3Blood Debt
This is a subtlety and delicately constructed fairy tale. It's all there for the reader to construct in Rise's altered experience and magical mirrors. This is "Beauty and the Beast" Trek style. It's also something else--a sequel to Djinn's "Blood Ties" a wonderfully constructed tale that I'd recommend reading before tackling this her sequel, though I believe "Blood Debt" could stand on it's own. That first tale has its share of twists and probably still stands as my favorite Djinn story (although she has provided some formidable competition for that distinction this year). It also serves as a sort of sequel to TNG's "Unification" and movingly tells of Spock's fate on Romulus. It also does nicely by Perrin, a character who often is treated unsympathetically in fanfic but who I think can be plausibly read as just a woman very protective of the man she loves. The way the two connect here--the way Spock comes to terms with family in general in this story--is moving and satisfying. But then Djinn does justice to a lot of familiar characters here and does a good job in showing how they relate and intertwine. Saavik is a real presence in this story and is depicted in a way that is both fresh and true to the character. The story is intense (with one scene at the end very disturbing) and a good read from beginning to end. Lush and gorgeous.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sat, 01 Mar 2003 15:35:25 -0500

8In My Dreams
I liked Sarek in this story. I liked the explanation for the "the logical thing to do" line.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sat, 01 Mar 2003 15:36:52 -0500

15The Spice of Life
The story was lighthearted fun and I liked the serious aspects about culture clash.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sat, 01 Mar 2003 15:38:43 -0500

15The Spice of Life
The story was lighthearted fun and I liked the serious aspects about culture clash.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sat, 01 Mar 2003 18:03:48 -0500

3Blood Debt
This was an awesome story. In "Blood Ties" I was impressed how Djinn managed to make Valeris such a sympathetic character. This time the stakes were even higher, because of the physical changes Rise had undergone and the fact that her actions were even more heinous than they'd been in the first story. But I found myself caring about her all over again, even as Spock and especially Saavik were won over. Some truly striking images abound in this story, such as the birds of prey (and their bond with Rise). The 'wild thing' and taming themes, and the parallels to Rise's own feral aspects (and not just her physical description) were very, very good.
-- Rocky - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 05:59:54 -0500

7Heart Line
I enjoyed this look at Uhura--and really like the suggestion that her psi talents are up there with Mitchell's. She always did seem a bit more perceptive than some of the commanding officers ("Bread and Circuses", for example). And I loved the portrayal of Mitchell. I've come across very few fics in which Mitchell appears as a fully 3-D character and not just an Evil!Plot Device. The part about being able to 'see' his end sent shivers down my spine.
-- Rocky - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 06:00:59 -0500

3Blood Debt
First of, I love this fic. The interactions, the dialogue, the intensity, cruelty - all of it is so beautifully written. In terms of character, this story doesn't hold back when it comes to Valeris or Saavik. It was also nice to see Sela again here - though 'nice' is not exactly the first word that comes to mind when thinking of Djinn's Sela. This is a meaty story that continues to haunt, long after the last paragraph is read. It's definitely a fic to add to a "must read" list.
-- Seema - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 23:06:30 -0500

7Heart Line
I love it when an author takes chances, and Rabble Rouser does exactly that when she attempts to provide a reason for Uhura having said, "Captain, I'm frightened" (a line that she uttered more than once to many of our everlasting chagrin). This story puts a unique twist on the words, blending what we know of the communications officer with a more exotic answer. There is a sensory richness to this story that appealed to me greatly. And I loved seeing Mitchell and Kirk together--Mitchell was never one of my favorite characters but Rabble Rouser loads him with pathos here and makes him come alive in a way both abrasive and sad. I love Rabble Rouser's take on Kirk too, the favorable light isn't sugar coated. He's the Kirk I first fell in love with back when I was just a kid. But it is the spin on Uhura that moved me the most, because Uhura is not a favorite character yet Rabble Rouser made me want to read her and made me feel sorry when the story was done.
-- Djinn - Mon, 03 Mar 2003 22:38:03 -0500

8In My Dreams
A delightful, well-crafted story. This works perfectly with the events in The Journey to Babel, the relationship between Sarek and Amanda and the overtures of a Spock and Christine relationship were well-done. All together, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
-- Whoa Nellie - Sat, 08 Mar 2003 16:16:27 -0500

15The Spice of Life
This was a wonderfully delightful story that perfectly captured a humorous period of Sarek and Amanda's courtship. Given the history of interracial relationships on Earth, this portrayal, even humorously, of the obstacles that an interspecies couple might face was very well-done. Aside from which, cinnamon hasn't been the same spice since reading it.
-- Whoa Nellie - Sat, 08 Mar 2003 16:17:52 -0500

10Kiss me Cat
I knew there must be a reason for a cat's tail.
-- T'Rica - Fri, 14 Mar 2003 18:35:50 -0500

7Heart Line
Good to see Uhura as something more than just "frightened." Though I must admit this story left me with a mental image of our heroic comm officer with a crystal ball and a deck of tarot cards!
-- Ventura33 - Sat, 15 Mar 2003 16:13:20 -0500

10Kiss me Cat
This is certainly the weirdest slash pairing I've seen in a while. Very creative!
-- Ventura33 - Sat, 15 Mar 2003 16:14:58 -0500

15The Spice of Life
A fun answer to an unusual challenge! I enjoyed this view of Sarek as a young man trying to impress his girlfriend's parents.
-- Ventura33 - Sat, 15 Mar 2003 16:18:40 -0500

16Ultimate Submission
A creatively written BDSM story that begins with a hilarious misadventure and ends with some hot sex. Well done!
-- Ventura33 - Sat, 15 Mar 2003 16:23:32 -0500

3Blood Debt
Another wonderful Djinn story that I can't summarize here without totally blowing her plotline. This story is a sequel to last year's amazing "Blood Ties", which I strongly suggest reading before "Blood Debt" since it turns cannon on it's ear. Many old friends and not-so-friendly acquaintences return in this engaging sequel and once again, Djinn changes all the rules and shakes everything up!
-- Kath - Sat, 15 Mar 2003 18:18:06 -0500

3Blood Debt
This is one of my favorite stories ever. Nice job, Djinn.
-- Jerie - Sat, 15 Mar 2003 22:51:45 -0500