Fandom: ANDROMEDA
Pairing: Dylan/Tyr
Author on LJ: unovis_lj
Author Website: Stories by Unovis
Why this must be read: Well, unovis_lj shows up on crack_van often enough that you all know what an exceptional writer she is. She's a perfectionist whose stories have that 'hand-crafted by skilled professionals for superior quality and style' feel. She's the only writer I know who not only makes me want to read Dylan/Tyr, but makes me enjoy it so damned much.

In Gravity, set early S1, Dylan is off-balance, both figuratively and literally. Tyr becomes something of an anchor point for him during an anti-gravity failure. The image of Tyr and Dylan strapped to a bed together while the Andromeda hurtles through slipstream is one that says with you.

( Excerpt )

Gravity

Fandom: SGA
Pairing: Sheppard/McKay
Author on LJ: amireal
Author Website: amific
Why this must be read:

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) stories are one of the staples of SGA fan fiction, setting up a story conflict that's a bit like pre-packaged cake mix: just add eggs and water. But Scenes from a Lesser War is more like baking a cake from scratch, and choosing the ingredients for flavor and texture, rather than taking them as a given. The story sticks close to canon, but the author plays with the story structure some, leaving the reader a little uneasy as they try to figure out what exactly is going on. The story unrolls slowly, bit by bit, starting from John's reaction the day that DADT is repealed, and then darting back in time, showing how everything came to be. It's long and complex, with few easy choices, yet still quietly, desperately romantic.

( excerpt )


Scenes from a Lesser War

Fandom: STAR WARS: ORIGINAL TRILOGY
Pairing: Gen
Author on LJ: jedinemo
Author Website: ff.net profile
Why this must be read: In honor of Father's Day, I figured I might as well rec a father-son fic, and this is one of the best I've read. It's a chaptered fic, and, as its title implies, about Vader, from the end of Revenge of the Sith when he becomes Vader, to the end of Return of the Jedi, and his death. Though I personally read and like some of the EU, movie purists might be happy to know that this fic does not follow the EU at all, or what little of it there is that happens in between the trilogies. All the details in this fic that don't come from the movies come from the author's imagination, and it is detailed.

This fic follows Vader as he builds himself up from the ruins of Anakin Skywalker, including how he deals with life in his suit, his lessons with Darth Sidious, his integration with the military, and so much more. Though I'm not as interested in Vader alone as I am in his interactions with his son, the chapters describing the years in between RotS and ANH were enthralling enough to capture and keep my attention. And when Luke did enter the picture--I eagerly awaited the publishing of each new chapter.

Not only are the characterizations sparkling and the prose well done, but this fic is full of so much insight--into the characters, into life--that at times I was absolutely blown away. Some things went contrary to my previous beliefs in motivations and so on, but they made so much sense that I cheerfully accepted them. All in all, this fic was a long, satisfying read, and once I knew I was going to be a reccer here, this fic was near the top of my list. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I have.

( Excerpt )

The Vader Chronicles

Often in fic, the catalyst for capitulation is a huge thing. Some great and dangerous event occurs that teaches our protagonists how important each is to the other. In real life, catalysts for change often come about very simply, from small circumstances, and Aristide is in the pantheon of Sentinel writers who not only understand that, but capture that "real life relationship" feeling when you read their fiction. Better still, she also knows how to write molten sex scenes that fall into the "burn your face off" category.

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Zen&nancy’s Internet Homeless Shelter and Soup Kitchen, or look her up at 852 Prospect
Why this must be read:

Aristide is amazing at writing Jim, and her interior voice for him in this fic is nothing short of a tour de force. Jim is one of the harder characters to write in a believable fashion. He’s uptight, but not closed off; a throwback, but not a Neanderthal; a cop, but not a stereotype… Here, Aristide sets the standard for writing Jim, as she spins a tale about an older guy who’s just realized that he’s not as straight as he thought he was, and what he does about it.

She also writes a magnificent Blair: sexually in charge; not always sure of his standing in Jim's life; and totally, occasionally, sharply insightful.

This scorchingly hot slice-of-life story has everything: barbecue, free beer, and sex scenes that make your panties moist. It even has Teenagers From Outer Space. Well, no, not really; they’re not actually from Outer Space, they just look like they are…

( All of his thoughts and considerations last night and throughout the day had been about his own actions towards Blair, what he might do to Blair, with Blair; good old Jim Ellison surmounting his sudden sexual crisis in the active mode, through explorations into the unknown with his energetic accomplice, Blair. It had somehow never even crossed his mind to stop and consider what the hell Blair might do to him. )

Solitary Creatures

Fandom: Horatio Hornblower
Pairing: N/A. Gen character study of Archie Kennedy.
Author on LJ: randomalia
Author Website: [link]
Why this must be read: Fifty sentences about Archibald Kennedy, fifty sentences of crisp writing and solid character insight. There's a lot of fic written about Kennedy, but there isn't a lot of fic where the writer's vision of Kennedy is so tough and uncompromising and, ultimately, moving.

Embrace the pain.

Link.