Becky

Author at Becky and Robyn's Sentinel Fan Fiction http://www.kelesa.net/.

Latchstrings (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 3rd October 2003 (1)
Tags: Novella
(193K)

This is another in the genre (yes, it's becoming a genre) of fanfic inspired by the GDP series; in this case, a modern setting where Sentinels and Guides are well known (but rare), Sentinels and Guides bond, and Guides are empaths. However the society here is more like ours; with prejudices but not outright oppression; and while Sentinels may be tense and somewhat possessive before other Sentinels, they don't engage in pissing contests. (grin) And they can stand working together.

I really liked this. This is a story which has caring and angst (and the caring and the angst come sometimes from people you wouldn't expect -- I liked that. Positive, positive.). It is well-told, with the reader kept wondering about what has driven these people, and the backstories come out gradually, not in an info-dump. I liked particularly that this is a story of second chances (and even third chances!). I also liked how the visions and imagery all ended up fitting together, tying together. Oh, and the case in this story was nicely mysterious too!

Zonked (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 19th January 2000
Tags: Drabble, Humour

A drabble... about a zonked Blair. Concise fun.

Addendum: this story won (tied) the 2000 Cascade Times Awards in the Drabble category.

Dose of Confusion

(1) Dose of Confusion, Murder on the Side (Sentinel/One West Waikiki)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 4th January 2000

That was fun! Not just a trivial story, mind you, there was actually a plot and action, but there were bits in it that made me laugh, too. And I haven't seen OWW and I managed fine. The style was definitely one that drew you in, intriguing you with pictures of the action, and not explaining too much. The plot might have been a little better, but I don't care - it was still fun.

(2) Dash of Conspiracy, Enemies on All Sides (Sentinel/One West Waikiki)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 8th April 2000

Sequel to Dose of Confusion, Murder on the Side. Good. Not so much play on the identical-twinness of Mack and Jim, more emphasis on, well, the case. Nice how both our boys figured it out (well, Blair figured it out first, but Jim wasn't far off, after being pointed the way). Tenseness, as we wondered if Blair was going to have another stint in hospital (the dreams were a good contributing factor to this). I read this on a long flight, and had to choose to put it down, because I knew I had to try to get some sleep. Otherwise I would probably have read the whole thing in one sitting. Basically a case story, with lots of things going on to occupy the many characters running around.

Addendum: this story was nominated in the 2000 Cascade Times Awards in the Crossover category.

In Time And Destiny

(1) Reflection of a Dream (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 26th January 2000 (1)
Tags: Short Story
(32K)

A sort of AU story, first in the In Time And Destiny series. Intriguing. Nice to see Blair being protected by big, strong Jim! (smile)

(2) Shadows of Reality (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 26th January 2000 (2)
Tags: Short Story
(40K)

Second in the In Time And Destiny series. Jim tells all to Blair. One bit at a time.

(3) Whispers of Substance (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 26th January 2000 (3)
Tags: Short Story
(41K)

Third in the In Time And Destiny series. Yes! Choices and confidence, and the drawing of the line in the sand.

(4) Blurred Edges (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 27th January 2000 (1)
Tags: Novelette
(47K)

Fourth in the In Time And Destiny series. This one gives the good point that laurels cannot be rested upon. Of course, nameless evils are a little trite, but, hey, this is fantasy. I like the titles in this series, BTW.

(5) Surreal Images (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 27th January 2000 (2)
Tags: Novelette
(57K)

Fifth in the In Time And Destiny series. Simon gets a glimpse. The lightening storm was a good touch. And the characterisation of Simon is good; drawn into the strangeness unwilling, but dealing with it even though he wishes he didn't have to.

(6) And the Walls Fell (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 27th January 2000 (3)
Tags: Novelette
(47K)

Sixth in the In Time And Destiny series. The bit with the vows at the end is enough to send shivers down your spine - that was good. But I'm starting to get frustrated at the continuing namelessness of the Evil.

(7) On the Threshold (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 27th January 2000 (4)
Tags: Novelette
(66K)

Seventh in the In Time And Destiny series. At last! There's a real person behind the Nameless Evil - or is there? This series is definitely a Fantasy series. Round and round we go.

(8) In Time and Destiny (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 27th January 2000 (5)
Tags: Novelette
(93K)

Eighth in the In Time And Destiny series. The Final Confrontation. I was frustrated that we never really saw the real-world part of this, not even an epilogue to say they'd found the dead/comatose body of XYZ, the evil shaman. I was waiting to find out, say, that the Evil Shaman was either immortal, keeping himself so by dark powers, or (more plausible) that he was a malevolent spirit who had taken over some poor schmuck, and then instigated a search for The Book. I was frustrated because I couldn't really believe, wasn't really reassured enough, that this was the Final battle; I couldn't see any reason why Jim and Blair would have been so much better than all those who had gone before, except for the bald assertion that they were. I found all this frustrating because it means the stories fell short of their true potential, because otherwise it was all nicely and dramatically put together. I'm happy with Fantasy, but sad when it is less than it could be.

Addendum: this series was nominated in the 2000 Cascade Times Awards in the "Alternative Universe series" category.