FanficWhen a Fix Fic goes too far with the fixing (spoilers)
Most people will tell you that Robb Returns is an amazing fanfic (I used to be one of them) and there's more than one reason as for why this is the most reviewed ASOIAF fic on FF: the premise, while far from original, is competently executed, it's extremely well written, the author possess encyclopedic knowledge of incredibly obscure lore and characters from the source that expertly uses to make the world feel much bigger, and he's able to match Martin's writing style so well, it could easily be mistaken for one of the books. This is what initially drew me in.
What pulled me out, then? In short, that this is a Fix Fic that goes overboard with the fixing, to the point that there's basically no tension or conflict. Everything that can go well for the good guys, it will go well. They encounter no problem that can't be solved with a minimal amount of effort, while all the antagonists meet grisly ends before they have any chances to cause trouble. Some like Baelish may be justified because of the effect of being a Peggy Sue, but Ramsay Snow is literally killed by the Old Gods (even if indirectly), while the High Sparrow is blinded by them.
Because if you think that the Old Gods sending Robb back in time is as far as they'll interfere, you're sorely mistaken, given how often they act to both hinder or cripple antagonists as stated above, or more often to help the heroes, either by giving them critical information, guiding them towards the hiding spots of many legendary weapons, or healing them from crippling injuries (such as Shireen being healed of her Grayscale scars or Wilas being healed from his broken leg).
Character Shilling is pretty rampart in this fic as well. I hope you like the First Men, because rare is the chapter where they aren't praised for one reason or another. You can also tell that Robert Baratheon is among the author's favorites, since he's written like a gigantic Possession Sue. No matter how the story frames it, there's a difference between overcoming your personal flaws, and said flaws pretty much disappearing overnight.
All in all, Robb Returns starts out pretty good, providing a lot of immediate catharsis with quality writing to fans who were left jaded by the source material, but it overcorrects and makes things so easy for the heroes, it robs the story of any tension.
Fanfic When a Fix Fic goes too far with the fixing (spoilers)
Most people will tell you that Robb Returns is an amazing fanfic (I used to be one of them) and there's more than one reason as for why this is the most reviewed ASOIAF fic on FF: the premise, while far from original, is competently executed, it's extremely well written, the author possess encyclopedic knowledge of incredibly obscure lore and characters from the source that expertly uses to make the world feel much bigger, and he's able to match Martin's writing style so well, it could easily be mistaken for one of the books. This is what initially drew me in.
What pulled me out, then? In short, that this is a Fix Fic that goes overboard with the fixing, to the point that there's basically no tension or conflict. Everything that can go well for the good guys, it will go well. They encounter no problem that can't be solved with a minimal amount of effort, while all the antagonists meet grisly ends before they have any chances to cause trouble. Some like Baelish may be justified because of the effect of being a Peggy Sue, but Ramsay Snow is literally killed by the Old Gods (even if indirectly), while the High Sparrow is blinded by them.
Because if you think that the Old Gods sending Robb back in time is as far as they'll interfere, you're sorely mistaken, given how often they act to both hinder or cripple antagonists as stated above, or more often to help the heroes, either by giving them critical information, guiding them towards the hiding spots of many legendary weapons, or healing them from crippling injuries (such as Shireen being healed of her Grayscale scars or Wilas being healed from his broken leg).
Character Shilling is pretty rampart in this fic as well. I hope you like the First Men, because rare is the chapter where they aren't praised for one reason or another. You can also tell that Robert Baratheon is among the author's favorites, since he's written like a gigantic Possession Sue. No matter how the story frames it, there's a difference between overcoming your personal flaws, and said flaws pretty much disappearing overnight.
All in all, Robb Returns starts out pretty good, providing a lot of immediate catharsis with quality writing to fans who were left jaded by the source material, but it overcorrects and makes things so easy for the heroes, it robs the story of any tension.