Reviews for And Shut the Gates of Mercy on Mankind

Reviews For: And Shut the Gates of Mercy on Mankind

AuronLu
2006-11-07
ch 1,

abuseThis is truly excellent. It's sad, and I'm guilty of it myself: there's not enough quality fanfiction out there exploring the problems, the characters, and the unique mythology of the rich world of FFX in all its subtlety. You convey Isaaru and his brothers very deftly. Yuna's phrasing doesn't quite catch her voice to me... "little old me" didn't quite sound like her... but I'm extraordinarily nitpicky about trying to capture the mannerisms of characters and only saying that because your writing is more skilled than most of the young writers here, so you obviously know what you're doing.

Some more specifics. The depression scene in the no-name bar is handled without being too maudlin or cliched. Pacce's stream of patter is positively charming, even though that sort of thing can be so annoying if not done well! I loved the "three hundred lightning bolts" line. Maroda's inconsistency and thoughtfulness is also interesting -- I will have to pay a little closer attention to that young man on next play-through, as I had a good impression of him.

The central theme of the story, mercy and lack of being the key, is very telling indeed. Yuna has to kill Seymour, quite a few Guado and warrior monk guards, and nearly comes to blows with Maester Kelk and the Ronso -- with Auron and her Guardians behind her, she might well have been the one to decimate Kimahri's tribe had Kelk not backed down. Her determination is a little uncanny. And yet her choice at the end was to AVOID the sacrifice of friends to the Final Summoning. A strange mix of mercy and lack of, as you pointed out.

I loved your bringing Belgemene (sp) into it, as well. She's a wonderfully enigmatic figure.

The scene between Yuna and Isaaru is just plain enjoyable, in a sad way. You convey the fact that she has become a wise leader, yet is still a young woman bearing burdens and doubts.

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