Title: Dream of Yesterday - DBZ
Author: Zolariel
Rating: M
Genre: Adventure/Angst
Status: WIP
Library Category: Other Fandoms
Pairings: None
Summary: 100 Years after GT, Goku finds himself stuck in the past and working under the Frieza's merciless rule. Somehow, he must manage to make it back home amidst death, treachery and unexpected friendships.
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7059221/1/Dream_of_Yesterday

So basically Goku goes back in time by accident with no way of returning. To prevent the timeline from diverging he decides not to kill Frieza and becomes a soldier to hide his identity as a saiyan. The story follows Goku as he struggles to find his place in this universe and his realization that sometimes you just can't save everyone. There are brief mentions of one-sided slash but they can be ignored as they don't affect the story in the slightest.

DBZ was what got me into fanfiction but the huge amount of romance and "highschool fics" made me convert to HP. But every now and then a gem like this one can be found in the huge pile of fail that is the DBZ archive. Give this story a chance. I'm sure you won't be dissapointed.

Rating - 4.5/5 rounded down to 4

 

The writing is not bad, and it makes a decent enough time waster for that. That's the best I can give this fic.

The time travel is just a plot device to get Goku into the past, in a very contrived fashion at that, and the whole thing doesn't get better after that. His arrival into the past, the first Saiyans he meets, his new name, joining with Freiza, everything is contrived.

He is somewhat in character, in the beginning, but after 15 chapters I haven't seen any character growth, despite a six month time skip. His reasons to not interfere in the past, and thereby his reasons to participate in large scale slaughter are totally stupid. Not to mention any sort of slaughter, especially innocents, is entirely out of character for Goku, no matter the circumstances.

Though I have to admit the first time Goku kills some people/aliens, the portrayal of the act itself was pretty nice and his reaction after realization hit was rather good. The circumstances that led to it however, were again very stupid.

The author it seems wants to go somewhere, but every time he (she?) takes a step forwards, they also take a stumble backwards. And at most it's filled with half-hearted angst.

TL;DR version: Decent time waster with an idea I've never seen done well, and clumsy in execution. No real character growth in 15 chapters and the the story just seems to be meandering on, without direction. Still, hopefully it'll get better over the next 11 chapters that are already up.

2.5/5 with chances of going up.

 

Agree with what DarIm said, but perhaps not as harsh. I read through the entire thing, and I would rate it 4/5. There is noticeable improve of the writing as chapters goes on as well. The current arc with the Kolds is amazing.

 

While I do agree the whole time travel beginning was contrived, the main reason I liked this story was that author stays true to goku's character.

I would disagree on this. I feel its completely in character for Goku to think this way. Goku's never been the one to think these things through.

Hmm, yes the circumstances did seem a bit forced, but we've never seen what Goku would be like if he didn't eat for days.

Well the genre is angst.

As tragicmat said, the story does get better and I do agree that I like the current arc better. I hope the next 11 chapters change your mind DarIm. Either way, this is a story some people will like, and others won't.

 

Dream of Yesterday by Somatrasiel - M - Dragon Ball Z

Title: Dream of Yesterday
Author: Somatratasiel
Rating: M
Status: Abandoned
Pairings: None
Summary: 100 Years after GT, Goku finds himself stuck in the past and working under the Frieza's merciless rule. Somehow, he must manage to make it back home amidst death, treachery and unexpected friendships.
Link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7059221/1/Dream-of-Yesterday

The summary really doesn't do this story justice, and it is by far the best fanfiction in this fandom that I've ever seen.
I'd give it 4/5 because it has its own failings, and yet its fresh take on the Dragon Ball Z universe was what drew me into it.

 

Duryodhana, thanks for submitting a story that you enjoy to the Library, but you look like an idiot. This story has already been submitted. I found it in a few seconds using DLP's search engine.

Moved to the correct thread.

 

I apologise, I foolishly beloved myself to be the only dedicated follower of the fanfic.
I shall not make such a mistake again.