Penname: Mara [Contact] Real name:
Member Since: 06/05/2008
Membership status: Member
Bio:

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Reviews by Mara
Lost and Found by UKJess Rated: All Audiences starstarstarstarstar [Reviews - 15]
Summary:

Summary: Kidnapped and then mysteriously released by the Romulans, Kirk is travelling back to Earth to stand trial. Can his friends, and the rest of the crew of the Enterprise do anything to help this self-confessed traitor?


Categories: Fiction
Characters: Chekov, McCoy, Scott, Sulu, Uhura
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: Kirk-Spock Friendship
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: Action/Plot, Character Study
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: ST:TOS Original Universe
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 20794 Read Count: 25529
[Report This] Published: 09/28/2005 Updated: 09/28/2005
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarstar
Date: 06/20/2008 Title: Chapter 1: 1/1

Glorious characterisation and a superb eye for detail. A story I know I'll come back and read again.

Strong Together by UKJess Rated: ADULT (NC-17) starstarstarstarstar [Reviews - 30]
Summary:

What also happened in New York


Categories: Fiction
Characters: None
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: Kirk/Spock Slash
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: Action/Plot, Angst, First Time, Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: ST:TOS Original Universe
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 4 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 17058 Read Count: 35729
[Report This] Published: 11/15/2005 Updated: 11/16/2005
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarstar
Date: 06/25/2008 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter One

What a beautifully written story! I loved it, especially the use of episodes woven into the author's tale.

The Strangest Thing by TGuess Rated: ADULT (NC-17) starstarstarstarstar [Reviews - 17]
Summary: The Romulan Commander once said, “There's no force that I can use on a Vulcan that will make him speak.” But what about a Vulcan hybrid with human weaknesses? Captured again by Romulans, Spock is put to the test.

(PLEASE NOTE: Originally written in 2003, this is a revised version with 30+ new pages (along with various art pieces I did) published in the zine "Dark Fire 1").
Categories: Fiction
Characters: Romulan Commander, Sarek, T'Pring
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: K/S plus K/other or S/other
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: Action/Plot, Angst, Hurt/Comfort
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: ST:TOS Original Universe
Warnings: Caveat lector/Choose Not to Warn, Explicit violence, Incest, Non-consensual sex
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 33009 Read Count: 11870
[Report This] Published: 12/30/2005 Updated: 12/30/2005
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarstar
Date: 07/09/2008 Title: Chapter 1: None

A difficult read, not just for the violence suffered by Spock but also because of Kirk's helplessness as he and McCoy seek a way to restore Spock mentally. Very well written and utterly gripping; good dialogue that rang very true. I'm glad that no facile solution was presented at the end - I wouldn't have believed it. And I'm glad that hope was there at the end.

Heading by Vhett Rated: All Audiences starstarstarstarhalf-star [Reviews - 3]
Summary: Kirk never had it easy. He only had it lucky.
Categories: Fiction
Characters: None
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: Kirk/Spock Slash
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: None
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: None
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 1431 Read Count: 6799
[Report This] Published: 04/10/2008 Updated: 04/10/2008
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarhalf-star
Date: 06/20/2008 Title: Chapter 1: Heading

Beautifully written. Almost impressionistic but it says a great deal.

This Deadly Innocence, a.k.a., The End of the Hurt/Comfort Syndrome by Leslie Fish Rated: ADULT (NC-17) starstarstarstarhalf-star [Reviews - 22]
Summary:

Doctor McCoy has detected a dangerous syndrome in two of his patients. He prescribes a novel treatment.


Categories: Fiction
Characters: McCoy
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: Kirk/Spock Slash
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: First Time
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: ST:TOS Original Universe
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 37369 Read Count: 30773
[Report This] Published: 06/01/2008 Updated: 06/01/2008
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarhalf-star
Date: 06/05/2008 Title: Chapter 1: This Deadly Innocence

A suberb, engrossing read with excellent characterisation.

Sleeping in Elysium by isabol Rated: ADULT (NC-17) starstarstarstarstar [Reviews - 32]
Summary: An exploration of friendship and caring when Kirk is injured during a mission and Spock learns to care for the him. He discovers how to appreciate the limited world Jim exists in and learns to love. This novel was printed in a zine last year but due to miscommunication the complete version was not available.
Categories: Fiction
Characters: None
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: Kirk/Spock Slash
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: None
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: None
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 2 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 124634 Read Count: 29265
[Report This] Published: 06/22/2008 Updated: 06/22/2008
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstar
Date: 06/25/2008 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter one of two

I enjoyed this novel. I especially enjoyed the interaction with McCoy - for instance, the opening scene seemed just right. The plot details - the Klingon plot, the reference to the Fabrini and Preservers - were all very well done and beautifully tied into the ST universe. I thought the battle scene was superb. The author was excellent in keeping the crew fully involved and present and it was very "filmic". All in all, a good read.

Trying Times by Elise Madrid Rated: ADULT (NC-17) starstarstarstarhalf-star [Reviews - 9]
Summary: Nothing seems to go their way as Kirk and Spock try to get together. Originally published in First Time 60, June 2006.
Categories: Fiction
Characters: None
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: Kirk/Spock Slash
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: None
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: ST:TOS Original Universe
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 16540 Read Count: 9779
[Report This] Published: 06/23/2008 Updated: 06/23/2008
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarhalf-star
Date: 06/27/2008 Title: Chapter 1: (none)

A really good read, just the right tone throughout. I read it a while back in the zine and enjoyed it just as much on rereading.

Deep Water by Jenna Hilary Sinclair Rated: ADULT (NC-17) starstarstarstarstar [Reviews - 12]
Summary: All is not necessarily as it seems to be.
Categories: Fiction
Characters: None
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: Kirk/Spock Slash
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: None
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: None
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 25945 Read Count: 19625
[Report This] Published: 06/30/2008 Updated: 06/30/2008
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarhalf-star
Date: 07/01/2008 Title: Chapter 1: None

An unusual story, unsettling and engrossing. I very much enjoyed the process of trying to tease out what was happening as I read.

Storm Tossed by Elise Madrid Rated: ADULT (NC-17) starstarstarstarhalf-star [Reviews - 10]
Summary: My own take on the three-year separation. Probably because I never liked the whole separation idea, more than one reader has had a, shall we say, forceful reaction to this story, so be warned. ;-)

Originally published March, 2003 in Beyond Dreams 6
Categories: Fiction
Characters: None
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: Kirk/Spock Slash
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: None
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: None
Warnings: Infidelity
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 44921 Read Count: 7412
[Report This] Published: 08/19/2008 Updated: 08/19/2008
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarhalf-star
Date: 08/23/2008 Title: Chapter 1: (none)

I read this in zine form and greatly enjoyed it. I enjoyed it just as much on rereading - in some respects even more, as I took my time to savour it rather than pushing on to find out how it ended. It's a powerfully written story with a good portrayal of human psychology. I liked the fact that Winona Kirk didn't come out as a demon - it's too easy to portray her in black/white terms. I liked the insight here into her character when Kirk was a child and how that shapes her reaction to Spock. I liked also the growth in her character over time as she gradually adapts to the situation. I also liked the" truth" in the way that Spock wasn't able to wave the proverbial magic wand to heal Kirk and I found Kirk's slow, frustrating progress towards health convincing. All in all, an excellent read, highly recommended.

Temporary Quarters by Blackbird Song Rated: ADULT (NC-17) starstarstarstarhalf-star [Reviews - 14]
Summary:

Kirk has never felt at home since the end of the first five-year mission. This is a sequel to Moments in Time


Categories: Fiction
Characters: None
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: Kirk-Spock Friendship, Kirk/Spock Slash
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: Angst, Character Study, First Time, Hurt/Comfort
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: ST:TOS Original Universe
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 19252 Read Count: 9544
[Report This] Published: 01/02/2009 Updated: 01/02/2009
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarstar
Date: 01/06/2009 Title: Chapter 1: Complete Story

I too wrote earlier to the author privately to say how much I enjoyed this story but want to say the same thing publicly. It is honestly one of the very best K/S stories I've read in a very long time. Like the other reviewers, I thought the characterisation was spot on. I loved the mix of humour and seriousness. I shall be printing off this story to keep and rereading it - not something I do often. I'm looking forward very much to more stories from this author.

Graven Image by irrelevant Rated: Mature Content (Teen) starstarstarstarstar [Reviews - 12]
Summary:

Tag to 2.10 Mirror, Mirror, set within the Mirror-verse. Two intelligent, amoral men attempt to communicate. With, you know, each other.


Categories: Fiction
Characters: None
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: Kirk/Spock Slash
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: None
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: ST:TOS Original Universe
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 8488 Read Count: 3297
[Report This] Published: 04/04/2009 Updated: 04/04/2009
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarstar
Date: 04/17/2009 Title: Chapter 1: Graven Image

I too am not often keen on Mirror Unverse stories. I tried this one on the basis of the first review and am very glad I did. I found it an intriguing, engrossing read. I thought that Spock's voice was spot on. I believed completely in both characters. Highly recommended to others and many thanks to the author.

Rumour Has It by Dana Austin Marsh Rated: ADULT (NC-17) starstarstarstarstar [Reviews - 43]
Summary:

Kirk and Spock decide to use the rumor that they are lovers to discourage crewmembers from making a play for either of them. Originally published in 1994 in the print fanzine Matter/Antimatter # 11.


Categories: Fiction
Characters: None
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: Kirk/Spock Slash
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: First Time
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: ST:TOS Original Universe
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 12603 Read Count: 42417
[Report This] Published: 04/07/2009 Updated: 04/07/2009
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarhalf-star
Date: 04/08/2009 Title: Chapter 1: Rumour Has It

That was truly delightful, written with such a deft touch. Thank you!

Author's Response:

Thank you for your comments, Mara. You're very welcome!

Where There Are No Phones by anowlinsunshine Rated: ADULT (NC-17) starstarstarstar [Reviews - 8]
Summary:

"It doesn’t really tell him a lot, though. Not why he’s here or how he’s supposed to pay for this or who he even is -- doesn’t tell him a thing other than that they don’t know any more than he does. Which is to say, practically nothing." Or, the amnesia fic I never intended to write.


Categories: Fiction
Characters: None
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: K/S plus K/other or S/other
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: Angst, Character Study, First Time
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: Abrams Universe
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 9359 Read Count: 4378
[Report This] Published: 12/25/2009 Updated: 12/25/2009
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstar
Date: 12/31/2009 Title: Chapter 1: Where There Are No Phones

An enjoyable read, with a good solid feel of place.

Berengaria Seven by CatalenaMara Rated: All Audiences starstarstarstarhalf-star [Reviews - 10]
Summary:

Setting: Approximately one year after the events of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. New Year’s Day on an alien planet, a planet Spock visited many years before. Spock and Kirk return now to witness the results of seeds sown long ago.

Betas: Danielle Stewart and Greywolf the Wanderer

For Farfalla – I finally finished your story challenge...!

For the 2009 K/S Advent Calendar

Dedication: To my grandfather, who was an adult when the Wright Brothers flew at Kitty Hawk and who lived several years past the first moon landing.


Categories: Fiction
Characters: None
Crossover Fandom: None
Genres: Kirk/Spock Slash
Other Languages: None
Specific movie: None
Story Type: Established Relationship
Trope (OPTIONAL): None
Universe: ST:TOS Original Universe
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 2888 Read Count: 7963
[Report This] Published: 12/27/2009 Updated: 12/27/2009
Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarstar
Date: 12/31/2009 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

An extraordinarily beautiful story that brought tears to my eyes.  Wonderful visual images and so very tightly written without any wasted words.  Thank you.

Reviewer: Mara Signed starstarstarstarstar
Date: 12/31/2009 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

An extraordinarily beautiful story that brought tears to my eyes.  Wonderful visual images and so very tightly written without any wasted words.  Thank you.



Author's Response:

Thank you so much - I'm very happy you enjoyed it.