Reviews for Spectrum Series Part One: Prisms Anon 2008-01-15 id # 7093 You're right. We will thank you. Or I will. This has long been a favourite story of mine, one I come back to time and time again. Glad to see it getting posted here. Thank you for doing so. -Chris- Lurker 2008-01-15 id # 7096 That was quite a shock, even with the warning in the summary. I find that sometimes fan fiction tends to parade rape around like it's the dish of the day and everyone gets a slice. It's kinda scary how easily desensitized you become after a few crap stories featuring some deeply sick or just plain corny fantasies. So it's a testament to your 'Prisms' that it's managed to actually make an impression on me. You turned rape from a poorly over used cliche into the harrowing, traumatic event it truly is. And you did it through the eyes of a vampire. I think I'll be reading the rest of this story with great interest... Hope you post more soon. Rin 2008-01-15 id # 7098 I agree. This is still one of the best stories in the entire verse. shadowcub 2008-01-15 id # 7100 I missed this story, it got me worked up and I couldn't finish it, glad to see it though and maybe get to finish it. Ahn 2008-01-15 id # 7101 Flay alive me and stake me it's, Mad-Hamlet! I thought you were gone forever. Glad to see I was wrong. The way you tell it through Spike's eye gives intimacy to the story. I can feel the emotions of the characters as I read the words. I haven't read this story in along time, but it's one that can be read many times. Thanks for reposting it. I'm anxiously awaiting more. Ahn bigtomato 2008-01-16 id # 7106 I remember crying when i first read this story. Very well written. Mad-Hamlet mad-hamlet@usa.net 2008-01-16 id # 7107 This is all.... So very far from over. Anon 2008-01-16 id # 7111 First time I've seen this story and it's great! I hope you write more. Ahn 2008-01-16 id # 7112 The emotion you create in your stories is just unbelievable! It all feel so real, that I think I actually got a couple tears. That's an accomplishment that not many if any has achived before. Thanks for the more. It really is appreciate your writing. Ahn Lurker 2008-01-17 id # 7113 The odd typo aside, this account of Buffy's slow and horrified realization of what had happened to her friend was very well written. You really captured that spiraling sense of dread. The fact we already knew what she was just learning, made the impact all the more powerful. Willow's attempt to compensate her pain by comparing it to all the ordeals she had faced in the past was simply heartbreaking. I hope they haven't killed Willow's Truth. bslayed 2008-01-17 id # 7116 Great story! I'm interested in where you take this. Whedonist whedonistic.tendencies@gmail.com 2008-01-18 id # 7118 This will be the 3rd...or perhaps 4th reading of this story...I'm so glad to see that your re-posting it...it didn't get the reception it richly deserved last time around. For what is up now, I just...okay so Spike not my favorite character (see season 6) but you actually make me like the guy. If only for the fact that you have given him a smidgen of respectability from his reaction to Willow's rape. With Buffy's chapter, wow kinda comes to mind. You nailed the reactions of someone in her position. Excellent work. Thank you for an amazing story and I will look forward to re-reading the rest of the chapters. Whedonist Valyssia 2008-01-18 id # 7119 Speaking for the new generation of Buffyverse fiction authors, I will say this is what we aspire to. Violence without brutality. Drama without pushing the melodramatic. A crisp sense of wit in the face of adversity. Just enough exposition to give the world form. Beautiful characterizations that make story come to life. Mad Hamlet you wrote the recipe for perfection with this single piece. I happily await your wrath. Val willow 2008-01-19 id # 7125 "Blue" is my favourite chapter so far. I like how Willow looked back on things that had happened to her in the past, trying to make the rape seem less painful, at least in front of Buffy. And I'm intruiged about "The Truth", it seems there's something more than "I love you, Buffy," behind it. And... "You're alive, hurting but alive and I will be with you until the hurting stops." - Awww! I also like how you've involved Giles in "Purple". Most fanfic writers tend to just add Giles in when it's convenient, but I think you've perfectly captured the father figure he was intended to be. "...and I can take some satisfaction in the fact that Hell didn't either. This little escapade is all human." - This quote is brilliant. I don't care how simple the context may seem, it made a real impact. To put it bluntly, this fic is fantastic; one of my favourites, and it's only just started. Can't wait for the next chapter! Ahn 2008-01-20 id # 7127 Giles reaction to finding out about Willow is very true to character. I love seeing Ripper. Thanks again for posting this story I forgot how intense it is. Ahn Anon 2008-01-20 id # 7128 Very intense story and lovin it. Seeing 3 different peoples views on the same thing is an interseting take on a story. It shows how one thing can effect so many different people. Lurker 2008-01-21 id # 7129 Fantastic Giles chapter! Despite the darkness of the fic, I really enjoyed his sarky banter with Spike about the puppies and so on. Buffy's phone call was quite stark and disturbing. I wonder how Spike knew she'd phone like that? I guess Giles embracing his inner Ripper was pretty much a necessary evil. I don't think he'd be able to punish Willow's rapists the way they deserve when he's fettered with pesky Watcher ethics and morals. Buffy basically wants to kill them, so I wonder how far they will take their vengeance on Willow's behalf... Great work and can't wait to see who you focus on next. Mad-Hamlet mad-hamlet@usa.net 2008-01-22 id # 7132 Greetings, >>I happily await your wrath. Anticipation is the crux to pleasure. >>'m intruiged about "The Truth", it seems there's something more than "I love you, Buffy," behind it. There are no truths, only perspectives. >>"Blue" is my favourite chapter so far. I think mine is 'Orange'. Oh that's right, I haven't posted it yet. Tsk, lazy, lazy Hamlet. >>I will say this is what we aspire to. Violence without brutality. Drama without pushing the melodramatic. A crisp sense of wit in the face of adversity. Just enough exposition to give the world form. Beautiful characterizations that make story come to life. Very well said and worthy goals of aspiration; there should be a colon between we aspire to and violence. What?! I'm a perfectionist! So sue me.(Sad thing is some people out there would!) >>I just...okay so Spike not my favorite character (see season 6) but you actually make me like the guy. I actually like Spike quite a bit. There's a lot that can be done with him; he's a wonderful agent-provocateur. In terms of actual Canon- it took a massive amount of reflection and reading to truly 'Get' what was going on in S6 and S7 and parts of it were handled pretty clumsily but the end result was an extremely complex character evolved quite carefully. Not that that excuses the massive amount of Spuffy tripe foisted upon us by the cerebrally handicapped but, let's be honest here with the poor inbred dears, all they see is the physical. What better proof do you need for their own limitations and better reason to discard their 'efforts' unread and unmourned? >>I wonder how Spike knew she'd phone like that? As he said, lucky guess and an extreme sense of dramatic timing. >>so I wonder how far they will take their vengeance on Willow's behalf... That would be telling. I remain, as always, Mad-Hamlet Valyssia 2008-01-22 id # 7133 >>Very well said and worthy goals of aspiration; there should be a colon between we aspire to and violence. >>What?! >>I'm a perfectionist! >>So sue me.(Sad thing is some people out there would!) Nice to see you continue to hone your skills. We will have that 'face off' one of these days. Val willow 2008-01-23 id # 7135 Yes, very lazy Hamlet! I think you should just put the whole story up at once; I'm addicted, which says alot. Never needed a "fix" from a piece of writing before. You're dialogue's great in this chapter (Green). I can so imagine Spike saying: "Oh nice entrance Harris, two thumbs up for dramatic overtones." Apart from the odd typo here and there, another brilliant chapter! I'm also quite interested to see what kind of view Anya has on this. (If she is in this story) Keep up the good work. =] Ahn 2008-01-23 id # 7136 Great chapter. I loved seeing Xanders reation to what happened to a life long friend. Also how the 3 men who are so different come together. Ahn Lurker 2008-01-25 id # 7151 Two shiny new updates! Wheee! Green- It's the eyes of the Zeppo. I liked how Xander has made ignorance an art form, something that was passed on from the legacy of his parents. His musings seemed bitter and slightly castigating. I'm guessing he's thinking about Willow and their drifting friendship of season 4. Ironically, it seems his regrets become a lot less easier to ignore when he's alone in his basement of woe. The time displacement to denote his shock and dangerous hysteria was very nicely done. I'm not sure if the colours of each chapter are meant to represent anything, but for me the 'green' definitely suits Xander's nausea. Orange- Powerful stuff. It's heartening to see that despite her ordeal, Willow still maintains enough strength of her will to eventually defy the knee-jerk response to act just like another typical rape victim. Granted, she's still very traumatized and afraid, but she has turned that fear into the driving force that is giving her the courage to face her tormentors. Plus having a Slayer, a vampire , a best friend and a Ripper on her side certainly helps. It's clear Willow is still a victim. But she's a victim with a small but powerful army. And she wants peace of mind. I'm guessing things are not going to go well for the bad guys... Loved the 'hands' nightmare. It was very fitting. The mini-Wiffy hurt/comfort moments were also appropriately bitter sweet. >>so I wonder how far they will take their vengeance on Willow's behalf... That would be telling. Oh, you have no idea how very, veeeery tempted I was to read the completed work. However, it's not always the destination that counts and I'm rather enjoying this dark and twisted journey... so I won't spank my inner spoiler monkey just yet. Looking forward to the next chapter. Ahn 2008-01-27 id # 7156 Your chapters always leave me speechless. The emotion you use is always strong and believable. Not many people can pull of a true Spike but let me say you do a great job with him. Ahn willow 2008-01-27 id # 7157 You were right; "Orange" is the best chapter... So far, anyway. I love that you've given Willow the "I'm not going to be a typical rape victim" attitude. Anon 2008-01-29 id # 7159 Great way to show what each character feels from what happened to Willow. Now we finally get to Willow's thoughts on what happen. You can feel everything she does. I'm enjoying the read. It's great. Ahn 2008-01-29 id # 7165 Those boys got what they deserved. I liked that each scoobie got a chance to beat those guys down. It's great that Willow really didn't lose her her truth and that she got to say. Still one of the best stories out there. Ahn willow 2008-02-01 id # 7173 End? AMAZING story. Last chapter - definitely the best! I loved Spike's point of view's; they tipped the darkness scale way high. Very clever ending; Buffy being able to kill them without all the guilt. Sequel? Soon? Yes? Good. =] Mad-Hamlet mad-hamlet@usa.net 2008-02-01 id # 7175 Greetings, End? You wish. And believe me, when I'm through you'll truly, truly wish it had been. Heh, allow me a moment to 'borrow' from the source. You think you know what my work is, what is to come. You haven't even begun. I remain, as always, Mad-Hamlet Lurker 2008-02-04 id # 7189 Catch up time... Red- Brutal and deeply satisfying. I enjoyed the inner workings of Spike's mind and his delightfully twisted logic. There's a sense of the shadowy revenant of the Victorian gentleman behind the ever sarky caustic evil demon. It makes him both an amusing and rather likable anti-hero. Gotta say, I expected the beating but not the death. I'm glad Willow's Truth was able to save Buffy from committing murder, that's better left to the experts like Spike anyway. His intervention was very well played. Yellow- The eyes of a rapist. A drunk, sloppy, not so reluctant accomplice. It's chilling how casually he and his friend destroy a young woman, then consider doing it again. I wonder if the 'Yellow' represents the colour of their cowardice or the long streak of piss that was no doubt leaving their bodies as they both met their sticky ends... White- Nice bookend to 'Black'. We began with a tragedy and end with a secret that will hopefully bring a positive closure. Loved the Wiffy. Loved this story. It was absolutely and completely a delight to read and well worth de-lurking for. Cheers! *off to read 'Forge'* Ahn 2008-02-05 id # 7192 That's a great ending to the first part of the series. Looking forward to starting to read the 2nd part.