautifully written with an economy of words that adds impact to the narrative. Through Gabrielle's thoughts we get a very solid, very human depiction of the Warrior Princess while the bard's own characterization is skillfully fleshed out to reveal a complex woman - a woman whose experiences in life prove as unique as they are sometimes tragic - a woman who sees the magic in others...yet never in herself. Simply put, this is an amazing read folks! As Baermer herself points out, it warrants a HUGE hankie alert but is equally deserving of jumping right to the top of your MUST READ list. DO NOT MISS this one guys. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! - 24 pgs., 6/28/98
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/s/scrolls.html

**POTEIDAIA UNDER SIEGE by Baermer - [See THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR SERIES]

**PRECURSORS by Baermer - [See THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR SERIES]

**PRINCESS AND THE POPPER (THE) by Baermer -- [Alt]
A thoroughly charming new tale which spotlights the many talents of the Bard of Poteidaia when she's forced to go undercover to try to rescue a certain ornery Warrior Princess. Baermer has always been one of the best in the business at capturing the dynamics of the Xena/Gab relationship, adding a freshness and originality to the portrayal of these two women that make them both very endearing and very real. This tale has them experiencing every emotion from anger to humor, desperation and ultimately to the utter certainty of their love. A MUST READ that comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 41 pgs., 7/31/98
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/p/popper.html

**READ THE FINE RUNES by Baermer -- [Alt]
After her epic PELOPONNESAN WAR SERIES Baermer returns with a suspenseful, wonderfully mysterious new story set during the Winter Solstice. The tale has Xena and the bard traveling to a town where Gabrielle hopes to find a Solstice gift for her companion. Soon after they arrive, however, the town residents begin exhibiting some very strange behavior while Xena starts to feel an overwhelming need to keep her bard safe. Baermer's portrayal of the Xena/Gab relationship is one of uncompromising love and protectiveness. The story works very well as a mystery with the various clues unraveling slowly and leading to some unexpected developments. A great read! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 22 pgs., 12/17/97
http://ausxip.com/fanfic/runes.html

SLUMBERING BARD by Baermer
Intriguing story that has Gabby falling into a mysterious sleep after an accident, leaving a worried Xena to try to deal with her illness as she struggles to try to save a town being threatened by a figure from Xena's past. - 15 pgs., 3/97
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/s/slumberingbard.html
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/slumberingbard.html

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