Fandom: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA 2003
Pairing: Kara/Lee
Author on LJ: bantha_fodder
Author Website: at the end of the world
Why this must be read: Because this Kara and Lee are messy and intense and dysfunctional and need each other so much but communicate that with their fists. And because bantha_fodder trusts the reader to work out what has happened, without spelling it out, and the writing is sharp and punchy, exactly like Kara and Lee.

( Excerpt )

That I Should Suffer

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Severus Snape/various (Mostly male/male. There is a main pairing, but I'll let you discover for yourselves which one it is.)
Author on lj: Not as far as I know.
Author webpage: Dark Matter
Why this must be read:

Once in a very great while, if she is lucky, a reader will come across a story that isn't merely good, or interesting, or touching, but which goes further than that. A story that seems to shift the fabric of familiar reality just enough for the unknown vastness beneath it to shine through. For me, In Academia is such a story.

Sushi's version of Snape as a teenager may have been thoroughly debunked by the pensieve scene in Order of the Phoenix, but this tale of power, loneliness, cruelty, pain and pure, tender love set during his last year as a student at Hogwarts remains one of the most fascinating takes on Severus's allegiance with and betrayal of the Dark Lord that I've ever seen. It is a dark, chilling story (please take the author's warnings seriously), but also a strangely beautiful one, delicate and sensitive in every detail. The Snape here is terrifying in his cold calculation and searing ambition, his actions often at the deepest level despicable, but he is also incredibly human - young, vulnerable and driven by a desperation born from having no one but himself. He is very far from a good man, but the downward spiral of his struggle to retain control over his life is nevertheless moving beyond words. The sheer complexity of character Sushi evokes in her portrtait of him is astounding; her Severus Ajit has a very special place in my heart.

Snape isn't the only character well handled in this novel-length piece, though. It also offers an insightful look at the individual personalities and group dynamic of the Marauders from the point of view of their sworn enemy, as well as an unflinching description of how Dumbledore and his loyal staff appear to the Slytherin eye. And then there are the Slytherins themselves, in all their arrogance and insecurity, and the Lord so many of them have chosen to follow. None of it is simple, all of it is original, and most of it is absolutely brilliant. Like Severus himself, this story is at the same time powerful, sharp and extraordinarily brittle - it will tear your heart out in ways you would never expect.

In Academia

And when you've made your way through all the chapters of the novel, don't forget to go back to the main story page and read the three shorter pieces set in the same universe. They are very much worth it.

This is my last recc in The Sentinel fandom. Thanks to those who helped me through my brain fade when I kept misspelling the name of my fandom. For those so inclined, I'll see you next month in the X-Files fandom. I'm pretty sure I can get the spelling right on that one ;)

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Author on LJ: lamardeuse
Author Website: http://lamardeuse.dreamhost.com/
Why this must be read:

A wonderful fic that includes Naomi, greater understanding between Jim and Blair and Naomi of how they all fit in each other's lives, romance and great sex. Long, satisfying and happy.


Conviction

Well, after messing up on the previous rec, it's probably a good thing this is my last day. :/

Fandom: Oz
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: rustler
Author Website: Rustler's Oz Fic
Why this must be read: This one actually has nothing to do with B/K, the figure at the center of it all is in fact Tim McManus, and this is one of the most unique and intriguing glimpses into his mind that I've seen. Read it and see and I bet you'll agree.

( here's an example )

One note: it was written for a Halloween challenge, but that aspect is wonderfully subtle, and packs all the more wallop for that.

Find the rest of it here:

The Keeper

Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: Dick Grayson/Tim Drake (aka Nightwing/Robin III)
Author on LJ: shrift
Author Website: Shrift's Fanfiction
Why this must be read:

To start with, because it's incredibly sexy, but really you should read it for the woobiness and the wonderful use of the classic DCfic cliché of sex pollen. (DCfic rule #1: There can never be too many sex pollen stories.) I'm a huge Robin III fan and this gives us a very adorable Timmy. And who can resist the double woobiness of Dick and Tim in one story? Especially with a bonus appearance of my favorite minor character, Tim's classmate Bernard Dowd?

( Read an excerpt )


Dodge-town

Fandom:QAF:US
Pairing:Emmett/Ted, Ted/Various
Author on LJ:Eleveninches
Author Website:That Boy Ain't Right

Why this must be read:This is my last rec of a non B/J focused story. I admit when the show introduced Temmet, I thought I was going to hate it, but there was something sweet and appealing about it. This fic manages to capture that. Set around seasons 3/4, it's a cute, funny, sweet vision of the Emmett/Ted relationship.


I Need A Lover Who Won't Drive Me Crazy

This is my final rec for the month as I slip from behind the wheel. It's been an enjoyable drive, and I hope you've found some pleasure from my recommendations. I'm sad to go, because this is like the official end of QAF for me. I hope everyone keeps writing and reading in the fandom.


Fandom:QAF:US
Pairing:Brian/Justin,Justin/Other
Author on LJ:Rhiannonhero's fiction
Author Website:RhiannonRave

Why this must be read:I'm a big fan of Rhiannonhero from her SV work, and I was thrilled to find her in the QAF fandom. I picked this as my last rec, because it is possibly my favorite QAF futurefic, and despite it's length I've reread it several times, and probably will continue to. It's an extremely plausible story, that takes a turn from canon around season four, and reunites Brian and Justin ten years later in New York. It's beautifully realized, with a terrific version of teen Gus, and a nice glimpse into the futures of the gang.

Forever Changes Everything

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: Duncan MacLeod/Methos
Author on LJ: tarshaan
Author Website: Caveat Lector for now; tarsh's cave as of 09/2005
Why this must be read: I've happily spent this month pointing out some of the characters who don't get written as often. This, however, is a theory that I haven't seen anywhere else. There are any number of apology!fics where Duncan makes his amends for not being a better friend to Methos, for thinking Methos was manipulative, for not trusting Methos enough, etc, etc -- this isn't one of those. ::grinning:: This is a very different take on why Methos was a Horseman... from both Methos' and Duncan's points of view. The cultural divide alone is hilarious; the timing and location of the discussion are even funnier.

Warning! This is a farce! (Yes; it's a post CaH/Rev6:8 farce. You read that correctly.) It definitely requires a sense of humor, as tarsh warns in her disclaimer. If you've got one, and you'd like a novel take on the Horsemen, I think you're going to have a lot of fun with this.

(If none of that is incentive enough, the illustration at the bottom is its own reason to go look.)

The Truth About The Horsemen

I've had a great time driving the Van this month -- I hope you enjoyed the ride!

It's been real, kids. I hope you've enjoyed the crack. I try to provide only the finest of illicit and damaging substances :). I hope the fandom continues to grow and maybe we'll be back before terribly long. Wouldn't that be fantastic!

Fandom: Doctor Who
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: A Study in Space-Time
Why this must be read:

The Doctor's relationship with the Brigadier is very important to the show. This isn't slashy, but shows the closeness and trust between the characters very well. And, it's appropreate for the end of the month. Poigniant and a bit sad, but very nice.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: ref to Napoleon/OFC, hints of Illya/OFC
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: http://ajsfanfictionlibrary.burfield.org
Why this must be read:

The allure of the makeover is the idea that the right clothes and hairstyle will dramatically change one’s life. This certainly turns out to be true for the narrator of this story, whose acquisition of a new outfit, a daring ’do, and (accidentally) a purse literally puts her between Illya and Napoleon. Unfortunately, she can’t really enjoy the situation, what with the gunfight and the high-speed chase...

My Affair with Pale Rider and The Chin

Well, this is it, folks. It's been real. ;)

Fandom: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN
Pairing: Sparrington
Author on LJ: inkbug
Author Website: none listed
Why this must be read:
I'd have recced inkbug's "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot", but
apparently my memory decieves me, and it is still a wip. So -- this.
Shorter, and significantly less painful, but another example of
Inkbug's unique view on this universe. She gets into Jack Sparrow's
head wonderfully, and it makes a surprising amount of logical sense in
there. Here, Jack thinks about ships, and the sea, and the
relationships between the two. Among other things.

Whitecap

Fandom: LOST
Pairing: Hints of Jack/Sawyer, Kate/Sawyer
Author on LJ: philomel
Author Website: None
Why this must be read:

Because her prose is to die for and my summary here cannot possibly do it justice. She writes an achingly haunting Sawyer POV, with flashes back to his childhood and his regrets about how everything has gone wrong for him on the island. No excerpt because this one is very short.

Disclaimer: She wrote this for me for my birthday. So I now share that gift with all of you. Enjoy.

Twilight

Fandom: LOST
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: ada_farrow
Author Website: None
Why this must be read:

Here's my last Lost rec of the month. It's been a pleasure!

This fic has become like canon to me and is probably the best Jack backstory fic I've read. Here, he has a very good reason to be afraid of water, but Jack being Jack, that doesn't stop him when he's needed to save someone from drowning. She extrapolates the cold, controlling behavior of Jack's father, Christian, into actual abuse. Before you roll your eyes, please just read it. It's brutal but you won't be sorry. Except that you can't jump into the fic and comfort Jack yourself.

( excerpt )

Aquaphobic

*phew* My last rec for the month; it's been fun, if occasionally confusing. *g*

Fandom: Oz
Pairing: B/K
Author on LJ: mandysbitch
Author Website: Mind Games
Why this must be read: Because it's a long and wonderful fic to kick back with and savor. The author has created a canon based alternate universe, where Toby's is out of Oz on parole, trying to put his life back together, when everything is sent topsy-turvy because Chris can't let him go. Here's a sample...

( to whet your appetite )

Good, huh? *g* It's angsty and sexy and funny, and although the rape warning up front is serious, please don't let that scare you off. The author totally gets the love that is between Beecher & Keller, and nothing in this fic hurts that in any way. And the ending... You'll be begging her for a sequel. ;)

Find the rest of it here:

A Collision on the Road

Fandom: STAR TREK: TOS
Pairing: withheld
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Unknown
Why this must be read:
Alternate Universe stories are a particularly fun part of fanfiction, and for some reason there are a lot of Vulcan-desert-barbarian-slave ones in Star Trek fanfic. This story is a classic exploration of that theme. The author, Jess, describes it as: "On an alien, desert planet a human is captured and sold." But what effect will this human, and his very different strengths, have on his captor? Bitter and lyrical, this short story speaks of regret and that which might have been.

There are two versions - read them both and see which you like better.

Beside the Wells, Version 1
Beside the Wells, Version 2

Fandom: THE X-FILES
Pairing: Mulder/Scully
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Imagine the Possibilities

Why this must be read: because it is one of the best post-episode stories ever written. In this Lydia deals with the aftermath of the episode, "The End." (The one where Mulder's office is burned down).

In this story, Mulder is a mess, seeing his life's work go up in flames and Scully is there for him. It is heart-breaking and life-affirming at the same time and we come to see exactly how much these two people truly love and depend on each other for every aspect of their lives.


In the Ruins

Fandom: Smallville
Direct Link: Forged
Pairing: Witheld
Rating: R
Author on LJ: runpunkrun
Author Website: The Underground

This is my last day, last story to rec. It's been great!

Why this must be read: The summary reads: "As if Clark didn't have identity problems before." Seriously.

In "Forged," there's another glowing stone, another freaky accident, and then there's another Clark. It's a set up with all kinds of potential, and Punk certainly delivers on it. The story is by turns funny, poignant and hot. A great look at how hard it is to be a teenaged alien with no one who really understands.

Forged

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Severus Snape/Albus Dumbledore
Author on LJ: atdelphi
Author Website: Singing the Body Electric

Why this must be read: When I was reccing two stories the other day I said these were two of my three favourite short stories in the fandom. This is the third.

It's one of these stories that go and twist little details and with that twist the entire fandom into something you didn't dare think of before. In this case, it's a young Severus Snape being abused by Albus Dumbledore.

This story won't leave you alone. It's gut wrenching, psychologically accurate, and painful to read. Not because it's overly explicit - it isn't - but because of Dumbledore's coldblooded betrayal and manipulation, and because of a young and smart Severus who thinks he understands it all.

I think the world of this story, and feel as though no rec I can write will do it justice - so you better run along and read it for yourself. I'd give you a quote, but the writing is so beautifully dense and consistent that it would be a shame to quote any of it out of context.

The author's warnings are: Underage sex and dubious consent.

Educatum Esse

Fandom: THE X-FILES
Pairing: Doggett/Reyes
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Unknown

Okay, okay, I know I said I'd be doing all MSR fiction recs from here out, but I finally found a perfect Doggett/Reyes piece that is up to my standards for a recommendation. So, here is my other X-Files OTP pairing: Monica and John.

Plus I get to use my D/R icon, so I am a happy 'shipper! *g*

Why this must be read: it has angst, lots and lots of angst. My favorite.

In story, John and Monica go undercover as a married couple and discover their true feelings for each other. However, because of John's past he is reluctant to commit and breaks it off with his partner. Monica is devastated and struggles to go on with her life, but continues to work with John.

Then, she finds out she's pregnant. Knowing how much it crushed John when he lost he son Luke to a crazy serial killer, she hesitates in telling him, not sure if she's ready to be a mother and risk her child's safety while she's working on the X-Files.

Monica's inner debate is the great conflict of this story and sets the tone for a very engrossing read. One of the better DRR stories I've read.


Naked

Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: gen (or Illya/Napoleon implied)
Author on LJ: Meris_mfu
Why this must be read:

Illya had always thought Napoleon would make the perfect clown — self-possessed, inventive, limber, able to carry off the silliest clothes with panache, doing pratfalls and last-minute saves, making people laugh with that incalculable charm.

The undercover-at-the-circus premise can be the occasion for a riotous romp (for a wonderful example, check out the glorious due South story “Juggling Act” by cesperanza), but Meris uses it as the springboard for a haunting vignette.

"Why don't you just make them laugh...?"

Napoleon shrugged, tall collar moving on his shoulders. "Not all clowns tell happy stories."

Empty Shoes

Fandom: THE X-FILES
Pairing: Mulder/Scully
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Unknown

My last MSR rec of the month. It's been fun. Thanks!

Why this must be read: Because it is filled with Mulder angst and how I love it when Mulder is sad. Plus, some hot, hot sex is always good.

The plot of the story is that while on a case, Scully is awakened from sleep to the sound of Mulder screaming -- he's having a nightmare. As she goes to comfort him, things get a little tense and they kiss. Nothing else happens, but they realize their relationship has changed forever.

They try to keep away from each other -- and fail. However, because of all of Mulder's issues and insecurities the road to love isn't smooth.



Cheapened Things

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Harry Potter/Lucius Malfoy
Author on lj: amanuensis1
Author website: despoiling harry

Why this must be read: Harry has to run away from home and can't go back. He's so desperate he becomes a whore in Knockturn Alley - until he gets picked up by none other than Lucius Malfoy.

Harry finds out about trust, creme brulee, Lucius not being as committed to Voldemort as he thought he was, and a lot of other things... amongst them Sexgod!Lucius's Magic Jar of Lube as Girlfriend and I call it :D ( The jar of lubricant in the bedside table drawer is magicked to never run out, to sterilize itself each time, and to stay warmed as well.)

Despite the serious theme, this story has delightfully funny dialogue, the characters are spot on, and the sex is hotter than a hot thing. This story really got me into this pairing, and I haven't regretted it since. It's a delightful read... I especially adore Great Aunt Jeanne-Maire.

A World Not So Black Nor White

Word of Potter's presence at the Malfoy manor will soon reach He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Or, as Lucius has come to think of him privately, Fucking Captain Ahab.
It all made so much sense, years ago. Enslave the worthless Muggles. Teach the Mudblood upstarts their place. A commitment they could all drool over.
And now, ever since his return, all it's been is Get that stinking white whale that is the Potter boy.
It's just so fucking tedious.

Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: gen
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Pulp Fiction: An Archive of U.N.C.L.E. Pulp Magazine and Ace Paperback Stories
Why this must be read:

I’ve developed a tradition of ending my stints as a reccer with stories of a meta-ish and humorous bent. Unfortunately, the two MfU tales in that category which I know of have already been recced. (They are “Cliché” and “They Made the World Safe for SLASH,” both by Shay Sheridan.) So this time I’m doing something different: here is a piece of official fanfiction, a story which appeared in the February 1966 issue of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Magazine. I find it interesting because (1) many tie-in story authors started as fan writers and (2) I think there’s something a bit meta-ish in the idea of THRUSH controlling hordes of screaming adolescents, given the fact that such crowds played no small part in keeping the show on the air despite disappointing ratings during the early weeks of its debut season.

There is one frankly icky passage near the story’s opening, in which Napoleon dallies with a kittenish damsel possessing—brace yourselves—“Violet eyes, like deep, liquid marbles, pools of beauty” (*shudders*), but once you get past that it’s a fast-moving, action-packed plot that could have been made into an episode, had the show’s budgets allowed the hiring of a sufficent number of teenaged extras. (Or if the producers had been willing to risk what director Richard Lester and the Beatles did in A Hard Day’s Night: use footage of actual fans pursuing the objects of their affection.)

The Howling Teenagers Affair

---

Well, it looks like my part in The Pimping Affair has come to a close. It’s been my very great pleasure to serve as your driver this past month. I apologize for cramming recs in at the end of my shift, but I just started a new job—at the U.N. Really. I haven’t found any secret passages yet, but I’ll keep looking...