June 9th, 2004 
02:45 am Zen And The Art Of the Open Road by Lar [R]
Genre: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Pairing: None
Author's Website: http://www.obsessedmuch.net/
Author's LJ: [livejournal.com profile] obsessedmuch
Why this MUST be read:

Good Xander characterization in fanfic is a lot harder to find than one might think, sort of like the whole needle in a haystack thing. Why? Because writing a good Xander is about more than just nailing his witty, Jossian wordplay and quirky sense of humor. There's a lot going on there *underneath* all the jokes that many writers seem to miss. Or choose to ignore.

Thankfully, Lar is not one of those writers. She gives Xander layers and real depth, without ever losing his unique Xander-y sense of humor along the way.

And in "Zen..." she outdoes herself, placing Xander in a hard situation and giving us one of the most fully realized and textured Xander characterizations I've yet to come across. She packs in so much in such a small space, but it never feels like she's trying to do so. It flows so naturally, sweeping you up and carrying you along for the ride. And the fact that it *doesn't* close with a pat, happy ending just makes it that much better.

Zen And The Art Of the Open Road
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04:35 pm Five Things to Say, by Purna (R)
Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Ray Kowalski/Benton Fraser
Author's Website: http://purna.aukestrel.com/

Why this must be read )

Five Things to Say
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04:54 pm Summer Thing by Halrloprillalar (NC-17)
Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Fred Weasley/Hermione Granger/George Weasley
Author on LJ: [livejournal.com profile] prillalar
Author Website: Halrloprillalar's Fan Fiction

Why this must be read: Because it takes a scenario that could be creepy and reminiscent of Dead Ringers, and makes it a sweet and wonderful coming of age story. Hermione is such a very real girl, while Fred & George are simultaneously funny and seductive. Great character and terrific description--the heat of the summer practically oozes off the screen.

If you've never read one of the more.... erm, unusual pairings to be found in the HP fandom, this one is an excellent way to dip your toe in. Of course, it's so good it might spoil you for any others!

Summer Thing
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09:57 pm A Little Less Conversation by torch (R)
Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: Nick/Chris
Author on LJ: [livejournal.com profile] flambeau
Author Website: http://www.strangeplaces.net/torch
Why this must be read:

A Little Less Conversation is a wonderful, short, lighthearted little story. This one is super character driven, and has quite a bit of dialog, and torch manages to carve a distinctive voice for every one. Also, The ending is super sweet and makes me squee a bit every time!

In the Words of the Author: Nick talks to Justin. Chris talks to Howie. Nick talks to Howie. Chris talks to Justin. Nick talks to Chris. Chris shuts up.



A Little Less Conversation
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10:28 pm ENVOI by Fewthistle (PG)
Fandom: BABYLON 5
Pairing: Susan/Talia
Author on LJ: ?
Author Website: Endless Voyager
Why this must be read:

A dreamy Susan/Talia that bridges the gap in canon where Susan and Talia went from enemies to friends. Though Fewthistle sounds at times like she swallowed a thesaurus (no one should ever, ever use "orbs" when they mean "eyes"), the story's evokative and sultry, and Susan's distrust for the Psi Corps battles with her flat-out lust for Talia.

Fewthistle uses Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter as a riffing-off point for this story, and the parallels really do work. But at the end of the day, it's the desperate, hungry chemistry between Susan and Talia which drives the story.

*

A crushing sensation of terror spread across Ivanova's chest as the full weight of her own thoughts and feelings came into startling clarity. The need to run, to protect herself overwhelmed her. Her body, however, betrayed her, refusing to move from the intoxicating proximity of Talia's presence. Only her mind and her tongue responded, using the only weapon she still had in her arsenal, unkind words.

*

ENVOI
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