Review of Thalassa "the Old Ways

I approach this review coming from a rather specific background in BDSM. Unlike many folks, I come from a rather formal tradition and protocol-laden sect of that lifestyle which I find great comfort in. That said, this story does NOT have to be read from that background or even having it in mind at all. They story can also very easily be read from the perspective of someone from a more traditional, formal culture which venerates it’s elders and adults and thus teaches it’s children respect for those older from a very young age. As the author is Greek, this is likely the mindset before BDSM. The theme is not carried through the whole story – there is a point of “equality”.

Thalassa’s The Old Ways resonated so deeply with me. Hermione’s curiosity and desire to be non-offensive and pleasing was, for me, a very realistic emotion. She didn’t dismiss a grumpy Snape because of his foul temper but sought ways in which to be pleasing – though her only reason was because he’d earned respect. In her journey, Hermione finds a mentor to explain and tutor her through a complex series of behavior rituals which very much parallel formal Old Guard submissive training in D/s. Once familiar with the ritual behaviors and well versed and comfortable in the mindset required, Hermione’s adventures continue in her interactions as an ambassador to other species who also function through these Old Ways of behavior and through a growing adult relationship with Snape.

While I found Snape’s behavior in the first chapter to be far too exaggerated for reality (though a rather canonically correct out-of-control), the marked difference in his manner through Hermione’s training into a civilized, mannered young woman is a delightful parallel to a Beauty and the Beast story. The Snape of this story grows as a character and a man from a one-sided caricature into a complete being with a fascinating past, intriguing family and proud culture. Hermione, while submissive and very much a student of Snape’s is not a doormat and remains spirited and intelligent, true to Rowling’s character.

The story spends comparatively little time at Hogwarts, instead taking the reader on a journey to far off castles and peoples. I love when a story can move me out of the classroom and into the universe that surely must exist in Rowling’s world, but that she never had time to show us. Thalassa did just that. I felt like her world was simply an extension of Harry’s familiar one and, had Rowling had time, Harry could have been there, too. There are several original characters as well as a new take a several familiar ones – and a delightful, logical justification for a book-burning, not-always pleasant Dumbledore. I would have loved to delve deeper into some of these original characters and was really put out when I couldn’t learn as much as I wanted to about these very interesting people.

Be prepared for a cliché or two, some formatting issues and for some choppy language use closer to the beginning and a slightly more stilted language use that what most readers are used to later on. English is not the author’s first language and it shows through word choice and lack of contractions, though she has a really excellent handle on English and is very good at manipulating words into a fine tale. She offers quite a few very funny lines. A few chapters in, thalassa added an accomplished editor/beta who helped to smooth many things out – but you’ll still notice it.

The website summary of this story is entirely inadequate to describe the ensuing adventures. The plot was imaginative and original, even with so many HG/SS stories floating around. Visually, the descriptions in the story could have had more depth but I never had to wonder what room the characters were in. What description was there was enough to give me a nice sense of atmosphere without verging on even lilac prose. The characters were generally believable though I thought Hermione could use a tad more cunning and Rowling’s impatience. Severus’s cruelty certainly eased off, but that could easily be explained by being enamored. I would have loved to see the D/s aspect of the story remain a constant, even in an older/younger dynamic. Not having it last through the whole story felt a little strange for me – though I didn’t pine for that dynamic when it went away when Hermione became an “adult”. Nothing could change how much I really enjoyed the story – even after three reads to get my thoughts in order.

To put it simply, I read this story from end to end in one fell swoop, even crying off of spending personal time in favor of reading this story that completely caught my attention and kept it for a long time. It’s absolutely on my “favorites” list.

BG