for Jasmine2/24 c72 GuessMonster
This was amazing, there were some parts where I couldn't understand but eventually understood. Your writing sytle is beutiful and easy to follow. The ending made me cry but everything about this fic was perfection, you really took the time to write everything comprehensively. Beyimnandi kakhulu indaba yakho
This was amazing, there were some parts where I couldn't understand but eventually understood. Your writing sytle is beutiful and easy to follow. The ending made me cry but everything about this fic was perfection, you really took the time to write everything comprehensively. Beyimnandi kakhulu indaba yakho
3/25/2024 c67 
1Yitzi
I didn’t really buy Zuko not telling anyone what they would find on that island just because it wasn’t his secret to tell. If he doesn’t want to burden someone he cares for with the harsh realities, sure, I can believe your Zuko would do that, but figuring out other people’s secrets was a significant part of the story. It just felt contrived to drag things out and create more drama, which it did, but it wasn’t as believable as the situations that came before.
I bring that up even though it happened tens of chapters ago because it feels like now that the story was wrapped up in a neat little bow, you’re compelled to brute force it back into the fires of drama so you can get some more mileage out of your angsturbation.
I don’t like to be the guy complaining they didn’t get the ending they wanted, as I’m sure it must appear like I am, I just felt like you had a really good thing going right up until you drove it off a cliff.
Being able to immerse yourself into the story is a joy to be treasured, and I was, but when the author is desirous of a certain outcome and isn’t shy about steering towards it with all the subtlety of a brick through a window, the story falls away and the author is revealed for the puppet master they are.
I don’t mean to be discouraging, I’m just disappointed. For me, the story ends here, Zuko having discovered he can live for something instead of just giving up the second he he’s given an opportunity to throw his life away for the greater good. You can hear his arc shatter as he goes back to square one.
Seriously, he doesn’t even get redeemed. Maybe four people changed their minds about Zuko being a monster, and his mother wasn’t even one of them since she knew the White Lotus was going to make an attempt on his life and said nothing. I can’t decide if it’s pointlessly tragic or tragically pointless.
There’s nothing so cathartic as a negative review, even if you don’t read it I feel glad to get it off my chest. Best of luck in your future endeavors!
1YitziI didn’t really buy Zuko not telling anyone what they would find on that island just because it wasn’t his secret to tell. If he doesn’t want to burden someone he cares for with the harsh realities, sure, I can believe your Zuko would do that, but figuring out other people’s secrets was a significant part of the story. It just felt contrived to drag things out and create more drama, which it did, but it wasn’t as believable as the situations that came before.
I bring that up even though it happened tens of chapters ago because it feels like now that the story was wrapped up in a neat little bow, you’re compelled to brute force it back into the fires of drama so you can get some more mileage out of your angsturbation.
I don’t like to be the guy complaining they didn’t get the ending they wanted, as I’m sure it must appear like I am, I just felt like you had a really good thing going right up until you drove it off a cliff.
Being able to immerse yourself into the story is a joy to be treasured, and I was, but when the author is desirous of a certain outcome and isn’t shy about steering towards it with all the subtlety of a brick through a window, the story falls away and the author is revealed for the puppet master they are.
I don’t mean to be discouraging, I’m just disappointed. For me, the story ends here, Zuko having discovered he can live for something instead of just giving up the second he he’s given an opportunity to throw his life away for the greater good. You can hear his arc shatter as he goes back to square one.
Seriously, he doesn’t even get redeemed. Maybe four people changed their minds about Zuko being a monster, and his mother wasn’t even one of them since she knew the White Lotus was going to make an attempt on his life and said nothing. I can’t decide if it’s pointlessly tragic or tragically pointless.
There’s nothing so cathartic as a negative review, even if you don’t read it I feel glad to get it off my chest. Best of luck in your future endeavors!
5/17/2023 c72 magdalena
HERMOSO
la verdad el final me dejó un sabor agridulce
pero tu obre es bellísima, la disfruté de principio a fin.
HERMOSO
la verdad el final me dejó un sabor agridulce
pero tu obre es bellísima, la disfruté de principio a fin.
1/18/2022 c35 A
As much as I like this fic, I find the repeated quotes from 1984 to be a bit jarring. The whole point of “war is peace” is that it’s nonsensical. Those nonsensical phrases represent the fact that even language has been robbed of meaning to the point that such things can be said with a straight face, and the people have become so unquestioning that they accept these phrases. Those sorts of themes aren’t present in ATLA, or in this fic, so it seems really weird that Zuko’s going around saying things like this and having people treat it like it’s profound instead of being what it is: nonsense.
As much as I like this fic, I find the repeated quotes from 1984 to be a bit jarring. The whole point of “war is peace” is that it’s nonsensical. Those nonsensical phrases represent the fact that even language has been robbed of meaning to the point that such things can be said with a straight face, and the people have become so unquestioning that they accept these phrases. Those sorts of themes aren’t present in ATLA, or in this fic, so it seems really weird that Zuko’s going around saying things like this and having people treat it like it’s profound instead of being what it is: nonsense.
1/16/2022 c72 bng936
The ending made me feel hopeful and relieved. The epilogue made me feel bittersweet.
This story was so long and reading this was a bit like a journey. I can't say I like most of the topics because I don't like politics, but I can say that this story―in a way, was wonderful.
I love the portrayal of Zuko and how you didn't make his relationship with Katara dragging with conflicts and drama (since most of the time, the conflicts were mostly external/outside their relationship). I was really sad about Uncle Iroh, frustrated about each conflicts, happy with each fluff moments between zutara. Like I said, this story was like a journey.
I love how the more we read, the more we discovered about Zuko. I love the development of his and Katara's relationship. The conflicts and politics were indeed frustrating, though. Hahaha
Also, I'm a bit sad that even after all his works, there wasn't much appreciation for Zuko until the end. He was still seen as monster by many. And reading the end of story without both of them (zutara) present leaves a bitter taste, but Katara's moments with their children and great-granddaughter was sweet, hence why I said the epilogue was bittersweet.
This comment was rather long, I'm sorry fot that. I did enjoy reading the story though I have to pause several times (because anxiety/angst XD). This story was wonderful. Thank your for writing and sharing this story.
The ending made me feel hopeful and relieved. The epilogue made me feel bittersweet.
This story was so long and reading this was a bit like a journey. I can't say I like most of the topics because I don't like politics, but I can say that this story―in a way, was wonderful.
I love the portrayal of Zuko and how you didn't make his relationship with Katara dragging with conflicts and drama (since most of the time, the conflicts were mostly external/outside their relationship). I was really sad about Uncle Iroh, frustrated about each conflicts, happy with each fluff moments between zutara. Like I said, this story was like a journey.
I love how the more we read, the more we discovered about Zuko. I love the development of his and Katara's relationship. The conflicts and politics were indeed frustrating, though. Hahaha
Also, I'm a bit sad that even after all his works, there wasn't much appreciation for Zuko until the end. He was still seen as monster by many. And reading the end of story without both of them (zutara) present leaves a bitter taste, but Katara's moments with their children and great-granddaughter was sweet, hence why I said the epilogue was bittersweet.
This comment was rather long, I'm sorry fot that. I did enjoy reading the story though I have to pause several times (because anxiety/angst XD). This story was wonderful. Thank your for writing and sharing this story.
9/21/2021 c27 loneflowerx
katara is a bitch. im sorry. i seriously can't handle her anymore in this fic. gonna stop reading
katara is a bitch. im sorry. i seriously can't handle her anymore in this fic. gonna stop reading
7/7/2021 c15 Guest
This was my favorite chapter so far
This was my favorite chapter so far
5/8/2021 c59 12AyamiAras
I have to say you shocked me when you killed Kumon and Cara. Despite the war and assasination attempts and everything, these are the first named characters that have died. I wasn't expecting it. But then again I don't think Katara was expecting it either.
As a personal preference, I don't like when characters that I like die. But from a literary standpoint, this was done well. What I particularly enjoyed was the time after things settled down when Katara was allowed to greive and you showed it to us. Maybe it's a perk of a slow burn fic where you have the ability to pause and give both the character and the reader a chance to breathe and let all the action sink in, but it's something that a lot of mainstream movies and shows lack and I feel like they suffer for it.
I just watched a show the other day where the character's two best friends died in front of him and he was allowed to cry for two second before the plot moved on and after those two seconds he didn't show any signs of greiving or even remembering who his friends even were. And in a time when shows are trying to be more gritty and dark and edgy it's all too common and it's exhausting. Maybe my dislike of character death stems from the emotional toll it takes to never get any closure from the death after death that's thrown out for nothing more than shock value and a backdrop to a grim asthetic these shows are trying to push.
In comparison you gave both Katara and me a chapter to reflect and greive and breathe. Yes I'm still sad that such sweet characters were killed. Yes I'm sad that they died for seemingly nothing. But because you gave us this chapter, the characters themselves aren't reduced to nothing the way they would have been if you said nothing more. So in a time when no one is doing this anymore I wanted to stop and appreciate it. Thank you.
12AyamiArasI have to say you shocked me when you killed Kumon and Cara. Despite the war and assasination attempts and everything, these are the first named characters that have died. I wasn't expecting it. But then again I don't think Katara was expecting it either.
As a personal preference, I don't like when characters that I like die. But from a literary standpoint, this was done well. What I particularly enjoyed was the time after things settled down when Katara was allowed to greive and you showed it to us. Maybe it's a perk of a slow burn fic where you have the ability to pause and give both the character and the reader a chance to breathe and let all the action sink in, but it's something that a lot of mainstream movies and shows lack and I feel like they suffer for it.
I just watched a show the other day where the character's two best friends died in front of him and he was allowed to cry for two second before the plot moved on and after those two seconds he didn't show any signs of greiving or even remembering who his friends even were. And in a time when shows are trying to be more gritty and dark and edgy it's all too common and it's exhausting. Maybe my dislike of character death stems from the emotional toll it takes to never get any closure from the death after death that's thrown out for nothing more than shock value and a backdrop to a grim asthetic these shows are trying to push.
In comparison you gave both Katara and me a chapter to reflect and greive and breathe. Yes I'm still sad that such sweet characters were killed. Yes I'm sad that they died for seemingly nothing. But because you gave us this chapter, the characters themselves aren't reduced to nothing the way they would have been if you said nothing more. So in a time when no one is doing this anymore I wanted to stop and appreciate it. Thank you.
5/6/2021 c58 AyamiAras
*Breathes.* Oh good. A breather. *Panting* Haha. You had me really hooked for the last serval chapters. I don't even know how many I tore through today. This fic has been a comfort for a long while now and I have been enjoying it little by little every day. But these last few chapters. Oh goodness so much happened! You really have a nack for suspense and drama and pulling a person into a story. I couldn't put this down!
I originally came to this fic looking for good Zuko/Katara content. But then you taught me that Political Intrigue means intriguing politics. Haha. What I mean by that is all the political workings and drama really had me hooked. And aren't the best love stories about life as well? As much as I enjoy a good fluff, watching two people grow not only closer together but grow as people as well is so satisfying. Seeing them love and triumph despite challenges they face makes their love so much more valuable.
I'm honestly impressed. There is so much at work. So many moving parts and plot points. New challenges appear even as old ones continue to cause problems. It is such a massive undertaking to write such a complicated story and yet you've done it beautifully and all as nothing more than a hobby.
And I also have to commend your betas as well as I'm sure they worked just as hard on this as you did. And nothing of this magnitude could be accomplished without help. Even those who you might have simply bounced ideas off of. If there is any way to pass along my praise and thanks for a job well done, please do so on my behalf.
And now I am going to bed. I'm exhausted just having read what Zuko and Katara had to go through and I'm thankful for the breathing room so I'm not up late into the night needing to know what comes next. 3 I look forward to continuing tomorrow.
*Breathes.* Oh good. A breather. *Panting* Haha. You had me really hooked for the last serval chapters. I don't even know how many I tore through today. This fic has been a comfort for a long while now and I have been enjoying it little by little every day. But these last few chapters. Oh goodness so much happened! You really have a nack for suspense and drama and pulling a person into a story. I couldn't put this down!
I originally came to this fic looking for good Zuko/Katara content. But then you taught me that Political Intrigue means intriguing politics. Haha. What I mean by that is all the political workings and drama really had me hooked. And aren't the best love stories about life as well? As much as I enjoy a good fluff, watching two people grow not only closer together but grow as people as well is so satisfying. Seeing them love and triumph despite challenges they face makes their love so much more valuable.
I'm honestly impressed. There is so much at work. So many moving parts and plot points. New challenges appear even as old ones continue to cause problems. It is such a massive undertaking to write such a complicated story and yet you've done it beautifully and all as nothing more than a hobby.
And I also have to commend your betas as well as I'm sure they worked just as hard on this as you did. And nothing of this magnitude could be accomplished without help. Even those who you might have simply bounced ideas off of. If there is any way to pass along my praise and thanks for a job well done, please do so on my behalf.
And now I am going to bed. I'm exhausted just having read what Zuko and Katara had to go through and I'm thankful for the breathing room so I'm not up late into the night needing to know what comes next. 3 I look forward to continuing tomorrow.
5/6/2021 c53 AyamiAras
What a call back. I love when things come full circle or when things that are set up early on pay off later. It's a small call back, the poem and the curse but because this fic is so long and big with so many twists and turns thinking back to something from chapter 3 really makes you realize how far we've come. That was back before Katara even knew what Zuko looked like, before they got to know each other, when she still thought her marriage was a sacrifice. And now here they are talking about having kids. It's amazing how much had to happen to get us to this point. Anyway, I'm still here still loving this fic. I hope you don't mind me popping in on this old fic every now and then.
What a call back. I love when things come full circle or when things that are set up early on pay off later. It's a small call back, the poem and the curse but because this fic is so long and big with so many twists and turns thinking back to something from chapter 3 really makes you realize how far we've come. That was back before Katara even knew what Zuko looked like, before they got to know each other, when she still thought her marriage was a sacrifice. And now here they are talking about having kids. It's amazing how much had to happen to get us to this point. Anyway, I'm still here still loving this fic. I hope you don't mind me popping in on this old fic every now and then.
5/6/2021 c49 AyamiAras
So after the girl talk about sex and babies and then Katara needing to stake her claim of the throne, I was so sure that she was going to bluff that she was already with Zuko's child. Because that would really cement her claim to the throne. And then she would just pray that Zuko returned and got better before her bluff could be called. And that would add drama to needing to get her pregnant now. Haha.
Otherwise I'm hoping to see Katara show her spirit. She is strong. She may be water but she is also fire and not one to be bullied. I want to see her strength!
So after the girl talk about sex and babies and then Katara needing to stake her claim of the throne, I was so sure that she was going to bluff that she was already with Zuko's child. Because that would really cement her claim to the throne. And then she would just pray that Zuko returned and got better before her bluff could be called. And that would add drama to needing to get her pregnant now. Haha.
Otherwise I'm hoping to see Katara show her spirit. She is strong. She may be water but she is also fire and not one to be bullied. I want to see her strength!
5/3/2021 c39 AyamiAras
"Hope it doesn't feel rushed" you say on chapter 39. Hahaha. No, it doesn't feel rushed at all. It feels like the confession is obvious when they say it. Feelings they've both had for a while but hadn't realized because they grew so gradually from distrust and hatred to love. It's not big or grand, but it doesn't have to be. It just is and it feels so right. This fic is so so good. 3
"Hope it doesn't feel rushed" you say on chapter 39. Hahaha. No, it doesn't feel rushed at all. It feels like the confession is obvious when they say it. Feelings they've both had for a while but hadn't realized because they grew so gradually from distrust and hatred to love. It's not big or grand, but it doesn't have to be. It just is and it feels so right. This fic is so so good. 3
5/2/2021 c34 AyamiAras
I'm excited to see Zuko and Katara slowly getting to onow each other and become friends and maybe even some weird semi more than friends too. It's sich a good progression. It's not rushed or unbelievable and gives so much substance to their relationship.
But beyond that, I'm also excited to see Zuko's relationship sowly building with Katara's family. It's so important to me and to Katara that people see Zuko for who he is and to come to love and trust him like she does. Now that Hakoda and Sokka (and I'm guessing Yue) are all more comfortable with him that leaves the avatar and then the other nations. It's okay if mot everyone likes or trusts him but he does at least deserve friends. And for the sake of peace he needs some level of trust from the other nations. It's coming. It's slow and hard won, but it's coming. And just like his relationship with Katara, rhe fact that it's so hard and takes so much time and effort makes it all the sweeter.
This fic continues to delight me. I can't believe I found something so good and so long. Thank you for all of the time and effort and love that must have gone into this fic. I want you to know that even years after you posted it, it is still good and someone is still reading and enjoying it.
I'm excited to see Zuko and Katara slowly getting to onow each other and become friends and maybe even some weird semi more than friends too. It's sich a good progression. It's not rushed or unbelievable and gives so much substance to their relationship.
But beyond that, I'm also excited to see Zuko's relationship sowly building with Katara's family. It's so important to me and to Katara that people see Zuko for who he is and to come to love and trust him like she does. Now that Hakoda and Sokka (and I'm guessing Yue) are all more comfortable with him that leaves the avatar and then the other nations. It's okay if mot everyone likes or trusts him but he does at least deserve friends. And for the sake of peace he needs some level of trust from the other nations. It's coming. It's slow and hard won, but it's coming. And just like his relationship with Katara, rhe fact that it's so hard and takes so much time and effort makes it all the sweeter.
This fic continues to delight me. I can't believe I found something so good and so long. Thank you for all of the time and effort and love that must have gone into this fic. I want you to know that even years after you posted it, it is still good and someone is still reading and enjoying it.
4/25/2021 c14 AyamiAras
Hello,
I hope this review finds you well. I know this fic is old, but it's for avatar which seems to be having a renaissance and it's so well written that I can't imagine this comment comes as a surprise.
I mostly read fic on a03 these days but found a disappointing lack of good Zutara content. I started and stopped so many very badly written fics before I jumped back over to here at the suggestion of a friend and I am so glad that I did. This fic is everything that I wanted. A fic that address the tension between Zuko and Katara but also their shared desires and kindness.
You mentioned that you had hoped Katara didn't come across as meek and I assure you that you are writting her wonderfully. She is stuck in an uncorgiving situation where she has little choice. Like water, she has to adapt and conform to her surroundings, but she continues to be Katara. She continues to be strong and feirce and loyal and stubborn and clever.
I do wish Zuko could be more open, but it wouldn't be much of a fic otherwise now would it? I am eager to learn more about his past for this fic but despite whatever he has gone through, he is still Zuko. He is proud and honorable and kind to a fault. He is also very awkward. I can only imagine the series of misunderstandings that must have happened for such wild rumors to spread and how his awkwardness probably only made them worse. Combined with the history of the his family and the way the court works, and even little white lies I can definately see how such wild rumors would spread. I keep thinking of how Hakoda fibbed blaming the fire lord for why he didn't visit Katara sooner and how things like this are probably how some rumors grew. Honestly I love the rumors. But under all the crazy rumors there is an understanding that Zuko is kind and honorable and a good man.
I am excited that Zuko and Katara are finally metting and talking and interacting! I was telling a friend about this fic and how I'm so many chapters in and they still haven't really talked yet! My friend said "oh so it's a slowburn." Haha. But despite activly looking for Zutara content I am so enthralled in your fic and your world building that I don't mind waiting for more Zuko/Katara interactions. You've devled deep into serious political topics. Why Zuko can't simply "end the war" and why Katara is the best choice for a political marriage. The intricacies of Fire Nation Law and culture and how they might contrast with Water Nation. You have different factions of people who all have differing opinions and even within those factions you have further factions who are at odds. The court mothers who wanted their daughters to marry the fire lord vs the daughters who were relieved they didn't have to. The freshly indoctrinated soliders who looked down on Katara vs the seasoned veterans who welcomed Katara as an equal. It's all just so facinating and exciting and I'm hooked!
I didn't actually mean to leave such a long review but I think you deserve it. You're a wonderful author with serious talent. Wherever you are in life I hope you still have an outlet for your passion.
Also the actual reason I stopped to reciew this chapter was because I realized Ursa's new alias is just her named spelled backwards. Haha. That's my prefered method of making up new names too so I'm tickled pink when I see other people doing it too. It almost feels like a secret code that I cracked. Haha. Hut yeah, I just wanted to say I see you and I love it!
Hello,
I hope this review finds you well. I know this fic is old, but it's for avatar which seems to be having a renaissance and it's so well written that I can't imagine this comment comes as a surprise.
I mostly read fic on a03 these days but found a disappointing lack of good Zutara content. I started and stopped so many very badly written fics before I jumped back over to here at the suggestion of a friend and I am so glad that I did. This fic is everything that I wanted. A fic that address the tension between Zuko and Katara but also their shared desires and kindness.
You mentioned that you had hoped Katara didn't come across as meek and I assure you that you are writting her wonderfully. She is stuck in an uncorgiving situation where she has little choice. Like water, she has to adapt and conform to her surroundings, but she continues to be Katara. She continues to be strong and feirce and loyal and stubborn and clever.
I do wish Zuko could be more open, but it wouldn't be much of a fic otherwise now would it? I am eager to learn more about his past for this fic but despite whatever he has gone through, he is still Zuko. He is proud and honorable and kind to a fault. He is also very awkward. I can only imagine the series of misunderstandings that must have happened for such wild rumors to spread and how his awkwardness probably only made them worse. Combined with the history of the his family and the way the court works, and even little white lies I can definately see how such wild rumors would spread. I keep thinking of how Hakoda fibbed blaming the fire lord for why he didn't visit Katara sooner and how things like this are probably how some rumors grew. Honestly I love the rumors. But under all the crazy rumors there is an understanding that Zuko is kind and honorable and a good man.
I am excited that Zuko and Katara are finally metting and talking and interacting! I was telling a friend about this fic and how I'm so many chapters in and they still haven't really talked yet! My friend said "oh so it's a slowburn." Haha. But despite activly looking for Zutara content I am so enthralled in your fic and your world building that I don't mind waiting for more Zuko/Katara interactions. You've devled deep into serious political topics. Why Zuko can't simply "end the war" and why Katara is the best choice for a political marriage. The intricacies of Fire Nation Law and culture and how they might contrast with Water Nation. You have different factions of people who all have differing opinions and even within those factions you have further factions who are at odds. The court mothers who wanted their daughters to marry the fire lord vs the daughters who were relieved they didn't have to. The freshly indoctrinated soliders who looked down on Katara vs the seasoned veterans who welcomed Katara as an equal. It's all just so facinating and exciting and I'm hooked!
I didn't actually mean to leave such a long review but I think you deserve it. You're a wonderful author with serious talent. Wherever you are in life I hope you still have an outlet for your passion.
Also the actual reason I stopped to reciew this chapter was because I realized Ursa's new alias is just her named spelled backwards. Haha. That's my prefered method of making up new names too so I'm tickled pink when I see other people doing it too. It almost feels like a secret code that I cracked. Haha. Hut yeah, I just wanted to say I see you and I love it!