XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS - GENERAL FAN FICTION REVIEWS
Sa-Sm
Reviewer can be reached at lunacy@dc.seflin.org
Last updated: 02/05/01

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

SACRIFICES by ProudWarrioress
In this story Xena's greatest fear finally becomes reality when an old foe kidnaps Gabrielle and makes the bard pay for what the Warrior Princess once did. It is Jen's first attempt at fiction and a good one. NOTE: The story does contain violence that may be disturbing to some. - 30 pgs., 2/97
http://members.tripod.com/~ProudWarrioress/fanfic/sacrifices1.html

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

**SCAMP (THE) by Hobbes
A poignant, tender story guaranteed to warm the old ticker which has Xena and Gabrielle meeting a mischievous little orphan girl with no family and a knack for stirring trouble. As is the case with most of the tales written by this gifted bard, an emotional subplot is also included which has the warrior and bard dealing with issues in their own friendship. Entertaining and heart-warming. This was originally posted on the NetForum in April 1997. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 14 pgs., 4/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/scamp.htm

SCENE AROUND THE CAMPFIRE: A CONTINUING SAGA by Rebecca Weiner
Written from Gabby's point of view, this seems to be the first in a series of vignettes Rebecca is planning. It has Xena and a very inebriated bard just sitting around a campfire talking about their past, choices made, friendships formed. This is a different approach which works well. - 5 pgs., 5/9/97
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/7473/campfire.html

SCROLL BY ITS PAPER (A) by Constare
Still reeling from a particularly frustrating exchange with an infuriating merchant, Gabrielle is stunned when Xena uncharacteristically starts sharing with her a story from her past. Engrossing tale. [Note: Story contains subtext references] - 10 pgs., 3/19/98
http://xenafiction.net/scrolls/scrolls.html

SEARCH FOR THAT WHICH IS (THE) by Erika Bwo
A follow-up to Erika's beautiful story THE LANGUAGE OF POTEIDAIA, this longer tale has Xena and Gabrielle joining forces with Hercules, Iolus and Autolycus on a mission to try to find the bard's long lost sister. This story is one rousing adventure with lots of humor, action, danger and some tender moments as well. A very nice read. - 47 pgs., 8/14/97
http://members.xoom.com/Nonamia/xena/search.html

**SEASON OF CHANGE by Hobbes
Since first appearing on the NetForum some months ago, Hobbes has consistently been delivering excellent fan fiction that just seems to get better and better. This new story may possibly turn out to be her best. Set soon after the events shown in the episode THE PRICE, this tale has Xena and Gabrielle struggling with the motional aftermath of their encounter with the Horde. Xena is dismayed at how easily she reverted to the warlord of old and at her cruel treatment of the bard, while Gabrielle is troubled by the fear she felt seeing Xena in her element - a fear that remains deep inside the young woman. There is a distance between them both want to close but which fate may soon make it difficult to do so as events spiral out of their control plunging the two into a horror even more traumatic than what they experience with the Horde. This is one of Hobbes BEST stories, excelling in the depiction of a friendship for the ages. NOTE: The story DOES include violence. Please read the author's disclaimer on this. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! - 71 pgs., 6/6/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/fanfict.htm

**SEASON OF GIVING (THE) by Barry Marshall
Nice story sure to put you in the Solstice spirit that has the Warrior Princess taking a little vacation and reminiscing about what her bard companion has come to mean to her. - 15 pgs., 12/16/97
http://members.aol.com/xxlbadboy/season.htm

**SEASONS OF SUNSET by Brigid Doyle
Set during the second season, sometime after the episode GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN, Brigid's latest is a wonderfully poignant hurt/comfort story in which a carefree moment of happiness leads to unexpected tragedy for the warrior and bard. Taking a moment to enjoy the first snowfall of the season as they're traveling through a forest, the two soon find themselves regretting that decision when an accident leaves them at the mercy of the elements. Seriously ill, the two are rescued by an old woman who sees in their friendship a part of her own past. With her help, the warrior will battle against the forces trying to take her beloved bard from her but this is one enemy even the infamous Warrior Princess may not be able to vanquish. Brigid paints a very heartwarming picture here of the devotion between soulmates showing it at work not only in the Xena/Gab relationship but in the recollections of the old woman helping them whose life seems to very closely mirror their own. This is a well-written, emotional piece that will remind you of Xena fanfic from the first couple of years. Definitely one for the MUST READ list. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 23 pgs., 5/5/00
https://ausxip.com/fanfiction/s/seasonsofsunset.html

SELF-DISCOVERY by Chemmy
Poignant hurt/comfort tale that has Xena and Gabrielle in a desperate life or death struggle after the proud warrior is injured and decides her friend would be better off without her...only the little bard doesn't quite agree with her decision. Firmly grounded in the love and devotion of these two friends, Chemmy's new one is a heart-warmer. DO NOT MISS! - 34 pgs., 5/9/98
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/9865/self.html

**SERPENT/TEMPLE TRILOGY by Wishes: [Read in the order listed here]
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

I. **LAIR OF THE SERPENT by Wishes
Mysterious adventure story that has Xena going up against a giant serpent and Gabrielle against some of her worse fears. This is the first part of what became a trilogy. - 16 pgs., 12/96
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/lairofserpent.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

II. **VALLEY OF REGRET by Wishes
Second part of the Serpent/Temple trilogy, this story has Xena seeking help from a secretive sect devoted to the goddess Demeter. Still suffering the aftereffects of the battle with the Serpent, Xena must participate in a mysterious purification ceremony to try to calm her soul and comes to terms with her past. - 16 pgs., 1/97
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/valleyofregret.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

III. **FRIENDS OF THE GODDESS by Wishes
Last entry in the Serpent/Temple trilogy, this story offers MAGNIFICENT imagery of Xena in her element once again at the head of a great army as she goes to war to protect the followers of Demeter now being threatened by a deadly enemy. - 20 pgs., 1/97
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/friendsofgoddess.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**SHADE (THE) by Imbri
When Gabrielle is captured by a sadicious warlord, the spirit of a young girl once murdered by the man is the only hope Xena has of finding the bard. Imbri presents a very tender, loving depiction of the Xena/Gab relationship in a tale which revolves around that friendship. Good original characters as well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! - 37 pgs., 2/97
http://www.caveofchoirs.org/stories/fanfic/xenaff/theshade.htm
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/theshade.html

SHADE LESS ORDINARY (A) by Xenrielle
A tribute of sorts to the movie GHOST, this new tale has Xena and Gabrielle trying to deal with a slight communication problem after a harrowing ordeal changes their lives forever. Some poignant moments in this. - 15 pgs., 6/28/98
http://www.ozemail.com.au/%7Exenriele/yarns/stories/shade.htm

SHADOWS IMAGE (A) by Hobbes
Xena and Gabrielle are summoned by Princess Diana, the warrior's royal look alike, who needs the bard to help her in negotiations with neighboring Amazons. Meanwhile, the two run into Meg and learn that Joxer's last visit to the kingdom has resulted in some unexpected developments - a little matter which has been developing quite nicely in fact...for the past nine months ;-) As usual with Hobbes stories, this has lots of funny moments and depicts a very warm, caring friendship between Xena and the Gabster. - 17 pgs., 7/5/97
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/shadow.htm

SHADOWS OF THE SOUL by Boba's Adjutant
Promising new story that has Xena and Gabrielle being tracked by a deadly assassin - a man with connections to Xena's past - a killer who has never hesitated to do his job until the instant he looks into the innocent eyes of a young bard and suddenly finds his world turned inside out. Mysterious and well-written. - 18 pgs., 7/27/97
http://members.xoom.com/Nonamia/xena/shadows.html

SHARED LOSS by Onora
Two hearts mourn the sacrifice of one very special friend. Touching vignette. - 2 pgs., 2/11/99
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/7473/sharedloss.html

**SHATTERED by Lariel
Not an easy read by ANY means but certainly a memorable one, this unusual Conqueror tale by Lariel is told from the perspective of a simple peasant woman, profoundly moved by the words she heard from a young dissenter condemned to the cross. Determined to deny the Conqueror this one victim, the woman gives shelter to the rebel named Gabrielle but the weeks to come will prove a struggle of their own as Gabrielle deals with both the physical devastation done to her body and the emotional devastation heaped on her spirit - all the while knowing that it's just a matter of time before the most powerful force in the known world finds her again - knowing the likely fate that will await her benefactor but unable now to eliminate the dream of freedom and humanity and self-worth that her own words have given rise to. A tribute to those with the courage to stand against injustice and cruelty no matter the personal cost, this is a deeply moving story about those battles that must be lost along the way in order to win the war. Solidly written and very thought-provoking, this one comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 12 pgs., 2/3/01
http://merwolf.com/academy/lariel_shattered.html

**SHE AINT HEAVY... by Maggie
In the best tradition of all those great hurt/comfort stories, Maggie brings us a tale that will grab those heart-strings early on and just pull at them 'til the very end. Set after the events in BITTER SUITE, this story begins with Xena growing increasingly concerned when she first realizes that Gabrielle is sick. In the ensuing days the bard's condition continues to worsen but the real challenge will come when another deadly development threatens them both leaving them with only their love and determination to rely on. Featuring a very stirring depiction of the Xena/Gab friendship, this is an intense, emotional piece made more so by it's treatment of some of the events in BITTER SUITE. DO NOT MISS! - 55 pgs., 3/2/98
FANFIC ART: "The Calm After The Storm" by Lunar
https://ausxip.com/fanfic2/sheaintheavy.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

SILENT NIGHTS by Awatcher
At times bitter-sweet, at times funny, this tale has Xena and Gabrielle trying to deal with the repercussions of a curse cast by the mischievous god Pan while most of Mt. Olympus is trying to help them. - 21 pgs., 8/7/97
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/3290/Awatcher_SilentNights.html

SILVER FOX (THE) by Maggie
Set after the events in the episode DEBT II - BETRAYAL, this long, gripping story follows the warrior and bard as they try to find their way back to one another from the desolation they have both been left in by recent events. Feeling lost and in need of healing they travel to Amazonia where they at last will have to face their feelings or risk loosing one another forever. This is a deeply emotional piece firmly rooted in the strength of the Xena/Gabrielle friendship. It offers an interesting perspective on the rift we are now seeing in the third season - exploring some of the feelings these two women are likely to experience. Well done. [See also the sequel THE MOUTH OF BABES] - 49 pgs., 12/4/97
https://ausxip.com/fanfic/silverfox.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

SIMULACRUM by Wishes
Wishes takes a dab at script-writing with this latest offering, producing a tale that would make one heck of an episode. When Xena goes off to help an old friend, Gabrielle stays behind in a village where a fateful encounter awaits her with a face from the past and a woman who has already touched her life without the bard ever knowing it. This is a mystery story that weaves what has gone before with the intriguing possibilities of what may be. Another in the long line of winners by Wishes. - 19 pgs., 6/7/97
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/simul.html
https://ausxip.com/fanfic/judy/simul.html

**SING YOU A SONG OF JUSTICE by Godot
This is an EXTREMELY unusual, VERY clever new story which I can best describe as...CUTE! Yeah - I know - lots of people hate that word but there is no denying this story is just...cute! It is also, very well-written with an element of humor which is surprising considering the premise. Xena and Gabrielle are on their way to help a village deal with some thugs when they run into a stranger - a very dangerous stranger with deadly powers who is determined to take revenge on Xena for some of her past actions. What this stranger doesn't count on of course, is that the Warrior Princess has a very determined protector - a certain bard who somehow manages to see the good in everyone and who wields a power within her stronger than any other force. Although a seemingly simple tale, this story revolves around very serious issues like revenge, forgiveness, sacrifice and friendship. Note that although a general fiction story, it even includes just a liiiiittle bit of subtext. A nice change of pace which I VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND! [See also the sequel EMBODIMENT OF EVIL] - 15 pgs., 7/28/97
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/justice.html

**SINS OF THE DAUGHTER by Bel-wah
Gabrielle's day of reckoning is at hand in a gripping tale that begins with Xena and the bard finding a villager in need of help on the road. They're puzzled by his almost paralyzing fear of them - confused even further when they arrive at the village of Badrias. The entire town looks upon them with terror and hatred, but unlike other such instances, this time it isn't the Warrior Princess that's inspiring those feelings... Bel-Wah sketches a well-thought out plot here that could actually be the basis of a terrific episode. Solid characterizations, along with some humor and suspenseful moments combine to make for a great read! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 25 pgs., 12/1/98
https://ausxip.com/fanfic5/sinsofthedaughter.html

SISTER ACT by Barbara Davies
Ares' twin sister decides to try to help her brother win the Warrior Princess back and soon Xena and Gabrielle find themselves with some extra company on the road. This one could be a TV episode. - 10 pgs., 1/5/99
http://www.btinternet.com/~a.e.c/sister.htm
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

SLAVE TRADE (THE) by Visitor (as Lost Soul)
Released on the NetForum in Jan. 1997, this vignette has Xena freeing some slaves and then reluctantly having to reveal a truth about her past to Gabrielle. - 3 pgs., 12/6/97
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/2015/slavetrade.html

**SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY by Christine Toups and Becky Lutzke
Riveting story which begins with Xena and Gabrielle parting company for a short while so each can visit their respective families. It is a decision the warrior will live to regret as unbeknownst to her Gabrielle is quickly plunged into the worst nightmare of her life - a nightmare which soon enough will become Xena's own. In these final chapters, the warrior fights a deadly menace for her friend's life and a foe becomes an unlikely ally. Becky and Christine do a great job here of tying the story with events shown in the TV series - particularly the episode DREAMWOKER. With lots of twists and turns, this is a well-written, suspenseful drama poised to test the Xena/Gab friendship. DO NOT MISS! - 123 pgs., 11/17/97
FANFIC ART: Story Cover by Becky Lutzke and Christine Toups
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/2159/
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

**SLOW POISON by Becky Lutzke
This talented bard is back with a very promising new story. It begins with a shadowy figure stalking Gabrielle who is telling stories at an inn while waiting for Xena who's away on a mission. By the time the Warrior Princess gets back, Gabrielle is nursing an injury that doesn't seem to be healing. Still unfinished, this is well-written and suspenseful. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [unfinished] - 11/9/97
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/6211/index.html
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content2/poisonpr.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
https://ausxip.com/fanfiction/s/slumberingbard.html
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/slumberingbard.html