for Shakedown12/8/2012 c15 
3jay8008
This was great horror / sci-fi / action story in the great tradition of movies like Aliens. Very, very well-done. I've love a follow-up story, as you have a fine OC crew to explore, and Kaidan was a standout here as to having some unresolved issues (not normally a fan, but I found him very sympathetic here - the guy is just being emotionally assaulted from all angles). I don't think he'll be fully at peace until he finds his next great relationship.
Plus, on the next mission...they could always take Jack along, this time. *cough*
3jay8008This was great horror / sci-fi / action story in the great tradition of movies like Aliens. Very, very well-done. I've love a follow-up story, as you have a fine OC crew to explore, and Kaidan was a standout here as to having some unresolved issues (not normally a fan, but I found him very sympathetic here - the guy is just being emotionally assaulted from all angles). I don't think he'll be fully at peace until he finds his next great relationship.
Plus, on the next mission...they could always take Jack along, this time. *cough*
12/8/2012 c9 jay8008
I was running through this story, not looking to stop and review until I was done...but wow, what a standout chapter. The tension at the mess table and the follow-up visit to Vorek, all just fantastic storytelling.
I was running through this story, not looking to stop and review until I was done...but wow, what a standout chapter. The tension at the mess table and the follow-up visit to Vorek, all just fantastic storytelling.
12/1/2012 c15 6Vakarious
Seriously, this should be a DLC.
The OCs make it fresh but it doesn't veer away from the canon truths and atmosphere, there's good interpersonal dynamics and conversation, there's action, character growth, a solid plot, and it's all neatly wrapped up in writing that makes me forget I'm reading it.
I agree with an earlier reviewer: you manage to let a minimum of words convey maximum meaning. Well chosen details - a remark, a gesture - speak volumes about the character or relationship. That's an art.
A well rounded story begin to end. Memorable.
6VakariousSeriously, this should be a DLC.
The OCs make it fresh but it doesn't veer away from the canon truths and atmosphere, there's good interpersonal dynamics and conversation, there's action, character growth, a solid plot, and it's all neatly wrapped up in writing that makes me forget I'm reading it.
I agree with an earlier reviewer: you manage to let a minimum of words convey maximum meaning. Well chosen details - a remark, a gesture - speak volumes about the character or relationship. That's an art.
A well rounded story begin to end. Memorable.
11/29/2012 c1 Zakeraz
It's about time I got around to reviewing this. Got to say, I was not expecting the Dead Space crossover. The myriad array of original characters were excellently done and very interesting. That pissed Turian who rejected Shepard's invitation (there's an understatement) wasintriguing in just how mysterious he was. Sorono is still too cool. So next time on Shakedown: Xenomorphs! (I'm ignoring the completed sign).
It's about time I got around to reviewing this. Got to say, I was not expecting the Dead Space crossover. The myriad array of original characters were excellently done and very interesting. That pissed Turian who rejected Shepard's invitation (there's an understatement) wasintriguing in just how mysterious he was. Sorono is still too cool. So next time on Shakedown: Xenomorphs! (I'm ignoring the completed sign).
11/28/2012 c11 Vakarious
It is a testament to your writing that you can mix in OCs believably (and so many of them as well) and still get me completely hooked. OCs are hard to write and can be dangerous to a story, but you are comfortably (high) above the level where it is okay to use them.
Of each of them I have a clear picture in my mind, they are solid and interesting, not flat and not overdone, and they fit into the canon universe perfectly. And I have to say, for me Sorono is now a personal favorite.
Well done.
It is a testament to your writing that you can mix in OCs believably (and so many of them as well) and still get me completely hooked. OCs are hard to write and can be dangerous to a story, but you are comfortably (high) above the level where it is okay to use them.
Of each of them I have a clear picture in my mind, they are solid and interesting, not flat and not overdone, and they fit into the canon universe perfectly. And I have to say, for me Sorono is now a personal favorite.
Well done.
11/15/2012 c15 McPig
Wow! Very impressive story. The action parts would be great for a DLC imo. I'd love to play a mission like this anyway.
Wow! Very impressive story. The action parts would be great for a DLC imo. I'd love to play a mission like this anyway.
11/15/2012 c15 Nev
Wow, when I saw this had been completed I felt like it was my birthday or something. I really enjoyed this, and I'm glad to see some new stories from you.
Wow, when I saw this had been completed I felt like it was my birthday or something. I really enjoyed this, and I'm glad to see some new stories from you.
11/14/2012 c15 4tccarty
Hey, you're back. And you finished one of my favorite fics. I love the Garrus one too. But this one has more of the characters from the game. Plus Shepard. A big plus that. This is how I want to picture the end now. Shepard traveling the stars with her (or his love) with old friends and new ones.
As always your writing shines the most when writing Garrus. (Just admit it. You're a turian. Aren't you?) But I like your Shepard too. She's tough. But human. And funny.
I thank you for not joining the Shepard/Garrus fandom that usually can't stand anything to do with Kaidan. I thought you wrote the relationship in a realistic manner. Although I did want to yell at Shepard when she went crazy. I figured something was wrong with her. But I wanted to say, you asked him. (I think-I didn't go back and read the first chapters again).
And I just adore your Shepard/Garrus dynamic. They play so well off of each other. And natural.
Your dialogue is just fantastic.
I liked the OC's too. Solono? I think he was in your other fic...I loved him there too. I hope you do more with him. And the krogan. Din? (Someone was named Din). Loved him too. Reminds me of the little we saw of Okeer. But more sane. And probably more friendly.
I can't believe how you packed in a full fic like this in only a few chapters. Good job! Hope you've exorcised that writer's block for good.
4tccartyHey, you're back. And you finished one of my favorite fics. I love the Garrus one too. But this one has more of the characters from the game. Plus Shepard. A big plus that. This is how I want to picture the end now. Shepard traveling the stars with her (or his love) with old friends and new ones.
As always your writing shines the most when writing Garrus. (Just admit it. You're a turian. Aren't you?) But I like your Shepard too. She's tough. But human. And funny.
I thank you for not joining the Shepard/Garrus fandom that usually can't stand anything to do with Kaidan. I thought you wrote the relationship in a realistic manner. Although I did want to yell at Shepard when she went crazy. I figured something was wrong with her. But I wanted to say, you asked him. (I think-I didn't go back and read the first chapters again).
And I just adore your Shepard/Garrus dynamic. They play so well off of each other. And natural.
Your dialogue is just fantastic.
I liked the OC's too. Solono? I think he was in your other fic...I loved him there too. I hope you do more with him. And the krogan. Din? (Someone was named Din). Loved him too. Reminds me of the little we saw of Okeer. But more sane. And probably more friendly.
I can't believe how you packed in a full fic like this in only a few chapters. Good job! Hope you've exorcised that writer's block for good.
11/14/2012 c15 22servantofclio
I really enjoyed this. I liked seeing a fun new adventure in the ME universe, and great new characters that make up an interesting crew. I was also glad to see a satisfying resolution for the personal relationship stuff that was introduced in the early chapters.
22servantofclioI really enjoyed this. I liked seeing a fun new adventure in the ME universe, and great new characters that make up an interesting crew. I was also glad to see a satisfying resolution for the personal relationship stuff that was introduced in the early chapters.
11/14/2012 c15 4Fistful of Gamma Rays
I'm really, really glad to see this story finished. There are a lot of things I love about this. I like your OCs - they're distinctive and interesting and I want to know more about them. I like the interactions of the crew and the attention to the details of life on the Normandy. And I like the way you say a lot about the characters without belaboring the point or beating the reader to death with words.
As for the plot, it's pretty hard to top Reaper ground troops for body horror, but I think you nailed it. Feels true to the ME universe as well.
So thanks for writing this!
4Fistful of Gamma RaysI'm really, really glad to see this story finished. There are a lot of things I love about this. I like your OCs - they're distinctive and interesting and I want to know more about them. I like the interactions of the crew and the attention to the details of life on the Normandy. And I like the way you say a lot about the characters without belaboring the point or beating the reader to death with words.
As for the plot, it's pretty hard to top Reaper ground troops for body horror, but I think you nailed it. Feels true to the ME universe as well.
So thanks for writing this!
11/14/2012 c15 spoodermanpls
I just read this on AO3 and I loved it. I have to admit that I wish the new crew was actually there now...
I just read this on AO3 and I loved it. I have to admit that I wish the new crew was actually there now...
11/14/2012 c14 CyanB
I love Shepard's plan.
Dear god, you are keeping me on quite the roller-coaster.
I love Shepard's plan.
Dear god, you are keeping me on quite the roller-coaster.