Name: anon (Anonymous) · Date: 06 Oct 2019 04:40 PM · For: sparks fly; year five.

This is great! Can’t wait to find out what happened at the party and what’s in the letter!

Name: lovegood27 (Signed) · Date: 21 Jan 2019 03:55 PM · For: state of grace; year five

Hi! I’m here for Magical Menagerie! :)

Okay, I really like where this is going so far! Honestly, I haven’t read any long fics where Roxanne is the main character, AND also in a pairing with an OC, so this seems quite original. I like her characterisation- you can tell immediately that she’s very intelligent, and hard-working. You don’t, however, fall into the trap of making her the stereotypical ‘nerd’, shall we say, where all she does is read books, doesn’t know how to have fun and is just...kind of serious and boring. She’s witty, sarcastic and also playful, which I really like because it just makes her seem less one-dimensional as a character.

That poor third year girl, though. A summary of my life tbh.

There’s SO much tension between Roxanne and Caleb and I am living for it. I say he’s pretty interested in her...does she just, not notice?? I think the dialogue they exchange is great, light-hearted (kind of flirty lmao) and fun. Aww and then he took her hand and invited her to the party...DEFINITELY interested. I hope Roxanne goes to the party, because she’d be wasting a huge opportunity if she didn’t ;)

Great chapter, so far, I’m looking forward to reading more :)

Author's Response:

thank you so much! i was worried about roxanne looking like that ~boring, bookish nerd~ ravenclaw, when, yeah, she is that but isn't like confined to this woefully misconstrued ravenclaw stereotype, but as for why roxanne doesn't seem to notice/understand, it all comes in time. they're complicated in all their simplicity. but thank you very much for this review, it's much appreciated!

Name: LadyMarauder (Signed) · Date: 20 Jan 2019 09:49 AM · For: state of grace; year five

I'm here for Magical Menagerie round two and RvG January Team Red! I don't think we've met before so hi! I saw this in the recently updated list on the archives and thought it looked interesting. I haven't read much about Roxanne and I think it's about time that changed - also I love the name Caleb! Ha.

 

So I like your Roxanne already, she's quite different from many others I've read though which make her really sporty and outgoing. She's clearly smart and studious and seems a little more introverted. It seems like Caleb thinks this makes her a bit of a stick in the mud, since she's always taking points off him. He seems alright, a bit of a cheeky rogue, and he definitely fancies her, that's clear. Roxanne also seems to like him too, so I can see them getting together eventually. Though did anyone give teenage boys the memo that you don't have to torture and pick on girls they fancy? Maybe they should! Anyway, great start to this story!

 

Tasha xx

 

Author's Response:

thank you so much! listen, roxanne and freddie weasley are so underappreciated, and it's sad because i love their parents so much?? but honestly, caleb is stupid and as we go through the years you see that he doesn't really, as they say, "get it". but i do hope you enjoy and i appreciate your review!

Name: Crimson Quill (Signed) · Date: 19 Jan 2019 04:03 PM · For: fearless: year three

 

Hey!

 

I like the way that you addressed the differences between Roxy and Amelia's romance beliefs. I think those both of them are endearing to their characters. I love that Amelia is a dreamer, she's girly and believes in true love. I'm obsessed with how she is shipping Caleb and Roxy is! I thought it was hilarious that Roxy thought Amelia might have been up a tree watching her and Caleb. 

I thought the running theme with the romance novels used through the chapter was really effective that it was kinda showing Roxanne's changing feelings about love/her feelings for Caleb. 

 

OMG. THE KISS. it's so sweet. I just think you've written that first kiss so brilliantly. I loved this line 'All she could do was cling and kiss, unsure of anything else in the world' it's really just perfect description of that first kiss. this whole section was beautifully written. I'm shipping them pretty hard after this chapter. I wonder what piece of the puzzle we're going to be treated to next. I've really enjoyed this story so far.

 

- Abbi xo

 

For: Magical Menagerie/RvG

 

Author's Response:

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THESE! listen, i have so many feelings about amelia and roxanne's friendship, they really complete one another - they're just the perfect opposites, and 90% of why i even wrote this story. but gah, thank you thank you thank you! i hope you enjoy the rest, if you continue. i appreciate these so much!!!!!

Name: Crimson Quill (Signed) · Date: 19 Jan 2019 03:38 PM · For: from the very first day: year one

 

Hey!

 

So I really liked how this chapter explored what Roxy was like in her first year. I think it's really cool that you've chosen to do it in a non-linear sequence. I love stories that explore their narration like that it makes it more unique.

 

I love your characterisation of Roxy in this chapter. I just thought you got a really nice balance with her confidence even when her mum is over protective. You showed that the war has lasting an effect on the family especially liked how George's over-protectiveness showed in different forms to her mothers. I always thought he would hide behind the laughter a bit. It's a bit like she's looking after her parents too. 

 

I think it's a shame that James was being such a bully but I love how the thread of telling their mums was taken very seriously. Obviously Celeb doesn't know Ginny and Angelina well! I feel sad that Roxy had to pull that card out but I love that she met Amelia that way. Amelia's energy in this chapter is so endearing! I love her!

 

- Abbi xo

 

For: Magical Menagerie/RvG

 

Name: Crimson Quill (Signed) · Date: 19 Jan 2019 03:18 PM · For: wolves; year five

 

Hey!

 

I'm back! I really love how this chapter just centred around the two girls pulling this prank. there isn't enough girl power like this in fics so I thought the whole thing was really awesome.

 

I think my favourite thing was how the girls came laughing at each other, I just liked how they were like 'this is going to be so good!' and just talking themselves up about it. It truly looks like they were having so much fun together. I quite like that her relationship with her family isn't great or at least they aren't close. that's something that's not done too much, they are quite often portrayed as being like this crazy close bunch who basically only hang out with each other. 

 

I think Amelia is great, I liked how you build her up this chapter. I think she is quite fun so I'm surprised then they are 'stick in the mud' but I'm really happy that they got the boys! sadly they don't like rainbow hair!! 

 

again chemistry between Roxanne and Caleb is everything! I love their scene together. I need to see more of them together. such a fun chapter! great job!

 

- Abbi xo

 

For: Magical Menagerie/RvG

 

Name: Crimson Quill (Signed) · Date: 19 Jan 2019 03:01 PM · For: state of grace; year five

 

 

Hey!

 

I thought this story seemed like a really fun piece as I love next-gen. I was attracted to because you don't see Roxanne as a lead character too much but I'm currently really loving her character, she is a little snarky but in a fun way. I love that little look between her and caleb when James is telling a story. It's a very cute interaction between the two to sets the scene.

 

I love me some good female friendships and I loved the teasing nature of her relationship with Amelia. I thought they bounced off each other really nicely. I think the dialogue was great in that section and it felt really natural. I'm hoping to see a lot more of those two!

 

OMG. caleb and roxanne's scene properly together. I can feel the sparks flying in that scene. I love caleb's energy in that scene, he seems like a really fun character. I really like how cheeky he comes across with Roxy. I thought that diyemic was so good. I feel like I'm already shipping them together <3

 

great first chapter!

 

Abbi xo

 

For: Magical Menagerie/RvG

 

Name: TreacleTart (Signed) · Date: 12 Jan 2019 04:38 AM · For: from the very first day: year one

Hey there!

 

I'm back for one last review for the Magical Menagerie review event on the forums and also for the Gryffindor Red vs Gold Review Battle for January! This was a really enjoyable story so far, so I'm glad I came across it.

 

Aww. I love this story of how Amelia and Roxanne met. In a way, it sort of reminds me of Ron and Harry meeting and bonding over Malfoy's rude behavior. It's a nice mirror to the original story.

 

James really comes off like a giant prat in this story. Caleb seems much more like a prankster, but like a still friendly person. James is just mean. I can't believe he kicked a first year out of her compartment and then his comment about Roxanne coming off the reject tree was super uncalled for.

 

I'm glad that Freddie sort of tried to call him out on that comment. I mean it was a weak call out, but he doesn't seem like the fighting sort. He definitely should stand up for his little sister though.

 

I loved Roxanne's strategy for getting the compartment back. It was so funny imagining her climbing all over the compartment and taunting James. I thought it was fitting in the end that she also threatened to owl Ginny. I definitely don't imagine that anyone would want to piss off Ginny Potter. Her bat-boogey hexes are the stuff of legends.

 

Anyway, I'm sad that there are no more chapters to read for now, but this was a lovely start! Looking forward to seeing more soon.

 

~Kaitlin

Author's Response:

I just saw your lovely reviews and want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart & soul for taking the time to write these! Roxanne and Amelia are such polar opposites, but like Harry and Ron, they're ying and yanng. But James definitely is the epitome of spoilt brat, but I have a lot of my own personal theories of why James would be this way that'll come up in the future. As for Caleb, he's an idiot. An obnoxious idiot, as you mentioned. He does things for the laugh, but within reason and Freddie, well he likes keeping the peace. But I do hope you enjoy the next chapter once it's validated, but again, thank you so much for these reviews, they mean a lot!

Name: TreacleTart (Signed) · Date: 12 Jan 2019 03:05 AM · For: wolves; year five

Hello again!

 

Back for another Magical Menagerie review from the forums! I’m excited to see what this chapter brings.

 

Yes! I love that the girls are planning to prank James and Caleb. The idea of the two “sticks in the mud” getting them back is pretty epic. I hope it works.

 

Ooh. Breaking into the boys locker room? That’s brave. I imagine the whole place smells atrocious. 

 

I am so happy that the prank worked! It’s amazing imagining James and Caleb flashing different colors. I had a good chuckle over that! Caleb seemed pretty chill about it, but James was definitely angry. 

 

The image of the girls sitting there dying laughing was great! I love that Amelia thought to snap a picture! I definitely had a good laugh at that.

 

It’s even better because the whole school ends up hearing about it. Score one point for Roxanne and Amelia in the epic prank war.

 

I wonder how James will get them back. On to the next chapter!

 

 

~Kaitlin 

Name: TreacleTart (Signed) · Date: 12 Jan 2019 02:43 AM · For: state of grace; year five

Hey there! 

 

I’m here because of the Magical Menagerie review event on the forums! I happened to see this in the recently updated stories list and thought it sounded interesting. 

 

First, I really like that you centered this around Roxanne. I feel like she never gets enough attention. 

 

Oh. This Caleb bloke does seem like a pain in the bum indeed. I don’t really get why he’s so set on tormenting Roxanne. Is this his way of flirting? If so, it’s rather obnoxious.

 

The switch to being more tender and asking her to the party was interesting. Now, I really do think he’s tormenting her as a way of flirting.  It’s still a lousy way to flirt, but maybe he’ll be changing his tune soon.

 

I wonder if Roxanne will actually go to the party. I imagine she will, but I’m not sure why. Is it possible that she might have a crush on Caleb that she doesn’t want to admit to?

 

I like the detail about Freddie being a Puff! 

 

Nice first chapter! I’m headed off to read the next one now. 

 

 

~Kaitlin 

Name: javu (Signed) · Date: 24 Jul 2018 10:25 PM · For: state of grace; year five

Finally. A story on Roxanne. Feels like she gets left out so much!

Author's Response:

She really is! Honestly, NG always leaves her out and I just wanted to give the little peach some love!!

Name: PaulaTheProkaryote (Signed) · Date: 24 Jul 2018 11:21 AM · For: state of grace; year five

Hello! I'm Paula and I'm not sure if we've met yet, but I happened to catch your chapter edits in the queue and LOVED it! It might have taken me an extra few minutes to validate it because I was too busy enjoying it!

I love Roxanne, Caleb, and Amelia and I can't wait to read more of them! 

Caleb seems like he's super adorable and I loved his harmless ribbing until she sorta agreed to maybe show up. I just really love their dynamic! 

Loved it! I can't wait for the next chapter! 

Author's Response:

Hi! We have not, but honestly your review made my entire day! I'm literally about to submit my next one into the queue so I hope you still continue to like it. Thank you so much for the review (and the rating)! You're a darling xoxo, B.