LUNACY'S FAN FICTION REVIEWS
Marie E. Costa
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 Marie E. Costa. For any other fiction by this bard please visit any of the Xena fan fiction indexes.

**BLOOD MONEY by Marie E. Costa
This is a BEAUTIFUL story of redemption based on the power of friendship to heal even the most tortured of souls. It begins with Xena and Gabrielle coming across the still smoldering ruins of a village recently attacked by raiders. Only a few survivors are left but if they are going to make it through the rough Winter ahead Xena knows they are going to need gold to restock the supplies stolen from them. She knows too where to get that gold because many years before the people of this village where her own victims and what she stole from them and others she hid in a nearby mountain. Sensing Xena's reluctance to let her come along on the ardous trip up the snow-covered climb, Gabrielle nevertheless follows determined to stay with the warrior at any cost. For Xena, however, the bard's loyalty and love just add to the wrenching pain she feels inside - knowing in her heart that the quest to retrieve that gold will cost her the greatest treasure of all. This is a WONDERFUL, well-written story which reveals more of Xena's dark past and is centered almost exclusively on her and the bard. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 29 pgs., 7/26/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/blood.htm

CAMPFIRE THOUGHTS by Marie E. Costa
Set after the events in DREAMWORKER, this vignette like the episode touches upon some of the central themes in XWP - blood innocence, redemption and friendship. It has Xena remembering recent events as Gabrielle sleeps by their campfire. - 5 pgs., 7/26/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/campfire.htm

CHILDHOOD REMEMBERED by Marie E. Costa
Set during and immediately after the episode THE BLACK WOLF this vignette reveals Xena's deepening respect for Gabrielle and her appreciation of friends which accept her despite her past. [Note: Vignette is the second one on the page] - 5 pgs., 9/7/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/campfire.htm

FIRST STEPS by Marie E. Costa
Touching vignette actually set DURING the episode SINS OF THE PAST - a lost scene we never saw, that has Gabrielle taking the time while Xena is visiting her brother's tomb to go speak with the warrior's mother. This story foreshadows the impact the young bard will have on Xena's life as even before officially starting to travel with her she is already changing the woman's life. [Note: This is the second vignette that appears on the page] - 11 pgs., 7/26/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/confusion.htm

FRIENDS STICK BY FRIENDS by Marie E. Costa
This vignette takes place immediately after the episode THE RECKONING and has Gabrielle thinking about recent events and deciding on ways she can affect the life of the Warrior Princess. [Note: This is the third vignette on the page] - 11 pgs., 7/26/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/confusion.htm

FUGITIVES by Marie E. Costa
Xena's thoughts throughout the episode CRADLE OF HOPE. This is both poignant and funny and marks a turning point in the warrior's feelings toward her companion as she begins to recognize how resourceful Gabrielle can be. Cute! [Note: This is the fourth vignette on the page] - 11 pgs., 9/7/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/confusion.htm

GABRIELLE'S SHOCK by Marie E. Costa
Set after the episode ALTERED STATES, this vignette reveals one of Xena's many skills - her expertise at blackmail! ;-) Suffice it to say Gabrielle has NO chance! - 11 pgs., 9/7/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/confusion.htm

HEART TO HEART by Marie E. Costa
A very tender vignette set after the events in the episode DEATH IN CHAINS as Xena tries to comfort a grieving bard and learns something about herself in the process. Very nice. - 11 pgs., 10/8/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/confusion.htm

IF MEMORY SERVES by Marie E. Costa
Emotional tale that has Gabrielle driven to desperate means when Xena loses any memory of the past two years, reverting to her warlord ways. - 19 pgs., 5/26/97
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/ifmemory.html

LESSON LEARNED (A) by Marie E. Costa
This is a very poignant look at Xena's thoughts throughout the events in the episode SINS OF THE PAST. From the puzzled amusement of her first meeting with Gabrielle, to the heart-wrenching pain of her mother's rejection, to the haunting loneliness she still feels at having lost Lyceus, to the continuing amazement at the tenacity of a certain young bard. Insightful approach which gives a unique perspective into the mind of the Warrior Princess. - 3 pgs., 7/26/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/learned.htm

LIFE HAPPENS by Marie E. Costa
This little vignette presents Gabrielle's thoughts during the events in the episode THE GREATER GOOD. [Note: Story is the second one on the page] - 4 pgs., 2/11/98
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/lifehapp.htm

**MUSINGS and **MUSINGS II by Marie E. Costa
Originally released on the NetForum in December 1996 and January 1997, these two separate vignettes are companion pieces which explore Xena and Gabrielle's feelings toward one another. They are thoughtfully written and very effective. DO NOT MISS! [Note: These are the first two stories on the page] - 5 pgs., 2/11/98
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/vignettes.htm

PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT by Marie E. Costa
Emotionally charged tale set during the episodes INTIMATE STRANGERS and TEN LITTLE WARLORDS which has Gabrielle trying to deal with the aversion she feels for Callisto's body despite knowing Xena is within that body. This story nicely presents all those scenes we never got to see in the TV series. [Note: Second story on the page] - 7 pgs., 2/11/98
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/lifehapp.htm

POWERS THAT BIND by Marie E. Costa
Well-written story in which the warrior and bard try to help a couple of men whose blood links them to the Lykoi - a mysterious tribe with characteristics that make many fear them as werewolves. - 42 pgs., 10/8/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/powers.htm

SACRIFICES FOR LOVE AND LIFE by Marie E. Costa
A battle of wills ensues between Xena and Gabrielle when the warrior decides to part company with her friend to keep her from danger, while the bard resolutely refuses to cooperate. A reluctant Xena soon finds herself once again working with her former companion to try to save a young girl - but the warrior is stubborn and very much determined to leave Gabrielle behind once their mission is over. [Originally posted on the NetForum]. - 13 pgs., 5/29/97
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/sacrificesfor.html

SOLITUDE HURTS by Marie E. Costa
Marie is back with more of her eminently powerful and beautiful vignettes. Set right after the episode CHARIOTS OF WAR, this one has a stoic, pessimistic and regretful Xena pondering Gabrielle's insistence on following her - certain no good can come to the young woman while in her company - while the bard herself is more certain than ever about her decision. [Note: Story is the third one on the page] - 6 pgs., 9/7/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/lifehapp.htm

STAR-CROSSED LOVERS by Marie E. Costa
Another of Marie's wonderful vignettes, this one is set during the events in the episode THE PATH NOT TAKEN. It depicts a scene in the dungeons of the castle where Gabrielle and the prince are held until Xena arrives to get them out. [Note: story is the fourth one on the page] - 6 pgs., 10/8/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/lifehapp.htm

TASTE OF LOSS (THE) by Marie E. Costa
This vignette features Xena and Gabrielle's thoughts during the episode ATHENS CITY: ACADEMY OF THE PERFORMING BARDS as they miss one another desperately. [Note: Story is the fifth one on the page] - 6 pgs., 10/8/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/lifehapp.htm

WHEN DARKNESS FALLS by Marie E. Costa
A riveting vignette set just before the events in the episode THE GAUNTLET which has a stubborn Warrior Princess rebelling in the challenge and blood and darkness of war...only to feel so very empty afterwards. A solid exploration of Xena's state of mind at the time she first began wishing for more than the life of a warlord. - 2 pgs., 7/8/98
http://ausxip.com/fanfic3/whendarknessfalls.html

WHEN YOU CARE ENOUGH by Marie E. Costa
Set during and after the episode TIES THAT BIND, this vignette shows how the warrior and bard became closer during that trial. [Note: Sixth story on the page] - 2 pgs., 10/8/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/lifehapp.htm

XENA'S FEARS REALIZED by Marie E. Costa
Set during the episode RETURN OF CALLISTO after Gabrielle accepts Perdicus' marriage proposal, this vignette is a look at Xena's reaction to that turn of events. [Note: Last story on the page] - 2 pgs., 10/8/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/lifehapp.htm

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