Emily Ann posted a comment on Monday 12th February 2007 10:31am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Nice author's note! It was masterfully handled-a perfectly stinging response to stinging reprimands. I must confess, I may be in the category of those 'prejudiced against Christianity.' When I was a baby, a Christian fundamentalist tried to kill me and my mother, because we were 'serving the Devil.' Also, much of my other experience with Christians have been in reference to hateful tendencies, like gay-bashing. I consider these perversions of God's true word, and it is my wariness of these perversions that inspire my 'prejudicial' tendencies. I don't agree with everything you've put in your story, but I think that without the controversial elements, your story would be much degraded. I'm very liberal in my beliefs, though conservative in my behavior. While I don't think that the world view depicted in your story is necessarily realistic, even I can't deny that your story is masterfully crafted and well-written.

Where do you live? I'm pretty sure you're an American, maybe even a Wisconsinite like myself, but I'm not sure. Your conservative politics are nearly as clear in this story as your Christian beliefs. Perhaps we will meet sometime in real life, on opposite sides of the campaign road.

I'm toying with the idea that what has always been called 'faith' in conventional religon could better be called 'love.' You can be faithful to your wife without really loving her. But love of a woman/man/God compells faith. This could serve to nip the more extreem, hateful forms of Christianity in the bud, while helping to make it easier to understand by those on the outside. Speaking as one on the outside, some of the extreme 'Christians' are more frightening than Satanists, and the 'language' of Christianity seems like a barrier between those who are on the inside and those who are on the outside.

Oh, and one more response to those who believe that God doesn't belong in literature--since for generations religon has been what people have built their lives on, it can be said that religon is life. To exclude religon from literature is impossible.

That quirky, overly-philosophical, fanfiction-fiending college kid,
Emily Ann

leonard posted a comment on Friday 9th February 2007 11:18pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

eu sunt fanu tau nr.1 harry potter!

sanghamitra posted a comment on Thursday 8th February 2007 3:34pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

God You've been bitten bad. Don't worry I think people who come to this site come for the authors present, as each have proven themselves in some other site. You have quality enough to write what ever you please. Magic, Myth & religion have alway been intertwined and would always remains so. You cannot swim without getting wet. So go ahead and write whatever you want whichever way you want.

My opinion : Both ( rather all) religions are extremely well thought and structured but the proponents of Islam/Christianity have been a race of expansionists Arabs/Romans and a bit of their bloodthirst and the syndrome of "Chinese whisper" along with "Who knows God Better" have almost ruined what they (the religions) could have done for humans in general.
That said it has become common to mistake God for religion and vice versa. God is a divine being, religion is a protocol at best, recorded history at most. NOT the same thing.
So, in a age of where being Politically Correct is "Cool", people might suddenly make such inane demands of You and YOUR story but so long as you know what is right,( not what you believe or think might be right), you can very well write it and put it to public notice.

Rebel Goddess posted a comment on Wednesday 7th February 2007 1:34am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I absolutely adored the scene with the vampires. Superb chapter. I especially liked poor Harry's breakdown at the very end since it seemed so very natural. Not quite 100% sure of Ginny being as smart as Hermione but it works within the context of the story and is good character development. More please. Excellent story.

Finally I wanted to express my solidarity with you on the subject of religion in HP. The ONLY time I've ever thought that a fanfiction went too far in the introduction of Christian themes in to an otherwise secular world was one I read based around Smallville in ff.net and that was only because the author made it central to Superman's development that he prayed every day. JKR is very definite about the subject of souls, dark rites (which are virtually Satanic) and afterlife - they exist and are an integral part of her world. I hope you never have reason to need another ranting author's / beta's note at the end of a chapter on the subject of religious nuts (both atheistic and theistic).

Wolf550e posted a comment on Saturday 3rd February 2007 9:57pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

review here:
http://templateworks.blogspot.com/2007/02/harry-finds-jesus.html

Asad posted a comment on Saturday 3rd February 2007 6:05am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I just finished reading this fic from start to the current chapter and must say I love it! This is a wonderful tale you are telling and while there were admittedly some places where I was a bit annoyed, overall, this is on par with some of the best fics I have read.

The pace of the relationships with regard to Harry is wonderful; no jumping and kissing the living daylights out of each other right from the first chapter.

Furthermore, I enjoy your portrayal of Dumbledore, particularly the reasons behind his actions. While I generally like Dumbledore-bashing fics, I enjoyed your portrayal of him quite a bit.

On thing I noticed is that reading the last two chapters, there hasn't been much mention of Steph Granger or the lessons Harry has with him. I would like that to be written too if it fits in nicely with your plot.

I eagerly look forward to an update. You have me hooked to this fic.

amulder posted a comment on Thursday 1st February 2007 3:43am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Still amazed that you can write two diverging stories at once without confusing them...

love the vampire scene and the "dismissing" of Fudge...

Evan Mayerle posted a comment on Thursday 1st February 2007 12:06am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

About those spells on the coach, if Harry figures out a way to make them last for several hours without any further input, the UK MOD, as well as other national defence establishments, would pay him quite handsomely for his services. In combination with natural methods of signature reduction, it could do wonders for "stealth" and associated combat and reconnaisance capabilities. *smile* I should know, I've worked a number of low-observables programs over the years.

Patches posted a comment on Tuesday 30th January 2007 4:41pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I am really enjoying these stories. I like them both but I am a pretty solid H/G fan. I like the way Ginny sticks up for Harry's ideals and doesn't argue with him about everything the way Hermione does. I also enjoy the contrast so please continue with both stories. I really liked the Vampire negotiations. That was great. I like Fudge looking like a fool, however he is really going to be insufferable over this one because Harry didn't make him look good. I'm glad Dumbledore told Harry about the island where so many suffered and died. It explains a lot about Dumbledore and why he is the way he is. I think it also made Harry feel better about forgiving Dumbledore. I am glad Dumbledore comforted Harry after the negotiations. That would be a hard thing for anyone to get through not to mention a 16 year old who already feels the weight of the world on his shoulders. That was a great description of Harry protecting the Vampire's after one had almost bitten him. What a great scene. Please keep writing. I really want to read the "rest of the stories." You are doing a great job. Thanks. pms

Rich posted a comment on Tuesday 30th January 2007 11:04am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Not really got time to write much (its now 1 am and i have a 9 oclock lecture tomorrow morning!)
But just wanted to quickly post and say how ive enjoyed this chapter, the historical background was excelent as usual, and the politics very well done.

Loving this more frequent update pace :) and really look forward to the next chapted.

Jason9 posted a comment on Tuesday 30th January 2007 5:53am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Just wanted to get caught up on reviews if I haven't already. I may have already reviewed this chapter, but I can't remember, so I'll do it again. I never realized that there was such prejudice and hate against Christians in fanfic. This is currently my most checked for updates fanfic, and Kokopelli is one of my all time favoirite authors, who doesn't update NEARLY enough. To hear that the both of you suffer the absolute idiocy of such closed-minded bigotry is upsetting to me to say the least. I thought it was bad enough that I'm told constantly by my pastor and other christian friends that I shouldn't expose myself to the "sin" that these types of stories represent, but to be kicked off what I thought was a respectable fanfiction site upsets me greatly. Personally I have been working on a very religiously heavy fanfic, and was about to start trying to get it posted now that I am approaching completion, and I'd always hoped to be able to start a correspondance with other authors who shared the same views and values that I do. Now I'm concerned that my story will be denied and removed because of its focus on Christianity. If you ever need someone to rant at about people giving you a hard time about your beliefs, feel free to contact me, I attend a University that has a disturbingly small number of active Christians for such a large school. Unfortunately, what we seem to have an abundance of are people willing to belittle us, tear us down, and try to corrupt and pull good people into doing disturbing things. I try to remain open-minded in all things, but I'm starting to get sick of the anti-christian attitude that seems to be everywhere now. So please, continue writing your stories with as much faith as you feel, and know that you'll always have a reader in me.

-J

speedy_86 posted a comment on Tuesday 30th January 2007 1:35am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Hey there fabulous chapter, I love the way you write.

Concerning your rant at the end of this chapter...well I understand you. I may not be overly religious and in my opinion everyone is free to believe whatever they want as long as they don't act on the more violent manifestations, like the satanism you mentioned, which in some extreme cases asks for lives to be taken etc. Additionally everyone who thinks pentagrams are satanic symbols should visit wikipedia and take a look.

Well thats my 2 cents referring to your rant.

Keep up the good job and don't let idiots like those on this other site bother you, they just don't know what they're missing.


Greets

speedy

Matt T posted a comment on Monday 29th January 2007 9:00pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Hey, nothing against the use of religion.... hey, if it gives some of the characters more depth without fundamentally changing their personalities, i'm all for it. If you make Voldemort a catholic priest with a prediliction for youngsters, we might have a problem, but till then keep up your excellent work so far. Oh, one quibble.... the satanists corrupted a perfectly respectable symbol of the "pagan" faiths, and are usually represented by an inverted or irregular pentagram. Just in case it comes up as a plot point in future, consider this an extinguisher for any future flames :P

Kal posted a comment on Monday 29th January 2007 4:56pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Wonderful and fantastic! I love your charaters, and your ideas. Love your Ginny -- she is good for Harry, and your Remus is quite sweet. I thought that your concept of ADs fixation on the good in everyone is a very unique take, and one much more paletable than the manipulative basterd angle that is rampid in fanfiction (not that a good manipulative!Dumbeldore isn't a fun read...) that still explains SO much of the unexplainable in cannon. Bravo! Your vamps are a blast and I love it whenever Fudgy get's his. I look forwards to reading many more wonderful chappies!


And I truly delighted in the rant at the end! So terribly true! Thank you for continuing this enteraining and well written story.

Viv posted a comment on Monday 29th January 2007 2:58pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Let me start this off with an expression of my gratitude. I've been reading your story since about chapter three, on various sites, and was terribly excited to find your name listed here on FFA. You do not just play at writing; you are a writer. This is story is possibly the most finely crafted and well thought out piece I have read in Harry Potter fan fiction, and certainly better than much original published prose.

I love your characterizations. This is the Harry I have long pictured, the idea of Harry that first sent me searching into fan fiction. Your Dumbledore as well feels both the most human and most realistic I've read. Your mention in this chapter of his bout with madness throws all of his actions into a new light. Further, I love how you handle the house elves. They are more complex as characters than most give them credit for, and your deft handling of this truly adds to the story.

Also, I love the bits of history you've thrown in. The history of the vampires and the Spell Mongers, the vivid anecdotes like that Apparation and Apparition; these are the pieces that allow readers to feel as though they are peeking into another world, into characters lives. I have never encountered this sort of almost casual indulgence in back story before in fan fiction.

So overall, thank you. While there are parts I sometimes feel ring a little clichéd, and other portions where the transformations and conversations seem a bit contrived, I have come to rub my hands in glee whenever I encounter another update of your story. It was a treat to find another so quick on the heels of the last, and I eagerly await the next. Thank you for the time and effort you’ve put into this story. It’s appreciated.

I'm sorry that you've received flames on the religious content of your stories. Though a (perhaps ironically) devout atheist myself, I try to respect the beauty and intent behind all religions. Your inclusion of religion in this story doesn't bother me at all. It meshes well with the story; it isn't simply thrown in because you yourself might feel inclined toward those beliefs. I ask, however, that you don't judge all us secularists too harshly. As bloody religious wars, on behalf of most all faiths, can attest, extremism in any sense is debilitating. And calling for an exorcism of any religious reference from the public forum is exactly that: secularist extremism. Just know we don’t all seek that same end.

Viv

harryp123 posted a comment on Monday 29th January 2007 1:28pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Good chapter. Can't wait to read what the next chapter.

Aaron Blackwell posted a comment on Monday 29th January 2007 10:04am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

This was a wonderful chapter. I enjoy all that you write Aaran. You have a wonderful talent. I look forward to more of this.

Tumshie posted a comment on Monday 29th January 2007 9:29am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Wow, what a fantastic chapter. I'm not sure if I've reviewed on here before, if I haven't I apologise for not doing so, but I have to thank you for your wonderful, original story. I hope your muse stays active and encourages you to continue with your writing.

Jarrod posted a comment on Monday 29th January 2007 7:42am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Awesome story and excellent chapter. The more elements pulled in (eg. religion, science, history) make them simply more appealing and a much more full read. Thanks and keep it up.

Cliff Bryner posted a comment on Monday 29th January 2007 5:55am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Dear Aaran St. Vines,

This chapter was marvelous. I feel I could read it a dozen times and learn something each time. It makes me want to read more history, a class wherein I was rather mediocre. I have no critcisms at all. Well, perhaps that you write in-frequently. I watch with baited breath for the next instalment.

Ciao.