A, you know I love and adore you. I realize this is just a story. I hope we are good friends beyond writing fics and I can't tell you how much I appreciate all you've done for me. I wish you the greatest success with your writing career and I'm sure you will rise to the top however you move forward with it. Congrats on your inclusion in ADF, your Underdog Award, and your second wave nominations. I hope you realize that anything I may tell you now I'm doing with the greatest respect and love for you.

Girl, I am going to kick your ass to Forks and back. I know you didn't just do what you just did. Are you freaking kidding me?? You wrap us up in this tale, pull us in for 31 damned chapters, make us totally invested in Jacob and Bella's relationship, and then kill off Jacob in the second to last chapter? 

You want to kill people off, I can give you a long list. But to kill off Jacob...well, you are absolutely heartless, girlfriend. What did we do that we deserve this kind of treatment? I think you should pull all the different categories from the Underdog Awards and just have one:

Story That Makes You Want to Beat the Ever Living Shit Out of the Author

Do we need to have any other nominations?? I'm trying not to think violent thoughts here, but it ain't working out real well. Don't think you're hiding from me in that damned bomb shelter. I've put the C.I.A. on the case and they've alerted your readership. We are all on the way and we are not a happy bunch. And, we're armed. I'm personally bringing sharp objects, plenty of tar, a whole bunch of oil in a great big vat, and a match.

Well, it was a fabulous chapter except for the last few hundred words. Loved everything about it. There were so many fun, cute parts with the pack, interesting sections with Felicity, the sexy section with Jake, sad moments with Edward and then you topped it all off by ripping out our heart and stamping on it in your stilettos.

Now, somewhere along the line, I thought you assured us there was a happy ending to this tale. Evidently, I need to point out that killing off the main character and devastating the heroine (along with most of your readers) really doesn't qualify. Her living a lonely life as a witch communicating with Jacob through the dream world really doesn't hack it either, nor does her killing herself and spending eternity in Hell.

Well, obviously, you've figured out something that makes you happy about this. Can't imagine what it will be if you truly have killed off the only character in the series that I give a shit about. However, I'm here for the ride, no matter how difficult you have made it. And believe me, you have made it VERY difficult. You have absolutely crushed my heart.

The upsetting thing for me is that if you've killed off Jacob, I really don't care what happens to the rest of them. See what you've done? Can't really agree with you about the stoning thing. I don't think it is at all appropriate to even consider stoning you. It ends too quickly. Ever heard of scaphism? Yeah, that'd do it! Grrrrr! I love you, but DAMN, girl! 

 

Author's Response:

(I am sending this response to you via carrier pegion for the sake of my safety and the safety of a human messenger, whom you would probably shoot.)

*hugtackle* Aw, I love you too, Lee! (even if you do want to beat the ever living shit out of me). This review seriously made some of other crap I've been getting so worth it.

It's interesting how different people view a story. You (and most other readers I think) view it strictly as a Jacob/Bella story. A small handfull look at it as if it's a Edward/Bella story and the whole thing with Jacob is just a long intermission. But to me this has always been a Bella story.  And it continues to be her story even after this chapter. I worked very, very hard to develop Bella in a different direction than Smeyer did in the series. I tried so hard to redeem her in the eyes of readers, to make her worth their empathy and hopes, so that she was a character worth investing themselves in. I'm pretty dissapointed at the moment because it seems that I have failed. I've got people leaving the story because Jacob will no longer be present. I've got other people getting excited because they assume she's gonna end up with Edward (JFC, her boyfriend JUST DIED!) So, people don't give a shit about Bella. And it kind of hurts. 

It also means that no one's going to give a shit about the ending. I think it's a good ending for Bella. I think she gets some happiness, but more than that she gets a purpose. And we get to see the person she could have become had Smeyer not turned her into a selfish, whiny little girl with false self-esteem. But if focuses on her, so you might not like it.

I'll own up and say the heart-stomping was intentional. Of course I want people to feel awful over Jacob's death. He was a great character who died saving the love of his life. I was upset while writing it, so I fully expected readers to be hurt as well. But I didn't write it to punish anyone, or because I wanted her to end up with someone else, or because I thought it would be shocking and unusual. I wrote it because life isn't a rollercoaster that always ends on the up and up. And it shows just how precious and valuable human life really is (a point that was completely mangled by Smeyer in the series). And I wrote it because I think he has a heck of a lot more dignity in this ending than his ending in the series. Maybe those aren't great reasons, but they're MY reasons.

I dunno. My super-secret, expertly hidden, underground bunker of a bomb shelter is pretty impossible to locate. And extra impossible to penetrate (that's what she said). But BEST OF LUCK with the whole scaphism business. Bring lots of hot men to row the boats.

Seriously, bb, thank you for this review. For the few nice things you said and all of the criticism. Your passion speaks volume about your commitment to the story. I love it.

And, btw, I shared this review (w/o your name attatched) over on my personal LJ, and all of my LJ friends think you're amazing, which you are.

<3

I think I need to think this over and review at a later date.

Note: Scream like bloody murder if you need me.

lmao.

and I'll also note, skillzzz: beautifully written :)

Don't know how I feel yet. I appreciate the forewarning.

Author's Response:

That's okay. Take your time. I'm in a hidden, underground bunker where they can't find me. ;)

I'm gonna be honest, I did not see that coming and I certainly hope there's some wolf or witch or vampire voodoo that brings my Jacob back or I'm gonna cry, lol. Really fantastic chapter though! Embry and the Star Wars band-aid was hilarious. I'd love to know what Edward said that only Jake heard last chapter when Jake told him to stay out of his head. I cannot wait to read the end of this story, though I'm sad to know it's finally coming to a conclusion. Can't wait for the next story you write. Crossing my fingers that it'll be another Jake/Bella tale. You're an awesome writer!!!

Author's Response:

It's okay to cry. I certainly did while writing this chapter and while starting on the next one.

I <3 Embry. ^_^

You WILL find out what occured in the Jacob/Edward exchange. At least, you should able to infer what was said by the end of the next chapter.

I do indeed have another J/B story in the works. So, no worries. :)

Thank you!

Oh no! This has to be some kind of trick or mistake or SOMETHING! Jake is NOT dead. Please oh please tell me you did not build this beautiful love story and give Jacob his chance and have Bella fall hoplessly in love with him and become a part of the wolf pack family just to kill him off! Say it's not so! Please oh please let there be something that can fix this in the next chapter. Oh man I am hyperventilating over here!

deep breath....many deep breaths later....

Ok, so you executed this chapter perfectly. I felt the tention building up to the fight, I felt Bella's fear and helplessness and worry. I loved the graduation scene and the scene with Edward where he promises jake will return to her. Which I am still utterly and completely hoping will somehow come to be true. The fighting was perfect and vivid without being too detailed. Bella being able to read the packs mind! Amazing and perfect and then showing up at the fight, Edward saving her....all so great! All in all would have been the perfect chapter, I mean Bella kills Victoria! We have been waiting for that forever but then you have to go and make it seem like Jake is dead. I really really hope this is not the happy ending without imprinting you were talking about. Please oh please update soon so I can find out Jake somehow makes it and he and Bella live happily ever after. For the love of God PLEASE!

 

Author's Response:

Yes, deep breaths! My reassurance is this: from the darkness comes a light. I know it's hard to think about it right now after something so awful happened, but the best way to survive loss is to weigh them agains the gains. At the moment, one thing to be grateful for is that Bella is alive.  Jacob kept her from being killed.  And as sudden as the death may have been sudden, they had the opportunity to make the most of their last time together. A lot of couples don't get that chance. I know this might seem incosequential at the moment, but stay tuned for the next couple chapters to see how things go.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the rest of the chapter. There was so much action and suspense to tackle that I had doubts about being able pull it off. But it seems like most people aren't complaining about those aspects really. Of course, that could just be because their distracted by the ending.

Thanks for the sincere feedback!

YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!! JACOB IS DEAD!! HALLALUYEAH!! (dont know the spelling) YES!!!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT LET BELLA WAKE HIM UP FROM THE DEAD!! YESSSSSSS!!! HE IS DEAD!! GO EDWARD! GO EDWARD! GO EDWARD!! FINALLY! VICTORIA DID SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

Author's Response:

Forgive me. It seems that I have failed you as an author.

Congrats on getting on adifferentforest.com. This has been quite the ride. Looking forward to the final chaps.

Author's Response:

Thank you! I was beyond thrilled when I got the invitation. :)

I'm looking forward to final chapters as well!

Please, please, please tell me you didn't just kill Jacob. Please let Bella's new superpowers have some sort of miracle cure.  I'm gonna to be so distraught if after 31 chapters, she runs back to Edward.

Author's Response:

Okay, I didn't kill Jacob.

Victoria did. (I know: too soon.)

Bella will be running to NO ONE next chapter. Not gonna happen. No way, no how. A person has got to grieve, you know?

Thanks so much for reviewing!

Congrats on the addition to ADF... you deserve it! Great chapter by the way.

 

I love your Edward... he loves so unconditionaly.

Author's Response:

Thanks you for the congratulations! I'm still glowing with pride. :)

You LIKE my Edward?!?! Thank you! I try so, so hard on him, and sometimes we get into fights and call eachother names, but he always shows up to work the next day and the chapters get written, so...we're growing on eachother.

U SUCK U SUCK U SUCK Ok now on to the review. Honestly when I saw the title I was like oh great Jakes gonna die but I am a  masochist and decided to read it anyway eventhough I kinda glossed over the part where he got killed (my heart couldnt take it) Amazing chapter except for that little kink that I refuse to believe I never expected for them to all be paralyzed and actually need her.

I have to be honest though and say  that your an amazing writer, you've added so many elements that I'm in awe alot of the time.

ps: you dont suck  well maybe a little

Author's Response:

Haha, you seem a little indecisive there. ;)

I'm glad that at least some of the chapter was enjoyable for you! It was fun trying to work Bella into the battle scene so that she had a role to play.

Thanks, hon.

Here's where I should leave some trite remark or refuse to review at all.  But I can't. I can't, because this chapter was so wonderfully well written that I will forgive you for killing Jake. I think I told you this before: this story is better than the original. I am almost disappointed that you didn't write the Twilight series. Not that the original was horrible, just that yours has a certain depth and quality missing from the original. So now your fans can stone me in your place.

I'd love to hate you for killing Jacob, but somehow I get the feeling that this isn't quite the end for Bella and Jake. Sure he might be gone phyiscally but... And then maybe I'm in shock.

Congrats on you VIP status, it was well earned.

Author's Response:

Hey! I have some extra space in my bomb shelter if you want to hide out with me for the next couple of weeks. I probably packed enough food for a month, so no worries there either. ;)

It really does mean a lot to hear you say all of that. Especially now when people are screaming at me. lol. I work hard at whay I do, and I'm just trying to put together a good story. Nothing, inlcluding the things that went down in this chapter, were just chosen to be included arbitrarily or because of its "shock value". Everything has a purpose, and I hope that by the end others will see the purpose of this particular incident.

Thank you for the congratulations! That news pretty much made my month. :)

she's going to use some witch power or something to bring him back right?

 

RIGHT?

Author's Response:

*flips ahead in the script*

Ummm...my contract states that I can't answer that question. ;)

First off, thanks so much for giving the link for your forum. I've still not taken the time to explore A Different Forest (despite signing up months ago). Yet another incentive to get going and check it out. I would very much like to see what other fabulous ideas you have!

Wow, where to start? As always, your writing and story telling never fails to impress me! So amazingly well written and composed. A well rounded story with plenty of subplot thrown in for good measure. Just the absolute best stuff.

I have to say that my first impression reading the conclusion of this chapter hasn't been very upsetting to me. However, since there is no guarantee of any character's survival, I'm feeling somewhat concerned. ; ) I now kind of wish I had waited to read this until the next update.

And, unfortunately, since I have no more "break time", I'll have to close this review earlier than I like. In other words, the girls are no longer playing together nicely, but have started WWIII, by the sound of it. And I will now have to intervene, or risk destruction to my home.

Can't express enough how much I love it, girl!!!! Just the best stuff EVA!!!! 8 )

Author's Response:

Yeah, definitely give ADF a try. It can be a little intimidating at first, but once you jump in and start participating it's a pretty groovy place. Let me know if you need any help getting the hang of it

So you're of the mind that Bella's gonna pull something out of her ass, and Jacob will make a full recovery. I think you're the most optimistic reader so far. ;)

I hope the war ends with peaceful negotiations before either side suffers great casualties. I'll pray for your home. :P

Thanks, hon!

 

Oh no...... Jacob's dead, this can't be happening. This chapter was awesomely written though. I hope Bella feels better soon, this isn't fair to her.

Author's Response:

Thank you. I worked really hard on it, so it feels good knowing it paid off. :)

Yes, I hope Bella is able to find the comfort and strength she needs to get through this.