TUESDAY FAN FICTION REPORT - 11/16/98
[Previous report was for 11/11/98]

Hi folks,

Sorry this is coming to you a bit late - didn't get much SLEEP last night.

There's a new XWP fanfic review service now available. The XENA FAN FICTION REVIEWS hosted by Tim Wellman will endeavor to "give fair, unbiased reviews of new fan fiction stories posted at various sites on the internet." This is a cooperative service among a group of reviewers and will also be including contributions from guest reviewers. Check out the new site at: http://www.timwellman.ramlink.net/xffr/

There's also a new site for XWP fanfic - Jules Mills' THE NANOVERSE featuring this bards *SPECTACULAR* new fiction reviewed below. Stop by the site at: http://members.tripod.com/~jules_mills/nanohome

ALTERNATIVE FICTION:

**NANO #1: EQUILIBRIUM NEWTON'S FIRST LAW by Jules Mills
I think I may have had perhaps an HOUR of sleep last night and Jules Mills is SOLELY responsible. What can I say about this story? This is the type of story EVERY fanfic reader LIVES for. When the Xenaverse becomes a frustrating place and the TV series becomes even more so the continued possibility of gems like this story are what tend to keep me solidly a part of the fandom. This is ALSO a story that will make converts out of all you HEATHENS still uninitiated into the wonderful world of uber fanfic. I dare you to read this and not come out at the end a fan of the uber genre. Jules spins a yarn here that is utterly STUNNING in its emotional impact - in the depth of her characterizations - in the power of this exquisitely crafted story to draw you in and make you a part of this world, making you feel for these characters, making you root for them and cry for them and laugh with them. Set in the not-so-distant future of 2016, the story begins at a bar where ex-con Dana Papadopolis (better known as DOC) and doctor Grace Wilson first meet. Attempting to help after the dark stranger is inadvertently injured in a brawl, Grace finds herself immediately intrigued by the fidgety ex-con who at first refuses but eventually accepts her aid. Thus begins a slow dance between these two souls - one full of gentleness and determination, another hiding in a very dark place after years of barbaric abuse, desolation and disappointments. For Grace it will be an uphill battle all the way as she finds herself having to deal both with a very jealous and very dangerous ex and with a new partner whose physical strength is a stunning contradiction to the fragility lying beneath. Dana meanwhile finds herself trusting someone for the first time in her life, wanting desperately to bring the beautiful doctor and herself some measure of happiness...if only for a little while. Grace and ESPECIALLY Dana are two of the best drawn, most endearing modern uber-archetypes I have ever seen in XWP fanfic - recalling the qualities of Xena and Gabrielle while coming across as very real individuals in their own right. Jules sensitive portrayal of these two women is supplemented by a fantastically original story that integrates some great futuristic elements into a tale that is part hurt/comfort, part murder-mystery, and large part romance. I could go on and on but frankly all I want to know is what you're still doing wasting time with this review? ;-) GO READ! MOVE IT! MOVE IT! MOVE IT! This gift to the Xenaverse gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!! [After you finish this get your tail straight to the sequel NANO #2: EQUILIBRIUM MOMENT OF FORCE] - 73 pgs., 11/17/98
http://members.tripod.com/~jules_mills/nano1p1.html

NANO #2: EQUILIBRIUM MOMENT OF FORCE by Jules Mills
Jules picks up the incredible uber tale she began with NANO #1: EQUILIBRIUM NEWTON'S FIRST LAW immediately where that one left off - with Grace having to return home after news of her father's illness. It's an opportunity for Dana to meet the folks and for the two women to continue healing the ex-con's fragile psyche, but the pressures of family can get overwhelming - particular for someone whose past never seems far behind and whose fears are always lurking just beneath the surface. If these two haven't grabbed your heart yet - they'll have it solidly in hand throughout this sequel as they struggle to fit into one another's worlds, as they struggle against insecurities and at times even their better judgment to try to make a life together against all odds. Yet the present sometimes pales in comparison to the challenges of the past - and the darkness which always seems to reside there for one of them. This is a sequel which EASILY maintains the quality of its predecessor. Great characterizations, great story, great drama, GREAT writing. It gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!! [RUN to the sequel NANO #3: THE CARNOT CYCLE] - 27 pgs.
http://members.tripod.com/~jules_mills/nano2p1.html

NANO #3: THE CARNOT CYCLE by Jules Mills
Set a couple of months after NANO #2: EQUILIBRIUM MOMENT OF FORCE, this third story in the NANO SERIES finds a furious doctor Wilson refusing to accept any excuses from her now ex-partner Dana Papadopolis for her recent abandonment. Soon enough, however, her anger gives way to an acute despair when it becomes clear that the ex-con is not well - in fact, Dana is slowly becoming the victim of a killer she knows only too well but before surrendering to that darkness she needs to see the woman who gave her, if only for a little while, a glimpse into a life she's never deserved. This latest entry in the series is perhaps the most poignant as we see the extent of Dana's guilt for a past that once consumed a young girl and has never allowed her peace since. The hurt/comfort and futuristic qualities in this third story are particularly pronounced - presenting us with a premise that should make THE NANOVERSE a *very* popular web site in the weeks and months ahead. Another success in the making by one of the most welcomed additions to world of XWP fanfic this year. Jules' third entry in the series also gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!! [unfinished] - 17 pgs.
http://members.tripod.com/~jules_mills/nano3p1.html

THE CONSTANT HEART by Bel-wah
This bard just keeps sharing with us one impressive tale after another with this one possibly being the best one to date! This is a splendid, almost mystical story-within-a-story that begins with a frustrated bard having to wait for Xena while the warrior goes to fight in a war. Alone by a campfire the bard is visited by an unusually friendly deer whose presence inspires her to write a story about valor and sacrifice and a love so great it could transcend even death itself. It is a story that suddenly starts to seem all to real for her when she experiences an unexpected loss and soon finds herself dreading the mere probability of another even greater one. Bel-wah presents us here with a beautifully written tale that in parts reads very much like a Greek myth. Heart-breaking and reaffirming all at once, this is an outstanding effort that comes VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 13 pgs.
http://www.timwellman.ramlink.net/xena/altfic/bel-constantheart.html

COMPLICATIONS by Gin
Gin continues the captivating tale she began in NEGOTIATIONS with a very promising new sequel that finds the Conqueror and the Queen of the Amazons now very happy trying to make a life for themselves in a world filled with responsibilities, and dangers and reputations to maintain. First up will be the challenge of a separation as Xena is called away to resolve problems in Chin and the young queen must try to deal with her loneliness amidst dangers that are much too close to home. Gin continues here imbuing the relationship between Conqueror and Queen with a wonderful mixture of tenderness, love and fierce passion. She crafts a well-written tale that includes a strong cast of supporting characters, some very surprising twists and some intriguing problems for our heroines to overcome. A worthy entry in the fascinating conqueror genre. DO NOT MISS! [unfinished] - 26 pgs.
https://ausxip.com/fanfiction/c/compl1.html

WHITE WATER TERROR by Blind Faith
Boy if you're a fan of hurt/comfort stories is THIS the tale for YOU! Lots of hurting going on in this one! In fact, you'll be audibly "OUCHING" your way through must of this high-action adventure that has the warrior and bard struggling for their very lives in a raging river after they try to save some villagers. Blind Faith does a good job with the action sequences in this and includes a little side story that should delight a good portion of the fanfic readers out there...and a certain bard ;-) - 21 pgs.
https://ausxip.com/fanfic4/whitewater.html

For those of you reading this post who are not familiar with the term alternative (alt.), it refers to ADULT stories that add a romantic element to the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle, depicting them as more than just friends.

Happy reading!

Lunacy 8-)