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His Master's Voice by Kevona
Rated: G •
Summary: In the dark world of the Mirrorverse, the human Spike is the drugged, trained pet of his master, Bumblebee, who uses the boy to infiltrate cells of the human resistance to the Autobot presence. When the pair is sent to sabotage the cell led by Sparkplug
Date: 01/07/02 Title: Chapter 1: His Master's Voice
I liked this one when I first read it. I still like it. Disturbing but well-written and that's so damned hard to do.
Grand, Stupid Things by Starhorse
Rated: G • Summary: Sideswipe got the brains, but Sunstreaker got all the common sense. And the llama? Well, the llama got the short end of the deal, no matter how you look at it.
Date: 08/07/02 Title: Chapter 1: Grand, Stupid Things
Anything with llamas in would rate at least an 8. The fact that this is superbly funny and beautifully written... just, well... it couldn't help but be one of my all time favourites.
The Role of the Observer by kidu
Rated: G • Summary: Before the war, before Earth, Skyfire and Starscream were scientists, explorers. Far from Cybertron in unknown space, they've just stumbled into someone else's war. And that makes being objective a little difficult...
Date: 10/07/02 Title: Chapter 1: The Role of the Observer
I confess, I've never set aside enough time to do more than skim-read this story. Now that you've put it on Lexicon, I've finally sat down and read it properly. It's good even skim-reading; I'm delighted with it now. A very different kind of TF fic, one which isn't really about Transformers at all, yet, for the fans, Starscream and Skyfire are beautifully written. Now to find time to read the rest of the arc...
Seeing Past the Sigil by kidu
Rated: G • Summary: A Quintesson trap sends Strafe, Lightspeed, Cyclonus and Scourge into Cybertron's distant history. And if there aren't any Decepticons around to harbor Cyclonus until he can return... well, he'll just have to convert someone!
Date: 22/07/02 Title: Chapter 1: Seeing Past the Sigil
A wonderful spin on an all-too-briefly seen canon character. Beta is inevitably the stand-out in this story and deservedly so, since she's delightful. Cyclonus is equally good and there's very little to criticise in the Decepticon side of the story--which is the predominant side. However, the Autobot part of things is less coherent--and while not the driving part or theme of this installment, I very much hope that a follow up tale will explain what the point of the Technobots' journey into the past was....
The Selling Price of Vendetta by kidu
Rated: G • Summary: Set in 2007. Skyfire is trying to make peace between two alien worlds on the brink of mutual annihilation, but little does he know there's a conspiracy working against him. The Quintessons have been engineering the war from the beginning, and now they hav
Date: 16/07/02 Title: Chapter 1: The Selling Price of Vendetta
A flawless follow up to the Role of the Observer. I was particularly delighted with Skyfire's view of Autobots and Decepticons. I like objectivity in an author. Quintessons were handled with similar skill. And the emotions... You manipulated mine all over the shop, darnit. Well done! I'm left with great curiosity as to the 4th part....
A One and A Two... by Scott_Kampa
Rated: G • Summary: The price you sometimes have to pay for losing a little bet...
Date: 19/07/02 Title: Chapter 1: A One and A Two...
This has to be the best marriage of character to subject I've yet seen on Lexicon. Short, but oh so sweet!
The Key to the Destroyer by kidu
Rated: G • Summary: The year is 2044. A faction of Decepticons has been living in isolation on a distant world since Megatron took power, but they're about to be suddenly thrust into the modern era. And their leader has a plan to conquer it...
Date: 22/07/02 Title: Chapter 1: The Key to the Destroyer
A powerful climax to the saga, although too many of the characters who had important roles to play in it received short shrift when it came to characterisation. I would have loved to see a lot more of A3/Alpha Trion with regard to Beta, or Cyclonus, Scourge and their respective targetmasters. And certainly it's a shame Hot Rod didn't make a more dominant showing earlier... However, it's hard to hold this against the story, when Beta, Skyfire and Starscream are all so compellingly written. Or to begrudge a few loose threads when the main plotlines are brought together flawlessly. This still rates as the best TF epic I've read, by a long shot.
Teeth of the Lab Rat by PrincessArtemis
Rated: G • Summary: A short shuttle trip to Earth ends up with Perceptor discovering a Quintesson experiment that hits a little too close to home.
Date: 19/09/02 Title: Chapter 1: Teeth of the Lab Rat
Now this is interesting! Even if you did make me think, which isn't what I read fanfic for! A fascinating idea with or without Transformers, and beautifully applied to Perceptor. It's very nice to see Jazz taking a leading role with the post-movie Autobots too. And speaking as a Springer fan, I really liked him here!
Breaking Ranks by T_L_Arens
Rated: G • Summary: Charr stands as the desolate, barren wasteland as the base for the Decepticon army in 2005. Ultra Magnus has disappeared and Rodimus Prime, the new leader of the Autobots, must risk getting captured when he sets out to rescue Ultra Magnus from the hand of
Date: 01/10/02 Title: Chapter 1: Breaking Ranks
An interesting story, with some very perceptive looks at familiar characters. The balance of characterisation and POV seemed off however, and I was particularly disappointed to find that what should have been the story's climax was seen through the eyes of a character who had no emotional connection to or understanding of the themes. It still stands out though for some lovely insights into Ultra Magnus, Rodimus Prime and Blitzwing.
Dust to Rust... by PrincessArtemis
Rated: G • Summary: Perceptor 1st POV...just a little thought on a 'might-have-been'.
Date: 14/10/02 Title: Chapter 1: Dust to Rust...
While you probably need to have seen Cosmic Rust to follow this story, it's a lovely little addendum to the episode. One of the nicest introspection pieces I've read.
The Die Long Cast by Merytneith
Rated: G • Summary: The intertwining origins of six G1 Transformers, and how each was cast into his ultimate destiny as either Autobot or Decepticon by the actions of the seventh character. Featured: Windcharger, Frenzy, Mirage, Starscream, Trailbreaker, Quake... and the on
Date: 24/10/02 Title: Chapter 1: The Die Long Cast
An intriguing and gripping look at the start of the war, clearly setting up the circumstances and personalities of each of the characters. Some interesting pairings in the alternating of Autobot and Decepticon and nice to see some of the less common characters getting a look in (Frenzy, not Rumble!). The timescale demands a good deal of attention, with the flashbacks occasionally getting confusing, while a few of the supporting characters don't quite make the most of their roles, but otherwise wonderful work!
Best First by SkyShadow
Rated: G • 
Summary: Finding himself at the mercy of Optimus Prime, Thundercracker bargains with the only thing that he has to offer: a story. It is a tale from a time when the Autobots were led by an Iaconian lawman named Sentinel Prime.
Date: 27/01/03 Title: Chapter 1: Best First
Do yourself a favour and read this more than once--I promise you you'll have missed something the first time. Utterly absorbing and far more intricate than reading from a computer monitor can do justice to, this is one fic that really does deserve its improbable rating. Despite being unfamiliar with many of the characters and the continuity involved here, I enjoyed this story thoroughly. Bravo!
Why the Ark Has No Doors by PrincessArtemis
Rated: G • Summary: It has been asked why the Autobots never tried to up their defenses by adding doors to the outside of the Ark. Truth of the matter is, they did. It just didn't all go according to plan.
Date: 17/02/03 Title: Chapter 1: Why the Ark Has No Doors
I can't help but love this theory for why the Ark has no doors. One of those few genuinely funny pieces that are also in character and in keeping with the canon as it was presented to us. And... well... that repetitive but never worn-thin, understated humour is priceless.
Revolutionary by Pitten
Rated: G • Summary: There are some stories from his past Kup will never tell...
Date: 05/04/03 Title: Chapter 1: Revolutionary
It's one of the sadder mysteries of TF fanfic that few people choose to write about the relationship between Kup and Hot Rod. This beautifully-controlled back-story for Kup barely touches on it, and yet sets up the background for it perfectly.
Next in Line by TigerStar
Rated: G • Summary: Ultra Magnus is forced to watch a dying Optimus, who declares him as the new bearer of the Matrix.
Date: 06/04/03 Title: Chapter 1: Next in Line
Unfortunately, this does feel like a draft rather than the finished piece of work. There are a few mis-spellings and mis-used words that should really be cleared up, and it would be nice to break down that opening paragraph into a few smaller ones. Also, it's not always clear who's saying the dialogue (particularly Perceptor's opening line). That said, I appreciate the sentiment behind this and the right mood is there. It's an interesting look at the event, I just wish that it was more polished.
For All the Days Left Long Behind by Pitten
Rated: G • Summary: In the wake of great change, Carly finds an unlikely kindred spirit. (Set after "The Rebirth.")
Date: 03/10/03 Title: Chapter 1: For All the Days Left Long Behind
A different sort of heart-string tugger than you normally get in a TF fic. Although the Carly-plot is an obvious one (and the only explanation I can think of as to why it's not been done before is the fandom's general discomfort with following the canon of Daniel and Arcee becoming a headmaster), the author handles it very well, and the poignancy usually rings true instead of being standard sentimental gush. The Hot Rod take is less obvious--Post-Matrix Hot Rod may be frequently done, but I think this is the first time I've seen Hot Rod argue that he *did* do a good job. And it *works* so nicely against Carly's story, contrasting and comparing. When I first read this, I admit I asked the author why she didn't use Springer (who had presumably lost Arcee in much the same way). On a second read, I've no idea what I was thinking and I take it all back.
Carnappers! by KevinJGuhl
Rated: G • Summary: Tailgate and Tracks get themselves in a fix while investigating car thefts in L.A.! Set in the cartoon universe, after Season 3.
Date: 18/05/03 Title: Chapter 1: Carnappers!
Plaudits for writing Tailgate! This was such fun, generally well written and somehow plausible without ever losing the humour of Tailgate's whole premise. And nice punchline at the end too.
The Death of Optimus Prime = The Downfall of G1? by JRisindahouse
Rated: G • Summary: Did the death of Optimus Prime in the Transformers Movie cause the collapse of Generation One? Or did everyone get fed up with Rodimus Prime, Arcee, Daniel and Wheelie? Or was the loss of other characters to blame? Let's find out!
Date: 28/09/03 Title: Chapter 1: The Death of Optimus Prime = The Downfall of G1?
You have to balance your opinions more. I've seen many differing views of the characters, Movie and Season 3, but you only take your own line. It also might be an idea to check up on your facts. Arcee appeared in exactly seven episodes of Season 3 (eight if you count a non-speaking background appearance in one), and four of those were from the multi-parter Five Faces of Darkness. That's less than a third, even if you count Rebirth. Your view that the Movie and Season 3 were worse than what preceded is a majority one, but that doesn't make it true, and it can't have been the only factor in G1's 'downfall'. After all, getting the battle off Earth and into space brought other viewers on board, myself included. For a few of us, killing off Prime helped too. ;)
But They Might Hope by Starhorse
Rated: G • Summary: Prowl and Sideswipe are either contestants in the Snark-o-lympics, or they're busy waiting for Godot. You decide.
Date: 17/10/03 Title: Chapter 1: But They Might Hope
A perfect translation of those deep & meaningless late-night conversations into story-form. And just as every deep & meaningless late-night conversation does have some element of self-discovery in it, so too does this story reveal characters we thought we already knew. Knowing comments of humour and gentle touches of pathos are kept nicely balanced, and despite the difficulties that the desert island concept presents, at no time is the story anything but compelling. As usual, Starhorse, I'm utterly nonplussed at your ability to enthrall me with characters who I'm never interested in otherwise. But do continue to do so!
So You Wanna Write a Transformers Fanfic, Eh? by Nightwind
Rated: G • Summary: In which Nightwind rants about the basics of writing, specifically, TF fanfic...
Date: 28/10/03 Title: Chapter 1: So You Wanna Write a Transformers Fanfic, Eh?
Good, good stuff. My only quibble is that you too often say DON'T without a disclaimer that there's an exception to every rule. I'm a firm believer that you shouldn't be afraid to break a rule for the sake of a story. Of course, you do have to know how to break the rules well, and this is an essay for first fanfics, so I'll let it slide. Besides, you know I'm an anarchist seeking to cover up my own errors anyway (Description? Imagery? All the best authors are ignoring that these days. Really! ;) ) Still, intended for starter fanfic writers or not, I'd happily recommend this to all authors for frequent rereads and reminders.
The Portal by KPCooper
Rated: G • Summary: One million years in the future the Galaxy is subjugated under the flag of the Decepticon Empire. In the face of this seemingly unstoppable enemy fights a band of increasingly desperate rebels lead by Springer. Learning of a new Imperial device known as t
Date: 04/01/04 Title: Chapter 1: The Portal
Always a pleasant surprise to find a new author who can handle a large-scale story. I'm guessing this exclusively follows comic continuity, and I was a little disorientated for the first few chapters, but there is certainly sufficient self-explication in due course, and I would urge readers more familiar with the cartoon not to be put off. The main reason for giving it a nine and no higher is that this could have benefited from a proofread; there were several grammatical errors or word misuses along the way. In general though, we have a nice balance of characterisation and action, and much to my delight the broad cast generally gets to each make a good showing with only one or two feelings of missed subplots. Special kudos for the Hot Rod/Kup relationship that so many writers ignore! It remains to be seen now if future stories in the series can match up to the beginning.
Wheelie Killed Season Three by Dirge
Rated: G • Summary: An essay outlining why Season 3 of the original Transformers cartoon was less successful than the two seasons preceding it. I don't just pick on Wheelie (Daniel gets his share of blame!)
Date: 17/01/04 Title: Chapter 1: Wheelie Killed Season Three
Thank heavens for an essay that actually attempts to give personal opinions some grounding in fact. Not to mention one that bashes Season 3 for reasons other than the poor animation.
That said, this essay suffers from being far far too short. Effectively the argument is that Season 3 failed because of overusing bad characters, with Wheelie being the chief case study. However, the only explanation given for Wheelie being bad is 'he spoke in strained rhymes only, and rarely proved as useful to the Autobots as Bumblebee.' The former, while generally annoying, has little to do with the actual character concept, and I can't see that the latter has anything to do with making him a bad character and even if it did, there's no backup to prove why he's less useful than Bumblebee. Telling us that he's got less scope than the Battlechargers isn't enough either. You need to prove it. Speaking as a Wheelie fan, I'm going to need a lot more convincing before I believe your opinion is justified. Annoying character, yes; bad character... elaborate?
This is my general feeling with most of the essay. You make your points and you cite reasons (which is more than many essays on Lexicon!) but you don't follow through with the evidence.
Finally, I would also argue your point that focusing on one core group of characters is a bad thing... On an artistic level, I much prefer it, and it is in fact the norm for a TV series (if unusual for a toy commercial). Still, as essays go, this one has structure and keeps to its argument. Just go into more depth for the next one!
Eventually by grimlockgirl66
Rated: G • Summary: G1. Spike and Carly are living together when the news comes that Sparkplug is dead. How do they deal with the death and what do they do when the murderer comes to apologize. I really wanted to write a story about the cannon human characters.
Date: 08/11/05 Title: Chapter 1: Eventually
Having recently experienced the death of my father-in-law, I read this with interest, although probably not completely objectively. My own feeling is that Spike went a little OTT and Carly let him get away with too much (she must have the patience of a saint!). There is a nice sense of tragedy about the piece, but tortured or not, Spike loses the sympathy of the reader almost from the outset--it's not until the end that we get any idea of his relationship with Sparkplug and it doesn't really excuse his reaction. Everybody copes differently, but Spike's definitely an anti-hero here. Nice touch having it be Bumblebee of all people who killed him. If anything, I'd have loved a little more on his anguish.
The Words Written at the Gate by Pitten
Rated: G • Summary: Optimus Prime speaks. Omega Supreme, for his part, listens.
Date: 26/07/06 Title: Chapter 1: The Words Written at the Gate
Fascinating little fic. There's probably numerous tweaks and changes I'd suggest for the prose if I went over with a fine-tooth comb, but overall you've caught a lovely tone for the piece.
Cowboy Prime - character studies 1 by doctor_cox
Rated: G • Summary: Cowboy Prime character studies part 1
Date: 14/09/06 Title: Chapter 1: Cowboy Prime - character studies 1
Don't know enough about art to review it, technically speaking, but this is so bonkersly good, I just had to!