Reviewer: vincenthugo Signed [Report This]
Date: 06/23/2010 09:44 pm Title: Chapter 1

You’ve really contributed a lot to this website! Like I said earlier, I'm still a little new and just starting to really get into other people's great stories. You have a lot here; I assume it is ok to start with Embers of the Fire?

I think it’s really interesting that you and I have a similar tone and setup to our universes. That is, a post-Dominion war universe in which everyone must work together and deal with the aftermath of that war (although mine stretches out for decades). This seems to be largely ignored in most post-DS9 universes, in my view. I really like the picture you’ve painted of post-war Cardassia; and you’re right, it’s not just ‘800 million dead’ and that’s it; there are likely to be huge issues that Cardassia has to deal with following the Dominion occupation.

Vivid descriptions, a great setup, and I like the background of Captain Sandhurst. He feels very real. Looking forward to reading the rest!

Author's Response:

Thanks for reading!  Yes, the immediate post-war period got very short shrift in the 'canon' universe, owing to Voyager being on the opposite side of the galaxy.

I wanted to show what things were like in the socio-political quagmire that followed, where all the Alpha and Beta Quadrant powers are jostling for position in the power vaccum created by the near-collapse of the Cardassian Union and the weakening of the Romulans, the Klingons, and the UFP due to the war's losses.

I hope you continue to enjoy the story, and the series. :)

Reviewer: terminus Signed [Report This]
Date: 09/11/2009 10:45 am Title: Chapter 1

An excellent first installment of what will hopefully be an incredibly good series. I'll admit, when the focus ship in question turned out to be a Constitution Class, I had some major reservations about the series - but the reservations were quickly brushed aside when we met the main characters. Main characters are the be-all and end-all of a fanfiction series because, ultimately, it doesn't matter how cool your ship is or how brilliant in concept your plot is, if your protagonists suck then you're up a creek without a paddle. And, in that regard (and others), Gibraltar doesn't disappoint - we're presented with some interesting heroes, a traditional Big 3 (a la TOS) in Sandhurst, Ramirez and Pava along with a handful of background characters.

The Big 3 stand out - this is a story that's primarily about them (and whilst other series handle the ensemble act with skill, this show works with the focus on the ensemble) and they're interesting enough to stand out as 3D. I'm beginning to get the fascination that everyone had with Pava, comparing and contrasting him with Solly Brin, when I was ploughing my way through the Bluefin Chronicles.

But for me, there's something about Ramirez that interests me. I think it's her that I'm going to be interested in seeing development - especially as I know some of the future developments from reading Bluefin.

Kudos on a great opening story and now I'm pushing on to the second one.

Author's Response:

Thanks very much.  I'm glad you enjoyed the story and I hope you find the rest of the series equally compelling.

Reviewer: kes7 Signed [Report This]
Date: 08/20/2009 06:00 am Title: Chapter 1

Nice to get that glimpse inside Sandhurst's head as he takes on the challenge of his first command.  The detailed description of the post-war chaos and localized violence is realistic and gripping.

Author's Response:

Thank you for reading and commenting.  :)  Sandhurst is one of those people for whom the Dominion War created opportunities.  If not for the war, it's likely he would never have taken up the challenge of command.

Reviewer: PSGarak Signed [Report This]
Date: 08/11/2009 06:25 pm Title: Chapter 1

From the very beginning, we get to see that the widespread destruction left behind by the Dominion is going to be a burden on the entire Alpha Quadrant for quite possibly decades to come. Reluctant leaders like Sandhurst will be needed more than ever, and the mystery of the attack promises this will be a bumpy ride. Excellent beginning!

Author's Response:

Thank you for commenting!  Yes, the devastated worlds of Cardassia will prove a burden for the AQ powers for some time to come.  They dare not neglect them, however, for fear of what a spurned Cardassian Union might do in the decades ahead.

Reviewer: trekfan Signed [Report This]
Date: 05/26/2009 07:15 pm Title: Chapter 1

Whew...that was a whizbang chapter there.

Got to love the captain and certainly the Sojourner-what happened was obvioulsy a planned attack. Who or what is the question I have and I shall endeavor to find out!

 

Author's Response:

Yes, poor Sojourner certainly drew the short straw in that engagment.  Her crew undoubtedly deserved better.

Reviewer: SLWatson Signed [Report This]
Date: 02/14/2009 01:23 am Title: Chapter 1

Since it wasn't fair what was done to Hope Station, here's the feedback I left originally on Embers:

The organic nature you take right off with Sandhurst is a great start. He immediately comes across as being an individual, and not just a cookie-cutter one-off character. Right down to his former packrat mentality, and reluctant acceptance of command. And the anxiety that goes with a command.

The destruction of the Sojourner, for the most part, is horrific. I could only imagine the shock and terror that crew felt right before the vast majority of them were killed. You did a great job writing it, if it made me cringe and shake my head in shock like that.

Finally... hm. Broad-shouldered, black haired, (mostly) brown eyed, genius engineer. ::grins:: Case precedent suggests Sandhurst will be an awesome, awesome character.

Author's Response:

Thank you!  I very much appreciate you taking the time to re-post your original feedback here.