Stephan Sokolow's Blog

Title: Only A Moment
URL: http://www.tabyk.net/stories/moment.html
Author: Tabyk
Source: Ranma 1/2, .hack
Rating: 5/6
Type: Crossover
Length: One-Shot

I really wanted to give this a 4.5/6 since I’ve been giving so many high ranks lately but I just couldn’t help it. 5/6 for a well-planned fanfic which I really should put on my fanfic wiki’s recommended reading page if I remember.

All I can do without messing up the effect is to quote the summary. “Everyone has that one hobby, that one thing, that they truly enjoy when they have a free moment. The question is, who… and what?”

Title: A Promise Redeemed
URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1213270/1/
Author: pspinler
Source: Ranma 1/2
Rating: 5/6
Type: Alternate Ending
Length: Series (Complete, 9 Chapters)

Premise: What if Akane didn’t survive Jusendo and Nabiki made Ranma promise to become a doctor so that he wouldn’t commit suicide while wallowing in grief.

I’m not really very qualified to comment on how in-character they are in a post-Jusendo dead-Akane situation as I haven’t read many of them yet and I haven’t contemplated it myself. However, I can say that this story is pretty good when compared to most of the Ranma+Nabiki fics I’ve seen.

It doesn’t go on and on (earns a 4/5) and has a hint of whatever it is that makes me re-read fanfics (good for another rating point).

Title: A Child’s Prayer
URL: http://www.tabyk.net/stories/prayer.html
Author: Tabyk
Source: Ranma 1/2
Rating: 6/6
Type: Alternate Universe
Length: One-shot (Sequel series started)

Short, well written, and a bit chilling.

Grammar: 6/6
Overall: 6/6 (I can’t stop re-reading it.)
+2 Bonus for the sheer impact of the ending.

UPDATE: It’s been less than an hour since I wrote this review and I’m still re-reading it every few minutes. It has earned 6/6 status and a bonus too. (It used to be 5/6)

Title: Angels, Heaven, and Earth
URL: http://www.fanfic.net/pub/Anime/FanFictions/Tenchi/tenchi.eva.angels-heaven-and-earth.gz
Author: Ken Arromdee
Source: Evangelion, Tenchi Muyo
Rating: 6/6
Type: Crossover
Length: Series (Complete, 12 Chapters)

A little something I got from the RAAC archive. Definitely an enjoyable crossover. It’s got that indefinable quality that draws me back. To the best of my knowledge, the main character is an original. I’d say more but why don’t you just read it for yourself?

Grammar: 5/6 (Generally well written and I re-read it more than once but there are parts that could have been better.)
Overall: 6/6 (I’ve re-read it twice as of now)

Title: Goddess in the Mirror
URL: http://www.thomasdye.com/fanfics/
Author: Bart Kelsey and Thomas Dye
Source: Oh! My Goddess/Aa! Megami-sama
Rating: 5.5/6
Type: Short series
Length: 5 Chapters (Complete. Sequel in progress.)

How might things have gone if Mara somehow managed to grant Keiichi’s wish before Belldandy could? I have to admit that I enjoy this story. Then again, I enjoy any well written story which manages to tie in a lot of computer references. Seriously though, I really do enjoy it a lot. I don’t know why but for some reason I can’t say much more about the story. Therefore, here’s a ratings breakdown.

Grammar: 5/6 (I’ve only ever applied a 6/6 grammar rating to things I re-read so far)
Originality: 4.5/6 (Re-uses the old storyline events in the old setting but in a new way)
Overall: 5.5/6
+1 Bonus for ending at the end of the story arc and starting a sequel
+1 Bonus for feeling of quality in the characters