On behalf of...

[akk]

...giving reviews

I have received a couple of emails regarding the fact that I endorse and love receiving long & detailed reviews for my fics, yet seldom or never "take the time" or "bother" to review other works in return (not even briefly). For that I was named -among other things- arrogant and egotistic.
And maybe I am that. However, the reason why I currently write next to no reviews is that I practically stop reading fanfics in a fandom in which I'm writing a long, complex epos like 36° or Family Matters. There are two reasons for this:
1. I can either write the epos or read other works in what little free time I have, and
2. If I read other works, they tend to influence me (as happened with a snippet from solo____ in chapter 11; and I told her about the risk beforehand!).
So please accept that I'm not likely to return the reviewing effort in the near future.



...book recommendations
The recent hype about the finish of a world-renowned seven book fantasy epos I was never tempted to read made me wonder, which multiple books series in this specific genre I'd actually recommend in stead. The answer is two (in no specific order):
a) Sergej Lukianenko's "Watch"-Series [Nochnoi Dozor (Night Watch), Dnevnoi Dozor (Day Watch),...] (dark contemporary magic, bordering on horror sometimes) [I actually read the German translations and can't type the Russian title, sorry]
and
b) C. J. Cherryh's "Fortress"-Series [Fortress in the Eye of Time, Fortress of Owls,...] (high complex fantasy with rich, believably developing characters, drama and history)



...receiving reviews & recommendations
Finally, an act of shameless self-presentation:
I recently came across the Fanworks Finder page, which looks like a really promising idea. I listed my completed fanfic "36°" and its sequel "Family Matters" and am quite curious if they will be recced:
36°: - & - Family Matters:

Comments

[jjblue1.livejournal.com]

Geez... some people need to find better hobbies than go around passing judgement over other people they don't even know... It's ot as if they're Yagami Light...

[akk]

...and I'd object even if they were.

[jjblue1.livejournal.com]

LOL
It's not really safe to discuss things with Light... but well... he doesn't know your face so maybe you're safe...

[akk]

Who said anything about discussing?
*pets innocently rustling cherry tree and smiles maliciously*.

[jjblue1.livejournal.com]

LOL
I do wonder if the Death Note would work with magical trees...

[akk]

Considering that I picture the Sakura as the descendant of Tsukiyomi and the guardian of the death world I guess the Deathgods better play very nicely not to piss off their bouncer. ;)

[jjblue1.livejournal.com]

LOL
Careful... Light already managed to cause the death of a Shinigami...

[akk]

Actually, I don't follow DN that closely. The books in German have reached only no. 6, so don't spoil the fun, please.

[jjblue1.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, I thought you've read the scanlations or saw the anime...
I didn't mean to spoil... *hides*

[akk]

Well, I didn't love the story as much as to go after scanlations; and the same goes for the anime. It's a nice read so far and has some intriguing concepts, but also quite a few things on the downside - one of them being the seemingly omnipotence of the two equally cold-hearted main characters for example. While I enjoy not to have a "good hero" for a chance, I dislike the OP-factor quite a bit. I guess it's a matter of taste.

[jjblue1.livejournal.com]

I began with scanlations. A friend suggested me to give them a reading. In the beginning I found it boring but... after a certain point it grew on me.
Yes, the boys omnipotence is a bit too exaggerated and I guess my whole vision over the manga is strange because I'm one of the few who doesn't ship Light/L or L/Light and that doesn't consider L purely good or Light purely evil.
I'd liked the general theme. What is justice? Who's on its side?
I guess I had fun seeing how everyone presented his idea of justice but failed to represent the true justice.
As for the anime... well, I've been forced to hurry to download it because soon it won't be possible anymore and I've no idea if they'll ever dub it in my country.
The first op/end is cool and the animation is good. They cut some stuffs but it's not bad.
Meanwhile I'm buying the manga here in Italy (they finally decided printing it) but, as usual, the translation isn't that great...

[akk]

Well, the story is intriguing enough to read the rest of the books. However, it's not intriguing enough to be annoyed over the three months publishing cycle. :)

[jjblue1.livejournal.com]

So there they print a volume each 3 months? And here I was complaining because here it's each two months...
But skipping a month (unless necessary) always annoy me no matter which manga we're talking about... I'm all for fast publication...

[akk]

well, slower releases means easier paid for. ;)

[jjblue1.livejournal.com]

True... if price isn't increased while printing.
Since they seem to increase it each year here (Geez, manga now have twice or more the prize they had when I started buying them) I would prefer for each manga to end its printing as soon as possible and hope the one which will follow won't interest me so I won't have anything to pay for...

[akk]

so far, the rises have been moderate. Death Note didn't rise at all, so far.

[jjblue1.livejournal.com]

Lucky you!
Well, here it's just started... but manga tends to increase their price at least once in a year. Considering DN is 12 volumes its price's likely going to be raised once or twice...

[akk]

:) good luck.

[jjblue1.livejournal.com]

THank you!