ALT, Classic, Short Story, Finished
Reviewed by Penumbra  (penumbra@clinched.net)  Aug 17, 1999

Awright, this is the reality check! The first sentence grabs you and won't let go until you've guffawed your morning cereal/coffee all over the keyboard because you just can't stop laughing.

Have you ever wondered why our beloved grrls, the warrior chick and her nubile sidekick, always manage to have just the most earth-shattering, divine, perfect sex? What if they had a bad day? Here's WordWarior's account on one such bad day, in her inimitable style. 

http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/b/badsex.html

Classic, Alt, Short Story, Finished
Reviewed by P.D. (wonder12@concentric.net) 8/9/99

Fans with a wry sense of humor will enjoy Bargain Hunting.  This tale is timeless and contains the infamous Xena and Gabrielle character banter. Della's characterizations of the Warrior Princess and her chatty companion are right on and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.  Her writing style makes you feel as if you are actually witnessing the events unfold. This fast paced story reminds you of the trust, friendship, caring and loving nature built during the first two seasons of the show.  You haven't lived till you've "shopped" with the warrior princess.  Just don't make her mad and be sure the product is in good shape and attractively packaged. Most of all, keep a tight hold on your coin purse.

http://pinkrabbit.simplenet.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/bargainhunting.htm

Alt, Uber, Novella, Finished
Recommended by Penumbra (Penumbra@clinched.net) October 28, 1999

This is amongst the very few fanfiction pieces that have managed to evoke uneasiness and compassion in me. Very dark (I like 'em dark), very sci-fi (excellent!), very Orwellian (always a good thing), this story is a tale of totalitarianism in the future. 

Caroline is fresh, new and idealistic, as well as an employee of a medical facility. The exact nature of the research that is conducted there is unclear to her but her naivete and arduous endeavours to carve out her niche in life don't allow her to see the truth. Not until Elizabeth arrives and Caroline is assigned to her case. In terror, this story is clandestine; in emotions, volatile. Caroline's life comes to a crossroads -- which one will she choose, her future or her independence?

This story evokes images that stay with you for a long time, and for me, it was something refreshingly new since sci-fi Uber is for some reason very rare.

http://ausxip.com/fanfic/judy/battle.html

Alt-Uber Rated R,Novel 512 pages - complete
Recommended by Rocky (shaunday@connect.ab.ca) 6/27/00

The Annual California AIDS ride is a 500 mile Bicycle trip between S.F. and L.A.  Jamie has been training with Ryan to go in the ride.  They have both had to make sacrifices and learned a lot about themselves and each other in this endeavor.  This novel chronicles their experiences from one end of the ride to the other and the discoveries they make along the way.

Yup, it's another longy, and again it's worth it.  Can't wait for the next one.

http://lynka.simplenet.com/beginningsonefile.htm

See also Book 1: Awakenings:
http://lynka.simplenet.com/foundmyheart.htm

ALT, Uber, Novel (series, first part), Finished
Reviewed by Penumbra (penumbra@clinched.net) Aug 21, 1999

In Victorian London, things are not looking good for Rhiannon Moore. She's reduced to live on the streets and off her body and when, on one dark and deadly night, Jack the Ripper sets his sights on her, all seems to be lost. But in the blink of an eye, Rhiannon's life is both saved and changed by one Evangeline St. Claire, a controversial figure in the upper echelons of the British societal pecking order.

Being an entusiastic fan of 18th centruy literature, this is a dream come true. Sherlock Holmes with a twist, the whole gaslight series (of which this is the first part) portrays Victorian London vividly and accurately, with exciting plots and a charmingly periodical tongue. 

http://www.corrieweb.com/gaslighttitle.htm

Alt - Uberx2 - Novella - Finished
Recommended by Anima 9.10.99

Add two parts Uber (XWP and the film "Dead Again") stir gently, pour over a Los Angeles landscape, and you have "Breaking Chains."

Faith, a private investigator with a specialty in missing persons, is called when a woman with amnesia, and terrifying nightmares, materializes on the doorstep of the convent where Faith was raised. Just as this is an Uber within an Uber, so is it a story within a story. A scandalous, love-gone-wrong murder involving a famous actress (Blythe Dawson, and her lover Josephina Wright) that rocked Los Angeles some fifty years previous, seems to be the key as to why Gabrielle (yup, that's what they decide to call her until she remembers who she is ;~) is having night terrors. And, believe me, these pesky dreams are as bloodcurdling as they are real.

Soon the question begs: Did Josephine kill Blythe? More importantly, will history repeat itself? These are not idle questions, but ones that actively pull us through the story at a crisp, clean pace. You'll care about the back-story as much as the present one because they are so inextricably intertwined.

This story reminds me a little bit of an old-style, mystery-thriller, detective story, especially because this genre has always utilized the Los Angeles landscape as a sort of secondary character. So, especially fun is Rooks taking us around the city. I loved the thrift shop named "Surrender Dorothy";  a fun wink at those of us who know the real "Dorothy's Surrender." Okay, now that I'm done with my little self-indulgence <g>. Do take a peek at this story, it's a terrifically entertaining read.

http://xenite.simplenet.com/fanfiction/b/breaking1.html

Alt, Uber, Finished
Recommended by Lariel  28 November 2000

What are the three essential ingredients for a really good uber? Romance, adventure and mystery? Ghosts, criminals and dodgy sheep farmers? Beautiful scenery, deserted youth hostels and hospitals?

No. For a really good uber, you need a cute but mischievous Dorothy, a tall, dark and grumpy Cowardly Lion and a gangling, Abba obsessed Tin Man. Then, to start it off, you dump our three intrepid heroes (two of whom hate each other on first sight - guess which two?) in the middle of a small Welsh coastal town, with strict instructions to "make your way back here - without using maps or money - in three days time." What could possibly go wrong??

Barbara Davies tells us as the story unfolds, through believable characterisation, great dialogue and solid plotting. Starting off their journey rattling around blindfolded in the back of a transit van, our trial bound threesome painfully make their way through three days of gently humourous adventure as they cut across Snowdonia national park in full fledged Wizard of Oz costumes in the pouring rain. You will have to read the story to find out how they manage to spend a night in a police cell/get squashed three in a bed in a haunted house/end up at hospital with a near fatal case of wasp sting.

And if that wasn't enough, you've got the hesitantly blossoming romance between Charlie (Dorothy) and Jen (the Cowardly Lion) as they fight mutual antagonism, their own libidos, three in a bed romps and communal showers. And not even a kiss in sight..........<g>

http://members.fortunecity.com/midgitbard/break1.htm

Alt-Uber , 37 pages - incomplete
Recommended by Rocky (shaunday@connect.ab.ca) 11/04/99

Every so often I go out surfing the web rings in search of lost treasure that have missed the major indexes and deserve a notice. A very promising new story is "Breaking the Silence" by Eponin.  Although there is only the first four chapters available at this time the writing style is crisp and entertaining. 

Cassiel is fleeing a resent personal tragedy which becomes exacerbated when she discovers a  dangerous family secret.  On the run, she finds herself at a quaint restaurant on the beach operated by a mysterious woman named Jael. 

Jael agrees to hide Cassiel and soon they are beginning to discover each other. 

I look forward to more of this story, and I hope readers who find it as intriguing as I did will encourage the author to post more. 

http://www.redrival.com/eponin/breaking.html

Alt-Classic, Short story 16 pages
Recommended by Rocky (shaunday@connect.ab.ca) 9/4/99

This is one of my favorite classic X&G alt short stories.  A touch stone for when I think that if I read one more plot less, sex fan fic I will scream!  It's a reminder of the true romance that is attractive about this genre in the first place. I tell myself if so many tender emotions can be tucked into one short story then perhaps there will be more.  And yes there always is, but this is the one I keep coming back to--to remind myself of that.

The night before a battle Xena is alone by a campfire, Gabrielle is safe in a inn. This is where the same tired scenario stops.  A warrior who has suffered a great loss comes to Xena's camp site on a mission of love and circumstance that will leave you pondering long after the story has been read.

http://ausxip.com/fanfic2/thread.html

Alt, Uber, Unfinished
Reviewed by laler 01.13.00

It may, or may not be, a coincidence when Logan (an award-winning investigative reporter) rescues Frith Buchanan (a computer consultant and ex-Greenpeace worker) from an attack by a security guard outside of the Tall Trees hydroponics complex.  Once Frith reveals that she has stumbled across information that has raised her suspicions about a possible government cover-up that involves the previously quiet complex, she asks for Logan's help in seeking out the truth.

Logan, who has been mysteriously out of circulation for a few months, must call upon her old friends (and possibly her enemies) to find out what is going on behind the gates at Tall Trees.  This doesn't seem to be an easy task because everyone seems to have their own secrets, nor are they readily willing to share them.  As the story unfolds, information is uncovered that points to something larger than Logan, and perhaps even Frith, can imagine.

From the very beginning, Karen Malevich keeps the reader guessing with this erotic thriller.  Karen manages to draw together a very captivating plot that combines sex, suspense, and intrigue in a story that will hold your attention throughout.

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~swimss/index1.htm