Banner courtesy of my "Secret Santa". Thank you Wendelin!
Hey everyone! MadMar here with an update. (Like anyone cares...)
1-17-06
I have had two stories go up in the last month. A parody to the myth of Narcissus, and the promised story of my OC, Kathryn.
Currently in queue, I have a Lucius fic, which will be the prequel to a later, post-war story.
Also, I am a PI Accredited Beta Reader, so feel free to send me your stuff via forum PM.
12-19-06
My latest fanfic is in queue! w00t! I'm excited, because it explains better my OC,. Kathryn Carothru and why she and Snape are no longer friends and it gives insight as to her life at home and.... *shuts up* That's all I've got to say.
11-9-06
Well, my first fairy tale is up for your viewing pleasure. It's the wizarding version of Sleeping Beauty and I am rather proud.
Also, I've got a few more stories I simply must write and send into queue. So, until then....
That's my bio-update. I'm out!
-MadMar
I write for the fun of it, though I do secretly aspire that people will enjoy my writing enough to review. I guess it's not so secret now.
A very good story, I think. I liked how you stopped to give Hermione a reflective moment and the things she said of herself were all very believable. However, I wondered about the statment you were making about the trio's friendship. Are you saying that because Ron and Harry don't always show utmost appreciation for Hermione, that their friendship will not stand the tests of time? I really think that Hermione knows they appreciate her. Harry chooses her over Ron during the fourth book and Ron tells her he loves her in Halfblood Prince. That's why I'm curious as to what exactly you meant about their realationships.
I did like the bit about Neville, though. He really was Hermione's first friend, and first friends are ones you always hold dearest to your heart, in a sense. Especially if you've been alone so long.
I found the bit about "Even I watch Bruce Lee movies." hysterical. I can see Hermione smacking people upside the head for rude comments. She hit Malfoy once, she wouldn't hesitate again. :D
Lastly, I thought you ought to know that "pyjama" should be spelled "pamjama".
Excellent story.
I found this to be an interesting look at the relationship between Narcissa and Lucius... Abusive, but passionate. I am curious, though, did she commit suicide at the end or did she die of a broken heart?
I found your language, narration, and characterization to be beautiful, poetic and hauntingly accurate, if one believes that Narcissa and Lucius' relationship is a broken one. Personally, I am of the opinion that they are fond of eachother, but more or less a trophy couple.
A very interesting look at them, their lives, and their love.
I loved that. All I can say is "Vo'mort". It was seriously touching. I think that Harry's speech capability was just fine. I can see him being able to say Voldemort; it's so perfect.
Author's Response: Thank you very much, Madame. :) That little one-shot came to me on a burst of inspiration at about 1 in the morning one day, and I never changed it at all. However - it's been brought to my attention that Peter's role in the one-shot was poorly explained, so I wrote a companion. If you liked Courage, you might - MIGHT, I warn you - like Cowardice. It's very different from Courage, and it's certainly not touching, because it's through Beady Little Eyes. Yuck. :D
Right. I've gotten off topic. But anyway, glad you like. :)
~*~LIZ
This is a SB/GW story. I know it's a major age difference, but if written right, this pairing is beautiful.
AU for SB/GW relationship. - R rating in later chapters.
How sweet! I tend to avoid 'scandalous liasions', but this one seems to work out rather nicely. I liked Sirius' nickname for Ginny. Wildfire. How perfect!
Author's Response: Thanks for reading! I loved her nickname too. It really was prefect.
I loved this story, you really kept Lupin in-character. He was such a gentleman about losing his job with Cauldronblack. I also loved the "I wish he could stay with m... Someone who appreciates him." I've always wondered how Lupin felt about Harry staying with the Dursleys. In Order of the Pheonix, he seemed so polite about it, but I've always had the notion he wished Harry could stay with him. That one line really made me smile.
I also liked how Lupin didn't refer to Dumbledore as "Albus". It seemed so modest... That maybe he didn't see himself equal to Dumbledore.
I'm building a favorites list, and this story will certainly be added.
-MadMar
Author's Response: Hi MadMar! I'm so glad you liked my story. I've always been slightly dissatisfied with this one because it seems unfinished; I've been working on the second chapter since I published this one way back when, and I've still got only a few paragraphs. However, reviews like yours make me realize I need to get my butt in gear and just finish it. Thanks!
This story, I believe, really shows what R/Hr can be. Often times, authors mischaracterize even this firmly canon couple, making Ron an afraid, clumsy, goofball and Hermione a brave, witty, intelligent girl. Ron may not be a macho-macho man, but he is so fiercely loyal to both Hermione and Harry, that he is willing to fight for them. And he will mature, eventually. Already, in Half-Blood Prince, we see him hold Hermione as she cries. This is the side of Ron you so eloquently displayed. And for that, I, as a reader, am glad. I also like how you kept Hermione intelligent, but showed her sensitivity. She is caring and perceptive to other’s feelings and worries. Often, she takes them on herself as her own burden (ie SPEW). I really liked how you showed her doing this with Harry and with Ron.
Not only do I think you kept them both in-character, I believe you also showed sides of Ron and Hermione’s relationship that many people ignore. You showed that their relationship is based on a deep friendship, not physical attraction or any other superficial falsity. They’re conversation is like one that any two friends could have, with a slight sprinkle of something more. I’m glad you kept things in moderation. Since we’ve seen Ron and Lavender snogging, it seems many people forget that that wasn’t what Ron was really looking for. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Oh wow. I read the first chapter ages ago (like before the second was up) and I just read the whole thing. Wow. I love it! The Unbreakable Vow Snape made with Dumbledore makes perfect sense. Good luck with the contest!
This is my submission to the 'Letters to Heaven' challenge/extra credit assignment, in favor of Ravenclaw House.
Oh wow. I have to say, this is a very well-written story. I love the imagery and the tone of it. Just the way you make Lupin sound is perfect. I can see him writing this. It's so in character!
Author's Response: Thanks. I'm always worried that my stories are in character, so knowing you think so is great!
I love this story! I read it earlier when I wasn't logged in, and I didn't realize you wrote it. The title is perfect. I think you know this, but it's from a song called, "Hello" by Evanescence and my interpretation of that song fits beautifully with your story. They both seem to tell of wishing death for yourself because life is so hard, but you can't die nor can you make everything better. I really, truly love this and am giving it a "Ten" rating.
-MadMar
Author's Response: Wow thanks, I didn't realise I had a new review :) Yes, I love that song and thought the title summed up the basis of the fic. Glad you liked it so much :D
Oh Oppungo! I clicked your banner, expecting a typical Ron loves Hermione, Hermione loves Ron fiction. And I got what I was expecting... for a while. But as I got to the last line. Hermione Granger Murdered, I choked up. I'm adding this to my favorites; it's beautiful.
Author's Response: Aw, thank you!! Yeah, I like to (try to, at any rate!) write the unexpected! I'm so glad you liked it!!
Purplemage, I'm liking this story. Ornella seems interesting and Nessa about as crazy as anything! However, I'm curious as to your rating system. This chapter (I think) should be 6-7 or 3-5 years. It's not bad (unless you count Ariel's crushing "bad". Which it really isn't). Great job!
Author's Response: Hey Madmar!! Yay, I'm rating the whole thing 6-7 year because later the story gets more intense. Most of the chapters are PG, but I didn't want people to be reading and then suddenly skip a couple of chapters because their not suitable. Just to be safe I'm giving it a 6-7 year rating. Yeah Nessa is a wild one!!!! I'm glad you like Ornella she's also fun to write. Thanks for the review!
Wow, so Neville's teaching DADA. Cool! I loved your description of Ariel telling Taylor he was/is gay. It was an interesting read (I've never read anything like that) since a lot of slash stories involve someone randomly shouting "I'm gay and I will always love so-and-so!". This was a nice change. He seemed genuinely apologetic, which gives Ariel depth. I'm curious to know who the champion(s) will be.
One minor little thing was that you said Ariel "lighted" Nessa's cigarette. It's "lit". For some reason that stuck with me. Other than that, perfect chapter. 10/10.
Author's Response: Yay!!!!!!! I got three reviews on the same day!!!! Me so happy!!! You guys are the best! Coming out of the closet is a HUGE deal and a very dramatic chapter in most gay men's life and I hate how it's just ignored in most slash fics. I think this happens because most of the writers are girls and don't really know how it all happens and such. That's why I wanted to for it to be important. Thank you for the tip, I'll go fix it. Tomorrow I think, now I'm to tired. Thanks for the review!
Hey Purplemage,
This is good! I've been meaning to get around to reading it (your banner caught my eye). I like how Ariel's cool with being gay, but still shows insecurities. It gives him lots of depth and makes him realistic.
But why twenty-three years? Just curious. Most authors would have gone with five, seven, ten or thirteen. Does the time lapse have any signifigance?
I also like Vanessa (Nessa). She seems like a good character. I look forward to reading more-- hopefully soon!
Cheers,
MadMar
Author's Response: Yay a fellow Gryffindor!! *huggs*
I've put a lot of effort into Ariel, to make him look threedimansional and without making him a clone of myself, I'm glad it shows. Nessa is a lot of fun to write, because she's a wild one. About the years, i don't explain it, but Ariel's mother (Emily) was from Harry's generation, so basically he's in the second generation, but I didn't want to do the whole Harry Potter's son plot. Thanks so much for the review!
Poor Ariel! Having the guy he loves say, "That's nice. I'm flattered." is a major burn. But, there are more chapters, more chances, right? Maybe he'll hook up with that dream guy!
Loving it, Purplemage.
Author's Response: He Madmar! Yeah, tthat\'s a tough blow to take, but don\'t worry I promise things will look up.
Nessa's so cool. Loved her reaction to the French girls!
So how do you pronounce Karakum? I was saying it Car-uh-coo-m in my head but that doesn't seem right. So the dream boy is here. Things seem very suspicious... but interesting.
-MadMar
Author's Response: I\'m glad you liked Nessa\'s reaction. Karakum, I think it\'s pronounced Ca- rah - coom, but that\'s me I don\'t know. I didn\'t came up with the word it\'s the name of a desert. Yes, dreamboy is there. Thanks for the review!
Well. Christian seems evil. Not big-time evil, just a heartbreaking jerk. Poor Ariel; nothing he does seems to go right!
So Krum's got a son. Hmm. Is Krum being Borislav's dad going to have much importance?
Well, I'm dying to know why Mystery-Man is smiling. On to the next chapter!
-MadMar
Author's Response: Hmmm, don\'t be so quick to judge Christian there\'s a lot more about him than meets the eye. Borislav being Krum\'s son important? Maybe, we\'ll have to see. Mystery-man is smiling because he has such a great sense of humor! Thanks for the reviews madmar!
I'm glad Nessa will be the champion. I don't think I would have wanted to keep reading if Christian or Ivy was champion... And if it had been Ariel, I would be having GoF flashbacks.
I hope he hasn't lost Nessa to the Tourney. They're best friends, he can't have.
And what's with that Bahir guy? No last name, he appears in dreams AND remembers Ariel from them. Kinda creepy...
Keep it up!
-MadMar
Author's Response: There is no way that Ivy would\'ve been picked for champion and Christian would\'ve been booooring. So Nessa is champion yay!!! Yeah, Bahir is not as creepy as you think ;) . Thanks Madmar!
Another A-Mazing chapter by Purplemage!
I loved the interaction between Nessa and Jacqueline. Maybe Jacqueline and Ivy will start hanging out!
Opposite of Ariel, however, I'm dying to meet Mr. Wimund-- because it means the next chapter! Please update soon.
-MadMar
Author's Response: Jacqueline and Ivy together? That\'s very unlikely. You\'ll meet Mr. Wimund, but not in the next chapter. Thanks for the review! The next chapter is with the beta.
Written as a Term Challenge: Holidays Abroad submission for Slytherin.
Wow. Though Dumbledore explained his speculation on the Merope/Tom Riddle Sr courtship, your story fills in the gaps. My only question is-- Why Romania?
I loved your line about Amortenia being Merope's best friend, but how it ripped her apart. It was truly emotional.
-MadMar
Author's Response: Yes, having Dumbledor saying his view on the story was "speculation" helps me a lot in writing this story because I can go against the rules a little. I still try to follow what he said, though.
Hmm, why Romania? That's a good question. Basically, the answer is because for the Term Challenge, it has to be based in a forign country and around a forign holiday. You'll find out more about the holiday in the next chapter. But, the story does eventually adapt to it's surroundings.
I love the way you opened your story. From the little we know of Voldemort's parents, they seem to be in character. My only bone to pick is that Amortenia has a "mother of pearl sheen" and (correct me if I'm wrong) would be white, not silver. Other than that, I found this story very good and "Favorite List" worthy.
Author's Response: Hmm, "mother of pearl sheen" sounds kind of silvery-white to me. Thanks for the imput though, I will change that.
Wow, thanks for putting me on your "favorite list", that makes me feel proud!