Movies

Spoiler-free review of Driven Movie

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I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to see the Driven movie world premiere last night. It was my first world premiere, and it’s now the one to judge all other against.

I promise, no spoilers, but I did want to write a quick review of the movie in the hopes of encouraging others to flood the screenings and get this movie the attention it deserves.

Confession and disclosure time. I mostly went to the movie because of Richard Speight, Jr. And I was an Indiegogo backer of the movie (yes, seeing my name on the big screen was cool!). But I walked out of the movie a huge fan of Casey Dillard and Glenn Payne, the people behind the movie.

So a quick summary Emerson Graham (Casey Dillard) is a driver for the Uber-like “Ferry,” and she picks up a passenger who eventually introduces himself as Roger (Richard Speight, Jr.). Roger is an unusual passenger, even to Emerson, as he goes from place to place, hopping out and doing…something. Finally, he hurries back to the car and leaves a bloody handprint on the driver’s window, which, unsurprisingly, freaks out Emerson. Roger tells her he is fighting demons, and the story continues.

The spoiler-free summary makes it sound like yet another “B” movie, and, on the surface, it is. However, several things set it apart. The humor. Dillard has fantastic, spot-on comedic timing for her one-liners, and she and Speight play off of each other well. There is obvious chemistry between them, and their scenes together are wonderful.

The movie is entirely filmed from the inside of Emerson’s car, which makes it an intimate film and devilishly difficult to direct. Glenn Payne, the director, made it all work, and you almost forgot that everything was filmed from inside the car. At times it felt like a much bigger stage.

Because of the intimacy, if the interplay between the actors had been off, the movie would have been tedious, but both the writing and the acting make every scene shine. There are some excellent storytelling choices, like when Emerson pulls into the gas station to fill up, and Roger starts telling her his story while they walk in to pay. We get the first bit and the last bit, which is enough to fill us in without stopping the movie for a long exposition.

The writing is witty, with a couple of running gags that make you laugh every time. If you followed the movie on Twitter, you know about one of them: #turdspoon. I won’t spoil what it means, but I will say the explanation was completely satisfying and worth the wait.

Of course, Richard Speight, Jr. is a fantastic actor, and this is an excellent performance by him. Both I and the person I saw the movie with have decided this is our new favorite Speight, Jr. movie. But Casey Dillard is the one I want to spotlight. She is fantastic, with both acting and writing credits for the movie. She sold this cynical, emotionally awkward character who drives for a living so she can avoid the important things in her life. She is a budding comedian, and her humor and comedic timing are important to the role. But in the end, the character rises above her shortcomings and does what needs to be done. Her journey is poignant, believable and makes the movie what it is. Speight, Jr. couldn’t have carried it on his own, and he didn’t have to. He had a solid partner in Dillard.

Together, they made what looked like another “B” comedic horror movie into something truly special.

Fanfic Author Interview

fanfic author interview: Scrollingkingfisher

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How long have you been writing?:Oooh, a good five years now for fanfic! But much longer if you’re counting original stuff. I keep unearthing embarrassing things I wrote when I was eight years old, but hey, at least I know that I have actually improved.

What was your inspiration for this story?:There was a hilarious post that went around about two years back about Sam being possessed by Gabriel, and the general shenanigans they would get up to, and initially I started off writing what I thought would be a one-shot based on that idea. Then it ate a few more headcanons, and before I knew it the story snowballed, and here we are!

What scene was your favorite to write and why?:Probably the final scene! I just had such a vivid mental image of what I wanted to describe that the words flowed right onto the page, it was great. Saying that, I do have a soft spot for the dream scenes as well, and the ones involving the interactions between soul and grace. To be honest, there were very few scenes I didn’t enjoy writing!

Did you make an outline or write as you go?:Definitely not initially. I wish I had! This story started out as two dozen disconnected scenes, which slowly grew itself a plot. Eventually it got so big that I had to plot it all out to get it organised in my head, but for at least the first 30k I was writing both blind and out of order, which was, uh, not great. I still have about 6k of material which couldn’t be shoehorned into the plot so didn’t make the final cut.

What was the most fun about writing this story?:Without a doubt setting up the various plot twists. I never realised how fun it was to plant deliberate foreshadowing, but with such a long fic I had time to pack more in!

What, if anything, was the least fun about writing it?:Probably not having a solid plot initially. It created a writing hump where eventually I had to stop and figure out where I really wanted it to go- I actually re-wrote the ending twice. That was a bit grueling.

What is your writing routine?:For the bulk of time I was writing this, I was also doing my practical fieldwork for my final dissertation at university. For me, this included hours and hours of standing outside at sunset freezing my toes off and watching birds, and getting my writing done while I was at it! Currently? I’m much more productive when I’m setting myself short periods of intensive writing where I know what I’m going to write. Sprints and word wars are your friends.

Of all the stories you’ve written, which one is your favorite and why?: Tough one! Overall, I’d say the Man in the Mirror, just because I feel like this one definitely has the best plot, and better writing than some of my earlier stuff. And I just really enjoyed writing it once I knew where it was going!

Now read the review of The Man in the Mirror, if you haven’t already!

Fanfic Review

Fanfic review: The Man in the mirror

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Title: The Man in the Mirror

Author: ScrollingKingfisher

Rating: Mature

Fandom: Supernatural

Ships: Sam Winchester/Gabriel, Dean Winchester/Castiel

Ah, I do love a good Season 5 Sabriel fic, and this is an excellent one.

Quick summary. Sam goes back to the Elysian Fields post Hammer of the Gods and offers himself as a vessel to the dying Gabriel. Which, gotta say, is a pretty clever way to get around the whole “saying yes to Lucifer” thing. Because it’s not hard to imagine how Gabriel feels about that idea.

The rest of the story is a reworking of the rest of the Apocalypse, with the Sam-as-Gabe vessel change. And them falling in love, of course.

One of the things I generally do not enjoy are season rewrite fics because too many times authors just rewrite entire sections of episodes with the same dialogue and everything the same. That doesn’t do it for me. If you’re like me, you needn’t worry. Though this story does incorporate canon from Season 5, it does it in a way that enhances the story rather than bogging it down. In fact some of the canon changes are quite clever. Including bringing in an unexpected and familiar character to solve one of the problems of the season.

One of my hesitations in reading the story was the hook of Gabriel inhabiting Sam as a vessel. I wasn’t sure how the Sabriel relationship would work with them being in the same body. However, I will say the author handled it brilliantly, and I was rapt through the entire story. Of course, I am a sucker for the whole “mindscape” idea the author used.

Oh, the scenes of Gabriel learning how to use Sam’s body as a vessel are hilarious! Poor Gabriel goes from being 5’8″ to 6’4″, and it shows.

Destiel is significant side ship in this story, and, as is often the case, Gabriel’s perspective on his little brother and the older Winchester is well worth the read. Both for humor and Gabriel being so done with the pining.

There’s action, adventure, everyone being badass and lots of hurt/comfort for those who like that. And, really? Who doesn’t like that?

Highly recommended. And long, so it’s not over too soon!

Now check out the interview with the author, ScrollingKingfisher

Fanfic Author Interview

Fanfic Author Interview: ihaveallthesefeelsokay

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Author: ihaveallthesefeelsokay(Tumblr)  (AO3)

Review of All the Difference: the Jericho Prequel

How long have you been writing?

19 years, off and on

What was your inspiration for this story?

A suggestion from my therapist – write a character with your problems being loved.

What scene was your favorite to write and why?

The fluff scenes are fun, but my favorites were the ones that went behind-the-scenes of Jericho itself and set up the story, such as what really happened to Jake Green 5 years before the show – and then the recovery from such incidents.

Did you make an outline or write as you go?

I originally wrote it in bits and pieces, then used that to put together an outline.  That outline let me see where I was missing pieces and let me re-write it as a whole, single story.

Is there any backstory to this fic you’d like to share?

Bill mentions a family in the show and a wife in a deleted scene – I wanted to fill that story in because I wanted him to have someone at home during the show.  He gets beat up enough he needs someone at home worrying about him! The challenge for writing the Jericho canon itself is having a compelling OC without having her change what happens in the show.

What was the most fun about writing this story?

I fell in love with the dynamic of Bill and Sarah!  I loved exploring their characters.

What, if anything, was the least fun about writing it?

As I said, this started as a therapy story, and as such, some of the depression/bipolar scenes were hard – not Sarah’s point of view, as I knew that intimately, but Bill’s.  When you feel unlovable, how do you write a character that loves someone like you?

What is your writing routine?

I’d like to say I have a cozy writing nook with hot chocolate and music, but more often than not, I write at my computer – which isn’t in a cozy nook, unless you count clutter.  I do always have a drink, but it depends on what I’m writing or how I’m feeling if it’s hot tea or alcohol or both. I’ve got to have either calm instrumental music playing or no music at all.  I write in Microsoft word and transfer it over to Google Docs as I finish a section, so that it can be read by my friends/betas right away.

Of all the stories you’ve written, which one is your favorite and why?

Bill & Sarah have my heart, but of my other stories, I’m most fond of the Claire Novak story I wrote, Saying Yes.   It was written long before she came back as a character on the show, so it’s not canon anymore, but I still love it.

Do you write commercial fiction? If so, please share links to buy them.

Not yet!  Someday, I hope.

 

Fanfic Review

Fanfic Review: All the Difference: The Jericho Prequel

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All the Difference: the Jericho Prequel by ihaveallthesefeelsokay (Tumblr)  (AO3)

Rating: Mature

Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Category: F/M

Fandom: Jericho (US 2006)

Relationship: Bill Koehler/Original Female Character

Additional Tags: Romance, Fluff, Mental Health Issues, Additional Warnings in Chapter Notes if Needed

Summary: Bill Koehler is a sheriff’s deputy in Jericho. While he has friends and a good job, there’s something missing from his life. However, even if he found someone to love, would his panic attacks drive her off?

Sarah Morgan is freshly arrived in Jericho, looking to assuage the depression that has followed her like a plague. She’s convinced she will never find a stable life and as for love? Probably not for her.

This is a story about two damaged people who manage to find love and hold onto it in spite of everything stacked against them.

A Bill/OFC fic because Bill needs some lovin’ too.

I might be biased about this story, but I’m going to review it anyway. I say I might be biased becase I have been the beta reader for this series for exactly three months today. I have been saving this review until the series was completed, which also happened today. While the reivew is titled for the first story in the series, this review applies to the whole darned thing. All 320K+ words of it.

A tiny bit of backstory on my history, which will illustrate why I lov this story so much. I started writing fanfiction a very long time ago. In those days Original Characters WERE NOT DONE. Caps are required to get across how not done they were. (Side note: because I am a rebel, I created two original characters in those days who were so popular readers demanded sequels. Take that stupid traditions!)

I have been so pleased that the “not doneness” of original characters has subsided greatly. However, they do tend to not be as popular as canon characters, so I admire authors who write them anyway. Not to mention authors who stick to them for so many words and then go make me fall in love with them. I have been living with Bill and Sarah for so long that they have almost become like family to me, and I am very sorry to see the series come to an end.

So, if you’re getting the impression that these stories are well written, you’d be right. The Summary covers the basics. Yes, it’s a love story, but it’s so much more than that. The Prequel is set before the events in Jericho and is perfectly readable without having seen the show. (I’m speaking from experience here. I think I had seen two episodes before I started reading, and I had no trouble following it. Nor did it spoil the series.)

Part 1 is a good romance which follows lots of typical tropes. I don’t say that as a criticism. Tropes are there for a reason, and this one has the additional dramatic tension of two characters dealing with mental illness and its effect on their relationship. The mental illness is sensitively handled and adds to the plot without taking over. As a beta reader, I occasionally encouraged the author to add a bit more of it in places. (Why, no. I don’t go for Bill h/c. Not at all!)

Part 2 covers the events of the Jericho show, and is, to a large extent a retelling of the show, but with LOTS more Bill. Here’s another reviewer confession. I generally will not read stories which are rehashes of canon episodes. However, I devoured this part. It does draw from canon and uses some dialogue and scenes from the show but still feels fresh and cohesive. Did I mention that it has A LOT more Bill? ‘Nuff said.

Then there is Part 3. If you’d told me I would have eagerly anticipated and read each and every part of what is basically a slice of life story, I would have laughed at you and said, “Not a chance.” However, by the time you get to Part 3, you’re so invested in the characters that you want to keep going. It doesn’t hurt that the beginning of Part 3 continues the storyline from the series end and, in my opinion, does it justice. If you’ve finished Jericho and felt the ending was a bit lacking, read Part 3. You’ll get the resolution you wanted. Plus an AWESOME tactical artillery battle which I may have had some part in rewriting.

Fair warning. After well over 300K words, you’re going to be invested in Bill, Sarah and their entire extended family, which includes children and several grandchildren. And yes, the story does end with Bill and Sarah’s death. (No that’s not a spoiler. You see it coming miles away.) I rarely cry at fanfics, and I’m tearing up now as I write this. I read those final scenes just a few hours ago, and they are still painfully fresh. But it’s worth it. Trust me.

So, I might be biased because I was the beta reader. I’m probably also biased because the author has become a close friend (and my beta reader) in the three months we’ve known each other. But I wouldn’t review this if I didn’t love it and think you all should read it.

Thanks, babe, for such a great ride.

And yes, an author interview!

Fanfic Author Interview

Fanfic Author Interview: lacqueluster

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Author: (Ao3) lacqueluster (Tumblr) Review of Across the Universe

How long have you been writing?

I’ve written fanfic for over three years now. I’ve always liked writing though, and I’ve written little blurbs here and there. I remember writing a lot as a kid too, and wanting to be a journalist when I grew up, which I’m most certainly not.

What was your inspiration for this story?

I’ve always had a fascination with parallel universe theories, and I started toying with the idea of Gabriel being powerful enough to jump into one. That, plus wanting something different than canon made this fic come to life.

I actually wrote this after I wrote Magic and Mayhem. I had to post them out of order because M&M was written for a Big Bang and couldn’t be posted until a certain date. After writing that fic, which is so super long, very involved, and written in canon, I wanted to write something kind of… canon adjacent, so to speak. One where I could play with the characters and not feel like I had to follow rules of the SPN verse. Across the Universe definitely hit the spot for that.

What scene was your favorite to write and why?

It’s a toss up between two. I think I have to put the hot air balloon scene slightly in the lead. I had that scene in my head so clearly. I loved writing it, but also felt like I wasn’t doing it justice. As Stephen King would say, it was so much bigger in my head, but words shrank it somehow.

My next favorite would be the scene with Gabe at the animal rescue, the one where he meets Abby and lays down on the floor with her. I love animals, and I love Sam and Gabe with animals, especially dogs. All the dog scenes made my heart ache but I love them.

Did you make an outline or write as you go?

If you know me you know I laughed at this question. I have absolutely zero structure to my writing. I typically get the idea for a scene, write it, and then start working out from that in spurts. Sometimes the original scene ends up in the middle, sometimes the beginning, end, or the original scene is completely deleted because it doesn’t fit once I’m done. I never know. I’m not an organized writer at all.

Is there any backstory to this fic you’d like to share?

I can’t think of any.

What was the most fun about writing this story?

I found it really fun playing with the idea if a world that didn’t have religion, magic, superstition, etc. How would it be different? Probably a thousand times more different than I made it.

What, if anything, was the least fun about writing it?

The end. My beta actually advised that I change it and not leave an opening for a reunion. She knew people would want a sequel. I *did* change it, but the wrong version got posted, and it lead to a lot of people wanting more from a fic that is just done for me.

Looking back, if I could go back and post the other ending I’m not sure I would. I like the ending as it is, it feels right to me. The reader has the space to create a future with them together, if they want. But I also feel like I let a lot of people down by not writing that sequel, and I wish I could give them closure for the story.

What is your writing routine?

Ha! I have none. Write when I can, I guess? Sometimes I go weeks without writing, sometimes I write hours a day. I’m awful.

What’s the weirdest thing you had to Google for this story or any story?

I Googled so many things. Religion was a big one. And hot air balloons. I never cared about them before and I learned so much.

Of all the stories you’ve written, which one is your favorite and why?

A fic no one ever reads. It’s a version of what happened between Dean and Rhonda Hurley called Wildest Dreams. I love that fic. And then it’s probably tied between The Angel Who Forgot What He Was and Paradise City. I love Sabriel, but for some reason my reader inserts are where I feel at home.

Do you write commercial fiction? If so, please share links to buy them.

I don’t. I’ve thought about it but outside of fandom I don’t have ideas.

Fanfic Review

Fanfic Review: Across the Universe

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Across the Universe (Archive of our Own Link)

Author:  (Ao3) lacqueluster (Tumblr)

Rating: Explicit

Fandom: Supernatural

Relationship: Gabriel/Sam Winchester

Tags: Freeformexplicit. FreeformSupernatural, FreeformAlternate Universe, Slow Build, Sad Ending

Summary: Gabriel is bored. He’s tired of hiding, of living a lonely and monotonous existence. He’s made for bigger and better things, but he can’t risk drawing any attention to himself. So he decides on a vacation, one in another universe, because why not?

When he meets another version of Sam Winchester, he’s not prepared for how the experiences they’ll share in just seven short days will change them both forever.

Let me start by saying that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this story! However, fair warning, to properly express why I love this story so much, I’m going to have to edge into spoiler territory. Apologies, but I think you’ll see why.

The story is both an AU and not. Let me explain. Gabriel is his canon self. When he’s bored, he travels to different universes, where he can only stay for a few days before returning home. At the beginning of the story, he’s bored and he travels to another universe. Where he runs in an AU version of Sam.

What’s totally cool about this universe is that there is no magic or religion. They don’t even have the concepts of magic or religion. Which leads to some amusing scenes where Gabriel tries to explain angels to people who have no concept of angels. The lack of magic in this universe leads to an interesting side plot which provides most of the dramatic tension in the story. I’m not going to say any more. I need to leave something unspoiled.

Since this is a Sabriel story and tagged as such, it’s not saying too much that Sam and Gabriel do fall for each other, and the love story is glorious. Sam is divorced from a bad marriage, and he’s reluctant to fall for this crazy guy who claims to be an angel. Gabriel knows he has to go back to his own universe, and, while he’s willing to hook up for sex, he’s understandably reluctant to go any farther, emotionally.

Speaking of sex, OMG, it’s scorching hot and so well written! Some of my favorite smut scenes ever. One even has a lovely twist on the “breaking the bed” trope.

Now we venture into the spoilery territory because, so far, I know, this review has made this story sound good but has not yet expressed why I think it’s great. If you want to just take my word for it, stop now.

Still reading? Okay. As you read the story, it’s obvious how it needs to end. I knew what was likely to happen by the time I was–I don’t know–a third of the way through? Certainly by the halfway point. However, I desperately didn’t want the story to end that way, and I spent the remainder of the story praying to just about every god I could think of that the author would figure out a satisfying, non-cheap way to avoid the inevitable.

However, I’m a writer, and I’ve been one for a long time. I knew there was no satisfying, non-cheap way to avoid the inevitable, and the author made the right decision. It tore my heart in two, but it was the right decision, and I applaud them for making it. A lesser author would have come up with something cheesy, and the story would have been good. However, by making the harder decision, the author made it great.

Well done! Bravo! I have never had my heart so satisfyingly broken.

I hope that didn’t spoil things too much, but seriously. Go read this story right now. It’s that amazing!

Author Interview: lacqueluster

Fanfic Author Interview

Fanfic Author Interview: spaceyshipper

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Author: spaceyshipper: Tumblr link | Ao3 Link| Review of Expressoself!

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing since I was a kid and have always enjoyed it, but my fanfic is by far the longest work I have written, and is the only creative writing  I have done in around a decade and a half.

What was your inspiration for this story?

I honestly think a lot of this story was inspired not by my life experiences, but rather my life desires. It is a projection of what I wish would happen — perhaps as is the case with many works that include romance! It also held some emotional truths in the sense that even though the events themselves did not reflect my own life, the feelings associated with them did. Also, I read a lot of fanfic, and I thought, “Hey! I could tell a story in this setting.”

What scene was your favorite to write and why?

This is a difficult question! I honestly don’t think I have a favorite scene. However, I do have least favorite scenes — I think the first chapters were pretty rough while I was still acclimating to writing fiction!

Did you make an outline or write as you go?

I made an outline. I adjusted said outline as I wrote, but I planned ahead of time what scenes I wanted to include, what phrases I wanted to use,  when characters would be introduced, etc. If I’m not organized I lose focus. When I thought of a new scene, I put it in the outline!

Is there any backstory to this fic you’d like to share?

I attempted to portray a diversity of sexual orientations in my fic without commodizing the queer community. I have only encountered characters who feel and love similar to the ways I do in fanfiction — never in “respectable” commercial literature. I felt like, in writing these characters, I was able to have a voice and representation.

What was the most fun about writing this story?

Writing became my reward at the end of the day! I do a lot of academic writing, so it was so refreshing to be able to write humor or about awkward social situations instead.

What, if anything, was the least fun about writing it?

I began a routine of posting new chapters online every couple days. Sometimes I would feel stressed about making the “deadline” for posting, especially because I had lovely readers who would comment on my fic! I didn’t want to disappoint them. That being said, I also think posting my work online was the only reason it was actually completed. Having people read, comment, and want more was a huge motivator!

What is your writing routine?

Whenever I finish with everything else I have to do for the day, I curl up in bed with my laptop and start writing! This is generally pretty late in the evening.

What’s the weirdest thing you had to Google for this story or any story?

My story didn’t include much outside of my repertoire of personal experience — probably the most Googling I did was for recipe ideas!

Of all the stories you’ve written, which one is your favorite and why?

I have only written one story, so this is an easy question!

Do you write commercial fiction? If so, please share links to buy them.

Unfortunately I do not — yet!

Fanfic Review

Fanfic Review: Expressoself!

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I had the idea recently to start writing book-style fanfic reviews. I see lots of recommendations, but I couldn’t find anyone who was writing article-length reviews. I used to write for a digital publishing blog, and books reviews were one of the things I used to write. Seemed like a perfect match.

When possible, I also want to feature interviews with the story authors. I have discovered that getting in touch with authors can be difficult, but this is one of the first story/interview pairings I’ve had.

Enough about me. On to the review

Expressoself! (Archive of Our Own link)

Author: spaceyshipper

Rating: Explicit

Fandom: Supernatural

Relationships: Gabriel/Sam Winchester, Castiel/Dean Winchester

Tags: Coffeeshop!AU, Stanford!AU, Single Parent Sam Winchester, barista!Gabriel, Light Angst, Fluff, human!AU, Slow Burn, Awkward Sam Winchester, Awkward Gabriel, Insecure Gabriel (Supernatural), John Winchester’s A+ Parenting

Summary: Sam Winchester is a single dad attending Stanford. His life crosses with that of Gabriel Milton, the owner of the local coffee shop Expressoself! The two become friends, bonding over shared intellectual interests, and Gabriel welcomes Sam and his daughter into his life. The two dance around each other and slowly fall into something more.

Small confession. I never could quite pronounce the name of the coffee shop, but that didn’t detract in any way from my enjoyment of the story.

One more confession. I’m generally not a fan of AUs, and coffee shop AUs in particular have never been my thing. However, someone must have recommended this story because I bookmarked it. Then I noticed the author was commenting on my story, and I decided I would return the favor by reading and commenting on hers (hoping that I would enjoy it). I’m happy to report that I loved the story, and I think just about any Sabriel fan will enjoy it. It’s lighter on Destiel, but fans of that ship should enjoy it as well.

The Summary describes the story perfectly, and I have nothing to add, so I’ll just dive into why I loved this story.

While a Human!AU, the characterization of all the characters is excellent. Gabriel can be challenging to write without his angel/Trickster powers, but the author did a fantastic job with him. While I loved all the characters, Gabriel had a special place in my heart here. He’s comfortable with himself, his sexuality (gay), and he loves his coffee shop. His insecurity comes from his appearance, and his attempt to diet and lose a bit of weight is an important plot point and handled well and sensitivity. Oh, and if you read the comments, you’ll discover in my comment on Chapter 20 that I have a thing for the LEATHER JACKET (from Season 13), which makes a delightful appearance in this chapter. And then, sadly, does not ever return. 🙁 Does that count as criticism?

Sam as single parent college student is delightful, as is his daughter, Mary. There was so much to love here. He’s broken up with Jess, the mother of Mary, because, while he loves her, she wasn’t quite right for him. (Obviously because he was still supposed to meet Gabriel.) However, the author has it be an amicable break up, so there’s no angry ex trope here to spoil the sweet mood of the story.

Sam’s sexuality is a huge part of the story, and I am no expert of demisexuality, but it felt handled well and sensitively. As you’ll see in the interview, the author was looking for good representations of alternate sexualities, and, as is often the case, had to write what she wanted to see.

The Cas and Dean subplot was much smaller than Sam/Gabriel, but it was still important, and OMG, I loved Cas! It’s not quite how I envision Cas and his personality, but it worked well in the story, and the way the author tied the canon “indifference to sexual orientation” in to this story was brilliant! Dean’s sexuality journey was fascinating as well, but you’ll have to read the fic to see what I mean by that.

I love me a good slow burn, and this one was slow and hot but didn’t drag on too long. I think it was just about the perfect pacing. Okay, I admit, I did get a teeny bit impatient with Sam, but, hey if you can deal with the canon Destiel pacing in the actual show, this’ll feel super speedy.

Overall, this was a great fic with excellent pacing and a completely satisfying ending. I didn’t realize until I received the interview answers that this is the author’s first fic!!! It definitely doesn’t feel like it, and I look forward to more great things from her.

Interview with author: spaceyshipper

Book Review

Audiobook Review: The Devil You Know by Mike Carey

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The Devil You KnowScribd has been handy for discovering new books, and finding [easyazon_link identifier=”0446618705″ locale=”US” tag=”warloc-20″]The Devil You Know[/easyazon_link] by Mike Carey was a real winner.

I’m pretty sure I discovered it by doing a search for Michael Kramer, one of my favorite narrators, and he’s an excellent reader for this book. As an added bonus, since the main character, Felix Castor is British, you get to hear Kramer do lots of fun accents. He’s not at all bad for an American, although I did hear a few small goofs, mostly words not quite pronounced the way a Brit would, but nothing that detracted from my enjoyment.

The premise of the book is that ghosts are real, and, in the last few years, have become more active, to the point that people have mostly accepted their existence. Not everyone can see them, but enough have that national governments have even debated updating laws to acknowledge the rights of the deceased.

Felix Castor is an exorcist, and he made a pretty good living at it until two years earlier when he had an experience which made him question his vocation. A local museum has been having ghost troubles, and he gets sucked into helping them.

What starts out as a simple exorcism turns into something more complicated when he receives the message that pursuing it will lead to his death.

I loved the premise that ghosts, zombies and certain other creatures exist. I won’t spoil the nature of loup-garous, but suffice it to say that it was cooly awful and I didn’t see it coming. The very end was also more than a bit of a shocker, though as a good twist ending should be, completely obvious in hindsight.

The story dragged a tiny bit, and I think Carey could have tightened it up by a few thousand words without harming the plot, but it wasn’t enough to make me lose interest. Kramer is an excellent narrator, and he brought all the characters to life for me. I’ve already started listening to the second book in the series. I plan to finish all of them (five as of now), assuming the quality stays at least as good as the first one.