Title: Cry me a river
Author: VereorNox
Rating: T
Genre: Drama
Status: Complete
Library Category: General Fics
Pairings: None

Summary:Zoe Thomson wasn't really sure what to think of Harry Potter when she met him. That ugly ring on his finger, that weird clock in his hands and the way he looked at her made her uneasy. It was as if he knew something she didn't know, and she didn't like that at all.

Link:Cry me a river, WBA thread FF.net link

My review: While the summary does not necessarily pull you in, I will recommend a read. The story is written in a quaint and measured style that I've missed after reading so many hard edged and fast paced stories. It reminds me of a writer taking time to build an atmosphere of a story rather than finding all the different conflicts that should drive it.

Harry in this is an adult, so this is post Hogwarts. The main conflict of the books is over with. Zoe, the OC, is not a love interest or some sort of author-protected special snowflake. So don't be turned off by not recognizing the character. The one-shot is a glimpse into Harry's life as an adult and the moments he occupies in Zoe's life, unusual coincidences, and quirky happenings.

I'm vague because I don't want to spoil the story for you. I will say that for me the manner it is written is worth the read. It's refreshing.

 

Read the whole thing. The twist wasn't unexpected, but it wasn't the most cliche piece I've ever read.

No major spelling or grammar issues jumped out at me, but at the same time nothing else really did either. It wasn't bad, but there wasn't really much of it that stood out, and I am left wondering if Harry does this for everyone, everyone with regrets, or pretty girls only.

3.5/5, rounded down to 3/5. A nice enough little piece of fluff, with no real problems other than it just not exciting me.

 

5/5 for me. Did not expect to be quite so moved.

I admit to being a little biased. I fricking love post canon stories involving muggles meeting or interacting with the main characters.

Still, Harry did feel like a sad older man with a heavy weight on his shoulders and I thought it was marvelously carried out. While not exactly a new idea, plotlines involving the consequences of uniting the deathly hallows are usually carried out with a less classic view of the reaper. It felt poignant. I could see Harry becoming this, and frankly I liked the OC a lot too.

 

While the fic is touching, it did not hold the level of emotional punch, so to speak, as other fics I've read. Maybe it's because I'm still pretty young and haven't been faced with my own mortality yet, but I couldn't relate with Zoe, especially at the end, very well.

On the other hand, it's very well written, and the way Harry's willingness to simply give to others for no other reason than to make them happy really resonated as being just so Harry. MasterOfDeath! Harry may be overused, but I've rarely read a story so perfectly aware of both the power and the sorrow that one experiences while holding that title.

My one complaint is that Harry goes to an awful lot of trouble to promote Zoe to get her days off, which feels totally unnecessary since she'll die anyways. Was it merely a ploy to get her trust? Or to get her on board? I dunno, that part felt a little awkward, and I feel like Zoe should trust Harry less after he pulls that stunt. There is no such thing as a free lunch after all.

I liked it. Twas.. surprisingly engaging, and it had its moments. 4/5

 

A new take on an established trope, but a pretty good one. I remember you wanted to make this a longer story originally, but I think the current length of this particular plot is just about right. Quirky older Harry works well enough that you might consider bringing him back for some other story, maybe for the longer tale you intended?

Incidentally, I was vaguely reminded of Death of the Endless - you ever read that stuff?

I'll give it a 4 - a 3 just for the concept, but the execution is good.

 

I believe that it's library worthy. A good read - 4/5

 

I haven't come across many stories in the same category, so I thought it was an interesting read.
No grammatical error that i can see and I managed to connect to the characters. not the most unexpected twist I have read, but still a good one-shot for some pleasure reading

4/5

 

Harry doesn't feel like Harry in this. Instead he feels like an angel would be portrayed in some sort of generic urban fantasy tv show.

Still it was a rather interesting if you can ignore that.

 

I don't have much time, so I'll just repost what I said in the WbA:

 

For an OC story this was pretty good. Since it's a oneshot, I wasn't expecting too much plot or excitement from it. What I saw was a short, emotional piece. It did the job I was expecting it to do, and it did it well.

4/5

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It is well written and the characters felt real.

The clues could be interpreted in multiple ways and where properly vague.

Spoiler

The broken clock actually made me think it was a time travel fic, instead of harry stopping Zue's limited time.

This misstake probably saved the story for me, figuring out the twist too early never helps when reading a story.

3.5/5 rounded up -> 4/5

 

As you said, her mood and the situation were completely different.
An ordinary turner is out of the question, my guess is that the watch is something he can use as MoD.

Thought it is completely possible that I missunderstood what sorcery Harry used.

 

For an OC story, it did ok. The premise was solid, albeit the build up was a bit too long for it was. As for the writing, it was also reasonable, however at points the dialogue was lacking.

I think the main point for me was it felt 'meh'. I didn't feel much empathy for Zoe or even Harry at the conclusion. I would give it a 3/5 overall mainly for premise and being better than the average fic in execution.

 

Pretty good at what it did, though could use some restructuring at certain points. I have some issues with length, but overall enjoyed it.

4/5. Easily gets in.

 

review

A fluffy story that toke me about 10 minutes to read can't say i am disappointed although i don't fell satisfied 3.5/5 rounded down to a 3/5.