Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 16/11/07 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Wonderful! Another fantastic  fic where the relationship between the Brotherhood is everything. I loved the way Caleb stood up for Dean at the ER, protecting Dean by physically placing himself between Dean and harm's way. Bg call for Caleb to honour Dean's wish by not telling John the 'whole' story...

Well done for having Caleb affirm to Sam that he had done the right thing - protecting Sam from further guilty torment as much as a priority as helping Dean.

And I SOOO wanted to be a fly on the wall when Caleb exacted revenge for Dean. Have you written that scene anywhere? I ahve my imagination of course but I'd rather it was wrapped in RcJ words and phrases...

Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 25/10/07 Title: Chapter 2: Avin Calling

oh no, please don't tell me that was Dean!?!?!

Your intro to your villian was sinister and dark, and Dean's in a world of trouble!

I liked how you had Sam's radar on high when he realised Dean wasn't himself, so loved the "and holy water" comment.

Great ch, I'm in!

Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 25/10/07 Title: Chapter 4: Awareness Returns

 I loved this chapter, almost quiet compared to the previous. Sam’s reaction to Dean – weary, suspicious – was beautifully written, no wonder Dean was in shock. Dean’s dismay at seeing the bed and the knife / book was so believable, I could feel his disbelief in your words, followed by his sudden realization of the truth.

 

Yay, Booby to the rescue!!

 And can I say, first the towel, now the handcuffs, I nearly beat Sam out the door…yeah, yeah, I AM concentrating back to the story!!!

Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 25/10/07 Title: Chapter 7: A Mottled, Maggoty Face

Even though your Avin gives me the creeps, I gotta say “His strength and determination, his very fierceness was too exceptional. ..exemplary specimen”…I’m with her there! Once again your ch intro is through Avin’s vulgar eyes, so we’re just KNOWING that no goods on its way. You sure are putting Dean through the wringer – a new injury per chapter! Your description – “Straightening and swinging the gun into position in one uninterrupted move, Sam cringed as he saw Dean writhing beneath the spirit’s loathsome touch, his back arching off the bed, as she drilled a hand into his injured shoulder. His agonized cries, sounding through clenched teeth, were both hideous and heartbreaking to hear.” was an incredible piece of writing –revealing Sam’s horror and skills and Dean’s torture in a fluent, creative, comprehensive style. Very impressive and very exciting.

Author's Response:

Cookie, thank you so very much for all the reviews to each chapter.  You flatter me so much.  I'm so pleased to hear that you're enjoying this story.  It brings a huge smile to my face.

Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 26/10/07 Title: Chapter 8: Salt Circles and Comfort Food

What an intricate SN theme and hunt; ceremonial sacrifice knife, Encantora, animators, blood curse, dawls. See what I mean, original creative ideas not just the words… Bobby what’s going on? We are so NOT used to hearing you don’t have a cure, a way out! Clever how you used food to highlight the positions of our boys: Sam’s mechanical and automatic eating, little interest to reflect his level of distress, Dean’s loss of appetite to reveal the intensity of his illness (boy he must be sick!!) and Bobby’s need to look after our boys by trying to make sure they eat. Love how you move any of our boys into instinctive, automatic hunters, reacting without question to each other – “Salt the windows and door” from Sam and Booby “…preceded to do as ordered” And big kudos, applause on this description “…big-bottomed load of guilt riding gleefully on Sam’s shoulders” just magic! Can’t get bigger than that!!

Author's Response: Wow--your words to me are so kind.  And here I thought this chapter was particularly uneventful.  Yet you don't see it that way.  Amazing.  Thank you very much for such a wonderful review!  (Especially the compliment on that one line!)

Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 02/11/07 Title: Chapter 9: The One with a Gratuitous Shower Scene

I really loved the focus on Sammy in this chapter. The way you had him surge from his usual gentle, reflective nature to anger, violence - "Sam’s voice rose...In his state of agitation and frustration, Sam was barely able to control himself and not lunge at Bobby...Sam’s tight face and clenched fists" was sensational. His passionate nature ignited by his frustration and fear for his brother. And then you had him regain that control just as quickly -  "shutting the door softly instead of giving in to the urge to slam it shut.”Bobby's calm and understanding response to Sam's flair was awesome. My understanding of his response was made clear by your words - Bobby gazed sympathetically at the tall hunter, who, at that exact moment, looked far younger than his years" and I just KNEW where he was coming from when he then called Sam “son" *sigh* I miss John.And that brings us to your shower scene. The reader in me feels Sam's need for solitude here, to calm and regain control because planning requires action not reaction. But the secret side of me noticed "With strong, slender fingers Sam massaged his scalp" so yep, that scene worked for me!!!!Loved Dean's reaction to the "lamb to slaughter" comment and his helpful hint about the handcuffs - you showed us Dean's mind is never still.For me the highlight of this chapter, the part I really want to congratulate you on, is the interchange between our brothers and your clarification at the end of it:- "You sure about this, Dean.” - “Quit worrying, Sam. I . . . I know you guys got my back.”- "Sam would worry every second Dean was in danger. However, he wouldn’t let it interfere with protecting Dean in every way imaginable. After all, he, too, was his father’s son—a hunter—and had learned his lessons well."Just the best.

Author's Response:

Cookie, thank you so much again for your wonderful, in-depth review.  I'm so pleased that you enjoyed this chapter.  It's nice to see you point out various aspects that you picked up on--in some cases I'm not even making the connections as I'm writing, I just write what seems right.

Thank you!

Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 15/11/07 Title: Chapter 11: Spirits, Spells, and Shotguns

Another chapter packing a punch. A common element to this fic has been that intense, sharp intro with its dense description that sets the atmosphere with precision. This atmosphere reeks of evil that is disturbing and repulsive. Excellent job, I was freaked within that first painful wrack and scream. These words of yours escalated Avin’s evil to an all time high– “He watched as her head tilted forward once more and her tongue, acting quite like a proboscis, pushed deep into the widening silver-gray wound” *gross* And your description of Dean’s scream subsiding to a moan to a whisper was shattering.

 Avin screeching out, “You! The dawl’s damnable anchor” blew me away, so strong, she could feel it. Loved Sam and Bobby working as a team. The way you wrote Sam seamlessly continuing the incantation and Bobby locating his weapon on auto pilot amongst Avin’s unleashed fury was awesome. Gotta love hunters!

 Your battle scene was outstanding. The action was non stop and Avin’s strikes were original and believable to your story. “A puff of air from her lungs turned into a full force gale, dispersing the caustic, gritty mist throughout the room. Other debris, strewn about throughout the cavernous space, was lifted and tossed about, pinging and bouncing off the walls” added to baddies coming out of a mirror was one powerful confrontation. Well written, I’m exhausted!!

 I so loved the casual way the brothers interacted, belying yet emphasising Sam’s fear and worry and Dean’s pain and exhaustion. For me, it’s always all about the boy’s connection and you wrote it beautifully. Jokes with the physical support, as much as a crux for Sam as it was for Dean - here is that anchor. Sam carrying it brother, Sam in the car already revving with barely concealed patience. *sigh* I loved every second of it.

 Fantastic work, no wonder it is a featured story.

Author's Response:

I just love your in depth reviews, Petra.  They always help to make me feel good.

I was a little worried about this chapter, so I'm very glad to see that many of the elements came together for you.

It's good to know you're still loving it.  Thank you.

Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 26/10/07 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

No way! I'm sitting here stunned...So few words yet such a big impact. His "baby" turning on him, holy sh*t!! Dean injured, stunned, betrayed, Sam watching it all unfold...well written coz it sure pushed my *shock* button big time!!

Author's Response: Way!  Thanks so much for reviewing!  I'm so glad you enjoyed this shocker - that it had the "impact" I was looking for. 

Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 19/10/07 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Just beautiful. Even as a little guy here's Dean hiding behind a mask and building a scale-proof wall. Great work how you used Caleb's relationship with the boys and his intuition and Sam's innocence to draw Dean out. And the "gift of Sam" - simply gorgeous. I can't get the sad little smile off my face from this one.

Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 21/10/07 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Dean's deja vu moment was in my face as I read this! Holy smoke! (no pun intended!) I had the visual of Dean's face at that moment, heck  Sam's words "take him and go!" - no wonder Dean froze for that nanosecond. Obviously Sam is oblivious to the impact these  words would have had on his bro.

And your gorgeous words "cradling the small treasure in his arms" only matched by "again carrying a treasure" - thanks for a peek over Dean's wall.

Cute hair singed concept! Loved how you made me giggle at the boys reaction.

Author's Response: I missed your review on this!  Thank you so much, Petra!  I certainly appreciate your insight on this story.

Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 08/10/07 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

I loved this little one-shot. On one Sam still struggling to understand his Dad, silently questioning him. Yet at the same time implicitly trusting him, instinctively in sync with him - "...together they rose simultaneously and fired..."

Again, that trust reffortless amidst the drama - "As if sensing Sam's confusion he murmured soflty "Not yet" and "the nod from his Dad telling him everything he needed to know I've got it.You did good kiddo"

Beautifully written. Thanks for the read.

Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 20/10/07 Title: Chapter 1: These are the Pale Deaths

Such emotion in your writing. Each item was perfect and Dean's memories and connections through your words floored me. To asign an emotion to each one was creative and poignant. I loved, laughed and cried with each one. You revealed Dean's struggles, feelings, memories that he hides behind his wall with accuracy and integrity to the show and to the characters. Your writing style and the structure is of this one are unique to this genre and sets a high standard. This is one of my fav fics... ever!

Reviewer: Cookie6 Signed
Date: 30/09/07 Title: Chapter 5: Impala

I found this fab little story while surfing and I absolutely LOVE it. It  spoke volumes about the boy's connection. I loved your running commentary along side the dialogue, and I loved Dean reaction to the "friends" (payback's a bitch!) Sam reverting back to his childhood fobia was heartbreakin' and I felt you surfaced a real, ongoing fear. Dean's gentleness and patience with Sam was so poignant and I felt like we were insiders to thier privacy. The impala as home is just

brilliant and so real - we just get it. Stunning piece of writing.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I am just speechless from your lovely comments! Thank you!