Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: N/A
Summary: The first thing he knew was pain.
Email: Darth_Shrift@yahoo.com
Author's Website: http://bifictionalbedlam.slashcity.net
Livejournal: shrift
Posted: December 2001

Shrift can bring the sexiness and wit out in any fandom she writes. She can just as deftly portray the complexities of need and darker emotions with a few short, sharp words.

Mock The Meat They Feed On

Fandom: STAR TREK DS9
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: selenak
Author Website: Selena's Fanfiction
Why this must be read:

This is a terrific tribute to both Brock Peters, who played Joseph Sisko, as well as the city of New Orleans in the wake of current events. The characterization is superb; this is one of the best "Jake 1st person" stories I have ever read, with some lovely insights about the Sisko men. And it makes me hope that one day Sisko's restaurant will stand proudly in the rebuilt Big Easy.

Coming Through

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK US
Pairing: Brian/Justin
Author on LJ: juteux
Author's Website: N/A
Why this must be read:

Holy Hotness, Batman! Besides being one of the steamiest fic I have ever read, this might be the best Justin voice I've ever read. Set sometime between Seasons 3 & 4 (I think), Justin comes home from a long shift at the diner to find Brian gone - again. He decides he's had enough and heads to Babylon, where it's Black Out Night. And out on the dance floor, he gives Brian a little of his own medicine. I love take-charge Justin and the way he manages to outmaneuver Brian when he's least expecting it. And did I mention Justin in a black leather jacket? Yeah.

Ready

Fandom: THE OC
Pairing: Seth/Summer, Seth/Zach, hint of Seth/Ryan
Author on LJ: amerella
Author's Website: Here
Why this must be read:

Amerella excels at showing the identity/sexual identity confusion that marks adolescence, and she does a particularly good Seth. This story, as with her other stories, is all about character and dialogue--Seth's dialogue with himself and with other characters. The dialogue is sharp and funny and real.

( Excerpt: )

Ruin my life

Sequel to Unwritten, which was recced here in May.

Hi! I'll be doing the recs for BSG this month, as well as the DC universe. I hope y'all enjoy the fics.

Fandom: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA 2003
Pairing: Gaius/Six, Boomer/Tyrol, Ellen/Saul,
Author on LJ: widget285
Author Website: The Widgeteria
Why this must be read:

It's seven wonderful character studies for the price of one! Except that you don't have to actually pay for anything, which is even better. They're all wonderful, and nobody feels like they've been forced to fit a particular sin, which can happen very easily in fics like these. So, go ahead and read! It's really awesome, I promise.

The Sinner's Chorus

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Blair/OMC, implied past Jim/OMC, Jim/Blair
Author Website: Stories found through 852 Prospect
Why this must be read:

I'm actually really surprised these stories haven't been recced yet, and the only explanation I can think of is that Blair is in love with other people before he ends up with Jim. Which is a shame, because it's great casefic and the supporting characters in these stories are some of the most vivid and interesting I've met in fanfic, giving Jim a real run for his money and raising the tension level of the story to dangerous and delicious levels. I'm all for stories where Jim and Blair are together because it's their destiny and no one else will do, but I also love stories where they actually have to win each other over and work at the relationship, where Jim loves Blair and Blair loves Jim because of who they are, not because the Sentinel/Guide relationship leaves them no other choice.

Loving You Less Than Life I
Loving You Less Than Life II
Loving You Less Than Life III

Fandom: OZ
Pairing: Beecher/Keller
Author on LJ: alinewrites
Author Website: Aline's Fanfiction
Why this must be read:

This contains a wonderful glimpse at Keller's childhood, which is always an interesting subject, but unlike most fics this doesn't dwell on parental abuse, but Keller's own memories of being a child and his first love. His story holds a possible key to Keller's future dark nature, and this idea is nicely interspersed with his current behaviour towards Beecher within the fic. Lovely, heartbreaking, and just a little disturbing, this is the Keller we know and fear, but still adore and almost pity.

First Love

Fandom: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL
Pairing: Jack/Will
Author on LJ: ciceqi
Author Website: Sleeps With Coyotes
Why this must be read:

First of all, if you've never read anything by Sleeps With Coyotes you are in for such a treat, because her writing is, well, beautiful. And perfect. If you've read her, you know. So go read this! I can't say too much about it without spoiling, but her own summary is, of course, perfect.

"Charm like this is a curse. No, really."

I think I can give ( excerpts ) without spoiling.

Magnetic

Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Me and Thee Archive
Why this must be read:

Not all stories are happy ones, and this one hails from the darkest quadrant of fandom. Taking place during the summer of 1978, DAM's novella (originally featured in Dangerous Lives, Dangerous Visions 2) offers an intriguing, if painful, explanation for the perceived change in S&H's relationship dynamic that seemed to occur between the third and fourth seasons. It's hard, and it hurts, and everything's not resolved by the end, providing a segue into a final season that had everyone wondering whether or not things would ever be all right again for our two favorite cops.

I wrestled for days over whether or not to recommend this story; it's not a story that makes me happy, and sometimes I wish I'd never read it at all. I soon realised, however, that anything that could affect me so powerfully deserved recognition, and it is the sheer talent of the author that makes this story so painfully believable. It's a story that not only provides an interesting examination of what could have happened to inspire the relationship shift, but more importantly, it's a story that causes the reader to examine the issue of consensuality, taking the bold tack to depict it as something that may lie in far greyer waters than we'd like to believe. It's a story that makes me uncomfortable, but more importantly, it makes me think, and it is for that reason I offer today's rec.

Summer Hiatus

Fandom: STARGATE ATLANTIS
Pairing: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay
Author on LJ: astolat
Author Website: Intimations
Why this must be read:

Ah, I do so love 'Aliens made them do it' stories and in this case it's more 'Alien technology made them do it'. SGA is the perfect fandom for that much loved scifi fanfic cliche because they are dealing with a level of technology that they only know a limited amount about in a city where they have no idea what they're going to find. Add in the fact that Ancient tech needs to be activated by someone with the ATA gene and you've got the perfect setup.

shalott weaves a wonderful story full of ramifications, conflict and, most especially, snark, around the incident in question and with a brace of little touches, sucks you in.

( excerpt )

Proof By Contradiction

Fandom: STARGATE SG-1
Pairing: Sam/Jack
Author on LJ: nandamai
Author Website: nanda's lament
Why this must be read:

Nanda brings the angst a little, of course, but that's not what this piece is all about. Sam's had about as much as she can take of this whole look-but-don't-touch thing that she has going on with Jack, and so she decides to do something about it at New Year.

Great smut (although there's a link to a PG-13 version at the top of the page if you're that way inclined), spot on characterisation, and an ass-kicking sequal that even has some plot! What more could you ask?

( excerpt )

Resolution