Reviews For Project Azkaban


Name: Hawksquill (Signed) · Date: 01 Sep 2020 12:43 AM · For: Prison Break

This intrigued me just from the summary, and your beautiful prose really sealed the deal!  The opening passage is so eerie and your style so wonderfully conveys how disoriented Teddy feels.   The way he has become accustomed to being imprisoned and enjoys the constancy feels realistic - he is reluctant to escape into the unknown.

While the first section grabbed me because of the intensity of the sensory descriptions, the Department of Mysteries project proposal provided such interesting context that Teddy himself doesn't have.  I loved all the implications of the propsal - the bureaucracy, the existence of a Thought Department, and the way accusations of cruel and unusual torture are brushed off so easily.  It seems to foreshadow things to come.

Great job, can't wait to read more! :) 

 

**Reviewed for the Gryffinclaw Take Flight review event, 2020**



Name: potionspartner (Signed) · Date: 31 Aug 2020 12:02 AM · For: Prison Break

Gina,

Hi, I'm here for the Gryffinclaw Review Fest.

This is such a great concept for a psychological thriller. It reminds of so many sci-fis when someone's consciousness is caught in a computer. 

I love the introduction of Teddy, not wanting to leave because the known is safe, consistency is good, because he's never expected anything else. No doubt someone has erased his memories but those memories erasures never work perfectly so those flashes will motivate to do something. 

And then shock upon shock, his memories are there in front of him. I thought this was a great idea. Victorie is not the image he needs to find beyond the walls but rather she's the memory trapped in this prison with him.

What a great combination of both psychological and physical imprisonment. Looking forward to the rest. 



Name: TidalDragon (Signed) · Date: 13 Jul 2020 06:52 PM · For: A Way Out

Howdy!

 

I was psyched when I heard this was updated and now was the perfect time to read the new installment!

 

This chapter is very cool and made even more so by the log at the end. It seems that Paulina has taken a more human view of the wicked 'experiment' which is taking on a 1408 vibe with the reorganization or floorplan, etc. Victoire and her cell were obviously an anchor - the last remaining anchor most likely and if she departs with them it will be very interesting to see how circumstances change. United I think they will certainly stand a better chance, but the true question is what is the horrifying discovery beyond the walls?

 

Thanks for updating!



Name: magnifique (Signed) · Date: 11 Jul 2020 08:51 PM · For: A Way Out

So I have to admit I was really, really intrigued by this idea when I saw it in your julno writer's journal, mostly because I've never seen a story with this kind of focus before, but also beccause it feels like it's got extra relevance with the current climate (in the US) regarding prisons and abolishing incarceration and really taking a critical look at what it means to be locking people up and what it does to the human psyche.

And I think that's a large part of what makes this concept so interesting to me and the story/writing as well because it's quite disturbing if you think about what they're doing, and I have a feeling that is probably going to be one of the points by the end, and hopefully everyone will learn their lesson re: this kind of magic lolol, but from a very human perspective, if you don't think about it, it really does look like the 'perfect' solution - remove prisoners memories so they dont fight the captivity, and give them back when they're done. But like, you can see what it's done to Teddy and Victoire and the others and how this isn't as "humane" (or foolproof) as they thought it was. 

I'm veeeery worried about what's going to happen if/when they get through that window, if the outside is as dangerous as they've been saying it is, and if they'll be able to actually pull the plug in time, but I'm really loving the way you're building the suspense up through each new chapter and I look forward to finding out what's going to come next!!

<3 Julie



Name: aurevoir (Signed) · Date: 05 Jul 2020 08:42 PM · For: A Way Out

MAGIC. I think the prison is not going to let them pull the plug and get them out though. I'm dying to know what happens next though because its a mystery, but the ministry writing at the bottom is giving me life. 



Name: aurevoir (Signed) · Date: 05 Jul 2020 08:34 PM · For: Strangers

I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS STILL. 

 

Is it Scorpius or Draco that is Malfoy? I would think Draco, but I also know who we've talked about over message and now I'm confused AND THE PRISON IS GLITCHING BECAUSE THEYRE GOING TO TRY AND ESCAPE AND THE FEAR GENERATOR I know the plug is not being pulled. 

 

Jesus. 



Name: aurevoir (Signed) · Date: 25 Jun 2020 03:04 AM · For: Prison Break

ok look I have a lot of questions but i'm just going to have to keep reading to get answers because i don't want to spoilt it for myself but why were they there did they volunteer or should i have recognized more names besides teddy, victoire, and lysander and WHY IS THE PRISON RELEASING THEM. 

 

but also the romantic side of me loves that he remembered her name when he saw her does that mean it didn't work if he started regaining memories 

 

also still not over the multiple life sentences thing. never will be. I think the memos at the end of the chapters is going to be fascinating though. 



Name: shadowycorner (Signed) · Date: 24 Jun 2020 09:09 PM · For: Strangers

...

ok i am terrified. why would anyone do this to themselves? are these just a bunch of gryffindors who've lost their will to live but not the will to do stupid crazy shit? gosh, i would NEVER. I feel super stressed reading this, the atmosphere you create is suffocating and it's perfect that it's making me FEEL so many things, but also fear no no no.

 

his chest filled with warmth Thank god there is a source of light in this place, which is Teddy and his strong deep feelings for Victoire. I am all here for not remembering someone but knowing somehow you're deeply connected to them, and I'm wondering if they had a relationship out of the project, or if only Teddy was in love with her, which would perhaps explain Vic's angry reactions to him? Or perhaps she knows more than he does, more than the others do.

 

It was awesome the way you made the shirt numbers freak everyone the hell out (including me) because there are numbers missing and people missing and who are these people are they dead or lurking and dangerous??? Is malfoy one of them? Is it draco or scorpius?? -intense breathing-

 

The coolest (and darkest) thing here is that this new Azkaban seems to have the same effects on the prisoners as the one with the Dementors had - they are overwhelmed with despair and lose a sense of identity and purpose, memories are hazy and useless, and the entire building and air seem to want to cave in on you. I guess that was the point, to create that sensation for prisoners, without having actual dementors swarming around...

 

That ending, that transcript, goddamn! What's outside the window? Besides absolute doom, I mean? The FearGenerator?? noooo! Part of me just wants to cover my eyes and walk away because i'm legit stressed out xD but it's written so well and I'm totally into this kinda mystic romance between teddy and vic and want to see how it develops in this horror scape, so i guess i'll just have to go with it!

 

it's a really cool story so far, by the way, very original and one of a kind!

 

Eli (june rvg)



Name: shadowycorner (Signed) · Date: 23 Jun 2020 10:48 PM · For: Prison Break

I've been looking at this story for a loooong time and I'm not sure why i was putting off reading it because it sounds utterly fascinating, and it is! I have always been obsessed with the Department of Mysteries and what they do there and so when I read in the summary that they are involved I was like woot! Also Azkaban is a deeply interesting and disturbing place on its own, so mixing that with the whole Mysteries thing seemed like such a brilliant idea.

 

Maybe it's my fear of confined places, but I was legitimately scared when I read this, felt like I was shrunk and in a small space, which is really a huge kudos to your writing because you made me feel all that with the description of the whole place. Also, great job setting up the mystery, because now I want to know everything - why can't Teddy remember, what is going to happen? It seems like they've entered voluntarily, or have they?

 

I also liked the other characters coming together at the end, as well as Victoire triggering something within Teddy.

 

The new version of Azkaban is...scary and disturbing even more, that's some proper black mirror shit and it scares me but it worked so well with your theme and story here and i'm super excited to read more!

 

Eli (june rvg)



Name: maraudertimes (Signed) · Date: 29 Apr 2020 10:42 PM · For: A Way Out

Guess who’s back. Back again? It’s me! (also for the RvG POGs special)


Okay, so basically this chapter is the last one up and I’m upset about it and I need more, thank you very much. This was a lot and not enough all at the same time. I need more. Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.


Alright, so Teddy is a sweetheart in the first little scene here, making sure Victoire eats. But Victoire is also a firecracker when she pushed that they would all share it. I thought the labyrinth would’ve meant they would at least try to look for their cells, but I guess that’s why I would be the first to die in a horror movie.


I’m a little confused about the windows - are they big enough someone could escape from? I feel like that would be an oversight to allow prisoners into a room with a window they could fit through (even if it is high up enough that they shouldn’t be able to free themselves). Or there would be bars on it. It just feels very strange that human-sized windows would be in a prison.


I do think the bed idea is smart, and if they had figured out how to get up to the window, and then figured out how to get out of the window I feel like that would’ve made more sense? As of right now, although I’m loving the escape, it feels too easy. But then again, what if it’s just supposed to feel like that to them (and the people watching), and Azkaban has other plans? I’m not sure, but as of right now it just feels too easy for a prison break.


I do like that you made everyone suspicious of Teddy’s ‘good nature,’ because Lysander is right - from what they remember, they don’t know each other. Why should they trust each other? I think that was a really good addition, and Lysander definitely wouldn’t be the first person to die in a horror movie! Even though it seems like Victoire might instinctively trust Teddy? Maybe that’s because Azkaban broke her, but I choose to believe it’s that tiny part of her deep down that knows that she loves him!


Anyways, continuing on, why is Lysander so worried about being let back in? Is this the Fear thing? What is happening?


The Trial Log irks me because of course they noticed something but because it was easily explained away, they kind of ignored it. While understandable, in the context right now I’m freaking. I’m almost absolutely sure that Arthur Weasley was right and you shouldn’t trust something if you can’t see where it thinks. Although I do like the Trial Log because at least Paulina had the decent sense to think “hm, maybe we should pull them” instead of LEAVING THEM IN A PRISON?!?!


Anyways, please update soon, because I need to know what happens next. As always, thank you for writing this so that I could read this!

 

Lo <3




Name: maraudertimes (Signed) · Date: 29 Apr 2020 10:12 PM · For: Strangers

Back again? So soon? Yes, because I had to read this next chapter, I am putty in your hands. This is also for the RvG POGs special because why not, I’m here anyways!


My goodness, alright. I feel bad for Teddy because he obviously remembers Victoire, but I would also be very suspicious if someone I didn’t remember somehow knew my name. But as someone who knows that Teddy and Victoire are *together*, it’s heartbreaking that she has no recollection of him, and he seems to already remember his feelings for her.


I wonder why Victoire would let Cal touch her if she was so beaten down by the cell, but I supposed she seems less threatening? And also why Cal’s figure would cause Teddy to have the urge to scream. Every sentence brings about more questions! But I also kind of like having questions, because I know more than the characters, but not much more. It’s very worrisome, almost as if I’m there with them, and I think that you write this so wonderfully it’s very difficult not to fall into this story.


I’m curious as to how Lysander is doing - he seems to be regaining his memories if that makes sense? Either that or he’s usually that informal with people he’s just met. Maybe it’s your prequel that got me, but he’s my favourite even though there’s not much to go off of.


I love the numbers on their shirts. (Also, you wrote three white letters, but shouldn’t it be numbers?) I think it’s a really simple way to show that they’re missing people, and prisons would for sure have some way to tag prisoners, so it makes sense with the context of the story - very smart to make it a plot point. I’m wondering about the figure from before, the man who told them to save themselves. Again, I’m wondering is that Scorpius? Is he number one? Or five? I’m assuming this new person, Emelia, would be the other.


And then of course the outside. I’m curious about the ‘outside’ that they see outside their windows - wasn’t the ministry able to have windows that showed the ‘outside’ even when deep underground? But then the transcript has me thinking that it is the real outside. You really have a way of messing with me!


The one thing I seem to think of when Cal said “Maybe the prison is in charge” is about what Arthur Weasley said about objects that think for themselves, and not being able to see their brains. I wonder if this will make the trial run more difficult/dangerous. If the “Fear Generator” doesn’t, whatever that is.


Again, I have to commend you on your writing. I am so captured by this story that I just have to keep reading, and I am absolutely sucked in from the start to the end. Thank you so much for writing this so that I could have so much fun reading this!

 

Lo <3




Name: maraudertimes (Signed) · Date: 29 Apr 2020 09:50 PM · For: Prison Break

Hello! I'm here for the RvG POGs special, and...


WHAT?!?!!? I started with What He Wants and now that I’m here I’m just like WHAT?!?! I mean obviously they’re part of a/multiple trial runs because Teddy, Cal, Lysander, and Victoire are there. BUT WHAT??? Alright, so I hadn’t realized Victoire was part of the Unspeakables department, maybe she’s not, maybe I have to keep reading… I definitely have to keep reading.


Anyways, back to the story because that’s why I’m here. I’m curious as to why Teddy can’t remember anything about his life - and if that’s part of Azkaban 2.0 or because they needed to erase everything so the trial run can proceed with people who don’t have knowledge of how it works. Either way, I think the line “Constancy was a constant here.” was actually quite interesting considering I’ve always heard the line “Change is a constant.” So that really emphasizes the difference between this Azkaban 2.0 and real life, and I thought it was a brilliant way to do that.


I’m interested in whether Cal, Lysander, and Victoire herself end up having flashes. Is it just for people they love? Or is it something else? Gah, I must know! But I’m especially wondering about the first figure he saw in his haze. Is that someone who knows about the trial run and is starting it? Is it someone else in the trial run who has no idea what’s happening? There are a lot of questions I have.


I loved Lysander’s part about talking to himself. I suppose that would be an important part so that prisoners can’t organize things, although I’m a little confused on how that would be possible. Is it the whole cage-type cell that’s enchanted so that when the door is open they can now see/hear each other? My goodness, there’s so many things I want answers to!


Now the time factor at the end has me curious. Obviously this is NextGen and the initial project proposal was in 1998, so I’m guessing that the project is about 20 years old now, so it’s either almost done or still has another 10 years to go. I’m hoping almost done, but at this point I can’t tell. Everything is confusing and I just have to keep reading to find out!


Anyways, I don’t know if you can tell but I’m so invested, this was an absolute dream to read (even if you’ve disrupted my reading/reviewing plans because now I have to keep reading). But thank you for writing this so that I could read it!

 

Lo <3




Name: Stella Blue (Signed) · Date: 17 Jul 2019 03:22 AM · For: A Way Out

Ok so I 100% thought I had already left a review for this chapter, but I guess I didn't? Perhaps right after I read it all I had to say was keyboard smash? Unfortunately even after the several weeks since I first read this chapter, my reaction is still keyboard smash because WHOA, HOW ARE YOU SO GOOD AT WRITING, AND PLOT, AND MYSTERYYY. This story is so good. I'm obsessed with it.

 

all while the prison breathed damp air against his face. -- ugh, I can feel this sentence. haha. I really like your word choice. And how it kind of personifies the prison a little, which is awesome because the prison is sort of alive anyway with its changing floorplan and opening doors and stuff. This is honeslty so clever.

 

Teddy's desire to get rid of the others is so interesting. The way he's settled into thinking the prison is his home and cares for him is really eerie. I mean, to an extent I can understand it, because it's familiar and it's all he knows, but the way Teddy clings to what's familiar and is so afraid to look beyond that worries me. I don't know what he's going to do once they get out, where nothing is familiar except possibly Victoire.

 

I also get why Teddy has a crush on Victoire because I kind of do too right now. Look how resourceful she is when literally their whole world has been turned upside down and things are weird and possibly dangerous and she comes up with a plan. She is the best person to have on your team.

 

Those last two paragraphs of the inmates' journey to outside is like a rollercoaster. It's so buoyant - they're escaping, the outside air is fresh and they're free. Aaaaand then DANGER AND CONFUSION, what did Lysander experience that made him run back like that? asjfkasjdlkfas I'm so worried

 

AND THE LAST SECTION IS THE MOST WORRISOME, because the prison is outside the control of its creators and is doing all this on its own. The creators don't know how to stop it or how much power the prison has. And some of them underestimate the danger. Meanwhile it's done something to Lysander who is trying to get back in, and the prison, just like HAL in 2001 A Space Odyssey, is like, I'm sorry Lysander I'm afraid I can't do that. And then this beautiful outside becomes scary like the vacuum of space and I'm possibly getting ahead of myself and adhfkjsfhdkja JUST KNOW THAT I AM WORRIED. It does give me a little comfort that at least one of the project masterminds is concerned for the safety of the participants, and can see/hear what's going on there. At least while they're inside the prison - but what happens now that they're out?

 

Awesome chapter! I loved it! This continues to be such a well written, thought provoking fic.



Name: Crimson Quill (Signed) · Date: 16 Jul 2019 08:41 PM · For: A Way Out

 

Hey Gina,

 

this was so amazing! I love this chapter so much! I just think it's breathtaking how you managed to create such a fantastic atmosphere in this story because it's what makes it so unique. I don't know anyone who that in their stories at least not like you do. I think it's the way that you use all of Teddy's senses which really stands out. I got such a thrill from reading this, the fact that I can't even guess what is going to happen next so appealing honestly. It's another thing that I adore about this piece. 

 

the writing in this chapter is so vivid, every thoughts and actions is full of motive in this chapter. I love this distrusting dynamic between the two boys. I think that works really well because it makes sense that they wouldn't really know how to deal with people because they have spend so much time alone. I'm loving how Teddy's feelings are developing like he can remembering how important she is.

 

I think my favourite line is 'he felt the smile pulling at his face, felt it emerging like the first rays of sun in the eastern sky. He let it soar.' this line is perfection! it's such beautiful imagery which really makes your writing is rich and vivid. It is a pleasure to read! I'm a big fan of the narration style that you've chosen. WHAT IS GOING ON?! It's killing me but I'm so damn excited to see!!

 

Abbi xx

 

(HC Finale '19 - Vote Maya Chon)

 



Name: justawillowtree (Signed) · Date: 26 Jun 2019 07:00 PM · For: A Way Out

Hi Gina!

 

I can’t believe you said you were worried about the pacing—I thought the pacing was perfect. It made the chapter really exciting, and I got a bit of a thrill when they figured out a way to escape and were working towards pulling up the bed. I thought it was good that you didn’t spend too much of the chapter focusing on the actual bed-pulling, and instead afterwards focused on their physical pains and injuries from pulling up a bed bolted to the ground. It was really scary seeing the physical damage that pulling up the bed did to them, and how much was required for them to escape, but it was also really exciting watching them figure out a prison break.

 

I thought that Teddy’s immediately willingness to sacrifice himself was also frightening. Like it seemed less of the heroic sort of sacrifice, and more of the giving up sort. Like the way he thought so fondly of his cell was just really really sad—he’s been here for a few months only and already the prison has taken hold of his mind despite being abusive, and the fact that he just wants to remain here living the dismal life of a prison inmate… It was heartbreaking.

 

The women seemed to be affected differently, but Lysander’s reactions were also hard to read about. The way he ran to the prison after it closed itself on them, begging to be let back inside, was devastating. His and Teddy’s dependence on this place is so unhealthy, and the fear of the outdoors and freedom is just. not a good side effect of this prison system. I don’t like it.

 

You write about the effects of the prison so well, though! From the men’s reactions to everyone’s distrust of one another, it all feels so real and believable. At every moment I’m just feeling bitter about the prison and how these are the consequences of a brutal justice system, and it parallels, in some ways, how being in jail for too long in the US can severely limit your ability to rejoin the world once you leave. It’s really tragic to think about. I love the workings of your prison, though, it’s so original and unique.

 

Teddy’s remembered love for Victoire throughout this chapter was so sweet. Like when he tells her to get on his shoulders and he can’t help but smile with such warmth at her omg. Or when he feels regret after offering to stay behind because he’ll lose any chance of being with Victoire again. Or when they hold hands briefly before they get out. I’m looking forward to the two getting closer again as the story progresses!!! They are too cute. I hope Victoire remembers him soon. <3

 

The ending was so shocking though omg. People in charge of the experiment (or, really, just Emmanuel) knew that things were getting messed up, yet continued to run the experiment. Why? So as not to waste government funding? It makes me angry that he would willingly endanger the lives of the recruits like that. He doesn’t seem like a very good person haha. Paulina says she’s going to shut it down…but is the prison going to let that happen? Were the windows closing up Paulina’s doing, or the prison’s?

 

I CAN’T WAIT FOR MORE OF THIS. <3

 

Thank you for pointing me in this story’s direction!!

 

Love,

Eva



Name: justawillowtree (Signed) · Date: 26 Jun 2019 04:10 PM · For: Strangers

OMG GINA. I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS. IN A GOOD WAY.

 

The main thing is about the memory loss—how did all of them get small glimpses of their past, including their names, if their memories were supposed to be wiped completely clean? And what exactly was the process of their memories being wiped? Based on the information from the previous chapter, it seems that the goal of the prison is to limit the involvement of humans as much as possible, so is it reasonable to presume that the prison itself wipes the memories somehow, once they step inside? And therefore the shortcircuiting of this memory loss thing is also potentially the doing of the prison? Is the prison actually sentient??? It like self-rearranged its interiors into a labyrinth this chapter so I feel like that last question isn’t too much of a stretch, haha. Also it seems like the prisoners have come to that conclusion as well.

 

If the experiment was derailed by the prison itself, though, through both the loosening of the memory loss magic and the opening of the doors, then why? Is the prison rebelling against the government for some reason? Does the prison have better ethics than the humans involved and therefore doesn’t want the experiment to continue? The thing is, though, they’ve already been serving for a long time—they’ve been in the prison for about four months out of the intended five (one hundred twenty-four days is about four months, right?) so what happened to make the prison behave this way at this point in the experiment? Haha what if there’s like some war happening outside that disrupted government organization and made them lose control of the prison?

 

Sorry, I leapt straight into conspiracy theory territory at the end there. THIS CHAPTER LEFT ME WITH SO MANY THOUGHTS THOUGH.

 

The second thing is, the transcript at the end!! We learn that they’re Unspeakable trainees, which is really interesting. There is so much to unpack in the transcript omg. For one, either Victoire said nothing the whole time, or she wasn’t present. The first option seems slightly unlikely because everyone else spoke at least once, and she would surely have her own reservations about the experiment. Which leaves at least a decent chance that she wasn’t there at all, right? Was she never intended to be a part of the experiment? Does this have anything to do with why she doesn’t remember Teddy, or is that simply because the memories strike randomly, and she just unluckily hasn’t remembered Teddy yet? (I feel like I’m being delusional haha but just gonna keep throwing ideas out there.)

 

And so this means that the aristocratic guy who ran down the hallway shouting “Save yourselves!” is Malfoy, right?? He was present at the transcript, and was also really funny haha, I like him. But also I’m really worried that something bad happened to him, because of Brandt’s ominous warnings about the Fear Generator only affecting people who step outside (and the group’s general concern that they would unknowingly walk into the path of the Fear Generator). Like where did he go? Did he go outside?? I don’t know exactly what this Fear Generator is, but if there’s a risk of people dying (of fright?) when facing it, that is terrifying. So Malfoy, who I’m assuming is Scorpius Malfoy, is one of the two missing numbers.

 

The other is Zabini, right? Who has just been absent the whole time. Like no one saw her run out, and she wasn’t in her cell. I wonder what’s happened to her, like if she wandered off in a different direction from everyone else or if she escaped before the others somehow or if she died. I’m really really curious about her. Oh, also, one more thing about Scorpius—did his status as Obliviator and Legillimens have an effect on him? He was the only one who seemed to have some awareness of what was happening when he ran through the hallway, when he shouted, “Save yourselves!” So perhaps he suffered through this torture knowing a little more about himself than others did?

 

The transcript also showed that these trainees weren’t exactly 100% on board, which is sad. They were all really concerned about things going wrong, and Brandt’s assurances clearly did not hold up well over time haha. (On a different note, I really liked the little bits of humor thrown into the transcript, such as when Brandt asks Underwood to strike things from the record. It was funny.)

 

So, back in the present, our protagonists are left to fend for themselves, really. Their wonder at rediscovering the outside world was wonderfully written, and also really saddening. Imagine having your memories wiped to that extent. It would be absolutely terrible.

 

I’m so curious to see where this goes! Sorry for all my thoughts, I’m sure most of them must be horrendously wrong haha.

 

Love,

Eva



Name: justawillowtree (Signed) · Date: 26 Jun 2019 02:50 PM · For: Prison Break

Hi Gina! I am here after an unforgivably long wait on your prize reviews. I am so so excited that you requested I review this story, though, because I have been incredibly curious about it every since you posted it initially, but I just shamefully never got around to it. SO THIS IS EXCITING.

 

This first chapter was honestly really thrilling to read. Even though on paper there’s a lot of contemplation and introspection coming from Teddy, I was fascinated by every little detail. I think this was because the whole time I was shocked that Teddy would be in prison, and I was wondering exactly how that happened. Like the Teddy tells us things that are the norm for him, and he thinks nothing of it anymore, but to us, it’s foreign and unique and interesting. (When I say “us” I mean “me,” because you obviously already know this stuff hahaha.)

 

For instance, I wondered how Teddy came to lose his memories, to the point of forgetting his own name. When it was revealed that his name came to him in a flash, and not because he remembered it all along, I was stunned because I didn’t remember Azkaban doing that to people. Just, the entire loss of memory sounded frightening and torturous in many ways, and I was wondering how this sort of thing could be ethical in the wizarding world, you know? (Slightly unrelated, but I was so happy he remembered Victoire!! I love this ship so much. I don’t know if you’ve read this series, haha, but it reminded me of how after Percy Jackson had his memories wiped in the Heroes of Olympus series, he still remembered Annabeth. True love wins all.)

 

It was just interesting to me because he’d only been there a month, and I was wondering how he’d lost his memories so quickly and then regained some back in flashes. And the part that made it sound like Teddy had been born in the cell (which was impossible so I was super interested), when he says that it “held him as a womb, and on the day he opened his eyes, he became its only child,” also made me wonder! Which you then answered!! I’ll get to that soon, omg, I loved the documentation part.

 

The description of the monotony of his cell was just perfect. I felt the tedium and boredom of each day. I was in love with the way you described things. For example, “the reluctant groan of metal bars” is beautiful, and so is “he looked up at the pockmarked ceiling, wiped the water from his lashes, and knew.” I don’t know why I love those two phrases so much but I do.

 

And then the prison break?? And the resulting confusion and internal battle of whether to actually leave or not??? And Teddy’s instincts to check for other people???? IT WAS ALL AMAZING. I have so many questions! Who was the man who ran down the hallway, and was he the one who initiated the breakout? Was he a prisoner or an outsider? How did he manage to hack into the system (or the wizarding equivalent of hack, anyway)? I also initially had a question of why all these different people were here (Teddy, Lysander, Victoire), but you answer that later, I think.

 

When he saw Victoire, I caught my breath because I wanted to see their first interaction, but then you cut it off there hahaha. It was a rough cliffhanger, I wanted to know moreee.

 

OKAY NOW THE DOCUMENTATION PART.

 

I loved the inclusion of a sort of official government document as a way to explain the circumstances that happened in the chapter. And god, while I was reading it, I was just thinking, “This is so horrifying, I’m so glad this can’t actually happen in real life” but let’s be real some of our prisons are pretty unethical too haha. So that was a dumb thought I had. But it was actually horrifying to read, especially the parts about controlling the prisoners’ minds and wiping their memories. The concept of the 2:1 time ratio was so cool though?? (Even though the purpose was to make prisoners serve their full time, doing multiple life sentences, oof.) And really the entire concept of the prison itself is very imaginative and creative, and I was very impressed with the way you constructed it.

 

“Ethically, our trial runs would require willing and able participants. The isolation and memory erasure could be considered akin to torture, though in the punishment of criminals and dark wizards, such features are to be expected.” This was so scary to read. As soon as I got to this part I was like, “Ah is this what Teddy and the other people are doing?” Since presumably Teddy is between twenty and thirty years old in this story, the experiment is still taking place, right?

Were they chosen to act as test subjects for Azkaban 2.0? Though were they actually chosen, or was there some shady underhand stuff going on in the government departments? Like I just don’t see any way that someone would willingly volunteer for this, if they’d been given all the information. I don’t think I would.

 

I AM SO READY FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER OMG.

 

Love,

Eva



Name: Lacey Black (Signed) · Date: 06 May 2019 01:06 PM · For: Prison Break

Hey Gina! 


I am here for our review swap


Wow this story is just...wow! Honestly you write so well, I felt like I was there in that cel with Teddy.  The build up of who he was, where he was, was so well done and drew me right in.  I am left wondering why Teddy, Lysander and Victoire were locked away in Azkaban!?  Who is Calliope? What in the world could be happening to these Next Gen kids ?  What year are we in?  How old are they? 


I REALLY like the veil concept of time and space and how they would allow people to serve their time and in reality time would be halved. I’m excited to see what happens from here on.  I’m really curious who else is in Azkaban 2.0 and what happens now.


Great job


Xo 


LB



Name: javu (Signed) · Date: 08 Feb 2019 01:26 PM · For: Strangers

Agh. This is agonizing. Teddy blurts out Victorie’s name, remembering that He knows her but can’t remember her really. Just that he knows her. But by saying her name, he says too much which makes her suspicious of him. Which then throws a wrench in them getting back together organically without remembering their lives. Yeesh.

 

I really like how you’re doing the memory stuff and memory loss. Especially how they can’t remember something until someone says it and triggers that memory or knowledge of that thing existing. 

 

Yikes yikes yikes. The transcript answered a lot but also raised a ton more questions. The people in the prison work as Unspeakables. That’s interesting. Is the Malfoy Draco or Scorpius? Or another Malfoy and you’re disregarding the Epilogue? Since the Malfoy isn’t a trainee, I’m assuming it’s Draco. Just because of age. And that feels like a redemptive career path for Draco too. 

 

So assuming that you’re telling readers the worst possible scenario that they can experience so that you can write the characters going through that horrible experience, then I’m expecting that the plan of Brandt and Co is going to go haywire. Because maybe the ‘prisoners’ don’t have an incentive to escape per se, but they’re showing signs of wanting to go outside. Or at least being curious of seeing the outside. I feel like this is something that the developers missed: the human desire to experience nature and to breathe fresh air. So... which leads us to the Fear Generator. Since you’ve built up the anticipation for it, I’m assuming the prisoners will run into the fear generator. Maaan. This is gonna be intense!

 

I’m really sorry that this took so long to get to. You requested a review ages ago and im now just getting to it. I actually read this chapter like a month ago, but didn’t get to the review. I sort of pulled away a bit from HPFT, but I’m back now and reviewing away! I’m also going to slide this in for RvG February too! Alwynse.



Name: Felpata_Lupin (Signed) · Date: 13 Jan 2019 04:38 PM · For: Strangers

Hey, Gina!

I'm here for the magical menagerie and I thought I'd take the chance to catch up with this fascinating story. :)

Okay, but... I'm worried for what's coming... this Fear Generator thing sounds... not good... and it seems like the Department of Mysteries is already losing control of the prison? And our heroes seem to be determined to get outside... nothing of this bodes well...

Poor Victoire... she seemed so scared and desperate... her reaction to Teddy broke my heart a little... and poor Teddy, too. He feels this connection but he has no idea of the meaning and now he feels like he's lost her trust...

It's interesting how different Cal and Victoire's experiences are different from Teddy and Lysander's. I wonder if there's a specific reason, or if it's just their different characters. I find it also so incredibly impressive the way you write your characters' thoughts, the few things they know and the many things they feel like they should know but don't. How neither of them is really aware of something until someone else mentions it, and then they realize that they'd been thinking the same the whole time. It's so fascinating, if creepy. This whole mental trap is incredibly well built and I'm in awe at your creativity and brilliant writing. It's just so good.

I'm sure there are tons of things I should comment on, but I can't think of them right now... the point is this is brilliant and I can't wait for the next update because I need to know what's going to happen next. Will they find the other "prisoners"? Will they find a way out? Will they be rescued or will they actually face the Fear Generator, whatever that is (I have an idea, and I'm not sure if I want to see the effects)?

Wonderful job, dear!

Lots of love,

Chiara



Author's Response:

Thanks for stopping by to leave your thoughts! I'm happy to hear that this crazy idea is working for you. :) It's the strangest thing I've ever written and I am super self-conscious about it, so your support means a lot. Things are just going to get stranger and crazier from this point forward, so I hope you're ready for a wild ride!



Name: Stella Blue (Signed) · Date: 04 Jan 2019 04:34 PM · For: Strangers

GINA! I'm finally here for the review you requested a couple of weeks ago. I promise the delay was not from lack of interest (more lack of internet) BECAUSE I AM SO EXCITED TO FINALLY BE READING THIS ♥

 

I'm so curious why Victoire doesn't remember Teddy, because at least what I intepret from Teddy's recollections, it seems they may have had a relationship or at least a close friendship in the past. Which leads me to wonder if they broke up before all of this and Victoire had moved on and Teddy hadn't? I'm so curious about the history between the two of them and why they don't have the same memory flashes. At this point my assumption is that because each of them only have flashes of certain things, that those things were very important to them, and in addition to why Victoire doesn't remember Teddy, I'm also curious why Victoire remembers outside and Teddy doesn't. Maybe she played a lot of Quidditch or was just a very outdoorsy person?

 

Clever way of finding out how many there are. One person ran out in the previous chapter but that still leaves one more person unaccounted for...

 

The most nervous I was during this chapter was when the food appeared in Victoire's cell and they all decided t go back to their cells. What if the doors close? And then they're stuck in there again but this time with the knowledge that there are others? I just want to push them out the door. But I do, sort of, understand why they hesitate - this prison is the only thing they can remember. In Teddy's mind, almost, there's a little bit of Stockholm syndrome in that he sees the prison as the thing that takes care of him and feeds him and everything - in with the curiosity about what's outside is also an affection for his cell. It is the only familiar thing and the unfamiliar outside scares him. But I know better, as the reader, and the idea that they'd all go back to their cell again was just terrifying because I don't know yet whether the doors opening was a mistake or a test, but either way I was worried it would reverse.

 

Quick typo fix before I forget:

The others watched her with baited breath -- should be bated

 

Omg this end part is so interesting too. Malfoy. Is it Draco or Scorpius? He's not very popular which makes me inclined to think Draco, haha. And the thing about him retaining his memories makes me wonder if he's the person who ran out (whom I will call Person One until proven otherwise) in the previous chapter - because he remembered more? Where is Person Five? I still haven't forgotten them.

 

One of my questions from the previous chapter has been answered - these people are indeed the trial run and Teddy is not a 'real' criminal. But this chapter has raised more questions than it has answered XD Which is a good thing really. This is a mystery story after all, so it's got to raise questions. And yes, in answer to your question in your request, the mystery is definitely set up well and is attention grabbing. I'm reading every detail with so much thought, that my mind is absolutely swimming with theories that I'm coming up with and then changing them after every other line. I love that in a story :D

 

Lysander's (I'm assuming? It only says Scamander, but there is still a missing person and as far as I know Lorcan could have been here too) comment about "who else is freaking out" has me wondering how this trial group was chosen and just how much information they've actually been given. I wonder how much has been left out. I just can't fathom how anyone in their right mind would agree to the test if they actually knew everything it entailed and how messed up the whole thing is...

 

I did the math and the opening of the doors has to have been a glitch. If the test was to be five months, 124 days is just over 4 months. So it's not the end of the trial run yet.

 

I TAKE IT ALL BACK ABOUT URGING THEM TO GO OUTSIDE WHAT IS THE FEAR GENERATOR? IF THERE WAS A GLITCH THAT LET THEM ESCAPE, THE FEAR GENERATOR KILLSWITCH MIGHT NOT BE WORKING EITHER, CUE PANICKING. And they have no idea what is awaiting them outside. Omg this is so SUSPENSEFUL. But if they don't escape then they'll still be in the prison, and... will they lose their memories forever if they stay in there the full five months? Are the 'flashes' just the last vestiges of memory because they've only been there 4 months? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??!?!!?!?!?!?!?

 

The divided set up between what's going on in the prison and the flashbacks to before the trial are a really effective way of getting the full story across while still leaving enough unknown to push the mystery onward. I think it's really well paced.

 

This was another amazing chapter and I'm so excited to see where this story is going!!



Author's Response:

I'm dead.

 

Okay, I'm back.

 

I'm really not sure how to respond to this review, which us why it has taken me so long to write this. I am flabbergasted that you are enjoying the story this much. It just... it's so different than anything I've ever written and I get so self-conscious posting each chapter, so hearing your thoughts and your support is everything to me. Thank you.

 

I LOVE your theories. OMG. You are the best. I love that you're catching all the little details and the hints I'm dropping. Mysteries are hard because I want to be subtle but not too subtle that my readers don't catch anything. I love that you figured out how long they've been there and realized that the doors open has to be some sort of error. I love that you're freaking out over them being separated and worried about The Fear Generator (I am too, and I've already written the whole story!).

 

You are wonderful and I hope to have the next chapter out this week because I failed at writing the last month.



Name: javu (Signed) · Date: 30 Dec 2018 08:40 PM · For: Prison Break

This is ... different. I'm not sure how I feel about this. The beginning was confusing, but I think you wrote it that way on purpose. I did understand that Teddy was in a situation where he had for some reason been altered cognitively.

 

I like how you started out with the days thing. It sets the stage. And then it really sets the stage in the set-up, I think. Because he has no memory of what life was before he started counting, so how does he know to count? Some part of him hangs onto reality: the counting, his name, and a hazy image of Victorie. It's so sweet that he can sort of remember her. And at the end there, when he remembers her name! So cute.

 

I understood better from the second half. Without that, I think I'd be lost. And with the second half, I'm very intrigued. A time-space continuum -- what could possibly go wrong ? :D Plenty, I'm sure. I'm anticipating a tear in the Space or Time, since that seems to be the worst thing that could happen. So I'm thinking that either they get stuck there or they come back in a parallel universe where Voldemort won the war. Or both! Anyway, looking forward to chapter 2!

 

Belatedly reviewed for your request, and I'm also going to tag on RvG December here - go GOLD!



Author's Response:

Thanks for your review! You are absolutely right--this is the most "different" story I think I've ever written. I'm glad to hear that you're intrigued! I knew I had to include some information at the end or there would be too many questions. I hope you'll be back to read more!



Name: Felpata_Lupin (Signed) · Date: 26 Dec 2018 07:12 AM · For: Prison Break

Hello, Gina, happy holidays!

I decided to profit of the wishlists to check out this story, which I've been curious about for a while (also, I feel like I haven't read enough of your wonderful writing, so I suppose it's time to fix that...)

Wow! This is scary! This new idea for Azkaban is almost as bad as the original one? The idea of prisoners being kept in complete isolation and erased of every memory, to the point where they believe nothing else outside their cells and dayly routines exists... it's just unsettling?

I'm wondering now... are Teddy and everyone else volunteers helping the tests of the new structure (that's what I understood from the project's description, and what would make most sense, since I can't see Teddy, Victoire and Lysander all being criminals...) or are they actual prisoners? And if so, what are they there for?

I'm also wondering who broke them out and why, and what will happen now. Even if they aren't isolated in their cells anymore, they are still trapped into a sort of parallel dimension, right? And they still have no memories, although something is coming to the surface... I wonder how this all is going to develop...

Wow, this is such a fascinating idea! And your writing is just brilliant! I could feel your characters so strongly and visualize everything so vividly. You are truly an amazing writer!

Happy holidays again!

Lots of love,

Chiara



Author's Response:

Thanks for stopping by, dear! I'm glad to hear that you think the story is fascinating! Sometimes I worry that my crazy ideas are only good in my own head, so thank you for the support!

 

I totally agree--this new prison is not any better than the original. Its creator believes he has made improvements, but as you will see, others are not convinced. ;) As for the characters, well, I can't say much without spoiling things, but they are definitely still in an alternate dimension. Not that they know they are, of course. Heh heh.



Name: poppunkpadfoot (Signed) · Date: 23 Dec 2018 10:14 PM · For: Strangers

Hi Gina! I'm so excited! I totally didn't even realize that this story had a second chapter already :D So I'm here with a belated review (just in time for the holidays!)

I think you're doing SUCH a fantastic job with the pacing of this story. In both chapters you carefully give us just the right amount of information for the story (and the intrigue!) to build, without doing any info-dumping and also without leaving too much out and making everything completely confusing.

I thought it was really interesting and effective how you had all of the prisoners (or at least all the prisoners who've found each other so far... where's One and Five?!) sort of... piecing together the situation? That each of them had sort of had a different experience of the prison and that each of them realized different things about what was going on - like that Victoire knew that there was something outside the prison, whereas that hadn't occured to anyone else. (It's also so different from Azkaban 1.0, which was by all accounts experienced pretty uniformly by all prisoners.)

Ah! The transcript at the end makes me so scared for them! It answers some of the questions I had after the first chapter (i.e. are Teddy and Victoire criminals? Does Teddy not remember anything because that's an effect of the prison or has something gone wrong?) but it also means things are VERY bad! It definitely seems now that they're in a test run that's gone wrong - what with the "save yourselves" guy - and that makes this Brandt person's assurances that they won't have to face the Fear Generator (which I do not like the sound of At All) ring very hollow...

Gina, you're totally killing it with this story! I can't wait for another chapter! :D

Love,

Kayla



Author's Response:

Excuse me while I melt into a puddle.

 

But really... let me try to make words because I am so grateful for your support.

 

Thank you for stopping by and offering your thoughts. I'm glad that you're enjoying the story thus far and I LOVE hearing all of your theories about the characters, especially Brandt. He is a favorite of mine and I've been having a lot of fun fleshing out his character. You'll see more of him in chapters to come--or rather hear from him, since he's not in the prison. I hope the next chapter does not disappoint!



Name: ShadowRose (Signed) · Date: 16 Dec 2018 11:10 PM · For: Strangers

Hi Gina! I’m back again for December RvG! Also, because I’ve read the first chapter of this multiple times now (once during the POGs, once for the SOTM review column, and just now to write that last review - honestly, how I never managed to write a review until today still confuses me), I’ve been super pumped for this second chapter to come out and for the story to continue.

 

Once again, you’ve managed to capture so much confusion in Teddy’s thought processes and the behaviours of the other characters - it’s really interesting that you’re exploring the totally different ways that their time in prison has impacted them - Teddy and Lysander were oddly secure in their isolation, while it really took a toll on Cal and Victoire. It’s just really interesting how the same scenario can impact people totally differently - gah, the psychology of this whole thing is just SO. COOL.

 

I also really love that each person has maintained totally different flashes of memory (and that one of Teddy’s was Victoire’s name, because awww) because those differences mean that they’re all contributing different facts to the situation to figure out where they are and what they should do next. And everything about the gap between Teddy and Victoire is heartbreaking at this point - especially from Teddy’s POV because he’s having these feelings he can’t describe which just makes me think that ‘oh my god he’s in love with her but neither of them remember.’ MY HEART.

 

And then the end of this narrative section is such a great little hook for the next chapter, because they’re clearly about to go through even more crazy trials in either attempting to break out through the windows or going through the new maze of hallways in the prison. I get the feeling that even more mind games are coming up  next.

 

And then the transcript. I didn’t realise this was going to be a thing in every chapter when I reviewed the last one, but I LOVE THAT IT IS. It’s such a great way to get glimpses of the world outside of this alternate reality that all the characters are living in, as well as get context for what’s actually happening in the chapter. And we get glimpses of the character’s real personalities before they were brainwashed (mind-wiped?) going into the prison. The brief flashes of humour here - “please strike that from the record” - are really well-placed, and the use of only last names establishes a nice bit of intrigue trying to match people here to the people in the earlier narration (some people are easy, but Cal isn’t, and also I’m curious as to which Malfoy they’re referring to, because I’m assuming Draco but it could be Scorpius so who knows).

 

But also. I feel like there was SO MUCH FORESHADOWING HERE AND I AM SCARED FOR THESE POOR CHARACTERS. The ‘we have programmed a kill switch’ line makes me think that for some reason the kill switch isn’t going to work and the prison is going to completely take over and develop a mind of its own, and the whole Fear Generator part is…… OH GOD YOU’RE GOING TO PUT THEM ALL IN THE FEAR GENERATOR, AREN’T YOU? I have no idea if either of these were meant as foreshadowing (or if you’ve thrown some red herrings in here), but I get the feeling that things are only going to get way, way worse for these characters from here.

 

Anyways, this chapter was incredible and I’m so happy that you wrote this story for your NaNo project because I NEED MORE.

 

-Taylor



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