I don't know how I missed reading this epic until now. Simply riveting. Makes my own writing skills look like pathetic little dust bunnies in comparison. You had me on the edge of my seat the whole way. I can clearly see what this has become one of the top reviewed, most reveered stories in MP history.
Well done.. applause to you.
Author's Response: I am glad you found it then, perhaps you could feed this to your dust bunnies and with such nourishment, who knows what they might grow into???
Thanks so much, and the best is yet to come (i hope.. lol)
Reviewer: KatieQ Signed [Report This]
Date: 25/01/07 10:47 am
*startled* Oh. My. Gosh. I'm simply speechless w/ this latest chapter in our young MP and J's lives. You have captured the essence of the enormity of the task given them for the good of humanity.
Such a cliff-hanger, though! Please tell me they succeed in their noble quest... and not die in the attempt. Oh, how I hate major (protagonists) character deaths.
Thank you, Jacci, for making such a difference in my life. *sniff sniff* I'm rooting for JMP all the way.
Author's Response: If I tell you they succeed, surely it will spoil it, so I must keep the upcoming plot secret until the chapters are revealed.
I am not well known as a shipper (as anybody who reads my other stuff will testify) so I can't make any promises there either. But i will try not to disappoint you too much.
Reviewer: CrackerjacknPez Signed
[Report This]Date: 24/01/07 06:38 pm
Surely no one can match your wit and cleaverly disguised meaning hidden in so few words! "It isn't easy." Clearly a thinly veiled NC-17 referrence to Sex in the Centre. ;)
I wait eagerly for your next revelation.
Author's Response: Oh no, there I go skirting those Ratings again. I have already been warned about this and will have to be careful in future chapters. If i keep it to innuendo only though, hopefully that will be alright.
I won't keep you waiting too long, but as you can imagine, crafting such work takes its time and there is no rushing it.
Reviewer: Patricia_D Signed
[Report This]Date: 24/01/07 06:38 pm
My tears have now dried to salty tracks upon my cheeks, but nevertheless, I am ever the most deeply moved, by the uh, moving depths.
"It isn't easy."
What emotion lies behind these few simple words, what anguish, what pain. The suffering of ages packed into three words.
And at the same time, they speak of experience - it isn't easy, but it can be done. Because it has to be done. Hope and light shine through, once again.
The Kleenex rests untouched this time. But not for want of feeling, merely, because these few words comfort me so greatly, that now I'm merely sniffling slightly, and not requiring the help of the Kleenex. Yay.
Author's Response: I am glad you got through that gruelling emotional read without too much distress this time. I am thinking of going for a lighter chapter, we all need a break from the emotional rollercoaster, me especially. Reviewer: carha Signed [Report This]
Date: 24/01/07 04:47 pm
Wow... just wow... I am dumbstruck, speechless. I cant believe there is a story of this magnitude, of this calibre out in the world. You truly do know how to manipulate the words to trigger certain emotions and memories in your readers.
It is all so simple, yet so complex at the same time. So much is said in a few words, so many images flashing before your eyes as you read the chapters.
‘Just want to see if this works’… its just brilliance. Raines just wanted to see if cloning would work when he created Gemini. Jarod just wanted to see if escaping would work, if he could stay away from the Centre. Catherine just wanted to see if going to Raines for refuge when she had Ethan would work.
‘hey hey’… again, this is just a work of art. It rivals Di Vinci, Michelangelo… The childish playfulness, the innocence, the cheekiness. It reminds me of Jarod when he sneak out to see snow for the first time, then again for his first Christmas. Parkers teasing of poor Broots, the way Lyle drops little lines on Parker with that charming smile.
‘testing as admin’… This is just so fantastic, such imagination and seriousness. Testing as admin screams Mr (Dr) Raines. He is one of the high ptb’s in the Centre, right up there in the food chain. Just like admin is here. He loves to test. Test on Jarod, on Lyle, on Angelo, Timmy, Kyle, Ethan, Catherine… the list goes on. Life is all about tests. Tests of strength, of character, of love, of death. Tests physically, mentally, emotionally. Tests on your body and mind by those who are your keepers. Tests for the keepers by those who were once their projects.
‘It isn't easy.’ This, wow. The creativity and brilliance that comes from this screams genius! Life is never easy, nothing worth fighting for ever is. Everything in everyone’s life is never easy, in every little way.
‘the good news is I FINALLY got the damn centre function to work, yay!!!’ As everything else in your mind blowing story, even your foot notes are amazing. You seem to manage to work in the Centre into everything you write. How you do it just stuns me. I could not imagine The Centre ever working, or functioning at all. Not when you look at some of the people who run it.
I am eagerly awaiting the next chapter. I hope the full stop on the end of chapter four does not spell the End. Please, for all of your loyal readers, continue this soon. Do not put us through the pain Jarod has been through and make us wait.
Author's Response: Your analysis is truly amazing and i am amazed by it, and incredibly appreciatvie. It is giving me the motivation to proceed wrestling with this great epic.
Like Jarod, Centre permeates my thoughts and there is simply no escape for me.
Date: 24/01/07 03:43 am
"It isn't easy.".
You never fail to astound me Jacs! That speaks volumes.
For Jarod "It isn't easy." to (a.) find his family, (b.) try to open Miss Parker's eyes to the fact that her father lies to her, uses her and controls her (c.) make amends for the evil usage of his past Sims.
For Miss Parker "It isn't easy." to trust her father, the Centre or after IOTH her feelings for Jarod.
For Lyle, "It isn't easy." to gain and retain control of the Centre or capture Jarod. Or give up Chinese cuisine.
For Sydney "It isn't easy." to quiet his conscience re: what part he played in Jarod's life as the Centre held him prisoner and used his talents for sims to sell to the highest bidder.
For Broots "It isn't easy." having to work so close to Miss Parker when he wants to be her 'honey bunny'.
And for all we know "It isn't easy." for Angelo to get a steady supply of crackerjacks without having them intercepted by sweepers with a fondness for caramelized sugar drizzled over popcorn and peanuts with a 'toy surprise'.
I look forward to chapter 5 with eagerness. What new relevation will you tantalize us with next?
Author's Response: Rachell, your encoragement and enthusiasm and comments are the lifeblood of this work. I would never have come this far without you.
A million thanks.
[Report This]Date: 23/01/07 04:10 pm
I have to tell you, you summed up an entire lifetime with that chapter. It is so universal of the human family. Sydney would be in awe of it.
It is drama, with out TNT. It is the human condition. So intellectual. Amazing
Author's Response: Thanks so much Bucky, and the comment about Sydney, it means a lot to me. For those who know me well, they know how much I love Sydney, so I am deeply touched you think e would approve.
Date: 23/01/07 02:08 pm
Definitely the best tP fic I've ever read. LOL
Author's Response: Thanks so much Dianne, really appreciate your comments, and I know what fierce competition there is out there, so i am deeply honoured.
[Report This]Date: 23/01/07 10:59 am
Oh my god, this has to be the best story I've ever read. You are so great with words. And you definitely deserve the title "Queen of Evil Cliffhangers". How can you leave us here? Pleeeeaaaasssseeeee give us another chapter!
Author's Response: A new chapter will be on the way soon, and i will try to wrap up some of the threads i have left dangle for far too long now. But it woudlnt be a Pretender story if i answered all those question too quickly now woudl it???
[Report This]Date: 23/01/07 09:57 am
Oh Jacs, you have truly outdone yourself with this one! I cannot see how my humble self can write a review worthy of such genius, but I shall do my best.
The genius is in the simplicity. By stating the obvious you have forced me to re-examine my life and my choices. It is not easy, it truly is not.
And I love how you have combined "is" and "not" into the popular abbreviation "isn't". Such a casual way of saying life is hard. Showing that the POV-character, while might be struggling, is hiding his true feelings from the world, doing his best to get by. I have interpreted this as Jarod’s point of view, though it could fit just about any character. My reasoning is that it perfectly shows Jarod's appreciation for pop culture and desire to fit in, abbreviating “is” and “not”.
And ending with a punctuation, indicating that there is indeed no happy ending. "It" simply (to use your words)"isn't" easy.
And what is “it”? A curiosity is awakened deep within my soul.
I will be left in deep contemplation until the next update which I am sure will be just as soul-tearing and beatiful.
Author's Response: Manoline, i strive hard to reveal the truth, writing is a crucible after all and that you have reached that turning point and are reaxaminign things in your own life humbles me and I am deeply touched an honoured.
As for what 'it' is, I am unsure of that just yet, time might reveal the true nature of 'it' to me if I hold my course and remain faithful to the truth of the words.
Reviewer: Manoline Signed [Report This]
Date: 23/01/07 04:46 am
Truly we stand in the shadow of the greatest writing genius of our time. All bow down, we are not worthy to be favoured with your brilliance!
It had everything in so few words: suspense, intrigue, humor, sadness.
I am humble in the shadow of brilliance!
'yay!!!!' sums it up entirely - genius!
Author's Response: Thanks so much for your encoragement. I am incredibly moved by the strong support I am recieving and it is keeping me motivated. Your words mean so much to me,
[Report This]Date: 23/01/07 02:46 am
