Azar

Author at Probable Impossibilities http://azar.ink-and-quill.com/.

Angels of Light (Forever Knight/Touched By An Angel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 23rd October 2001 (1)
Tags: Novelette, Crossover, AU, Redemption
Characters: Nick Knight
(50K)

I loved this story. You may think that blending something as light and sweet as Touched By An Angel with something as dark and brooding as Forever Knight wouldn't work, but with the common thread of the search for redemption, the author made it work. I'm glad to say that the course of the story wasn't made too easy or trivial (I think) for Nick (even though "divine intervention" was happening). It had a fittingness about it. One thing I can't speak to is how well this story fitted in with the particular episode of Forever Knight it was related to (the last one, I think) because my watching of the last season was extremely spotty. But I'd heard enough about it that I wasn't going "Huh? What's going on?" but I probably would have gotten more out of it if I had seen the episode before I read this. Even so, there was some very thoughtful stuff (not just Nick brooding) and some zing! moments -- especially the scene in the hospital at the end. And there's some lovely use of words in spots.

Of course, if you really can't stand reading TBAA stuff 'cuz they use the G-word an awful lot, then you'd best pass this one by too. But this managed, I think, not to be too sickly sweet.

Addendum: The archive in which I found this has it attributed to Maygra de Rhema in the text of the story, as well as pointing to Maygra's email address in the index, so I had originally assumed that the naming of the author as Julie Jekel was a mistake. Fortunately, Maygra was able to tell me that it indeed was Julie who had written the story, not her. My apologies for misleading people as I was misled.

Addendum: Well, now that archive seems to have vanished, but fortunately the story is also on the author's own page.

The Centre of the Universe (Doctor Who)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 30th June 2009 (1)
Tags: Novella
(133K)

Summary: In the aftermath of the Time War, a wounded TARDIS brings a dying Doctor to the one person who might be able to save not only his life, but also his will to live: Nyssa of Traken.

This is one of this year's crop of tardis_bigbang stories.

I like the way the Doctor is portrayed here; bitter and angry and up against the one person that he can't take it out on. The irony is very fitting. Nyssa is her calm, gentle, perceptive self; I could hear her voice speaking her lines. And I liked how the main characters had to make choices, and helped each other make them.

This story references Big Finish continuity and has minor spoilers for same. Also, for those who dislike the Doctor 'shipping with companions, warning, this has Nine/Nyssa in it.

From a World More Full of Weeping (Narnia/Doctor Who)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 9th December 2008 (4)
Tags: Short Story, Crossover, AU
Characters: Susan Pevensie, Tenth Doctor
(18K)

Summary: Two people meet who have nothing in common... except a world of loss.

Susan Pevensie, struggling after The Last Battle, finds that wonder will not be denied.

I loved the idea of this story even before it was written, and I'm very glad to say that the concept fulfilled its promise; the writing delivered, the characterisation worked, and there were nifty moments and ideas. I hope the author writes more in this universe.

Given Name (Firefly/Buffy)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 17th August 2003 (8)
Tags: Short Story, Crossover, AU Jossed
Characters: River, Spike
(15K)

This story was reccomended at http://shellpatine.tripod.com/links/ffrecs.html (Jedi Buttercup's recs) and plonks a particular Buffy (Season 7) character into the Firefly universe. "River finds a kindred spirit in a newcomer to Serenity." Now, I've only seen one episode of Firefly, but I could follow it -- you just need to know who River is. It is from River's point of view. Sweet and melancholy.

A Novel Solution (Sentinel/Quantum Leap)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th July 2001 (4)
Tags: Novelette, Crossover, AU, Changing History
Characters: Blair Sandburg, Jim Ellison, Sam Beckett, Al Calavicci
(79K)

There are actually two versions of this story. I am reviewing the longer, expanded version, of which the shorter version was really just a draft. I really like this. Sam Beckett Leaps into Blair in the middle of TSbyBS, and finds a better solution to the dissertation problem than Blair declaring himself to be a fraud. That's enough to get me cheering to start with! But other good things here were the bits with Al and Blair at the Project, with some reflections and comparisons between the relationship of Jim and Blair and that of Sam and Al. Blair is Jim's lifeline, Al is Sam's lifeline. This was also interesting in that, unlike another TS/QL crossover I read, the non-leapee didn't figure out what was going on -- but Jim did notice oddities. Another amusing bit; Al's remarks about Megan (would have been enough to get him a glare if she'd been able to hear him...)

It would have been nice if Blair had been able to remember enough to look up Al afterwards, but those Swiss-cheesed memories...

Running Home (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th July 2001 (16)

This story was written for the second Sentinel Lyric Wheel, the "Odd" Wheel (yes, I am catching up on some really old comments...) This story was based on the lyrics of "Silent Running", whose chorus goes:
    Can you hear me? Can you hear me running?
    Can you hear me running? Can you hear me calling you?

This story manages to capture the haunting and apocalyptic feel of those lyrics, while also twisting them back on themselves in a way. Now the only problem is, this is calling out for a sequel.

Randi

(3) Schism (X-Files)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 9th December 2000 (1)

This is a good XF story that you can get your teeth into. Angst! Soul searching! Jeopardy! Relationships broken and reconciled! An example of "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone".

For those who hate the idea of Mulder and Scully being in love, don't read it. For those who hate original characters, even when they stay in a supporting role like they ought to, don't read it. If you do read it, you may wish to read the earlier stories which introduce Randi first, but the problem with them is that they are unfinished snippets rather than complete stories. But if you don't read them, you'll probably wonder where she came from.

There was one thing I found a bit too improbable about this story and that was how they figured out how to rescue a particular character -- though I guess you could write it off as divine inspiration. There's also a reference here to a story that's never been written (yet), which takes place during this story, but is only referred to as over and done.

But as a whole, it's a good, meaty story.

(4) Sky Lights (X-Files)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 9th December 2000 (2)

This sequel to Schism is even longer than "Schism" itself. Certainties are overturned, and guesses are confirmed. A few more original characters peek out, and conspiracies and mayhem abound. What will the Consortium do to make sure that the truth never comes out? Disaster seems inevitable, but there are surprises in store. This story is definitely AU.

Randi comes more to the fore here, but there's good reason for it. Some people might be offended because she's a Christian, so if you are, then don't be a masochist, and don't read this story. Again, we have characters working through issues, not just Mulder and Scully, but others -- and that was good! Some people might find the mostly-happy ending a bit too hard to believe, but I found it very satisfying. (And if you hate happy endings, I'll cheer you up by saying that there is at least one death in this story...(evil grin)).

Rebel Yell

(1) Hypercubes, Carpetbags and Other Four-Dimensional Spaces (Doctor Who/NCIS)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 1st July 2009 (1)
Tags: Short Story, Crossover
Characters: Abby, Eighth Doctor
(16K)

Summary: "Okay, not to be rude or anything? But asking a total stranger, 'Hey, wanna see my big blue box?' is like the lamest pick-up line ever."

Abby (from NCIS) becomes the Doctor's companion.

This catches Abby's voice from the get-go, and it's nice to see her view of the Eighth Doctor: the start of a beautiful friendship. Alas, it is rather shorter than I hoped.

(4) When She Smiles (Doctor Who/NCIS)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 1st July 2009 (2)
Tags: Short Story, Crossover
Characters: Abby, Eighth Doctor
(16K)

Summary: The Doctor and Abby attend a Tea Party.

That was fun, and lovely in its way. Abby and the Eighth Doctor really suit each other; she's even more enthusiastic for things than he is. I suspect this is the first story that was written in this series.