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crack_van2004-01-22 01:37 pm
reetchick.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2004-01-22 01:37 pm
Entry tags:
Those Who Can, by Sihaya Black (NC-17)
Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sihayab
Author Website: Sihaya’s Seraglio
Why this must be read:
Sometimes, you’re in the mood for a long, plotty adventure with our boys. You want to read a tale with mystery, with intrigue, with shadowy villains who are suitably and believably evil.
When you’re in that mood, what you're looking for is “Those Who Can.”
It has all the details I mentioned above – intrigue, suspense, complex and well-nuanced original characters, an engaging plot that makes you think, and a villain with motive so sinister it’ll make your skin crawl. Though I don’t want to give away the twists, I will say that I have a difficult time imagining a fate that Jim and/or Blair would dread more than what’s cooked up in this story.
I’ve read my share of torture scenes (okay, okay, I’ll be honest – far more than my share), and though these aren’t among the most brutal ones I’ve come across, they’re certainly plenty disturbing - particularly since, in a change from what you generally find, Jim is the primary victim (though the Big Baddies do get in a fair bit of Blair-whumping later on.)
Stylistically, “TWC” is a fabulous example of the 'unreliable narrator'; told from first-person Blair POV, you’ll often find yourself shaking your head in exasperation at the mental contortions he puts himself through to rationalize the way he and Jim interact.
Sure, Sandburg. Just like a brother. Heh.
The sexual tension ratchets up right on par with the tension of the mystery; even though I’ve read this more than once *coughseventimescough*, I still find myself nibbling on my fingernails in the closing third of this epic.
Sihaya has a talent for sheer physicality of her descriptions; her readers are never floundering about in their mental space, wondering exactly where a character is. Her world-building is exceptional as well; TWC is rich in the little details that bring stories to life.
Adventure? Romance? A damned good read? If that’s what you're looking for, set aside several hours and dig into Sihaya’s –
Those Who Can
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Author on LJ:
sihayab Author Website: Sihaya’s Seraglio
Why this must be read:
Sometimes, you’re in the mood for a long, plotty adventure with our boys. You want to read a tale with mystery, with intrigue, with shadowy villains who are suitably and believably evil.
When you’re in that mood, what you're looking for is “Those Who Can.”
It has all the details I mentioned above – intrigue, suspense, complex and well-nuanced original characters, an engaging plot that makes you think, and a villain with motive so sinister it’ll make your skin crawl. Though I don’t want to give away the twists, I will say that I have a difficult time imagining a fate that Jim and/or Blair would dread more than what’s cooked up in this story.
I’ve read my share of torture scenes (okay, okay, I’ll be honest – far more than my share), and though these aren’t among the most brutal ones I’ve come across, they’re certainly plenty disturbing - particularly since, in a change from what you generally find, Jim is the primary victim (though the Big Baddies do get in a fair bit of Blair-whumping later on.)
Stylistically, “TWC” is a fabulous example of the 'unreliable narrator'; told from first-person Blair POV, you’ll often find yourself shaking your head in exasperation at the mental contortions he puts himself through to rationalize the way he and Jim interact.
He blinked and solemnly turned to me. "Chief, it isn't my mail that's being opened..."
The bottom dropped out of my stomach, landing somewhere way down in my gut. Not a good feeling.
"But why me, Jim?" It came out as a whisper. "Why the hell would anyone be interested in me, unless it was to get to you?"
"I don't know, Blair."
Oh shit. Jim called me by my name. He must really be worried. I glanced over and caught him staring at me, a frown creasing his face. For Mister Stoic, that was pretty much like having hysterics in public. He reached out and gave my shoulder a quick squeeze, then started up the truck. "Don't worry," he said as he pulled back onto the highway. "We'll find out what's going on, and someone," he growled, "will have to answer to me..."
Jim sounded mean and threatening and like a guy I would not want to cross. I almost felt sorry for that unknown someone. Almost, but not quite.
I was really touched by his concern. But that's Jim - he's like everyone's big brother. Jim keeps an eye out for everyone, and makes sure everyone's okay. I guess it's all part of the Sentinel gig - a genetic predisposition to make sure the tribe's safe. He'd do the same thing for any of his friends.
Sure, Sandburg. Just like a brother. Heh.
The sexual tension ratchets up right on par with the tension of the mystery; even though I’ve read this more than once *coughseventimescough*, I still find myself nibbling on my fingernails in the closing third of this epic.
Sihaya has a talent for sheer physicality of her descriptions; her readers are never floundering about in their mental space, wondering exactly where a character is. Her world-building is exceptional as well; TWC is rich in the little details that bring stories to life.
Adventure? Romance? A damned good read? If that’s what you're looking for, set aside several hours and dig into Sihaya’s –
Those Who Can
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Excellent choice.
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and you get this answer, from this fic:
...He paused and narrowed his eyes. God, I felt like he was diving straight into me... "I'm only interested in one guy."
"Oh, yeah?" I don't think it came out as a squeak, but I wasn't really sure. I raised my chin. "Anyone I know?"
"Maybe... You know a mouthy, hairy little guy, smart as a whip, so brave it sometimes takes my breath away, with a heart as big as the world?"
Oh, man... I couldn't move - all I could do was lie there and stare at him...