I re-read this fanfic and noticed this "Their clinically-accurate, detailed description of the injury and its likely long-term consequences was figuratively drenched in crocodile tears". With the connection with the Russian Mob, I couldn't help but think desomorphine, also known as Krokodil, one of the most horrifying drugs known to man. Bummer.
An excellent story with a very well thought out plot and believable characters. Even when characters are altered, the changes actually improve the story--for example, this Hammond is more believable than the way the character is written in Stargate SG-1, being more like a US General instead of a TV good guy.
Although the SGC world is clearly the same as the real world (with added science fiction), there are some changes that were never really explained in the story, like why Homeland Security got renamed as "State Security." Hopefully that will be explained later in the series.
Review By [khagler] • Date [15 Nov 11] • Rating [9 out of 10]
Wow. Just, wow. This fanfic was so well-planned, so meticulous, and is of such a level of quality that I can safely rank this far above several novels I have read from so-called professional authors. It wasn't perfect, but it was incredibly good. The high point for me was General Hammond's speech about Buffy being a hero, and what that entailed. It was such a perfect way to sum up Buffy, especially in such a setting as this one, that I have to call special attention to it.
I am looking forward to reading Return to Normal and enjoying it quite splendidly. Thank you so much for this story. I wish you all the best. ^_^
Review By [LegacyWeapon] • Date [11 Nov 11] • Rating [10 out of 10]
This is one of the best Stargate/Buffy crossovers I've ever read. Ever. I recently said this in a review of another story, but yours easily outdoes it. Despite my general lack of knowledge about SG-1, you introduced concepts that come into play later in the series (past the point I've currently reached) in ways that made them easy to understand. I also like how a lot of the beginning of the story was a slow buildup. You took the time to tell the whole story, from the point where you diverge from canon all the way to when she ends up at the SGC, rather than jumping straight into the crossover like so many other authors.
Character development is one of my favorite aspects of stories like this one, and you have it in spades. Watching as Buffy grows from who she was at the end of S7 into who she becomes by the end of the story is truly interesting. I like how you brought in Willow and had cameos of Faith and Tara. I especially like how you consolidated two universes in a believable way. And once Buffy ends up at the SGC, you brought the tension up to a whole new level and kept it high through the rest of the story. Once I started reading, it was difficult to stop reading and get some sleep. Once I reached the point where the Goa'uld invaded, I couldn't stop at all until I reached the end.
Review By [EmberQuill] • Date [30 Jun 11] • Rating [10 out of 10]
An aptly titled, if not utterly mind-bending story. Then again, what is "normal" anyway?
Within the context of the world that Joss Whedon created, I thought everything that transpired was quite plausible. For the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed the contrast between the sophisticated vocabulary of the narration and the syntax of the typical Buffy-centric dialogue.
Believe it or not, I was having some trouble following the plot until the Asgard arrived on the scene to put things into perspective. After that, the true scope of the story became apparent on an absolutely immense scale.
Considering the circumstances, your portrayal of Buffy struck me as quite genuine, but perhaps a bit more substantial than she ever was in canon. You have certainly flushed out the full potential of her character more than most stories tend to, but it was necessary given the nature of her role in the bigger picture.
Altogether, a very ambitious story. I'm impressed that you were able to effectively tie together so many elements of the two shows on such an enormous level. Anything less would have seemed too mundane.
Review By [iChaos] • Date [30 Jun 11] • Rating [7 out of 10]
I almost didn't finish reading this. The first two chapters were pretty much boring, but I'm glad I stayed with it cause it really got good starting with chapter 3 and just seemed to get better with every chapter. Thanks for writing this story and sharing it.
The only thing that could make it better would be to have someone review it and correct the typos and such.
Review By [maxthehobbit] • Date [16 Jun 11] • Rating [10 out of 10]
Started to add a review for a chapter here, and was flummoxed to see that this is *yet* another of those fics I've loved, read and re-read and never got around to reviewing. So very sorry.
* (Buffy:) "...people who have more ethics than your typical Nazi camp guard figure they’d prefer to work with others whose ethical standard is slightly above that of cretins who won’t question orders because they are ‘good Germans.’" ~ A superb take on the Nuremberg Defense. And...ermmm...thanks so much (very extremely belatedly) for writing this fic. :)
Review By [leelaa] • Date [19 Jan 11] • Rating [10 out of 10]
Scowling, Buffy wondered if it was a sign of maturity that she wasn’t hitting the annoying creature just on general principles, or an indication of her continuing lethargy and emotional detachment from life.
!
You sent a team of Slayers into North Korea and took out their nuclear weapons. You sent a team of Slayers into Iran and captured most of the leading clerics, let them know there was nowhere they could hide that you couldn’t reach, and if they used atomic weapons you would hunt them all down personally.
why all this taking out the nukes and leaving the head honchos at the top to continue to oppress their own people?
“The First is back?! I thought you killed it in Sunnydale?!” “I didn’t kill it, Dawn. It killed me... it’s been occupying my body ever since Sunnydale. You must have suspected it. I’d hate to think I sucked so badly as a sister that the most evil creature in the universe could take my place and you never even noticed it.”
My back is sore from all the patting I'm giving it
“You’ve got boobs! Wasn’t it enough that they gave you all that height?? No, they had to give you boobs as well!!” Glancing down at her own less-than-spectacular endowment, Buffy began mumbling to herself. “Damned monks. Celibate, austere priests my ass. I should have known the horny bastards would give her tits too…” As far as Dawn was concerned, that clinched it. Only Buffy would obsess about her cleavage at a time like this.
lol!
"But you need to know that I can’t do what I did before this time, Dawn. I can’t sacrifice billions of other people to save you. I want to be able to do that. I want to promise you that I’ll protect you above anything, that I’ll make it better. But I can’t. You should know that, and make your own plans accordingly.”
ouch but yeah
The problem is that you, as Dawn, think about a billion times faster than the Key part of you does. I sort of picture it as this giant, slow, subconscious warning system.
hmmm true?
" I thought you said you were dead?” “No, I said I died. Big difference. Especially when it comes to me. I seem to have a real problem staying dead.”
good line
“Dawn, Giles already knows I’m the First.” ... “No! He would never betray you! He was practically your father! You’re lying to me, trying to deceive me. You’re really the First…” ..."I don’t even blame him, really. It would be pretty hypocritical of me if I did, when I’m doing the same thing to him; putting the needs of the mission ahead of the needs of my friends. “I’ve become the Slayer he always wanted me to be. He would be so proud.”
ouch
But remember that the First knows you are the Key despite the spell making people forget it.
i thought the whole point was that the First didnt know Dawn was the Key
awesome fic!
Review By [lucyferr] • Date [12 Jul 10] • Rating [10 out of 10]
