What's this? I've been reading? Yes, I certainly have! I'm currently doing two (2) reading challenges: My third attempt at the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge, and the Reading Women Podfic Reading Challenge, and as usual when I take these challenges, I've dived right into them, and we'll see how badly I peter out as the year goes by, as I am wont to do.
Anyway, one of the Read Harder challenges was to read a fanfic, hence the reason why this is kind of maybe not a book review sort of? Since it isn't a book in the traditional sense, but long enough to be novel length, and read for the challenge so I'm counting it here.
Edition Read: Online edition
Started: January 1, 2021
Finished: January 3, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★
Review, however, behind a read more since it is spoilery, and originally posted on Archive of Our Own as a comment to the author, hence the language used, I was addressing the author directly:
Anyway, one of the Read Harder challenges was to read a fanfic, hence the reason why this is kind of maybe not a book review sort of? Since it isn't a book in the traditional sense, but long enough to be novel length, and read for the challenge so I'm counting it here.
Edition Read: Online edition
Started: January 1, 2021
Finished: January 3, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★
Review, however, behind a read more since it is spoilery, and originally posted on Archive of Our Own as a comment to the author, hence the language used, I was addressing the author directly:
I figured that, since I loved this fic so much, I should sit down and write a comment. Okay, that's not entirely fair. I've wanted to comment on this fic since I finished it the other day, but articulating my thoughts into anything other than dljv,dwjbgvdrwjgvrhkw OH MY GOD THIS WAS PERFECT AND THEY LOVE EACH OTHER SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!! was difficult. I think I can get my thoughts out now, however.
First off, mad respect for handling Red's neurodiversity the way you did! That was one of the things I loved most of all, that Blue adapted to Red's quirks (figuring out that he can communicate even if he can't speak, being patient while Red wrote down his thoughts, giving him time when he went into sensory overload) instead of forcing Red to adapt to the rest of the world.
In that same vein, I loved how Blue treated Red like the adult he is. (Hell, I wanted to punch Prof. Oak in the face when he implied that Red was incapable of making decisions about his love life and that Blue needed to be careful so he didn't take advantage of Red. Red may be nonverbal, but that doesn't mean he lacks the mental capacity of someone in their 20's, Jesus!)
I was also appreciative that the story was written from Blue's perspective. I don't think he gets a lot of love (at least compared to Red), and seeing things through his eyes was really nice! And seeing his growth and maturity throughout the story was fantastic! (Red confessing his feelings by telling Blue I did NOT like you when we were kids. I like you now though. was pretty much an allegory for how I grew to like Blue as a character between RBY/FRLG to GSC/HGSS to SuMo/USUM.) And I also really loved that Blue still clung to "Smell ya!" even into his mid-20s! Never change, Blue, never change.
The inclusion of other protagonists! Leaf getting some love was beautiful, people tend to forget she exists. Lyra's characterization owned my entire life and I loved that Ethan was portrayed with minimal battling experience but a strong love for Pokemon anyway (since, ya know, that's exactly how he is in HGSS if you play as Lyra!)
Just, all in all, this was everything I would ever want from a Red/Blue fic.
First off, mad respect for handling Red's neurodiversity the way you did! That was one of the things I loved most of all, that Blue adapted to Red's quirks (figuring out that he can communicate even if he can't speak, being patient while Red wrote down his thoughts, giving him time when he went into sensory overload) instead of forcing Red to adapt to the rest of the world.
In that same vein, I loved how Blue treated Red like the adult he is. (Hell, I wanted to punch Prof. Oak in the face when he implied that Red was incapable of making decisions about his love life and that Blue needed to be careful so he didn't take advantage of Red. Red may be nonverbal, but that doesn't mean he lacks the mental capacity of someone in their 20's, Jesus!)
I was also appreciative that the story was written from Blue's perspective. I don't think he gets a lot of love (at least compared to Red), and seeing things through his eyes was really nice! And seeing his growth and maturity throughout the story was fantastic! (Red confessing his feelings by telling Blue I did NOT like you when we were kids. I like you now though. was pretty much an allegory for how I grew to like Blue as a character between RBY/FRLG to GSC/HGSS to SuMo/USUM.) And I also really loved that Blue still clung to "Smell ya!" even into his mid-20s! Never change, Blue, never change.
The inclusion of other protagonists! Leaf getting some love was beautiful, people tend to forget she exists. Lyra's characterization owned my entire life and I loved that Ethan was portrayed with minimal battling experience but a strong love for Pokemon anyway (since, ya know, that's exactly how he is in HGSS if you play as Lyra!)
Just, all in all, this was everything I would ever want from a Red/Blue fic.