The Stalking Zuko Series is an interesting concept for a fic, being told as Katara writing a diary about Zuko that chronicles her progressing from reluctantly accepting him into the Gaang, to befriending him, to falling in love with him, as well as her perspective on all the events that happen during this process. Unfortunately, it's also meant as both a Fix Fic and a "canon compliant" Zutara fic, and doesn't achieve either of those secondary goals especially well.
Katara's narration is effectively done. It fits the mood of the story, being funny in lighthearted scenes, and helping us feel for her in more serious parts. It also nicely chronicles her changing perception of Zuko.
The author generally seems good at characterization, but she's at her best when she's not trying to prove something. As such, some of the secondary characters and the OCs are the best written characters in there, while the narrative is quite harsh on Aang in a attempt to "correct" an alleged bias toward him in canon. At times, it's very clear that the author puts significantly more effort into understanding other characters' perspectives and motives and portraying them in a sympathetic manner than she does for Aang.
Speaking of corrections, the author openly says this is a Fix Fic (she's particularly critical of the last few episodes, sequel comics and The Legend of Korra), but states that she's trying to achieve a "canon-compliant" Zutara. This means that the plot stays with canon until she decides it doesn't make sense/favor Zutara for it to do so, as seen in how the Agni Kai between Zuko and Azula goes the same as in the show (plus half an hour of prep work), until Zuko's rendered near death, prompting an Anguished Declaration of Love from Katara.
The pacing is also quite slow, as more than half of Not Stalking Zuko, the longest installment in the series, takes place in the gap between "The Southern Raiders" and the Grand Finale. The chapters in that period provide a good amount of Character Development and can be quite interesting, but it's clear that no animation studio would pay to make so many episodes like that so close to the climax.
All in all, the author is a very good writer, but this fic's attempts to prove points are flaws that prevent it from realizig its potential.
Good Writing, Hamstrung by Contradicting Intentions
The Stalking Zuko Series is an interesting concept for a fic, being told as Katara writing a diary about Zuko that chronicles her progressing from reluctantly accepting him into the Gaang, to befriending him, to falling in love with him, as well as her perspective on all the events that happen during this process. Unfortunately, it's also meant as both a Fix Fic and a "canon compliant" Zutara fic, and doesn't achieve either of those secondary goals especially well.
Katara's narration is effectively done. It fits the mood of the story, being funny in lighthearted scenes, and helping us feel for her in more serious parts. It also nicely chronicles her changing perception of Zuko.
The author generally seems good at characterization, but she's at her best when she's not trying to prove something. As such, some of the secondary characters and the OCs are the best written characters in there, while the narrative is quite harsh on Aang in a attempt to "correct" an alleged bias toward him in canon. At times, it's very clear that the author puts significantly more effort into understanding other characters' perspectives and motives and portraying them in a sympathetic manner than she does for Aang.
Speaking of corrections, the author openly says this is a Fix Fic (she's particularly critical of the last few episodes, sequel comics and The Legend of Korra), but states that she's trying to achieve a "canon-compliant" Zutara. This means that the plot stays with canon until she decides it doesn't make sense/favor Zutara for it to do so, as seen in how the Agni Kai between Zuko and Azula goes the same as in the show (plus half an hour of prep work), until Zuko's rendered near death, prompting an Anguished Declaration of Love from Katara.
The pacing is also quite slow, as more than half of Not Stalking Zuko, the longest installment in the series, takes place in the gap between "The Southern Raiders" and the Grand Finale. The chapters in that period provide a good amount of Character Development and can be quite interesting, but it's clear that no animation studio would pay to make so many episodes like that so close to the climax.
All in all, the author is a very good writer, but this fic's attempts to prove points are flaws that prevent it from realizig its potential.