FanficRecs Slow Buildup
The story is slowly diverting from Zero canon. The largest change being the invention of the printing press. The author is slowly twisting the story into something new.
FanficRecs Cookie Cutter
Somewhere on the internet, I swear there has to be a Zero fix with all the dialogue of the first few episodes with just saito's name blanked out. This is another script where a much more powerful familiar is summoned and yet for some reason, the plot doesn't change from canon in the slightest. What makes these types of fics frustrating is that the protagonist always seems to know what's coming a head but still makes choices that doesn't change anything. For example Louise finds our she has the void element a bit early you would think that she would be a bit more skilled with it, but with theenforced canon, she's still the same.
Summoning Ritual - Fight with Guiche - Fight with Mott.
Rinse and Repeat.
It makes me wonder if some writers understand that the point of a fanfic is to branch out from the plot but many seem afraid to take the plunge and so their writing suffers.
The crossover had promise. Kurt is a bit interesting and the writing isn't bad, but it just too predictable.
FanficRecs Constant Acceleration
That’s the easiest way to describe this fanfic.
The early parts of the story are slow, even with good writing and a decently mysterious and designed character. The problem is the author gets bogged down with the Stations of the Canon and struggles to find his footing and what exactly he wants to do with the story. It’s almost like a lot of FoZ fanfics, where Saito’s name is just replaced with a few minor details changed.
It’s amusing that the chapter titled Circuit Breaker is where the story begins to change. Around here, the author has finally found their footing and starts with slow baby steps. The chapter Constant Acceleration begins with the introduction of the printing press, but nothing much else. Of course, the limitation to first person (with an occasional small interlude of third person) will hinder what is observed.
The story seems to fluctuate between either original content based on Kurt’s actions and the parts derived from canon. Chapters 10, 11, and 12 are almost straight from canon with slight additions of new content, then Chapter 13 comes along and completely changes things. Chapter 14 is entirely new, and then Chapter 15 reverts back to canon.
The author has promised that there will be more breaks from canon after the Reconquista War Arc, which may be another case of how he shows his work, seeing that most of the changes in Storms Overhead are science, intellectual, and culture-based, which gain more chances for change after a war.
Compared to the beginning, Storms Overhead has taken a huge step away from what it would have been if the author had not taken his own path and gave focus to the culture and society of Familiar of Zero—and how a person armed with modern knowledge might change that.
Character-wise, Kurt is very interesting. He begins as your typical Anti-Hero Atoner, but shifts back and forth between justifying and attacking his own actions as he realizes the dual nature of life (which amusingly, occurs the same time the author ditched the Karma Meter mechanic).
I find the blend of character relationships and focus on the social, cultural, and intellectual characteristics of Tristain and Halkeginia (and how modern ideals compare) to be a strong point in the story, but one weakness is that the canon segments can drone early on. If you’re willing to go through it, you’re likely to find something you enjoy.