Redeem the Land by BronxWench
Man, I wish I wasn't so preoccupied on Halloween because that would have been the perfect tale to finish off the night. It was deeply and expertly atmospheric. You are easily my favourite sculptor of words, and as a testament to that, I have to point out my favourite half line (Because including the whole line would be a bit of a spoiler).
"The pulse in her throat fluttering like a wren’s wings."
I fucking looooved that. Just the right rhythm and unique use of words just tickles me sometimes, you know? Beautiful story, BW. You're awesome.
Redeem the Land (and The Price of the Land and Feed the Land) - First thing to say is that folks can really get a benefit from sitting and reading all three together. I'd got some memories of the first part, but re-reading it filled 'em in, and the second part really helps with the background to the third. Mind, they all stand strongly as solo stories too. The third'n has enough subtle recaps for that! Despite the horror at the end of the first part, when ol' Gran tellin' the bed time story says "They had wee knives," it still sounds way cute :P
I think I felt the worst for the kids in Price, just messing around and walking into that hot mess. Good for Liam taking a shot, even if it didn't work out. Also, Aoibheann and "I'd rather live in a barrow than look at you another moment longer." was pretty awesome.
And so up to date, well, there's an ending I guess. The bloodline connections really tied it together, although ya got to feel for her, just trying to do her job. Connor was just so cool before he realised what was happening to her though, I really liked "He lit a cigarette, ignoring the hiss from the nearest Sídhe." That's the sort of scene that old films got people smoking with! Heh. He's got the whole get drunk, smoke, and awaiting death thing right now. Shame it didn't go as he planned, I guess.
This is just some brilliant writing here, and there, and back at the start of it all.
Eve of Hollow Souls –
Wow. That just got darker and darker and darker and still had a nice little kiss in there. But zombies and ravens and demons oh my. Genuinely creepy horror. It’s a very interesting setting, fantastical but with a good bit of familiarity from old history. I liked Lydia. Seems like she’ll survive at least, even if everyone else snuffs it.
Creeper - TCR
So, re-reading part I, why did Sienna murder Gracie's parent's anyways? Good sequel, and I'm looking forward to next year's part III, right? :)
On the smaller side, some details on the buildings would've been nice. Brick walls or concrete, etc, could've livened up those walls. Also, a few centimeters between the walls, how could Gracie fit? Or did she clear it by a few centimeters (a bit more plausible IMO).
Synth - InvidiaRed
Have to admit the multiple POVs made it bit tougher to understand the entire context. I loved "Iteration 3.14", though a few more digits would've been even better! There was definitely vivid imagery in your descriptions. Overall, a good read!
Eve of Hollow Souls - SinfulWolf
Good, vivid detail, I liked it, despite that pesky "NoSex" tag :)
BTW, Spellcheck, first paragraph, "temples were hedonistic" should that be "where" instead of 'were"?
Redeem the Land - BronxWench
Another installment, and it's similarly good. Only drawback, having to wait to next year for the next one...
Creeper Part 2 –
I didn’t quite get the second sentence and it threw me –
“It was a chilled night. A cool wind blew, even as people were running between them and across the massive courtyard.”
I sort of got the impression the second sentence line originally came after a couple of locations were listed. I hate to start with an expression of confusion but it really got me!
After that, it was pretty good at the written jump scares, and that fellow was pretty much the dictionary definition of asshole victim. Reminded me a bit of an old joke that went something like “Did you hear about the woman who stabbed her abusive husband 83 times? I admire her restraint.”
Anyway, very Halloween and appropriate to the theme!
Synth –
I didn't quite know what to make of this one, but I am not the brightest to be fair. The first bit I followed easily, and then it got quite trippy in places although with careful reading I could see the same things from different points of view in some of them. The synths are pretty hardcore!
Some really good turns of phrase and imagery throughout. I especially liked the Dragon and the Interation POVs. This bit - “Scales, wings and broken flesh. Her children fell. With every flash, a moment of indescribable fear. As rent bodies. Limbs separating messily. Timeless moments of murder. Several moments of brutal precision.” Really good!
Redeem the Land - You got the setting pretty bang on. From the words they use, to a certain little quant quality of the village. It certainly sets the stage. While I never read the first two (which I likely will now), I wasn't lost. There was enough small recap to let me know what was happening, without being overbearing.
This was a good little suspenseful read which I readily enjoyed. The ending even feels a bit ambigous as to what's actually happening.
Redeem The Land.
You capture expertly the relationship of childern of Danu and man.
Redeem the Land
Strong work as always, BW. I liked the "ten years later" setting, combined with the atmosphere you conjured for the first two stories.
I'm tempted to ponder whether Connor got what he deserved, but these tales aren't about what people deserve, are they? They're about what is, no matter how much one wants to believe that it isn't.
Thanks for a satisfying trilogy.
Scent of Brine
Still like it. Even the little tweaks you did after I originally read it. And still a good first FF. You know I'm going to pester you to write more, right? Jk.
Apprentice
Intriguing. I liked the blending of mythological elements, fairy tale, and originality. And it was definitely a twisted, but seemingly a little bit deserved, fate for the two sisters and Sofi's apprenticeship makes me want to see more of them. Good job.
Creeper Part Two
...Should I stroke my own ego here? No, okay, moving on…
Synth
This was definitely unique. I liked the mechanical nature of the writing for the Synth and the fact that it turned into a more benevolent true AI as opposed to the regularly used “Kill all humans” that seem to come up a lot. And the blend of fantasy and sci fi, both well done and certainly worked with the style you have here.
Eve of Hollow Souls
I liked the fantasy elements that tied into the themes and definitely the delightful bloodbath. Always good with Halloween. The subversion of expectations at the end, the idea you present of both sides being right in terms of beliefs, made it a great ending for it all. I loved the little tidbits that added character to each of them, your words in creating the scene, and the blending of the themes that ended like a painting. Well done.
Redeem the Land
When I saw your summary, I was like, isn't that one from like before? I'm sure I remember it. Am I going insane? Answer is: Yes. But the little note at the top was a good thing. So thanks for confirming the thoughts.
Lol. I must say something, up here at least, I worked for a security company named Garda and two of the managers I had the displeasure of working under are known as Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dumber… lol. So… No connection, but still… lol.
As always, a great addition. I went back and reread your previous two, just to get ready, and it was a good idea. You've kept the atmosphere through them, making for a great trilogy, and the ten years later was a good choice. Is there another planned for next year? :).
DP: Haven't forgotten you, I will read yours.