To Fan Fiction or Not to Fan Fiction? : a book worm's guilty pleasure

Have you ever gotten to the end of a book or even watched a movie, that ended and you still wanted more? You just have this feeling or curiosity as to what happens next, especially if there's sequels coming? Well, recently I decided to look up some fan fiction. To my delight, I found out that it's quite a big thing actually. Many people are online publishing free fan fiction for people to read all over the world.
I found two websites in particular that were very good as far as the types of stories I was interested in reading. The first, I have to admit, was harrypotterfanfiction.com. I found this website when I suddenly got a craving for more Harry Potter but having read all the books several times and owning all the released movies(that I'd seen many times), I wanted to see what else was out there. In popped the embarrassing words, FAN FICTION. Duh, duh, dun... LOL. Most people believe that all fan fiction is just fluffy non-sense that is an insult to the original author's work. I had this same thought in mind when I went searching. I was embarrassed that I was looking for more "fakes". Yet, I was under a false impression. Fan fiction is not ALL horrible. Yes, some of it isn't great and some is down right awful. But when you go to these websites, they give you the opportunity to tell the author of the fan fics what you think. So I didn't hesitate to give bad and good reviews. As I kept reading, and reading, and reading... I realized that the majority of the stories I picked to read were not too bad and that I was addicted to reading them. My world was changed. Suddenly, harrypotterfanfiction.com wasn't enough. What other fan fiction was out there? For what other books that I love? That's when I found fanfiction.net. Ya, it's a .net! .Nets are always better than .coms in my opinion. They just seem more trust worthy. (idk why, so don't ask.) At fanfiction.net, they have not only fan fiction for books, but also for movies, tv shows, animated shows, comic books, video games, etc... *GASP* OH YEAH!!! JACK POT!!! =D haha. Anyways, first I checked into the "books". There are sooo many books and I was happy to find not only more Harry Potter fan fiction, but fan fiction for several other books I have read and loved. (Matched by Ally Condie, The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, I am Number Four by Patticus Lore...just to name a few). Then I had to check out fan fiction for some of my favorite tv shows that are no longer aired. (Dark Angel, Roswell, Little Men,Legacy...) Then onto the movies where there was some great fan fics too. (Alien/Predator, 10 Things I Hate About You, American Outlaws, etc...) It is an amazing website.
So after going crazy in love with all these fan fictions, I just wasn't feeling completely satisfied. I thought to myself, I just haven't found any stories that tell it like I imagined it could have happened differently. Well, duh, of course not. Which leads me to my biggest question. To Fan Fiction or Not to Fan Fiction? That is what I'm deciding between. Though as a writer, it excites me to think about doing, I'm worried about it demeaning my writing skills. Not to say that I think fan fiction authors don't have writing skills... It's just... IDK. I'm torn between putting my fan fiction works out there for everyone to read or not. I AM writing them, that's not what I'm stuck on. They have to come out now, now that I've entertained them. Tell me what you think of fan fiction. What do you think about writing them? Do you write some yourselves? What kind of fan fiction would interest you the most in reading? Let me know. :)
~T

Websites mentioned: www.harrypotterfanfiction.com , www.fanfiction.net

I'll be adding these links to my favorites links on my blog soon as well.

P.S. Sorry for not posting any new book reviews. I have been burned out on new books and plus as you can tell from this post, that I have been reading fan fiction and writing my own lately too. I'll try to get into a new book here soon. I promise.

The Mage's Daughter by Lynn Kurland

The Mage's Daughter is the sequel to Star of the Morning, and I am currently now reading the 3rd book following this one, Princess of the Sword. At 378 pages long, this is a little long winded considering it's actual length. I found it enjoyable, but it was a bit slower paced throughout than Star of the Morning. Interesting enough though, to keep you reading on.

Neroche is under assault by a mysterious magic that has stripped its king of his powers and unleashed nightmarish creatures as weapons in a war of evil.

Duty bound to aid his king, Miach of Neroche is torn between what his responsibilities dmand and what his heart desires.

I love to give teases of the excerpt. Sometimes they just tell us more than we should know going into the novel. Anyways, I love how we move into more of the romance in this novel. It's hard not to be excited to see Miach go after his heart and leave his duties on the back burner. There are surprises and mysteries that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Characters will be killed. Others will be captured. It's all in a months work in Neroche. lol. This is the exciting, fun, romantic part of this story. It's definitely a must read for those who have read Star of the Morning. If you haven't read Star of the Morning, go read it first, then read this one. :) 5/5 Stars!!

Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland

I would never had found this book except for this wonderful book reviewer who blogs on http://chachic.wordpress.com/ . She is the only book reviewer I actually read. She reviewed this book and it sounded good, so I picked it up when I saw it at the book store.

Legend has it that only the two magical swords held in trust by Neroche's rulers can defeat the evil in the black mage...and never have they been more needed, as the mage's assault begins to cover the kingdom in darkness.

It was very easy to become engrossed in this story. AT 327 pages long, it took me two days to read. Introducing the King of Neroche before his archmage brother was a very good move by Kurland. I would not have liked the King at all if I had met his brother first. I like how she uses this also with introducing the pair to the main female, Morgan. Morgan is a mystery to these Neroche men, as well as herself. Yet, in their travels, they learn about her as she also learns about herself. This book is the 1st of a series. I would consider this 1st book as, the journey. The next book, I'm sure will be, the plan. My only complaint would be that everything was too predictable up until the very end. The synopsis on the back of the book gives away too much of the story line and ruins the surprises that could have been throughout the book for the reader. That is why I did not recite the whole synopsis for you here. ;) Over all though, I consider this a very good fantasy novel. It has rich characters, a nice journey and a twitterpating romance. :)
I give this book 4/5 Stars! Missing 1 star because of the spoiling back cover synopsis and the predictability.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

So my friend, Laura, recommended this book for me. Finally after finding it in paperback I bought it and read it. I started at 7am this morning, reading this 374 page book, and finished tonight at 8pm. I had to stop several times through the day as well since I was working from 7am-3:30pm. My job allows a lot of down time though that I'm able to read in.

I must say that Suzanne Collins delivers a Lottery inspired tale with a bluntness that is shocking but intriguing. It was like reading the girl's, Katniss, personal diary. The Hunger Games, created by the government of Panem, to remind the districts under their rule that they do in fact still control them every bit. Katniss gets caught up in the games when her little sister gets picked from random draw to participate. Anyone with a younger sibling they love dearly can relate to why she chose to take her place in the deadly Hunger Games. What we don't count on though is a budding romance for Katniss that may not survive the arena and herself.

Amazing idea/story line, great characters, awesome scenery and hunger pains galore. 5/5 STARS!!!!

Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati

An amazing historical romance. Sara Donati wove magic through this tale of a school marm set on being a spinster.

Elizabeth Middleton left England with her brother to join their father in "Paradise", New York. The small village was like a seed planted in the middle of the forest. The seed of "town" wasn't the only kind of seed to take hold in this adventure. The villagers are all riled up about the Mohawk people who want to claim Hidden Wolf mountain. A great tale of love, survival, and prejudice. At 876 pages long, it took me three days to read. I could not put the book down or out of my mind. Plus there is promises of four more books in the series. Must read! 5/5 Stars!!

Polgara the Sorceress by David and Leigh Eddings

This is the story told from Polgara's point of view. As with Balgarath the Sorcerer, we get the same time line nearly and also the nice little brief glimpses into life for Belgarion and his family after everything has happened. I find that after reading Polgara the Sorceress, I actually like Polgara more. She isn't really all that likable in the series except that you feel you must love her since Garion does. It might have been David and Leigh Eddings way of making Polgara shine the way they had really wanted her to. I found myself depressed at times during the story and other times annoyed with Polgara that she'd act so bossy, or rude to even her father. I suppose she may have had good reason to act that way, but I found that I didn't like her in those spots. I like Belgarath alot. Maybe I'm just biased. Anyways, a very nice contribution to the end of the line of books of Belgarion's life. 4/5 Stars!!

The Belgariad: Volume One(inclusive of books: Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, and Magician's Gambit) by David Eddings

David Eddings has created a wonderful epic fantasy series. He claims it all started with a map sketch. It is such a wonderful series that I have read the entire series 3 times.

Garion is a normal seeming youth growing up on a farm in Sendaria with his Aunt Pol. Everything is mostly normal until a visit from a vagabond story teller leads them on a great adventure after a thief. The party grows and grows and grows until Garion is unsure about his role in the party and things lead him to question all he held dear and right in his life... Thus began the first great novel in the series, Pawn of Prophecy.

Stuck with unpleasant realizations that everything has changed, Garion is now waiting in the cold snow of Arendia for more party members to arrive. He sinks into self pity and anger over events that he can't control. Little clues keep popping out at Garion, confusing him about his true role in the whole affair. What will it all mean? What has Garion become a part of? What has Garion become? He learns more than he wanted to as he travels from one country to another in the continued search for the thief... Thus continues Garion's story in Queen of Sorcery.

Things rush to a head with the magician, Ctuchik. The orb, the stolen object, is now in his possession. Garion learns what he is and who is Aunt Pol and the vagabond story teller, Mister Wolf, really are. Gaining new friends along his journey, Garion can't begin to imagine going back to Faldor's Farm, but he wishes everything would go back to normal and he could just go home... Thus finales in a cliff hanger, nearly literally, Volume one, Magician's Gambit.

Love this series. Must read. 5/5 Stars!!!

The High King's Tomb by Kristen Britain

Karigan's adventures as a green Rider continue as she continues with normal rider business and dealing with personal feelings that can't be recouped. Mean while the Second Empire is using necromancy magic to stir up trouble and try to weaken the wall farther. How much time is left before they have to encounter and face Mornhavon again? They don't know, but they are frantic to heal the wall and learn how to defend themselves against him before he appears again. With apprentices, horse kings, bleeding walls, kidnapping, impersonations, daring rescues, walking through veils of worlds, the undead, and vengeful officers; Karigan is up to her ears in the thick of it. Not even Ms. Bunch and Ms. Berry can compare being up to their ears in it with pirates. Will Karigan's love for the King be able to emerge? Will Lady Estora's secret be her ruin? Will Salvistar's touch taint Karigan? Well...this book doesn't answer all our questions. LOL.
A wonderful 3rd book addition to this series. At 642 pages long it took me about 3 days to read this, only because I was so busy with things going on for my birthday and the 4th of July festivities. :) I didn't wish to put this book down,ever, but still had to in order to live life. It will be a long wait for the next book to come out. All else I have to say besides stars is; Thank you Sir, may I have another? lol. 5/5 Stars!!! <3 it.

Rider's First Call by Kristen Britain

Resisting the call to be a green rider doesn't keep Karigan G'ladheon away long. The First Rider, Lil Ambriodhe, made sure of it. Karigan moves into service of the King of Sacoridia as a green Rider only to be thrown into a new adventure of great peril within her first couples years of service. The breach in the D'yer wall is loosing wild magic upon the Kingdom and strange happenings resulting from this is the least of their problems. The awareness beyond the wall is awakening more and more each day and it's calling out to it's old friends, servants...including Karigan...

Kristen Britain engulfs us in Karigan's story once more. We can only love Karigan more and more as we journey with her. Great adventure, deadly evil, preposturous betrayal, agonizing greif and forbidden love entrance us from page 1 to page 596 as with the last few pages we release a few tears for it all. I read this in about one day. It was AMAZING. To pass this book up would be ignorant. Ignorance is not bliss... Kristen Britain is. 25/5 Stars!!!!

Green Rider by Kristen Britain

In the Kingdom of Sacoridia, clans are united beneath one king. But it wasn't always so united and many clans were tainted with the evil from across seas. Mornhavon the Black, twisted, evil, magical...and still alive w/o embodiment after a thousand years being held behind The Wall of D'yer is reawakening with the help The Gray one, The Shadow Man.

Karigan G'ladheon, a merchant's daughter, runs away from school only to find herself faced with death, the death of a green rider bearing a message to the King. So, Karigan's journey begins as she is demanded to swear to deliver the message for the dying messenger.

Kristen Britain is a wonderful story teller. This book contains amazing adverture, dramatic magic, beautiful characters, bittersweet love and tons of courage. Unique in it's forms, I marveled in it. Usually in fantasy fiction you can detect the influence of other fantasy authors in the works, but here I found complete, amazing, great originality. I couldn't put it down. So easy to fall in love with the characters of good. Kristen Britain doesn't make the reader fret too much about what's to come by putting dreadful, obvious hints to things that are going to happen. She pulls us through with amazing story telling that just keeps the reader wanting more and more and more and more.... etc.. :) The story makes my hearts soar with happiness over the amazing creativity and passion behind the works, which Kristen Britain poured into this. A MUST READ!!!!! At 471 pages long, it took me about 3 days reading this on my vacation. I love Kristen Britain. She is now my favorite author. 25/5 Stars!!!!!! =D

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

"Five adventurous sisters...
Four dark creatures...
Three magical gifts...
Two forbidden lovers...
One enchanted frog...

Cross the threshold into the Wildwood, and enter a land of magic, daring, betrayal... and true love."

Very interesting, eh? I thought so. What a lucky find this one was while I was searching for hidden treasures at the 1/2 price book shop. I actually got this one for less than 1/2 the original cover price. It was well worth more than I paid. At 400 pages long, I read this book in about 15 1/2 hours give or take... It is so easy to become ensnared in this wonderful fantasy about five sisters and their frolicking to another world and dealings with witches, vampires, and other-worldling beings. Dear Jena is so easily loved, as well as her frog Gogu. As one of four sisters I loved the family togetherness, tightness, friendship shared between these five sisters; Tati- the beautiful, Jena- the leader, Iulia- the flirt, Paula- the learned and Stela-the child. We get to experience love, friendship, trust/betrayal, magic/reality-change. This is really, truley a wonderful coming of age story. The main character learns, grows and changes. For we all must change and accept change as life takes us on our own journies. My only complaint about the book that bugged me was the mis print at the beginning confusing the actual ages of the two older girls. At first the author says that Tati is in her seventeenth year and then later says she is only 16. This affects Jena's age because she is introduced as being one year Tati's junior. Then later they are said to be 16 and 15 instead of 17 and 16. To me that year makes a difference. 15 is quite young to be experiencing the love that the author writes about. Unrealistic but then I suppose that this book is aimed for young adult. Also, when telling one of my sisters about the book, she was put off by the romance between two first cousins. It didn't put me off from it only because I understood it to be told from a time when that was deemed acceptable, unlike today. All together, It was well written, easily read and most easily enjoyed. I loved it! Nearly crying in anguished joy at the end. 5/5 Stars!

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

This amazing fantasy novel is definitely one to re read. Picked this one up at the book store to read while waiting for Dragonlight by Donita K. Paul to come in. (It came in yesterday!!!) I read Graceling by Kristin Cashore in about a day and a half. It is 471 pages long. It is one of the best single title books I have read in a little while. We get introduced to the fantasy land of The Seven Kingdoms. There we meet an interesting young lady, Katsa, distinguished from others by her one green eye and one blue eye and her reputation. Katsa is easily liked, she must survive the story telling in the readers' hearts, so she must be easily liked. :) Great adventure, great characters, great scenery. I wanted to be Katsa or even one of her close friends. Great romance, clever, funny, intriguing. I can't even count how many times during reading it that I exclaimed, "I love it! I love it! I love it!" while laughing. Definitely a must read. 5/5 Stars!!!

The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller

So, the book store didn't have the 5th book of the last book series I was reading in stock and I had to order it (Dragonlight by Donita K. Paul). Put out and dieing for something to read to pass the time til the book arrived, I bought The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller. I had seen it on the shelves every time I went into the book store and everytime it caught my attention but I passed it up. So I plucked it up this time, hoping for the best. The Innocent Mage, at 640 pages long, took me about a day, day and a half to read. Though I'm not sure you can really call it reading...more like skimming, skipping and trudging. This book was so slow. I did not enjoy this book much at all. The characters are hard to like, there isn't enough action and adventure. Too many things were unexplained AND after all that...it left us in a cliff hanger. I'm like...what the heck!?! I am NOT going to go buy the next book nor go check it out from the library. This book was a waste of my time and not worth the aggrevation and sleep deprivation I went through, trying to finish it so I could continue on to something better. This is a first I believe... 0/5 stars. Not worth all the glances I took all those times in the store. Now I know why for so long I didn't buy it even though it caught my eye. I shouldn't have defied my senses.

DragonKnight by Donita K. Paul

The adventure continues with Kale and Bardon. I was at first disappointed that the book started out with only Bardon's point of view. I had not quite liked him enough after the last book to want to read from his point of view. But wanting to know what happens to Kale kept me reading. I was pleasantly surprised with I found out there was a Part Two further into the book which switches to Kale's point of view. Though you eventually realize that their points of view start to mix and become one as the story proceeds. This story starts three years after the last book ended. Bardon wants to become a knight, but he had found the social part of the role to be daughting for him. He is mostly a solitude person, enjoying time alone or with very few. With a decision to take time for solitude and sort himself out and have time with Wulder to figure out what Wulder's plan for him really is. Bardon's sabbatical doesn't last long. It is the start of another adventure, one that leads to new friends, new enemies and new realizations. This is the best of the books in this series I have read yet. :) Must read!!! 5/5 Stars!!!!

DragonQuest by Donita K. Paul

The 2nd book in this wonderful series by Donita K. Paul. We continue on more adventures with Kale, the slave girl from the first book. Kale is supposed to be training at The Hall to serve Paladin and Wulder, but her plans change. She must go to be with Wizard Fenworth to start her apprenticeship with him as well as other duties she must take charge of. Forced to take a young man along, whom she doesn't like, Kale is left wondering what Wulder's plan for her really is. We get to meet new lovable characters in this story as well as ones we don't find as lovable at first, but learn to love. Quite a fun journey this leads to. A great read! At 349 pages long it took me about two days to read this book. I highly recommend reading this one after you have read the first! 5/5 Stars!!!

Dragon Spell by Donita K. Paul

Looking for a new book to read, I found myself in the Religion section at Border's. They have a great selection of Christian fiction there. I saw this interesting looking book, Dragon Spell. This is a Christian based fantasy novel. The first in a series of 5, there may be more to come? At 334 pages long, it took me about two days to read. This is a story about a young slave girl, in the world of Amara, who finds herself unexpectedly on an exciting adventure. This quest surrounds Kale with many sticky situations. Yet, their God, Wulder is in everything they do and always manages to help them out. This story highly reflects that their Wulder is very much like our God here in real life. The story takes us through spiritual enlightenment as well as a fantasy story. Well told, with wonderful characters, enchanting lands and an amazing God like ours. This book is a must read! 5/5 Stars!!!