It Wouldn't Be Make-Believe
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| Star Trek DS9 Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | It Wouldn't Be Make-Believe |
| Author(s): | Djinn |
| Date(s): | 2002 |
| Length: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |
| External Links: | Available at the author's website |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
It Wouldn't Be Make-Believe is a Star Trek: DS9 story by Djinn.
It was nominated for a 2002 ASC Award.
Reactions and Reviews
I was very glad to see a story that dealt with Vic in-depth, from the very beginning until the bittersweet end. Ezri has never been one of my favorites, but Djinn did a good job showing why Vic fell in love with her, and I did enjoy following their relationship. Very skillful interweaving among the canon material (such as Nog's wounds, and the reason why the events of "Badda Bang Badda Bing" came into play) as well as taking the story boldly beyond the end of DS9. Vic really came to life in this story. I liked the idea of other sentient holograms, and I'm sure Section 31 would *love* to have a whole slew of this type of operative. The ending was very poignant indeed. [1]
I love this story from its first lines that so well evoke Vic Fontaine. It's a powerful beginning. And even the title "It Wouldn’t Be Make-Believe" is absolutely perfect for a hologram in love who sings the standards including "Paper Moon." I'm not fond of hologram characters, though I’ve always had a weakness for Vic Fontaine. There's something about his personality that appeals to me. Yet even if you don't particularly like the character, I predict you'll love this story anyway. The beginning sets up his beginnings so well and then moves into scenes on the station viewing the familiar Deep Space Nine characters from a unique perspective. And there's more: intrigue, a very vivid original character, and romance. The scenes between Vic and Ezri are very believable and Djinn builds up the relationship in a natural way. The ending in particular is moving and powerful, a great payoff for all that has gone before. This is a longer story than most in fan fiction that flirts with novel length but the pacing is flawless and the story gripping from beginning to end. Like all Djinn's stories, you'll find yourself in good hands with her wonderful narrative gift and ability to look at familiar characters in a fresh way. She completely draws you into her world. [2]
From the first paragraph to the last, this is a meaty novel that really gets down under the skin (so to speak) of Vic Fontaine. From the holodeck to the dark corridors of Section 31, Djinn does a terrific job in characterizing Vic. The Vic 'voice' in this story is more than just a "pally" here or there. Vic's personality is emphasized even more with the addition of Victoria, his 'sister.' Vic and Victoria together make an intriguing team - drawing themselves in a center of violence which is nothing less than horrifying. In addition, Djinn does a lovely job painting a portrait of post-DS9 Ezri as well. Both Ezri and Vic are very sympathetic in the fic as they stumble towards a relationship - that in Djinn's capable hands - is extremely believable and poignant. [3]
Djinn does a great job at making what could have otherwise been a throw-away holographic character into something (and someone) more memorable. [4]
This novel takes a sentient hologram and makes him real. Djinn sustains Vic Fontaine's voice believably for page after page, illuminates his origins, and shapes the Vic we all know and love. Then she weaves a plot around him and ends with bang that resonates long after you finish reading. I can't say a lot more without spoiling the story, but it's all Vic, the side of him you didn't see in the episodes, completely believable as a hologram yet wonderfully drawn so that you're sucked in and forced to believe that a hologram and a real person could fall in love and have a relationship. What a ride. This is what fanfiction should be. The characters are themselves, and yet so much more [5]
I didn't like Vic Fontaine in DS9-- mostly, I think, because I can't stand Sinatra, and so having to hear him sing Sinatra songs drove me nuts-- but I really enjoy Vic fanfics that deal with his issues as a sentient being. I also like Section 31 fics. This one didn't disappoint. The paranoia and twists that are so appropriate to S-31 fics make me *still* wonder if Sloan had something to do with Ezri's death. And even though Victoria was mostly a bitch you could feel for Vic when he had to kill her. Very nice. [6]
Djinn's versatile and prolific muse (OK, I admit I'm more than a teeny bit jealous) is in rare form with this one! Vic's journey into sentience is handled sensitively and believably as he explores the meaning of his new existence on DS9. And oh boy, what super-creepy, thoroughly evil Section 31 schemes Vic has to contend with -- and there's a very sweet romance, too, that doesn't seem any less real because Vic is a hologram. Even though Djinn gives enough hints to let the reader figure out where this story is going, that doesn't detract from the emotional wallop at the end. An outstanding novel from an author who seems able to write just about anything that can possibly be imagined! [7]
References
- ^ Rocky [hhttp://www.trekiverse.us/ASCAwards/2002/2002DeepSpaceNineGeneralPairing.html This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Deep Space Nine General Pairing]
- ^ Rabble Rouser [hhttp://www.trekiverse.us/ASCAwards/2002/2002DeepSpaceNineGeneralPairing.html This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Deep Space Nine General Pairing]
- ^ Seema [hhttp://www.trekiverse.us/ASCAwards/2002/2002DeepSpaceNineGeneralPairing.html This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Deep Space Nine General Pairing]
- ^ Sara [hhttp://www.trekiverse.us/ASCAwards/2002/2002DeepSpaceNineGeneralPairing.html This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Deep Space Nine General Pairing]
- ^ Lori [hhttp://www.trekiverse.us/ASCAwards/2002/2002DeepSpaceNineGeneralPairing.html This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Deep Space Nine General Pairing]
- ^ Alara Rogers [hhttp://www.trekiverse.us/ASCAwards/2002/2002DeepSpaceNineGeneralPairing.html This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Deep Space Nine General Pairing]
- ^ Ventura33 [hhttp://www.trekiverse.us/ASCAwards/2002/2002DeepSpaceNineGeneralPairing.html This is the Digest from 2002 for the Category of: Deep Space Nine General Pairing]