Hi, I'm Rana, and I'll be your Queer as Folk US driver for the month. I'm unapologetically pro-Brian/Justin, and I got into the fandom through Livejournal, so a lot of my recs will reflect both of these facts. Enjoy.

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK US
Pairing: Brian/Justin
Author on LJ: julad
Author Website: Ambivalent Pleasures
Why this must be read:

Julad is a fantastic writer anyway, but I think she does a fantastic job of getting into Brian Kinney's head, and showing his utter devotion for Justin in language that makes sense to the character. This particular story uses skydiving as the central metaphor, and it works frighteningly well with both Brian's determination and defeatist attitude. It's funny and heartbreaking at the same time, and it left me breathless.

( An Excerpt )

The Sudden Stop

Fandom: Blakes 7
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: pinkdormouse
Author Website: Pink Dormouse Productions
Why this must be read:

One of the favourite fic-writers' questions in B7 is "what was Blake doing between the end of season 2 and the end of season 4, and was he together with Jenna for any of that time?". His words to Tarrant in the final episode imply it, but since he's not necessarily telling the whole truth, we shall never know, which is how fic writers mostly like things anyway.

Jenna is a neglected character in fic. Canonically you can't deny that she fancies Blake like mad, and apparently without result, but a lot of writers can't see beyond that, to give this hard-bitten, ruthless ex-criminal a life and personality of her own. All the more interesting when someone does. Here's the start, with Jenna deciding the world owes her a bit of r & r: ( excerpt )

This Jenna is a woman in her own right with her own story – even though her feelings for Blake play a crucial part in that story. Unusual, original fic with a lot of detail about what kind of world these people might atcually live in when not on a space-ship. This is also in print, in the fanzine Tales from Space City 7, ed. Helen Patrick


Thoughts on the Fall of Empires

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya, Napoleon/Illya/female
Author on LJ:Yes
Author Website: http://kellie.mrks.org/
Why this must be read:

This story combines a few elements that often set my teeth on edge. There's Illya torture, it includes three-way sex, and there's an original female character in a very important role. I know lots of people who really like three-way pairings but I am not one of them. So you can imagine that when Kellie told me the premise of the story she wanted to write next I was dubious. I figured this would be one story she wrote that I wouldn't fall in love with. Boy, was I wrong!

Illya may have been tortured but it doesn't turn him into a weepy child who needs Napoleon to make it all better. He responds to the situation as you would expect a trained agent to respond. And yes, Napoleon is there for him and helps Illya resolve the situation, but he's not paternalistic...he's being a friend. The original female character is in no way a Mary Sue or an author insertion. She fills a very specific function to the story and I really liked her.

The sex is also incredibly hot. It's Kellie, afterall. I've read a few three-ways where I end up skimming that section but not here. I read it all and had to go take a cold shower afterwards.

I think this story is interesting, witty, incredibly hot, and also a major plus...it's long. It's a great story to sink your teeth into on a boring Friday afternoon.

Achilles' Heel

Fandom: LOTR
Pairing: hints of Arwen/Goldberry
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: unknown
Why this must be read:

It's two, two, two underused characters in one story! Arwen faces her grief and mortality, and finds Goldberry beneath the fading trees of Lorien.

If you don't care for femslash, don't let that stop you from enjoying this lovely vignette, since it can easily be read as gen: it's all in whether you put your slash goggles on, or not.

( excerpt )

Watery Grave

p.s. I'll be away for the long weekend with no computer access, so expect my next rec sometime on Tuesday.

Hey there!  This is ames, and I'll be driving the van for Sports Night this month.  The great thing about Sports Night fic is that it tends to be really high quality, which is awesome.  The sad thing about SN fic is that there isn't a lot of it.  It is to weep.

Fandom: SPORTS NIGHT
Pairing:  Dan/Casey
Author on LJ:  wearemany I think, but if I'm wrong, let me know in the comments and I'll fix it.
Author Website:  the assorted stories of tiffany rawlins & s. n. kastle
Why this must be read:

This fic is set after the end of the series.  It's a quiet look at Casey, who's taking a quiet look at his life.  It's beautifully understated, which I appreciate.  It's contemplative and a little wistful without being maudlin or dull, and does a great job at showing, not telling.  The author calls it a love song to New York, and it really is. 

Down by the Schoolyard

Hellooo, I'm Merrin and I'll be reccing Stargate this month. Yay!

Fandom: STARGATE SG-1
Pairing: Jack/Daniel, Sam/Teal'c
Author on LJ: I don't think she's on lj, correct me if I'm wrong...
Author Website: http://www.slashcity.org/quercus/
Why this must be read:

Mostly because it's quercus, and it almost feels like I shouldn't have to say anything else for endorsement. Quercus' writing is indicative of everything I love most about this fandom and this story has always been a personal favorite. Nothing much happens, it's mostly a character driven piece, but I feel like quercus really defines who they are and who I've always believed them to be.

Only Love Survives