Fandom: ANGEL
Pairing: Gen
Length: 3,050 words
Author on LJ: spuffyduds
Author Website: just her LJ
Warning: Contains non-graphic rape scene.
Why this must be read: This story is half set in Fred's time in Pylea, and half in Lorne's time as overseer of part of post-apocalyptic L.A. (part of comic canon). It adds the most amazing depth to both Fred and Lorne, painting those familiar characters over with extra dimensions that grow organically from their canon characterizations. spuffyduds manages to render an impressively wide spectrum of emotions in this piece without feeling overwrought in the least; she gives each feeling its fullest expression and dramatic power, so that you can feel your heart break with absolute clarity only moments after having your breath taken away by a wave of fond amusement. That facility with depicting emotion allows the sublime, devastating mix of love and grief that forms the foundation of this story to gut you in the best possible way.

You Think She’s an Open Book (but you don’t know which page to turn to)

Fandom: THE MUMMY
Pairing: gen
Length: 66,000+ words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Xenon @ ff.net, The Trapdoor
Why this must be read: Like the title says, this is Jonathan's memoirs, pre movie. Very well done, Xenon has the voice down perfectly. Jonathan rambles all over the place, blusters and primps and brags but still manages to tell quite a few stories. And the subtitle to his memoirs is Explorer, Archaeologist And Defender Of Mankind, lol. Excellent and detailed character history. My favorite story is the one where Evie and Jonathan get kidnapped, as per usual.

I'm not sure what it is in a man's life that makes him sit down to write his own memoirs. I knew a fellow once who wrote somebody else's, but then he was the boring sort who never did anything of note, and probably felt that the only flash of glory he'd ever get was through association with a greater name. Writing one's own memoirs, however, is generally inclined to bring on feelings of depression; reminders of one's own mortality; the kind of thing that a fellow like me rather tends to try to avoid, on the whole. Not that I need much reminding about mortality of course. I've seen enough things in my life to know that death can be around every corner, if you're stupid enough to let it wait for you there. Seen enough to know that it's not half as final as it would like to make us think, too - but I'm getting ahead of myself. Like I said, these are my memoirs, and it's traditional with such things to start from the beginning.

The Memoirs Of Jonathon Carnahan
The Continuing Memoirs Of Jonathon Carnahan
The Further Memoirs of Jonathon Carnahan

Fandom: MARVEL COMICS
Pairing: Hints of Wanda/Clint, Wanda/Steve, but mostly gen
Length: 1,800 words
Author on LJ: imaginaryalice
Author Website: aliceonpaper
Why this must be read:

There have been a lot of fics based on reactions to Steve Rogers’ death, but this is the only one I know of that deals with two very important people in Steve’s life who weren’t heavily involved in the comics at the time of his death: Wanda Maximoff and Clint Barton.

This fic is creative and fascinating, and a very different take on Steve Rogers’ funeral (written, it’s important to note, the day after Captain America #25 came out, and therefore before his canon burial). It’s also touching and sad and (like most fics about Wanda based on recent comics) a little bit creepy. I encourage anyone who’s a fan of any of these characters to read this, but I especially encourage Wanda fans to do so. Her story here is sad, but it’s fitting, and you can see how she used to be one of the Marvel Universe’s greatest heroes.

With the crowd it was easy for the couple to blend in. A young man and woman, dressed in black like everyone else. The man wore a simple suit and a hat pulled down over his eyes. He'd never stood out in street clothes but assumed security would be tight and wanted to avoid recognition. It was more vital still for his companion to be missed. She was dressed very simply as well and a dark half cloak was pulled up over her hair and eyes. She stayed beside him, hiding in his shadow as agreed. When they encountered the crowds she crept closer still, overwhelmed by the noise of a thousand people trying to be silent.

Remembering a Hero

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: Methos/Original male character, Methos & Duncan friendship
Length: appr. 6400 words
Author on LJ: elistaire
Author Website: Taterville
Why this must be read:

This was one of the stories that immediately came to mind when I started compiling this months' rec list in my head ... and then, when I actually went to do it, I discovered that I'd forgotten the original posting being friendslocked. Fortunately Tray very graciously agreed to repost the story for more public access, which makes me glad - now you can read it too!

Author summary for the story goes like this: Duncan brings Methos to the museum to show him their new upcoming exhibition. Just after they leave, a statue is stolen, and the consequences of it change everything beyond MacLeod's wildest understanding.

The summary however does not give a lot of hints to what fascinated me in this piece of fiction. The following author's notes do, but instead of more copy-paste I'll say that this is a kind of a fairytale telling of enduring love and open, giving friendship situated in the Highlander universe. In a way, it draws on the Pygmalion-myth, but ... not quite. I actually do not want to spoil the readers for the premise, because for me, going in, not quite knowing what to expect made the experience even more enjoyable. And in addition to being different, the storytelling in itself is beautiful. So, if you're in mind for a fairytale, go and read
All the Seductions of Stone

Fandom: EARTHSEA
Pairing: none
Length: ~1400 words
Author on LJ: altariel
Author Website: On ff.net, Skyehawke & Altariel & Isabeau (Tolkien), but as far as I'm aware she hasn't written anything else in this fandom
Why this must be read:

This is the second in my interlude of stories focusing on the many minor characters populating the Earthsea universe. The all-women society of the Kargish temples on Atuan, described in The Tombs of Atuan, has inspired some of the most interesting Earthsea fanfiction, perhaps because Le Guin has yet to re-envision the setting.

The priestess Thar acts as Tenar (Arha)'s mentor and as a foil to Kossil, the novel's adversary character. As everything is seen through Tenar's eyes (& Thar dies before Tenar begins to look beneath the surface), Tombs of Atuan doesn't give much of a hint as to her motivations, opening a space for Altariel's intriguing interpretation to slip into canon. 'The Inner Dark' is a quiet, beautifully written character study that examines choices for women in a male-dominated society and the nature of religious faith.

( Excerpt under the cut )

The Inner Dark by Altariel

Fandom: SUPERNATURAL
Pairing: Jared/Jensen RPS AU
Length: 38,100
Author on LJ: beckandzac
Author Website: RPF fic tag
Why this must be read: It's Jared & Jensen at boarding school! Mike Rosenbaum is the creative writing teacher, J2 is playing pranks on anyone and everyone they can, and there's smut! It's long true, but it's so well done that I didn't realize how long I'd been sitting there till I looked at the clock, and I was like, "...Whoops. 1 a.m." XD Check it out! It's definitely worth your time.

Dirt On Our Uniforms

Fandom: SUPERNATURAL
Pairing: Sam Wesson/Dean Smith
Author on LJ: smallcaps
Why this must be read: ( There be potential spoilers for 4.17 here! ) Also, the smut in this almost set my monitor on fire! LOL

Bad Cheques (New open link! Thank you so much laceymcbain!

Everything should be fixed now...let me know if something's still not right.

Fandom:STAR WARS
Pairing: Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi
Length: about 7500 words between the two
Genre: Angst and first-time in this related set of two stories
Author on LJ:diotima
Website: Ficlist
Why this must be read:

Stories slashing Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan have a saying in their angsty relationship, that of "love conquers all," due in part, I think, to the age difference more than the power difference. A virginal Padawan Kenobi has yearned for this moment of a kiss without knowing what could happen afterwards, or even caring. In the first story, that is; by the time of the second, he is further along the way to maturity and his dreams of romance do not end with a kiss. The second story has an extra element of tension that I won't disclose. It is a common enough theme in this pairing, such as crack_van encourages noting, to my utter glee.

A Kiss
Being One

Fandom: Torchwood
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Length: 24,595
Author on LJ: sarcasticchick
Author's Website: sarcasticbabble

Why this must be read: This fic was posted for last year's tardis_bigbang and I remember reading it and just sitting with my mouth open after I finished it. SarcasticChick is already well-known as the bringer of amazing Ianto characterizations (see: Shades of Ianto and The Windhovers) and manages to weave stories that are so full of detail that it feels so real. I consider this to be one of the hallmarks of a great author and SarcasticChick is prime example.

The story is prefaced with no information beyond this quote from Ghost in the Shell: "Can you offer me proof of your existence? How can you? When neither modern science nor philosophy can explain what life is." That quote is this story to a tee. It's hard to even describe this story without giving away too much, but I'll try. Ianto is not what he seems at first glance and an attack on Torchwood Three's computer exposes that in horrible clarity.

Give this story the time to appreciate it, savor the language and lush world created by SarcasticChick. You won't be sorry.

( Snippet )


Proof of Your Existance by sarcasticchick

Fandom: THE MUMMY
Pairing: Rick/Evie
Length: 1,200 words
Author on LJ: shetiger
Author Website: Master Fic List
Why this must be read: Set during The Mummy Returns, Ardeth recalls Rick and Evie's wedding, the day they become blood brothers. I really liked this fic, and I wish it was longer because there is just so much lurking below the surface that could have been explored and expanded upon.

Moments

Fandom: THE MUMMY
Pairing: Rick/Evie
Length: 42,000+ words
Author on LJ: abracax
Author Website: Laurie M @ ff.net
Why this must be read: Set post The Mummy, at a party at the British Embassy, Evie meets up with some old acquaintances who proceed to wreck havoc upon her life and engagement to Rick. I wish I could describe the plot better, but the truth is all these adventure stories kind of sound the same after a while. This time there's an ancient amulet that will wake the Sphinx and let lose the evil Seth, who will then - you guessed it - destroy the world. You know, the good stuff. It's fun, with a few sexy bits and decent original characters.

Deeper Within Darkness