This story, as well as the others in this series are amazing! I have spent hours over the last 2 days reading them. Well done Pysta - Gemma - Nov-19-2006   

Taking a leaf from Annemaart, for my fans: please be patient! The fourth and final part of the Judging of the Queen series is being lovingly labored over, and I promise I will bring it to a worthy end! It is more convoluted than the others, but it will be well worth the wait. X and G are keeping my wordsmithing sharp - and they have high standards! Would I could forego my day job and just write, write, write! - Pysta - Nov-20-2006   


The Judging of the Queen by Pysta. It is the first story in a quartet written in a classical style..I love these stories..the way that Pysta uses the Chakram and Gabrielle's Dragon in the 'The Chakram and the Dragon' is amazing. The journey upon which she takes Xena and Gabriellle( with the Amazons) is gripping..and there is a twist in the fourth story..The Crucible..that had me leaping out of my chair with the sheer briiliance of the idea..It embodies the concept that underpins the whole story of the path of X&G...Xena's path to redemption and Gab's role in it...She is one very talented Bard and has won several accolades from the fanfic sites..I would heartily recommend you to read them all..
Perhaps you are getting the idea that I like this Bard's work..!!!?!!!
- Anonymous - Apr-18-2008   

The 3rd part of Pysta's Lemnos quartet is as gripping as the first two..The highest accolade I can give is that I couldnt stop until I got to the end..and then had to force myself to sleep instead of reading the fourth andf last part..Amazing talent!! - Anonymous - Apr-18-2008   

Amazing story! Loved every word. - Anonymous - Nov-04-2008   

On a wet dismal day...I decided to let fate guide my Fanfic reading...and my mouse led me to Pysta. They say fates move in mysterious ways!!! WOW!!!! This is not your usual fanfic, it steps into another realm of X&G and their Post Fin relationship...the story is gripping and Pystas writing style is wonderfully rich. It deserves to be bumped for new readers. ...and there are FOUR stories!!!! - Anonymous - Sep-19-2010   

A post FIN fic worth reading. How the film could have gone! If there had been one. - Silver - Jun-19-2011   

This whole series "rocks". I love how Xena comes back to life, how X & G have a mission and how the whole series fits together.
I wish there were more new stories like this. - Starry - Sep-27-2011   

The third story in this series was kind of a downer for me. It was as well written as the first two, however I'm not sure I really like Gab as much in this story. Her character really seemed to lose ground and started playing the side kick role to me. That said, Pysta has created a great story line and I take my hat off to her for keeping all the different threads not only straight, but being interesting and full of life. This series is very highly recommended! - Stacia - Mar-20-2014   

..the story woven by Pysta is gripping and compelling..I would not dream of spoiling it...but the title is real clue to an inspired, imaginative and totally believable plot line..I would heartily recommend this story..Go Read IT!!!! - Mel - Feb-11-2007   

This story is a gripping sequel to The Judging of the Queen.
Pystas writing style is compelling and gives enormous gravitas to the canon...she introduces many characters mentioned in the series and then takes them to another level with her development of them and their role in X&G's story.I am off to read the third...!!
- Anonymous - Apr-18-2008   

This whole series is well worth reading. Pysta starts at a point of familiarity and then takes the characters and makes them her own, while maintaining the canon. Well crafted and a very satisfying conclusion to the post FIN. Read them all! - Georgia - Feb-16-2010   

this whole series is a very very enjoyable adventure with Xena and Gabrielle Pysta has captured them so well and even the other characters a so vivid - erma - Dec-31-2010   

I have read this and the other 3 associated with this foursome. They were ALL excellent and would have made a great mini series. I actually read them twice over a couple weeks. They are must read for anyone wanting a different endingtot the Xena series. - Starry - Mar-09-2011   

Mystical and magical. Loved it. - Silver - Jun-19-2011   

Again Pysta takes us on a journey that has you on the edge of your seat..The Crucible refers to the ordeals and trials X&G must overcome to take them and their Amazons home to safety...These four stories deserve to be considered as a full scale Novel..each part slides smoothly from one to another..Pystas talent is awesome!!! - Anonymous - Apr-18-2008   

Fantastic and fantastical. Loved it. - Silver - Jun-18-2011   

A wonderful series of stories, my heartfelt reccomendation and thanks. - Anfor - Aug-27-2011   

Wow. That's the first word that popped into my head after I read this story. It is THE best post-FIN story I have ever read. It doesn't cut corners; it doesn't spare emotion--yet it doesn't go overboard. The writing itself is fabulous, some of the smoothest and most...bard-like I've read. And the ending is so satisfying! I cannot wait to see more from this wonderful author. - Anonymous - Mar-17-2006   

Distraught after watching FIN for the first time in December 06..I was pointed to this story by a friend...It filled me with hope and renewed my faith in the natural order of how things should be..beautifully crafted and skilfully written... - Mel - Feb-11-2007   

I truly loved this story and the elevation it granted to our favorite bard. That, and the fact that the warrior returns, for the best of reasons. Gorgeously written. - osb - Apr-07-2008   

This story deserves to be 'bumped' for a new array of Xena fanfic readers to savour and enjoy..it is the first part of an amazing journey, beautifully written..and true to the deepest meanings of the tale of X&G. - Anonymous - Apr-18-2008   

Wow, indeed. A very satisfying and well crafted post-FIN. I am off to read the rest of the series - I am hooked. - Georgia - Feb-15-2010   

What a great story. Great job - sassy123 - Mar-12-2012   

This is a great series - well worth reading the whole! Rather a different take on a post FIN Gabrielle and her Amazons. I liked it a lot. - Georgia - Mar-06-2013   

FAN-FREAKIN'-TASTIC!!!! I LOOOOVVVEEEDDD this story! I am so glad there are sequals I can't WAIT to read them! Also, thanks for having the .pdf format, this means I can snag them when I am at the library and read them later. THIS is one of the BEST fan-fics I have EVER read! - Tank the Unstoppable - Jan-15-2015   

It's sometimes easier to face tough things in life if I can just understand why it had to be that way. This story does an excellent job of explaining one possible reason why Fin happened. why Gabrielle was left alone, and gives much needed closure and hope. - Copper - Jun-26-2017   

This quartet is still one if my post-fin favorites that I love coming back to. Great read! - colorado fan - Jul-08-2017