Title: A Keen Observer
Author: DeepDownSlyterin
Rating: K+
Genre: Drama/Romance
Status: Complete
Library Category: Romance
Pairings: Andromeda Black/Ted Tonks
Summary: Andromeda says little, but she sees everything. Through their years at Hogwarts, she watches her sisters as one falls in love and one falls into madness, and doesn't see as a muggleborn boy breaks into her sheltered life.
Link: A Keen Observer

Told from Andromeda's point of view, it's the story of the Black family. It shows how a family can torn apart by war and opposing beliefs. Worth reading because, even knowing what they become, you still care about the characters. 4/5.

Checked by Sorrows: 03/08/2019

 

The writing is very good, some of the best I've seen.
The author is a true story teller and the fic keeps your attention even if, damn it, you already know what's gonna happen.
I didn't get any OC vibes, but the fact is that canon doesn't particularly develop these characters, nor does it explain their motivations or the road they traveled, it just sets you up in the "destination". So there might be some deviation, but after all, it's fanfiction.
As character(s) study, it's bril.
I think most people would enjoy it.
4/5

 

I'm not a big fan of Marauders-era fics, certainly not those focused on the Black sisters, and usually role my eyes at pretentious "Slytherin aristocracy"... but, I have to agree, this story is excellent so far.

I really like the contemplative tone of the narration, which reminds me of Robin Hobb, and the prose is superb at portraying the nostalgic perspective. On the downside, the plot is pretty dull, and the story is missing on the magical aspect, but I suppose that the distinct portrayal of the social fabric is really the focal point here. Very enjoyable, immersive read.

4/5.

 

I do feel like I'm reiterating what has been described above, but nonetheless, it's true. The writing itself is quite excellent, however, the actual subject matter is a bit lacking. The focus on the Black sisters is certainly an oddity in itself, but, there just isn't that much content to work off of in my opinion, and the fic will suffer as a result. That being said, I would like to see where it goes, and I did enjoy what I read, yet I worry for the future of the piece.

4/5.

 

This is such a beautiful story. Although the jump into marriage was a bit too quick, the development of all characters and relationships were well paced and heart-affecting. I still have conflicting thoughts about my childhood, and I feel like Andromeda had the right amounts of nostalgia and sadness that many folks who grew up in similar situations do. Great read, great pacing, great everything

4.9/5

 

Im usually not a fan of Marauders-era fics, but thats usually because they are willfully ignorant of canon.

After a wobbly initial chapter this keeps getting stronger and stronger and as an exploration of that kind of era I think only Worf's fic is on this kind of level. Its very good. The interactions between Andromeda and Sirius are n truth the main highlight of this fic.

My only complaint is that at points the family drama can come off as a little melodramatic, but I suppose thats inherit in what its about.

 

Great story, loved reading it. The characters were great and, though I can't explain why, it's really believable, though some parts seemed, I don't know, forced somehow.

4/5

 

I really liked it.

Characters in fics like this are almost OC since canon says very little about them, but the author did a great job not only creating them but also developing them which most authors seem fail at.
I thought the family dynamics were spot on for the most part,, though it can be melodramatic as someone mentioned earlier.
But it's a great story from a perspective I've never read before, which is strange because Andromeda is an interesting and tragic character.

5/5

 

Your worry is quite unnecessary. The story is complete, and has been so since 2006.

This was a fairly good story. I didn't think the writing was anything extraordinary, but it was serviceable. Family dynamics were handled well for the most part. All three Black sisters were well characterized; I liked Bellatrix's characterization the best. Easily the best young Bellatrix I've read, much better than Delenda Est's bland, whitewashed version. Sirius was cool too. Ted Tonks was a tad dull though -- I didn't particularly care for him at any point.

A solid story, and well worth a read, though you probably shouldn't expect anything extraordinarily brilliant.

4/5.

 

Bentgame, you missed the word count, which happens to be 149k.