The premise was very interesting and I like some of the characterization, but I’ll echo some of the main criticisms you’ve probably already been given. There is a gigantic plot hole in the fact that even an unstable persona in Harry/Bond’s position would definitely be much more likely to communicate with Dumbledore than fight him from the very beginning. While you could argue this is just OOC!Harry, the fact that he is so out of character isn’t explained at all in the first few chapters, and because of the lack of background in the antagonist/antihero of Bond, I ultimately became extremely disinterested in the story. The level of mental instability it would take for Harry’s first actions in a foreign time to be to attack Hogwarts head-on despite being able to simply wait for more opportune times that were guaranteed to come is extremely unrealistic, but that isn’t the issue so much as the lack of an acceptable explanation/background for it. While I understand this is for the purpose of progressing the plot, as more reasonable actions on Harry’s part would lead to a very different and likely much shorter and anticlimactic story, you should introduce plot elements that explain these shortcomings instead of relying on the reader to accept these plot holes and move on, as it really ruins a lot of the potential of a premise like this.

Another review highlighted how having an extremely unlikable Tom serve as the main character makes the story less attractive as well, which I agree with, though I applaud the effect and ambition in trying to create a different type of story altogether, as this was actually as refreshing as it was irritating to me. Take this review with a grain of salt, as my irritation with the lack of realism in the story led me to quickly skip to the last two chapters after about an hour of reading, which means I may very well be missing some truly redeeming qualities of the story that make up the bulk of the action elements and plot outside of exposition, climax, and falling action.

I’ll end the review with this: I’ve never given a review in fan fiction before, despite having read fan fiction for years now. I give this review now because I think tropes like these have potential. Mentally unstable characters are some of my favorite story elements because when they’re done effectively, they’re caricatures that expose the struggles a lot of people go through daily. It creates a plot element so grotesque yet still undeniably human that it’s beautiful. But part of what makes great fantasy literature like HP and select fan fictions is the emotional relatability, which this story ultimately fails in. The reader should be able to feel like, if they were in the same situation with the same background and upbringing as any of the characters, that they aren’t sure they would be able to play things any differently than you wrote them, even with the perspective of their own lives to consider. While there are a lot of elements to your story and this trope that I like, this is my chief criticism. I hope you see it and consider some of these things going forward if you continue to write literature, and if not I hope someone else reading the reviews will at least appreciate the analysis.

Fantastic fic. Loved the distinct characters, they were written very well. Battle scenes were simply epic, some of the best I’ve ever read.

On the whole, I'm a big fan.

On the other hand... this is such a non-ending. If it was an original story it might hold together, but because it's fanfiction we know about horcruxes and so on, which means any attempt at "some things are just going to remain a mystery" don't. The way it reads is less "and things were poised to go either way" and more "Harry shouldn't actually be dead, he'll be back... and this time no horcruxes".

Please return to this world... even if it's just a one shot to tie up the stray loose ends.

Excellent Story! Excellent worldbuilding and original plot, although the prose and writing could have been better. You should consider writing more stories.

Good job! I read up to chapter 7 so far, but it won't let me review that chapter for some reason... But I wanted to say good job before I continue on

I reread the story and must once again comment on how fantastic it is. The things I truly like are the world building/character building and development but most of all THE FIGHTS. Man oh man the fights. Ths fic might have he most incredible magical fights I've ever read. Perhaps with an unforgiving minute as a close second?

What I am supremely annoyed by however is how Tom is the main character and POV (though obviously not the protagonist). He's entirely selfish (example: Trying to use Dumbledore as a human shield), naïve (example:"The magical world was far larger than he'd known at Hogwarts, if nothing else the conference had made that clear. For the first time since the Chamber of Secrets he had a new goal, he'd be the greatest wizard to ever live and everyone would know it.") And sadistic: taking joy in his killings and feeling joy at Clara's grief for Harry's death.

It's hard to enjoy a fic that has such an unlikeable main character. But I did still enjoy it, for the reasons mentioned in paragraph 1.

That being said I also feel like this fic shouldn't be taken seriously. There's a lot of humour and much of the killings and horror seem rather lighthearted. We also don't really delve that deep into Harry's backstory.

Therefore I'll simply think up my own alternate ending, something similar to a cadmean victory because the similarities are certainly there what with him being master of death and Harry's lover disapparating with his corpse.

P.S. I would love an extra chapter showing either an alternate ending or a look into the future where Tom becomes something Voldemort-like and Dumbledores reaction to it.

Incredible story. But why the ending? I mean it's not a happy ending... I don't understand why some people like sad endings. Tom Riddle isn't a good person. He will surely by tempted by power and become Voldemort once more...

I think the one thing this story lacks is an alternate ending chapter like in a cadmean victory where Harry lives. That would be amazing.

Damn... This Goldfinger reference is well executed. As for everything else, story is quite good so far.

This is such a wonderful story! The focus with almost all time traveler stories is that of the traveler and their goals: their trials and tribulations as told from their perspective. This tale was a great turn away from that mold, showing it from the viewpoint of that era's people and of the traveler's target. I loved that you kept the characterization crisp and clean and that each person introduced was novel and memorable (even the unnamed castle guard and the brave Ministry woman near the end). Tom's ambitions shifted with each new tidbit of information acquired and his actions in later chapters made sense because of those past experiences. Your Dumbledore was equally amazing; a true Wizarding Titan with a wide and powerful array of magic, solemn motivations and nauseating fashion tastes. The interactions between the two was great - witty, tense, enlightening and entertaining all around. The action scenes were also well done; the vivid and visceral actions and movements of the inferi were terrifying to read. There are a few typos but nothing that couldn't be riddled out by accompanying context.

Does this story exist as a solitary, stand-alone piece? Or will there be more volumes added to this particular - and interesting - alternative universe? Would love to read more!

This story is absolutely brilliant all your characters are wonderfully built. This to me was the best take on so many time travel au premises. Your Tom Riddle was so well written in almost any other story he would undoubtedly have been turned to the light in the end, Dumbledore forever unchanged keeping his wise old man image and Harry as always surviving through somehow. But you kept the characters true to themselves and how they would change with the different circumstances.

Especially the final moments of the battle where Tom throws an unforgivable at Harry's back. Tom's fear of death and self preservation priorities didn't suddenly vanish. He always had and still does first and foremost his own wellbeing. Riddle was just so in character the whole story it was undeniably so satisfying to read.

Thank you so much for such an amazing and well written story, the subtleties and the depth of magic in it was so enticing and wondrous to read!

Loved the story. I love a well written dumbledore. Thanks for this.

You are asshole. I don't think that Harry can't fucking say to Dumbledore: "Hey, Albus, Riddle is next Dark Lord, he will create horcruxes at his way to immortality and kill a lot of people and I have bloody vengeance on him". That's not fucking hard.

Oh, I'm really liking this premise! Tom and Dumbledor forced to join forces against a bigger threat... lovely idea, and I've never read anything like it. I also liked your characterization of Tom, by the way.
Thanks for sharing!

A most underrated piece of fanfiction art. I am honored to have read this story.

Congrats superb story..plot...wonderful writing and dont leave me hapnd to my harry james bond