Reviewer: zuimar (Signed) · Date: 06/09/11 01:27 PM · On: Watching Shadows Fall

I had to dig quite deep to remember what this story was about, but while scrolling through the first few chapters it came back to me. I'm glad you found the time to wrap up this story, it was a fun ride! I'll be checking the site for the sequel.

Reviewer: deansangel462 (Signed) · Date: 25/11/10 03:29 PM · On: State of Grace

You are over describing things and making the Winchesters sound like cry babies!! I don't like it, I tried to keep reading, thought maybe some sort of action or actual story line would come about but it never did!! It only kept losing my interest, and confusing me!! I am sorry but next time don't use so many adjectives and use more fighting scenes! You have them all crying more in this story than fighting!! It's just not beleivable!!

Author's Response:

I'm sorry you feel that way - there is an element of action in this story, but it simply was never going to be the focus for the tale. Some of the most striking scenes in the show are emotional, reflective ones, and that was something that fit the storyline more than fighting.

Thank you for the feedback.

Reviewer: zuimar (Signed) · Date: 15/11/10 11:04 AM · On: Watching Shadows Fall

Awesome chapter! Just loved the scene of Dean in the shower, such lovely insight into what is going through his mind. Also much love for the brotherly connection, makes me realise how much I miss that on the show.

Author's Response:

Aw, thank you! I did miss that connection between the boys inthe latter half of S4 and then most of S5, so it was great to be able to bring it back a little in this AU. And as to theshower scene, well, it had to be done. lol

 

Reviewer: moira4eku (Signed) · Date: 16/10/10 11:22 AM · On: Watching Shadows Fall

Yikes! That was quite thrilling. I hope they can save the kids and the older ones, too. Seems like this town is cursed for some reason and the hellhounds are there to collect. Looking forward to the next chapter.

Reviewer: moira4eku (Signed) · Date: 16/10/10 10:54 AM · On: Watching Shadows Fall

I'm looking forward to reading the next story in your series. Thanks for the recaps of the previous stories!

Reviewer: Primrose (Signed) · Date: 07/10/10 11:07 PM · On: Watching Shadows Fall

I. Just think.  It's because.  I really like. Punctuation!?.

It's a great start, lady!   

 

Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 16/01/10 09:31 AM · On: The Darkness Before The Dawn

Fabulous!  Very mysterious.  I'm glad they killed the 'Jack, that's one problem solved.  Now the Winchesters just have to deal with Dean becoming a messenger of death, and hopefully, more of The Immortals.  *nods head* yes?

Author's Response:

Hey hun! Thought I'd respond to all of your lovely reviews in one go.

This story was great fun to write - there's some lovely characters in there for an author - from the creepy to the profane, and the downright mysterious, so it's great to know they were as engaging for you to read as they were for me to write.

I spent a long time trying to get the revelations of what happened to Dean at the revenants' hands right. It was a fine line, between 'soap opera' emo and dry prose, and kudos really does go to Ilka for helping me balance it in many, many long chat. The pacing of the story was important too - it's much longer than State of Grace, and had much more to cover, but I didn't want it to feel that way, hence the way the tension builds and eases throughout.

I found myself wondering, sometimes, if the tension between the brothers was just too much, but I think it came out alright in the end. They've been through so much by now - and don't forget, this series is set in season 4, so there's even more going on! I'm glad to know you liked the conflict though, it's very reassuring to hear it came out right!

As for the Immortals, well... they will most definately be making a return. But, I hate to say, it's not going to be in the next story. It's 80/90% complete, then just needs beta'ing, but I can promise lots more action and angst up the wazoo. I'll preview it once it's finished and sent off - and then we'll have a look-see at those pesky revs...

Ta hun!

Cal

Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 12/01/10 04:26 PM · On: The Darkness Before The Dawn

Oooohh!  More suspense!  Just when I think we're winding down, you ramp up the mystery and action again.  I can't wait to find out what's happening in the town and why the man has so much control over Joe and the others.

Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 12/01/10 06:37 AM · On: The Darkness Before The Dawn

Brilliant!  OMG!  I had goosebumps.  You set the stage magnificently in this chapter!  The Loa begins as an ominous shadow and we slowly get to see more of him until at the crescendo of action, he's completely visible.  The cadence of the Loa's speech lulled me (love how even when their speech is chopped it still flows beautifully) so at odds with the description of its horrible appearance (charms, wood and bones in his stringy hair).

What can I say---amazing chapter and artfully written! 

Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 11/01/10 06:54 AM · On: The Darkness Before The Dawn

Another heart-wrenching chapter!  Seeing the boys through the nurse's sympathetic eyes and the compassionate way that she cares for both Winchesters was very touching.  then you had to top that off with Dean's desire to let go, his only concern who would care for Sam after he was gone anchoring him to this life.

"...new skin, old scars, the jarring dichotomy shaking him until he didn't know when he was anymore."  A very interesting statement and given Dean's history frighteningly appropriate.

I can't wait to find out what's wrong with Dean (I have my suspicions) and how they cure him.  I'm also hoping for a return of the Immortals so the boys can finish what their father began.  

Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 10/01/10 06:49 PM · On: The Darkness Before The Dawn

"futuristic Spanish moss" is an interesting phrase---very imaginative and picturesque.

"...feeling the spirit's laughter curl under his skin..." Seriously, where do you come up with these spectacular word-picture phrases?  You string things together that wouldn't normally go together and make it fabulous. 

The boys are really trying to get back to normal in this chapter.  Their moods swinging from caring to irritated in the blink of an eye.  When Dean lets Sam take the bed closest to the door, then you know something's not right in Winchesterville.  Glad to see he's conquering that mountain.

Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 10/01/10 01:07 PM · On: The Darkness Before The Dawn

Beautifully written so Dean's revelation has the maximum shock-value!  

"I can't do it again, Sam.  I can't kill you again."  And there it is!  So simply stated and yet powerful and emotionally charged.  Those two lines were the gut-punch I've been waiting for.  It was obvious who had killed the other Sam but everyone skirted around that fact.  I guess the truth doesn't always set you free, at least not at first. 

Now all that's left besides healing is to track down the Immortals and put them to rest. 

Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 10/01/10 08:32 AM · On: State of Grace

If you hadn't mentioned there is a sequel coming there would be an angry mob carrying torches outside your house.  Still leaving this chapter as you did is E-Vil.

I love how you interspersed Jack's ministrations with Sam's desperate pleas for Dean to come back to him.  It was heartbreaking to have the clinical and the emotional intertwined.

"Don't go.  I can't stop them if you go.  I can't stop them taking you, or me."  When you added the 'or me', you showed us how broken and scared Dean was.  I felt a little tingle up my spine and had to sigh with sympathy for the poor boy.

"I won't," he whispered top the dark, shutting his eyes against the sound of the lie in his own voice."  How horrible for Dean to feel so vulnerable and know that no matter what he did, he'd never be able to protect himself or his brother from the revenants.