Thank you for this lovely read. It was a thrilling and beautiful ride. In the end I like the world building you did most, and Angeal as you wrote him. He's not really my type, being the beefcake that he is, but you made him... hot as fuck. I look forward to reading your newer stories. I'm secretly happy that I found this 12 years later because now I have the luxury of seeing your writing develop over time. I can't say how much I look forward to it! 3 Thank you for writing and sharing.

I think I just teared up at that ending scene. O_O

Listen, I know I'm 12 years late to this party but this is just too good for me not to write anything.

From the bloody first phrase I read this feeling that could only be described as magic descended on me, and that does not happen often, me being nearly middle-aged.

And when Angeal first touched Zack I fucking moaned, because it was so unexpected. As I've kept reading so far, everything just gets better. The dialogue is so well written, everything is so well written. The tension between the characters, the stroy, Zack's thoughts and inner dialogue... My god, this is one of the most enjoyable reads in my adult life.

And every bloody scene with Angeal and Zack has me holding my breath and... moaning. They're just so vivid. It's crazy, and I love it to death. Thank god it turned out so long, so that I still have more of this amazing goodness ahead of me. Square Enix may have put excellent games out there, but you... your smut shines just as brilliantly ;_; 3

OK. I did it. I finished reading and didn’t fall apart. How? I honestly don’t know.
And now I cannot put my thoughts together to write a decent review. But I’ll try my best.
While reading “The Madness of Angels”, I couldn’t help but thinking of an old saying:
“It is only when we compare things, people, situations or our feelings that we can appraise them”….
I read “Not Wrath of Gods” first (owe you a review for that, btw, and will post it soon, I promise). While reading that, I was hurting terribly and wondering if it is at all possible to suffer through so much pain as Zack did, and stay alive and even be happy after. But he did. There was a happy life for him and Angeal. Together. And there was beaming, cheeky and cheerful Genesis, so in love and full of life. There was Sephiroth – undamaged and content, bathed in adoration and slowly opening his heart to two people at the same time. Affectionate in his own unique way, Sephiroth was happy too. And I’m glad I’ve got to know Gen as a purely positive hero before I got to know him as a villain. Because reading “The Madness of Angels” was pain. But what a pleasure at the same time. Absolutely mesmerising creation.
I’ve always been one of those crazy readers who had a book/eBook reader/book-loaded-to-the-phone/you-name-it with me at all times. I was always reading. So many books…. So many emotions…. But I never suffered as much as when I read about Zack killing Angeal. I’m bowing down to you with deepest respect and gratitude, dear Amarissia, for making me feel emotions I gave up on expecting a book to deliver.
And then came more… Sephiroth’s magnificent figure crashing, his indestructible, legendary frame shattering and all the pain gashing out of his heart when he found out the truth about himself made my own heart fall into pieces. Gen getting worse and worse was very hard to accept and process. But, on the other side, Zack and Angeal ending up sharing a happy eternity together brought a happy smile to my face and some peace to my heart.
I only wish there would be more of Cloud’s personality reviled. There was nothing about his private time, his dreams, his wishes when he just joined ShinRa and finally met his crush in person. When and how did this magic transformation to eternal love happen? I’ve got to meet Cloud through other characters’ eyes and a vague mentioning of what he and Sephiroth felt for each other. I think just one or two chapters only about Cloud would do a great deal to fulfil his personality. To make Zack growing so found of him a bit more smoothly. But. I am happy I had a chance to read it.
Conclusion: I enjoyed the story tremendously and I am reading “The Measure on Man” now (just a few chapters left).

P.S.
Oh, yes. I’ve never played the game. I knew what it is and knew the story line a little. My brother is a dedicated gamer with 20 years of experience so I’m always watching all the trailers to the games he is about to play.
I came across your writing after reading Takumi-kun fanfic “More Awful Than Men” (which I owe you a review for as well!), loved the style and decided to explore further.
And after having just a bit of taste of “Not Wrath Of Gods”, I willingly threw myself into the world I was not at all familiar with. I didn’t want spoilers. So I intentionally “blindfolded” myself, and despite of my limited knowledge, followed you and your story only. And you’ve guided me through the entire FFVII world so perfectly and smoothly that I didn’t stumble once.
Yes, by now, of course, I know most of the original story through constant research. But.
I’ve got to know Gaia and its world and heroes through your creations. For that, I will always be grateful to you.
I love them all by all my heart.
Please do not stop writing.

Thankyou. I don't know what to say or what I should do to express my emotions when I read it. I know I should've reviewed all the other chapters (goodness knows they deserve them) but I... I somehow couldn't. Your words have gripped me for hours, making the world dissolve into hundreds of words, separated only by cliffhangers and chapters and numerous titles of chapters and brief author notes. You make me aspire to write like you, and everything, absolutely everything, even if it makes me cry, was wonderful. You make me even more infatuated with the fandom and I wish I could write, just a hundredth of a tenth talented as you.
Just... thankyou. It's been a wonderful journey and I've loved every word of it.

The chapters titles are from "Counting Bodies Like Sheep" by Perfect Circle. I'm right, aren't I? :3

This story made me emotional in so many ways possible, and I think I just about cried near the end. I was a bit unsure about it at first, the first person pov wasn't something I was used to and your style near the beginning was also something I wasn't sure about. But your writing quality got better as the story went on and I truly really did enjoy it it's just...the kitchen ritual in the earlier chapters was kind of...you know. I'm following it so it's a reminder about what a fantastic story it is, but i'm not sure i'll favorite it. And I love your characterization of Genesis near the end.
(Another issue I had was the lack of Cloud until the later chapters. I miss my Cloud time!)
But awesome job XD

Loved it! Sequel purdy please!

Just Marvelous This is such a classic story to read. It helped me go through highschool. I love your work Ama! -Hugs of love-

Gosh that was so tragic and beautiful at the same time...and even pretty much cannon! Absolutely amazing 3

Angeal is a lover I would crave to have omg... I feel so longing for something that beautifull...

I am speechless. And exhaust-ed. Very nicely done. I feel the frantic passion and zeal and furtive painting of images via words spreading blanketing the very air till I am surrounded and nothing else exists. Ahhhh...I sit here breathless. I don't know how you can write fast enough.

I was drawn to Zack as a character, and Cloud. Now I'm madly in love.

I am glad you wrote your own book. Enjoy your gift. You remind me what it is to be in awe.

Damn. You may just have ruined the rest of FFVII fanfict for me .

Oh. And Just to be honest with you and myself...definitely not my flavor of shipping (yaoi) and some of this was...difficult...But I internalized it as the love and physical passion between beings. It is a constant, is it not, to dream of love and comfort eternal?

AW

Wow. Just got about through section 1 . They were right, this fix is worth the hours just spent pouring over it. Not my cup of tea, slash, but I'm willing to keep my mind open and deal with it in my own internal fashion for some very well done storytelling, which this is. Excellent character development, nice dialogue, and a well thought out action plot.
Not my headcannon of Zack et al but you make it work. Bravo.

Wow, what a story.

I admit, I'm not a big Zack/Angeal fan romantically. But I don't deny that they had a very powerful bond just like Zack and Cloud did. I see that you're a Cloud/Seph fan. Personally, I've never seen it, but you make it work. Myself, I'm a total Clack fan.

I love Zack, he's one of my all time favorite characters ever. You did a great job showcasing his development on the story. Like I said, I'm not a big Zack/Angeal fan romantically, but I could really see Zack's pain. Even in Crisis Core, he felt great sorrow at Angeal's death. But I think my favorite chapters were when Zack and Cloud are on the run. I love stories when they are on the run together. Zack really did love Cloud in my opinion, even if it was only platonic.

This was a great story. Well done :)

Damn, Why did I read that. I knew I'd cry!