As of right now, I cannot state enough how much I LOVE picascribit's fanfiction. Over the past two days I have read five of her fanfics, which I will now review for you. Now, these are all Marauders Era Harry Potter fanfiction. They are also all Slash -- that means there are characters in relationships who weren't in the actual canon of the series... and those characters are gay within the fiction. Well... I guess technically two of them are what picascribit describes as "preslash" but there you are. So if Sirius Black and Remus Lupin being in a relationship makes you queasy, I wouldn't read further.
I. A Conspiracy of Cartographers, Prologue & Year One (ACoC1 for short)
I've already reviewed the first two chapters of this in a previous blog post: HERE. Those two chapters make up the prologue part of the story. The next eighteen chapters fill in the first year The Marauders have at Hogwarts. ACoC1 was incredibly well written and sucked me in just as well as if JK Rowling herself had done it. The Marauders themselves -- James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew -- were all completely in character so far as the story goes. Also, Lily Evans (later to be Potter) was completely believable as Lily. Severus Snape, though, seemed a bit... violent... for being the age that he is. The wonderful rivalry between Snape and the Marauders was excellently portrayed. The characters of Gideon and Fabian Prewett very much resembled their nephews in pretty mcuh every aspect except their more serious, realistic sides.
The story of how The Marauders met and became fast friends was wonderfully crafted. Remus very much resembled Hermione Granger for most of it, but he was all himself despite the resemblence. I couldn't wait to read more about this set of Marauders and so I was very glad picascribit had gotten a good chunk of the second year underway.
II. A Conspiracy of Cartographers, Year Two (ACoC2 for short)
ACoC2 was just as engaging as the first installment. It's not finished yet, but I can't wait for the next chapters to come out. Each and everyone of the Marauders is slowly coming into being their older counterparts in a very satisfying way.
The story itself spends a good five chapters with the Marauders at home. Well, Sirius' home and James' home. We get an insight into how horrible Sirius' home life was and how he reacts to James' parents at first. It's lovely. They are then joined by Peter and Remus and have a little adventure in the Muggle world. I had several laugh out loud moments during this scene, which is why I mention it specifically. Sirius is just too cute having his first experience in 70s Muggle London.
One thing I do have to say was a downside to this part of the story is the Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher. I didn't expect to love them all in the least (thank you JK for Umbridge), however Professor Gandolfsson grates on my nerves. And again, Gideon and Fabian sound exactly, verbatum actually, like their nephews on the subject of having a former Auror for a Defence teacher.
Can't wait to see this one finished.
III. The Tropical Adventures of Moony and Padfoot
This one's a sequel to the next two fics I'm going to review, but you can read it without reading them first (I did). Basically, all you need to know about this one is that there are hijynxs, lots of them. Also, somewhat graphic sex in a couple places... so feel free to ignore that part, if you wish. The rest is very enjoyable. I'm not sure if Remus and Sirius are exactly in character, but I don't mind silliness on the part of the battered Sirius after his stint is Azkaban.
IV. Survior's Guilt: Padfoot's Tale
Ever wanted to know what Sirius was up to during Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban when he wasn't breaking into Gryffindor Tower? Well, be prepared with tissues... and for a lot of angst. Also, flashbacks to The Marauder's school days you may recognize from ACoC and some you won't. There's also a warning of some gay sex, but not so much as detracts from the story.
V. Survior's Guilt: Moony's Tale
The companion piece of the previous fiction, only from Remus' point of view instead. This one has some word for word inserts from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, interspersed with Remus' thoughts on those matters. Moony's Tale has some crossover with Padfoot's Tale, so it's rather rewarding to read both. Any warnings for this fic are the same as Padfoot's Tale. Seriously, stock up on tissues.
Love ya, Jessie
PS: Did you ever notice that they spelled "Moony" wrong on The Marauder's Map during the Prisoner of Azkaban movie? Don't know why I didn't notice it until this time around...
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