ext_34183 ([identity profile] theladyrose.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] crack_van2008-03-15 12:09 am

The Ace in the Hole Affair by Loretta Ross (G)

Fandom: THE MAN FROM UNCLE, Dave Dawson War Adventure Series
Pairing: gen
Author: Loretta Ross, I think her LJ name is [livejournal.com profile] ellessaretta?
Author Website: Loretta Ross Gen Stories
Why this must be read:

As with so many other authors, it was torturous to pick just one story of Loretta's to rec, but I guess I survived :P We have a lot of great Illya's childhood stories in this fandom, but I loved the collaboration of the past and present as two WWII Allied pilots rather reminiscent of a certain UNCLE duo team up with Napoleon to stage a rescue in this story. You don't need to be familiar with the Dave Dawson War Adventure Series at all; I certainly hadn't heard of it before reading. The unique historical perspective sheds a realistic yet optimistic view of how a delightfully curious, precocious Illya becomes acquainted with the West with Freddy and Dave as his unexpected mentors during wartime. Loretta gives us some hilarious glimpses of the "scrawny little blond kid with big blue eyes, speaks a dozen languages, plays with explosives, nerves of steel and no common sense to speak of" who proves to be wise beyond his years without being the least bit precious.

Oh, and did I mention that young Illya really has a proclivity for explosives? Seriously, if there was ever a TV series based on the adventures of the young Illya Kuryakin, this would make a standout pilot.

The Ace in the Hole Affair

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