Title: Path of Decision
Author: lulu42
Rating: T
Genre: General
DLP Category: Alternate Universe
Pairing: None
Chapters: 60
Words: 244,659
Updated: December 7, 2009
Published: July 31, 2008
Status: Complete
Summary: Cunning, resourceful, powerful and ambitious, Harry has little trouble finding success. But not even that can prevent the pages of Destiny from turning. Sandman Crossover.
Link: ff.net

Some things in the beginning were a bit of a turn-off for me, the whole assassins microplot in particular; nevertheless, I've grown to like this fic. My only real complaint is that I wish that the story was fleshed out a bit more--the author seems to plan the overall plot fairly meticulously, but the chapters are a bit short (although written at a respectable speed), making the steps from A to B to C still seem a bit rushed.


Checked by Minion, January 6, 2013

 

I've finished the most recently posted chapter, and it's pretty good. I agree that the assassins vignettes make the story a bit disjointed. But is that really a bad thing?

If I voted now, I'd say 4 stars; however, I'm not voting until I see what happens in the fourth year.

 

Hmm, just finished reading it. Its good but I have to see how far it'll deviate from canon.4/5 for the now.

 

What's Sandman, and do I need to know it to read the story?

 

I don't know shit about Sandman, but I was able to follow the story quite easily.
This is actually one of my favourite stories at the moment, with its update speed and intelligent writing style. I also liked how the author handled CoS.

The story still has a few rough patches, and a few things probably won't go too well down here. But when all is said and done, I'd give this a 4/5.

 

Google and Wikipedia are your friends. You may not need to know it for the story; however, it might be helpful.

Apropos of nothing...

Spoiler

I've been wondering if Harry is going to succeed Dream-- based on what's been mentioned in the story as well as what's been covered in Sandman.

 

I love it. I'm all a twitter for the next chapter. I don't know shit about Sandman, but this story is great. Read it.

5/5

 

For now I'm giving this a four star rating.

The author does a magnificent job so far of Harry's interactions with the students. It flows naturally and makes for an enjoyable read. I am disapointed at the minor role the Endless have in the latest chapters. Hopefully it is only due to the memory charm placed on Harry.

I did note several grammatical errors in the beginning of the story that also weighs down upon the score.

If the author maintains the quality, this is a shoe-in for a four star rating. If he/she manages to ratch it up a notch, then I'll modify this up to a five star.

 

Bah. For a supposed assassin!Harry who's killed hundreds, he's a pussy. It got pretty boring fast. The Endless were intresting since I had no prior knowledge of Sandman, but otherwise it was quite bland.

3/5, and that's stretching it.

 

This always happens with assassin!Harry. I don't think I've ever seen an assassin!Harry fic that actually has Harry behave like an assassin.

 

This.

But other than that minor point, the story is very good so far.

I haven't read Sandman (didn't even bother with a quick Wiki), but I had no problem understanding what's going on, and I'm intrigued enough that I might check it out.

I thought the part where

Spoiler

Harry orchestrated Quirrel's death was awesome. Even if he doesn't act like an assassin, he clearly has no compunctions about removing people who are a threat to him and his friends. Hell, he even contemplated killing Ginny when he discerned her role in the short-lived Chamber incident. Personally, I think he should have killed her, but I'm not too disappointed that he didn't.

This story has a lot of potential, and I'm definitely going to keep an eye out for updates.

4.5/5

 

That does raise a good point. I guess we just need a real assassin to write a HP fanfic.

Any takers?

 

New chapter posted.

I'm liking this story more and more. I like how the author dealt with Year 3, and if she does well with Year 4, then I'm voting 4 stars for sure-- maybe 5.

 

Sweet. Finally we are getting to the interesting parts (GoF).

It seemed like she blew through the first few years a little bit too quickly though, and her chapters are a little bit too short for my liking, but overall it's a great fic.

still 4.5/5

 

Yeah, short chapters like DitN said, but that's not too big a deal. The story is really vague in spots, but it's interesting as hell. I'll keep reading as long as she keeps writing it.

 

I love the idea of the creation of dementors. This story would be great if the assassin sub plot never happened as it wasn't too relevant to current event. The fic overall is enjoyable to read, and deserves and solid 4/5 and more. I'd rate 5/5 without the assassin's subplot/flashbacks.

 

I really like this. I am yet another person unfamiliar with the Sandman 'verse but able to mostly follow tidbits, though any extra little hints I may be unaware of. Though Harry is an assassin, it isn't really his choice to do so, as shown with his uneasiness about killing the young boy who looked sort of like him. Harry is able to 'kill' Tom with Fluffy because the sort of goings on his side weren't at all innocent.

SOmewhere I must have gotten sidetracked.

5/5 with interest for me so far. I look forward to more.

 

2/5
Story is rushed and confusing, Harry is a stupid pussy who is supposed to be "assassin", but from all his recollections he just killed men tied to chairs.

 

So we have a MagicallyIncompetent!Harry story? And a NonKilling!Assassin to go with it? Awesome, just what you want out of a story.

 

Alright, after trying to pick up where I left off reading this story, I've got to say that it feels more and more vague, rather like a collection of scenes instead of a story, the further it goes.

I know nothing of the Sandman-verse, and I like that I didn't really need to know too much about that to like the story, but the more vague it gets, and the less coherent it guess, the smaller my interest gets. Anyone else feeling that way?

Meh, maybe the author will put some cohesive scenes together soon.