LUNACY'S FAN FICTION REVIEWS
Sharon Bowers
Reviewer can be reached at
Last modified: November 03 2012 12:33:04

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 Sharon Bowers. For any other fiction by this bard please visit any of the Xena fan fiction indexes.

For reviews of the author's commercial fiction check the Reviews Of Commercial Fiction.

I. TALES OF DARK AND LIGHT by SL Bowers -- [Alt]
Interesting story that examines the concept of light and darkness in a person's soul. While fighting a gang of thugs, Xena and Gabrielle meet a mysterious warrior - a beautiful Amazon whose haunted past makes the Warrior Princess reconsider her own. This is the first story in Bowers' CHIAROSCURO SERIES. Note: This story is not explicit. - 18 pgs., 8/10/97
http://www.sharonb owers.com/FanFic tion/xena/chiar1.htm
http://www.xenafan.c om/fiction/conte nt/darklight.htm

II. **QUEEN AND THE SOLDIER (THE) by SL Bowers -- [Alt]
Bowers brings us an excellent continuation to her CHIAROSCURO SERIES with this new part which has Xena and Gabrielle traveling on official Amazon business to the kingdom of Pellos. The journey and the time spent on their mission will mark a turning point in the lives of both women as they begin to acknowledge feelings they have been ignoring for much too long. For the bard it will be an awakening to new possibilities. For the warrior - a time of turmoil as she struggles against passions just recently stirred and fears of the darkness these could unleash. Bowers is doing a wonderful job in developing the Xena/Gabrielle relationship slowly - with an awareness of WHO these characters are and how they are likely to react to a deepening connection between them. Nicely written and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! - 20 pgs., 9/15/97
http://www.xenafa n.com/fiction/co ntent/queensoldier.htm
http://www.sharonb owers.com/FanFic tion/xena/chiar2.htm

III. INNAMORATA by SL Bowers -- [Alt]
The third entry in the CHIAROSCURO SERIES has Ares playing a cruel trick on Xena as he tempts her with the allure of power and lust that were central to the warlord she once was. Xena finds herself in an alternate world - a world in which the Warrior Princess rules as the conqueror of much of Greece with a beautiful lover by her side and power in both their hands. Deep within her heart though, Xena senses something is missing - a presence from another life she goes to search for in a little village called Poteidaia... - 21 pgs., 9/97
http://www.sharonb owers.com/FanFic tion/xena/chiar3.htm
http://www.xenafan. com/fiction/cont ent/innamorata.htm

IV. **THIS FIRE by SL Bowers -- [Alt]
This latest entry in SL Bowers' CHIAROSCURO SERIES is excellent! The series has been slowly tracing the evolution in the Xena/Gab relationship as they've moved from friends to the initial awareness of being more to the acceptance in this fourth story of the love and desire they both feel. Bowers' characterization of Xena is particularly noteworthy, depicting a warrior torn between the darkness she knows is within her and the light calling to her from the heart of a gentle bard. This story is precisely about that struggle. Set immediately after the events in PART THREE: INNAMORATA, this tale begins with a nearly dead Warrior Princess trying to recover from the vicious beating received at the hands of the god of war. At her side constantly is the bard, trying to mend the warrior's body and her soul - aware of the fears still residing within Xena's heart...and her own. Together they will try to conquer those fears as they take the first tentative steps down a new path in this emotional, passionate story. This latest part is VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! - 21 pgs., 10/22/97
http://www.sharonb owers.com/FanFic tion/xena/chiar4.htm
http://www.xenafan.co m/fiction/conten t/thisfire.htm

V. **TIME OF GRACE by SL Bowers -- [Alt]
Bowers' excellent CHIAROSCURO SERIES continues in this latest entry which has the developing relationship between Xena and Gabrielle finally culminating in a sweet, sensual surrender of the heart. For the bard it is magic. For Xena it is a bittersweet moment when at last she can glimpse a ray of light amidst the darkness that is her life - but it is a feeling all too brief as soon the two once again find themselves enveloped in that darkness and heading toward an uncertain future. This series continues to get better and better. Bowers' enigmatic, dark warrior and determined, sensitive bard are wonderful depictions of Xena and Gabrielle. This is a MUST READ only you miiiiiiight want to avoid it at work ;-) VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 20 pgs., 11/25/97
http://www.sharonb owers.com/FanFic tion/xena/chiar5.htm
http://www.xenafan. com/fiction/cont ent2/timegrace.htm

VI. **WALK THROUGH FIRE by SL Bowers -- [Alt]
Bowers' extraordinary CHIAROSCURO SERIES finally comes to an end with this VERY worthy final installment. The story has Xena, Gabrielle and the Amazons traveling to the city of Argon where they will join other troops in a combined effort to try to stop the advancing forces of Imperial Rome. For Xena the past and the present come together as finally she has a chance to avenge the wrongs done to her so long ago - but remembering the gentle bard who now loves her, the warrior cannot help but wonder at what cost that revenge will come. For Gabrielle it is a moment of decision when she might at last find herself facing the darkness within the warrior whose light she so loves. Masterfully written, this story and the entire series features a very insightful look at who Xena and Gabrielle are along with a fascinating exploration of the dynamics at work in their relationship. This is passionate, and wonderfully entertaining. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! - 20 pgs., 1/5/98
http://www.sharonb owers.com/FanFic tion/xena/chiar6.htm

DARK PROMISE by Katrina and Sharon Bowers -- [Alt]
This latest entry in Katrina's BLOOD AND ROSES SERIES promises to be one wild, fun ride. A crossover tale featuring the characters from BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, this story has Buffy getting quite a surprise when she meets Willow's aunts who aside from having the same names as a couple of popular TV characters, also keep setting off the slayer's hypersensitive senses. Katrina and Sharon's characterizations are on the money and will delight fans of both series although this is entertaining even if you only watch one of them. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [unfinished] - 3/8/98
http://www.sha ronbowers.com/Fa nFiction/fanfictionindex.htm
http:/ /bearblue.150m.c om/library/1990s/STO/brose/buffy/willow.html

IMMORTAL SCROLLS SERIES (THE) by Sharon Bowers - [See TWILIGHT'S CHILDREN]

INNAMORATA by SL Bowers - [See the CHIAROSCURO SERIES]

INTERMEZZO by SL Bowers -- [Alt]
Ephiny recalls the first time she met the Warrior Princess - an encounter which took place while Xena was still a brutal warlord - a moment in time the warrior does not even seem to remember but which Ephiny will never forget. Bowers characterization of Ephiny is very well done in this original story. - 8 pgs., 11/24/97
http://ausxip.com/fanfic2/inter mezzo.html
http://www.sharonbo wers.com/FanFict ion/intermezzo.htm

**LUCIFER RISING by SL Bowers -- [Alt]
Joining the many gems we've been seeing lately in Xena uber fiction comes this VERY unusual, RIVETING new story set in the glamorous and often deadly underworld of Miami - a world in which wealth, and seductive pleasures exist side by side with violence and death. It is into this very world reporter Liz Gardener finds herself stepping into as she pursues a story that has obsessed her for years now - the sordid tale surrounding a dark and beautiful and dangerous ex-DEA agent by the name of Jude Lucien who having gone over to the other side is now one of the most powerful and feared druglords in the business. With two very different agendas, the two women will find themselves drawn to one another - sensing something very real in the other - sensing perhaps that neither is quite what she seems... This story is a WILD ride that will simply take your breath away as lies are told and hearts broken in the desperate struggle of two souls to persevere - struggling valiantly against the inner darkness threatening to destroy their love and the human foes determined never to give it a chance. S.L.'s two heroines are beautifully depicted with incredible depth, rich emotional histories and engaging personalities. With a very contemporary feel to it and a clever uber rendition of the Xena/Gabrielle relationship, this is a solidly written, FASCINATING tale destined to become one of the all-time classics in Xena fanfic. It receives my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! [See the sequel PAST THE POINT] - 159 pgs., originally released 5/2/98, re-released 8/25/98
AWARDS: Swollen Bud award for "Sustained Performance" (March 23, 2000)
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