This is an impressive series, not least because of the mammoth chapter length (20-30k word averages? Seriously?!). What really stood out to me, though, was how more levels of the story were unfolded as I kept reading.
It starts off with a fairly straightforward premise, of a female Harry switching schools with her cousin. Well written, but hardly new; it's drawn straight from the crossover, after all. However, as it keeps going, it shows a really interesting reinterpretation of Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson, keeping the pride and the prejudice but with a lot of the Stupid Evil taken out.
Then it shows a very different challenge for Harry to overcome in her first year, threatening the school in a way more widespread and sinister than canon ever managed.
Then the masquerade being complicated by returning to their home and their original identities for a few months over summer - while each pretending to have spent the year at the other school - which as I recall the original Alanna didn't do.
Then there's world building to explore the streets beyond Diagon and Knockturn Alley. Politicking and networking. Finding plausible explanations for canon phenomena (such as the Chamber of Secrets requiring Parseltongue to open, rather than just a good blasting curse). Encountering the harsh price of power-ups. A villain who didn't launch a violent war, preferring manipulation and subtle influence, yet is just as sinister in his intentions - but actually does have some understandable and even laudable goals mixed in, worthy of Enemy Mine cooperation at times. Truly harrowing conflicts on a level that canon can't match. As I kept digging, I kept finding more layers.
FanficRecs So wrapped up in layers
This is an impressive series, not least because of the mammoth chapter length (20-30k word averages? Seriously?!). What really stood out to me, though, was how more levels of the story were unfolded as I kept reading.
It starts off with a fairly straightforward premise, of a female Harry switching schools with her cousin. Well written, but hardly new; it's drawn straight from the crossover, after all. However, as it keeps going, it shows a really interesting reinterpretation of Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson, keeping the pride and the prejudice but with a lot of the Stupid Evil taken out.
Then it shows a very different challenge for Harry to overcome in her first year, threatening the school in a way more widespread and sinister than canon ever managed.
Then the masquerade being complicated by returning to their home and their original identities for a few months over summer - while each pretending to have spent the year at the other school - which as I recall the original Alanna didn't do.
Then there's world building to explore the streets beyond Diagon and Knockturn Alley. Politicking and networking. Finding plausible explanations for canon phenomena (such as the Chamber of Secrets requiring Parseltongue to open, rather than just a good blasting curse). Encountering the harsh price of power-ups. A villain who didn't launch a violent war, preferring manipulation and subtle influence, yet is just as sinister in his intentions - but actually does have some understandable and even laudable goals mixed in, worthy of Enemy Mine cooperation at times. Truly harrowing conflicts on a level that canon can't match. As I kept digging, I kept finding more layers.
I look forward to seeing it continued.