XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS - GENERAL FAN FICTION REVIEWS
Sn-Sz
Reviewer can be reached at lunacy@dc.seflin.org
Last updated: 01/21/01

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

SOLEMN INDUSTRY by Wishes
A short piece - this one set after Xena's death in DESTINY which looks at Gabrielle's heartbreak immediately after the warrior's death. [Originally posted on the NetForum] - 3 pgs., 5/15/9
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/solemn.html
https://ausxip.com/fanfic/judy/solemn.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

SOLSTICE LIGHT by Onora
Heartwarming tale set during Solstice Eve when the stubborn determination of one friend serves as the guiding light for another. Very sweet. - 4 pgs., 2/11/99
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/7473/solsticelight.html

SOLSTICE MOON by Linda Tellez (aka Saahira)
Intense tale that has Xena reliving a nightmare from the past when an old adversary strikes, this time endangering not only her life but the bard's as well. [See also the sequel A WARRIOR'S HEART] - 26 pgs., 3/19/98
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/7473/solsticemoon.html

SOLSTICE ON HIGH by Barry Marshall
Continuing his annual Holiday tradition Barry brings us a new Solstice story which finds the warrior and bard celebrating with some mortal and immortal friends and receiving a well-deserved gift. Heartwarming, feel-good tale. - 9 pgs., 12/27/99
http://members.aol.com/xenafanfic/onhigh.htm

SOLSTICE WISH by Barry Marshall
A very timely new offering that has the warrior and bard seeking shelter at a small village on a cold Solstice Eve and helping a gentle soul to keep the promise he once made his family. Heart-warming piece, perfect for the Holidays. DO NOT MISS! - 8 pgs., 12/22/98
http://members.aol.com/xxlbadboy/wish.htm

SOMEDAY, I'LL DESERVE YOU by Magenta (Lori Bowen)
Reminiscent of early Xena fanfic, this short tale has the warrior and bard passing through a town that once felt the fury of the Destroyer of Nations but now hears the words of one little bard determined as always to stand up for her partner. Nice reaffirmation of the friendship. - 4 pgs., 5/5/00
http://www.angelfire.com/tv/thexwpauryn/deserveyou.html

**SOUL CATCHER (THE) by Godot
This is the third entry in Godot's DELIGHTFUL series of adventures teaming Xena and Gabrielle with the zany sorceress Antipany who has a score to settle with the Warrior Princess but a soft spot for a certain bard who keeps preventing her from settling that score ;-) In this latest tale the three set out to try to stop an evil being Antipany has met before and has no wish to ever meet again. Aiding them is a healer with more than a passing interest in the zany sorceress and an old acquaintance of Xena and Gabrielle who is near and dear to their hearts...and their dinar bag! Antipany is one of my favorite original characters in XWP fan fiction. In addition to this wonderful characterization, Godot's depiction of the Xena/Gab relationship is very tender, loyal to the core with a bit of spice thrown in there ;-) In order to best enjoy this latest offering in the series, readers should take a look at the first two stories, SING YOU A SONG OF JUSTICE and EMBODIMENT OF EVIL. This is a FUN one folks! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [See also the sequel JOURNEY INTO DARKNESS] Note: the story does contain subtext. - 20 pgs., 10/20/97
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/soul.html

SOUL'S PLEDGE by Maggie
Emotional story set in the fourth season which finds Xena and Gabrielle returning to Amphipolis after another trying ordeal to recuperate and spend time with their old friend Lanessa. It is a difficult time for them both as the warrior agonizes over how her past continues to affect Gabrielle's life and the young bard worries that Xena might once again be thinking of leaving her behind. Maggie paints a wonderfully compelling picture of the Xena/Gab friendship here, establishing it as paramount in both their lives. Including a number of nicely dramatic scenes, this is a very satisfying read. DO NOT MISS!! - 59 pgs., 2/23/99
https://ausxip.com/fanfic6/soulspledge.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

SPARK OF MERCY (A) by L. Fox
An interesting, nicely written crossover piece that has Xena the Warlord entering THE TWILIGHT ZONE just as her army is preparing to attack the little village of Poteidaia. The lesson she learns there will plant a seed that will take root and flower in the years to come. - 4 pgs., 3/2/98
http://www.gabbyfan.com/fiction/mercy.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

STAY PUT - see the BETWEEN THE TIMES SERIES

**STILL WATERS by Anne Taylor
STILL WATERS by Anne Taylor Set some weeks after the events in BITTER SUITE, this story finds Xena and the bard on their way back into Amazon lands. Well aware of the greeting she's likely to get after her last visit there, Xena's plan is to simply accompany her partner to the surrounding forest and then head for Amphipolis. A frustrated Gabrielle nevertheless continues trying to convince her friend that they need to make things right with the Amazons. It is an argument which soon enough becomes a mute point when the two wander just a tad too far into that forest and the Warrior Princess gets a taste of what Amazon justice can be like. The little bard turned Queen then finds herself in the unlikely position of having to defend the ex-warlord who nearly killed her or risk loosing forever the best friend she treasures above all else. In light of third season events, the storyline is timely and fascinating. [Note: story includes some subtextual references] - 151 pgs., 6/10/98
http://www.interlog.com/~ataylor/SS_C1.html
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

STORM ALONG THE STEPPES (A) by Bel-wah
A snapshot of the life of the Warrior Princess in her most ruthless days, Bel-Wah's latest has Xena and Borias occupying a conquered village for a few days as Xena plays a very different type of Solomon and Borias shows his heart to a woman not ready to see love as anything but a weakness. Well in keeping with the TV characterizations, this story evokes both contempt and pity for the Xena that was. - 6 pgs., 1/20/99
https://ausxip.com/fanfic6/astorm.html

**STORYTELLER by Anon
OUTSTANDING story featuring our two heroines on a grand adventure with Hercules and Iolus. Surprisingly it's Gabby who takes the spotlight...and she deserves it! The tale has Hera imprisoning the Muses forcing our heroes to plan a rescue mission. Anon presents us here with one of the best characterizations of the bard I've seen in XWP fan fiction and a treatment of the friendship between warrior and bard that is extremely satisfying! One of the most enjoyable stories I've ever read, it receives my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! - 38 pgs., 10/96
http://www.caveofchoirs.org/stories/fanfic/xenaff/storytel.htm
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/storyteller.htm
[Palm Pilot version available at XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

STRANDED by Visitor (as Lost Soul)
This little vignette was first released on the NetForum back in Jan. 1997. It is an emotional slice-of-life piece which chronicles the thoughts going through Gabrielle's mind as she and Xena are stranded on a small boat in the middle of the ocean with little water and even less food. - 2 pgs., 12/6/97
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/2015/stranded.html

**STRANDS OF FRIENDSHIP by Tovie
With a disclaimer GUARANTEED to put a grin on your face, this little tale is a nostalgic look back at those days when the warrior and bard were just beginning to get comfortable with one another. It is primarily a flashback to a rainy day on the road and the first time a little bard-wannabe from Poteidaia got enough courage to offer her hair braiding skills to a very intimidating ex-warlord. Adorable. Tovie does an excellent job capturing those early characterizations of our two heroines. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 4 pgs., 4/17/99
http://www.crosswinds.net/~pashao/xena/altfic/tovie-strands.htm

**STREAM OF UNCONSCIOUSNESS by Piscia
Highly unusual hurt/comfort vignette written in a stream of consciousness style which proves wonderfully effective. These are the rambling thoughts of a bard as she tries to recover from an injury with the presence of a warrior always part of her awareness. The piece has a fantastic feeling of tenderness and love to it. DO NOT MISS! - 1 pg., 11/20/97
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content2/streams.html

**STRENGTH OF VISION by Brigid Doyle
Beautiful tale about the struggle of one fragile little life to survive and a mother helpless against the course of destiny who must simply take solace in the gift she's been given, knowing that it's a gift she holds only for a time until a greater calling demands that gift for another. VERY nice. Poignant and universal in its tribute to the selflessness of a mother's love. DO NOT MISS! - 3 pgs., 11/30/99
https://ausxip.com/fanfiction/s/strengthofvision.html

SURVIVOR OF CIRRA (THE) by Jake Atkin
This new Callisto story has some chilling possibilities. It begins with Callisto on her way to a festival where Xena and Gabrielle are themselves meeting some friends. Unbeknownst to them all, another is headed for that festival as well - one who's childhood was taken by the Warrior Princess and who's life was later destroyed by the blonde warlord herself and is now vent on taking revenge on them BOTH. - 66 pgs., 4/15/97
http://www.hudsonleickfan.com/CallistosTales/scirra.htm

SWAN IS BORN (A) - A XENAVERSE FAERY TALE by Nene Adams
The second of Nene's XENAVERSE FAERY TALES, this little story is about a young peasant girl from the village of Poteidaia who never felt she fit in there and who prayed to the gods for the chance at a better life. A nice retelling of a story familiar to Xenites - this time with that fairy tale twist. - 4 pgs., 3/22/0998
http://www.corrieweb.com/faery/swan.htm

SWEET SURRENDER by Blue
A story which brings Gabrielle full circle as faced with the horrors of the events we saw in MATERNAL INSTINCTS she remembers the prophetic dreams she had just before meeting a certain Warrior Princess. Poignant and beautifully written. - 26 pgs., 3/15/98
https://ausxip.com/fanfic2/sweetsurrender.html

SWORD (THE) by Jera
An intuitive young girl considers the impact a sword has had on its wielder's life as she watches her companion cleaning it. Nicely symbolic ending to this one. - 3 pgs., 3/15/00
http://www.xenaeyes.com/TheSword.html

SWORD AND THE SERPENT (THE) by Marina Frants
Featuring an outstanding characterization of the God of War and a really clever depiction of the world of immortals, this story is original, well-written and very entertaining. It begins with a family dinner in Olympus where a frustrated Ares is at a loss to understand how his family continues to ignore the growing threat that is Dahak. Realizing he is not going to get any help from them, the Wargod visits the realms of other deities seeking an alliance but unbeknownst to him, Dahak is already beginning to make his move. With no alternatives left Ares has to appeal to the half-brother he's always hated and the warlord- turned-hero who despises him in a desperate plan to try to stop an evil that former warlord and her partner are all too familiar with. This story is certain to delight anyone who sees the charm in the God of War. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 38 pgs., 4/18/98
http://www.sff.net/people/FrantsDeCandido/ares.htm

SWORD OF ARES by JayBird
Set in the 1960's this is an action-packed story with some VERY amusing moments that has Xena and Gabrielle returning to inhabit the bodies of Mel and Janice in order to try to stop Ares' latest attempt at power. Despite being a little rounder around the edges and sporting some gray hair, the warrior and bard are determined to stop their old nemesis only they don't suspect the trump card Ares is waiting to play. A very original treatment of these two friends. - 27 pgs., 11/29/97
https://ausxip.com/fanfic/swordofares.html

**SWORD OF WAR TRILOGY by Silk - The following stories in this trilogy are now available:

1. **CROWN OF LAUREL (A)
2. **PASSAGE INTO DARKNESS

SWORDS ARE NOT TOYS - see the BETWEEN THE TIMES SERIES

SYMBIOSIS by Day
A poignant tale set in an alternate time line where two women, now in the winter of their years, meet for the first time and feeling a strange kinship recall the choices they made long ago, and the sense of something missing that has haunted them for a lifetime. Day does an excellent job of capturing that unspoken sorrow that comes from regrets at the end of lives unfulfilled. A melancholic piece that will gently pull on those heart strings. DO NOT MISS! - 4 pgs., 12/20/99
http://members.xoom.com/athens33/Symbiosis1.htm