Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: None; some m/f plot in a couple of parts, but this is gen
Author on LJ: loupnoir
Author Website: The Durmstrang Chronicles

Why this must be read:
Yet another gen rec from me this month, I chose this because I think it's probably underappreciated, and because I want more people to read it and be inspired to carve out space in the Potterverse for other wizarding societies. We got a glimpse of a possible American society in resonant8's Transfigurations, and I liked that a lot, but I would enjoy more well-written stories in the same vein, as long as they still read like HP instead of original fiction. Some people will be put off by the setting and noncanon characters, but when you think about it, the wizarding world outside Britian is largely undefined, and I want to know what the rest of the world's magical societies are like. I think Durmstrang must be much like Loup Noir's creation, drawn in shades of gray with tension and scheming to survive.

This series by Catherine Keegan/Loup Noir about a group of Dark Arts teachers at Durmstrang is chock full of interesting, non-Mary Sue OCs. Almost none of the canon characters are even mentioned--only one, Remus Lupin, appears briefly in the series, in The Contract, which you can read without spoiling anything of major significance. Loup Noir's characters feel very real to me, dark and knowing. She created original characters who aren't admirable or "nice" but who are compelling, and readers will care about their fates. The main characters are heterosexual, and there are some times when the issue of sex and relationships arises, but this isn't a romance, and that's not the focus of this rather dark gen series.

The Chronicles makes more sense read in order, and there are lots of stories in the series to savor. Do give this universe a try!

The Durmstrang Chronicles

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Solo/Clara
Author on LJ: No.
Author website: http://file40.net/file40g/timeshift/timeshift.html. Author also has an MFU episode guide site at: http://www.members.aol.com/Wmkoenig/unclepg.htm
Why this must be read:

I’ve decided to declare this ‘guy’ week for MFU recs. A significant portion of MFU fandom is male (and has always been so) and some of them write fanfic. Indeed, arguably the first MFU fanfic was written by guys, David McDaniel and some of his friends from the SF community. Interestingly, I've found that when I’m reading a guy-written fanfic story, I encounter a somewhat different general sensibility.

On the gen side, Bill Koenig has been around quite a while and is widely known for his encyclopedic knowledge of the series’ canon. If you have a question, probably he can answer it.

Bill also writes a long running consistent universe that appears both in print and on the Internet. Borrowing a concept from classic comic book series, Bill’s universe is “time-shifted” so that Solo, Kuryakin, and the entire U.N.C.L.E. organization function in present day.

The stories within this universe feature complicated plots, lots of inside jokes and roman a clefs, guest appearances by other fictional characters (Steve McGarrett and others from Hawaii 5-0 show up often) and various other pop cultural references. Most of it is clever and breezy --- reminiscent, in fact, of the original Ace paperback novels.

However, occasionally, things get serious, as they do here in this touching character study, a sequel to the popular episode, “The Terbuf Affair.” It’s told from Kuryakin’s perspective, and kicks off with a mysterious and uncharacteristic plea from Solo to “mind the store.” It’s not even delivered in person; Solo has already, inexplicably, disappeared. Naturally, Kuryakin follows his partner’s trail and it’s a good thing, too, because as with the original episode, Solo is really going to need him.

Clara

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Solo/Kuryakin
Author on LJ: cordwainer_s.
Author website: No, but the stories can be found at the Chrome and Gunmetal Madhouse, http://chromeandgunmetal.com/chrome/
Why this must be read:

On the slash side, Cord is a new and welcome addition to MFU fandom. In these stories, Solo and Kuryakin are fairly promiscuous and determinedly bi-sexual, easily jumping from one gendered bed partner to another, from one bed to another. They sleep with each other regularly, but they both genuinely like women, too, often sharing and passing around bed partners. Yet, all this adventurous sex never threatens the core connection, the trust, between them. They’re very comfortable with one another and very playful, an attitude that’s downright infectious for the reader. The sex between them is pretty hot as well.

Cord’s stories are also characterized by telling sensory details and a good grasp of canon. Most are short vignettes, and this one, a sequel of sorts to “The Fiddlesticks Affair,” is my favorite. Here’s Illya observing Solo:

( Read more... )

And here they are in bed together:

( Read more... )

Wicked