angelmorph
Sunday 24th July 2016 05:53 | These Cuts I Have |
I would like to start by apologizing for not reviewing every chapter, but I did much of my reading offline. That said, I enjoyed this story from start to finish and consider it one of the best after the war stories that I have read. I particularly appreciated your portrayal of the emotional status of Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys in the early days following the battle.
I rarely read stories that haven't been recommended by someone I know, but the opening paragraphs of this story really drew me in. Through your writing, I could clearly imagine a bone-weary Harry desperate to collapse but turned away by the Fat Lady... But it didn't end there, I feel you did an excellent job of portraying the complex interactions between the survivors: Mrs Tonks' wariness that Harry wanted to take away her grandson, Percy not knowing how to fit in to the family dynamic, everyone secretly and guiltily wishing he were dead instead of Fred, George's drinking, George getting Harry drunk and Mr Weasley's talk after the fact, Harry's use of silencing charms and aversion to asking for dreamless sleep... I also particularly appreciated that you found the right balance of details to include about the aftermath. So many writers fall in to the trap of going into the minute details of every funeral. I'm glad you didn't!
Moving on, I also appreciated your take on the Grangers. Hermione's attempts to explain and their inability to understand were heart wrenching but thoroughly believable. I particularly enjoyed Ron's take on the matter, and the comedic relief it brought, though Hermione confronting him about Lavender was a tense moments, in itself.
I also enjoyed the brief interlude of regained childhood that Harry experienced, and the way that he interacted with the others and reacted like the abused child that he was. I also particularly appreciated how it tied in to the story, firstly as a resolution to a nastily well done cliffhanger, but also as an opportunity for caracter growth and relationship development, and lastly as a prelude to a much worse problem...
Speaking of that much worse problem, though I didn't catch on to the connection, I'm sure that I'm not the only one to have spent several chapters groaning to myself at Harry's stupidity. Glad he got through okay... You certainly did a good job of drawing things out till the very last minute with that one, though I cottoned on to the doxies at about the same time as Hermione...
Well there's a lot more that I could say that I loved about your story, but I think I'll just leave it at that... Good job!!
PS: I made myself an ePub of your fic to facilitate offline reading; I can provide you with a copy, if you'd like. Just let me know. |
| Saturday 30th July 2016 08:07 | These Cuts I Have (Author Response) |
Thanks very much for your lovely review. I'm really glad you enjoyed it. I had a blast writing it. The deageing concept was something I really wanted to explore, and I was quite pleased with how it turned out. Harry deserves at least a few happy memories.
I love exploring the PTSD side of things. It fascinates me, and lets face it, these characters have certainly been through a lot. Thanks! |
cutgril
Tuesday 19th April 2016 11:24 | These Cuts I Have |
| Hi Melinda! I was thinking about you today and wondering how your new story is coming along? Do you have any idea when you will start posting it? I am so looking forward to reading it! Have a nice evening. |
DreamGlow186
Thursday 4th February 2016 15:25 | These Cuts I Have |
| I am so impressed with all your stories and this one definitely did not disappoint!! You give such great depth to the characters and their journeys. I can't wait for more stories from you, especially about one of my favorite literary couples |
jacynthe
Thursday 21st January 2016 01:38 | These Cuts I Have |
Hooray for happy endings! Looking forward to more.
Cheers,
j |
| Friday 22nd January 2016 11:45 | These Cuts I Have (Author Response) |
| Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. |
hank
Wednesday 20th January 2016 03:22 | These Cuts I Have |
I loved Ron at the beginning of the chapter - that was extremely well-written! So, did the Canons win the match or do I even need to ask?
Mr. Weasley's commentary was also spot-on. While you can't fault Harry's actions, he will need to change his attitude to many things if he wants to move forward. He may also even need to learn how to manage the press (EEK!). A possible idea for a future story.
I enjoyed the ball scene as well. It was well played out and provided lots of laughs. The ending worked perfectly, too. I really liked how it played out as well with Harry chasing the train instead of little Ginny. It formed a perfect bookend with the canon. Very touching, with just the right amount of sweetness and reality (Romilda).
I do hope that you will continue to write. As it was years ago, anything is possible again and I hope that the fanfiction world will rise to the challenge, especially you. Your stories are most enjoyable and I am looking forward to more! |
| Friday 22nd January 2016 11:45 | These Cuts I Have (Author Response) |
If you're seriously asking if the Canons won... you haven't been paying attention, lol. Poor Ron - I think we can all feel his pain.
Thanks very much for your kind words. |
Felix Felicis
Monday 18th January 2016 12:34 | These Cuts I Have |
Thank you so much for writing this and letting us live in Harry's world a little longer! Your style, your sincerity of characters, your presentation, (your beta's editing) all work so nicely together. I thoroughly enjoy your writing, as I have for some time now. ("The Simplest Things" is still one of my all-time favorites!)
What a nice ending to this story. Harry finally seems to be in a good place. He's comfortable with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, he has a soulmate he loves, good prospects for his future, and close friends who would do anything for him. I love the way you closed everything out. Now I'll have to go back and re-read the whole thing! That's one of the best parts when a favorite author completes a story, you know!
There's certainly plenty more story to be told and I'm excited to see what you create for the future!
Finally, Sherylyn is the best isn't she! |
| Friday 22nd January 2016 11:43 | These Cuts I Have (Author Response) |
Thanks so very much! I honestly forgot what happened in The Simplest Things, so I had to go back and re-read!
Sherylyn is absolutely the best, and I'm so glad I ended up with her! |
nundu
Sunday 17th January 2016 00:15 | These Cuts I Have |
| I have really enjoyed this. I love good, long stories, that stay true to canon, and you never disappoint! I look forward to your next one! |
| Friday 22nd January 2016 11:42 | These Cuts I Have (Author Response) |
| Thanks! Those are my favorite stories, too, so give me some good recommendations if you have them! |
PPL
Friday 15th January 2016 22:12 | These Cuts I Have |
| Thanks! |
| Friday 22nd January 2016 11:41 | These Cuts I Have (Author Response) |
| I'm glad you enjoyed it! |
taedloga
Friday 15th January 2016 06:40 | These Cuts I Have |
| i have always loved your work..i sometimes think you might even be jk herself..cant wait for more |
| Friday 22nd January 2016 11:41 | These Cuts I Have (Author Response) |
| LOL - I wish! Thanks very much for you kind words, however. |
Bagelz
Friday 15th January 2016 05:28 | These Cuts I Have |
| Thank you! |
| Friday 22nd January 2016 11:40 | These Cuts I Have (Author Response) |
| I'm glad you enjoyed it! |
DanAngelus
Thursday 14th January 2016 10:38 | These Cuts I Have |
Wow. I loved it! Especially the parting scene between the 4 of them, that was really sweet. I often think about "what happens next" so reading this was really fulfilling somehow. (I also sometimes wish that J.K hadn't written the 19 years later part in DH so it could be more open for fics like this one).
Great writing yet again, I'm really looking forward to the next one! |
| Friday 22nd January 2016 11:40 | These Cuts I Have (Author Response) |
| Well, I did try to fit it in to what happened 19 years later. That's a lot of room to work with, and I did enjoy the validation of having Harry end up with Ginny. |
lmcgrillen
Thursday 14th January 2016 10:21 | These Cuts I Have |
| Congratulations on finishing your story! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was wondering if 'Goldie's Real Ale' was a nod to After the End? |
| Friday 22nd January 2016 11:39 | These Cuts I Have (Author Response) |
| LOL - yes it was! You're the only one to have mentioned it, but it was definitely a not to my favorite fic! Thanks for noticing. |
cutgril
Wednesday 13th January 2016 10:52 | These Cuts I Have |
| That was a great ending to the story Melinda! Thank you for taking the time to write. I have looked forward to every chapter! I am also looking forward to the new story coming up! I appreciate your talent and your willingness to share it with all of us! |
| Friday 22nd January 2016 11:38 | These Cuts I Have (Author Response) |
| Thanks very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it! |
