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crack_van2004-08-01 11:59 pm
forked.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2004-08-01 11:59 pm
Entry tags:
Truce by jazz9star (PG)
Hello, all. I go by 'Rob1' and I'll be your tour guide to 'Witchblade' fanfic this month.
What I like: The stories I recommend will all focus on Ian Nottingham and his relationship with either (or preferably both) Kenneth Irons and/or Sara Pezzini. I like gen/het/slash and am not a big fan of romance or 'shmoopy' stories. Though my preference is for long, plotty, action oriented tales, there really aren't that many finished stories of that type that I like in Witchblade fic, so you'll be getting variety there as well. I probably won't be recommending the max allowed number of stories, but all of the ones I do recommend are personal favorites.
In the interests of full disclosure, many of the recommended stories are housed on a small archive I run. To be clear- all of the stories are there by request. So, it's not a matter of recommending stories I archive. Rather, if I recommend a story, I usually ask for permission to archive it.
Fandom: WITCHBLADE
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: none known
Author Website: none known
Why this must be read:
I debated making this my first recommendation, as the story is set prior to the main canon and focuses on only two of the major characters. However, it is far and away my favorite story in the fandom, and if that's not enough reason to kick off with it, I don't know what is.
'Truce' explores the early childhood (around age 10) of Ian Nottingham, focusing on the odd relationship between Ian and Kenneth Irons- his guardian/mentor/master/bane. The mid-sized read is steeped in darkness, which is appropriate given the fact Ian was created to serve as an unflinching tool of his master's will. Irons, irritated with Ian's penchant for mischief, orders that the boy undergo a medical procedure that will grant him the memories of Ian's genetic predecessors (Ian is a clone- sort of). Unfortunately, the presence of 'other Ians' in the boy's consciousness results in difficulties for both Ian and Irons. Ian, now aware of what he lacks, is no longer complacent to be a soulless weapon and Irons is forced to deal with feelings he had long since buried.
What makes the story stand out are the characterizations and the subtlety with which they are revealed. Despite the darkness and disturbing subject matter (think 'Ender's Game'), there is a biting humor to the story. Jazz9star perfectly captures the voice of a pre-adolescent Ian- in all its capriciousness. The story is funny, it's sad, it's touching, and the reader is never certain how things will work out. It's a personal favorite and I believe it is accessible to those with no knowledge of canon. If you've ever been curious about Witchblade- or if you're just looking for a good read- this one is a sure bet.
It was Irons.
"Ian! Get down off that railing!"
He continued to balance along the rail. "I'm practicing."
Irons gestured to La Roche, and the bodyguard started to edge up the stairs. Irons himself never moved, his features set in a white mask. The Doctor followed along below him, arms outstretched, imploring him in a voice full of false calm.
"You can practice down here. If you keep doing that, you could fall."
"If I do, you'll just put me in a box. Then you'll make another one."
"But it wouldn't be you."
La Roche was inching closer.
"Yes, it would. You'll inject him with my chopped up brain, and then he'll have all my memories and be just like me." With prescience. "Only you won't like him very much."
"I told you to stop talking about chopping up brains!" Forcing calm once more. "Ian, you don't want to die, do you?"
"I don't care. I'm not afraid." As La Roche drew still nearer, he halted, looking across to Irons as he extended his arms. Making sure Irons was looking at him. "Dying isn't anything. It's just like falling." He let himself lean forward into the empty space.
There are several other stories by this author set in the 'Young Ian' universe: Father's Day (Ian wants his bunny back), Sunday (Ian wants a birthday), and Snow (Ian wants a Christmas tree). I would highly recommend them all.
Truce
What I like: The stories I recommend will all focus on Ian Nottingham and his relationship with either (or preferably both) Kenneth Irons and/or Sara Pezzini. I like gen/het/slash and am not a big fan of romance or 'shmoopy' stories. Though my preference is for long, plotty, action oriented tales, there really aren't that many finished stories of that type that I like in Witchblade fic, so you'll be getting variety there as well. I probably won't be recommending the max allowed number of stories, but all of the ones I do recommend are personal favorites.
In the interests of full disclosure, many of the recommended stories are housed on a small archive I run. To be clear- all of the stories are there by request. So, it's not a matter of recommending stories I archive. Rather, if I recommend a story, I usually ask for permission to archive it.
Fandom: WITCHBLADE
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: none known
Author Website: none known
Why this must be read:
I debated making this my first recommendation, as the story is set prior to the main canon and focuses on only two of the major characters. However, it is far and away my favorite story in the fandom, and if that's not enough reason to kick off with it, I don't know what is.
'Truce' explores the early childhood (around age 10) of Ian Nottingham, focusing on the odd relationship between Ian and Kenneth Irons- his guardian/mentor/master/bane. The mid-sized read is steeped in darkness, which is appropriate given the fact Ian was created to serve as an unflinching tool of his master's will. Irons, irritated with Ian's penchant for mischief, orders that the boy undergo a medical procedure that will grant him the memories of Ian's genetic predecessors (Ian is a clone- sort of). Unfortunately, the presence of 'other Ians' in the boy's consciousness results in difficulties for both Ian and Irons. Ian, now aware of what he lacks, is no longer complacent to be a soulless weapon and Irons is forced to deal with feelings he had long since buried.
What makes the story stand out are the characterizations and the subtlety with which they are revealed. Despite the darkness and disturbing subject matter (think 'Ender's Game'), there is a biting humor to the story. Jazz9star perfectly captures the voice of a pre-adolescent Ian- in all its capriciousness. The story is funny, it's sad, it's touching, and the reader is never certain how things will work out. It's a personal favorite and I believe it is accessible to those with no knowledge of canon. If you've ever been curious about Witchblade- or if you're just looking for a good read- this one is a sure bet.
It was Irons.
"Ian! Get down off that railing!"
He continued to balance along the rail. "I'm practicing."
Irons gestured to La Roche, and the bodyguard started to edge up the stairs. Irons himself never moved, his features set in a white mask. The Doctor followed along below him, arms outstretched, imploring him in a voice full of false calm.
"You can practice down here. If you keep doing that, you could fall."
"If I do, you'll just put me in a box. Then you'll make another one."
"But it wouldn't be you."
La Roche was inching closer.
"Yes, it would. You'll inject him with my chopped up brain, and then he'll have all my memories and be just like me." With prescience. "Only you won't like him very much."
"I told you to stop talking about chopping up brains!" Forcing calm once more. "Ian, you don't want to die, do you?"
"I don't care. I'm not afraid." As La Roche drew still nearer, he halted, looking across to Irons as he extended his arms. Making sure Irons was looking at him. "Dying isn't anything. It's just like falling." He let himself lean forward into the empty space.
There are several other stories by this author set in the 'Young Ian' universe: Father's Day (Ian wants his bunny back), Sunday (Ian wants a birthday), and Snow (Ian wants a Christmas tree). I would highly recommend them all.
Truce