Muggleborn Prince posted a comment on Sunday 13th July 2008 3:19am for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

Excellent. I've tried to read it before, but i couldn't bare through it. Glad I did.

JBern replied:

Wow, I somehow missed replying to this long ago review.   Consider that corrected.   Thanks for taking the time and I hope you are enjoying my current works.~Jim

Jack-A-Roe posted a comment on Wednesday 4th June 2008 10:27am for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

I have to admit I loved the story. I especially loved the scarcastic comments flowing through Harry's head.

I thought you did a good job of showing Harry progress in terms of learning things.

Having had a Korean 9th degree teaching me Tae Kwon Do made me really appreciate Kwan. "don't think, do"

And you just got to love a troll sidekick.

Watching Harry's confidence grow as he achieves things was also more believable than a sudden power surge and he can do everything.

Thanks for actually thinking about the changes needed to get Harry from point A to point B.

JBern replied:

Glad you enjoyed the story.   I try to swing by my completed stories every now and then to catch up on reviews.   Thanks for yours.   Hope you are enjoying the sequel and my other works.~Jim

quine posted a comment on Monday 2nd June 2008 12:34pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

I'm highly impressed that you managed to make an extended reference to Jethro Tull with a Harry Potter fanfic. Kudos to you.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   I hope you are enjoying the sequel.~Jim

Jack-A-Roe posted a comment on Tuesday 29th April 2008 3:28am for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

This is one of the better and more believable ways of seeing Harry grow up. I loved Kwan, but then again I had a Korean instructor for Tae Kwon Do.

Love to see that Harry is actually a hormonal teenage boy and not the chaste dedicated sweet boy he is most fics. Hmm, hot chick wants to jump my bones....not much to think about if your 16.

Luna's outbursts made Harry's one's from 5th year pale in comparison. Hope Fleur knocked some sense into her.

Some seriously great sarcasm in the story. I suppose the style helps allow it to come out since Harry can think it and we will know it.

Best of luck on all your writings!

JBern replied:

Glad you enjoyed it.   Look forward to more of your reviews.~Jim

Ben10 posted a comment on Sunday 30th March 2008 1:30pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

Yes! I rarely re-read fic, but those stories that are really excellent I never forget. This fic just got added to that list.

JBern replied:

Glad it stands the test of rereading.   Just catching up on all my replies.~Jim

Richard Griffin posted a comment on Saturday 15th March 2008 7:03am for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

I couldn't stop till I finished the story 5 stars it was a pure pleasure to read

JBern replied:

Thanks for the compliment.   I hope you enjoy the sequel just as much.~Jim

Rexnos posted a comment on Monday 18th February 2008 7:16pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

It's been a while since I properly finished this story, so any facts I use are subject to error, but I just read your response to my review on your Harry/Susan story. It's nice to find an author who accepts constructive criticism.

As for this review, it'll be a good bit more congratulatory. This is one of the most ridiculously awesome and creative pieces I've ever read, and I've read a heck of a lot of HP fan fiction. (College lets you do stuff like that.)

The second person perspective was a bit awkward at first, but as soon as I'd gotten used to it, I fell in love with it. It pulls you into the action. It's not Harry finding out about his friends' betrayal, it's you. It's not Harry flying away from a dragon, it's you. It's not Harry fighting a demon, it's you.

As for the storyline, GOOD LORD!!! How the heck did you come up with this? You completely break cannon before the story even gets started and still manage to catch the charm of the HP series. Honestly, this story isn't HP at all, it's something all your own. You've taken Harry, made him your own and shaped the world to fit your whim. I only wish I had half your creativity...

It's been a while, so I've really nothing left to say. I've been waiting for each chapter of Turn Me Loose with baited breath. Between a violent hitman, the only decent Weasley, a half-demon jungle troll, and a better, darker Harry, I just can't get enough.

Rex

JBern replied:

Thanks again for the reviews.   I am happy that you enjoyed this story so much and are following along with the sequel to this story.

The next chapter of turn me loose will be slightly delayed.   Right now I'm working on material for my original novel which will hopefully be published this coming summer.   If you like what I can do with other people's characters, I think you'll like what's going to happen when I unleash my own original ideas.

Regards,
Jim

Brian Donnely posted a comment on Friday 11th January 2008 8:11am for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

Hahaha, nice allusion to the 'monster in Harry's chest'.

I feel bad for Collins having so few people at his funeral. :( Even if he was sadistic and slightly crazy, he was a still good man. Went out in a bad way, too.

Scene with the Bounty Hunters was great, I was laughing pretty hard. Kwan, Harry, and Bill are just standing there and the Hunters are debating whether to take them on or not. Priceless.

I knew he'd finally get Lauren, will her pregnancy/baby come into play later? I wonder.

So, is it back to Hogwarts now? Can't wait to see how all of that plays out. B)

JBern replied:

Yeah, couldn't resist the monster in chest gag.   It resurfaces in the sequel to some extent.

Collins - not every hitwizard is this ultracool guy loved by all.   He was a pretty much a loner with violent tendencies.  

Glad you liked the Bounty Hunters.   They turn up every now and then in the sequel.

There's always a possibility of Harry's decsions coming back to haunt him.~Jim

TxA_GunFighter posted a comment on Thursday 10th January 2008 1:10pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

Very good chapter.

gunny

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Hope the sequel impresses you just as much.~Jim

Superninjamonkey posted a comment on Monday 3rd December 2007 4:26pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

Excellent. The second person perspective was a very unique, though I must say it set me off a little at first. After I got used to it (around chapter 5) I actually enjoyed the origionality of it. Well done.

JBern replied:

I usually tell people to give it to chapter 4 before you make a decision about whether you like the POV or not.   Glad you found it interesting.~Jim

delta16669 posted a comment on Thursday 29th November 2007 12:04pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

Good stuff

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Hope you are enjoying the sequel.~Jim

RRuth posted a comment on Saturday 10th November 2007 12:11pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

Brillant!!
One of the best HP-FF I've ever read. Increadible funny wihout being a parodie combined with a good storyline. Wonder whether
there will be a sequel? Also I admit it might be hard to hang a good story behind this without superharry, dumbledorebashing or harryforgivesthemall, which all just dont really fit to this one.
I normally dont like fics written in the second person perspective but this one is good nontheless.
hope I didnt write tomuch nonsense here, its afterall 2 in the morning but you get my point. Keep up the good work
mfG RB

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Glad you enjoyed it.   The sequel is already on chapter 3.   It's called Turn Me Loose.~Jim

dave gerecke posted a comment on Sunday 28th October 2007 10:13pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

What a great story
dave

JBern replied:

Thanks.   I hope the sequel impresses you just as much.~Jim

Void Sorcerer posted a comment on Monday 8th October 2007 3:04pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

Well Jbern, I have done it. I have finally made it down far enough in my "to read list" and have gotten to your truly wonderful story. You have created a masterpiece, a solid 5/5

You have put Harry's character right, stupid, but yet at the same time learning. As time goes by we see him growing, becoming smarter, both with the ladies and in knowledge, well done.

Animage: You have done something no author that I have ever read has done. You have made your transformation completely unique, and I enjoyed your way better than most.

Magic: Spell chaining, not the newest of concepts, but I recall reading the beginning of your story earlier on; and you were one of the first to start this.

The fact that you have your characters use Wands, instead of bull crap 'bout wandless magic, makes me extremely pleased.

Action: The scenes were well described, I enjoyed them. They had enough detail to put the reader into the situation, and you made your characters act like actual people probably would.

Romance: This was a hoot, well done.

Luna: A nice outlook on Luna, you probably have the most unique Luna Lovegood I have ever seen, can't wait to see her in the sequel.

Harry's Ex Friends: Truly a brilliant plot, a good way to get Harry out of England and actually learning something. T'is truly remarkable how you did this.

The fact that his friends betrayed him, and he still remains on the light side is also original. Far to often do we see Harry join Voldemort, or go to Azkaban when his friends 'betray' him.

Voldemort: Truly the only sad part about this fic is the fact that we don't see him at all. As he is my favorite character, you have no idea how close I was to knocking you down 3-4 points just for this fact.

However, if I over look this, you have done well.

Again, well done on this work of art. I look forward to the sequel.

-Void

JBern replied:

Thanks for the long review.   Part of writing this story was about me just simply having fun. So, I tried to find ways that Harry could have "fun" while sticking him in life or death situations.   My inspiration for the story was the Indiana Jones movies.

Putting Harry and the reader in a situation where he could be shown learning about life and magic at the same time was part of what helps this story stand out.

Some have said I should have done it in 1st person.   I just don't think it would have been as good.

Anyway, thanks for the review~Jim

biged78 posted a comment on Sunday 30th September 2007 4:44pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

I am glad I finally got past my misgivings and decided to read this story. Good fan fic is hard to come by these days. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will start on the sequel shortly.

JBern replied:

Glad you enjoyd it.   The sequel is under way and I hope it continues to impress you.~Jim

Fenris Ulf posted a comment on Wednesday 29th August 2007 4:45pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

This story is truly awesome. I loved the way it was presented with you as Harry Potter I thought it really let me get into Harry's head and see how he thinks. His inner monologue is awesome as well expecially when he's trying hard to think of something else or coming out of the potions I was laughing pretty hard at times. My partner thinks I'm nuts now I believe but thats the risk of reading at work :)

Rob

JBern replied:

I think the use of 2nd person is what really sets it apart.   Sorry for the long delay.   I don't check this story for outstanding reviews that need replying to.   Glad I could give you a few good chuckles.   This is after all entertainment.~Jim

Banner posted a comment on Tuesday 28th August 2007 3:51am for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

That story was fun!
I just started it yesterday, and I read it straight through. I had trouble stopping last night so I could sleep, and I picked right up this morning. I loved watching Harry grow and develop - you did a beautiful job of taking canon and advancing it in a believable fashion. The action scenes were intense, and the descritions were marvelous. I could *see* the Daemon. Terrifying. The purely human evil was just as nasty.
Great job. This one is going in my favorites file. Thank you.

JBern replied:

As you can see, I am catching up on my delinquent reviews.   I don't check this one that much for ones that need responding to so forgive the delay.     Sorry you lost out on a good night's sleep, but it's a nice compliment that you couldn't stop reading.   Glad you enjoyed the story so much.~Jim

Stonebrow posted a comment on Friday 24th August 2007 12:57pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

I decided to read this for a third (maybe fourth?) time, and it was still fun. However, I'm confused about something I overlooked previously, unless I missed the answer this time. What evidence does Harry & company have that the goblins were actually going to trick them?
A near insane Collins and a Dark Lord who lies a lot aren't good sources. I suppose that saying, "You have no evidence we were going to trick you!" sort of gives readers a clue, but that's all I can find.
Looking forward to the sequel, frankly I don't like TFtCD. It's well written, good characters, and interesting. But I hate some of the plot points.I don't expect a happy ending to every story, but you seemed to kill off characters when it wasn't necessary. I just stopped reading during Neville's mad blood bath. Like I said, brilliantly written story, loved the flying carpet anvil scene, and the politics, but I have no interest in a everyone dies story. Joss Whedon wouldn't kill off that many! Um, I'm done.

JBern replied:

Sorry for the long delay in my reply.   I don't check this story for reviews that need to be replied to that often.   As for what evidence Harry and company had.   They didn't really have much to go on.   The suspicions that it was taking too long to fix the bulk transfer system and what they experienced with the goblin assault against the goblin renegades.   They threw it to the wall and it "stuck" as the expression goes.

Hope that clarifies that.   Sorry you don't really care for Darkness.   I like it and I guess that's what's important.   At least you complimented me on it being well-written.   Thanks.   I hope you are enjoying Bungle's sequel now.~Jim

oso983 posted a comment on Sunday 5th August 2007 6:38pm for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

Hi there, I really enjoyed this story. At first the second persons point of view was kind of unusual. But once I got used to it, I really enjoyed it. I liked espacially that Harry was taken out of the usual settings for a story and brought to South America! Good one! Are you going to write a sequel?

JBern replied:

First chapter of the sequel - Turn Me Loose will be out in the first week of September.~Jim

DiscountNinja posted a comment on Friday 3rd August 2007 4:03am for The Rivers are Full of Crocodile Nasties

Man, I can't wait for the sequel to start, that rocked! THe magic/runes/cursebreak bit was brillient =) I loved your subtle jab at the rest of the fandom who seem to treat Bill like a human goblin ...

JBern replied:

Those who have seen the first chapter of TML say that I've picked up right where I left off.~Jim