Discworld Fanfic Review: Sparrows by SilverInkblot

Fanart by TxoriBuru

Now for something completely different: Discworld. Consider this my first fanwork review of anything out of anime and video games, which goes to show that these are not the only kinds of media I cover. That, and I'm a Terry Pratchett fan.

Picture a hooded figure on a hill. Picture the sight of the landscape from that vantage point. So vast, so empty, and utterly devoid of life. Notice the figure raise its hand and snap his bony fingers.

You may wonder where that sudden breeze had come from, and the smell of grain. You may also wonder how a wheat field was suddenly there. Though by now that scythe the figure was holding suddenly made sense.

Looking at his work, the figure seemed satisfied as the adopted kittens playing around in his robe. Though this was one harvest he wouldn't reap, he keeps the scenery around for the novelty. And the reminder that there is something the harvest can hope for under the care of the reaper man.

Death has always been one of my favorite Discworld characters, right beside Sam Vimes and Granny Weatherwax. Out of everyone else on the Disc that I know of, only these three could take a look -  a really good look - at the cold, bitter place that is the universe at large and not succumb under its weight. Or better yet, they could tell the world around them to shove off and the damn thing listens. And in Deaths' case, literally.

This oneshot fanfic takes place some time before he gets fired in the Reaper Man book, and it also gives us some insight in a line Death mentioned in the story:

"FOR THE SAKE OF PRISONERS AND THE FLIGHT OF BIRDS." 

We never really got a hint where he got that line from in the book itself, but this fic could give us a really good idea. Good enough to be canon, god-willing. The writing even has a bit of Pratchett's own style in it especially in describing the atmosphere and the overall theme in a whimsical, poignant kind of way.

You can access the fic here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5386180/1/Sparrows
Enjoy :)

Toaru Majutsu no Index Doujin Review: $1,000,000 no Best Order! By Utsura Uraraka

As promised, this is where I review the second most noteworthy Accelerator and Last Order doujin in my collection, made by the same author and one of only two of her Certain Magical Index doujins that had been translated to English. Best Order is the sequel to the previous one I had reviewed last week, and this is where the story crosses over from plain heartwarming to outright hilarity.

Here, we have our two main characters trying, just plain trying, to make a decent dinner while their surrogate mothers were out. You also have to wonder just what kind of dinner they could make where the only ingredients they need are onions.

When asked why, Last Order had this to say.

So that’s where Misaka Imouto’s goggles went to…

Then there’s this problem…

Which leads us to one of the most heartwarming exchange between these two in fanon.

As for what came after...

What a way to bait us up, huh?

...something just as memorable.

I don't think they'll EVER live this down.

Though, he certainly looks happy...

Overall, this doujin certainly had won me over. Kudos to the artist Utsuka Uraraka, or Eretto as she's better known, as well as to the Life 4 Kaoru scanlation group for bringing us this. Her's hoping that they'll also get to work on the author's other works.

Toaru Majutsu no Index Doujin Review: Last Order In Your Eyes! by Utsura Uraraka

I'm still mostly on the Touma and Misaka bandwagon for this series, but that doesn't stop me from being interested in the other beta couples portrayed here. I don't actively ship Accelerator and Last Order but I can't deny their charm. In fact, this doujin uses the latter pairing's brand of chemistry as its selling point. And, honestly, I'm sold.

The setting is a simple slice-of-life scenario between our two leads. No plot to speak of, no outright danger to fight against, and none of Aleister's plans that needs to be derailed. 

Just a snotty little punk, a hyperactive little girl, and sharing a scarf in cold weather.

Accelerator gives us a rare example of a male tsudenre character, if his actions are anything to go by. Mostly he acts like a jerk, then he gives us a glimpse of his heart of gold. Just don't mind the child abuse. That's how he shows he cares.

Aww. Humbug.

Last Order, like always, is just a little ball of sunshine. And she's all it takes to convince Accelerator to turn around do whatever she wants him to do. And in this case, it's to try making dinner.

Key word here is try.

This doujin does a good job in showing us just how cute and heartwarming this pairing is. Which, compared to any relationship the actual hero of the series is having, at least this one has some actual canon development and is more likely to have more resolution.

If only Accelerator stops acting embarrassed.

Also, this doujin seemed to be part of a series made by the author, but only this issue and one other had been translated into English. I'll cover the other translated doujin soon right after this.