rate_review Reviews

@Chapter 57: Short review this time. I was glad to see that the fallout from the last chapter is being addressed. The whole "crap, the kids?!" scene was darkly funny to me... in a gallows humor sort of way. Stark still needs to talk to Halibell and Toshiro, if I recall correctly. Interesting to finally see Ichigo and Rukia after all this time. I'm looking forward to seeing how things play out when Ichigo finally encounters his family.

March 20th 2014---I just finished reading the latest chapter and the story is so amazing. All those hot headed men ready for a fight. I feel so bad that Karine is stuck with Aizen. I am glad that his power is lowered and I hope that Auga and Her consort(LOL) I cant help but laugh and can just imagine his fathers face while Orihime will be jumping with joy for the pairing. I know that Harabell and Toshiro are just as confused and upset as the rest of them. I hope that they find a way to protect the twins. I know that Starrk will not take kindly to anyone trying to take or harm them.
I apologize for all the misspellings but hope that you understand what I mean. It is the Highlight of my week to read the next chapter.
As far as what I am looking forward to in the manga I want to see what Kennys sword does. He is one of my fav soul reapers and I was so excited when I read the recent chapter that showed that he was back I could not help but squeal and announce it to my whole house My son told me that I was acting just like a kid, and that I should act my age. I told him NO. TIll the next chapter Thank You.. Be safe and do well in your life...

I finally got the courage to read a bit further on this story. I had read up to the aftermath of Ajuga and Diamus' capture and then read through the chapters devoted to Toshiro and Hairibel. Then, I stopped. I've been waiting to read further until I had more to read, hopefully some good news. Today, I read up through both chapters of the March up North. I'm not caught up. All this tension and countdowns are driving me nuts. If I had enough patience and didn't like reviewing when I have the chance, I would wait until the end. I don't think we're quite in the home stretch, which means something is going to go wrong. And the 'how' worries me. Why do you keep layered good things with more moments of foreboding, pending darkness? Do you like doing this to your readers? No, don't answer that. All writers do. And it's one of the marks of a great story teller. I just thought I would explain a 'little' bit of the worry and angst your story puts me through with each new chapter. Maybe it would have been safer to leave this 'onion' uncut and not start going through the layers and finding myself trapped reading and worrying, crying, hating, smiling, worrying, etc. You're too good at your webs of intrigue.

Now, on to some real reviewing.

You had one past question I felt like I wanted to answer that is a really good springboard for all I want to touch on here.

Do you feel like Grimmjow and Ulquiorra have changed considerably since the start of POV1, and if so, was the change so gradual that you hardly noticed it until one day you were just like, 'holy shit have these two changed!' ?

The short answer is yes, and yes, again.

You have been a master at character development with each and every character you've vested in, and I include Black Fox in that, since I know she helps you with Toshiro and Harribel as well did the beautiful, painful interlude piece between the two POVs. Yes, the change in characters has been gradual, and yes, the changes have happened in such a way that I hadn't realized how far the changes had occurred until you needed them for the sinuously complicated plot you've engineered. Especially with Ulquiorra. I knew that he's been softening but I didn't analyze how so and why until you needed Grimmjow's and his rivalry/acquaintance to shift into something stronger, not quite buddies but definitely partners.

Speaking of Grimmjow and Ulquiorra, you've been getting even sneakier than usual with these latest 10-2- chapters. You never revealed 'exactly' all of what Grimmjow and Ulquiorra talked about when Grimmjow decided to pay the Fourth a little visit when Diamus and Ajuga were stolen away. It's only now that we know that Grimmjow did not give him the whole story. And that's not the only KEY conversation that you have left open-ended. How much did Syazel reveal to Harribel? Don't you have enough keys to tension without leaving us wondering what was all expounded in KEY conversations/events?! EVIL, you are E.V.I.L.

First, you have evil chapters then sweet then heart-breaking and finally sweet again. That's especially how I felt about the chapters centering on the First and Hana's relationship. I should have known that you would cover each and every corner of what kind of questions and worries this hybrid living arrangement could bring and for the longest time, I dreaded this particular question. This development moved me to tears more than once. Stark was always one of my favorite Espada and his and Lilynette's overwhelming, crippling despair and fear of loneliness was too potent. You couldn't blame them for choosing Aizen. (Aizen is one evil clever bastard with how he got the more powerful Espada to join him. That's a part I think Kubo shouldn't have skipped over.) Before this development, the Firsts have had stable key characteristics, respectful and fiery, but you haven't felt a lot of threat or depth to the sorrow that seems to linger in both of them. I don't know if you planned it this way, but first with them saving Syazel, and now with the threat of losing one of their family, you changed that. In the same movement, you developed Hana from an intelligent child to a very bright, courageous young woman. I would have liked a Stark/Hana/Lilynette moment before the attack for my tender heart, but I adored the reconciliation when it finally came around. I cried again, this time for the amazing relief and hope. You didn't belittle what Hana had to go through to come to grips with everything either. Beautiful.

Beauitful is just one of the words I would use to describe the depth and time you've spent on another relationship, surprising as they were. Grimmjow and Karin may be my top couple and then Tasuki and Tesra but Toshiro and Tia's slow love has been something unique from the rest. I admit I never saw their love coming. It was gradual and until it was overwhelming on both their sides, Black Fox's writing obscured how much it really meant to both of them. You and she definitely went the right way on creating this. First, it began with respect and appreciation of each other, and then slow steps of trust and understanding built between then, at first so little I had to go back to catch that their relationship was shifting, and then Toshiro's growth from young genius captain to powerful, assertive mate, confident and invested enough to break down the rest of the walls between them both. Their powers are winter and sea, known for calm, serene landscapes and stormy flights of power. That was how this relationship crept on me, like the spell of their elements.

And can I say one more thing? The way he manipulated Espada like Tia and Stark/Lilynette is another reason for him to die as hard as he can.

This is already VERY long, so I will touch on a couple more things quickly in the maelstrom of details you've added in the last bunch of chapters.

Syazel is NOT one of my favorite characters in the cannon story, but after POV, he is! And as much as I hate to say it, I think that started with what he has gone through simply because he is as smart as that bastard Aizen. It only started with that. The interlude piece really shed some depth on Syazel's character. Like Renji, I kinda felt bad for thinking the worst of him. With Karin's intervention on his life, he started to make repairs he could for what he did, first, to keep Karin, and then, because he wanted to. He's changed. Like Ulquiorra. Where at first there was a cold scientist with some honor then there was a martyr, now there's a determined schemer who will do anything to protect what he has somehow got in this corner of hell. Even if it was Harribel, I LOVED how he slowly beat down her shields for their cause, when he had a weakness to exploit. And in the past, it would have been for a selfish cause. This time it isn't. Then, there's the perfect manipulation of Yoruichi. Heheh! Back off, kitty spy, you've met your match. ~

Syazel's human side started revealing itself because of my favorite OC, Ajuga, and she's effected many, most of those who are feeling the worst of Aizen/Aizen's minions' cruelty. Her righteous anger, determination, and cleverness in regards to Gin and Byakuya move me every time it's mentioned. Then, there's this sentence in chapter 40: Reprieves:

"Now she was gone and not likely to return. That one little spark of happiness left to him was gone. His mental shields against his captor’s perpetual abuse were now as flimsy as paper as a result."

Nothing drives her effect on people home like this, even more so than Grimmjow's grief. I really worry about what your latest chapter "Bloodlines Revealed" means. I have a feeling that it's not good, which is why I am taking a break, a SHORT break. Now, that I've dove into this epic again, I HAVE to finish what you have up. Still, I really, really worry for my favorite girl. I always have. She's too strong a force for your evil web to not hit sometime before the end... Keep strong Ajuga-chan.

End of the review this time. Enjoy! I'll read more later when I can read and then do some physical work to get out my feelings.

Another amazing chapter as always poor everyone! But great thinking Karin in this time of great despair! I'm so proud of you for saving your family and sacrificing herself. I can't wait for the next chapter just what sort of craziness with happen once Ichigo finds out about Aguja and everything insure he'll find out who's pregnant with who and kids and all that stuff and how will he treat his nerve and her father? And Szayel with the past there too and what will Renji do will he still harbor such a hate for Karin once he comes down and realizes what all this means.

Oh I can't wait for the next chaper!!!

So Ichigo finds in one go that Grimmjow cares about Karin, that he has a niece, and that she is now maried to Orihime's son who also happens to be Ulquiorra..... Thats gonna be one hell of a family visit.
I hope Grimmjow is up to see the hilarity of it. Probably not, considering he is gonna be going bonkers about what Karin did, but with the escapees, the conpiration and aizeen troneless i dont belierve the plan is gonna be dead, but move foward.
I'm pretty sure that when the moments comes Harribel and Stark will help, ((and so will Noitora because of Matsumoto and Tesra)) or Yoruichui can contact them and get them working. This new development is gonna move a lot of hives..... now i wonder if Toshiro will figure out Ajuga to be royalty from her taking the trone... thats gonna be an interesting chat with harribel i hope we get to see.

@Chapter 56: Holly crap! A lot happened in this one chapter... The way thing played out, this is like a REALLY good season-end cliffhanger- like when the Borg abducted Capt. Picard at the end of season 3 of TNG! I just have to hold my hands up and applaud you for this excellent installment. I can't wait to find out what's going to happen next.

As for the chapter... Well, I wasn't sure what to expect, other than that the whole conspiracy was about to come crashing down the anti-Aizen faction within the Sereitei. So, it would seem that Ajuga has not just a boyfriend- but a fiance (lol). Not that I'm complaining, because I totally ship those two together. You are the only writer that has such a great story that I actually have an OTP consisting of two OCs! On a slightly more serious note, one of the reaons I like this couple is because they're such a perfect and logical fit for each other- I very much get a fire and ice vibe from those two when they're interacting with each other. And as we've all learned from Ichigo and Ulquiorra's relationships- no matter how much you might not admit to it at first, you always end up with the person who infuriates you the most (lol).

And poor poor Ichigo... He's about to meet his half-hollow niece- who's the daughter of one of his greatest enemies- and the half-hollow son of Orihime and Ulquiorra- who's been 'spirit-engaged' to his niece. This means that Ichigo will probably want to kill Grimmjow for sleeping with his sister, while Grimmjaw wants to kill Diaemus because he think's he's been fooling around with HIS daughter. AND, lest we forget that Yuroichi also said that they kept Ichigo in the dark about all these half-breed kids to keep him from doing something stupid... so he's about to meet two people who've been hidden from him for over a decade. Poor Ichi, I'm sorry that I find this so funny.

My only immediate concerns are Abisara and Vindula, but I'm sure Stark and Lilinette (plus Jushiro, and even Halibell & Toshiro) will make sure that nothing happens to them. But as for Byakuya... Oh god, I cannot say enough how sorry I feel for this guy. As a straight man myself, I tremble when I think about all that's been inflicted upon this man! Seriously, on a list of things I NEVER want to happen to me, I can say with certainty that being prison-raped is near the top of the list. And poor Ggio-kitty...

Anyway, great chapter! I can't wait to read the next one!

Yay! Ichigo's going to find out he is a uncle X3 Very good chapter but please let Aizen die soon

I shudder to think why Zee wanted to be Ajuga's consort. What would that have done to him I wonder? Is Ajuga the new Queen or what? Grimmjow is going to go berserk when he wakes up. I hope Szay has VERY deep bunker to hide in.

Ah, I really can't wait to see Ichigo. However, the way this chapter ended... NO! I REFUSE to believe that Aizen will do anything to Karin, I cannot accept it! * is in denial *

Ichigo will save her, he has to... now excuse me while I go curl into a ball and cry my eyes out.

Well.......ouch....I mean really OUCH.

Ajuga must feel like shit right now, it was her recklessness that caused the current situation and threw a wrench into the big plan. Will be interesting to see how Ajuga/Grimm/Diaemus/Szyel conduct themselves around people who probably think less than favorable about them. Renji knows the escapees and along with Yuro might be able to vouch for them but there I still some bad blood between the 2 sides. Ichigo is going to go fucking NUCLEAR when he finds out what Aizen intends on doing to his sister. Her being taken by Grimm was bad enough for him but now shits really hit the fan. At least he will finally be able to see his niece.........that NO ONE told him about.......I am going to love that scene. Givin his feelings in regard to Ulq and what he knows happened to Hime, you would imagine it would be hard for him to look at Diaemus without remembering his failure.

It also occurred to me that with the children in such close proximity to say, Hiyori? There is a very high chance that she will spill the beans on a lot of what the kids parents got up to and there part in the war like she did with Hana. Diaemus respects his father immensely and the truth of what happened before he changed into a better being is going to cut deep.

Given that aizen has the Hogyouku and survived getting impaled and blown up partially by Gin,It's a bit of a stretch that he would be wary of Karin placing a claim on him and forceing him to kill himself. Granted she does not know about what Gin tried and doesn't know about Aizens high speed regeneration. Or is Aizen just prolonging his little game and letting her hopes get raised before doing business as usual and crushing them? If anything, losing the thrones power has only made Aizen more dangerous. As shown in canon, when he was drunk on power he dropped his guard entirely and stopped planning ahead, now that he is back to what he once was, he will restart his engine and go back to the man that planned a 100 year coup de ta.

It certainly sucks to be Karin right now. She is gonna see how the other side lives and there is no Grimmjow to shield her from the worst of it.

This chapter was all kinds of perfect and although I would have loved to have seen how things were gong in the SS while Aizen was out and how the numeros conducted themselves and how Ukitake ran things, I am glad that you cut down the travel time for the assault force to return. Knowing that ass wipe, Aizen probably could have just teleported them to the area where the swarms base was located at any time lol.

-waits patiently for the next chapter-

P.S
I so fucking called it on Kenpachi showing up lol. Hopefully he just pulls a byakuya and gives yachiru a confidence boost and lets her take the stern ritter down.