Fandom: X-MEN MOVIEVERSE
Pairing: Scott Summers, Jean Grey, and gen
Author on LJ: apathocles
Author Website: I don't think there is one
Why this must be read: Jean comes back after Alkali Lake, but she comes back all wrong. But this Wrong!Jean/Phoenix possesses a simplicity that is almost child-like and innocent (which contributes to the creepiness). What the X-Men cannot bear to bring themselves to do creates a limbo world. Morbid, fascinating, messy, and well-constructed.

( Excerpt )

Bring Out Your Dead

Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: N/A
Author on LJ: doctorv
Author Website: Author's fic on LJ
Why this must be read:

The first rule of JLI fandom is you do not talk about Countdown to Infinite Crisis.

However, rules are made to be broken, and fandom would be worse off if this story hadn't been written.

In the wake of Countdown, Booster returns home to Gotham, where he is met by Batman. The confrontation is one of quiet words, rather than violence, and Booster just breaks my damned heart every single time I read it.

This is how it should have gone down in canon, in my opinion.

The Batman

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairing: Billy/Elijah
Author on LJ: suede_scripture
Author Website: NA
Why this must be read: It's all in the kiss that Dom instigates. I love this piece, its short sweet and spot on. Brings a smile to my face every time I read.

The Counter

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairing: Dom/Elijah, Viggo/Billy, Bean/Orlando
Author on LJ: rosemending
Author Website:The Wood in Bloom
Why this must be read:Ok first this silly, funny, love bite, my introduction to penguin fic and technically a ficet--makes this piece my personal happy dance crack fic. A triple dose of silly sweetness almost better than chocolate. When I need a fast quick fix, there's no better read. Want a good laugh, wrapped up in sweet lovin, then read this. Written originally for Valentine's Day last year, and continues to melt my heart.

Love Birds

I can't believe this is my twelfth rec already! I hope you've all enjoyed the fic; I've certainly had a blast revisiting my favourites.

I'll be back next month reccing Lord of the Rings, but until then, have a happy and safe new year. To get you into the right mood, here's one of the funniest stories in the House fandom...

Fandom: HOUSE
Pairing: House/Wilson
Author on LJ: m_butterfly
Author Website: The Butterfly Factory
Why this must be read: This hot, funny story takes the old "pretend we're gay to get rid of a harpy" premise and does wonderful things with it. As an added bonus, there's food porn (watch out for the chocolate cake), a pair of attack-breasts, and a super-sized serving of snark. This is one of my all-time favourites in this fandom.

Defensive Strategies: Part 1, Part 2

Fandom: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Pairing: Multiple Buffy(character) het and femlash
Author on LJ: trixiefirecra
Author Website: Always His Girl
Why this must be read:

This is a fic set directly post-Chosen, and it's a take on the "five things" fics. Buffy is on the bus and she's dreaming of five futures she could have. One of the things I like most about Trixie's writing is that it is always emotionally laden and it always feels gritty. It's not always pretty-- in fact, often it's messy and dark but the words are always evocative and she writes a great conflicted Buffy.

This fic is about choices, and I love seeing what a Buffy with choices would choose.

The Arrow

Fandom: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Pairing: Buffy/Faith, Buffy/Xander, Buffy/Willow, Buffy/Giles, Buffy/Spike/Angel
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Narrow Streets
Why this must be read:

Another "Five Things" fic, set post-Chosen. This is an excellent example of the genre-- every single one of the ficlets is right on target. The mood ranges from soft and hopeful to bleak and dreary. It's cleanly written, with a good thematic thread running throughout and well, I just love it.


Five Futures Full of Alcohol & Sex

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: sanshalive
Author Website: Pat Foley's fanfiction Website



Why this must be read:

This story is in a way a perfect example of the type of work I criticized in my previous post: Though not purely American, U.N.C.L.E., obviously, appears there as a western organisation; The Soviet Union plays the role of the blood thirsty, merciless warmonger which threatens the future of mankind by its nuclear researchs, so that U.N.C.L.E. has to thwart its perfidious undertakings.

The danger was real. Waverly saw a world poised on the knife edge of nuclear war, on one side a young country, ruled by a younger leader, blinded by the optimism such inexperience feeds. Against them, an ancient country, ruled by corruption, treachery and pessimism. With U.N.C.L.E. perched anxiously to one side, trying to maintain the balance of power. The balance of peace.

"The Red Retriever" is part of Lois Balzer's universe; meaning you must expect to find her peculiar vision of Illya: very young, very bright (not to say the genius of the century), hypersensitive, disturbed enough to make a pretty good psychiatric case and more tormented than a Doestoievsky's character. Of course he is a defector, quite willing to destroy a prominent Research Center in his native land (and the workers inside); Besides he has become an American citizen and since his arrival in the US has been adopted and coddled by an examplary American family, so sweet that honey would taste bitter in comparison.

Now stop the sarcasm! Why must this be read? First because this point of view is very representative of a large area of the MFU fanfiction; because the present text is extremely well written by an author who, in the other part of her work, is one of my very favourites (I really love her "Partners" series); because, taken as an action/adventure tale, it's certainly one of the most thrilling, captivating and moving stories you can find on line.

The Red Retriever

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairing: Viggo/Bean
Author on LJ: shrinetolust
Author Website: NA
Why this must be read: Painful beautiful angst; the reason why I love Shrine's writing, her characters are real, with open wounds and a rawness that just makes you ache. More or Less, have all of this and more. Note there is a sequel to More or Less, Balance (Viggo/Orlando with Bean/Viggo implied) for those interested--at Shrinetolust’s LJ in memories.

( excerpt )

More or Less

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Andy Wyatt gen, with some Toby/Andy at the end.
Author on LJ: megwriting
Author Website: Gray Area
Why this must be read:

Marguerite is another well-recced author here in the West Wing fandom, and very deservedly so. This story shows us some exquisite glimpses into what could have happened in Andy Wyatt's past, but didn't. Andy is a wonderful, complex and bizarrely over-looked character who Marguerite has written perfectly here - full of determination and not a little vulnerability, particularly where Toby is concerned. I've read this a good four or five times and I still adore it.

The television is on when she gets home from school. It's always on – Mom's addicted to the hearings.

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairing: None (friendship remains within the fellowship 28 years into the future)
Author on LJ: NA
Author Website:mirabile_dictu
Why this must be read:First, its by mirabile_dictu she hasn't been recommended multiple times without reason. Second, without a pairing and more gen (something I rarely ever read) it's still an extraordinary ride. The details, and humor is spot on. She weaves their continued fellowship with such loving care. Explores each character in depth with added layers; the entire story, plot, dialog, characterization seem to be written effortlessly, but are nothing short of astonishing, a highly enjoyable read.

( excerpt )


One Dance You'll Do Alone

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: gen, with a degree of John Crichton/Aeryn Sun
Author on LJ: crankygrrl
Author Website: N/A
Why this must be read:

Commandant Mele-On Grayza is, for many Farscape fans, one of the most reviled characters/villains of the series. Her unique method of "interrogation" and securing John Crichton's cooperation set off a firestorm of controversy during Farscape's last season - and unfortunately, the ramifications of that particular storyline were never to be explored, given the series' premature cancellation.

crankygrrl takes this unsympathetic character, who many find all too easy to hate, and pulls off a technically brilliant and incisive second-person POV fic that, at the end, earns readers' grudging respect for the clever mind of a determined strategist. Set after Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars, with an ominous what-if twist at the end, Cranky's Grayza proves every bit as chilling and ruthless as her canon counterpart... and you'll admire her for it.

( Excerpt )



Undercover Blues

Fandom: VERONICA MARS
Pairing: Weevil/Veronica
Author on LJ: kieyra
Author Website: The author's page at ff.net
Why this must be read:

With a writing style, and a plot that would have easily fit into the part of s1 when it takes place, this series offers an entirely plausible alternate to the last 3rd of season 1.

The relationship between Weevil and Veronica is sexy, sweet, and completely believable. Just the way Weevil goes about telling Veronica of his feelings perfectly demonstrates just how well he knows her.

Even someone with very specific conflicting relationship preferences will be won over by the way the characters are portrayed here.


Book I: The Usual Suspect
Book II: Days of the Phoenix

Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: RayK/Fraser
Author on LJ: tx_tart
Author Website: tx_tart's Due South stories in memories
Why this must be read:

Jealous Fraser is one of my favorites in the fandom. This is a short story that picks up at the tail-end of a fun and eventful day out between Fraser and Ray, but the dialogue makes you believe that you've been there for the whole thing. I also like the way that Ray knows Fraser and can read his moods and understand his behavior. Plus, sex. Yum. This story was written for fanfic100, which is just another reason to appreciate that community.

Ray smiled, but then opened his eyes and looked at him, confused. “Well, that’s it. That’s everything that happened. You were fine all day, a credit to the nation of Canada, until just before we came up. And the only thing…just before we…” Understanding made Ray’s expression open like a flower. “The blonde. You’re pissed off because of the blonde!”

Wet Heat