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

**BREAKING THE ICE by Mary Morgan
Very unusual, skillfully written story set in a northern settlement where villagers are slowly starving to death while they're stalked by a mysterious assailant. Into this drama enter two strangers - a tall, dark warrior and her smaller blonde companion. For most of the worried settlers they are of passing interest, but for one of these they become an obsession - a promise of strength in one case and a focus for hatred in the other. This is a story about freedom lost, freedom regained and the healing power of hope. It features characterizations that build on one another resulting in well-defined characters and a very solid plot. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! - 18 pgs., 12/6/97
http://www.gabwhacker.com/xwp/quince/ice.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**CIRCLE OF STONES by Mary Morgan
With stories like AFTER THE VOLCANO, JUDGEMENT OF THE GODS, and JUST A PINCH OF BLACK POWDER, Mary Morgan has a history of giving us exceptionally well-written, thought-provoking fiction. It is a reputation she lives up to with this latest effort which has Xena and Gabrielle investigating the disappearance of several villagers when an unexpected development leaves the bard racing against time to solve a mystery made suddenly much more personal. Mary's treatment of the Xena/Gab relationship is one of the factors that always make her stories such a pleasure to read. She envisions them with a kind of connection that is spiritual and magical and always poignant. It is this depiction that turns a simple mystery into so much more - a MUST READ that comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! -- 6 pgs., 8/11/98
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/morgan/circleofstones.htm
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**CRY WOLF by Mary Morgan
A poignant new offering from this gifted storyteller set around the mysterious events which take place at a village after a young woman is captured and imprisoned there. Only the village blacksmith is moved by the girl's quiet suffering as she endures and struggles to fulfill some unmentioned purpose as if her very life depended on it. I continue to be amazed at how this bard can tell a story more by implying things than saying them straight out. In mastering this economy of words technique, Mary gives us stories that are meaningful and deeply moving. Moreover, she tends to develop the characterizations of Xena and Gabrielle through the eyes of others which in turns makes characters like the blacksmith in this story fascinating players in their own right. A wonderful effort you should not miss. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 9 pgs., 3/4/98
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/morgan/crywolf.htm
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

DEER (THE) by Mary Morgan
A haunting, mystical story set in an enchanted forest that has the taciturn Warrior Princess resigned to the punishment she must face for a recent crime, while a determined little bard struggles to save her partner. In parts this story has a magical quality to it that will bring to mind the writings of J.R. Tolkien. Parts of it made me think also of the movie LEGEND. Different and nicely crafted. DO NOT MISS! - 8 pgs., 1/28/98
http://freespace.virgin.net/purple.logic/xenafic/fiction/deer.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

ENEMY (THE) by Mary Morgan
Intriguing story which has the Warrior Princess going up against a deadly figure known as the "tax gatherer" who has been terrorizing a small town. At her side as usual is the bard, while observing them both is a tavern owner, fascinated by the unlikely friendship between the two women and their unflagging determination to protect the town. Mary excels at showing the deep bond between Xena and Gabrielle by depicting it through the eyes of others. This is a nicely written tale which highlights Xena's brain over her brawn :) - 10 pgs., 12/22/97
http://www.storycorner.org/marymorgan/enemy.htm
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

HUNGRY LAND (THE) by Mary Morgan
One of our most gifted bards returns with a story certain to maintain her reputation for the unusual. Suffering from some very frightening nightmares, Gabrielle is less than enthusiastic about traveling through the lush forest Xena insists on leading them through. For the bard it's the beginning of a nightmare as every step seems to zap her strength further, widening both the physical and emotional distance between herself and her partner. For Xena it will be among her greatest challenges as she finds herself increasingly drawn to the power of that forest - wanting to become a part of it no matter the cost and dreading the implications of that compulsion. Mary presents us here with a well-crafted, eerie tale, rich in symbolism that also happens to be a great character study. DO NOT MISS! - 8 pgs., 12/7/98
http://www.gabwhacker.com/xwp/quince/hungry.html
http://freespace.virgin.net/purple.logic/xenafic/fiction/hungry.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

IN THE KINGDOM OF HORSES by Mary Morgan - [Alt]
An intriguing story set in a kingdom by the sea, Mary's latest has the warrior and bard answering a summons from one of Xena's old acquaintances - a troubled queen facing an ominous prophecy dating back to a time when the Warrior Princess herself was at the gates of the kingdom. Having set in motion the very darkness now threatening to destroy what she didn't destroy then - Xena prepares to set things right while a frightened bard wonders what price doing so will exact from her partner. With subtle clues spread throughout the story, this is a challenging mystery with solid portrayals of the mutual devotion and love between the leads. - 40 pgs., 10/22/00
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/morgan/inthekingdomofhorses1.htm

**JUDGEMENT OF THE GODS (THE) by Mary Morgan
This second story by one of the most talented bards to come on the Xenaverse scene in a while, is actually a PRE-quel to Mary's other story AFTER THE VOLCANO. The tale has a furiously determined Xena traveling to the volcanic island of Santorini to avenge a heinous act from the past. By her side as usual is an equally determined bard who sensing the warrior's distress is more certain than ever of the need for her to be close-by as the coming events unfold. Mary does a wonderful job in fleshing out the characters of Xena and Gabrielle, providing insight into their minds and establishing a relationship between them that is very special. A bit of a hurt/comfort story, this tale will touch you, shock you and ultimately reaffirm the power of love and friendship. This is high-caliber writing! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 29 pgs., 10/20/97
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/morgan/judgmentofthegods.htm
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

JUST A PINCH OF BLACK POWDER by Mary Morgan
Mary's latest is an intriguing story which will likely throw you into a moral dilemma of sorts. It has Xena and Gabrielle visiting a kindly old man who also happens to be a dreamer, an inventor and in Xena's eyes...a threat to the world she's determined to stop no matter the cost. This is well written and thought-provoking. - 10 pgs., 2/18/98
http://www.storycorner.org/marymorgan/powder.htm
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

MORTAL TRADE (A) by Mary Morgan
Mary's latest is an eerie tale packing quite a punch. It begins with a beautiful warrior insinuating herself into the employ of a vicious warlord by showing just how inadequate his present lieutenants are. Recuperating from an illness, Gabrielle has stayed behind while her partner works to rid the region of the warlord but troubling dreams spur her to go after Xena terrified that a deadly evil will ensnare the warrior. On the way she comes across a small, traumatized survivor of one the raids and further proof that the evil they're facing is unlike anything they've ever faced before - powerful, inhuman and intelligent - hungry for blood and intent on recruiting one Warrior Princess to help it obtain more... With the evil kept purposely vague, this is a mysterious, troubling story with a surprising ending and a poignant lesson about price of survival. - 24 pgs., 10/17/99
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/morgan/mortal.htm
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

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