Wow! That's all I can say. Well, I can say a lot more, because I'm a rambler... kinda like McKay.
First off. are you a psychologist or something, because the way you spun this story, you seem to know a heck of a lot about the human psyche. And you had sheppard down perfect. This story haunted me when I wasn't reading it. It was all i could think about. (call me obsessive or whatever) It made me cry in parts, laugh at others, more later than earlier, and it was darn good story telling!

What can I say? This is, without a doubt, a fantastic, well thought-out and very satisfying read!
I cannot get enough of good Sheppard stories - and this certainly fits the bill! I noticed that you have received over 800 reviews, and although I'm sure I'm just repeating what others have said I thought I'd add my own two penny-worth anyhow; it is brilliant! Well done.

I really enjoyed this story it was excellent. I thought that your portrayal of a traumatised Sheppard was very on character. Often these kind of stories Shep is dragged way too deep into his psych, becoming far too emotional, and I think he has a deeper strength than is often given. So this was, for me, pitched perfectly. I also liked how your played the rest of the team around him, your characterisation of Teyla, Rodney and Ronan was spot on.

I read this over a few days, so some of the titles of the next chapters did give away to me that there might be some kind of return of the queen, it didn't detract at all and I was surprised at the way it panned out. I didn't think that she would just want him dead, but as her plaything again, but in retrospect that I guess just wasn't a real possibility. And, as a Wraith, it made sense that she would want that final control of if she couldn't have him then no one could.

I did like the ending very much. Shep finally getting the control that he didn't have before and keeping his humanity in sparing her life, something she didn't think would happen. I liked that a lot and that Ronan got to do the honours, even better.

Thank you for sharing your fab story. Best, Jane

Just finished reading the whole story and thought it was excellent. Some serious Sheppard whump here! Interestingly I was more worried for him after he was rescued! I loved that it was Ronan who really started him on the road to recovery. it made sense that he would understand the most what Shep had been through. I thought it was extremely well thought out and well written and while there were the occasional mis-spellings (I read you comments on the negative feedback) it no way detracted from what was a seriously good story. Keep up the good work!_

This was an incredibly epic story. It was intense and horrifying and really, really well-written. The suspense, the characterization, the terror - all of it was perfectly executed.

having just finished your story 'castles in the sky', i have to say it was probably one of the best fics I've read in a long time. it was intense, moving, and believable (poor shep has one whopper case of ptsd lol). very well written, if long. definitely worth the read. :)

Hi there, wow. I started reading this week and could not stop until it was finished. It was one of the best Shep Whump ever. I loved the fact you were not hesitant to make him suffer and show all the pain he was going through. Those naughty worshipers…The torment in the Hive was very well done. How the heck did you thought of that? :) I hope you could manage to bring our favorite Queen back… I would love a sequel. Is Sheppard really free? I bet the Queen managed to escape and nobody told Sheppard about... on no. poor little one. Thank you very much for sharing this magnificent story with us! But now, kneel…

Shoot, I just have to stop and be number eight-freaking-hundred! My goodness, no wonder you have gotten so, so many reviews. This story is fantastic! Ooh, the whumping! The deliciously evil wraith, and the complex queen. Ooh, and did I mention the whumping?! The kids are safe, whew, and now Sheppard is back to Atlantis! But wait, you say, there is way more to come. I am just so glad I found this story and I will be enjoying for days to come.
Thank you for posting this awesome fic! I am long late in finding it since you posted a long time ago, but I would have died a thousand deaths waiting for updates if I had come along when it was coming up a chapter at a time! :)

Wow, this was one hell of a ride and one I am so glad I took. You did a wonderful job with a traumatic Sheppard and everything he went through. You also captured his friendship and relationship with the team including Carson and Weir. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more...Winnie

Ok I have never actually watched an episode of Stargate Atlantis. I've watched some of the first series and the movie but I found this story the favorites list of an author I just adore and thought why not. I looked up who the wraiths were online and here I am totally loving this. I know this is just fanfiction but I might have to look more into this show when I'm done with this.

Oh and I LOVE coming late to the party, meaning...I like that you have already completed this story so I don't have to wait for updates. Yay for me. I have to go now, lots of chapters to read.

Laterness, BITD

This story has been one of the best character study-fics I've read in quite a while and I cannot stress just how much I loved it.

Your characterization of Sheppard is spot on, and I love how you included the thoughts, reactions and feelings of the others, especially linking Ronon's experience with Sheppards.

Diary Entry, Oct. 18th. 2008: Cleaned and de-frosted freezer, ironing, dusting and read Castles in the Sky. All in all a pretty satisfying sort of day!

And exhausting! I feel like I've suffered every inch of the way with John and his team!

I never know whether to review months after a story's been published... (why did it take me so long to find this?!!) whether or not, the author comes back to read? And you've had so many reviews anyway. But,after all, if you enjoy something this much, a reader really ought to say, shouldn't they?

And it's to your credit, that I couldn't put this down. For me, that puts it on a level with the professional guys who write the Fandemonium books. There's two of those I also had to read in one hit.

Likes: Nothing is over the top so this makes things more realistic and the characters' identities are never obscured e.g. JS is having a breakdown but hasn't lost it so completely that he can't fret that he may be a liability. He's still military commander. The team doing what they can but there's such a sense of helplessness. And Heightmeyer, knowing John well enough, to realise that John will come round given time and space, as he has done in the past. And I love your Wraith Queen and all her bad guys!

Dislikes: (All petty stuff so no need to take much notice!)The poor little girl who gets her throat cut at the very start isn't mentionned again and should have been in a subsequent nightmare or two? The all too convenient plot device of John escaping from the backdoor of the infirmary! The all too convenient plot device of John, at the end, carrying an unloaded handgun and yet a loaded P90? Oh... and the spelling...!(Kidding!)I can't believe that readers gave you such grief over that, when there is obviously so much here that is so exceptionally and professionally written. And your spelling mistakes are obviously a result of haste trying to get the updates out to satisfy readers in the first place!

Anyway, thanks for my Saturday, October the Eighteenth.

Wow that was amazing, took me a good while to finish but wow was totally worth it. I loved it! You did everything so well everyones emotions and how they handled it and just... everything! You are fantastic.

Thankyou very much for putting this on the web. I highly enjoyed it. As to your notes about sheppard being ooc, I don't think he would have been under that situation. Again, thankyou :)

pretty good. i enjoyed it.