A Second Chance at Life

A second chance at life by Miranda Flairgold can be found at http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2488754/1/A_Second_Chance_at_Life

Independent Harry, AU, Adventure

A second chance is an AU Independent Harry Potter story full of original characters, creatures, and abilities. Voldemort calls on assassins to take care of Harry and so he decides to take his life into his own hands and disappear. Harry makes plans, trains, and finds a school to attend outside of Hogwarts and the United Kingdom that will help him with his fight against Voldemort. Journey with Harry as he attends a new school, meets new friends and usual and unusual creatures, learns, does a little time travel, and generally becomes a whole new person.

This is my number one favorite story series. Miranda Flairgold has completed this story and continues it in the second part of what is to be a 3 part series. This is a long story with lots and lots of original characters, creatures, and magic. While this starts out with what you see in many of the clichéd Independent Harry stories do not let that fool you. This is one of the most original stories I have read in Harry potter fan fiction. There are no ships or major romance’s, though the author states when she is done she may go back and rewrite it with some. It’s not very angsty but if you like good battles there are plenty here. She writes some very good battle scenes.

Survival of the fittest is a definite theme to this story from the school Harry attends to the time travel scene through all the battles. While Harry gets new abilities, new magic, and talents he is not a super unbeatable Harry. I think the author is able to very convincingly portray him as human while giving him talents and other abilities. I fell in love with the world she wrote and the characters and creatures she introduced in this fic and I believe you will as well. Not only does she insert very original characters without making Mary sues but she also gives a link to a webpage where she has listed all the original characters and creatures and given a little more info on them.

The story had me on the edge of my seat like any good book or movie and has me still waiting anxiously for updates on her sequel. The characters as rich and full of life as any of the characters in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Unlike so many fics I’ve read where the author has turned Harry into a different person (personality and outlook on life wise) she does it in a manner that is true to life. Harry doesn’t just wake up and bam he’s someone else. You watch him grow and see why and how his opinions and idea’s change. You see him adapt to his new environment with some stops and starts as anyone would have in reality if put in a new situation.

The plot in this is also very original. While destroying Voldemort is a main goal of Harry’s that is just a part of the plot. The plot so far is well thought out and very well written. I’ve read novels from published authors that were less than this story. Miranda Flairgold should definitely consider a career in writing. I would have to give this story a 10 of 10. I’ve read this work at least 12 times now and wait impatiently for the next chapter. If you read any work this year at all make it this one, you will not be disappointed. She has everything you could want in a story right there in one fic. Well unless your heavy into romance fics. There is not much romance. I promise though you wont miss it among the elves and the Fae, the Vampires, and the Werewolfs, the Travel back to an ancient civilization, learning new types of magic, and the battles with old Voldy.

I highly recommend not missing this fic. If I was asked to recommend just one work of fiction this would be it. I would recommend this before any books you could buy from a published author. Before I read this I would have recommended the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan as my all time favorite. I believe Miranda’s writing skill is right there on par with his. This is a highly superb read.

Goblin Conspiracy

Goblin Conspiracy by Loralee1 can be found at http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3347249/1/Goblin_Conspiracy

Independent Harry, AU, General fic

Goblin Conspiracy is an Independent AU Harry Potter Fic. The summer after Harry's 5th year a solicitor shows up at the Dursley's to discuss Sirius's will and his wishes for Harry. After convincing the Dursley's to sign emancipation papers Harry is swept away to Gringott's where he finds the solicitor is a goblin in disguise and they are offering him an alliance. Harry gets training from the goblins and finds a bit of independence in his quest to rid the wizarding world of the dark lord.

While I greatly enjoy many of the cliched Independent Harry stories this doesn't have many of the typical plots. He doesn't have superpowers or every talent known to wizards and while he does have an alliance with the goblins they don't treat him as if he is their best friend, have their undying respect, or any of the other usual goblins love harry plots. There is no Dumbledore is evil or manipulative ranting and angst. While Dumbledore isn't an angel in this fic it's not the typical plots I have been seeing. It's a well written fic with a very decent plot and held my interest until the end. It's a good story for when your in the mood for a lighter read.

If you like independent Harry but want a break from the usual cliche pick up this for a good read. I added it to my favorites to read again myself.

I would rate this a 7 out of 10. It's well written. I didn't see any glaring spelling or grammar mistakes. (Keep in mind I don't look for those. If they pop out or are bad enough they interfere with the read I'll let you know. I have stopped reading stories when the mistakes were so bad I couldn't appreciate the story) The plot was interesting and easy to follow. I was able to feel for the characters and laughed, frowned, clapped at the appropriate places as a good read should make you feel. The plot tied up nice and clean at the end. Overall it was a well written story that I will read again and keep in my favorites and one that is suitable for most ages as well. Loralee1 is a talented writer who I will have to read more of.

The Professional's guide to badgering people.

This story is written by Maya and is housed at fictionalley.org in Riddikulas. http://www.fictionalley.org/authors/maya/TPGTBP01a.html

Humor, Romance

Zacharias Smith is the central character in this story along with Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter. This is a humor fic and very funny as far as I am concerned. It is told from the viewpoint of Smith and while it may be OC it is interesting as can be. Zacharias Smith is unimpressed and almost emotionless at times and his shrugging is funny as can be. Draco Malfoy is Sarcastic and clueless. While Harry is portrayed in a somewhat unfavorable light. I love Harry but this story had me rooting for Hufflepuff all the way. It is a short 3 part series containing the sequel Crouching Lion, Hidden Badger, and the last story How the Badger has fallen.

Zacharias Smith, an apathetic Hufflepuff who is unimpressed by most people finds Draco Malfoy to be amusing. He approaches Draco who is rather clueless and innocently evil in this story and they start a friendship which develops into a romance. But why does Harry Potter seem so upset every time he sees Zacharias and Draco together? Is he really just angry because he's thinking of the Dork Lord as he claims? Can this Hufflepuff hold onto his Slytherin or will the "hero" win the day? And will Zacharias do more than shrug if he does?

If you enjoy mocking sarcasm, crazy conspiracy theorists, weird trivial dark lords, and a little romance thrown in this is a great series for some laughs. It's lighthearted and fun even with all the sarcasm and it pokes fun at seriousness. There is no great angst or big battle to defeat evil. Even the evil in this story is rather clueless and crazy. For those not enamored of boy love this story is not for you but if you don't mind give it a go. There is not much detail whatsoever so if your looking for lemons or pwp this isn't for you either. I have this saved in my favorites and it is one of the stories I pull out when I need some lighthearted laughs.

Book Review.

I've decided to change this whatever I felt like talking about blog into a harry potter fanfiction review. Since I love to read fanfiction and do so on a regular basis it works well for me. I will post reviews of my favorite stories and new ones I read. I'm not going to be reviewing for the writer but for readers.