Ladykate has once again woven a heartwrenching tale involving the grand trio. In all honesty, I had a really hard time reading this so be warned for a some serious emotional rollercoaster. It is a well-written piece and certainly makes you think of tripartite relationships and all it could mean. I have my reservations about the characters as portrayed here but if you're mature enough to handle some hard issues, this could be a challenging read. A thoughtful treatise. - E - Sep 18th, 2003   

LadyKate handles the characters and their relationships pertaining to each other with respect and care. You definitely have to an open mind about all of the relationships involved here and mature enough to understand the issues that are depicted in this story. It's not for the weak of heart, that is for certain. - Jenn - Sep 26th, 2003   

We waited more than one year for this story, and personally I can only say the wait was very well worth. ItÆs really an especial treat! The kind of story that once you read the first paragraph you canÆt stop before you read the last one. And when you do, it will still be in your mind. It isnÆt a forgettable story. LadyKate handled a very unique plot in a way thatÆs unique to her and that makes her, in my opinion, the best bard of the Xenaverse. EQUAL TO THE GODS deals with a very polemic and disturbing issue, but LadyKate is the kind of writer that can write about just anything and it will be always tasteful, elegant, intelligent, thrilling and yet, extremely honest. ItÆs so well written that you can easily ôseeö the characters in the action when you read it. Some moments of EQUAL TO THE GODS may be a little disturbing (be ready for that!) but itÆs definitely a great reading. You can never foresee which path the story is going to take and you can never have an idea how itÆs going to end before you get there. - Lucia Beltrao - Sep 28th, 2003   

First let me start off by applauding LadyKate in bringing us this wonderfully refreshing new storyline!! This story definitely has something for everyone! What I love about this story is that you never know which direction the story will head in. It keeps the reader guessing at every turn. The true sign of a gifted Bard! Equal To The Gods is a must read!!! Get ready for a wild ride! - Angel - Oct 22nd, 2003   

Lady Kate has created a thought provoking scenario in Equal to the Gods. I've often wondered how Xena could be equally close to both Ares and Gabrielle without losing either of them, and how each would deal with the realities of it. This is not only a good possible direction but the characters and their feelings are carefully considered. They make their choices fully aware of the consequences of their actions. If they have a "happily ever after" it is because they all worked hard to achieve it. This story is one that will be sure to spark controversy and much thought in readers. - tol - Nov 14th, 2003   

This is a story with great emotional depth. It's not that the adventures in between aren't interesting, but what holds it together are the interactions of the characters as they deal with changes in their relationship to each other. It's an excellent piece, well written and thoughtful in its exploration of "What if Xena loved them both?" And it carries the reader through the rollercoaster of the Xena's, Gabrielle's and Ares' dilemma. Like a stone dropped into the pond, there are more ripples than you can shake a stick at. But everything comes back around to the center. If love is true, it finds a way. Enjoy the reading. I did. - Katrina - Feb 9th, 2004   

I think i'm angry... and it's the point isn't it? - yuka - Jun-05-2009   

this is a very good story, it may not be for everybody *spoiler*-------- because of the relationship between xena, gabrielle, and ares.

its worth the read, i could see this happening in the xena universe. - dalila - Jun-08-2009   

Wow. Just wow. What do I say... LadyKate is a fine author and offered us a very provocative, thought provoking piece. IMHO, Gabrielle deserves so much more than what she had to settle for to keep Xena in her life. I know love can make us desperate and blind but, I could never have done what Gabrielle did. Xena doesn't deserve her. I would have left Xena in the dust with that bastard Ares - her just desert. That said, this story will make you run the gauntlet of emotion. Well worth the read. One final thought... I wished Gabrielle a new love through the worst of times, imagining her giving Xena the finger as she road away. - colorado fan - Mar-09-2011   

Just have to love a good angst filled story and this one certainly scored high marks. great job by LadyKate. sorry for the "spoilers" but I have to comment on the storyline. I found it interesting that as much as xena professed to love Gabrielle, the goodness and redemption she brought to her life, yada, yada... xena still choose ares over her. ares in the end was more important to xena than gabrielle. xena definitely put the hurt, big gime on poor Gabs. my heart broke for her. Gabrielle's love was true and loyal, even when forced to sacrifice herself. xena's one lucky woman. She got her cake and was able to eat it to. Interesting compromise in the end. I do wonder how that would really work out overtime. Sequel?? - Anonymous - Apr-11-2011   

Not to knock the author, it was well written, but man, you must really despise Gabrielle. If you are a true believer in the depths and lengths of love, NOT a story for you. But if you enjoy twisted stuff, it's, yeah, well written. - LisaJane - Jun-10-2012   

so...ok...I don't even know where to start...
I don't know how believable Xena is here, but I don know that Ares and Gabrielle are great!
I've always thought that Ares was just as wrapped up in the "Xena magic" as Gabrielle was..perhaps in a more "spoiled brat" kind of way, but the result was pretty much the same. I thing the author brilliantly depicts an Ares humbled by humanity and most importantly, by love. He's still bratty, and selfish in some ways, but likeable...
however, I think the "masterpiece" of this story is Gabrielle...I know many readers did not agree with the way her character developed, and found it unrealistically humiliating...but let me tell you this: I did experience, some years ago, a very similar king of love for someone...and it is true, some of us out there really do believe that love does not assert property rights...anyway..the thing is the description of Gabrielle's feelings was real, and powerful as it should have been.
my problem, though, was with the end...that was a bit disappointing and very much unrealistic, because as forgiving this type of love is, it always ends up breaking someone's heart..I know...so no, once you decide you need to find yourself again, like Gabrielle did,you never go back, as much as you still love that person.
so that's pretty much the only fault I find to this story.
- Claude - Jan-01-2014   

well..if only you wrote believable end, this story still worth to read. i can't say much except this piece wasting my time. - Anonymous - Jan-05-2014   

sick and very disappointing.. - Anonymous - Jan-05-2014   

Nope not a good one - Mandy - Mar-26-2017   

Even though that one is a little sad at the end, it's such a great reading! Ladykate has always really good ideas for her stories and she has that very special way of telling them that once you read the first paragraph you just don't want to stop before you get to the end. Second Chances is no exception. It's intelligent, moving (without being mushy) and very well told. I wait eagerly for her new stories. - Lucia Beltrao - Oct 21st, 2002   

This is one of the best stories I have read. I love the way the author writes. Anyone who enjoyed reading "A TWIST OF FATE" should read her other stories. - Lucia Beltrao - Aug 22nd, 2002