Author: Amidala_Skywalker  (signed)
Date posted: 2/3/2003 9:52:37 PM
Amidala_Skywalker's Comments:

Author’s Notes:

Hello there! It’s such a compliment and an honour to get a piece of my work accepted into the archive. Thank you to the reviewers and the editors who made this possible. I imagine quite a few hours of work contributes to the final result.

I’d like to give a great big shout out to Han/Leia fans. They seem to be a rarity these days, which is a real shame. I can only hope that after ‘Flowers’ many more H/L stories will start popping up. Oh, and I cannot forget to give a wave, a cheer, and a bounce to my loyal group of handmaidens. Ladies, you make chatting a pleasure.

Thank you so much to my beta-readers – boushh, Trevor, obaona, and Josh. What would – or could – I do without you?

And finally, thanks and a giant bundle of gratitude to those reading and replying.

Remember: this is an AU. I apologise to anyone who thought I was bashing Mara. Oh, and I use a combination of Australian/English spelling.

Author: obaona  (signed)
Date posted: 2/3/2003 10:12:17 PM
obaona's Comments:

Beta-reader checking in. ;)

First of all, this is a lovely fic, even if Am made Mara . . . well anyway!!

The thing I really like about your writing, Amsie, is that there is so much there. It's easy to reply to your work - there always seems to be different levels to the story, and the characters. Every time I read (and I do read fics I like over!) I find some aspect that I missed before.

Anyway - on to the actual story! ;) As I believe our dear, nutso friend Elli has said, this story makes you happy it didn't really happen! But you write it so well and thoroughly that the reader can't help but get teary anyway. It's a wonderful (if utterly sad, dark angst) story about how things can go horribly wrong. And not only that, its a very believable version of how things could go wrong.

So - great job, Am. :) I can't wait for other comments about how you made them cry!! (j/k)

Author: Ozhaggis  (signed)
Date posted: 2/4/2003 2:18:58 AM
Ozhaggis's Comments:

*sobs* No! Han & Leia MUST live happily ever after!!! :(

Oh well. Great work, Ami.

And you killed Chewie, too? (Remember what happened to Salvatore when he did that?)

Keep up the good work.

Oz. :)

Author: Aunecah_Skywalker  (signed)
Date posted: 2/4/2003 8:52:51 AM
Aunecah_Skywalker's Comments:

I loved this story Am dear. I first read it in the JCF, and didn't think much of it - but that's because I have a hard time reading pages and pages of story on the computer screen while freezing under a ventilation fan that changes the temperature to near freezing degrees (lucky me!). Sorry for the run-on.


Anyway, I don't particularly like how this story ended in such an unhappy ending, but that's how it is supposed to be, isn't it?

Very nicely done - I hope you'll consider getting other stories on the Archives. You have a talent.

Aunecah

Author: Lady Moonbeam
Date posted: 2/4/2003 1:38:53 PM
Lady Moonbeam's Comments:

As you know, Am, I love this story! The imagery is fantastic, and the tragic atmosphere is exceptionally well-done--I could practically see Han and Leia reaching out for each other, and their desperation.

Your prose evokes all spectrums of the emotion. And by the way, I love your cover--good job, Cosmic!

Author: Viari Skywalker  (signed)
Date posted: 2/4/2003 4:59:50 PM
Viari Skywalker's Comments:

Handmaiden Hiaré, reporting in!

Am, you already know what I think of this vignette. It is beautiful. The language is lovely, the premise haunting, and the masterfully woven tale...stunning. You truly do have a gift for writing, so don't let yourself think otherwise! Congratulations on getting this in the Archives!

~Vi~

Author: JediPug1  (signed)
Date posted: 2/4/2003 7:15:41 PM
JediPug1's Comments:

Great story! I like my romances sad, and this one fits the bill! You wrote Han and Leia so well. It was also easy to visualize the whole story because you did such an awesome job bringing the entire scene to life. Well done...except for Luke dying! ;0)

Author: vader-incarnate  (signed)
Date posted: 2/4/2003 11:23:37 PM
vader-incarnate's Comments:

*sniffs* Force, Empress, I'm crying again. Really, really. *whimpers*

Stars, Empress, that was beautiful, even after reading it through for what has to be the sixth or seventh time at least. I don't know how oba could stand to beta it without short-circuiting her keyboard with tears or something, gosh durn it . . . Beautiful again, Empress, though I doubt you need me, the slightly insane handmaiden to tell you that. You capture their emotions and the hear-rending sadness so vividly - stars, I'd write something longer, but my eyes are getting blurry and it's not my contacts' fault this time . . .

This is Handmaiden Zelré, signing out.

. . .

*bawls just a bit more* Luke! Chewie! Artooooo!

Author: JA-chan
Date posted: 2/5/2003 12:58:16 AM
JA-chan's Comments:

OH!!! You write romance so... soooooo... geez no words are coming up but this is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. Only you just HAD to do that with Luke and Mara didn't you? That aside, beautifully written, VERY romantic and just all around great. ^_^

Author: boushh2187  (signed)
Date posted: 2/5/2003 11:20:08 AM
boushh2187's Comments:

Ah, it's so great to see a Han and Leia story here!

It was an honor for me to beta this story. :) It's so sad, with a bittersweet ending. I loved it. :) As far as AU's go, this is a great one. I'm glad it hasn't happened in any official means though. ;)

Keep on writing those Han and Leia fics! You're pretty darn good at it!! :-D

Author: Trevor47
Date posted: 2/5/2003 12:21:09 PM
Trevor47's Comments:

It was a pleasure and privilege to beta read this story, and I'm glad to see it is getting lots of praise. It was a challenge, too, since this isn't anywhere near what I'm inclined to write, which usually includes a lot of action and less attention to characterization. It makes me think it is time I wrote a Han and Leia story of my own.

Beautiful work, Amidala, and thanks.

Author: matth2extreme
Date posted: 2/5/2003 6:01:50 PM
matth2extreme's Comments:

hey that was really really good, i have to admit it made me sad :( but i loved your detail and the way you captured Han and Leia down to their very core. Great job, keep up the good work!

Author: Donnie Houf
Date posted: 2/5/2003 6:55:17 PM
Donnie Houf's Comments:

Hey, just wanted to tell you how wonderful this story is. I remember starting "The Courtship of Princess Leia" and getting mad when Han was being screwed by this new guy. I knew that in the end, Han got the girl, but to put that love up against power and gifts! It was a great book.
Your story, bring out the truth in what would happen had the story been changed. It did a great job in it! You kept to the storyline of several other books, and your story does deserve honor for that.
You have a fan, thanks for the great story.
--Donnie

Author: Sara_Kenobi
Date posted: 2/5/2003 9:00:19 PM
Sara_Kenobi's Comments:

It was a nice piece of work. Good to see it here.

Author: Miana Kenobi
Date posted: 2/5/2003 10:12:48 PM
Miana Kenobi's Comments:

Well, like Viari already said, you know what I think of this vig. Am. ;)

It's so beautifully sad!!!

So wonderfully fantastic!!!

(is running out of good adj.)

Umm... *Gives Am two giant thumbs up* :)

Author: Jedi_StarDust  (signed)
Date posted: 2/6/2003 5:54:34 AM
Jedi_StarDust's Comments:

*Throws confetti in air* Yay, Am! Flowers is up! I'm so glad to see your excellent work here - you write so beautifully and I wouldn't be surprised that one day I may walk into Barnes and Nobles and find that your novels are the ones I'll be buying off the bestseller lists. Just don't forget to add a prelude about your Russian Spies (hehe I did it!) and insane handmaidens to your book.

Now, on to Flowers. What can I say? It's not often that I may find a piece of writing so vividly thought out, so passionately expressed, and then so powerfully portrayed that the reader may feel as if he or she is walking in the footsteps of the characters. It takes much effort for one's thoughts to land peacefully upon a piece of paper, but of course, you've amazed us all once again. I loved the descriptions of each scene and emotion in your vignette, making the read very dramatic and heart-wrenching for your audience. Excellent job, Am. I give it two thumbs and a big toe up. =P

Dusty

Author: Ria
Date posted: 2/6/2003 9:20:02 AM
Ria's Comments:

Your friend Jessica sugessed I should read this "great story" So I have, I love the describing...good story!

In my opinion it's haunting! That's why I like it.

Author: Bria  (signed)
Date posted: 2/6/2003 9:51:46 AM
Bria's Comments:

I know I already said this when you posted the story at the boards, but this is really beautiful. Heart-wrenching, but beautiful. I really enjoyed this story. :)

Author: jedi ikrit
Date posted: 2/6/2003 3:51:44 PM
jedi ikrit's Comments:

i read your story that was excellent i no a lot of people didnt like that you had mara kill luke but i thought that was good keep up the good work and thanks for inspiring me to write a star wars story someday nice work

Author: Puggy
Date posted: 2/6/2003 7:46:57 PM
Puggy's Comments:

Eehee... CONGRATS, Amidala_Skywalker! You DESERVE to have this in the archives...

You've done what a lot of authors haven't, and that's make it PLAUSIBLE that Leia and Han didn't stay together. Leia didn't leave Han--she still loves him and always will. But Leia's always been a selfless person, doing things for the good of the galaxy. I also like how you ended it giving the readers reassurance that Han will live on and won't wither away into nothing, pining over the Leia he'll never have.

Ahh, and I think you said something about Han/Leia fans... We do seem to be quite few and far between, don't we? Oh well. I'm just glad to know I'm not the ONLY Han/Leia shipper, hehe!

Keep up the beauuuutiful writing, m'dear!

Author: ThePodSquad
Date posted: 2/6/2003 10:06:50 PM
ThePodSquad's Comments:

Han and Leia were gorgeously written in this. Their pain from their seperation was exquisetly written. I also loved how you wrote Leia with that sense of loyalty and duty to her daughter...seemed just like the Leia we know from the movies.

I felt so bad for Leia when she had to tell him about Luke's death, and Han when he had to talk about Chewie.

Wonderful, bittersweet, angsty....everything I usually expect from you...And that's a compliment.

Author: HandmaidenEirtae  (signed)
Date posted: 2/7/2003 9:30:06 AM
HandmaidenEirtae's Comments:

Very good story, Am. An interesting AU. I loved all the little subtle details you snuck in, like Mon Mothma's reign of terror. I think you got Leia's characterization down very well, especially how she chose to watch after her daughter instead of run away with Han. I'm a big Han/Leia fan, so it is slightly sad, but still great. You definitely have talent, as well as a wonderful style.
Keep up the good work!
~HandmaidenEirtae

Author: J_K_DART
Date posted: 2/7/2003 11:38:08 AM
J_K_DART's Comments:

Brilliantly done, Am, and congratulations on getting it into the Archives - much deserved! [face_grin]

Author: Ladybug  (signed)
Date posted: 2/8/2003 2:14:56 PM
Ladybug's Comments:

Wow, excellent story! I've always been a Mara fan (until the NJO anyway....)but I had to smile when I read your reference to her and Luke. Nice little jab you added in there. Hehe. :) I liked this story very much - just the right touch of sadness and longing. Bravo! :)

Author: Lady Padme  (signed)
Date posted: 2/9/2003 5:03:16 PM
Lady Padme's Comments:

Am - this was a lovely, lovely fic. It really didn't seem possible to me that I would like a fic where Han and Leia didn't end up together would be a good read, but this one had a really sweet, sad, poignancy that was very enjoyable.

Author: Wilhelmina  (signed)
Date posted: 2/10/2003 11:02:32 PM
Wilhelmina's Comments:

Am - I didn't get a chance to read this on the boards, and I should've. There isn't enough H/L around here. ;) Well written, sweetly sad piece, and an excellent addition to the archive. :)

Author: Princess Beccerz
Date posted: 2/17/2003 7:51:37 PM
Princess Beccerz's Comments:

Oh. My. Gosh. This is soooo good! Wonderful job Ami! I was relieved to see that Leia was never really happy in her marriage to Isolder, and couldn't bring herself to...consummate it. Once again Ami, well done, and keep writing!

~Beccerz~

Author: Qui-Gon-Lee-Smith
Date posted: 2/17/2003 9:04:10 PM
Qui-Gon-Lee-Smith's Comments:

I loved your story, but i can't ever under stand how Mara could murder Luke. THEY GET MARRIED! He loves her! anyways, very descriptive, it was good

Author: DarthStothe  (signed)
Date posted: 2/24/2003 6:27:23 PM
DarthStothe's Comments:

Wow! That is great! I am holding back the tears. There is only one thing: I'm sorry, but I can't add this to my SW timeline... I need a happy ending!

Author: ME
Date posted: 2/28/2003 7:19:15 AM
ME's Comments:

That was incredible, I havn't cried that much in ages! WOW!

Author: sphere_master  (signed)
Date posted: 2/28/2003 3:23:58 PM
sphere_master's Comments:

Just when I think your work's begun to reach a point where you couldn't possibly improve on it any more, you outdo yourself yet again.

For a long time, I'd actually tried to find at least one fault in this piece, and I almost did at one point, but after reading it over again, it suddenly made perfect sense.

One thing that really sets your work apart is the realism of your descriptions. You refer to things that people can recognize, perhaps even on a personal level for some - but you still maintain the idea that it's sci-fi/fantasy.

Everything that transpires within the world you prep for our beloved characters comes so naturally. As for characterization............I could swear that you were really GL disguised as a 15-year-old girl! (shudders at idea) (My mind works in creepy ways.) But then again, Lucas does not necessarily support FF, and I don't think even he could bring out his own characters like that.

Yeah......but let's face it. He (along with Jonathan Hales) wrote the dialogue for AOTC. :P

(ducks, and quickly puts on LucasMissile-resistant helmet, before a lethal barrage of missiles hits the ground; five minutes later, a head pops into view amidst scattered debris)

This fic proves just how knowledgeable you are about human (or humanoid) response, and the such. You neglect none of the aspects and details in your storytelling, and for me, that's one of your work's most impressive qualities.

But above all...................you snuck in a Kamino reference!!!!!!

(sings) Ding, dong, The Perfect Storm
The What-fect Storm?
The Perfect Storm!

Sorry.

You know, when I think about it, you're right - you don't really have that much literary goodness.

No, you have literary excellence. Because you are an excellent writer, shining exquisitely with your exceptional writing abilities. Did I mention your literary excellence? Actually, I did. Because even now, I am still extremely impressed with your work.

Now, you're wondering about my excessive use of the 'ex-' prefix? I don't think I'll explain it here, this review is already extra long.

For now, I exit.

Sphere Master

Author: Ani's girl  (signed)
Date posted: 3/1/2003 7:36:05 PM
Ani's girl's Comments:

Amidala Skywalker, you rule!!!
I love the way you describe Han's and Leia's love even after 20 yrs.
I was so sad when i read this. Knowing that they both love each other, no matter what, is truly inspirational.
Keep up the excellent work:)

Author: Ani's girl  (signed)
Date posted: 3/1/2003 7:36:15 PM
Ani's girl's Comments:

Amidala Skywalker, you rule!!!
I love the way you describe Han's and Leia's love even after 20 yrs.
I was so sad when i read this. Knowing that they both love each other, no matter what, is truly inspirational.
Keep up the excellent work:)

Author: Cat
Date posted: 3/14/2003 6:04:12 AM
Cat's Comments:

This is so...sad...sniff. It made my cry, and not many fanfics make me do that. It was so evocative, and I love the cover, kudos to whoever made it.
And you killed off Luke, too. Poor, poor Leia--no Han, no luke, married to Prince Fabio...waah!
You write H/L so well, maybe you could write a happy one next? *pleading eyes*

Author: Handmaiden_Yane  (signed)
Date posted: 7/9/2003 2:03:45 PM
Handmaiden_Yane's Comments:

That was extremely poignant, and touching. I was very angry at what had happend to Han, and almost felt like shaking the computer screen at the unfairness of it all. Nicely written!

Author: Jedi_Johnson  (signed)
Date posted: 12/2/2003 7:02:36 PM
Jedi_Johnson's Comments:

Am, this fic is as good as I remember it being the first time I read it. Certainly a good read. Congrats on it getting archived.

Author: Darth_Pepsi
Date posted: 1/27/2004 10:53:20 AM
Darth_Pepsi's Comments:

*sobs* That was great...
*sobs again*

Author: MirieltheElvenJedi  (signed)
Date posted: 11/23/2004 5:43:36 PM
MirieltheElvenJedi's Comments:

oh gosh! that was soo good! I'm glad that Leia married Han not Isolder.

Author: MasterSolo  (signed)
Date posted: 5/18/2005 4:19:07 PM
MasterSolo's Comments:

Die Isolder die!!!!

Author: FanOfHan
Date posted: 1/24/2006 4:52:17 PM
FanOfHan's Comments:

You have no idea how hard I'm crying

Author: eva
Date posted: 5/5/2006 7:00:26 AM
eva's Comments:

i have on question for you what happend to the falcon?

Author: hellohello
Date posted: 11/7/2006 9:45:59 AM
hellohello's Comments:

Editor's Note: No flaming allowed.

Author: Gump
Date posted: 6/17/2011 8:24:57 AM
Gump's Comments:

At last, somenoe comes up with the "right" answer!