Wow. That was a story of epic proportions. Though I didn't like Jack dying in the end, I guess it was only appropriate. This was amazing to read, and has pulled me out of a bit of a funk when it came to writing, so thank you kindly for that.
I'm simply astounded by the sheer amount of background you put into this! All the history about the pirates, their weapons, their cultures, it's incredible! And I am jealous.
And the characters! Wow. I really dunno what else to say about it. It certainly puts me to shame.
All in all, this was an amazing read.
~Saoirse

A very interesting novel (because it’s most defiantly a novel) to read. Good going.

Well K.A., what is there to say about this story that hasn't been said? I first read this story back near the end of '03 and thought it was one of the finest has ever seen. Coming back and reading it several years later, I have to say it still is one of the greats. Very few writers could ever hope to grasp the true essence of a character and write a story accordingly; but you had no trouble running with what Ted and Terry created. You were able to keep every member of the cast in character and even duplicated Goldman's style to perfection. The story was filled with great detail and many memorable scenes that I can still quote off the top of my head.

Many authors fill their stories with new characters that do very little to the plot and in doing so make many readers shy away from the story. I can say without a shred of doubt that the characters you introduced were flushed out and appeared to be human in every way. They each had different qualities about them that made the reader feel for them and each enhanced the story in their own way. And by filling out the cast with real historical figures you brought the story to life in a way that few have ever done on this sight. You made us believe for a moment that this entire production could have happened, a feat I have never seen anyone do before or since.

The way you introduced your cast and gave each of them a history made them seem more real and tangible and the way you wove the history and lore of piracy into the story makes me applaud even more. This story in the only one to ever have made me cry and that is no small feat. To make a reader empathize and identify with a character not of your making is a remarkable achievement that only the very skilled can do correctly.

The ending fit in perfectly with the story, and from near the chapter 20-21 mark you could almost feel how things would work out that way. The way you enabled Jack to live on was a stroke of pure genius that I dare to say will never be done again on this site. But the most remarkable thing I think you did was one of the last lines in the story, "Many died of stupid things like disease and bar fights, because that was simply the kind of world they lived in." You didn’t make us readers feel fuzzy on the inside, you told us what more than likely would have happened to theses people had they actually existed, and again made us feel like we had just read a great story from the likes of Shakespeare. An epic that will never be matched. And the way you set up the last chapter like a movie was something that made it much more real to us all. An amazing story, and I wish you well in all of your future endeavors, and hey, maybe you will decide to come back to us one day?

So I read this story for the first time a few years ago (4 or so), when I was first getting into the fanfiction world, and I absolutely loved it then. And now, several hundred (at least) fanfics later, I told one of my friends about this one, and so decided to come back and read it again myself. And even after everything I've read, this is still my all-time favorite, and I've read some pretty good ones.

The fact that it's not completely occupied by a romance separates it from so many of the other stories, and the writing is just brilliant. Perfect balances between comedy and seriousness. And anything that succeeds in actually making me cry deserves my praise, this even more so, because it got me again even when I knew what was going to happen.

I just want to thank you so much for writing this, and I hope to enjoy it again in another few years.

"Just pillow talk, baby..."
Last place I'd ever expect to find an Evil Dead quote.
Or an Austin Powers quote, for that matter. I love how you use them.
This thing is just crazy-fun. Never a dull paragraph.

Good heaven. This was long. Took me several days to finish it. Actually, I was a bit dubious at first ; more than half the time, original characters means not such a good story. At least, that is what I have established throughout the years. But there are exceptions - and this story most definitely is one. I just loved every single bit of this story ; when I read the first chapter, I knew it was going to be great, because your writing style is just that good. Humour and casualness to describe great feats, that makes for a magnificent, beautifully written, fascinating story. (Yes, I do like adjectives).

I also liked a lot your scenario. Involving the Brotherhood was a stroke of genius. Some might argue, chronologically speaking, about the presence of some of the characters... but who cares about chronologicalness ? (no, that's probably not a word, but never mind that). I have never read about Munchausen, but I did hear of Rackman (or Rackham, as I saw it written most of the time), William Kidd (who, according to Daniel Defoe, was not technically a real pirate, but Daniel Defoe *is* known for being a very skilled liar, whether rightly or unrightly so... and this sentence is getting far too long for my mental health).

Your original characters were great. Each had his own personality, but more than that... each was human (except possibly Lunaseer and Tikalus, but I assume you get my meaning). They had faults, and qualities, and feelings, and they felt so real I could almost touch them.

The ending, though, was not so much of a surprise. I felt it coming around chapter 20 - 21. There was, after all, only one way it could ever end. But somehow, that fitted the story ; it felt as though it was right to end thus, even if some people will want to skin me alive for saying this. The twist with Kidd, on the other hand, was completely unexpected, although I did strongly suspect there was something more to his walking stick than met the eye. Kidd's end was fitting as well ; if he had just been killed by one or the other random pirate, it would have been a bit of a cliché, would it not ?

As for the translations. When it is a language I understand, I can be a bit annoying if the translation is off. Yes, I know I am, and I take charge. But since I don't speak either German, Gaelic, Spanish, or any other of the languages featured there... I couldn't care less. Besides, it *is* tricky to translate properly with tools such as online translators, and I know what I am speaking about.

One of my favourite lines was Kidd's, when he said something about how "hanging" and "Jack Sparrow" never remain together in the same sentence. But you have so many great lines in this story that I cannot possibly begin to quote them, else I would end up quoting the whole story (and while I never wrote a review so long that ffnet would refuse to post it... there must be a first time for everything).

Well, what else is there... I suppose I should now try to criticize so I can pretend I am being just a little bit helpful, but quite frankly, I can't find fault with anything. It is just... no words for it.

Oh, yes, before I forget, another thing I loved ; the little bits of magic in the story. I liked it, because it was nothing major, it was not the center of the story, but it made for some funny parts of the story. Jack's gun, for instance... even if I do sympathize with the poor Commodore Norrington. Or Inigo's sword ; even if it was strongly hinted in the movie that there was something more to it than meet the eye, you could have just ignored it. I'm glad you didn't.

Just a quick, last comment about homosexuality. I don't mind one bit as a general rule. In this story, it did seem to fit the characters. Besides - pirates here ! I mean, they were months at sea with mostly the company of men - female pirates *were* an exception. Teh, what do you think they did with their spare time ? So, Jack and Inigo, yeah.

Actually, I had a final comment to insert here, but I can't remember what is was -- think it had to do with Roberts... ah, never mind ! Although, come to think of it, I'll add that it is interesting that Inigo came out of Roberts' shadow and took back his actual name...

Well, I'll stop here. Take care of your health - if you haven't your health, you haven't got anything... so says Rugen, in any case.

Wow.

Wow. That is all I have to say. Wow.

I'm very picky about the stories I read. I opened this one at first and was just about to close it simply because of the formatting - you didn't put an extra space between the paragraphs, and that makes it really hard to read. But I looked at the length, and skimmed over part of the Epilogue (Cheating, I know, heh) and saw how much research you put into it. Anyone who puts that much dedication into a fanfic deserves to be read and likely writes well, so I figured what the heck and read it.

And I was captivated for two days.

This story is amazing. You captured the movie- ness of it, which was just great. I usually can’t really read a fic about a movie – seeing a character portrayed by an actor and seeing the character as the character in my head are two things that I can’t really mix well. But you did it, and you kept everyone in character, too. This was fantastic. It was fun, it was serious, it was exciting, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

~SD

The best POTC story I have ever read, and certainly one of the finest examples of fan fcition out there.

I'm so glad I've found this story, as it's becoming increasingly difficult to find fanfics that are actually well written. So thanks, I'm looking forward to reading what promises to be a really interesting story without having to wince at spelling mistakes and awkward-sounding sentences every few lines.

Calico! I always liked him. Good stuff you've got here, mate. Good stuff indeed.

CQ

You died today. You didn’t want to, I remmeber this muc, but all else is blur and I can’t help but to thank whomever is responible for this forgetfullness. That at least this pain was spared from me, that the last thing I will ever remember about you will not be your face twisting in sorroe and pain, and letting go. No, I will awyas remember your spirit. The one that didn’t dared dying even when it was the hardest. Never I wanted to let go, and so did you.

Wow, that was amazing fic with just the right quantities of fighting, humor, actual plot and did I already mention the humor?
God, there were parts that you simply drove me on the floor laughing! So if my family sends me to an institution- I'll send you the bill.
Only kidding. Sort of.
So I'm now off reading more of your stories! Hmm (humming in anticipation for the pleasure that will soon come..)

Did you get the title for this story from a Nightwish song?

The story is good so far, but the spacing hurts my eyes...

Publish! Just changing the names - the obvious film ones - and you could actually publish this. I know I'd buy it!

Hang on a sec...YOU wrote 'One Big Happy Panthenon', one of my all-time favourite crossovers? I KNEW there was something familiar about your writing. Fan-bloody-tastic!

I don't care if the translations are off.
I don't care about any contradictions made by deleted scenes.
I don't care about historical inaccuracy - if there even is any.
I don't care about characters differing minutely from canon - hello, people! You're reading FANFICTION!

I just love this story. 1,0,0 out of 10.

Loadsa love, and all my awe, Katatonia

very good

Wow, msjor love this for this story! I haven't read humor in so long, usually it's a lot of crap strung together, but this is great.
I LOVE the Princess Bride, book and movie. PotC isn't too far behind either, I really like the way you've blended the two stories together. It's great.
On my favorite stories list for sure. Going on to read more!!
end. Meg