First of all, have you read 'Eva-R' yet?

No? Well then, don't bother to read any further. Go read that fic, then come back. I'll be waiting.

Finished already? Okay, now go and read 'Eva-R Prime.' You'll find it at the same place.

Geez... you didn't even let me get a can of coke! What's the rush? I wasn't going anywhere.

Alright, now answer this simple multiple choice question:
   Did you enjoy reading the fan-fiction 'Eva-R' and 'Eva-R Prime'?
   a) On the whole, yes.
   b) No.
   c) I didn't bother to read either.
   d) What was the question again?

If you answered c) or d), please excuse me while I bang my head against the nearest concrete object I can find. While you're waiting for me to finish, could you please stand in the corner? I'll get back to you later.

If you answered b) I request you follow the words of the great Sinister-kun. "Run, coward, run!" From this point on, it's only going to get worse for you...

For those of you who answered a), then you're in for a real treat, as 'E: Redemption' offers a slightly different look at the 'Eva-R' universe while remaining faithful to the original.

'Redemption' is a site-only fan-fic that is based on the 'Eva-R Prime' world. The authors have the permission of the creators of 'Eva-R' to craft their own interpretation, and they have done a remarkably faithful job. This is a very well thought out endeavor, with the authors having put in time to create a universe that is a very easy and enjoyable read.

As a 'continuation' fic (a continuation of a continuation fic), all element of 'Eva-R' and 'Prime' up to the point of divergence are used. As such, the ACC of 'Eva-R' exist here, and if you've got trouble with them already, you'll have similar troubles here as they are marvelously transported into this new environment true to form. The authors hold all characters close to their 'Eva-R' forms, so there is very little to jar those familiar with the original.

'Redemption' follows in the steps of its parents in a wonderful fashion, keeping the ideas and inspirations of what came before. The authors deserve a lot of credit for making their work actually _read_ like a bit of the 'Eva-R' universe. Same styling, script format, and 'video covers' all convey the illusion that you're continuing on in your travels down the 'Eva-R' road.

However, this is not just a copy of 'Eva-R.' There are differences between the parent and this offspring, most notably in how the fic progresses. Firstly, the series is more tightly written than 'Eva-R', with less 'dead space' of characters doing this:

Character A:...

Character B:...

Character A:...

Character B:...

Character A: [scratching themselves]....

Character B:...

(repeat 10-20 times)

You know what I'm talking about. This change allows for a sense that more is actually happening in 'Redemption', giving it a more lively air. There are others elements that bring this feeling out as well, so the fic gives a more exciting read.

[note to all authors: the 'Asuka and Rei Elevator' scene and the 'Should I Crush Karou?' scene are two parts of NGE we really don't need to see more of. Silence has its place, but you don't have an animation budget to blow. Words are cheap, use them.]

Another difference, noticeable once you're deep into the fic, is the fact that the emphasis is on the relationships between the characters. People dealing with people is the key element at the core of the whole thing. It's not exactly WAFFy, but there is a definite undercurrent of the couples dealing with each other, or individual characters dealing with others. While dark desires and the nasty plans of NERV, Gendo, SEELE, all exist and are given screen time, the camera keeps returning to the people themselves. This gives the fic a more personal feeling, bringing the trials and events the characters go through home to the reader.

The authors of this have shown to have planned their fic out in excellent detail. Foreshadowing for certain elements is done in a slow, meticulous manner, making plot develops seem part of the story, rather than dogma dropped in from the authors on high. You're given the pieces to figure out what is coming long before it arises, but the authors still shape the way the pieces fall together in interesting fashions.

Angel appearance is limited, but well thought out. This is not a robot wrestling match, but when things do start to happen with multi-billion dollar mecha O' mass destruction, they happen in a creative manner.

In the final analysis, if you enjoyed 'Eva-R', this is a slightly more interactive take on the series, but a very good read nonetheless.

Oh, and the people standing in the corners can come back to their computers now.