Viridian Dreams Forum

I thought I'd whip up a discussion thread for White Rain, since I noticed a few people here seem to be following this story.

Oh, and if you're looking for the most recent chapter for White Rain you can find it here

I spent most of Monday reading this fic. I cannot believe I missed it before. It is so good. Seriously, Zapenstap writes characters I only DREAM of being able to write one day. Everyone is perfect. And then Zap adds a genuinely intriguing, realistic plot on top of that? FFFFFFF-- I am SO jealous.

Okay, fangirling over. Now: who else is SERIOUSLY looking forward to the match vs. Yukio's team? I think Itachi is going to activate the Sharingan - well, I think he has already, but I think it's going to be recognised this time. If he doesn't have it, he at least has something very much like it. Sasuke's comment with the obstacle course? HMMM.

Also, it's nice to see some evidence of Hard Work Actually Works, even in a gifted character.

No matter the outcome, I am so looking forward to that team match as well - and the way Team Sakura is going to patch things up so close to the match... the wait really has me on tenterhooks.
Someone should translate this to Japanese and let Kishimoto have a look at it. I am pretty certain that he will be blown through the back wall of his reading room upon reading this.

I started it probably a year or more ago, but I dropped it after a few chapters. Looking through it, it seems I got to around to maybe the beginning of the fourth chapter before giving up on it, and I'm pretty sure it would go about the same if I tried reading it again now. Very few authors (in any verse) manage to create convincing OC main characters and incorporate them in a manner that I find tolerable (JFalcon (writer of New Blood) is the only one I can think of offhand).

Skimming through it, I do think the OCs are well written, but I just don't feel a connection with them. The way the story is told just makes them (really, all the characters) feel distant. Either the OCs need as strong a set of personalities as the majority of the Naruto cast, or the point of view needs to be changed somehow. As it is, to me, the story isn't engaging, and it feels uncomfortable to read, if that makes sense. =/

I'd post a review, but it would basically amount to not liking Zapenstap's style of writing. And considering that I think this feeling is about the same as what I got when I tried a Mercedes Lackey book a month or two back (probably my fifth attempt at one of her books -- you'd think I'd learn that I don't like her style by now), it's probably just an unconscious preference on my part, rather than anything deeply wrong with the story...

I can understand that. Tried to get my friend to read similar first-person books, and he just wasn't having it. Some people just can't get into them. Nothing wrong with having a particular preference. :)

As for characterization? I don't think they're weak so much as taking a bit to build up and being a tad subtle; there is a definitely feel I get from Itachi Jr. He's an introvert, maybe even a bit like Sasuke pre-massacre, with him being very determined to prove to those he cares about that he's meant to be there. Going back to reread the first chapter, I can see why, but during the first few chapters I only had a vague idea about him.

And heck yes am I looking forward to that battle! Though mostly I'm just wondering how Sakura's team is going to cope, what with

I just wonder how Haro is going to react to news of that (since I'm pretty sure Amaya didn't tell him at that training session)... oh boy, that might not be fun.

I'm also interested in the result of You just gotta wonder what Naruto's going to get out of that.

I agree about the subtle characterisation, btw. That's what I love about Zap's characters, since I tend to try and imply the nuances of a character instead of stating them - but each their own and all that.

...goddamn where is chapter sixteen ;-;

On the intrigue side, I wonder how Naruto will react when Kakashi gets back. While I can see Lucia didn't lie, with her talk with Ibiki, plus what Kakashi will learn, will let him know just how dangerous this woman is. Frankly, this bit of intrigue will be interesting, to say the least.

What I want to know is what promise is Lucia holding to her son, that they apparently made. So many questions still not answered. The suspense is killing me. D:

Wouldn't surprise me if it were a promise of vengance, but I wouldn't be disappointed if it was something suitably Byzantine, which would fit this story.

One thing that bothers me about the fic so far is how Zapenstaf equates the Narutoverse Kunai and Shuriken with real world versions and writes they aren't for killing... when we have quite a few situations in the canon where people are killed due to Kunai stabs. Yeah.

On a more possitive note, I really hope to see more of the developing situation between Sasuke and his niece and Nephew.

White Rain has UPDATED to chapter 16!

Oh, Sasuke, you cad.

What? But so soon! I haven't had time to prepare!

GENTLEMEN.

Chapter 17 is up.

Biggest bomb dropped at chapter's end so far.

IS THIS A WHAM LINE OR IS THIS A WHAM LINE, GUYS?! Omg I am so pumped, I can't believe that chapter ended there fffff.
On another note, Sasuke continues to be frustrating, but at least he's a bit better than last chapter and, well... he's being frustrating in a sympathetic way at least.

Itachi's speech to Sasuke during their training also counts as a Crowning Moment of Awesome for him, imo.

GENTLEMEN.

Chapter 17 is up.

Biggest bomb dropped at chapter's end so far.

Spoiler: show

Rina: I can show you how to do the Chidori.

WHAT.

THE.

FUDGE?

This must be like my fanfic Christmas or something, what with Transistor AND White Rain updating on the same day. *goes to read*

*mindless gibbering of joy*

So, I've finished the latest chapter and with that I have to say this fic is one of my all time favorite Naruto fanfics, if not all time favorite fanfic. Zap's really got a handle on the central themes of her story, and it shows beautifully throughout. I love the whole 'pursuit and hope for change versus the reality of past sins' theme, and how its effectively underscored through a lot of the story's central conflicts. I can (though I don't want to) wait for the next chapter.

*mindless gibbering of joy*

'

You okay man? Maybe you should take something for that gibbering syndrome.

Chapter 18 is up, guys.
Also, we go from wham line to wham ending.

That was amazing! Yosh!

NEW CHAPTER!

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4237746/19/

All I can say is...

[Keanu Reeves]Whoa.[/Keanu Reeves]

It just got real!

For all that Rina is awesome, she is still only 8. The poor girl, I feel really sorry for her.

Ugh, I know right? I've never wanted a reveal more in a fanfic then I do for Lucia's secret, but I digress. Really loved Yukio's POV in this chapter, and Naruto's approach with him. It did not go at all like I expected, and it's very telling of Naruto's leadership style and how much he's thinking ahead when he reaches for the olive branch instead of the club when dealing with Yukio.

Also, d'aww on Naruto/Hinata fluff. Sometimes the way the pairing is portrayed in fanfic isn't always the most realistic or healthy, but Zapenstap seems to have avoided all those pitfalls by writing a very low-key, mature relationship/romance between the two that's very open and full of warmth. Their relationship in White Rain reminds me strongly of the Keichii and Beldandy's relationship in Ah! My Goddess!

Oh, and we finally get a Title Drop!