HALLOWEEN FICTION REVIEWS (S-Z)
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.

The following are reviews of fanfic and original fiction set during the Halloween period or having a Halloween "feel". The majority of reviews are for Xena and uber-Xena stories.

XWP is set in Ancient Greece which did not exactly celebrate the same holidays we celebrate today. However, they did have festivities which were similar in spirit and often took place around the same time of the year. For more information on the types of festivals and holidays which the Ancient Greeks celebrated take a look at these links:

• ANCIENT GREEK SAMHAIN FESTIVALS
• HELLENIC NEO-PAGAN CALENDAR
• SEASONAL FESTIVALS OF THE GREEKS AND ROMANS

This is a combined file of both general and alternative fiction reviews. The alternative stories are designated as such with an [Alt] at the end of the title line.

Stories marked with a are ones that I've found particularly creepy.

**IMPORTANT NOTE - Some of the reviews below include crosslinks to reviews in other sections. If after reading one of those crosslinked reviews you want to get back to the Halloween index make sure to hit the BACK button on your browser or just go to the bottom of the page your on and select the appropriate link under Holiday Tales.

Halloween:   A-F   G-R   S-Z         Solstice         Thanksgiving

**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://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

**SILENT CITY (THE) by Dr. Bob -- [Alt]   
This is a continuation of Dr. Bob's previous stories, BEGINNINGS, THE SPRING FESTIVAL and A SOUL REUNITED. Together now, Xena and the bard are enjoying their new-found closeness when they happen across the ruins of a mysterious city - abandoned...or so it seems. With more to loose now than ever, the two set out to unravel the secret of the silent city unaware of the true horror hiding within the ruins. This story expands on the love and romance warrior and bard discovered in A SOUL REUNITED - delivering another deeply passionate tale. The mystery of the silent city is unraveled slowly, at times with gruesome precision. The overall result is another first-class read from one of our most talented bards. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! [See also Dr. Bob's fifth story, WHAT PRICE REDEMPTION - 27 pgs., 9/22/97
https://ausxip.com/fanfic/silent.html

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

**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

**TAKE ONE HEAD AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING... by Lariel - [Alt]
In the grand tradition of Mel Brooks' classic YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN comes this hysterical uber set in a mysterious, spooky castle were a somewhat deranged Lady Xena is anxiously anticipating a reunion with her beloved Gabrielle. One sliiight little problem though - Gabrielle has been dead for a while now and though Lady Xena has managed to reconstruct her with some spare body parts, one crucial part remains... Meanwhile, teenager Callista and her younger sister Gabriella are out with friends never suspecting the "parts" they're about to play in the reunion of two soulmates. Brilliant in its oddity, this story is going to have you grinning at how surprisingly well the Xena characters fit into Shelley's horror masterpiece. A hilarious, if somewhat macabre celebration of true love if I've ever seen one! DO NOT MISS! - 10 pgs., 11/10/01
http://www.xenaeyes.com/TakeOneHead.html

TALE OF FLOPSY COTTONTAIL (THE) by Chris M.
A dark, scary Halloween tale about a...wabbit? Well, yeah - but trust me - this ain't no Bugs Bunny we're talking about here! This is the story of an innocent little rabbit named Flopsy and how she decides on a diet change after an encounter with a rather tasty young bard ;-) Cute! - 4 pgs., 10/29/98
http://whoosh.org/katrina/STO/brose/flopsie.html

**TERROR IN THE AMAZON by Rachel2 -- [Alt]
Rachel2's second Mel/Janice story after THE AEGIS continues the level of excellence this bard established long ago with her first forays into XWP fan fiction. WONDERFULLY original, suspenseful and emotional, this story takes the archeologist and her partner to the wilds of the Amazon where a fantastic discovery has been made. Unfortunately, one liiiiiitle problem keeps stalling things at the dig - workers are dying left and right and the natives fear a curse is at work. Amidst those challenges, stand the ones of the heart as Janice struggles against feelings she fears will only leave her broken-hearted and Mel finds herself embracing ones she's never had before. Rachel2 is known for her very careful characterizations and the thoughtful treatments she gives to the relationship between her characters. Her stories are consistently excellent reads and this one in particular is VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! [See also the sequel HOUSE ON REDMEN'S HILL] - 43 pgs., 8/28/97
http://xwp-altfic.simplenet.com/rach-terror.txt

**THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY by Nene Adams -- [Alt]
The latest entry in Nene's CHAMBER OF HORRORS SERIES is a compelling, heartbreaking, shocker of a tale that will have you glued to that monitor 'til the very end so reserve the time for this one folks. Set in the 12th century convent on a remote island of the Irish coast, this is the tale of an abandoned child found by the nuns there - her emerald eyes unseeing and her small body sporting the signs of horrific abuse. With no memories of her past and under the gentle care of the sisters, the girl grows up into a beautiful young woman, independent and head-strong despite her blindness, afraid only of the monster that haunts her dreams. Aislinn's life at the convent is peaceful and uneventful until the day a stranger comes to the island - a warrior whose visit could bring the convent much-needed money and prestige, who awakens in the young woman feelings she's never had before but whose appearance also coincides with a series of bloody killings and strange sightings as the sisters become convince that something is stalking not only their sheep but also the blind girl they found so long ago. Rich in atmosphere, Nene's stories have an extraordinary power to transport the reader into another age and place. Her characterizations have an understated quality to them that let you become intimately acquainted with these characters in a very short time. Blending the supernatural with the even more terrifying darkness that sometimes dwells in the human heart, this story packs a wallop. A MUST READ for anyone who enjoys quality fiction and a truly horrifying tale. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [See the sequel FLESH OF MY FLESH] - 42 pgs., 3/15/99
http://www.corrieweb.com/chamber/nuns1.htm

TIME SLIP by Bel-wah
Spooky little tale set in a dark forest that has the Warrior Princess and bard meeting a young woman desperate to see the love of her life and being kept from him by something very determined... and very inhuman. Good story for one of those rainy evenings ;-) - 10 pgs., 11/2/98
https://ausxip.com/fanfic5/timeslip.html

TIME TO KILL by Sarah Mangene   
This is the *PERFECT* story to read during Halloween month! Prepare for chills galore as Xena and the Gabster arrive at a mysterious abandoned castle where they have been summoned to a meeting with Hercules and Iolus. With the two men still not expected for a few days, the warrior and bard decide to wait in the castle never suspecting the evil they are about to uncover. Well-written and CREEPY! Make sure to read this with most of the lights turned off, preferably on some rainy night when you're ALL by your lonesome! BWAHAHAHAHHA!!! >:) - 34 pgs., 10/8/97
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/2521/tm2kll.htm

TWILIGHT TALES by Raistlyn

1. IN THE TWILIGHT HOUR
2. TWILIGHT'S PROMISE
3. TWILIGHT'S SHADOW

**TWILIGHT'S CHILDREN by Sharon Bowers -- [Alt]
This is Sharon's second story based on the premise of Katrina's BLOOD AND ROSES SERIES but is actually set before her first such story WHEN THE NIGHT CLOSES IN. This new tale is the first in THE IMMORTAL SCROLLS series and is in fact a crossover featuring characters from Anne Rice's commercial vampire novels. Set in 1790, it has Xena, daughter of Ares, and Gabrielle, daughter of Bacchus, arriving in the New World where they are quickly drawn into the seductive mystery that is New Orleans. Sensing the presence of other creatures of power in the city, Xena soon finds herself once again fighting to save human lives, this time against an evil undeniably deadly...and yet strangely charming. This is a very well-written, sophisticated story with believable depictions of characters centuries old. The love between warrior and bard is as strong as ever...and as sizzling. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! -15 pgs.,. 2/14/98
http://whoosh.org/katrina/STO/brose/night/imm1.html

TWILIGHT'S PROMISE by Raistlyn
A sequel to IN THE TWILIGHT HOUR which tells the story from Gabrielle's perspective as she remembers the last time she saw the Warrior Princess some three thousand years before and thinks about all the centuries she's spent searching for her since. An emotional read with a sense of renewed hope. DO NOT MISS! [See the sequel TWILIGHT'S SHADOW] - 5 pgs., 9/5/98
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/7473/twilightpromise.html

TWILIGHT'S SHADOW by Raistlyn
The sequel to TWILIGHT'S PROMISE, this is a touching little story which follows the thoughts of two very old friends as they prepare for a reunion two millenniums in the making. - 2 pgs., 10/5/98
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/7473/twilightsshadow.html

**UNDER THE MOON by Zwolf   
In his second piece of fanfic after IN A DEEP SLEEP, Zwolf delivers another masterful horror piece, this one set around Xena's reunion with an old friend - a friend that is more than he seems and who makes the Warrior Princess an offer she's sorely tempted to accept...if only she wasn't committed to solving the series of grisly murders terrifying a small town. Zwolf presents us here with a story that is poignant and scary all at once - eliciting sympathy for characters that at the same time terrify. This is a well-written, intelligent, suspenseful tale that will remind you of some of those classic horror movies of the thirties and forties. DO NOT MISS!! - 33 pgs., 4/97
http://members.xoom.com/Nonamia/xena/moon.html

UP TO THE OLD INN DOOR by Beowolf -- [Alt]
Poignantly haunting alt. tale that has Xena and Gabrielle trying to discover what happened to a pair of lovers on a fateful night long ago. - 8 pgs., 4/13/97
http://xwp-altfic.simplenet.com/beowolf1.txt

**WARRIOR AND THE BARD (THE) - TEMPTATION by Maven -- [Alt]
Part two of the ALPHA/OMEGA TRILOGY is a haunting, beautiful, heart-wrenching story quite different in tone from Maven's first but very much equal in terms of quality. This is also a crossover tale featuring characters from Anne Rice's popular commercial novels. Set fifteen years after the warrior and bard first meet, the story has them leading a life together as innkeepers when they receive a visit from a mysterious stranger - a stranger with a very tempting offer... A very moving tale you wont soon forget. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 4 pgs., 3/16/98
http://xenafiction.net/scrolls/temptation.html

**WARRIOR, THE WITCH AND THE NIGHTMARE (THE) by Verrath - [Alt]
A SPECTACULAR adventure-thriller, Verrath latest is a lengthy, thoroughly engrossing tale which begins on Mount Olympus where the gods are very concerned about an unexpected presence in the mortal realm. Meanwhile, on Earth, Xena and Gabrielle are busy saving a mysterious stranger - a woman accused of being a witch who inspires something in Xena the warrior is not used to feeling...fear. Before long the warrior's instincts prove correct as she embarks on a desperate quest to find her beloved partner, ultimately making a deal with a goddess whose unusual aid will challenge warrior and bard as they've never been challenged before. Verrath delivers here a remarkably entertaining story with a well-conceived, solidly paced, suspenseful plot. The characterizations are terrific all-around with the fiercely determined, emotionally reserved warrior contrasting beautifully with the more open, sensitive bard. In an ironic twist, the villain though impressively evil acts also as the conduit through which the love story is developed. A page-turner if I've ever read one, this is a MUST READ certain to satisfy that fanfic craving. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 100 pgs., 11/19/00
http://merwolf.com/academy/verrath_wwn1.html

**WARRIOR'S HEART (A) by TZ -- [Alt]
TZ concludes her fantastic A SACRIFICE FOR LOVE SERIES, with a tour-de-force! - a spellbinding, magical tale that will remind you in parts of the movie GHOST and offers the same combination of humor, romance, and drama that made that film such a huge success. Certain that she's dead, Gabrielle is thoroughly confused when she finds herself in the woods near Xena - able to see her partner, able to see and smell and feel the forest around them but invisible to the warrior. With her heart mirroring the ache in Xena's own, the little bard begins to follow her - vowing to keep her safe despite the warrior's almost suicidal recklessness. Soon Xena senses the beloved presence by her side and thus begins a quest to bring her soulmate back to the world of the living - determined to do so no matter the consequences...or the price. At times funny, at times heart-wrenching, this is a magical love story that thoroughly warms the spirit. A definite MUST READ! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! -- 15 pgs., 9/14/98
http://www.fortunecity.com/village/villageplace/334/warriors-heart.html

**WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS by Pink Rabbit Productions
An EXCEPTIONAL novel which takes it's place among the best in XWP fan fiction. Xena and Gabrielle are enjoying a peaceful time, sharing their love and growing closer when a troop of soldiers inform them of the strange killings which have been taking place in the area. It is a mystery that will bring Xena face to face with some ghosts from her past and once again imperil the lives of both warrior and bard. This novel features solid characterizations and a well-structured, intriguing plot. The love story is passionate and rich in emotion. GREAT storytelling! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 68 pgs., 11/4/97
https://www.altfic.com//subtextfic/Xena/prp/WhentheBough.htm

**WHEN THE NIGHT CLOSES IN by Sharon Bowers -- [Alt]
This latest entry in Katrina's BLOOD AND ROSES SERIES is a crossover story which has Xena and Gabrielle meeting the Louis from Anne Rice's commercial novel INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE. Written in a style reminiscent of the novel itself, this tale has the men who originally published the incredible interview of the vampire Louis discovering two lost chapters from the original manuscript. In them Louis remembers his encounter one night with the immortal Xena and shortly thereafter with her lover - the Ancient bard with whom he and his kind share a distant kinship. The first part of a yet unfinished story, this is well-written with rich characterizations that do justice both to the XWP characters and to Anne Rice's own. As seen through the eyes of the vampire, the bond between Xena and Gabrielle is breathtakingly sensual, strong, and timeless. This is a MUST READ which should particularly appeal to fans of both XWP and Rice's novels. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 22 pgs., 12/21/97
http://whoosh.org/katrina/STO/brose/night/night.html

**WHIFF OF BRIMSTONE (A) by Chris M. -- [Alt]
A crossover story featuring characters from XENA and the recent FOX TV series BRIMSTONE as well as references to a number of other current TV shows, this little tale should put a grin on fans of popular television. Part of the BLOOD AND ROSES Altaverse series> which has Gabrielle as the immortal daughter of Bacchus and Xena as the immortal child of Ares, the story begins with Gabrielle on her way to Sunnydale to interview for a teaching job at the High School there when she runs into a mysterious figure at the airport - a woman with a distinct scent and a dark purpose Gabrielle is compelled to learn more about. Her efforts soon reveal the woman as one of 113 souls recently escaped from the bowels of Hell and determined now to make humanity pay for turning its back on the gods that once gave her power. Thinking that she needs to interfere with the vengeful soul's plans, Gabrielle is about to do that when she finds herself face to face with yet another mysterious figure - a stylish man with longish hair who assures the ancient bard that he has matters well in hand then proceeds to introduce himself...as Lucifer. Chris does a wonderful job of merging the worlds of XENA and BRIMSTONE, capturing the essence of the characters and excelling in particular with the characterization of that wicked but disarmingly charming devil from BRIMSTONE. With the references to other TV and historical personalities this should be a fun read even for those who didn't follow the BRIMSTONE TV series. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 16 pgs., 4/2/99
http://whoosh.org/katrina/STO/brose/brimston.html

**WHISTLING DOWN THE WIND by Nene Adams
Based on the short story, "O, Whistle and I'll Come to You My Lad" by E.F. Benson, this is a decidedly EERIE new offering set on a cold, rainy night that has the warrior and bard seeking shelter in a crowded in with only one room left. Despite the inn-keeper's panicky reluctance to rent them the room, the two insist, dismissing the man's concern as the usual type of superstition they've come across in the past at small villages. Only this time, it isn't superstition they'll be up against - but a very real, and very deadly evil lying in wait for that next unsuspecting victim... The story unfolds through a series of alternating scenes which very effectively build the suspense, imparting a growing trepidation on readers and characters alike. Well- written and executed, this is one to read late at night right before going to bed - preferably on a rainy night when the wind is howling. A terrific read that comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! [Part of the CHAMBER OF HORRORS SERIES] - 8 pgs., 12/18/98
http://www.corrieweb.com/chamber/whistle.htm

XENA AND GABRIELLE MEET BARNEY by Inky
You parents out there should just LOVE this new little skit which FINALLY reveals the true nature of a well-known purple dinosaur and has our heroines trying to save the day! ;-) Personally, I've had my suspicions about Barney ALL ALONG! [Note: some mild subtextual references in this] - 5 pgs., 4/3/98
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Library/1013/XGB.html