Fandom: X-MEN COMICVERSE
Pairing: Gen
Author on LJ: kielle
Author Website: Camelot
Why this must be read: I was delighted to read this again recently and find it just as smart and as sharp as I remembered from my first read, years ago. A short but substantial AU, it's a companion piece to Sequoia Swennes' Shadows in the Mirror (also worth reading), but it can stand alone. Must be read for the perfect characterisation of Emma Frost, the fabulous opening, and the neat encapsulation of a world in 20K.

Behind the Mirror, by Kielle.

Singing in the Sun (PG)
Chasing the Moon (PG-13)
Fandom: Lord of the Rings
Pairing: gen. Boromir, Eomer
Author's page: Subreality
author on LJ: personal - kielle LotR-fandom - _redpanda_

Why this must be read:
LotR is a fandom that inspires a lot of angst, (well, that and Mary-Sues, but no fandom is free of that.), so I'm always immensely pleased when I come across a good, straight-forward adventure story. In this series, Kielle creates a slight AU, beginning with Boromir's journey to Rivendell from Gondor. Though the movie doesn't mention it, Boromir's trip was very long and arduous; he had at least one encounter with a party of orcs, one of which his horse did not survive. So Kielle decided to give him a travelling companion - Eomer of Rohan.

What follows is a grand example of the classic "buddy flick" (er, fic) - because of their similar backgrounds (elder brothers, warriors, leaders) and mentalities, the two men are quick friends, and there's plenty of sword-swinging action, late-night campfire conversations, and Dire Peril to cement it. It rather makes you wish we had gotten the chance to see them become friends in canon.

One of the things I was most impressed with (aside from the fun of the adventure) was Kielle's ability to keep the dialogue similar to Tolkien's style. It's very difficult to manage that sort of formality without descending into outright stiffness, but she pulls it off smoothly, and both characters sound completely natural.

Title: The "Lockdown" series by Angel
Fandom: OZ
Pairing: Beecher/Keller
URLs: Lockdown 01: One
Lockdown 02: Five

Lockdown 03: Thirteen

Lockdown 04: Ten

Lockdown 05: Seven

Lockdown 06: Two

Lockdown 07: Nine

Lockdown 08: Eleven

Lockdown 09: Six

Lockdown 10: Three

Lockdown 11: Twelve

Lockdown 12: Eight

Lockdown 13: Four

Lockdown 14: Fourteen

Why this must be read: This series is a marvel. One story for each day of the 2-week New Year's lockdown, told out of order, which leaves tantalizing clues and discoveries along the way. Each installment feels distinct, yet they all coalesce into a skillfully interwoven (and sex-drenched!) whole. It's important to me that even romantic stories about these guys convey their inherent fucked-up-edness too. Extra credit for the hilarious story notes. Sadly, Angel appears to have completely left the fandom, so I don't even know if feedback sent to the listed email address will reach her. Enjoy the series anyway, this is one hell of a legacy.

Relief by Agent Otter

Fandom: Alias
Pairing: To quote the author, Sydney/Vaughn, "sort of."
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: Anything you can't find at Cover Me is probably at fanfiction.net
Why this must be read:

I was looking for another story entirely when I ran across this one, and it sucked me in so fast I knew I had to rec it. It starts with a bang, then turns a corner into something completely unexpected. Which, when you think about it, is a great metaphor for Alias in general. *g* I enjoy all of Agent Otter's stuff, so if you like this, keep reading.

Direct Link: Gotham Underground by shaggirl
Fandom: Smallville
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Rating: NC-17
Author on LJ: shaggirl
Author Website: (we're working on it!)

A sort of nepotism here: I betaed this; I'm biased. Plus, since I'm reccing a van owner's fic, I'm a suck-up, too!

Why this must be read: Taking place in approximately Season 3 territory timewise, Clark and Lex set out to foil Lionel's plans to put Clark in a cage and subsequently end up in Gotham with Bruce Wayne and Alfred. There's meteor and Batcave and all kinds of details you'd expect with Bruce and Gotham, but Bruce himself absolutely delights me. I know he's a gloomy fucker in canon, and I know he has his reasons, but until this story, I hadn't read any fanfic where he wasn't basically icky (and don't get me wrong--there's some excellent icky Bruce out there). This Bruce is a happy bastard who snipes at Lex, annoys him further by befriending Clark, and then makes him ragingly jealous just by not saying anything. And, of course, there's sex!

shaggirl is supposedly working on a sequel. Read this one, enjoy, and demand more!

Direct Link: Switch: A Comedy of Terrors by RivkaT
Fandom: Smallville
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Rating: NC-17
Author on LJ: rivkat
Author Website: The Disenchanted Kingdom

Why this must be read: Clark and Lex manage to end up inside each other's bodies and gain extremely well-thought-out and credible insights into the complexities of one another's lives in the process. It's a fascinating example of an author really making things hard on herself (the pronoun and identity tangle of two men wearing each other's skins who have to interact with way too many people) and yet never confusing the reader. Plus, it's very funny (I snort like a donkey every time I read it), and there's sex! Rivka is probably better known for her harder sci-fi stories--and you should definitely read those, as well--but this is my favorite of her pieces.

Read, enjoy, and then tell her how much you loved it.

Title of fiction: And Hades Followed Him
Fandom: Highlander
Author: C.M. Decarnin
Author web site: Stories By C.M. Decarnin
Author on LJ: I don't think she has an LJ
Pairing: Methos/Duncan, Methos/Cassandra, Methos/Other
Warnings: This story is X-rated for graphic m/m sex, consensual S/M, and references to rape and extreme violence.

Why this must be read: Well, from what I can tell this is one of the most controversial Highlander fics. Of course, that is from my newbie perspective and I could be wrong. But, I don't think that I am.

If you are familiar with C.M. Decarnin's work then you will know that she is often ruthless in her exploration of BDSM. This is an amazing work on so many levels. While there are things about the story that I definitely take issue with, I think that she has the best explanation of any that I've read so far about exactly what Methos meant when he said to Mac, "Death was all I knew." *shudders*

It is an intense read and do not take the warnings lightly. At the same time, this is a hugely thought provoking story and a fascinating look at both Methos and Duncan--their past, their present and what they will do for love, what Duncan will do to heal Methos and vice versa.

It is a long story with a lot of graphic sex--much of it BDSM, etc. (*looks at shaggirl*, here's the dirty-wrong, babe. *wink*) I can't really recommend it highly enough despite the fact, or perhaps because of the fact, that I had some issues with it.

So, let's read and discuss!

Also, send feedback to the author! Feedback = Love!

*g*

I love Highlander!

Direct Links: Blue Always Knew - and - Indigo is his Own by Rhiannonhero
Fandom: Smallville
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Rating: NC-17
Author on LJ: rhiannonhero
Author Website: Rhiannon Rave

Why this must be read: What kind of relationship would result if Clark were a big, bisexual ho and Lex was Mr. Straight? I was somewhat resistant to the premise when Rhi first published Blue (I like Lex bossy and experienced), and I was unsure that I even wanted to think of Lex as the naive one, but I remained receptive. Then I had the opportunity to read the in-progress version of Indigo and it worked really well for me, and gave Blue a more solid context. If the muses continue to cooperate, there are probably two more stories left in this series (I have no idea how she determines such things, since I can't think that far ahead in anything but broad strokes or, conversely, micro-minutiae) and, if I were to poke her with a pokey stick for more fic, this series is what I want her to work on (at least if you ask me today). So, um, I'm biased again.

This Lex is a lot more uptight than typical fanon Lex, or even Rhi's other versions of Lex (i.e., Orbiting Lex, the big, gay ho). He's much more concerned with how things will look from the outside, and how they'll affect his business and his aspirations. Clark is a jerk (which I both love and hate) and a slutty jerk, at that. These are unfamiliar versions even for fanfic, but they're not off--it's very easy to imagine the canon characters adapting to circumstances in this way.

Oh, and, of course, there's dirty sex!

Read, enjoy, and then tell her how much you loved it.