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5/6 c1 Sus
Among us in real life
4/20 c3 Sam
I cannot begin to tell you how happy this series of short stories make me.
4/19 c16 3xSilverxRose
I read this one with a big smile on my face, because you managed to put something down here that I might just find one of the most interesting things about Fiona's character and just their whole family situation in general. It's just shows the amount of depth that this series has, and I just really love it when that depth gets to be explored. And it's really well executed as well, amazing job!

It makes so much sense that this would eventually be an issue, I mean everyone apart from her was an ogre from the start. Fiona in essence, is both, even though she now has her ogre body, that human part is just as much part of her. And I think as much as she loves her life the way it is now, and would never swap it for a human one, she still wants and needs that human side to be there as well. It's why she is the way she is, it's how she connects with her human family, she's still part of that as well! I guess she's kind of that bridge between the two worlds, and that's what make this so interesting, because she falls right in between those worlds, she can not acclaim to know what it's like to have lived fully human OR ogre, but she can identify with both, and that's what makes for her own life experience. Which I can imagine can both be a strong suit as well as a burden, depending on how you look at it at times. When I think of Fiona I just really see someone who embraced those both sides and let them exists beside each other, it was part of her self-acceptance.

I also like who this ends with Fiona realizing that this is probably about patience and life-experience. It's hard to explain things when there's only one thing you've ever known and experienced. But I love how this was the start of an important lesson about being open minded. And I can imagine this topic becoming more of a two-sided conversation once her kids grow older, and may or may not have different experiences with humans.

Anyway, I can probably go on and on about this as you might notice from this review. Amazing job once again! Thank you for all this genuine, good content you put out here.
4/14 c16 4fauxgre
Thank you for posting! This chapter only burnishes BNOW's good reputation.

The central tension is a fantastic one, hinging on issues that range from universal (prejudices, parental protection) to ridiculously specific: the teen ogres navigating their world that's unconventional even by ogre standards, and then Fiona navigating her world that's unconventional even by her own family's standards.

I really like how the emotional action of the story is painted against a backdrop that requires going out on a limb and developing the teens' individual personalities as well as making conjectures about how this family's dynamic develops when all you've got to go on is diapers and feeding gourds.

I also like how this story yanked my allegiances back and forth. One paragraph I'm sitting on the sofa nodding my head along with Team Ogre, and in the next I'm feeling for Fiona, how there's no resolution for her that doesn't deny some aspect of her identity.

And, as ever, the writing is peppered with clever turns of phrase that pack a punch.
4/13 c16 7rawshark
The kids' personalities are so vibrant here, as they become more and more so each time you explore them. Farkle is a non-malicious smartazz (or at least tries to be/thinks he is), Fergus is understated with razor sharp wit, and Felicia is... both, I suppose. Maybe not as encyclopedic as Fergus, but more eloquent and observant than Farkle.

I think this chapter is all the proof anyone needs that there is SO MUCH deep meaning to be mined from this series. Like sure, it's easy to make the comparison of ogres vs. humans as analogous to racism, but THIS takes it to a whole new, uncomfortably relevant level of realism.

Both sides have their valid points, that the other isn't yet open to, and they both communicate them so that all are understanding. (Except Shrek is playing the field... whoever's winning at a given moment.) Fiona has no idea what it's like to grow up as a full ogre in the world (or you know, grow up IN THE WORLD period, but that's a whole 'nother story), but she's also rightfully concerned hearing what sound like sweeping generalizations of humans by her kids.

I could sit here and analyze the nuance in this chapter to the point my review would have a higher character count than the chapter itself. So I won't. But I'd like to.

(Also: a prequel to Ch9 Love!)
4/7 c15 3xSilverxRose
This is such a lovely chapter! I really like how you manage give the characters, and Fiona in particular, so much more dimension, in the movies they skip past these insecurities like it was nothing. But just imagine growing up being taught to despise something that you're now stuck with. This shows that fear and and the struggle that comes with it.

The part in which Shrek calls Fiona beautiful and she lets it sink in for the first time and realizes she just can't see herself as beautiful, at all, and maybe even hates the thought of herself as beautiful. It's so sad but also so realistic.

Beautifully written piece. As always looking forward to reading more of your work!
4/3 c15 4fauxgre
This is another wonderful chapter, an instant classic worthy of the By Night One Way brand. Thank you for creating it!

It begins with a gentle touch. Some tender mood setting. I was all settled in for some clumsy, innocent lovers, some cozy fluff. Seriously, this story could have wound up at the “yer so beautiful” paragraph, and already have been excellent. It has so many charming, heartwarming elements:

* Shrek goes to bed on the front lawn to let Fiona have his bed because they're not married yet. That's so considerate and thoughtful of her! He's a decent ogre! Remember that next time he does something foolish.

* “enthusiastic third wheel” / “glancing up towards the dark window, muting their joy”. I love how Donkey's outsized presence permeates even when he's asleep! Here it makes for an innocent mischief. They feel like teenagers trying to get away with something despite actually being self controlled, considerate adults. Your use of Donkey's presence quite cleverly sets the mood.

* Fiona's only been sprung from jail for a few days. The story has so many appropriate little references.

- “she didn't know why she wasn't sleeping” – well, things have been a little more exciting than usual!

- “It was different … being outside” – Yes! Wow! I mean so much is weird for this creature. But outside! STARS! She hates the night to begin with, and yeah, she never actually got to enjoy a starry night! Wow!

- “dark clouds which settled permanently over her home.” She hasn't entirely absorbed the idea that she's moved out yet. Of course. Yes!

* The affectionate couple: “she inched closer to him so they were laying shoulder to shoulder.” / “He balled his hand into a fist, laying it against the small of her back.” I love the wholesome, careful, nervous, anxious physical interactions here. They draw a nice line to the beautiful respect of NWWW.
At this point the scene is a tender balance between the fear of a new place and the thrill of a new relationship, and it's perfect. You could have stopped here.

But you didn't! In fact, you wrote all that just to set the stage for a much more difficult turn. Fiona faces one of her worst fears, makes a bit of a mess with it, struggles with it, and ultimately finds this uncomfortable but passable middle ground. The struggle at the end is fantastic: had she “ran away back to the safety of the bedroom,” imagine how tragic a turn that would have been, how it would have mortified Shrek! So here I am cheering her for avoiding this big tragedy, and yet she's rightly kicking herself for unjustly punishing Shrek. You took a tiny little important moment and showed how high-stakes it was.

It is, if you'll forgive the pun, a stellar story.
4/3 c15 2Silvan Princess
Okay, I’ve been lurking over this series for ages, and I decided to let you know that I deeply appreciate and adore this series. It’s such a breath of fresh air to see actual fanfiction rather than trolls; and your stories are so interesting because it takes on a side to the movies that wasn’t deeply explored. So thank you for sharing your work with the fandom :D
4/2 c15 7rawshark
I love this part of workingouteverymomentbetweeneachfilmsceneminutebyminute.

Fiona: hates herself
Shrek: ?
Fiona: OH UH- not til marriage

She truly is her own worst enemy. Although, determining if the bigger factor was her personal insecurities, or Donkey being there. Or? Both.

It is interesting to consider the like, less than 24 hour period where Shrek and Fiona were technically... "dating." That's even weird to write out. Or well, I guess the weed rat roast was also a date. They just didn't know it. So I suppose this is technically one of their dates. Assumedly their LAST one - uninterrupted, unaccompanied until they wed.

The simple awe and enjoyment of a cool breeze. Being fascinated by all the furnishings in the house. And her enjoyment of spending time with him tainted by... a compliment. That she finally had no choice but to acknowledge, not having the excuse of just having transformed (twice, technically) to distract her.

It did make me think: it's impressive she was then able to... function as well as she did on their wedding night, though it did rear back around the next morning. We love compartmentalizing. And being so preoccupied with other feelings that these old boring self-destructive ones have no choice but to take a backseat. (Kidding. Unless-)

Wonderful chapter! Such a small moment, but BIG feelings. And even BIGGER okay imma head out.
10/18/2020 c14 3xSilverxRose
Forgive me as I just love heartwrenching depressing writing about Fiona and her family.

This again was just amazing. Showing that Fiona's curse (and the lifting of it) still weighs way more heavy than just giving their daughter a loving and accepting life. It still blows my mind to think about how very traumatizing this experience must be to a child, poor Fiona.

Love the focuss on Lillian's emotions in this one, she's trying so hard to make Fiona believe that this is really the best option for her and all will be fine. While deep down she knows that this is a horrible and selfish decision to make. Harold is absolutely right on Fiona being the strong one, and she even surpasses Lillian on that. It takes a very strong and open mind to be able to overcome everything that has been thrown at her since she was a child.

Very well written! I hadn't been on here for a while but as always it's great to see an update from you! Looking forward to more.
9/26/2020 c14 9FloralCloud
Once again, another brilliant addition to this story! I love that we got to see the vulnerability of Queen Lillian, as others have said, because she is usually the strong one. I got a lump in my throat when Fiona changed her mind about going, and when she left her toy car behind; so simply written, yet spoke volumes. Just brilliant, thanks again for the update!
9/26/2020 c14 4fauxgre
A fantastic addition that does the collection proud. Hooray!

- in awe of her beauty ... Except for when the sun went down… seething anger

... ah hah! That unconscious bias. Well communicated.

- protect her from the loneliness and insanity that was bound to creep up on her eventually.

Come on, Lillian! A stuffy for years of solitary confinement!? A volleyball can only do so much for Tom Hanks.

- Lillian found herself internally begging for ... anything to prevent handing over her daughter.

Anything, except actually taking action? Ordering her carriage to turn around? If only she were a well-respected community leader of some sort. Like a queen or something. Good job making the audience frustrated with her foibles.

- tiny mountainous challenge

Word crafting award: six points!

- despite her still, quiet demeanour.

Great mental image: princess training is doing its sinister job!

- "you're strong, just like your mother."

I love this line coming from Harold. It highlights the second most important aspect of Fiona's character. It carries by omission the implication that Harold is weak. And it invites us to ask whether Lillian is in fact strong, the central question of the story.

(This would all be so much easier if FFN would introduce a "review individual phrases" feature. :)

- "I change my mind"

I'd have expected "changed". I guess this is grammatically correct too, but unfamiliar.

Interesting that you chose to have FGM's goons pick up Fiona somewhere en route to the tower. That neatly solves two problems: first, how are they going to arrange a multi-day trip when they've never taken Fiona outside after dark before? And second, this has the nice consequence that Harold and Lillian don't even learn where the tower is, making it difficult for them to change their mind before FGM's plan comes to fruition.

... which then makes me think: holy heck, how do you two even know there's a tower on the other end of this project? Have you idiots considered the possibility that FGM simply requires young maidens as a raw ingredient for her potion factory?

I like how the final shot of the story is just Lillian and Harold. So we can watch them suffer for their stupidity, and shake our fists at them.

- got completed and emerged from the vault!

Hooray! Looking forward to what else emerges from the vault.
9/25/2020 c14 7rawshark
Ah yes... the Brand(TM). I love suffering.

I love the foreshadowing language. "With your true love," "In your true form"... oh she'll be those things, all right. SIKE

The men dragging her away was very Uncomfy. Nice touch.

Leave it to FGM to needlessly cut short even this tiny last moment between the family - that she be brought to her tower cruelly and alone. Unless - perhaps so that they don't actually know where the tower specifically is? Cuz they may be tempted to visit (or rertrieve) her prematurely? :o

HOW DID I KNOW YOU'D NOT LET HER HAVE THE CAT. You're awful. Evil. Soulless.

It's exquisite.

Don't feel the need to apologize or minimize the misery; taking into account the film canon, a huge chunk of her life has been miserable to various degrees. The whole "true happiness and love" thing is a fairly recent development all things considered. (And even THEN it's not all sunshine and rainbows, cuz her husband is kind of a d1ck.)

Excellent work, as always!
9/20/2020 c1 4fauxgre
- "Mom?" she dared whisper, sniffling again ... her mother's footsteps walking away.

Shiver.

That’s really my whole review. This story did an excellentjob of showing how the high-stakes situation has suddenly descended on our (what, seven-year-old?) protagonist. I imagine that Fiona began turning into an ogress maybe a year before this, and, as an adaptable kid, that was just another of life’s crazy surprises. But in this story, that particular phenomenon comes crashing down on every last relationship: with friends and with her parents.

So this story is here to point out that it’s not only Harold who’s a problem; Lilian is toxic, too. I’d be curious how you derived that from the movies - or whether it’s simply the only available explanation for a mother who could ultimately tolerate the idea of shipping her daughter away.
9/15/2020 c5 fauxgre
Godmother, I love this chapter. I think this is my favorite BNOW story.

First (dream) scene: chilling! Perfectly paced, keeps its novelty even on the third read. The rest of the story is very contemplative: there's not a plot, only character introspection. So why should we care? Because this scene was so visceral, so lively, so identifiable. When the swords starts its trip downhill, I'm cowering right along with Fiona. I'm going to confess that I visualized a bit of directors-cut-gore before "Fiona gasped for air." Using a dream that you only reveal at the end was a clever way to make the whole story matter; to synchronize the reader with the thoughts that are completely engulfing Fiona.

I was reading a bit recently about how some authors are plot-driven vs character-driven. I've come to understand that I really go for the character-driven stories, and that's a hallmark of your style. What I love about this story is how it conveys the high stakes situation Fiona is in, transmitting her desperation to the audience.

The ongoing alternation between trying to play down the fear ("silly dream") and then acknowledging it ("it couldn't hurt to indulge in a solution") does a great job of building anxiety.

Douse the torches. Block the door. Tear down the tapestry. How did you find so much stuff to do in this tiny room? Good job keeping the props and physical interactions in play even as there is no actual plot movement - it held the visceral tone that was so well established in the opening action scene.

I loved how the entire fever dream is driven by the downsides of being an ogre, and yet you snuck in several advantages along the way: strong enough to lift a bed, heavy enough to keep it from moving. "The princess *roared* in distress": heck yeah she did! One little verb made me so happy because, being in the audience, I'm in on the secret she doesn't know: that being an ogress actually works out great.

I am perilously close to writing a review longer than the actual story, and so I shall conclude: this is DEFINITELY my favorite BNOW chapter.
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