Lilith (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
reflectedeve) wrote2007-12-28 09:53 pm
reflectedeve) wrote2007-12-28 09:53 pm
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it's been a hell of a do
Well, here's a first set of brief ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
yuletide recs! I've been reading whenever I get a chance the last day or two, but now I probably won't get to continue much for awhile. I'm moving on the 1st, and there's so very much to do before then.
Mostly but not entirely alphabetical. (As in, these are fandoms A-F, but there's a random H and a J in there as well . . . anyway, yeah.)
Yuletide 2007 recs!
1602 - Solace is a brief piece, set some time after the end of the original miniseries. It deals with Scotius Summerisle and Werner, and their relationship after Jean's death; shared grief, and healing. I like this: Werner knew, without being told, that Summerisle would have given his love to any teammate; Jean had been the most loveable, perhaps, but also the most acceptable. Also the ending. (PG-13)
Arthurian Legends - I have never been much of a Galahad fan; to be perfectly honest, I always found him rather boring. However, I have a real soft spot for temptation. Envying Angels does a good job of making Galahad human enough to be tempted. (It doesn't hurt that I adore Percival, either.) Short and sweet. (R)
Blackadder - There are a number of amusing Blackadder fic this year, but Pipe Dreams is my favorite. (I find Blackadder Goes Forth to be the most ficcable season, for some reason.) It really has the language and feel of the show down, and gives us a nice mix of perspectives (notably Darling's and George's). Set during and around "Major Star." (PG)
Breakfast Club - I enjoyed the visions of the future in state of imaginary grace, which also has Bender/Brian slash. Which is oddly sweet. (Extra random props to the writer for knowing a little something about Cambridge; though honestly, I think Bartley's is very overhyped.) (PG-13)
Deadwood - The Founding of the Famous Gem Saloon and Other Historic Tales of the Early Days of the Camp of Deadwood is an extremely in-tone set of Deadwood vignettes, detailing the pre-show days of the camp from three different perspectives. I find all three--A.W. Merrick, Dan Doherty, and Doc Cochran--to be quite believable, and what's more, sympathetic. (R)
Diana Wynne Jones – Castle Series AKA Howl Series - I love this book to death, but I always find myself wanting more! It's not that I quibble with Diana Wynne Jones' choice of ending, but yeah, fanfiction is needed. A Meeting of Minds is a great little look at how Howl and Sophie wind up getting married (a bit belatedly, which doesn't surprise me), and it's marvelously in character for both of them. So Howl and Sophie lived happily ever after, or at least until he called her a sweet again. Oh, love. (PG)
Dinosaur Comics - INSECURITY COMICS is a goofy set of shorts--well, comic scripts--in which everyone makes fun of T-Rex's tiny arms. Including God. Also, bonus: see them set in the actual comics template, here. (PG)
Dorothy Dunnett – Lymond Chronicles - It's been awhile since I finished the series . . . I can't believe I hadn't read any Lymond fic yet! (Must go back through the archive later.) Anyway, Mon coeur se recommande a vous and The Time That Thou Hast Lost and Spent both deal with a pairing which I hadn't considered (or if I had, it wasn't enough that I remembered . . . don't tempt me to reread yet!), Adam/Kate. Now that I think of it, that's a perfectly sweet combination. Both are set at the end of Checkmate (it must have been a pretty specific request), and add some extra perspective to the close of the series, with some sweet hopes for the future. (both PG)
Douglas Adams – Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series - There are usually a few good HHG fic inyuletide, and this year is no exception. My favorite is Reunification, which is set pre-book. It's classic put-upon Arthur. I love it when fic takes a look at his perspective on Ford, before he knew the truth. Made me chuckle. (PG)
Dykes To Watch Out For - Only one fic for this fandom? Man, I need to remember not to chicken out of offering it, next year! Anyway, it's very short, but a good fic. Love Letter captures Lois' personality in a few well-put (and mostly crossed-out) lines. I miss the days when the strip was more like this and less filled with divorce drama (though I still and always will love it). (NC-17, of course)
Excalibur (1988 comic) - There was only one story for this fandom as well, sadly . . . but it was for me! *love* The Lady and the Dragon is a sweet and amusing interlude during the Cross-Time Caper. I've already rhapsodized about it a bit in a previous post, but basically it's just what I wanted . . . oldschool Excalibur hijinks, and Rachel/Kitty love (if subtle gen-ish love). There is also lovely Kurt and Lockheed! (PG)
Fairy Tales (trad) - I shouldn't be surprised that the most-offeredyuletide fandom got so much fic this year (twenty-four stories, ZOMG). It was really hard to be selective, and I actually really need to go back and reread a couple of them more carefully. A handful did particularly strike me, however. Most of the many "Twelve Dancing Princesses" fic were extremely creepy--and beautiful, and marvelously well-written, if not quite what I'd have wanted from creepy--but Forget Me Not charmed me with its obnoxious little-girl voice. (Also, the end of that is creepy in its own way, with the sheer thoughtlessness of a spoiled child.) (PG)
A common theme this year was "after happily ever after," and The Man in the Mirror, Swan's Wing, and Three months after the happy ever after were three very different variations upon it. The first is a creepy second look at "Beauty and the Beast," in which a kiss is not a solution, after all. The second, set after "The Wild Swans," is more wry and melancholy, focusing on imperfections that remain at the ending. The third, a "Cinderella" story, is happier; but, it notes that happily ever after has to be "worked at." (PG-13, PG, PG)
Waking Rose is also a look at "after," though much further along than the others, and certainly much less serious. It's bizarre and goofy and verging on modern: a middle-aged, menopausal Sleeping Beauty finds a new lease on life (through, well, undeath). (PG-13)
Lastly, there were quite a few fairytale remixes and fusions this year. My favorite of these was definitely What the Pea Proved. I won't spoil any surprises, but I will say that Sari is a fairytale heroine I would not have minded growing up with, and I quite enjoyed the lesson in her story. (PG)
Fifth Element - Radiant Fire, to Things Ephemeral is a lovely piece from Leeloo's perspective: thoughts on her task, on humanity, and on why she values Korben Dallas. I really appreciated this more complex look at her motivations and purpose. (PG)
Flight of the Conchords - I must say, I could really imagine Career Permutations with Bret & Jemaine as an actual "Conchords" episode. (I particularly enjoyed the problem with Bret's brief modeling career.) Meanwhile, Lust of the Conchords is the most appropriate use of "the characters find fanfiction" that I think I've ever read. (Mel would so write badfic.) (PG and R, respectively)
Fried Green Tomatoes - An AU that "fixes" something, but still breaks my heart, We’ll Take What We Can Carry, and We’ll Leave the Rest gives Ruth back her future with her family. It's about strength, and coping with grief . . . well, potential grief in this case, but knowing what really happens makes it that much more poignant. Augh. (it says G, but I'd say PG-13 for vague sex)
From Eroica With Love -yuletide tends to have really fantastic Eroica fic, and I certainly haven't been disappointed this year! All four were quite enjoyable, but two stand out to me particularly. The first, of course, is Parklife, my own fantastic giftfic. (I am so spoiled this year!) It's a long ramble of a story in which Klaus and Dorian work together to solve a mystery--in a park, on a beautiful summer's day--at an unusually leisurely pace. (Not that Klaus is okay with the pace! But it's more stewing than frenetic yelling, here.) It's beautiful, and wonderfully in character, and it brings them this close, with breathtaking care. On a rather different note, The Beat That My Heart Skipped (Sounded Like This) is an intense, emotional piece that finally brings them together with a crash. It's a story in which Klaus gets to show his feelings, and Dorian gets to be angry (really furious, not petulent) . . . but it's still in character. And hot, too! (PG and PG-13, respectively)
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - I was a casual Herc fan, and I can't have seen half the episodes, so I was just going to pass this fandom by . . . but when I read the description of I Friend You, You Friend Him, I knew it was going to be awesome. Salmoneus sets up a "social network"--"Face Scroll"--and even the gods are completely hooked. Honestly, I think that speaks for itself. Deeply hilarious! (PG)
Jesus Christ: Superstar - I haven't actually gotten to this fandom yet, but Look What You've Brought Us To was accidentally miscategorized as another fandom, and I can't say I'm sorry about that. It's short, a ficlet really, but it's so hot and so bitter . . . a look at Judas's jealousy, and desire for the man he will betray. (Very much how I imagine him, really.) (R)
Also, I've been getting some lovely responses to my own story, which is quite unexpected, as usual. (Someone smack me next year.) Man, I can't wait for the reveal . . . to find out who my awesome Santas are, and to thank everyone for commenting!
Whew. Time to get back to packing, now. (All I want to do is read!)
yuletide recs! I've been reading whenever I get a chance the last day or two, but now I probably won't get to continue much for awhile. I'm moving on the 1st, and there's so very much to do before then.Mostly but not entirely alphabetical. (As in, these are fandoms A-F, but there's a random H and a J in there as well . . . anyway, yeah.)
Yuletide 2007 recs!
1602 - Solace is a brief piece, set some time after the end of the original miniseries. It deals with Scotius Summerisle and Werner, and their relationship after Jean's death; shared grief, and healing. I like this: Werner knew, without being told, that Summerisle would have given his love to any teammate; Jean had been the most loveable, perhaps, but also the most acceptable. Also the ending. (PG-13)
Arthurian Legends - I have never been much of a Galahad fan; to be perfectly honest, I always found him rather boring. However, I have a real soft spot for temptation. Envying Angels does a good job of making Galahad human enough to be tempted. (It doesn't hurt that I adore Percival, either.) Short and sweet. (R)
Blackadder - There are a number of amusing Blackadder fic this year, but Pipe Dreams is my favorite. (I find Blackadder Goes Forth to be the most ficcable season, for some reason.) It really has the language and feel of the show down, and gives us a nice mix of perspectives (notably Darling's and George's). Set during and around "Major Star." (PG)
Breakfast Club - I enjoyed the visions of the future in state of imaginary grace, which also has Bender/Brian slash. Which is oddly sweet. (Extra random props to the writer for knowing a little something about Cambridge; though honestly, I think Bartley's is very overhyped.) (PG-13)
Deadwood - The Founding of the Famous Gem Saloon and Other Historic Tales of the Early Days of the Camp of Deadwood is an extremely in-tone set of Deadwood vignettes, detailing the pre-show days of the camp from three different perspectives. I find all three--A.W. Merrick, Dan Doherty, and Doc Cochran--to be quite believable, and what's more, sympathetic. (R)
Diana Wynne Jones – Castle Series AKA Howl Series - I love this book to death, but I always find myself wanting more! It's not that I quibble with Diana Wynne Jones' choice of ending, but yeah, fanfiction is needed. A Meeting of Minds is a great little look at how Howl and Sophie wind up getting married (a bit belatedly, which doesn't surprise me), and it's marvelously in character for both of them. So Howl and Sophie lived happily ever after, or at least until he called her a sweet again. Oh, love. (PG)
Dinosaur Comics - INSECURITY COMICS is a goofy set of shorts--well, comic scripts--in which everyone makes fun of T-Rex's tiny arms. Including God. Also, bonus: see them set in the actual comics template, here. (PG)
Dorothy Dunnett – Lymond Chronicles - It's been awhile since I finished the series . . . I can't believe I hadn't read any Lymond fic yet! (Must go back through the archive later.) Anyway, Mon coeur se recommande a vous and The Time That Thou Hast Lost and Spent both deal with a pairing which I hadn't considered (or if I had, it wasn't enough that I remembered . . . don't tempt me to reread yet!), Adam/Kate. Now that I think of it, that's a perfectly sweet combination. Both are set at the end of Checkmate (it must have been a pretty specific request), and add some extra perspective to the close of the series, with some sweet hopes for the future. (both PG)
Douglas Adams – Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series - There are usually a few good HHG fic in
yuletide, and this year is no exception. My favorite is Reunification, which is set pre-book. It's classic put-upon Arthur. I love it when fic takes a look at his perspective on Ford, before he knew the truth. Made me chuckle. (PG)Dykes To Watch Out For - Only one fic for this fandom? Man, I need to remember not to chicken out of offering it, next year! Anyway, it's very short, but a good fic. Love Letter captures Lois' personality in a few well-put (and mostly crossed-out) lines. I miss the days when the strip was more like this and less filled with divorce drama (though I still and always will love it). (NC-17, of course)
Excalibur (1988 comic) - There was only one story for this fandom as well, sadly . . . but it was for me! *love* The Lady and the Dragon is a sweet and amusing interlude during the Cross-Time Caper. I've already rhapsodized about it a bit in a previous post, but basically it's just what I wanted . . . oldschool Excalibur hijinks, and Rachel/Kitty love (if subtle gen-ish love). There is also lovely Kurt and Lockheed! (PG)
Fairy Tales (trad) - I shouldn't be surprised that the most-offered
yuletide fandom got so much fic this year (twenty-four stories, ZOMG). It was really hard to be selective, and I actually really need to go back and reread a couple of them more carefully. A handful did particularly strike me, however. Most of the many "Twelve Dancing Princesses" fic were extremely creepy--and beautiful, and marvelously well-written, if not quite what I'd have wanted from creepy--but Forget Me Not charmed me with its obnoxious little-girl voice. (Also, the end of that is creepy in its own way, with the sheer thoughtlessness of a spoiled child.) (PG)A common theme this year was "after happily ever after," and The Man in the Mirror, Swan's Wing, and Three months after the happy ever after were three very different variations upon it. The first is a creepy second look at "Beauty and the Beast," in which a kiss is not a solution, after all. The second, set after "The Wild Swans," is more wry and melancholy, focusing on imperfections that remain at the ending. The third, a "Cinderella" story, is happier; but, it notes that happily ever after has to be "worked at." (PG-13, PG, PG)
Waking Rose is also a look at "after," though much further along than the others, and certainly much less serious. It's bizarre and goofy and verging on modern: a middle-aged, menopausal Sleeping Beauty finds a new lease on life (through, well, undeath). (PG-13)
Lastly, there were quite a few fairytale remixes and fusions this year. My favorite of these was definitely What the Pea Proved. I won't spoil any surprises, but I will say that Sari is a fairytale heroine I would not have minded growing up with, and I quite enjoyed the lesson in her story. (PG)
Fifth Element - Radiant Fire, to Things Ephemeral is a lovely piece from Leeloo's perspective: thoughts on her task, on humanity, and on why she values Korben Dallas. I really appreciated this more complex look at her motivations and purpose. (PG)
Flight of the Conchords - I must say, I could really imagine Career Permutations with Bret & Jemaine as an actual "Conchords" episode. (I particularly enjoyed the problem with Bret's brief modeling career.) Meanwhile, Lust of the Conchords is the most appropriate use of "the characters find fanfiction" that I think I've ever read. (Mel would so write badfic.) (PG and R, respectively)
Fried Green Tomatoes - An AU that "fixes" something, but still breaks my heart, We’ll Take What We Can Carry, and We’ll Leave the Rest gives Ruth back her future with her family. It's about strength, and coping with grief . . . well, potential grief in this case, but knowing what really happens makes it that much more poignant. Augh. (it says G, but I'd say PG-13 for vague sex)
From Eroica With Love -
yuletide tends to have really fantastic Eroica fic, and I certainly haven't been disappointed this year! All four were quite enjoyable, but two stand out to me particularly. The first, of course, is Parklife, my own fantastic giftfic. (I am so spoiled this year!) It's a long ramble of a story in which Klaus and Dorian work together to solve a mystery--in a park, on a beautiful summer's day--at an unusually leisurely pace. (Not that Klaus is okay with the pace! But it's more stewing than frenetic yelling, here.) It's beautiful, and wonderfully in character, and it brings them this close, with breathtaking care. On a rather different note, The Beat That My Heart Skipped (Sounded Like This) is an intense, emotional piece that finally brings them together with a crash. It's a story in which Klaus gets to show his feelings, and Dorian gets to be angry (really furious, not petulent) . . . but it's still in character. And hot, too! (PG and PG-13, respectively)Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - I was a casual Herc fan, and I can't have seen half the episodes, so I was just going to pass this fandom by . . . but when I read the description of I Friend You, You Friend Him, I knew it was going to be awesome. Salmoneus sets up a "social network"--"Face Scroll"--and even the gods are completely hooked. Honestly, I think that speaks for itself. Deeply hilarious! (PG)
Jesus Christ: Superstar - I haven't actually gotten to this fandom yet, but Look What You've Brought Us To was accidentally miscategorized as another fandom, and I can't say I'm sorry about that. It's short, a ficlet really, but it's so hot and so bitter . . . a look at Judas's jealousy, and desire for the man he will betray. (Very much how I imagine him, really.) (R)
Also, I've been getting some lovely responses to my own story, which is quite unexpected, as usual. (Someone smack me next year.) Man, I can't wait for the reveal . . . to find out who my awesome Santas are, and to thank everyone for commenting!
Whew. Time to get back to packing, now. (All I want to do is read!)