Fiction Recommendations, Miyaka

Pawn to Queen

Sat, 12 Oct 2002 04:57:25 GMT

Title of Fic: Pawn to Queen
Author: Riley
Fandom: Harry Potter
Warnings: Angst, Incomplete, OC, lime.
Hosting Archive: The Wizarding Underground of Fan Literature
Summary: Hermione plays a game of chess with life...

Reasons for Recommendation:
When I first found this story, I did not immediately follow the link to the homepage, assuming that the story couldn't be that long. I was wrong. It is already nearly thirty chapters in length, and growing longer. The author claimes that it will ultimately be 100+ chapters and I'm looking forward to every one.

I was hooked on this fic almost immediately, by the vivid descriptions and interesting characterizations. The author does an incredible job of spinning a believable and fascinating web of a tale, and I am captivated by it. I find the original characters to be just as interesting as the canon characters, and I admit to loving the Snape/Hermione interplay. Definitely a wonderful fic to read.

Yet Another Snape Meets The Dursleys Story

Thu, 29 Aug 2002 15:38:26 GMT

Title of Fic: Yet Another Snape Meets The Dursleys Story
Author: rabbit
Fandom: Harry Potter
Warnings: Silliness, humor, angst.
Hosting Archive: Fanfiction.net
Summary: When Snape is called to the Dursleys' by an urgent message, he does not find what he expects to find.

Reasons for Recommendation:
Once again, a fic I'm recommending on the humor value. But this also does something that most of the other fics I've read hasn't. It fleshes out the Dursleys, creating them as real people instead of spoiled cardboard brats. I'm really impressed by the way the author has humanized Dudley in particular. It all fits in with his character, but at the same time, it's a new look at him, and one that we can begin to sympathize with.

All in all, a really good story, and definitely one I recommend.

Slytherin Study Group

Thu, 29 Aug 2002 15:33:12 GMT

Title of Fic: Stuck, Stuck in the Muddle with You, Ramifications, If Ewe are Prepared
Author: ~v~Jinx~v~ and rabbit
Fandom: Harry Potter
Warnings: Humor, Silliness, Sheep
Hosting Archive: Fanfiction.net
Summary: Short silliness involving several stymied Slytherin students, including one Severus Snape!

Reasons for Recommendation:
Why recommend it? Because it's pure fun. It's like brain-candy, only without the sappiness most often associated with brain-candy. The authors are very good at humor, something that always impresses me, and some of the ideas they've come up with leave me absolutely howling.

The Fire and the Rose

Wed, 28 Aug 2002 22:38:48 GMT

Title of Fic: The Fire and the Rose
Author: MetroVampire & Rhosymedre
Fandom: Harry Potter
Warnings: Sex, Humor, AU.
Hosting Archive: Fanfiction.net
Summary: A potions accident leads to an unexpected meeting of minds.

Reasons for Recommendation:
More than anything else, I'm recommending this fic because I found it a really good, easy read. It kept me engrossed, and was well-written. The authors have a simple, enjoyable approach to their plot, and I like the fact that it flip-flops between the main two characters.

Up until now, I've never been hugely impressed with Hermione, but the authors write her in a way that helps me to identify with her and start seeing her as a person rather than a cardboard cutout of a character. I am always impressed when authors can do that.

While I don't feel that there's anything intensely captivating about this story, it is definitely one that I will be keeping up with and rereading on a regular basis. And isn't that what makes the best stories, after all?

Look Pale with Love

Sat, 10 Aug 2002 14:49:41 GMT

Title of Fic: Look Pale With Love
Author: JayKay
Fandom: Harry Potter
Warnings: Angst, Slash, AU, Humor.
Hosting Archive: Chocolate Frog
Summary: After the play, Snape and Harry learn all too well that the course of true love ne'er did run smooth. (sequel to Too Wise to Woo Peaceably)

Reasons for Recommendation:
Although Look Pale With Love wraps up almost all of the loose threads hanging from the previous story, it unravels a whole new skein at the same time. The author's incredible skill at dealing with the relationships within this story, whether familial, romantic, or friendship, had me staying up long into the night, fighting a migraine just to get to the end of the fic.

The story is complete, but I must admit that I hope the series isn't. There are some wonderful ideas floating around, ones that make me yearn to read more. And the author is very skilled at this.

The story is very definitely character-driven, and with good attention to detail. I'm glad I read it. Incidentally, it takes place only moments after Too Wise to Woo Peaceably ends, so you should definitely read that one first!

Too Wise to Woo Peaceably

Sat, 10 Aug 2002 14:39:41 GMT

Title of Fic: Too Wise to Woo Peaceably
Author: JayKay
Fandom: Harry Potter
Warnings: AU, Humor, Slash, Lemon.
Hosting Archive: Chocolate Frog
Summary: After Voldemort is defeated once and for all, the survivors celebrate and boost morale by putting on a production of Much Ado About Nothing.

Reasons for Recommendation:
The premise for this fic seemed incredibly stupid, but since I was following one good author's recommendations to another, I decided to try it out. I was more than impressed by the fic itself. Although I am not certain how canonically in-character the characters were, I certainly recognized those I knew. And I really liked the way JayKay brought the slash into play gently, almost without seeming to.

Once more, a fic has given me yet another perspective on Snape, and I'm really glad it has. I loved thinking about the Snape in Too Wise and viewing him from Harry's point of view. Besides all that, though, there is one very incredible scene, in my opinion. It deals not with the physical aspect of the blossoming relationship between Harry and Snape, but rather, with the emotional aspect, and is Harry looking at himself and realizing just why he could finally see past Snape's teacher-façade. I loved that part, and agreed with it completely. Attention to detail such as that makes for an excellent fic.

All in all, a must read for anyone interested in Harry/Snape relationships, or for those willing to try it out. And if you like Shakespeare, all the better!

Shades of Grey

Sat, 10 Aug 2002 14:20:22 GMT

Title of Fic: Shades of Grey
Author: ShadowPhoenix
Fandom: Harry Potter
Warnings: Slash, Angst, wip.
Hosting Archive: Fanfiction.net
Summary: (sequel to Fine Lines) Severus and Harry return to Hogwarts, where they will soon discover that the past is not easily forgotten.

Reasons for Recommendation:
Recently, I recommended a very good HP fic by the name of Fine Lines. This fic continues on the story in a believable manner, with very good attention to character development. I'm growing increasingly charmed by the good writers out there in Harry/Snape fandom.

For more ideas of why I would recommend this fic, it's easiest just to point you to the reasons for recommendation in Fine Lines. Check it out. You'll like.

Fine Lines

Wed, 24 Jul 2002 17:36:09 GMT

Title of Fic: Fine Lines
Author: Shadowphoenix
Fandom: Harry Potter
Warnings: Slash. language
Hosting Archive: Memento Mori
Summary: When Lucius Malfoy seeks to become the next Dark Lord, Severus Snape finds himself the unwilling protector of Harry Potter, who has no memory of the wizarding world.

Reasons for Recommendation:
Following the link I found under Midnight Blue's fanfiction.net Favorite Stories section, I came across Shadowphoenix's work. While I was there, I decided to give Fine Lines a try, to determine if the story warranted the reading. Not only did it, indeed, warrant a reading, it also warranted telling others about it.

Fine Lines had very few technical errors of any kind, and the plotline was enjoyable and easy to read. It seemed, to me, to have just the right mixture of intensity and humor, and once again, this story made me look at Snape twice. I'm discovering, through these stories, a Snape I like very much, and one I wish to continue reading about.

All in all, this fanfic has done precisely what a fanfiction should do. It has opened up a new understanding about the same characters, while not being overly preachy. I am finding that Ron and Albus are, perhaps, a bit too cliché in their characterizations, but at the same time, Hermione and Minerva's parts have me laughing in my chair.

Fine Lines sports a sequel which is still a work in progress. I have very little doubt, having read what there is of the story already, that at a later date it, too, will feature a recommendation in my journal.

Falling Forever

Tue, 23 Jul 2002 19:43:04 GMT

Title of Fic: Falling Forever
Author: Miko no da
Fandom: Weiß Kreuz/Gravitation
Warnings: angst, crossover, sap, yaoi
Hosting Archive: Miko no da's Fanfiction Archive
Summary: A case of mistaken identity leads Omi to some of the best - and the worst - moments of his life.

Reasons for Recommendation:
How can you not love a fic that pairs the adorably genki Omi (from the original TV series, not Glûhen) with loyal, laid-back Hiroshi? It's a match made in heaven, and Miko's story captures the heart. Based on the notably similar hairstyles of Omi and Shuuichi, Miko took an idea and ran with it. And I liked what she did.

There is nothing insanely obvious about why you should read the fic. It's simply a wonderful read. All the warnings fit very well, and I found the story neither rushed nor slow. She explores the troubles behind a relationship with an assassin, and I was left wondering what I would do in Hiro's position.

Come Undone

Tue, 23 Jul 2002 19:10:50 GMT

Title of Fic: Come Undone
Author: Natalie Baan
Fandom: Gundam Wing
Warnings: None
Hosting Archive: Firecat Fanfics
Summary: Quatre and Duo discuss the intricacies of imperfection.

Reasons for Recommendation:
While the fic has no huge plot, it doesn't need one. Come Undone is a perfect mood-piece, beautifully rendered and poetically written. Natalie's writing style is at once complex and musical, and for that alone, I enjoyed the fic.

For the most part, however, I am recommending this fic simply because it captured my heart. I have no hard and fast reasons for liking this work. I just do.

The Mirror of Maybe

Thu, 18 Jul 2002 22:02:02 GMT

Title of Fic: The Mirror of Maybe
Author: Midnight Blue
Fandom: Harry Potter
Warnings: Slash
Hosting Archive: Fanfiction.net
Summary: When a magic mirror allows Harry to live thirteen years of his life inside it, he becomes a changed person.

Reasons for Recommendation:
I have to start out by admitting that I don't like the Harry Potter series. The books I've read left me with a less-than-appreciative opinion, and the movie did little to redeem that impression (although the acting in the movie was quite good.) I found the link to this story from damoyre.

That said, I must say that this story is one of the most captivating pieces of fiction that I've known. The plot is well thought out and impressive, and I have yet to notice an inconsistency in any part of it. I also found it well edited, with very few misspellings or grammatical errors and none of note.

The original characters are fleshed out and three-dimensional, and Midnight Blue has managed to make me like characters that heretofore I've only tolerated. She also succeeded in making me like characters that I've flat out hated before, and in a believable manner. I'm completely impressed and amazed, and I honestly wish I had the talent that she displays. All in all, this story is a must-read for anyone who can stand slash.

One last thing. The relationship within the story revolves around Harry Potter and Severus Snape. This squicked me when I first considered it, but I consider damoyre to be a fair judge of fics, so I gave it a chance. My suggestion for those of you who can handle slash but hate the idea of that particular pairing is to suck it up and read the story anyway. I'm not only not squicked, but I've discovered that maybe I should re-evalutate my views of Snape.

Shinjite'ru

Thu, 18 Jul 2002 04:38:42 GMT

Title of Fic: Shinjite'ru
Author: Miko no da
Fandom: Gundam Wing
Warnings: Lemon PWP Sap Yaoi
Hosting Archive: Miko no da's Fanfiction Archive
Summary: Trowa rescues Duo from an OZ prison

Reasons for Recommendation:
Despite the somewhat cliché characterization of Bastard Heero, I find this story very sweet and enjoyable to read. Miko no da is a very accomplished author, and I'm a huge fan of hers.

Beyond that, the characterizations of everyone (but Heero) are well-done. While Trowa is portrayed as quiet, he is not silent. While Duo is portrayed as flamboyant, he is not stupid or silly. And as a huge fan of Wufei, I truly enjoyed his cameo (which lasted only a few lines at most.) Miko no da managed to really capture what I see in him, his dignity and compassion, and display it without jarring the story out of its continuum.

All in all, it's a wonderful story. Check it out.

Incomprehensible Moon

Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:44:21 GMT

Title of Fic: Incomprehensible Moon
Author: Devanie Maxwell
Fandom: C.S.I.
Warnings: Humor
Hosting Archive: The Official Grissom and Sara Fan-Fic Archive
Summary:When Sara goes to Grissom for help on a case the two have a rather improbable conversation.

Reasons for Recommendation:
I liked this story. It struck me as being in character, and for a challenge fic, that's usually impressive. Beyond that, there are some adorable lines in the fic.

All in all, it was just fun.

Demon of Justice

Wed, 17 Jul 2002 15:52:02 GMT

Title of Fic: Demon of Justice
Author: Mel and Christy
Fandom: Gundam Wing
Warnings: Yaoi, language and ANGST! Eventual violence, citrus, sap...
Hosting Archive: Death and the Dragon
Summary: When an act of fate sends Wufei careening into another world, Duo must learn to cope without his best friend.

Reasons for Recommendation:
First of all, the fic is good. It's well-written, and manages to flesh out a myriad of original characters in addition to the G-boys. Beyond that, the plotline is engaging, and answers a great many questions that often go un-answered.

The pairings are fairly usual, and approached in a common enough way, but there is still enough uniqueness to capture the imagination. Cyclone Quatre makes an appearance, as does Bitch-Queen Relena and Mel and Christy's Relena (whom I greatly prefer.)

There are warriors and wizards, demons and devils, sillies and seriousness. In other words? It's a good story!

It started out as a mistake.

Wed, 17 Jul 2002 13:01:34 GMT

You see, cappuccinogirl and I were talking about creating a community for CSI fic recommendations. Initially, I created this account to be that community, but decided that I wanted CSI in the username somewhere. So I stopped halfway through, and started creating csific_rec instead. I got everything done there, and then realized that this account was still around.

So I thought about it for a while, and decided to keep it and use it as my personal fic recommendations. It'll be updated whenever I feel like it and will have anything on it that I liked, in a number of fandoms.

At the moment, I'm still customizing it, but I thought that I could at least post WHY it's here. Maybe later, if I feel like it, I'll turn it into a community or something. For now, it goes to house links to fics I really love.