Previously GabWhacked on
03.02.03!

Infinite Loop By Meghan O’Brien (Finished)
http://merwolf.com/academy/fanfic/m/meghanobrien_infiniteloop1.html

It isn’t often that I read something that satisfies me enough to say, “Now here is some damn good writing!” However, it is absolutely necessary in this case. I adore Meghan O’Brien. I am going to open up a fan club and be its first member, not only a member, but its President as well. I will take her writing scraps and put them in a book and save them for my grandchildren. Am I exaggerating? Read this and see for yourself.

I believe (and of course this is just MY opinion), that her novel, Infinite Loop has got to be one of the most amazing pieces of fiction that I have ever read. I was immediately taken with the shy, self-consciousness of Regan- something that every single one of us has felt at one point or another- and the self-deprecating humor that she has perfected as a means of survival. As a character, she is so well written and alive, that I can’t help but wonder if she isn’t somewhat based on someone real. Don’t worry, I won’t ask!

Mel is also someone that each of us can identify with; burned out, tired of the game, cocky with the timidity to blush at the slightest thing. It also helps that she wields a mean added appendage (see the last Chapter, woo-hoo). Add in a Road trip, and meetings with parents, and you’ve got something special. It is absolutely brilliant what she’s done with her characterizations, and not only was I laughing and smiling along with the duo, but I felt their pain as well. I didn’t want it to end, to be perfectly honest, and I even reread it again once I was finished-just in case I missed something, you know. Meghan O’Brien has raised the bar with this latest endeavor, and I don’t see how the rest of the mortals are supposed to keep up with her. Shameless Plug: Check out her website at: http://www.meghanobrien.com.

Zeen

October by Day (Uber, Unfinished)
http://ca.geocities.com/dayliobserver/OCTOBER1.htm

This story is yet another of my all time favorites, and there are a few reasons why I think that it is deserving of such praise, as well as deserving of your attention. To start with, the characters of Terri and Sarah are real folks, with real problems, like you and I; full of insecurities, doubts, and the desire to be with one another, despite the obstacles they may face. That leads to the second reason, which is that the tale is well thought out, with a few kicks and punches, and not one of those Ubers where it’s a whole lotta love is love is love is love. Yes, there is a bit of strife, a few dilemmas within the relationship, as well as individual issues, and a plot to go with! What can I say, I’m just one of those souls who likes a little reality in my Uber, and this is an excellent example of such.

Third reason is that I think Day is one hell of a storyteller, and I am not ashamed to admit that I am a huge fan. There is a certain amount of lyricism to the writing, the tale and characters revealed in layers so that we aren’t deluged with too many details at once, yet left begging for more. So, I tell you, go and have a look see for yourself, and find your own reasons why this is one of the best in Uber out there.

Zeen

Reece’s Faith, or When to Leave Well Enough Alone, by Vertigo (Uber, Finished)
http://www.angelfire.com/tv/Vertigo/RF/RF1.html

I understand that once an author has a bit of a success with their work, they are often bombarded with emails to write a sequel. It is an easy trap to fall into, trying to please your public. 'Private Dancer,' the first installment, was actually a good read, had a great plot, characters I could get into, and a satisfactory resolution. If only Vertigo had ignored those emails, and moved on to something else.

Reece’s Faith explores the relationship between the actress/former stripper, Faith, and the big, butch, Uber X, Reece, as well as an assorted cast of characters. The problem with this story is after the first few installments, I think Vertigo lost sight of exactly what the story was about, and so did I. It was all a blur of sex scenes, all of which read like a How-To Manual for Lesbian sex, and each coupling had the duo reflecting on how they couldn’t believe how turned on they had gotten, while I was left completely unsatisfied. Throw in the required best friends, the stripper with the heart of gold, and enough piercings to further clutter the story with discussions of(I don’t sit around and discuss my piercings and the benefits of), and the flam-y make-up man that has been done, oh, 100 times, it all makes for boring and shallow characters with no interesting interaction with the two leads.

I finished this monster epic(53 parts?) and hoped all the way to the end that it would get better, but instead, I lost more of my eyesight reading something that never should have left the author’s hard drive. Someone once told me that you shouldn’t write a sequel unless your characters still have something to say, and I think maybe Vertigo should have been made aware of this small wisdom. I also think her beta team should have had the balls to say, 'Hey, this story has to be about something, you know?' I think Vertigo is a talent, one that shouldn’t have been wasted on this mindless drivel. My ass still hurts from sitting through it.

Zeen