XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS - GENERAL FAN FICTION REVIEWS
X-Z
Reviewer can be reached at lunacy@dc.seflin.org
Last updated: 09/27/00

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

**XENA SCROLL (A) by Bel-wah
Coming on the heels of Bel-Wah's THE CUSTOMER, this tale continues the story begun there as a recuperating Xena waits for her bard to return with dinner. The object of much mothering since her recent injury, the impatient warrior is anxious for things to return back to normal but touched nevertheless by her partner's loving concern. To pass the time she finds herself reading scrolls about a hero that's larger than life, realizing in the process just how mightier than a sword the quill can be, and wishing she could tell the world about the other gentle hero those scrolls never speak about... Bel-Wah has a wonderful way of enriching her characterizations by allowing us to see through the eyes of her characters. Her fiction, and this latest offering in particular, tell a heartwarming story of devotion and friendship. Another MUST READ from this talented writer. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 3 pgs., 1/2/99
https://ausxip.com/fanfic6/a_xena_scroll.html

**XENA SHOPPING NETWORK (XSN) by Tendre
After an absence during which she's been heartedly missed by her fans, Tendre returns with what she does best - one HILARIOUS new parody! Universal has signed a deal allowing the creation of a new network - the Xena Shopping Network!! Hosting of course are those delightful twosome - Lucy and Renee - pitching all sorts of nifty products from some - er - "educational" videos to dollies designed for different audiences! ;-) Note: Tons of subtext - nothing graphic. This one is NOT TO BE MISSED folks! Keep all liquids away from that keyboard! :) - 11 pgs., 11/29/97
http://members.aol.com/Radigund/XSN.html

**XENA'S CHOICE by Lara Zielinsky
This EXCELLENT new story starts off immediately after the events in the episode SACRIFICE II, with a desolate Xena no longer caring whether she lives or dies, dispassionately doing Ares' bidding while forcing out of her thoughts any memory of the life she led during the past three years, of the hopes a young bard dared to inspire within her. Meanwhile, a confused Gabrielle finds herself traveling from one nightmare into another as the decision she made in Britannia once again leads to awful repercussions. Trapped in a very dark place, the bard must challenge the fiercest of opponents if she hopes to ever get out - an opponent that is once again ruthlessly living up to her reputation...as the Warrior Princess. This is an intensely psychological tale revolving around very well drawn portrayals of our two heroines. It also features a strong supporting cast and a storyline that will keep you glued to that seat. A fascinating read! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 55 pgs., 7/6/98, re-released 1/5/99
http://members.xoom.com/LZClotho/gen/xchoice.html

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

XENA THE CONQUEROR by Nutball
Nicely written story, which takes some liberties with Xena's childhood but offers some interesting possibilities as well. [Originally posted in the Xena NetForum] - 16 pgs., 5/22/97
http://xenafan.com/fiction/content/xenacon.html

**XENAVERSE FAERY TALES by Nene Adams
These are a series of Xena fan fiction stories based on classic fairy tales. Note that some of the stories are alt. fiction.

**BEAUTY IN THE BEAST (THE)
SWAN IS BORN (A)
**LITTLE RED RIDING CLOAK
THE WARRIOR'S NEW ARMOR
THE MAIDEN AND THE SEVEN WARLORDS
BEAUTY WAKES -- [Alt]
**GOLDEN HAIR AND THE THREE URSAE -- [Alt]
**HAPPY PRINCESS (THE) -- [Alt]
**SACRIFICE OF BEAUTY (THE) OR THE BEAUTY IN THE BEAST PART II -- [Alt]
**BARD AND THE BEANSTALK (THE) -- [Alt]
PRINCESS FASCIA -- [Alt]

**YEAH, BUT WITH A REALLY BIG SWORD by Temora
Set after the episode GOD FEARING CHILD, this is an exceedingly well-written story and a VERY impressive character study of Gabrielle in particular. The story begins with the bard, Xena and Eve on their way to Poteidaia where Xena hopes to give her partner a chance to spend some time with her family. Feeling at a loss lately, Poteidaia is not actually something Gabrielle is looking forward to. There's an emptiness inside her now, a sense of confusion, an ache in her heart that she cannot shake and cannot quite understand. A worried Xena senses the turmoil in her partner but in a disquieting development realizes that the young woman who once seemed to talk non-stop, now doesn't talk at all. In Poteidaia a beloved face from the past will finally coax Gabrielle out of her silence but another will bring a bitter betrayal forcing the bard to embrace her unsettling new role as warrior in order to protect the family she loves most of all. Temora skillfully uses internal dialogues here to reveal the thoughts of these characters - their fears, their confusion, their anxiety and their vulnerabilities. Both Xena and Gabrielle are painted in a very human light as friends who care for one another deeply but are essentially different, have arrived at the points they are in their lives through very different roads and will struggle differently not only with the physical threats against them but the emotional challenges of the lives they've chosen. This is an insightful, psychological piece with a refreshingly effective treatment of the Xena and Gabrielle we've seen in season five. DO NOT MISS! - 36 pgs., 5/23/00
https://ausxip.com/fanfic10/yeahreallybigsword.html