Weeks after the first time I read this, and I keep thinking of the last couple of paragraphs. The way Illya has to gather his courage to complete the Gurnius mission... deeply affecting.
From: Periwinkle Date: 05/13/2011
This is stunning. The view through Illya's eyes lets us feel his pain through the years and rejoice when the two of them finally do get together. The end of the story totally floored me—I had no idea it was coming. It seems so suitable though, and keeps the story in balance.
From: mllesatine Date: 11/05/2010
I really loved this story. The first person POV fits perfectly. And i loved how comfortable they are with each other. And how you reminded the reader that they are both dangerous and reckless. I just loved it all.
From: Elijahwildchild Date: 06/21/2010
This is lovely—one of the best Illya-first-person POV's I've read. It intrigues me that you're able to hold us on an emotional knife-edge throughout without it ever feeling overwrought. As always, the payoff is unbelievably satisfying with so few brush strokes! And as for the concluding paragraphs—wow!
I hate to pick'n'mix but these left me breathless:
"My heart sank. Literally. I could feel it drop from its fluttering, comfortable perch, and land gasping, floundering somewhere in the pit of my stomach."
and
"It had been one of those fights where you are suddenly insanely glad that you no longer have a spleen left in you to rupture."
