Arianna

Distant Thunder (Sentinel/Stargate)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 17th August 2004 (2)
Tags: Novel, Crossover
Characters: Blair Sandburg, Jim Ellison
(299K)

This story demonstrates the adage "There's no such thing as an original idea, only an original treatment". There aren't really any original ideas here, they've all been seen before to some degree or another in Sentinel and Stargate and their crossovers, but the way they were put together made a really pleasant read. We have a Blair recruited for his Sentinel knowledge, we have a Jim left behind but knowing intuitively that Blair is in trouble, we have a pseudo Aztec/Mayan culture with Sentinels, we have goa'uld lies, we have tribal tests of worthiness, we have a wise chief and an evil priest, and it all comes together nicely. As I said, a pleasant read.

Nominated in The Crossover Awards.

Meltdown (Sentinel/Hercules)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 11th October 2004 (4)
Tags: Novella, Crossover, AU
(223K)

Since this author just won the Burton for another story, "Bitterwood Creek" (as well the previously reviewed "Distant Thunder") I thought I'd check out her AUs in order... this one is chronologically first, so I read it first (and I'm not averse to crossovers as everyone knows).

Mixed feelings, very mixed. The thing that annoyed me was that the Roman Empire got character-assassinated. Sure, sure, I wasn't expecting accuracy with details (for example, I don't think they would have served camel strew to slaves in Greece) but to hang a major plot point on something which not only would never have happened, but something which made the Roman Empire much blacker than it ever was, with shades of Hitler's Germany about it -- no, no, no. The Romans did not march about the streets making slaves of random people. I object to that very strongly.

On the other hand, there were some quite cool things in this story. The thing with the curse on Iolaus was both intriguing and well-painted. And I also liked the analogy which Ben/Blair used with Justus/Jim about his senses; I think it's actually better than the "dials" one, because it conveys the chaos of the senses in disharmony better.

If you like reading about Saint!Blair in a time that never was and never could have been, then you'll probably like this story.