[Report This]Date: 06 Jan 2021 14:20 Title: Chapter 15
Well - I quite liked the end of this story. Nothing clean and tidy - very raggedy - which gives it tremendous verisimilitude - which is really tough to pull off in a sci fi format filled with aliens and an alien protagonist, no less.
Lots of things to like about this story - starting with a very flawed protagonist who is not only female, but alien as well and still relatable because she has a conscience. Good people die and snarky people survive. Not quite the sunny side of existentialism. I also like the sense that any personal growth in Star is tentative at best. She's like the alcoholic swearing off the juice but not pouring it out because she knows she'll be jonesing for it in 15 minutes.
I'm neither a fan of overly dark endings or bright and chipper ones (a few dozen are dead, life goes on, cue the upbeat credits music.) Kudos on this story.
Thanks!! rbs
Author's Response: Very glad you got the chance to read Star Crossed and even more so that you enjoyed it as much as you did. This story was written very much with the thought in mind that Tazla's story would continue in the next novel. But All The Sinners, Saints, which is not on Ad Astra but you can find at StarEagleAdventures.com, doesn't actually pick up right where this story ends. Although some themes picked up in Star Crossed play a big role in that novel. I know you're making your way through Semper Fidelis at present which is actaully a great next story to read after Star Crossed. Thanks for the great reviews.
Date: 20 Oct 2014 00:01 Title: Chapter 15
Poor Taz! Newheiser looks almost loveable compared to Mahoney. She will have a rough time ahead her, but I guess what the doctor has promised her will be kept. It is understandable that she feels very embarrassed at her decisions but still they were the correct decisions. Not the right ones, but correct under the circumstances. She got entangled in a vicious cycle she could not break. In a way, this development, though harsh, gives her an opportunity to start again without being pressed by shady organizations inside or outside Starfleet.
It is a great story, with interesting and credible characters who have their ups and downs and fight their predicaments to the best of their ability. They have depth and background and the story breaks away from the Scotty-beam-me-up cliché where Starfleet is glorious, captains are wise and they generously heap humanity and proton torpedoes on nasty aliens who fall out of step. I have to admit that I got hooked on Taz so I am moving to “All the Sinners, Saintsâ€.
Author's Response: Hey, thanks for reading and reviewing this story and I'm glad you enjoyed it and that you got hooked on Star. Admittedly this story didn't help to create many fans of hers. She still has a long way to go from here to become a balanced person again. One story I'd recommend you check out if you enjoy reading of Star is 'One Toke Over the Line' which is part of the Vignette Series 'Crossing Over' and available to download at StarEagleAdventures.com, along with 'All the Sinners, Saints'. The latter is a long read but naturally I'd love to hear your thoughts on it if you get a chance to finish it. In the meantime they'll also be a lot of Star in 'Semper Fidelis' as she will have to face some of the fallout from this very story. Thanks once more for your reviews. They are greatly appreciated.