Fic Recs

[geoviki]

aubrem posted this question on her LJ today: where have all the random rec posts gone? And I'd been putting off doing a rec post for far too long - her post gave me a well-deserved prod. I can partially answer, though - I've been lazy and these take a while to concoct, because I look for the link and a quote and before I know it, I'm rereading the whole story! So I've been at the PC for a couple hours ginning this up. Hope you find something you like too.

One thing that was brought up in comments to her post, and that is definitely true for me, is that recs often tend to be a random assortment of "what I remember reading and liking." There's no system here - if I've missed a story, I may not have gotten round to it yet or maybe just plain forgot where I stuffed the link. So, onward to the incomplete and latest:


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Interview with the Hero by scoradh

Novel-length H/D that satisfies! There are so many things about this story that I adore, and I owe it to scoradh to write reams about it, but I can't do it justice. I think I've stated here before that she's one of my favorite writers, with loads of talent (which I can't seem to make her believe!). I really enjoy well-written original characters, which she specializes in. I love out-of-England fics, too, and this travels from Egypt through Spain first. And dry wit and clever detail and description liek whoa and terrific characterization and a unique ending. Need I say anything else? Oh, yeah - go read it.

“Felix, what is it? Bad news? Would you please say something, Felix?”

Draco looked up and caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror above the bar. It was a gilt-trip in brass grapes and brazen nymphs. It did not look like the sort of glass that should be reflecting a face like Draco's at that moment.

“Felix? Say something!”

“I have to go,” croaked Draco, shoving back his chair. The legs protested, so he pushed harder and it overturned. The crash sent waiters scurrying over like rats from a sinking ship, but Draco paid them no mind. He closed his fist around the crumple of newsprint and turned on his heel, leaving behind a broken chair, a snapped knife, parchment confetti, a stunned lover and three hundred pounds’ worth of damages.

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The Problem With Elephants by scoradh

Original Fic! Brilliant fic! Romantic and well-crafted with carefully drawn characters. I definitely enjoy this story and have already reread it the week after I first found it. See above for my opinions on Scoradh's writing ability.

He was distracted from his splintered thoughts by the sounds of another virtual car biting the dust and his mother's cloven hoof on the stair. Feeling cornered, Tim thumped the controls. If only physically torturing his Playstation would do more than make the screen flicker. Teleporting him to another planet would be favourite.

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Ten by janicechess

Great use of deliberate symmetry. I love Harry and Draco just beginning - I think I'm also getting away from the higher-rated stories and learning to appreciate the romantic.

Heart hammering in his chest, wand held steady in front of him, he advances down the corridor. The building is eerily silent, although he knows it is teeming with living creatures, most of whom would gleefully kill him on sight.

The door grows closer and closer. Ten more steps and it will begin.

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Lush Life by pir8fancier

Sometimes my obliviousness embarrasses even me. I read this when it was an anon-fic and didn't connect it to Lettered right away, a fic which I recced way back when. But then I read them back to back a second time and saw how beautifully they fit together. I especially like future-Draco - he's 40 here. The plot is terrifically clever and unique, and like scoradh's stories, has this clever, stylish wit driving everything. It's a great story, does justice to the original.

"DavyD, where's the copy for that article on the new orgasm? Stephan, I asked for that photo layout on lube three days ago. It has yet to appear on my desk. Courtney, did I or did I not demand that you call up that utter piece of shite Charles and ask him where his article was? And one person, one person, asks me how my lunch went and you're ALL FIRED!"

I managed to say all this between the entrance and the door to my office. Go. Fucking. Me.

My plants were still vibrating from the force of my door slamming shut when Sam eased her way in.

"How was your lunch?"

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Fixed in a Morning Sun by
settisma with illustrations by linnpuzzle. Draco/Ron

What I liked best, I think, is the way she spreads such detail throughout the whole story (the knitting needles that can cure arthritis, the never-ending cocoa, shopping for robes), which makes it seem so immediate and visual to me. And I love the characterization of Draco, and how slowly everything unfolds. Plus, there's gentle humor, like this:

“What can you do?” Lupin said, finally, honestly.

“Play Quidditch,” Draco replied, a bit abruptly. “Make tea.” Then, “That’s not what you meant.”

“I would keep you around solely for your tea making skills,” Lupin said, solemnly, and Draco found himself laughing. He stopped, a moment later, a little embarrassed.

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The Months of Poker in Manchester by starrysummer. H/D

From the hd_remix challenge. I like stories like this that are told in a series of seemingly unconnected vignettes, with an emotional twist from time to time and not too much exposition to burden down the story. The language, too, is sharp and to the point:

It is then, as Snape's face finally loses its sneer, that Harry learns to study hands. The trace of every line, the clean crop of Draco's fingernails, even in desperate hiding, and the way he holds his narrow fingers outstretched, long as he can make them. The world goes black except for the slow trickle of water on pale, pale skin and Harry memorises each feature so as to forget everything else.

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Famous Last Words by jordangrant. Draco/Ron NC-17 warning

Angst warning - not a happy fic. Oh, but a moving one. Voldie wins. I've never read a rentboy!Ron fic, and never one that had such a psychological twist as this one does. Jordan Grant is a true writer's writer, and this is one reason why. I didn't predict the ending, but when I went back and reread, I could see how carefully everything points to it - and that's masterful. I suspect her Draco is the most canon-like I've seen recently.

"Your brothers were so unwittingly helpful to me," the Dark Lord had hissed at Ron's trial, his red eyes piercing as he began to chuckle. "Peruvian Darkness Powder. Ah, yes. Wonderful… I would reward them were they still here, but as you are the sole remaining remnant of your family line, you will have to benefit in their stead. You are free to go, Ronald Bilius Weasley."

No, you're supposed to kill me the way you killed Harry! Ron had almost shouted.

He couldn't say that, though. Deep down, he didn't really want to die.

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Better Than Sex by regan_v and jordangrant. Snape/Draco

Angst warning for this one, too. Both of these last two were written for the hp_cliche community, where the point was to come up with new twists on old cliches. Rentboy!Draco, with a magical twist.

He walked into the lounge to survey the evening's offerings. The nature of the work here ensured a regular turnover within Grimthorpe's stable, and he spotted several new faces. In one corner, a blond held court over several boys already known to Snape. The blond drawled something indistinct, and the others snickered, and then turned to see who their new customer was. The new blond turned too, and Snape found himself looking at Draco Malfoy.

Comments

[oxoniensis.livejournal.com]

I've not managed to search out some good H/D stories for too long now, so this rec post is a real treat. I'm bookmarking it for whenever I have time to dip into them.

*puppy eyes*

[shezan.livejournal.com]

Oh, I SO wish you'd come to HP_Fanfic_Recs and rec as many of those as you feel up to? (Because we doone rec/post.)

[fiona-fawkes.livejournal.com]

Hee hee. I've just read Lush Life as well and you quoting the lines reminded me of just how utterly fabulous pir8fancier is at that Draco voice. *desperately resists the re-read*

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

::Blushes madly::

I have to rec when I read. If I pile them up, nothing happens.

And Interview with the Hero and Famous Last Words had me squeeing as well. Very well done.

[norton-gale.livejournal.com]

Well, Ten and The Months of Poker In Manchester were among my very favorite reads this year, so I'd have to say I trust your recs. I really like it when fan fiction exceeds the boundaries of its conventions, and it sounds like each of these stories does that in some way. Saved this to memories so I can check these out when I have time.

[jonem.livejournal.com]

You're right, there do seem to be fewer rec posts around at the moment. I'm blaming the starty of the scholastic year - everyone is finishing up their holidays and readapting to the usual routines.

Oooh, I love 'Fixed In A Morning Sun'. I've not come across that author before. You've found me a new one - again!

[scoradh.livejournal.com]

[grin] Thanks so much for your kind words! I'm off now to try write some of my other original story. My back's a right angle after studying all day and I really just want to sleep, but ... this changed my mind a little. :D