A Lyoko Fanfic Review Syndicate?

[G-Force offline]

Ok let's face it, nowadays its becoming rather difficult to find good Code Lyoko fanfiction on the internet. Back in the day it was easy as there were a whooping total of thirty fics uploaded on fanfiction.net. However, thanks the increased popularity season two has generated the number of Lyoko related stories has skyrocked to an unpresidented amount and the concept of reading all of these stories boarders on the farfetched side.

Now do not get me wrong, we have the "Recommended Fanfics" thread where users post the links to stories they've enjoyed. This takes that idea much further. Face it, there are many stories on fanfiction.net (and other places) that are constantly neglected due to the fact that readers can not get to them as their not as updated as they should be or are not promoted as much as they do.

Here's where the solution kicks in. Ladies and gentlemen, I propose to you the "Code Lyoko Fanficion Review Syndicate" a group of fanfic readers who not only recommend stories they liked but also say WHY these pieces of writing were so enjoyable. An excellet modle for how a typical review might play out can be seen here

Example
Example 2

Here the reviewrs not only post the link to the story, but also the author's contact information and other useful internet links that they see revelant to the piece. The major advantage of having indepth reviews is that more information is shared and the reader can better judge the story other than the fact that one person liked it. Here the story/characterization/writng style can all be looked at and fully analyzed. However, the biggest detail that I wish to draw attention to is the fact that mulitple reviewrs share their insight on the same story so we got more than one opinion. Another advantage that having more than one reviewer is limitations. Take for example the fact that I do not read lemon or lime fanfics. If the team wants to shine the spotlight on a story from this area, I can sit out on the review process and still a solid article can be written from the other members.

The second example does a little more. Here they state which chapters were read and put a rating at the bottom for statitical purposes.

On a side note, good fanfics are not the only stories that get showcased by the site. Many average and bad fanfics get their just deserts from the team and are shown why they are awful stories instead of just saying "It sucks."

Ok, in order for this to work we need a team of reviewers. People who would be willing to read a story brought to their attention and write their honest opinion about it and, above all else, be able to work with one another. Since I opened my big mouth about this idea, I guess I'm doomed to partisipate in it but I can't do it alone. I'm not entierly sure on the whole selection process as I do not have the right to say who would be a good critic or not. Also I'm hoping that if we get the Lyoko Fanfiction Review Syndicate off the ground that we at least have someone who can make a decent website to host our articles so that it would look neat and organized.

Here's the hoping some good will come out of this suggestion.

[Virus_Xana offline]

Reviews were pretty good. I enjoyed reading them.

[Chad Rains offline]

I think the idea is good. Only suggestion I would make is to keep the review board limited to those who have long since written many "good" fics. Simply put, I wouldnt even put somebody like myself on the board simply because I havent been in the community that long and have only written 1 somewhat good fic (untold chapters)

[Mewberries151]

I think the idea is good. Only suggestion I would make is to keep the review board limited to those who have long since written many "good" fics. Simply put, I wouldnt even put somebody like myself on the board simply because I havent been in the community that long and have only written 1 somewhat good fic (untold chapters)

An interesting suggestion...Perhaps we could have nominations, then, for people who would be good council members? The members with the most nominations could then choose to accept or decline the position.

[G-Force offline]

Very good suggestion mew, its just that its kinda hard to impliment when people don't suggest who would be ideal for this sort of thing. Like I said before, I would really like to get this idea off the ground as it holds loads of potential for the CL online community as a whole.

[Alex offline]

I would love to work on this project with y'all.

About the website... I dunno if I'd be any good at making it (there's a good reason I'm taking web design next year), but I can at least host it. Perhaps a phpBB forum would be somewhat well-suited for the task? (THOSE I can set up. Still can't do graphics though.)

[G-Force offline]

Well realisticly speaking I don't think we're at the stage to even consider making a single website yet. Perhaps We can make a thread for now and just put the links to our reviews and constantly update the front page. I'm more concerned of having a team of people willing to do this. The way I see the process work is that someone chooses a fanfic and we all read it and give it a fair shot despite our personal taste. For example if I was asked to read a William/Yumi story then I would do so despite the fact I do not support the paring. Of course you can back out from reading a story for moral reasons like my refusal to read lemons/limes/yaoi/yuri. Then after all the reviews are collected, the creator of the thread posts them all on the same day and seperates them by user.

In order to better see this idea set in motion, I decided to try my hand a reviewing a fic. This is no means the official start of the Lyoko Review Syndicate but more of a progress check on my part so let's try this out.

-------------------

Title: Revision
Can be found at:Fanfiction.net
Author: Artemis of the Ice
Parts Reviewd: All (One-Shot)

Let's face it, being a teenager is a tough act as everything feels like its out of control. Emotions are swirling around your head, authority becomes a thing of annoyance and all of a sudden, your home life doesn't feel as cozy as it once did.

Now, add in one deranged computer program and a buch of incidents that sound like they came from a sci-fi novel and you got yourself a laundry list of problems the Code Lyoko cast has to deal with.

This is the backdrop for "Revision" which takes a glimpse into Yumi's mind after the events of Teddygodzilla. Thanks to the writing in this story, you can literally feel the Japanese girl's presence through the text as the author has done an excellent job nailing her characterization. Just like everyone else at Kadic, Yumi too has internal strugles concerning her relationship with Ulrich and the events of Lyoko. What sepperates "Revision" from other stories that attempt the same premise is that the author does this in a realsitc manner. Yumi is not portrayed as a super emo goth girl and worries about things that do indeed worry her in the show all while trying to maintain her collected demeanor a not letting her thoughts get the best of her.

Now, this wouldn't be a good Yumi piece without mentioning Ulrich. Here the author gives a reason why these two lovebirds do not hit a relationship from the start that makes absolutely sense. I've seen too many times the stereotypical "I don't want to hurt you so I won't love you" bits and its refreshing to see a different interpritation of this rational.

Characterization is spot on and the writing flows extremely well. This chapter is going to feel short as it does such a good job sucking you in that you forget that you're reading a fanfic in the first place.

-------------

Best Scene: The conversation outside of the dance
Award: Best mentioning of cherries
Rating: Excellent

[YDV offline]

I think this is a good idea... but don't go too far with it, thinking that certain authors are "superior" to others who write stories that you don't quite find "good enough." I've had a bad experience with such a group before-- the Author Alliance. And I have to say they were the snobbiest, most arrogant all around vile people I've EVER had to encounter. And I don't want this Syndicate to end up like that.

Anyway, on a positive note, I'd be glad to join... as long as we don't start trash-talking other developing authors or anything like that. (and yet I still feel like I'm breaking my personal pledge... ah well.)

Artemis of the Ice was a member at UMSD... she had this really good story that I'm -still- waiting for her to update.

I'll get on reading Revision when I have the time.

[TB3]

I'd be interested in joining, but before I commit I'd like to see where this goes.

[MY85 offline]

I think this is a good idea... but don't go too far with it, thinking that certain authors are "superior" to others who write stories that you don't quite find "good enough." I've had a bad experience with such a group before-- the Author Alliance. And I have to say they were the snobbiest, most arrogant all around vile people I've EVER had to encounter. And I don't want this Syndicate to end up like that.

Seeing how the ambition of this thread and how much the author adores fanfiction, it could end up as you're pointing.

But if there's gonna be a syndicate, none of the reviewers should have any limitations, including lemons, rapism, violence, kiddie fics, etc. I wouldn't be the judge not because of lmitations, but time to review well is important.

[Vora Lyoko offline]

I'll probably Join. Just as long as I don't open my mouth on what I really really think on story I've seen.........

[G-Force offline]

Seeing how the ambition of this thread and how much the author adores fanfiction, it could end up as you're pointing.

But if there's gonna be a syndicate, none of the reviewers should have any limitations, including lemons, rapism, violence, kiddie fics, etc. I wouldn't be the judge not because of lmitations, but time to review well is important.

I see the review syndicate as more of a board of people that give contructive critques to fanfics underneath their attention and stating why they like a particular story much like how critics review movies. Do people always listen to what those people say?

The CL fanfic community is growing as a whole and I think something like this would be good to have just so that not only do we tell people we like these stories but we say why.

If you look at the Evangelion Review team, not every single member shares their opinions on a particular story. Sometimes only one person writes a reivew, sometimes its three. I think a team of individuals with a wide arrary of opinions, outlooks and taste would be excellent so we have a much broader outlook. I don't want to force people to read a story that conflicts with their set of beliefs as that is never cool.