I generally stay away from WIP's, because I can't stand to wait for the author to update; I like to read the whole story at once. I've had to make an exception for Origins, because this story is - in a word - fantastic. You've done an amazing job building realistic relationships between the characters, and even your OC's are fully formed. I do have one concern, though... You still update slower than I can read : )

Wow this is amazing! I've just read the whole of origins and up to here in one day: my eyes are bleary!

Comments:

Faith: very well personified. Her reluctance to do the right thing but her innate goodness is nice to see :)

Anya: really well written. her confusion over Xander is completely understandable, as too is her growing attraction to Giles.

I love the ideas in this story: it's such an orignial plot. The hell hounds are such a good idea. They're used really well. The build up of tension that you've used through the escalation of 'baddie's and characters from the buffy verse is simply brilliant.

My only criticisms would be slight plot holes. Well not holes so much as gaps. I know its because you want to surprise and to pick up on other threads but sometimes I felt a little frustrated with unanswered plot threads. (Mainly the Giles/Anya kiss... what happens next?!)

I will be following this story avidly from now on. The plot and characters are so well written. I don't think I've given you bad crit, but just in case you wanna discuss it here's my email: h_madambadham120@hotmail.com

Looking forward to the next update :)

Can I just say WOW!!! I just read all of your Origins stuff in one sitting and damn my butt hurts. :)

I like what you're doing. Please kill off Angel (he totally sucked in the buffy series, although i liked him slightly more in his own series) Although it would be highly amusing if you had Willow give him his soul back first so at least when the Sunnydale crowd finally stake him he has an idea why.

I hope you let Willow know that it was ultimately her fault that Casey died. And i hope you don't kill off Dawn. I liked the way you made Buffy adn Spike her parents. It makes a strange sort of sense.

I have to say that this is one of the best fanfictions I've ever read. You manage to balance the drama, action, romance and explain the character motivations and feelings really well. Yeah there are a couple of gramatical and wrong use of tenses in your work, but hey i'd say 99.9% of your sentances are spelt right and the little mistakes i've found in over a hundred chapters no way detract from the masterful web you've woven.

You are a genius!!!

I also like the way you've portrayed Xander and Anya's relationship and made her character more open to the suggestion that maybe Xander telling her to shut it all the time isn't always to do with her but more to do with him. In a way you've also at least in my mind made it obvious that Xander hasn't gotten over his Cordelia and Buffy fixations...nice work.

And Tara...bloody hell, it's like she is the character we see briefly before she gets shot in season six when she takes Willow back. I never thought the writers did her enough justice. I love the way you've brought Oz back into the Scoobies and it's ironic that he now has a deep and meaningful freindship with Tara.

That's another thing that bugged me about Willow...the way she didn't even hint to Oz that she had been seeing someone, even if she didn't mention it was a woman. That episode shows Willow's self involvement really well, just like you have in your work.

Now that I've completely babbled for ages I just want to requst that you make sure you finish this great saga you've started...even if it takes you a couple of years. YOU ROCK!!!!

Oh yeah last comment....Is there going to be a Riley cameo anywhere? Cos that would be funny...his reaction to a mated Buffya dn Spike....hehehehehe

i'm glad you got thru the struggle you were having and no worries about how long it took. i'd wait years for more!!!
i like the way the relationship with anya and giles is going. always thougth they'd be a nice couple.
that was an interesting episode from drusilla. she knows whats going on but angelus is too stupid to figure it out, which is good for the rest of them.
now, they can all get to the magic box(crosses fingers) and compare notes. that should be fun!!!!
love the jenner/faith intereaction. can't wait to see more from these two. i think or hope that his desire for her will put him on our side. like he doesn't wanna piece of that right!
i can't wait for more

I've been loving this whole series. Things are moving along and I'm anxious to see how the Willow situation resolves.

And I really love your Spike and Buffy together. So sweet!

I just found your series tonight and suffice to say I'm addicted!!! It is great. Don't take too long on another chapter, I'm waiting with baited breath.

Well, I'm still reading. I sure hope your muse lets you finish this story up though!!

*sob* I lost the text of my review.. I can't get it back! *deep sigh*
The short version: Hopes Willow won't meet Angelus; he's looking for her too. Wonder what's the matter with Dru's vision. I hope Dawn won't die or Lawson won't get caught. Love caring Spike (one of his many faces). You can rely on Anya if you're in trouble; she doesn't loose her head. And maybe Faith will stay a bit? (And we see more of Faith/Jenner too?) *sigh* The first version was longer.

Thanks for the great update. I'm sorry that writing this story has been a struggle but it is greatly appreciated. Hope it gets easier.

Great job as always. I'm glad you're back.

Just realy happy to see it! Thank you!

Great chapter...Loved everyone coming together as family and friends to stop angel and dru along with willow

It's like a slow humming sound that is building and building and all you can do is sit back and wait for the explosion.

Everyone is bedding down for the night and I almost feel like I could take a breath at this point, but then, I did that when Dawn went to homecoming...and sweet Jesus that was a mistake! *wink*

Lets get to the good stuff!
****
As it was he was down the stairs before she cleared the threshold, the smell of her tears and distress calling to him.

Oz?” Her voice was rich with emotion and he stared at her face, waiting for her to make the first move. “O. . Oz?”

- Oh how I have so come to love Tara and Oz. Whatever their relationship ends up to be, I am just as invested in their relationship as I am Buffy and Spike!
****
His look was full of sincere concern, and she caved, unable to resist. He was the only one she wasn’t able to fight off, especially when he had that look on his face. Addressing the room at large, Buffy exclaimed, “How am I supposed to resist that? How?“

- A perfectly feminine moment by Buffy. I love how she caves as all women have done when faced with the *that* kind of look. She is delightfully exasperated. *grins*
****
“Very good.” Rupert paused, then said very softly, “Do be careful.”
She smiled, responding to his tone of voice. “Don’t get killed.”

- I loved this for no other reason than I love a happy Anya. Anya has always been underused and the burgeoning relationship between her and Giles makes my heart sing. What can I say? I'm a shipper at heart!
****

I simply can't wait for the next chapter! However far between, I am always grateful and excited for an update. You have not lost the faithful reader. Even when it seems like it has been a while, my potential disappointment is always rewarded with a "Ahhh..she can take all the time she needs if she keeps putting out the good stuff"

Stay well Nia. Thank you for the update and I will look forward to the next one!

Cheers!
Nina
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