Was about to read it but stupid FF.net is down again. I might think it was a sign if the site wasn't down as often...

 

This is the kind of thing that pisses me off in HP Stories.

Edit: also. StarWars wasn't release on DVD until 2004. So yeah, check your dates next time. DVD's had only just been released in December 1995.

Edit2: The majority for Wizarding Britain is 17, which is neither 16 nor 18.

Edit3: Why do you keep capitalizing 'Riddle(s)' when you are not talking about Voldermort?

Edit4: Every few paragraphs there is a new riddle. It's getting stupid now.

Edit5: Ok so I actually got bored of reading this fic and ended up Red X'ing it.

 

I'll give this one a 3.5. A little above average but slow as hell in places.

 

I doubt there were any. DVD is newer format, it should be VHS.


First reviews in this topic don't do much good for the story, it's certainly better and has no idiotisms like 'unspeakable Tonks'.

I do not like whole meaning of word 'cliche', some things are realistic (as much as they can be in story about magic, at least) and some are plainly stupid. That said, giving small child access to all family funds doesn't strike me as something responsible parents would do (thus, trust vault).

Following part does contain spoilers.
Imagine my surprise when I read that Harry's feelings for Ginny were diminishing! I thought he wasn't aware he had any until half of 6th year (doesn't matter if forced by something or not).

I don't like how Dumbledore is portrayed. After all, he would give second chance even to Tom. You can't suddenly make him petty old man paying another petty man for keeping his childish grudges against long dead childhood enemy. Same thing with using force. Have we ever seen Dumbledore use offensive magic in canon?

Another thing that strikes me as stupid: if Black's had more properties, why would Sirius stay in Grimmuald?

I liked the thing about new wand, it certainly helped it wasn't Merlin's/Gryffindor's/etc even if it was way too powerful. Though, I don't think hunted criminal could easily obtain such a rare wood.

I also liked how author subtly (or not so subtly) measured Harry's power: from what other's felt taxed, he didn't see any change in his magic.

Some other things:
-Unspeakables singing songs? Funny, but it's not a parody fic.
-Moody dosing Ginny with Amortentia - that threw me off, I didn't think she needed it.
-Black as short of BlackSmiths - good (and probably new) idea!

Overall: it's worth reading, there are no stupid grammar/spelling errors. Characterization is okay, even if a bit shallow (if you can swallow Dumbledore).
3.5/5

 

Um, the atrium duel in the Order of the Phoenix? That definitely had some. And I believe he used some earlier in the book as well, but that might be a fandom scene popping into my head (his escape from the school).

 

For anyone interest, the author has picked it up once again and had even uploaded 2 new chapters in the span of a week.

Most has been said about this fic and KrzaQ pointed out the most annoying parts of it, a few posts before this one, and yet the two new chapters have brought some interesting development which I have yet to read in any story.

Yes I make it sound as if the story has become something epic and unseen in the HP fandom so far, and no, unfortunately it isn't that earth shattering. But the way the author had included Narcissa into the story along with Rufus Scrimgeour to form a fourth power based in the conflict is something, at least I, haven't read so far.

The fic is nothing terribly amazing and yet many little things make it much better than the others. The fact that Narcissa actually joins "Harry's side" and that for her totally own reason not because of slave/friendship bracelet/potion... She actually had loved her husband for a time before the "first war" part of the reason she chooses to go against the Ministry and Voldemort is not that she's been used for the "common broom" among the Death eaters but because she actually has a vision of the wizarding world and idea for the pure-blood supremacy that does not include the eradicating of all muggles.

Another thing is Tonks. I suppose/hope there will be a pairing coming later on in the fic but as for now she had yet to develop some secret crush she has had ever since she was 7. The interaction between them is nothing that special and yet better than most Honks fics that have seen reviews on ffnet.

Ou and did I mention - although there is a moment with Black's will makes the boy the head of the Black family, Harry's last name apparently won't become Black-Potter... not missing the fact that he is not even a Lord anymore... once more nothing big but something I like so much because somebody finally wrote it.

Over all, I won't be pushing for a new rating of the story so it will make it to the library... because so far the story is lacking... bad word, perhaps not really that good in the beginning would be better to say, latest chapters or not (singing-hippie-unspeakables is something you don't want to see twice anywhere)... and yet it is somehow recommended for those who'd like to read not half-bad Harry/Tonks/Narcissa interaction. Although don't bring your hopes up, no smut so far and I doubt there will be any.

3.5/5 and even willing to rise it to 4 if the author does as good job as with the last two chapters in those that are yet to come.

 

Moved from Recycling Bin due to it's current rating. A bunch of poor ratings come in and it may be moved back.

But I'm giving the author the benefit of the doubt. The first fic in this trilogy is now complete. The second one started. I updated the first post to link to the second fic as well.

Re-read it from the start and this fic is pretty slow-moving telling a lot of plotlines and things you've heard before. Nothing horribly wrong, but nothing ground-breakingly original through a lot of it. But a twist in the last chapter of the first fic that surprised and impressed me. One rife with plot holes but something that really got me thinking.

This fic's not quite brilliant or anything but it finally has that sort of hook or thing for you to remember it by. A take on Albus I can't remember ever quite seeing. And considering it's moving along decently, getting updates, and doesn't have too terribly many grammatical errors, I have no qualms rating this 4/5 and worth a read.

You may find it too mired down in details that people who've read a lot of fanfic write off as unoriginal cliches, but I found it to be worth the effort. A great read if you're somewhat new to Harry Potter fanfic, but closer to average if you're not.

 

Latest update features ultramodern!America with everything being politically correct and all. House Elves have rights and speak perfect English, there is at least a four hundred year gap between American wizarding society and British society. How cliche.

Also, there is a good five thousand words on an OC werewolf character. I just skimmed that, Story seems to focus less and less on Harry and more and more on various OCs.

 

I just read it. It's not that bad but it's far from good.
I also skipped the werewolf part but I read at the author notes that she wouldn't be important.

I'll probably follow this, but the bin seems better for it than the library.

3/5

 

I can’t really get past the first half of the First chapter. And I immediately got the urge to skip ahead, not a good sign. Don’t know why. Maybe it’s because there are too many adjectives or something. Honestly By the time I was at paragraph 10 I couldn’t retell anything the preceded paragraph 5. I’ve read fics that I absolutely hated in principle just because they were written in a way that prohibited me from removing my eyes from the screen or even blinking. This style is too (something but I'm not sure what) for me. I don’t know about the story though. I usually like this kind of thing but is it good enough to force yourself to read it?

 

I'm sorry, but I thought the wand was cool (Yeah, I said it). Everything leading up to that part was cliché but I still liked it. After that, the rest of the first book got less interesting. I won't tell someone not to read it though, as I can see a ton of people enjoying this for what it is.

3/5.

 

Blaugh, I couldn't get past the first section. It was like... eating dry crackers, without anything to drink. It was the same old, same old, but delivered in such a straight-laced, matter-of-fact kind of way... I can handle the 'it's the start of another summer with the Duuursleys' intro, but only if Harry's got something interesting going on in his head. Humor? Good. Angst? Eeenh, maybe. But nothin? Can't take it. Maybe I'll give it another go after I've had some caffeine, but man does it look like a slog from here.

 

It's starting to look like we need to separate the original story from its sequels. The whole 'going to America' thing is getting old and is not holding my interest at all. It almost seems like a completely different universe from the first fic. Competently written, but dull.

The first (Key to Summer) was readable and enjoyable, even if it wasn't totally original. It sort of felt like 'Summer of Change' Lite.

Key to Summer: 4/5
Sequel: 3/5 (barely)