I should have stopped to review every chapter, but I was swept away by this story, couldn't possibly stop to review. My apologies. I loved this piece, every minute I've spent reading it. I think you stayed true to both of them, brought parts of their character to light that we haven't been able to see before now. I loved it. You made me ache for her. I wanted to punch the crap out of Simon for her. I hurt for Mal when Simon had his line of bullshit, and I felt River's terror when Mal was hurt.

I don't leave reviews this long, as a rule. But you made me feel. Congratulations. You have a gift. <3

I cannot believe I came to reading this fic so late, the only thing that disappoints is that I haven't got the tension of waiting for updates. To be honest, I have never before even considered a Mal/River pairing, I thought it strange, but now I think you've converted me or something.
Your prose is delightful and charming, your characterization so endearing and true to Whedon's vision. Your talent makes this story seem to flow so naturally, straight out of canon.
I am also so incredibly thankful that Mal and River's 'first time' wasn't some mind-blowing sextravaganza, but completely down-to-earth.
Fantastic
~Fridayweed

You remind me of what I'm missing, which I prefer not to recall, but it's a good story and one plays in archetypes at one's own peril. Nice work. Also the mice, I liked them a lot.

That was a really nice story, I'm not good at writing meaningful rewiews, all I can say is that I went looking for a great Maliver fic and found one, it was adorable how she turned the dinos around there in the end lol...
Please write more, or perhaps a sequel of them being an item...lol

Happy future writing
Ditte Mai
denmark

Ok, this? Totally awesome in all ways. You do wonderful, wonderful things with Firefly-verse and your prose has me all melty and happy (and has utterly distracted me from the reading I was supposed to do for my seminar tomorrow). I could understand everyone's motivations and feelings - your characterization is brilliant.
You write River so well - feelings and dialog both. So much love.
Also, thank you, thank you, thank you for a realistic first time.
You have made my evening.

That was a beautiful story and equally well written. Amazing work ^^

Too good to resist. Oh, it's not where I suppose Joss would have taken the characters--but who cares, when it's convincing enough to suspend that disbelief as well. Everyone stays in character, and the hitches and healings pace the progress nicely. Good use of the dinosaurs, too.

that last line always gets me... love it SO much. some amazing writing you've got here, and i know i've said it before but i'll say it again: your writing style just flows so perfectly and is so in sync with river and your metaphors and language is gorgeous. hope to see more from you soon!! -Ash

quick as a firefly, years peeled away like apple skin, wake of his voice, his dreams like hers are full of screaming... again, simply gorgeous writing. i just love reading it.. i fear i am being a mite bit repetitive with the reviews i'm leaving, but truly your writing style is amazing and perfect for these characters and i absolutely love it!! -ash

told you i'd be back..

so basically the way you write river and the characters in general just has this amazing flow and feel to it that makes me feel like this is what would be written in a book if firefly/serenity was put in prose on paper. i don't know how you do it, but there's just something about it.. it just works so freaking well. it's real and i absolutely love it. this was great, and i'm off to do physics, but i'll be back!! -Ash

Wow.

I loved this. River's voice subtly changed through the entire story.

Mal's reactions were completely realistic.

Made me all tingly.

Thank you!

Lol, I'd forgotten how good this fic was... I've read it before, but I don't know if I reviewed any.

This was a wonderful story. I'm especially fond of the fact that it took nearly the entire story for the two of them to get together. It's very true to how I believe Mal would have handled the situation, had Joss written something like this out. Thank you for helping me spend the last day or so enjoyably!

Reread the first and last chapters of this just now, and I am still in awe of your grasp of these characters. Not only Mal and River, who are always spot on IMHO, but the minor characters as well. They are always perfect, and enhance the story in so many ways. The drama of their shared histories is the underpinning that makes this series so exceptional, much more than just a romance. Yet, post-Serenity, they have put much tragedy behind them, and the tone of this story reflects the promise of the future that the end of the movie suggested.

I love the structure of this fic, too, a series of stories that can each stand alone, but combined create the best of all justifications for a Mal/River romance. You take the time to show us why they are right for each other, and how it will work, with consideration given to every character, not just the principals. The world of Serenity, the ship, is a small one, and for relationships to shift successfully as they do here requires work on the part of all.

You have a talent for saying a lot with just a few words, and the details you do add are important and are always just what is needed to set the scene.

Congratulations on finishing this wonderful story. It's beautiful in every way, and, which is always the main point of fanfiction, true to the characters and backstory we love.

I stand by my views, GREAT story, very full of life, but out of character. And I believe, in reading it through to the end that you are "young-er" and writing only by your own experiences. THAT'S NOT A BAD THING! It's all anyone can expect. However, it's more a story about a boy and a girl and their yearnings for first love, than it ever was about River, the little sister and Mal, the Captain. Keep ip up and you can only improve, study hard and it will come in time.

Cheers, Job well done, Jen