2Assimilation And Death by Kevin Johnston
I regret not havving seen this before now. The beginning is tantalizing and prsents and interesting premise; we get so used to everything going relatviely right in our ST worlds that for the character to be experiencing difficulties presents a tasty opportunity for the author to play - and he started off so nicely with it. If there was a problem with it, I think it was in the tendency to talk to much and not write enough about the areas in which his characters were interacting, because he does a nice job with it in the areas where he does: the Klingon village, the dry dusty road, the smells... There was a lot of good potential here, and I wish there had been more than 3 chapters to enjoy. Thanks, Kevin, for posting what you did.
-- Ke Roth - Mon, 31 Mar 2003 14:43:31 -0500

10Gateway by Quills
I'm completely and utterly hooked. I only discovered it a few days ago but I had to read all the bits there were(over 20 parts) instead of going to sleep early. It' fantastic, I can't wait to see how it ends up.
-- rae - Wed, 02 Apr 2003 12:55:14 -0500

10Gateway by Quills
I have liked this story from the beginning. I hope that Quills eventually drops his habit of identifying every speaker (eg "Oh," said the captain. "Really?" replied the engineer). Usually the conversations don't need those added cues, and sometimes they're distracting.ON THE OTHER HAND! the story moves right along. "Gateway" has a vast canvas with actions in two timelines. There are hints of romance--but not forced--and believable character interactions beyond romance. The action sequences are charged and make me want to keep reading. I'm looking forward to new chapters.
-- Bucky - Thu, 03 Apr 2003 23:36:11 -0500

8Familiar Strangers by Alara Rogers
This story's got an interesting premise which opens up endless possibilities for twists on the Q/P dynamic. A bit more h/c than I care for as a rule, but I'd like to see where this is heading.
-- Rocky - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 09:56:20 -0400

10Gateway by Quills
this story kept me guessing and that's what compelled me to read it and keep with it.
-- Amanda - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 14:06:21 -0400

10Gateway by Quills
definately the best!
-- Emily - Thu, 10 Apr 2003 20:17:06 -0400

7Echoes by Ke Roth
Picard and crew are accurately characterized here, along with some very well drawn original characters. There's romance, angst, and ongoing drama that manages to keep on building on itself in each installment, in the best tradition of serial cliffhangers. Bravo!
-- Ventura33 - Fri, 11 Apr 2003 10:58:27 -0400

10Gateway by Quills
A very imaginative time travel story that seamlessly blends characters from different series in a fast-paced adventure. Nice work!
-- Ventura33 - Fri, 11 Apr 2003 11:00:24 -0400

2Assimilation And Death by Kevin Johnston
I liked the set-up for this story. It was nice to see some interaction between B'Elanna and Janeway too - something TPTB rarely did after the first couple seasons. I'm sorry to see that Kevin won't be finishing this one.
-- Seema - Sat, 12 Apr 2003 13:13:13 -0400

3Boats Against the Current by Tori Morris
Tori has such a wonderful and delicate style in her fic writing. "Boats Against the Current" is a perfect example of Tori's ability to deftly juggle storytelling as well as beautiful characterizations, vivid and colorful descriptions and a compelling narrative. I haven't seen many stories that are set so far in the future after the end of DS9 and this one is an excellent "what if" portrayal. There are some terrific lines in here. The one that got me though was Kira's realization that Odo's name didn't hold the same power for her now as it might have in the past. It was also nice to see that Kira has advanced in rank to ambassador. Also nice to see cameos from various recurring characters on DS9 such as Sisko's father. The reunion between O/K was nicely handled too - not sappy, overdramatic or any of those common things scenes like this can fall prey to - nor did the relationship between the two take precedence over the main plot. I can't wait for Tori to finish the rest of this fic.
-- Seema - Sat, 12 Apr 2003 13:20:06 -0400

7Echoes by Ke Roth
It's nice to see such an ambitious TNG fic. It's been a long time. I think the characterizations of Picard and Crusher especially stand out here. This fic is extremely well-written. Nice job.
-- Seema - Sat, 12 Apr 2003 13:21:27 -0400

5A Dangerous Game: Like a Hand in a Flame by Meghan Elizabeth
Meghan Elizabeth really writes original characters well, getting under their skin. It's nice to see a new fic from Meghan Elizabeth. Hopefully, this one will be finished soon.
-- Seema - Sat, 12 Apr 2003 13:22:36 -0400

9Full Circle by Elisabeth Cook
From the first paragraph, this fic sparkles with vivid description. It has all the makings of a very fine post-Endgame fic. Since I'm hooked, I'd loved for it to be finished one of these days.
-- Seema - Sat, 12 Apr 2003 13:24:02 -0400

8Familiar Strangers by Alara Rogers
Yet another story that I desperately want finished! I loved Alara Rogers' "Familiar Strangers." Despite being incomplete, it has to rank among the best TNG stories I've read in a long time. The Picard characterization is one of the best I've come across and in addition, I love that there is a coherent plot underlying the fic and the violence perpetuated against Yan'Net was horrifying - got me right in the gut in a way most scenes like this haven't before. Excellent work and really, can't wait to be able to read the whole thing.
-- Seema - Sat, 12 Apr 2003 13:28:24 -0400

11Legacy Year 1 by Valerie Shearer
I've always found Valerie's fic compelling - from the dual-storylines of "Alamo" to this new one, "Legacy." Valerie does a really good job of setting up this alternate history of the Dominion. Her characterizations are terrifc and her descriptions vivid. Just from this first 'book', I can feel that this is going to be a 'must save' fic. Definitely want more, Valerie!
-- Seema - Sat, 12 Apr 2003 13:33:48 -0400

13Romancing the Stone Stage 4 - Backslide by Darrel W. Beach
I've been following Darrel's "Romance the Stone" series for a while now. I really enjoy how he sets up an OC female love interest for Paris and then weaves this AU universe in with canon.
-- Seema - Sat, 12 Apr 2003 13:36:25 -0400

2Assimilation And Death by Kevin Johnston
The rapport between Janeway and Torres was so well drawn and I was completely engaged and intrigued by the set-up in this post-Endgame tale with the description of the fates of the old Voyager crew and post-Dominion war complications. I was sad to read that the author had abandoned the story.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 13 Apr 2003 20:44:40 -0400

3Boats Against the Current by Tori Morris
I liked the way the author drew the portrait of a Kira a couple of decades post-WYLB. I felt like I was really looking into her mind and heart. Her Odo really came across strongly from the page and I liked how he related to the founder. I appreciated how she vividly drew such characters as the Founder and Ssrasth in a way more exotically alien than you usually see in fanfic. The relationship between Kira and Odo was beautifully drawn. I'd love to see this completed.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 13 Apr 2003 20:46:06 -0400

7Echoes by Ke Roth
I'll confess I just haven't had time to catch up with all of Ke Roth's epic, even the portion posted before the awards deadline, but I'd be remiss to ignore it because of that. What I have read definitely leaves me wanting to read more. From the very beginning in her first posts, from when Ke Roth put me into Picard's head while he was in his vineyard, I felt I was reading something special. This is written deftly with an evident affection for all the Next Generation characters and includes an intriguing original character as well. I definitely think this is one saga definitely worth the time and I look forward to seeing it finished.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 13 Apr 2003 20:47:33 -0400

8Familiar Strangers by Alara Rogers
Stepping into an Alara story I find myself making a sigh of happiness and relief--because it's such a pleasure to place yourself into the hands of such a master story teller who is completely in control of her craft. She writes in this story one of the most appealing and well-drawn Picards in fan fiction. Alara uses such evocative details that make you visualize the setting and people and her alien culture is intriguing and imaginative as are the repercussions for Picard as he tries to deal with it. I loved the character of Yan'net, and how Alara drew Picard's compassion and sensitivity in dealing with her. The author also wrote one of those rare explicit sex scenes that's erotic, integral to the plot, and revealing of character that doesn't ever fall into the pitfalls of being either clinical slot a into b or clunkily smutty. As usual, her take on the Q is fascinating and intelligent. This is truly a terrific story and one I hope to see continued.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 13 Apr 2003 20:49:01 -0400

11Legacy Year 1 by Valerie Shearer
An AU with an interesting premise. I thought all the familiar DS9 characters were well-drawn.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 13 Apr 2003 20:50:33 -0400

13Romancing the Stone Stage 4 - Backslide by Darrel W. Beach
I really found myself caught up in Paris' dilemma and enjoyed how the romance and intrigue unfolded.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 13 Apr 2003 20:51:48 -0400

15Shakedown Cruise by Michael Roy Hollihan
Mike has established a wonderful lead character in Captain Arrington and I love T'Kau and Admiral Grekk among others. It's great to see the beginnings of something like this that delivers both interesting and insightful characterizations and good storytelling. I find that few original character and crew series come off well. It takes a different set of skills I think then what we usually develop in fan fiction to develop an unfamiliar setting and original characters and make us care and feel we know the characters on the page. Jungle Kitty has done wonders with Brandt. James Winters completely gripped me with the Alliance stories, and even though it includes two canon characters I'd include Djinn's Carter series in that company. Even through this unfinished fragment, I can see the beginnings of something that could completely engage me at that level. I dearly hope we'll see more adventures of the USS Goddard.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 13 Apr 2003 20:52:41 -0400

5A Dangerous Game: Like a Hand in a Flame by Meghan Elizabeth
I'm looking forward to the rest of this. People noted that Bashir *changed* after Internment Camp 371, but he got better. Or did he? My therapist tells me that trauma's heal more than once. There's the time when you get over it after it's happened, and the time when something else brings it back and you have to remember it all over, but as you are now. With his choice to work with the ex-pow's its Bashir's turn to confront his most inner terrors. And Vicky Ann knows she can't help. All she can do is watch and know that everybody leaves out something when you talk to the counseler. This theme of what happens when the survivors come home is just one of the themes the cowardly powers that be left drifting when they didn't follow up with the uncertainties and dilemas that come after all the guns are done.
-- Valerie Shearer - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 04:23:15 -0400

11Legacy Year 1 by Valerie Shearer
I'm not sure how much I'm going to be able to say and not repeat myself, but this story lives up to Valerie's usual stuff. In this story we see an alternate ending to the war, one others were afraid to consider. We see evil overcoming good, something we're not used to with our "happily ever after" entertainment. Through these experiences, we see the core of the character, parts previously hidden or never explored. It's been too long since I've read any of it to really point anything out, but if a story can make you late for work or keep you up half the night because you couldn't stop reading, then it must be good. Subsequent parts are eagerly awaited;-)
-- Meghan Elizabeth - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 14:29:04 -0400

10Gateway by Quills
It's a wonderful story that needs to be FINISHED!!! Quills has captured the characters extremely well and I am throughly enjoying T'Pols unease over her conflicting *emotions*. I look forward to seeing the rest of this story!!!
-- Ali Jiwani - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 20:14:39 -0400

10Gateway by Quills
One of the best stories I've read with great action, believable dialog and complex characters!
-- leanne - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 20:19:15 -0400

11Legacy Year 1 by Valerie Shearer
Valerie's been working on this one awhile, but she seems to have found a new stride this year. Ironically, this is probably more like Trek than Trek usually is--it's all about heroism (and cowardice, of course, can't have one without the other) under fire. Adaptation without the right tools and perseverance in spite of suffering. Best of all, she makes us care about a whole group of OCs, imbedding DS9 regulars in that group in a way that integrates them rather than makes them stand out or seem excluded. Looking forward to Year Two, and Valerie! Where the heck are the rest of the those files?
-- Paula Stiles - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:38:04 -0400

15Shakedown Cruise by Michael Roy Hollihan
I had the privilege of getting a little preview peak of this story just before Michael posted it. It's a fun OC crew ride with an intriguing opening premise and I just wanna know one thing--where the heck is the rest of it? Here's hoping it will be in the finished category next year.
-- Paula Stiles - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:40:57 -0400

5A Dangerous Game: Like a Hand in a Flame by Meghan Elizabeth
I was following along with this, partly because I'd heard it was coming down the pike for awhile, but then it just ended in the middle of the story. Are you planning on finishing this, Meghan?
-- Paula Stiles - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:50:17 -0400