Title: Free Will and Fate
Author: Sara Winters
Rating: R
Genre: Alternate Universe
DLP Category: The Alternates
Pairing: Harry/Hermione
Status: Complete 158K Words
Summary: An accidental time turner use leads Harry to change his history in dramatic ways. Post OoTP but only just.
Link: [http://www.fictionalley.org/authors/sara_winters/FWAF.html

Very good story. Seams a tad bit rushed but not by much. 4/5

 

I'm a little skeptical that this story, while decently written, will be well liked by the DLP rabble. I read it some time ago and enjoyed aspects of it, but other parts bothered me. Quoting from the review I left Sara on ff.net (... hide spoilers):

I'd probably rank it between a 3 and 4 on its merits, including some unique ideas that kept my interest despite its shortcomings. I like Sara (she's good people), so I'll give her benefit of the doubt. 4/5

 

You did not read the entire story then. I can't tell you much without giving anything away so I'll start by saying you're right about Lucius being a cameo. He really has a small part to play in the story and no interaction.

Snape, well you really did not read enough to get an accurate portrayal of him. Suffice it to say most people on DLP will love what eventually happens to him. Very creative way to take care of Snape.

Hermione, I agree she seamed to come off too eager but I can live with that. I think she was just trying to cope and it turned to into something more.

Dumbledore, I loved how he was portrayed.

You have to read the entire thing to understand where people eventually stand in the grand scheme of things.

 

I reviewed the story I read. I did not read or review the sequel.

 

The reviews from the first chapter are full of lulz. And I want to punch Worldmaker in the fucking face; you're not a dedicated reviewer, asshole, you're a thirty-some-odd-year-old pedo living in mom's basement that enjoy's stalking boring fanfiction and beating dead horses. Yes, the story is boring, okay? Now fuck off.

OT: I'm sure I'll get around to reading this someday. Looks potentially interesting and the author has a history of good writing. Judging by that, this will probably be a fun rainy day fic.

 

I'm a sucker for a well-written HHr story, so I may give this one a look. Tell me, does anyone know the projected length of the sequel? I saw it was just updated.

 

I read this a while ago now.

It's a good story, yet I found myself having to force through a few chapters.

3/5

 

It's pretty different from anything else I have read in the time travel genre. The author captures quite well in my mind what would happen if you changed time. That said, I found the fic pretty dull reading, there was no hook to keep me interested really, the whole murder plot with his step-dad was irritating.

The Harry/Hermione isn't enough of a hook to keep me interested, 10 chapters in I started skipping through chunks and scenes, scanned over a few more chapters like that.

3/5 because I didn't enjoy it, but it is a well-written fic with some quite interesting ideas.

 

...

I have one big problem with this fic.

Spoiler

What about the Harry that's, you know, DYING in the hospital? Doesnt Hermione care about him?

Beyond that, its not too bad. The concept of Raven made me throw up a little in my mouth, but the writing was solid, and Harry was as angsty as he is supposed to be.

3/5

 

I tried to read it.
I read 19 chapters. But then I couldn't carry on.
This fic is simply boring. 19 chapters, and I am sure we are still pretty much where we were at the beginning of chapter 3. Yea, sure he is now more comfy with some people, but the actual plot is pretty stationary till now. And I still do not understand, why doesn't he just give the key to Dumbeldore, who of course even though should see Harry, for some reason decides to wait for a week. I know he is busy and all that but still not a good enough reason for not meeting Harry, if he can go to hospital to see the other one. Things just are not moving at all. I mean the romance is moving faster than the rest of the plot. Besides I just dont the plot, even if it moved faster, I still wouldnt read it I guess.

2/5

 

I cannot read or rate this as there is too much Snape in this fanfic for my liking. The Raven character killed the story even more.

 

I'll admit, I usually enjoy slower-moving fics.

I said slower-moving, not snail-paced. Apparently, the events took place over 1 week, and it took 45 or so chapters to do so. In addition, everyone could see pretty much exactly where it was going from about chapter 4.

Judged on its own merits, I'd give it a 3/5--it is technically well-written and all, but not library-worthy.

The sequel gets a solid 2/5.

 

Who Harry's dad is right now gives me seizures. 1/5 from me.

If I can force past the first chapter, I'll rerate.

 

The Worldmaker guy was an asscock to aggressively drive away readers from the story. He is also right on the money. A writer can have a character study or fountain of profundity without making it a slog. 1/5

 

Don't really understand why the Headmistress is leaving a 5th year student to investigate an attempt on his own life, and will only see Harry in person again if he can find proof that his life's in danger.

2.5/5

 

The writing is about average but there is nothing in the story to keep me engrossed in it. I would have given the story 2/5 had it not been for one word 'Lily Snape', so, now my rating is 1/5.

My opinion; not even recycle bin material let alone library.

 

The fluff became so overpowering that I was forced to stop reading. Also, 80k words in and it's only been a few weeks. This fic drags like a drunk trombone section. 1/5

 

Holy shit, I can't believe I made it through the first actual book. Not even gonna touch the sequel. It got progressively worse.

2/5, don't think it deserves a spot in the recycling bin.

 

I made it a few chapters in before giving it up completely. No, just no. 3/5 for the solid grasp of the English language, but the story itself gets nothing.

 

I'm just going to say this, regardless of what else you've typed.

How the fuck can you give a 3/5 to a story you didn't bother reading?

Am I crazy? Or do others think that that's as ridiculous as I do?