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This is a very interesting future fic featuring a ‘what if’ take on history. It’s a lovely read that switches back and forth from Norrington’s PoV to Jack’s. At the beginning, and through much of the story, Jack is marooned alone on a tiny island. The Commodore is marooned in an entirely different sense, but there’s no doubt the world he now occupies is completely cut off from the one he used to know. It is largely through his interactions with Anamaria that we figure out this strange new world (yep, both het and slash in this one).
The story explores an alternative history, which is a very neat idea, and it’s one that may allow Jack and Norrington to come together in a way I tend to think unlikely in ‘real’ history. However, to give you too many details would spoil it, so I’d highly suggest reading the story BEFORE reading this review. One of the things I liked best about the story was figuring out what the hell was going on with James. The author does a nice job of doling out those tidbits in a subtle and natural way, and it definitely reads best unspoiled.[READ MORE]
So- to spoil! Dang- I really like the idea of a history in which England no longer exists. That sets up so many interesting possibilities. I also liked the way the alternative history gradually becomes clear to the reader- there’s no big ‘exposition dump’. At the beginning of the story I was a little worried James had been sacked or something and fallen on hard times. That’s not really a scenario that appeals to me too much. However, I love the idea that it’s England herself that has fallen, and James is now a sort of privateer, fighting the good fight for a country that no longer exists. Hee! I dig that- it gives me down and dirty James, yet there is still that sense of nobility and honor. It also allows a lot of possibilities for James and Jack. I think under normal circumstances, they’re kind of doomed as a pairing. Jack is too much of a pirate to walk the straight and narrow and James is too much of a Commodore to continence piracy. The ‘what if’ quality of this story puts the two men in a situation where they could conceivably work together for the long haul, without violating their own natures. It’s very cool.
So, my favorite part of this story is definitely the premise. The writing was also excellent- clean, well crafted, and it just carries you effortlessly through the story. Ditto the characterizations. Jack wasn’t as outwardly humorous as I generally prefer, but his internal perspective, particularly on the island, rang very true. I also liked how at core, both men are Captains. It’s not really negotiable, it’s an inherent part of who they are. Finally, I liked the Norrington/Anamaria bits quite a lot. Overall, just a great read. I’d like to see more in this universe.[HIDE]
Note- edited link to go to LJ as the old one died.
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Posted by bingo on 03/06 at 07:26 AM
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