Name: tory reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 12:02 pm
love it love it love it love it! update asap pleaseee! i love everthing u write, its addicting!
Name: imelda reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 11:55 am
OK, I reread a bit, and I've changed my mind. I don't HATE Draco Malfoy. I like that he is wise enough to respect Ginny (whereas the rest of the student body probably thinks she's an idiot), and I appreciate that he has some values, made clear by his reaction to the attempted rape.
But I don't like him yet. I look forward to liking him, because I'm sure you'll do a good job of developing his character. So far you've done a fantastic job with Ginny's, and Hermione's (I'm glad you included her!), and I'm even intrigued by what we've seen of Blaise.
So...yeah. I'm still looking forward to the next update!
Oh--and how could I have forgotten?? Ginny's interactions with Snape are PRICELESS. Pure gold. I'm not really sure why she does it, and I'm a bit surprised Snape isn't more popular in this Slytherin-dominated school dynamic, but her taunting of him is just so damn enjoyable. As are his reactions.
Name: imelda reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 11:45 am
Ginny is INCREDIBLE!! While I wish you hadn't had her say 'bring it on,' and I think it was a bit ridiculous of her to wage a war against the entire school, I *loved* seeing her punch Draco, and it was so exhilirating to watch her finally stand up to him, unafraid. She's phenomenal. *Textbook* Gryffindor.
You know, I was totally surprised by this fic. As a rule, I don't read AUs, and certainly not (please don't be offended!) AUs inspired by manga. But I am so glad I read this, because the world you have created is fascinating, Ginny is such a heroically strong character, and I can't wait to see where it goes.
My only constructive criticism? Well, I just want to encourage you to keep it within the realm of the realistic. Like, while this last scene was awesome, you took it a bit too far. In the world you've created, I think that Ginny would have gotten jumped by the entire school body after knocking their 'king' to the ground. And, like I said, a one-person war against all of Hogwarts? A bit much.
OK, I have a second constructive criticism-- personally, I think you went a bit too quickly with the Draco's-really-a-softy on the inside bit. While of course there's got to be more to him, as he's the heroine's counterpart of this fic, I was pretty shocked by their conversation in the Hog's Head. They'll tolerate the bad treatment of guys because it's only 'petty pranks'? Huh? From what we've seen of their blacklisting, they go way beyond petty pranks, and Draco gets a kick out of it. That scene of him making a that student punch Michael Corner was really strong, and you've got to give us way more than 'we want to be different from our dads' to make us believe in Draco. Right now, I hate him, and would rather see more of Blaise. And also, I don't understand this preternatural aversion the Slytherins have to hitting girls, no matter what the situation is. For one, they are cruel arseheads so it is hard to believe, but for another, if a girl hits them I can't believe they wouldn't hit back.
But I hope these critiques are helpful, and not hurtful, because I think this fic is great and...basically just want it to be perfect.
Those are just my opinions, though.
Oh, and another thing-- while it was fun seeing Ginny punch Draco, don't you think it was also a bit much? Ginny is so powerful with words--they are her strongest weapon, in this world where not a single person has had the courage to stand up to the ruling groups. While I imagine she'll have to gather more arms for the future struggle, I think that seeing her tell of Malfoy was much more powerful than seeing her deck him.
This is a very long review. But I can't stop thinking about your story, and turning it over and over in my mind. While I guess I have critiqued a lot of things, my overall impression is COMPLETELY positive; more than positive, so far I think this fic is riveting! I hope you do update "very soon" because I am waiting on tenterhooks for more!!!!
PS-- How much of the fic comes from that manga you mentioned, and how much from your imagination? It might be helpful/interesting if you made that clear in the Author's Notes.
Thanks for posting this fic!!
Author's Response: I really appreciate your comments! I'm trying to decide how best to respond, because I have SO much to say, because you touch on so many things that I've AGONIZED over while writing this fic, and some of it has to do with info that hasn't been revealed quite yet and some character development that won't necessarily come to light for a little while... If you don't have any objections, I may use this review to write a post on my LiveJournal and discuss all this there - it really helps me to work out my thoughts on character development and stuff...
but again, thanks for taking the time to offer such a well-thought out critique, you've touched one some of the biggest dilemmas that I have writing the fic...
Name: Laura reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 11:11 am
Oh very nice, I'm loving this fic, I even went and started to watch Hana Yori Dango, it's so addictive! Looking forward to your next update!
Name: Birdofpray09 reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 11:08 am
Yes! SHE PUNCHED HIM! Score 1 for Ginny! I'm so nervous about what's going to happen, but so excited at the same time. I'm starting to see, I think, how Draco is going to start noticing her more and more.
I love cracked out ficcage. At least, this ficcage. Lol.
Name: Embellished reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 10:42 am
Hee hee! Go Ginny! I'm sure that standing up for herself will just bring her more misery, but at least she is doing something. What a great chapter! Thanks for the update.
Name: Jaden Malfoy reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 10:24 am
all i can say is YES! GO GINNY! can't wait for more, i love this!
Name: Kisou reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 10:19 am
I can't wait to see how Draco reacts, and even more, how Blaise reacts. Thier little game is getting much more complicated now, isn't it.
Name: hanabisama reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 10:09 am
GO GINNY!! I wasn't expecting that little curve ball, but it was great! With every chapter this fic just gets better and better.
Name: snarkydoodles reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 09:55 am
Oops, she's just lost Zabini, hasn't she?
Name: Phaedra7veils reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 09:25 am
Huzzah Rebel/Ginny! Foment that national revolution. Be free, little bat-bogeys.
Author's Response: Huzzah!
Name: Dora Weasley reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 09:09 am
That was so freaking awesome!! I think that was one of the greatest, most delicious moments I've ever read in a fanfic. I'm so excited to see what happens next! I'm so great that Ginny hit him! I totally wasn't expecting that either. Okay, just to get something clear, Blaise Zabini's 'thing' is just that he's a more decent Slytherin than the rest, right? There's not much more to him than that? That's the impression I get anyway. I can't wait to read the next chapter! Very well-written stuff!
Author's Response: Thank you very much!
And Blaise will just have to remain a mystery for a little while longer...
Name: McKenzieMac reviewed
Stepping Up the Game on May 26, 2006 08:59 am
hehehe bring it on.....