Hello. I have done the required adult things like go to work and I have also calmed down somewhat and now I am back to leave a comprehensive review.
I really liked the background thought you put into both Aziraphale and Crowley's characters in this. There was a lot of really great detail work. Aziraphale being from a religious family, his three advanced degrees, his military service. I liked the parts of his character setting him up to come off as someone with only book knowledge but no street smarts (e.g. being able to read Spanish but not communicate in it; not thinking through how the suitcase of books would get to the ruins) that is then subverted with his dealings with the villains. At the same time, the pieces for the subversion are there (he thinks about his military training long before it becomes a necessary plot point). It's all very smart writing. Also, despite Crowley being the one with a state for a name, I felt like Aziraphale is more like Indiana Jones the character – mild manner professor by day, but can be a BAMF under the right conditions. (Also, he has picked up a charming love interest in his travels).
Crowley meanwhile being a guide – like an actual guide and who's job is to keep people safe getting from point a to point b – I just loved this. He felt very real and practical (he brings water on the trail, not bombs). And while he does seem to be telling a story about how cool he is when Aziraphale first meets him – or maybe just drafting up notes to give to some movie guys someday – his behavior on the job is practical and sensible. He knows how to dress. He knows what tools and safety precautions he needs. He knows what he needs to be paying attention to.
You had asked about my thoughts on Crowley's name reveal, and let's just say that I loved it so much, I walked around that entire day quoting Last Crusade because it was so much A+.
The thing that I really like is that this is a well plotted story. One of my writing mentors once told me that everything in a story should have a purpose, and this is such a great example of that. There are things in early parts of the story that set up pay-offs or plot moments in later parts of the story. Sometimes, you don't see how something will be important, and sometimes, you know a thing is important, but you aren't quite sure how yet. Even things that are set-ups for later pay-offs are done in such a way that they also impact the present and raise the present stakes (will Crowley take the job from Aziraphale? Is he actually a good guide? What is the danger lurking behind Aziraphale on the trail?). It is so tightly plotted. This is the type of writing I wish I could do.
And on top of that, you made me care. I cared deeply about these characters and what they were going through. I was involved. I felt like I was there with them – in the jungle, in the tomb, looking out over the ruins. I was there with Crowley going – dude, it's some stuff it's not worth your life – and then being like – well, guess I have to go after this guy and keep him from getting killed when Aziraphale ran off after the artifacts. There is so much feeling and emtion in the writing despite it being a plotastic adventure story.
Basically, this is everything I want in a story. I love it so much. My review cannot do it justice. But thank you for writing this and thank you for sharing it with us. It was fantastic. (From Ri)
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branchandroot
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Date: 2020-12-21 10:09 pm (UTC)I really liked the background thought you put into both Aziraphale and Crowley's characters in this. There was a lot of really great detail work. Aziraphale being from a religious family, his three advanced degrees, his military service. I liked the parts of his character setting him up to come off as someone with only book knowledge but no street smarts (e.g. being able to read Spanish but not communicate in it; not thinking through how the suitcase of books would get to the ruins) that is then subverted with his dealings with the villains. At the same time, the pieces for the subversion are there (he thinks about his military training long before it becomes a necessary plot point). It's all very smart writing. Also, despite Crowley being the one with a state for a name, I felt like Aziraphale is more like Indiana Jones the character – mild manner professor by day, but can be a BAMF under the right conditions. (Also, he has picked up a charming love interest in his travels).
Crowley meanwhile being a guide – like an actual guide and who's job is to keep people safe getting from point a to point b – I just loved this. He felt very real and practical (he brings water on the trail, not bombs). And while he does seem to be telling a story about how cool he is when Aziraphale first meets him – or maybe just drafting up notes to give to some movie guys someday – his behavior on the job is practical and sensible. He knows how to dress. He knows what tools and safety precautions he needs. He knows what he needs to be paying attention to.
You had asked about my thoughts on Crowley's name reveal, and let's just say that I loved it so much, I walked around that entire day quoting Last Crusade because it was so much A+.
The thing that I really like is that this is a well plotted story. One of my writing mentors once told me that everything in a story should have a purpose, and this is such a great example of that. There are things in early parts of the story that set up pay-offs or plot moments in later parts of the story. Sometimes, you don't see how something will be important, and sometimes, you know a thing is important, but you aren't quite sure how yet. Even things that are set-ups for later pay-offs are done in such a way that they also impact the present and raise the present stakes (will Crowley take the job from Aziraphale? Is he actually a good guide? What is the danger lurking behind Aziraphale on the trail?). It is so tightly plotted. This is the type of writing I wish I could do.
And on top of that, you made me care. I cared deeply about these characters and what they were going through. I was involved. I felt like I was there with them – in the jungle, in the tomb, looking out over the ruins. I was there with Crowley going – dude, it's some stuff it's not worth your life – and then being like – well, guess I have to go after this guy and keep him from getting killed when Aziraphale ran off after the artifacts. There is so much feeling and emtion in the writing despite it being a plotastic adventure story.
Basically, this is everything I want in a story. I love it so much. My review cannot do it justice. But thank you for writing this and thank you for sharing it with us. It was fantastic. (From Ri)