10 fic recs (multi-fandoms)

[mhalachai]

So I was tagged on Tumblr to post ten fics that have stayed with me in some way, and I thought that you guys might like the blast from the past too - enjoy :)

In no particular order:

Retrograde (SGA/SG1) by Martha Wilson: http://www.ltljverse.com/watergate/seriesindex.htm

Retrograde is an epic look at SGA if they'd done nearly everything different in the first season, and then Earth came looking for the expedition. What I love about this story is that by making those changes to the first season (basically using common sense), the world building is so much better, and the characters feel true to themselves.

Blood Magic (Harry Potter) by GatewayGirl: http://www.fictionalley.org/authors/gatewaygirl/BM.html

One of the “If Harry was Snape's son” stories, and it tackles that subject matter in a really good way that keeps to the characterizations. What I love about this story is that Snape isn't some misunderstood white knight, he really is an asshole and we get to see how he grows during the course of the story. Also, Harry is written as a teenage boy who's a bit of an asshole at times and self-centred and just trying to so hard, and it is just a great Harry.

Shades of Ianto (Torchwood) by Sarcasticchick: http://archiveofourown.org/series/13812

This is just an epic take on Ianto Jones, with a rich backstory for him and I highly recommended reading it. It really influenced my view on that character and a lot of Torchwood itself.

Only the Journey Matters (SGA) by GA Unicorn: http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=14549

This is one of those fun shorts, where a non-canon character is used to explore a canon character's characterization. Basically, how the military folk on SGA see Colonel Sheppard. What I love about this story is that it looks at how the military personnel might approach life on Atlantis under the uncommon command structure.

Shovelling (MASH/BtVS) by PABurke: http://www.tthfanfic.org/Story-7661/PaBurke+Shoveling.htm

A collection of 100 drabbles (100 word each) where Dr. Hawkeye Pierce ends up living next to the Slayer house in Cleveland. What I love about this story is that it gets into your heart and makes you care in 100x100 words. I still cry when I read it. Character death.

Bridges (Stargate/BtVS) by Tassos: http://www.tthfanfic.org/story.php?no=3138

Jack O'Neill is Xander Harris's real father. Bridges is a long and involved telling of trust and dealing and grief and just making it in the world. Even if that world has aliens and demons. What I love about this story is that it made me care about Xander in a way the show failed to do. Great Xander.

Fire and the Rose (Harry Potter) by Abby and Domina http://www.witchfics.org/fr/

This is the ultimate HP body-swap fic for me - Snape and Hermione swap bodies and have to spend Hermione's seventh year living as the other. It's Hermione/Snape but it makes it work, somehow. What I love about this story is that it's long and involved and a great look at body-swap.

Ain't Seen the Sunshine (Sherlock) by Emungere: http://archiveofourown.org/works/179127?view_adult=true

You guys know I like kidfic. In this one, John Watson is brought on as the nanny for Sherlock Holmes (age 5) and Mycroft Holmes (age 12). It's a retelling of the Hound of the Baskervilles (the story not the show) and features Greg Lestrade. It's pre Watson/Lestrade and is wonderful. What I love about this story, besides the writing of actual!five-year-old-Sherlock, is the associated blog the writer's been keeping up: http://boringlifeofjohnwatson.blogspot.ca/

Never Leave a Trace (White Collar) by Copperbadge: http://archiveofourown.org/works/757143/chapters/1415554

Sam got me into White Collar through his fic, but Never Leave a Trace is in a category all of its own when it comes to fic. A story about jailhouse magic and what life is like on the inside, Sam ended up turning this into a stand-alone original novel. Even if you don't know White Collar, I recommend this fic to everyone everywhere to see how magical realism can be woven through a fic. What I love about this story is the magical realism spin on things.

The Lodger (Harry Potter) by Mad Martha: http://archiveofourown.org/works/218544/chapters/328702

Ending with an HP fic, this one is based on the premise that one day, years after Voldemort, Harry Potter places an ad for a lodger (aka roommate) and Draco Malfoy turns up on his doorstep. What I love about this story is that it looks at lie after Voldemort in an unrelenting way - his death didn't magically fix everything. Turns into Harry/Draco.

Anyone have any recs for me? :D :D

Comments

[schneefink]

I have to check out any rec list that starts with Retrograde, one of my favorite fics probably ever. (Together with that same author's space pirates AU.) Thanks for these! Maybe I'll remember to do another recs post one of these days.

[green]

I haven't thought about Retrograde in awhile and now I just know I need to reread. This is an awesome list. :D