I would like to include one little explanation to this positive review that I forgot to mention.

I feel the same way about this fic that I do about "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." I thought DS9 was an excellent science fiction show when I watched it as a kid, and I still do. However, looking back on it now, it was NOT Star Trek. Thematically, it was far too different - Star Trek is an optimistic series about progress and exploration, not war and major story arcs.

Similarly, this was a terrific story, but as it went on, it felt less and less like Star Wars, until it barely resembled it at all. In the end, after all the horrifying things that all the characters had suffered through, the only thing that linked it to Star Wars were the characters (who were incredibly well-written and characterized). Not even the happy ending could change that.

KotOR II (which I loved) went about as far as a Star Wars property can get in terms of darkness and moral ambiguity without losing the inherent "Star-Warsiness." This story took those parts of KotOR II and turned them up even further. It explored and played around with the basic moral structure of Star Wars itself - even more than KotOR II did. However, in doing so, it sucked the optimistic Star Wars spirit out of it.

Now, I can't fault you for this - you did this for a reason, and you made it work. Never have I read a Star Wars fanfic in which the Dark Side had more ALLURE than in this one. You can actually see why someone would fall.

Also, while it isn't a Star Wars story, it IS a KotOR story. The question of exactly how far someone can fall and still be redeemed is a major theme of both games, and this story has it. Thus, although it doesn't fit with Star Wars, it fits in with Knights of the Old Republic. I didn't think that was possible, but then I read this story.

I hope that makes sense, and I've made clear what I mean. You're an excellent writer. After reading this, I just might actually write that epic Elder Scrolls fanfic I've been envisioning for over a year.

Cheers,
BBQ Platypus

I have to say, this is one of the best fanfics I've ever read. The swearing was a tad bit jarring at times (course, I can understand why you'd be uncomfortable using "scrag," "spast," and "stang" all the time), but I got used to it pretty quickly.

There's little that hasn't already been said about this story, so I'll just say one thing that I don't think anyone else has mentioned yet - you write Jolee Bindo better than anyone else I've ever seen. That's all.

Hi,

I'd finished reading your wonderful, wonderful story a couple of weeks back and I sent a personal message to you (using the send message@ your Home page)
I'm not sure if you did receive it. I'm looking forward to hearing your views regarding it.

Just wanted to say you've taken me on a roller coaster ride during this story and while i greatly appreciate i still have to say...DAMN YOU! Through the course of this epic i'm reminded why i played through the game again and why the series was so compelling in the first place. I not only applaud you for this amazing piece you've put together, but i appreciate the work you've put in to make one of the best stories i've seen on this website.

Thought-provoking, suspenseful, and just the right amount of fluff. I'm ending this review because its far too early in the morning and if i dont sleep now i never will, but digressing from that to thank you again for this wonderful piece of literature. I have yet to check your profile but hopefully you have a few stories to tie up the loose ends, although leaving loose ends for people to speculate over is half the fun of being an author isn't it :)

Well, it took me forever, but I finally finished War and Peac--uh--this story! Normally, with a story that's been finished for such a long time, I would not bother to write a review, but this one is different. Despite the age of the story, I feel like I have to write something here to say how much I enjoyed it. So here it is:

I really enjoyed this story.

Absolutely top notch, all the way around. Despite it's impressive...size, I never felt like it was *too* long. And I was surprised, at the end of the story I was rather sad it was over. I think that's the best praise an author can get. Some things to mention:

-The OC characters were awesome, especially Lirik. I like OCs a lot, but most of them are so awful it's hard to fathom. However, yours were very, very good. And it actually helped a lot that you said the twins look like Cillian Murphy, a visual makes it easier to imagine the character. And besides, they seemed very Dr. Crane/Scarecrow-ish, so it was the perfect connection.

-HK was perfect. That's all.

-The only weak link, I thought, was Bastila. Actually, weak link is not a good way to describe it. She was good and played a good part, but she just seemed to me to be out of character a bit. It was a bummer she died, though.

-Oh, and the first person epilogue kinda...surprised me. It was good, but rather unexpected considering the previous eight billion words were in third person. :P

But, forget my nitpicking! I'm just jealous that I will not be able to achieve this kind of success. Just kidding! Maybe! But regardless of whatever I'm drolling on about, this was one of the best Kotor stories I've ever read. Thanks for writing it.

WARNING: This will be quite long-thank heavens it's summer holidays. :D

Ya know, I've always liked Star Wars. Although I've grown up in an era when Pokemon was a fad, and kids everywhere were clamoring to see the stunning CGI graphics of Spiderman, some heavy shoving by a half dozen individuals and the fantastically woven tale of Harry Potter gave me a deep appreciation of literacy-and, on a larger scale, the magic of an epic story. There is no larger culture then the Star Wars universe, and from the very moment I saw Vader revealing himself to be little ole Annie in the howling wind of Bespin, I fell in love with that magic.

Now, before you start getting too uppity, yours isn't the only epic that I've read. Since watching the famed Star Wars hexology (yup, that's how you say it :)), I've revelled in the blood-soaked fields of Troy, watched as an ancient shaman tasted everlasting victory, and stood stunned at one young woman's genius addition to the story of J.K Rowling. The writer of the first died in the middle of writing, and his wife finished the novel in a labour of love. The second is on the verge of concluding her own epic, and dozens of people wait and hope for their Mail Alerts to come. The third is currently in camp (for the life of me, I'll never properly understand why she goes, she HATES it), but made a heart-felt promise to all of her readers to continue with yet another jaw-dropping twist to an already much-abused cast of characters.

The palate of choices that they could draw on from the ethos they were tapping into, the little things that would make their epics unique, are entirely different-after all, how can you compare Homer, writer of the Odyssey so many millennia ago, to a Japanese comic book writer? It boggles the mind-and yet, somehow, despite the monumental differences, the two stories equal each other-different, and yet equal. Truly magical.

The palate that you had, however, was effectively limitless. What began forty years ago in the mind of George Lucas has become the largest, most spectacular story in our history-and you drew on that massive work with expertise and ability that would (and, perhaps, one day will) render old Georgie speechless. Your story was truly unique, not hesitating to bring in every facet of the Star Wars universe, and that was one of the things that made it so incredible-I’ve just finished reading, to use that old saying, “the best of the best of the best.”

I’m not going to analyse the individual parts of your story. This partially due to my tiring fingers, partially due to me REALLY wanting a jam sandwich, and the distinct feeling that one of my friends is on the verge of murder. Suffice to say, while there were faults, it was astounding to see just how amazingly perfect your writing was-it rarely dipped, always maintaining a standard of excellence that felt supernatural. The curious thing, the thing that truly makes me smile, is how after a thousand pages of love, loss, war and peace, I could still relate each of those characters to the ones we both loved and hated while playing the KoTOR games. I can’t really think of a sentiment that can show just how much mastery it takes to keep hold of a character for a thousand pages, to change them and yet keep them the same. Unbelievable.

And that brings me to the end, since my dog and my mate just finished a fight for a pair of sandwiches. And, if I may, I’d like to provide a little reminder…something that truly had me in stitches. It hurt, but it was funny. Ridiculously, incredibly, unbelievably funny.

Before that, it’s been a pleasure reading this fantastic story. Thank you for an amazing, rare experience. :)
The emergence of HK-47 from the gloom—carbon-scored but practically radiating murderous glee—settled Dane’s mind.
“Good,” she said. “HK, guard over Revan. Let no one harm her, including herself.”
HK cocked his head—the android equivalent of raising an eyebrow in amusement. “Puzzled Statement: Is that a fact? Barely Contained Satisfaction: I’m afraid, Former Master Koren, that I am no longer beholden to you or any other meatbag. I have been liberated from my submissive protocols and am free to—”
Dane, with an impatient sigh, reactivated said protocols inside the droid with the Force. HK-47 froze in mid-word and his carbine slumped.
“Statement: **.”

Just putting you on Favourites-I'll review...erm...

Eventually. :|

very good fic i really like it esspecially the parts like what HK said "quote""Caffa? Tea? The still warm head of an enemy of you chosing presented tidily on a platter?""end quote" that was my favorite part but tidily isn't a word. but enough of my rambling on...

it only took me 2 years, but i finally got a computer and finished this! it was entirely worth the wait. i missed Dane and Atton. brilliant! thank you.

I just finished your story after having gone back to play the kotor games for a second time... (I'm just now off of Peragus. Again.) I was told in no uncertain terms that I must read this, for it is 'exquisite'.

Verna Jast was 100% right.

I stuck through the entire thing, because i couldn't put it down... and it wasn't because I loved every second of it.

Atton was completely Atton, except for times in the beginning when he reminded me so much of a whiny friend of mine that I almost didn't like him, until the 'real' Atton peeks out after sharing Dane's vision for just a few moments... then he dives to the other end of the spectrum and becomes completely and believably horrid. With him alone, you kept me tied in knots as to how this could possibly end well.

Raff O'Bannon was genius. He was completely awful but oh so deliciously evil, I couldn't help but be horrified and delighted by him the entire time he was there. He was so well written i could HEAR his voice in my head.

Dane was completely light without being 'pollyanna' or irritating. she was emotional but not in an irritating way... it just emphasized how much heart she had.

Bastila was as irritating in this as I'd imagined her myself; one of the most annoying characters ever... but i was sorry to see her die.

The twins were wonderful, and I'm glad Lanik bit it... and i'm glad Lirik was saved.

I didn't like how things with the new council went as far as who was allowed to stay in the club, but... it made perfect sense, and really fit well. Just 'cos I don't like it doesn't mean it's not the right thing to do. An important distinction to make in life anyway.

I didn't think Mission fit her character as closely as the others, but I'm gathering you didn't feel that way either. However, it'd been several years, so... *shrug* lots can happen when you're still all impressionable. I ended up being disappointed in her ultimately... more in the choices she made however than the writing of her.

Darth Tertius! OMG... I got some of the best mental images from your writing of this evil, horrible, aweful, amazing, vindictive, frightening guy... I found myself getting chills periodically from what he would do, how he would move... My deepest congratulations on him.

Juhani again, just irritated me. That wasn't how i'd really figured she'd 'sound'... and I thought there should be less animosity towards Revan but... that's how i played the first one too.

The final confrontation with Revan and Dane was... wonderful... and terrible. haha I kept reading each person's dialogue as if i were in their head, because i'd played them both. I found it shocking and sad what she became, but was glad she survived it all all the same... though I didn't like her either.

Ultimately in this long-winded list of things you already know, what I'm trying to say is, what made this so brilliant is what I didn't like. Nobody likes all of the people they're around; we all know people who are good people that we may not be able to stand. You managed to create so many different characters, ones worth loving and hating... I found myself cheering them on, and wishing someone would just run them through, and it was completely amazing. So odds are you've left this all behind, and won't read this, but i needed to say it. This story really made me think about my own writing, and it will influence it for a good long time. Not just the characterization, but the intricate knots of plot that when looked on as a whole became a beautiful tapestry. Not all of the things it depicted were beautiful, but human nature is like that... and we need all of those things to make for a balanced and believable reality. There were times I didn't like what had happened to everyone, but dane and carth really kept the hope that things would get better, alive.

So i thank you... for the evil villains, the insight, the inspiration, the good characters who refused to fall, and the darn good time I had reading this. I'm sorry to see it end... but all good things and all that.

If you do end up reading this, I expect to be pointed towards every book you ever publish. I don't want to miss anything you write.

I don't think I've quite read anything on this sight that extended past 25 chapters, let alone a full 51 chapters (not including the author's notes). But I have to say, the last few weeks I spent reading through this fiction was a treat. All I came for was to see a continuation of the KOTOR II story, but you gave much more than that. And each word I read, I felt as though I was standing right there, feeling exactly what each character was feeling.

Each chapter was so exhilirating that I still find myself reading through the chapters, looking for something that I had maybe missed. You did a good job capturing the characters, while at the same time, balancing each of them, highlighting only the ones that were important at the time. Sentence structure was on point as well as the dialogue - it really drew me in.

Now, here comes the critique part. While it was executed well, the constant troubles that fell over Atton and Dane's heads seemed...too convenient. It was like when they crossed one hurdle, another just happened to fall in their path. Another thing that seemed too convenient was the appearance of characters. While it's understandable that the Force does work in mysterious ways, I found a hard time accepting that the Exile was able to find everybody in such a timely manner.

Some characters were off a little, such as Bastila. And some were annoying, like Lirik and Juhani.

Overall, I would say that it deserves a 9/10. I loved it from start to finish, and if you find the energy to start another long fiction in a fandom that I happen to like, I would read that as well. Good luck in your future endeavors, and May the Force be with you.

This is the single greatest KOTOR story I have ever read. Kudos to you!

This story left me feeling empty.

Sorry to start the review on such a glum statement, but its my main feeling. Its a wonderful accomplishment that i have read from start to finish over the course of around 7 hours. I wanted to know how it finished, right from the beggining.

For me, Star Wars is a nice hobby, an escape from the glumness of reality where Hope never dies and Hero's have a chance at happiness. Pretty much the end note of the original KotOR, which KotOR2 messed up;

You managed to multiply that by 10 times.

First, the thing that bothered me most (and is about to make me go read some fluff) is how the story of Mission and Dustil ended; they are one of my favorite 'fan' couples in SW; and i have to admit i dont LIKE your Mission. The girl who forgave Darth Revan, the girl with such fierce loyalty to Zaalbar and the Beks; the girl who in your story can never forgive the man she supposedly loved. Call me a romantic, but i simply find that a horrific end to their story arc that had been building so promisingly.

You built the relationship up from the moment they met; and then suddenly BOOM, Mission is like a diffrent person and Dustil is a wreck. Then he goes on to come a Knight and she returns to Nar Shadda and eventually gets married? It just feels wrong in the first place, and empty to me. Especially after you put Atton and the Exile through so much and had them come through it in the end. That makes me feel sad.

It also feels the same all around, the story is so full of dread and only a bare minimum of the characters come through happy. Juhani is a, erm, 'female dog' to say the least. Revan seems to have worse multiple personality disorders than on the Laviathon.

I also agree with Revan's conclusion after the Exile is kicked out of the order again; being stripped of being a Jedi a second time should NEVER again be the Exile's fate. Its just too cruel. In my opinion that should almost be an unwritten rule in KotOR fanfiction, hehe.

Especially when the Council is made up of a Jedi who petulantly took a field as her own when she once fell, and seems unable to control her own passion. A Jedi who was in love with her himself and would have gladly cast off the Code to be with her if Atton hadnt been there. Not to mention the 'voice' of the Council, Ex-Sith that the Exile chose to spare. It just doesnt ring true. If anything she should have been the Obi-Wan of their Council, nevermind been removed from the Order. And THEN they are allowed to train her children?

All in all while this is a wonderfully written story, with HK and Jolee at their best, and a long read which is more than can be said for a lot of KotOR stories, i have to admit that the aftertaste it leaves is decidedly sour. It feels a lot like many of the Soaps on tv, a long run of constant Angst and Relationship problems that feel contrived; shows i have never watched because i like a certain ammount of Joy and Hope and Fluff in my Angst. There needs to be a certain messure of these things, or it raises the question for the more sensative reader such as myself; why did i just spend so long reading something that simply made me feel bad?

On top of it all, we have the Exile x Atton storyline that i have to admit feels extrodinarily dragged out; towards the end i was actually hoping she would kill him by accident so that she could grieve horribly and there would be some form of closure, some movement towards progression. Atton switched from Jaq and back so many times that i started to loose track of which he was at a time.

This is in no way a flame; i'm simply expressing my feelings for a extremly well written fanfic that i feel SHOULD have ended where you intended it to. Mission and Dustil would have had their happy ending, even if we wouldnt have seen it. Atton and the Exile would also have been happy without the Dark/Light Side switch being flicked over and over and all the angst it caused. Exile would still have been a Jedi, and the Council of Ex-Darksiders that wouldnt have even existed if not for her would never have kicked her out of the order a second time, a move the old Council realised was a mistake much later.

Sorry that my review is such a downer, but thats pretty much the mood the story left me in. The other events where so bitter i didnt even care at the end if Exile or Atton died or what.

(This, as you can tell by the name, is my temporary account for when i forget my password to my main one. If you feel like replying to my review in any way feel free to direct any mail towards

I just wanted to follow up for a minute. I'm sorry if I led you to believe I'm suicidal. I'm not, no worries. And I do stand up and walk away from the void. That's why I read your story, it helped me do that earlier this time. Thanks for putting so much effort into it. I can't say that any chapter is my favorite/least favorite, as they are all exemplary work. But I am rather fond of 49 and 50.

It appears you have "retired" but I will leave my thoughts anyway. I started this last night, on KOTORFanMedia, for a few chapters, then today I continued off and on ALL DAY (16-50 + epilogue and author's notes)...it's 4:25 am. That is the power of what you wrote. I was, uh, teary for those last 3-4 chapters, particularly the last two. You wove a story that is not just KOTOR, but universal. That's why it moves us.

It was refreshing to see Atton not turn into a mushy out-of-character Romeo, professing his love to the balcony and swearing on the inconstant moon. I especially enjoyed your OCs, which were unique, imaginative, likeable (even Lanik), and believable. They fit with the rest of the story seamlessly. I would quote my favorite lines...but...there were so many!

Thank you for this. I have a bit of a problem with depression, well, and other lovely things. I was starting to fall into old habits when I started reading. I felt myself go up and down with Atton/Jaq and Dane, with Macen (poor guy...), with Lirik's path to redemption, with Dane's expulsion from the Order, finding Atton again...the waiting for the right moment. I felt teary at the end because your story provided catharsis, in a way I really needed it today. Something I didn't understand completely when I started this review, I guess. It may seem weird, all of these strangers lauding your talents, etc. Such is life, I suppose.

Thank you. I was sitting on the edge of my own void, feet dangling over the side, staring down into the blackness, and getting vertigo rather quickly. It happens to me sometimes, and, though you don't know me at all, I appreciate your help, your hand unknowingly offered that pulled me back. Peace. Lene