Penname: Anastasia_G [Contact]

Real name:

Member Since: January 10 2012

Membership status: Member

Bio:

Blogger, writer, partner, cook, transnational woman of color and unapologetic fangirl :)




[Report This]
Reviews by Anastasia_G


Rated: Teen or Above
starstarstarstarstar
[Reviews - 120]
Summary:

Guinevere has triumphed over test and difficulties she never expected and crossed the southeastern border of Camelot into strange lands. Having lost everything upon which she had hoped to build her new life without friends and family how will she survive?

It has been a mere two weeks since Guinevere departed Camelot in a cloud of scandal and shame and the ripples of events of that fateful day are only starting to be felt..How will King Arthur and the knights of the round table cope with a hostile nobilty bent on using the actions of Guinevere and Lancelot against all common folk?

stories/1992/images/GwenAlone05ChamberSized.jpg



Table of Contents
Categories: Primetime Television
Characters: Guinevere
Classification: Alternate Universe
Genre: Action-Adventure , Fantasy, Romance
Story Status: None
Pairings: Gwen/Arthur (Merlin)
Warnings: Adult Situations, Original Characters, Work in Progress
Series: None
Chapters: 15
Completed:No
Word count: 66948
Read Count: 82862
Published: January 26 2012
Updated: August 16 2012


Title: Chapter 8: The Exile, Part II, Chapter VII: The Air In Camelot

We're on the same schedule again! :) I'm so happy with what you're doing with Elyan. Now here's an Elyan I can genuinely root for. Tilda's story was terribly sad, but I'm glad she shared it with Gwaine and Elyan. I almost did a fist-bump in the air when Elyan offered his resignation.
I also like how you're dealing with the bracelet plot...can't wait for the enchantment to be revealed.

Keep up the great work!



Author's Response:

Thanks dear.

Now here's an Elyan I can genuinely root for.

This was my goal. :)

Tilda needs some hugs and to get away from her husband poor thing.

Reviewer: Anastasia_G Signed
Date: April 22 2012

Title: Chapter 7: Chapter 6: A New Life

I forgot to add: I love the flashback with Morgana. I despise how the show handled their relationship. Despite the steep difference in power and privilege between them, I think a skilful writer could explore the mutual affection and nuance of their friendship: much like you've done here. There's something incredibly poignant for me about how their friendship was torn apart: in a male-centric show, it would have been nice to have a well-developed, albelt conflicted/complicated, woman/woman friendship. Anyway, this is another reason I'm grateful we have fanfic, and fanfic writers like you :)



Author's Response:

That flashback was one of those ideas that comes out of nowhere and hits you like a thunderbolt.I wrote so many versions of this chapter and this was the last one. When I wrote that flashback I knew it had to go into the story.

Anyway, this is another reason I'm grateful we have fanfic, and fanfic writers like you :)

Thank you.

Reviewer: Anastasia_G Signed
Date: April 12 2012

Title: Chapter 7: Chapter 6: A New Life

Oooooh so exciting! The travels of Guinevere nee Jenafere. Can I just say, I absolutely love how this story has developed. Not only are you developing and complexifying Guinevere's relationships with the men of Camelot, but you're also (very skillfully, I might add) using her experience as a map for exploring societies and strcutures outside of the white patriarchal Euro-centric norm that Camelot often embodies. Simply brilliant. If this were a book, I would buy it so hard.  Wyeledon is extremely well-realized: I honestly wanted to take a stroll through the market and have tea with Ms.Alfonsa. I love how cosmopolitan it is.

Anyway, you already know this, but I love love love Guinevere's journey :)



Author's Response:

Thank you for reading and commenting.

"but you're also (very skillfully, I might add) using her experience as a map for exploring societies and strcutures outside of the white patriarchal Euro-centric norm that Camelot often embodies"

 

I'm glad you noticed this especially. :)

Reviewer: Anastasia_G Signed
Date: April 12 2012

Title: Chapter 1: Part 1,Chapter 1 The Departure

Reviewing again because I have more to say after reading your response :) The way you've woven a sociopolitical consciousness throughout this story is just wonderful; my favourite type of Arwen/Gwen-centric fic is the type that really pushes us to consider the sociopolitical realities of Camelot (in ways that the show isnt able to or chooses not to do). So the council scene and the nobility using Gwen's actions to solidify their power and erase her influence rings so true to my reading of these characters, and really does justice to the fictional universe of Camelot.

I can't stand fic that writes Gwen as a Bella Swan-esque figure whose primary goal is romance. I swear I read a fic where the kingdom was crumbling around them and Gwen was literally like 'I don't care. All I care about is getting back together with Arthur'. I stopped reading then. I tried to have my own story focus exclusively on the ARWEN romance but as soon as I started writing I knew that the ARWEN romance is a product of its context, shaped by the obligations, loyalities and destinies of Arthur and Gwen and the people they love. Anyway, what I'm trying to get to in a really roundabout way, is that your story resonates with a real socoipolitical consciousness that honors the spirit of these characters and I lok forward to watching your story unfold :)



Author's Response:

I sent you an email response :)

 

Reviewer: Anastasia_G Signed
Date: April 02 2012

Title: Chapter 6: Part 2, Chapter 5, Class Warfare

Yay you updated! I really like that you're giving us more of Elyan (I'll never forgive the Merlin writers for the travesty of his characterisation in 4x09). Can I also say I think the class warfare piece is brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Not only are you showing us Guinevere's potential as a great queen, but also the implications of her queenship for the nobility and the lesser-fortunate subjects. I love when fanfic explores Gwen's capability as a policy maker, and you've done it wonderfully. Keep at it!



Author's Response:

Initially I was so frustrated with Elyan that I wanted to pretend he didn't exist. Then I decided to find a way to empathize with him. Now that I have done that I can actually write reams of back story on him, his worsening relationship with his elder sister, not to mention his parents, his feelings about the country of his birth, etc...I'm not so keen on what the writers have done or haven't done with Elyan, but their failure leaves me with lots to do. :)

Thanks for your wonderful and encouraging words.I was a little uncertain about delving into politics and such, but I think that doing so puts all of the character's actions and choices into better perspective. I read about half of the Children of Avalon this morning, I'll  read the rest this evening.

 

Reviewer: Anastasia_G Signed
Date: April 02 2012

Title: Chapter 2: Part 1 Chapter 2 On the Road

I really liked Tilda's solidarity with Gwen, due to her own sister being an adulteress. I hated how the 'Merlin' writers dealt (or didn't deal. cowards) with the sexist implications of Gwen's banishment. I love that you have her going on a journey, both a phsyical one and a figurative one of self-discovery. Keep writing!



Author's Response:

Thank you for the review. Arthurian legend is IMHO rather sexist anyway so I wasn't suprised  that Merlin would also be sexist. In some ways though the enchantment and banishment are less sexist than the legend has been in the past. With Guinevere and Lancelot's affair over and done with for the first time in about 700 years Guinevere will not be responsible for the fall of Camelot. While I know some viewers are disappointed by the enchantment not being revealed I think it was important for Arthur to realize he wanted to be with Gwen in spite of the supposed affair, many men can never forgive a woman for that. I wish some things had been handled differently thats why I'm writing this fic. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy and I do agree some aspects of this storyline were definitely cowardly.

Reviewer: Anastasia_G Signed
Date: February 01 2012

Title: Chapter 10: Chapter 9, In the Mourning

My dear, this chapter is so fantastic I don't know where to start. First of all, Kilgarrah the single parent!!!!! That was so cute and endearing, and of course the truth bombs he was dropping for Merlin were just perfect sassy Kilgarrah.

And now...Arthur. You've really really outdone yourself here. My heartstrings are all askew, that's how much the Arthur sections tugged them. Strawberry jam, and the bracelet he bought her cos he was jealous...T-T...really I just...very few fics actually furnish Arthur's POV during the exile in a manner that evokes my empathy or sorrow, and you've managed it masterfully. The way he loves and desires Guinevere, as well as the remorse he feels, came through clear as sunlight on a spring day. I just...I have no words for this glorious update. **hugs**



Author's Response:

Thank you.I really had fun with Kilgarrah he's a little like fandom's voice to the series but with a ridiculously energetic toddler-aged dragon for a sidekick. :)

 

*hugs back* writing Arthur throughout this is both hard and easy.

Reviewer: Anastasia_G Signed
Date: June 15 2012

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.