Reviews for Making the Means

Reviews For: Making the Means - Reviews: Page 1 of 3

CrazeeFfan 2008-10-06 ch 15,	abuseOoh, I absolutely loved the scene at the end. A bit of a nightmare to understand, but still ... I want to be able to speak in cant, I do. And also, it reminds me of Keldan's story, where Imoen and Narlen ended up hooking up. Good times! :D Lene's pity at the end was a surprise, but it was a pleasant one. As well, the deal with Dosan (Where's the katana? Heh!) was a very interesting, but appreciated twist. I've said it before, but having a different plot from the norm, but still with a recognisable setting and familiar characters, is just wonderful. Every chapter is a delight to read. And next chapter … Skie! At least, she better be in the next chapter, else I’ll be forced to mutilate you. :D I look forward to reading more.
Ananke Adrasteia 2008-09-25 ch 15,	abuseHeh. They lost a bagful of Black Lotus and got no money instead? Oh, Skie can't be far away... I think you went slightly overboard with that accent. For all that is holy, have pity on your ESL non-native-speaker readers...! Nah. It was great. :D And fun. :D :D Can I please beg you for a Sarevok cameo...? Just him making his way through the crowd-- Anything. Please. Pretty please. :) Anyhow, at this point, admiring your style again is pretty pointless, since you already know that I love it... so just that you know that I love the plot, again. Just, pls, a cameo...?
Tapestry Green 2008-09-25 ch 15,	abuseThis story continues to make me cringe, as it should. It feels painfully real. I like the description of the Iron Throne and Lene's reaction to the impressive building, bits of the Bhaal story creeping about in the background for the reader. Her fear of betrayal and arrest is well-played, too. I found myself reading the thief-speak straight through, so like Lene some words I guessed the meaning and others went over my head. Another element of fear at work. Great story, looking forward to more.
Ananke Adrasteia 2008-09-02 ch 14,	abuse"I'm sure you'll adore her,” Eldoth said smoothly, turning to the younger girl. “After all... you and Skie have... well, me, in common." Mwahahahaha! I'm sorry, I knew you probably meant it in a 'Eldoth is so sleazy' way, but I laughed out loud - really, not just in netspeak - at this. It's a precious line. Methinks I want more comedy! When's the Misfit Party's next chapter coming? :D Also, Skie. "I... broke a nail!" Gah, just to think you're probably writing her into the story just to make Lene more insecure... I played with Skie. I like Skie. :)
Ananke Adrasteia 2008-09-02 ch 13,	abuseBhaal as the faux-empowering Inner Strength (to hurt others) is scary. It's just this type of story which really makes it clear why growing up with Gorion in a relatively stable Candlekeep was so important for a semi-psychically healthy Bhaalspawn! In a way, I suppose, that's why I'd love Lene's story to end well, even despite your Hints that it may not be so... She's the antithesis of a Mary Sue, the type who has fake 'contrarieties' heaped against her, so that she would elicit compassion in the reader - only she (the Mary Sue) doesn't. Lene really has a shitty life; I fear she'll end up hurting others because, in the end, she'll have been hurt too much, too many times, herself. :/
CrazeeFfan 2008-08-25 ch 14,	abuseI'm going to be all mysterious and say only this: make with the Skie, already. (And, because I'm incapable of just submitting that puny message - wonderful chapter. I'm liking the developing relationships between the party members, I'm liking the subtle details, and I'm adoring the differences from the game itself. Keep up the good work!)
CrazeeFfan 2008-08-11 ch 13,	abuse:o How. Wonderful. Lene doing the nasty with Eldoth was just a horrendous thought. My skin was itching throughout the whole section, which is a commendation to your writing - not many things make me squirm. Well done! Chapter 12 was good, but chapter 13 was really magnificent. Lene’s gory seduction was inspiring, and so, so creepy. I especially liked the detail of his head rolling to stare at her as she searches him. It was such a brilliant little extra that made the scene so much more disturbing. And the dream. Ugh. At first, I was a little sceptical, but it was so unnerving, it was excellent! Especially the rather graphic description of the bird dying in her hands. It’s also maddeningly brilliant of you to have Safana cut off Gorion before he could explain to Lene. I’m so jealous of your writing, it’s unbelievable. :D
Ananke Adrasteia 2008-08-11 ch 12,	abuseI love how you use the party's assets: Coran as a thief, and Lene as... well, Lene. I also love how you manage to make this an utterly wonderful run through the game - if it is a run through the game at all. You never know what to expect next. I also like it that, perhaps, Lene will be getting a friend in Coran. Just a friend? The drugged Lene, though... now, that's just sad to look at. :( It almost makes me want to have the Bhaal in her wake and do something to Eldoth.
Mats Forsen 2008-08-10 ch 12,	abuseThis certainly is a lovely and slow alternative to the run of the mill "retelling of the game with a good but angsty main protagonist". She must have less of the bhaal essence than in the game since it doesn't seem to be affecting her that much, maybe on par with how much Imoen had? The pacing is slow but steady, although I have to admit I wouldn't mind her being a bit more unstable. ;)
CrazeeFfan 2008-02-02 ch 11,	abuseUm, eww. Eldoth is gross. She can do better. Like that ogre mage who spends his time with a gang of carrion crawlers, for instance. And I have a feeling Skie may be appearing soon, and what a grand moment that will be. I can't wait for you to right her - I know that you will enhance her character and perfect her, so I can not wait for the help for my own writing this will provide! (And if she doesn't appear, I will be bitterly, bitterly disappointed). I like how superbly non-descript most of the events so far have been. It makes this story absolutely wonderful - let' be honest, the action parts I could live without, but it's the scenes that you've put in this little gem that really make me wanting for more. For some reason, I found the vulnerable drunk Safana a very amusing sight. I keep hoping she trips up, a little. I'm really quite mean. Similarly, I keep hoping Coran just gives up on Safana and moves on to greener pastures - Lene. Will he treat her brilliantly? I highly doubt it. Will he be better than Eldoth? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. Eldoth deals with black lotus? Why am I not surprised. Disappointed that Lene wants to try it, though. Just how far is she ready to follow the path of seediness and debauchery? Love it. Wonderful stuff.
Ananke Adrasteia 2008-01-24 ch 11,	abuseRight. I do hope Lene has all her protective spells on her... I hate to think what diseases Eldoth must be carrying around. ...and she's going for drugs, too. Way to go. Doesn't she know it may spoil her looks? Oh-kay. (1) As always, you're giving your characters justice. That mutual seduction scene at the end was just... dirty. I feel dirty, now. Eurgh. (2) I love this bit: >several were tilted to noticeable angles due to the absence of a leg.< (3) I hate Eldoth. Especially for >I expect that friends have the customary fee waived, hmm?< Grr. (4) And I'm sort of loving how you've been developing this whole story so far... back from Beregost. Sigh. And... um. I dread the coming description, should you decide to write it. 8O
Vegetius 2008-01-23 ch 11,	abuseWell, whoever thought a doting term such as 'cheesecake' would be one of a Bhaalspawn ex-prostitute's hot buttons? Hm, pun intended ... I think this is as good a time as any to point out something that I've begun to notice since this one scene illustrates it so well. Another pleasant surprise from Making the Means, I think, is that rather dingy atmosphere. Honestly, it is almost ominous. I find myself actually worrying just what might happen to Lene, and not in the customary manner of gallantry and battling for your life - what you would expect from the fantasy genre and Baldur's Gate in general. Rather, I'm fearing just what might happen to her in an all too human sense of sexual assault, substance abuse, and backalley beatings. Really, I don't think I've ever been so afraid of rape in Baldur's Gate before. In other words, you've really captured the full ambiance of the "slums", and all the anxiety that comes with it. A far more difficult thing to do than most probably realize without straying into the realm of stereotype and cliche. The loneliness, as well, is very pronounced. And loneliness, not in the usual sense, but in that of the underpinning feeling that Lene's companions really don't care all too much about her - that they would turn on her in a moment, perhaps, if it suited them too (though Coran's actions hint a little less at that than perhaps Safana and Eldoth). It makes the reader feel a pungent vulnerability in Lene, I think, that complements what I believe you are trying to do here quite well. And, as always, the prose was terribly well suited to my taste - and I hope that means I can say that it was beautiful. Well, either way, I'm going to say it: It was beautiful!
Kerezteny 2008-01-23 ch 11,	abuseHeh, you described Eldoth perfectly in that last paragraph. I'm surprised Lene is still up to being with him...I suppose she keeps her word to a fault? I like how subtle you've kept Coran. Lene doesn't seem to be dense, and I think it's getting the better of her. Cynicism and the idea of romance don't really go together. Unless you don't actually mean to show Coran as having feelings for her and I'm just reading too much into it. xD I always figured Black Lotus was smoked. But he was just showing it off, wasn't he?
CrazeeFfan 2008-01-14 ch 10,	abuseEldoth. My, my. What a motley band Lene seems to have gotten herself wrapped up with. That's her problem though, not ours - it makes for some fine reading. Once again, I felt overwhelming pity for Lene as she did a little soul-searching in the early chapter. And you included Gelanna! Excellent - eventually her influence will spread so that she appears in all Baldur's Gate tales! I think what I really liked in particular, is how painful Lene found it to admit herself as one of the Faithless. It was really powerful. Also, I really enjoyed the different flora growing on the side of the road - it was really clear and wondeful. And cute, in an odd way. I'm so happy you are taking a path never explored in BG tales - I'm excited at the prospect of what you might do next: I have no idea, and I'm loving that. Eagerly awaiting more. :D
Ananke Adrasteia 2008-01-14 ch 10,	abuseM. Impressions? I'm feeling sorry for Lene. Sorry, because the girl is so messed up already... I didn't realise that you were writing this not in the Faerun happily idyllic 'women are in every respect equal to men, so what they are doing in their bedroom is their own matter'... Instead, it's an 'elder women of the village whispering' world, which is instantly much crueller. :( So, yes, it felt like a horribly sad chapter, the way she's limiting her options already. :( And I loved every bit of how you've presented it, with her getting more and more suspicious of every look and gaze. Those friendly, deceiving smiles... :\|

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