Not that much more. Some members will be more open to it, and the pairing itself might pique our interest more than a H/G fic will, but ultimately, if it's shit, it's shit.

I believe we have a Heur fic in the Trash bin, as well as Harry/Daphne ones. Having a pairing that we like won't guarantee entry into the Library, especially if it's a cliche-ridden shitfest.

 

This is one of those stories I tried to like, and I just couldn't get over some of the stylistic choices the author made.

Length really isn't a measure of a good story, and character development for a story of this length really was rather disappointing. Just because Harry and Ginny don't kiss for a long portion of the story, does not make the romance more believable.

Ginny and Hermione were both flawed characters in canon, but these are the sorts of flaws that teenagers have folks...for better or for worse. Hell, many adults have the same kinds of flaws and they don't even have the excuse of being teenagers.

I do salute the author on finishing the story, especially one that took as long as it did to finish. I look back on some of the stuff I wrote three years ago and just shudder at how bad it was. This is one of the problems of writing as you go, creative momentum is difficult to maintain for a long period of time.

Aside from some early stuff, the Harry characterization was reasonable, it was the rest of the characters that left something to be desired.

2.5/5. Not the best fic out there, and not the worst one either.

 

uh, no. It's not like Religion at all. SPEW was tyhe work of an immature and awkward child of course, but i stand that it was slavery.

House elf cannot quit if they choose to.

House Elf are not allowed Wands either (gof), and it's strongly hinted they have their freedom heavily curtained.

So no, you are being hypocritical here. I agree the "current view" in the fandom is that Hermione was being bossy, but the truth is that even if she succeeded in freeing the elves, they still could have worked at hogwart (Dobby).

OTOH, they would have had a *choice* to stop working.

You are talking about "muggle view" too. Isn't that an excuse to say "they are different", so it's ok if they are mistreated? and yes, they *are* being mistreated. If they don't obey, they are severely punished (and i am not talking just about malfoy, but also about crouch here).

It was said that House elf during V were even treated worse too.

I remember someone saying she was being whining in POA, i might be wrong. I just said her attitude was a "normal" attitude for a child of thirteen.

Hell, better than normal, as she stood by her belief (even if that belief appeared wrong) but didn't stop her efforts (buckbeak) like harry and ron so conveniently did.

It's been a while since i read that fic, but i distinctly do not remember Harry paying for his attitude (that is absolutely arrogant and stupid), so that's a pain too.

Oh, and please, stop with the "Ginny Bashing" thing going on to plug your ears about the fic's fault. It has nothing to do with ginny. I would do the same if it was hermione, daphne, lily, tracy, etc.

It doesn't matter if i like the ship if the story is really badly written, and this one was a whole lot of wank in the first few chapters, with all the characters being "forced" into situations because the author wanted certain things to happen.

Not only that, the situations weren't dire enough for the characters response.

 

Well, while Hermione is by far my favorite HP character, she is still hastily done i believe.

Forcing Religion into someone is about molding someone into a certain shape.

Hermione didn't try to *change* the house elf into what she believe they should be (though it is easy to think so), she wanted to free them.

And yes, they are *not* free. You say that house elf could have gone to AD for freedom, right? Remember that it has been untold generation where house elf have been house elf. remember that a trait of people is to adapt and believe in their own worth. As such, it is obvious to think (and is supported by canon) that house elf see their "work" as a matter of worth.

They have been twisted into believing that their imposed status (because no matter what you say, house elf can't simply ask to be freed, and Dobby did say that he *couldn't* get work paid anywhere but hogwart, nor did people want fired house elf).

There is implicit prejudice against house elf being "lower" than human. They are not allowed various rights wizards are. They are forced into contracts that they cannot break by themselves, contract that give someone else complete control over their self.

Sorry, but that is slavery.

It doesn't matter that House elf have been led to believe they have a happy deal, as long as that "happy deal" is not a matter of choice for 99% of them.

A free house elf is prejudiced upon not only by wizards, but also by other house elf (after all, he shouldn't be able to have that, he is questioning their self-worth, he is "differen't. Or is it jealousy?).

Crouch "Freeing" winky as a punishment is more complicated than simple freeing, as it also ostracized her.

About Hermione, crookshanks and scabber. Yes, it appeared that Scabber was eaten by Crookshanks. But she was instantly shouted at by Ron, a supposed friend, and not given a chance or a hope of being innocent. It hurt, that.


EDIT:

Forgot about harry. Sorry, but at the beginning of Taking Control, he acts as a complete ass. And he is justified by the author in doing so. This seemed like Harry was sort of like a "what the author wanted him to be", more than "what he is".

 

Exactly. By doing that she discouraged all elves but Dobby from cleaning Gryffindor Tower. It's no different from going to any jewish/muslim country and forcing people to eat pork because it's "good meat".

Hermione is no way 2D character in canon. She is for sure Harry's friend. She is also very arrogant, much more than any other character in the books imho (well, maybe aside from TR). She actually thinks she know what's best for everyone. She knows better than elves what they want. She knows better than Harry that his firebolt is to be reported. There are more examples, and even if she is right in most cases, it doesn't change that she is very arrogant.
Arrogance aside, Hermione also loves authorities, especially Dumbledore. And what's more important, when she had to choose - AD (authority) vs. HP (friend) she choose AD.
That is why I belive that her characterization in TC is excellent. She thinks she knows (as "always") what's best for Harry. She won't listen to any argument. She will rat on Harry on first sign of trouble.

Her intentions might be good, but so are AD's.

 

Uh... Except that she only trust authority when it suits her, and harry.

I said it before, but why does everyone forget Hermione is the only "good" character to have ever doubted AD?

The firebolt thing could have killed Harry. Frankly, it would have been nasty had she done otherwise.

Yes, Hermione is Arrogant. However, she is less so than Ron or Harry in most case. Ron or Harry don't listen to others when they are convinced about something. Hermione do (she "believes" in teacher, but jinx snape, she believes Sirius isn't captured, but still go with harry etc).


Sesc:

Thing is, you are doing the same thing. To me, it's very irritating to say "they are different, so it's ok to be nasty to them".

Yes, they might very well be different in nature. But does it changes that Human sees them as lesser creatures? That they are looked down upon by human, and discriminated?

To me, the "different" argument sounds liek an excuse for the wizard to let plays its darker instincts.

And that's its *humans* that choose theirs status, not elves. <= this is the big problem.

You are saying that freeing them is the same as forcing them into a religion. Problem, once they are free, they can continue as they were. Otoh, as bound, they don't have a choice. So yes, she is giving them a choice.

Oh, and she can't trust that what they are saying comes from them, or some sort of bond either. Freeing the Hogwart house elf would only bring bad things because of the attitude of wizards.

EDIT:

You are talking about "working for free". Ys, in cases like Hogwart, it's the case. In cases like Crouch, or malfoy, the two other instance with house elves, and the only ones with people having ocntacts with them, they are obviously mistreated. You might also remember that house elf are for old blood and money only.

 

HEY FUCKNUGGETS.

Stay on topic. Take your pathetic canon-thumping bitchfests and adolescent fantasies about Hermione elsewhere.

I'm too lazy to try and split the discussion off because usually there is one or two lines relevant to this thread (remember, the fic?) before pathetic portkey.org sloppy seconds argue about greatness of which canon character's crusty cunt is really truly a good friend or nothing but an authority whore.

This fic is Harry/Ginny. And very much what fanon calls "canon-friendly." This does not mean you should be quoting wikipedia about fucking slavery because someone insulted your batequeen.

Now, getting back on topic. I dug up my old review and the response I got from the author like 2+ years ago. He seemed like a level-headed rational guy... so obviously not DLP material.

Here's the review I left after he'd posted chapter three (notice how I quote this so you can easily ignore it):

And the author kindly replied the next day:

I'm guessing he's learned a fair amount in the past couple years and has a decent idea of what he's doing. Still doesn't mean I'm going to like the fic whenever I get around to reading it again.

Now please, for fuck's sake, post relevant to the thread. And take all the rest of your shit to more appropriate places. Like PM. Or your livejournals.

 

I'd wait until it's better explained his reasonings before saying it was OOC. If Dumbledore is not aware of Harry's wandless ability(which I don't think he is, or he'd be curious about it. Dumbledore could have simply been trying to confiscate his wand in order to really trap him at the Dursley's for the summer.

Yeah, he could have been more sneaky about it, but he was obviously convertible with his own skills against Harry than take the chance and try to steal Harry's wand from underneath his nose. He may have also been trying to prove a point, thinking he could easily capitate him in order to show that he wasn't ready to fight deatheaters(he probably could have if he wasn't distracted.)

We really don't know his motive for attacking him, but plenty could have been gained with disabling Harry.

As for the story; it kept me entertained for the week it took me to read it in small bursts, and I enjoyed it overall. But if it was the same story replacing Ginny with Hermione, I probably wouldn't have been able to stand it, so I understand anyone who even remotely dislikes Ginny's distaste for this story.

As for the story as a whole?

4/5 because it was well written, entertaining, and slightly original; but was hardly a perfect story. Though, surprisingly, I thought the romance was well done. It was over the top, for sure, but the story has yet to make me cringe because of any overly corny dialogue.

As for the Hermione debate. I like Ron, I detest Hermione. He insulted them both, portraying them in a negative light, yet I feel no need to stand up and defend Ron's honor....

He's a fictional character, get over it.

 

I assumed my made up word was self explanatory. A batequeen is that one person you've masturbated to more than any other (pronstars can be excepted).

Mine is most likely Liz Phair.

(Yes, off-topic post is off-topic. And hypocrisy is ironical.)

 

Batequeen sounds like it would be something...else to discuss on another thread...this one has fallen off the tracks awhile ago.

Nonjon, leaving reviews like that for authors is about the best thing you can ever do.

I agree with pretty much everything you stated in said review.

 

Has the author said if and when there will be a sequel?

 

Read the author's notes in the last chapter. It says he's definitely planning on writing a sequel. He never mentioned when he is going to upload it, though. Judging by his update rates, it's probably going to be a long wait .

 

Sadly yes, it will most likely be a long wait like e1wasf said. Not the fastest updater in the world exactly. Anyway, I was very surprised when I saw that this story was posted in the For Review thread since the pairing is frowned upon by quite a lot of members. Personally I like pairings I can believe in, so H/G works but Harry/Millicent for example just doesn't. Not saying that Harry is a shallow guy... but he likes his girls pretty (Cho who I still kinda prefer Harry to get... after all she's already what Ginny becomes in HBP; hot, great at Quidditch & popular).

I started re-reading this a few weeks ago when a friend of mine asked me to rec a few fics for her and I checked through my favorite stories on FF. Talk about surprise when in the middle of re-reading it I got an email saying it had a new chapter! I thought the story was dead tbh. Now having finished it I am indeed left with a thirst for more. It is a great fic once you get past the first few chapters and sure, it has a number of clichés & *wince* moments... but aside from that... awesome. Especially towards the end, it finishes strong!

I'm giving this 4/5, if you can look past the clichés (Most fics have em' these days, its just a part of fandom) and pairing... give it a read!

OT: Anyone know why the spellchecker doesn't like the word clichés? Pretty sure that's how you spell it :s

 

Maaaaaan, I had a great argument that was being buildt up for the past 2 pages and now it's not even going to get used, *sigh*.

Anyways, I agree with a lot of what everyone has said hence why my points will be short and with little reason. I hated the beginning of the story, as I'm sure everyone did, but began to get interested as it went on and by the end this story has turned into one of my favourites for no other reason then the fact that it wastes a good bit of time in my otherwise mindnumbingly boring existence.

I'm already cringing at the run-on sentence and constant change of tense but I'm far to lazy to edit it.

 

It used to be one of my fav stories, but now... Author probably is going to introduce a mild soul-bond between HP and GW, yes, soul-bond. And Harry has moral problems with killing, which is unacceptable to me.

It's still a pleasurable read if you skip shopping trip at start and impossibility to sleep without Ginny in his arms in last chapters.

 

Wait

Wasn't Harry trained since he was 6-7 to kill death eaters and Riddle so why the fuck does he have moral problems now? Plus a soul bond dam I use to liked this story it was my guilty pleasure but now crap. 2/5