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Message-ID: <39263asstr$1037005806@assm.asstr-mirror.org>
From: Crimson Dragon <dcrimsonp@nym.alias.net>
Subject: {ASSM} {REVIEW} {Reviews} Crimson Reviews - #014 - 11-Nov-2002
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 04:10:06 -0500
Path: assm.asstr-mirror.org!not-for-mail
Approved: <assm@asstr-mirror.org>
Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories,alt.sex.stories.d
Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d

Hmmmm. Satire.

I'm honoured. I can't recall if my writing has ever been satirized
before. I must admit that I read sacs post with a smile upon
my face, and laughter in my heart. If nothing else, I suppose it
means that someone out there is paying attention. <grin>

'twas a nice Song Fest. I'll probably review a few of the stories
next issue. Thanks Dryad, and the ASSM moderation team.

- Crimson

------------------------------------------------------------------------
The missives below are merely opinions, publicly stated, but only 
opinions. Dragons may be immortal, but they are not infallible. Read the 
stories for yourself, and form your own opinions. Then, let the author 
know what you thought. Celeste's blowjob principle isn't smoke in the 
wind.

- Crimson Dragon (dcrimson@yahoo.com)

http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Crimson_Dragon/www
http://members.tripod.com/files/Authors/Dr/wwwagon_Of_Crimson

Review Archives:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Crimson_Reviews/www
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Story Summary:

Athelstan's Mercy -- smilodon thoughts
    (mf, pet, historical)
    [9,10,10,10]

Hand in Hand -- Desdmona 
    (Flash)
    [10,10,10,10]

Mystery Train -- Shon Richards 
    (MF)
    [8,10,10,10]

Reviews:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Athelstan's Mercy -- smilodon
  (mf, pet, historical)

http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Smilodoings/
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2002/39108

I must admit to a sense of loss. Rare is it that a series like 
smilodon's sagas of mediaeval England have reached out and grabbed
my attention. This latest, and unfortunately final, segment takes
place in 931 AD. Athelstan, Edward's heir, commands England.
In the north, he holds court.

Thori, a young Danish farmer and sometimes warrior, stands accused
of continuing a blood feud. You see, Thori's betrothed, the
beautiful Siggerith lies dead, the apparent victim of an hunting
accident. In the deepest shroud of night, Thori stands accused
of murdering the men found over her body. If Thori is convicted?
The penalty? Certain death. 

Athelstan steps into the court, and events twist and turn in
emotional turmoil. I'll leave you to discover the truths and
the lessons herein.

As usual, smilodon gives us a captivating and wonderfully
written tale. He even manages to bind it all together, full
circle, with characters and events from the first instalment.

Be warned. There is no heavy sex here, but the story doesn't
require it. What eros makes an appearance is appropriate, and 
subtle. Some of us don't require vivid descriptions of how tab A
slips into Slot B. Instead, subtle reference gives this story a
perfect eros content for me.

Overall, the technical aspects are excellent, though I
did note a few minor issues with words left over, or missing
entirely, from draft-mode.

[ Men have said that {was} Athelstan was womanish in his law-making. ]

[ This led, in turn, to more killing. Hereward once said that it was 
  not the killing that {the} offended Athelstan but the futility. ]

[ "Now, " said Athelstan, "Perhaps you will be good enough to tell us 
  here what you {?} not say in Court? ... ]

Smilodon does a beautiful job bringing his characters to life,
and giving us a glimpse into a long vanished world. That we might
learn something is only gravy. Thanks for the series, Smiley.
It's been a pleasure. Let's hope it isn't far in the future that
you deign to return to the Celts, and the Saxons, and the Danes.

Technical       :    9
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hand in Hand -- Desdmona (Flash)

http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Desdmona/www
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2002/39046

Two hands. A park bench. A street performer, strumming a guitar and
singing old Elvis tunes.

All of these come together to form the setting that revolves around
a pair of hands. Who ever knew that hands could be so expressive?

It's short, well written, and gives us something to think about.

Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mystery Train -- Shon Richards (MF)

http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/ShonRichards/www
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2002/39036

The mystery train arrives each night in front of his house.
The train is sixteen coaches long. Inside that train, Jane
rides, and welcomes him aboard. Through rain forests, and plains,
through frozen hinterlands and deserts and city streets.
And all the while, he falls in love with the girl on the
mystery train. But will he ever have her? Better listen
to the song.

The sex here is light, even while the story spins around
it. I liked the lyrical quality of the piece, and the 
imagery, and the character.

A few technical issues, but nothing to really distract too
much.

[... knew about the train but she would tell me {nnothing} 
  except that the train she rides is sixteen coaches long. ]

[ The train {speed} through great forests and a barren {dessert} 
  that first night. ]

Shon. Shon. Shon. I noticed a few areas where you let verb tense
slip, but this was the most glaring.  I suspect you meant: "sped".
That pesky 'e' key sticking again?

Oh, and I assume that you didn't mean that the train sped through
a barren plate of ice cream and apple pie. Right? "Desert" is the
place without rain.

A fun story, and the tie into the Elvis song helps us along. I
want to ride the mystery train.

Technical       :    8
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

-- 
Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyright with all rights
reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.
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