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Yuletide Recommendations
I hope that everyone will forgive my recent radio silence. Christmas turned out suprisingly awesome (I even got great presents this year!) and I've spent every moment of internet time since reading the Yuletide archive. I'm amazed to find that it's New Year's Eve here already and I'm only half way through the alphabet.
This year, I find myself in the embarassing position of having written a terrible story and received a great one. Perhaps you think I am exagerating when I say that my story is terrible, but trust me when I say that when I link to it after the reveal you can see for yourself. The moral here is 'do not try to edit and submit your story while your father is in the hospital, because you will do a lousy job'. The concept of the story isn't bad, but the execution is ... lacking. Still, I am glad I did not end up defaulting and making more work for the organizers and pinch hitters, no matter how embarassed the kind feedback people have left makes me. At least nobody has recced the damn thing, or I would have to sink into the ground. As for the recipient, I think I may have thought of a way to make it up to her.
Speaking of recs, though, I have many!
First of all, there is the story I received: What Comes Around, an awsome Baldur's Gate story about Mazzy and the rest of the Bhaalspawn's crew saving Faerun. The author managed to work in all the things I asked for (plus Sarevok, whom I also love) and everyone is beautifully in character. My gift brings me great joy, thank you Yuletide writer! Of course, the lovely thing about Yuletide is that you get to enjoy everyone else's presents as well as your own.
Arrested Development
Tiger Beaten
George Michael Bluth gets a call from his cousin Maeby and somehow ends up becoming a drummer in a famous band. Hilarious, and just the kind of thing that always happens to the Bluths. The early morning phone calls between George Michael and his long-suffering father are a lovely touch.
Arthur Conan Doyle - Sherlock Holmes series
1918
A clever, subtle crossover that takes a look at the later years of the great detective and his loyal companion. Of course Watson could not help but get himself involved in the Great War, and in the course of it he meets ... but that would be telling. Even if you don't recognise the young soldier on the stretcher, it's a fine story.
Commonplaces
Sherlock Holmes may have fooled the world into thinking he's dead, but there's one person he cannot fool: Irene Adler. Now married and almost respectable, Irene can't resist tracking down her old foe. Painful and perfect.
The Adventure of the Expert Cracksman
Holmes and Watson are presented with a crime that bears all the hallmarks of a criminal the detective encountered when he was just learning his trade. A splendid casefile that sheds some light on Holmes' background and attitude towards his work and emotional involvement.
Baldur's Gate
On the Subject of Gratefulness
Viconia and Jaheira separate from the rest of their party to fetch some supplies, and end up confronting some old ghosts. A wonderful story that's both heartbreaking and funny, and shows a most unexpected kinship between the two of them. (Aside to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lokisrose: this is the story I told you about on the phone, which you have to read. Go now, if you didn't find it already.)
Barbara Hambly - Windrose series
The Peacetime Weapon
After the series, Caris seeks a new path. A plausible and bittersweet ending for the character. I spent the first half wanting to shake him, which just goes to show how in character he is, since I always want to shake Caris :).
The Scarlet Wizard
They seek him here.
They seek him there.
Those Witchfinders seek him everywhere.
Is he in heaven?
Or is he in hell?
That damned, elusive, wizard -- wait, that doesn't rhyme. Never mind.
This story makes me happier than I can possibly say. I first read the Windrose books when I was fourteen, half my lifetime ago, and ever since that maddening last page revelation at the end of Dog Wizard I've been waiting for more. This is a funny, exciting, heart-wrenching sequel that replicates Hambly's style and characterisation perfectly. I am seriously considering sending this to my mother, who has never read a fanfic in her life.
Being Human
I am one such dream
George, Annie and Mitchell get settled in. A beautiful character portrait of George, and I adore the part about the blackboard.
Blakes 7
Break Away
An alternate universe where Avon and Vila leave the Liberator together. A great look at the not-exactly-friendship these two have, and a reality that probably turned out better for all concerned. (Admitedly, it would be hard to imagine how it could have turned out worse.)
The Pragmatist
A magnificent portrait of Jenna Stannis in all her practical glory. I love this look at her background, and seeing the Liberator and its crew through her eyes is an education.
Blue Beetle
Meet the Parents
Even when you've fought off supervillains and alien invaders, taking your new boyfriend home to meet your parents is a nerve-wracking experience. I can claim no expertise about Time Drake and his characterisation, but I do know that Jaime, Paco, Brenda and the Reyes family are all wonderfully drawn.
Sundae Blues
Milagro goes out for icecream with Jaime and his friends, but even getting desert isn't a simple matter when your brother is a superhero. Luckily, Milagro doesn't need as much protection as Jaime might think ...
Casanova
gravity caught my love around
Kinky, well-characterised look at Bellino's life with Giacamo Casanova.
Courtney Crumrin
It's Always Teatime Somewhere
Aloysius Crumrin gives Calpurnia a break from trying to work out how to teach Romeo and Juliet to seventh graders. A charming slice of life, and it's nice that these two have at least one other vaugley sensible adult to talk to.
Daria
A Week Off Spent in Lawndale for the Celebration of Key Religious Events
Daria comes home for Christmas and catches up with Jodie. A deceptively quiet story that captures their friendship perfectly, and I can easily see this happening after the close of the series.
Dexter
Fools Rush In
I've been treading carefully around potential spoilers for Season Three in the Dexter stories this year, but this is set just after the end of Season Two. Knowing that she's the only other person who can understand what Maria La Guerta has been through, Deb tries to help her, with mixed results. So very awesomely Deb.
repeat after me
Harry Morgan takes a long, hard look at what he's created. It's always hard to say who's ultimately scarier - the adopted father or the son - and this story doesn't clear that up. It is a great look at the inside of Harry's head, though.
Veni Vidi Veni
Vince Masuka sometimes reveals unexpected depths. As Deb puts it in the story, he may be a pervted, sex-obsessed freak - but even perverted, sex-obsessed freaks have feelings. One of the things I love most about Dexter as a show is how well-rounded every single member of the supporting cast is, and this story really nails that.
EW Hornung - Raffles series
The red, red rose and the briar
Despite not knowing their name, gender, marital status, location or anything else about the person who wrote this story, I have fancifully proposted marriage to them. I have wanted to see this crossover for years, and it's exquisitely executed. It turns out that Bunny is a big fan of Doctor John Watson's books. Naturally his friend has to drag him along to a signing that Holmes himself just happens to be attending. Wackiness, as they say, ensues.
The Sweets of Pillage
To be certain, it is a fine year for Raffles and Bunny. Here they are in past and possible future. It is sappy of me, but I would sincerely like to believe this story to be true.
Fringe
Correspondences
A history of Peter Bishop's misspent youth charted in the e-mails he writes to his mother after running away from home. Mrs. Bishop is one of the many mysteries waiting to be uncovered on the show, and we get a tantalising glimpse of her here through her son's letters. Peter's voice is reproduced to an uncanny degree.
Futurama
Four Things Turanga Leela Never Had To Put Up With, And One She Did (Guess)
One way and another, Leela has a hell of a lot to put up with, but at least she doesn't have to deal with this. (Well, not most of it. For sentimental reasons I like to think the third thing is the true one, but really, any of them could happen to the Planet Express crew and I wouldn't bat an eyelid.)
Five Deals the Robot Devil Almost Made
Turns out that the Robot Devil also has a lot to put up with, what with all the wacky things people want to sell their souls for. The punchline to Bender's section cracked me the hell up, and the sap in me loved the ending. Awwwwww.
GI Joe
Shed
Man, I love Cobra Commander way too much. It's because I imprinted on Chris Latta at an impressionable age. But it's also because he's so damn stubborn - here he is after the events of the movie, starting to crawl - literally - his way back to power. Great characterisation of both CC and his erstwhile allies.
Ghostbusters
Pop Quizz
... and speaking of cartoons with Frank Welker in them, here is some Ghostbusters fic! (Well, this is actually movieverse. But when it comes to me and Ghostbusters, RGB will always be the canon of my heart.) Egon and Ray, and Peter too, in college and out of it. They are totally adorable, especially when they're burning down important buildings.
The IT Crowd
Running Commentary
Moss invites himself over to Roy's for DVD watching, physics nitpicking, and maybe something more. Hysterically accurate characterisation of Moss, in particular.
JRR Tolkein - The Silmarillion
A Spirit of Fire
The events of The Silmarillion seen through the eyes of the enemy for a change - Melkor, as one might expect, has a rather different perspective on everything. A sort of otherworldly Paradise Lost, with orcs.
MASH
Five Kindnesses Charles Emerson Winchester Performed (But Would Never Acknowledge)
Charles Winchester is one of my favourite things about MASH, and this story captures his surface chilliness and unexpected kindness perfectly.
MI-5 aka Spooks
(A nitpick: it annoys me that this is listed in the Yuletide archive by its adopted American title first instead of its original name, but it does mean I got to the stories faster.)
The Drop
I have to admit, I was not sorry when Tom Quinn left Spooks early in Season Three. It wasn't that I disliked the character, but his annoying personal life drove me up the wall. So I don't often seek out fic about him post-departure. However, I really liked this - you can take the man out of the game, but you cannot take the game out of the man.
the man at the end of the pier
Apparently this is my year for Tom stories that I actually like. In any case, this one is Harry Pearce and Tom Quinn, from beginning to ... not quite end. Knowing how it will all turn out, though, the signs are there. (And Harry's method of dealing with stupid paperwork cracks me up.)
The Middleman
The Bellicose Doppelganger Auter-ization
When something bad happens to Lacey, the Middleman and Wendy have to go rescue her. Note-perfect recreation of the show's tone and feel. I won't spoil what the case turns out to be, but I can so see this happening in the series ...
The Ursine Therianthrope Divination
Roxy comes to the Middleman with news of a prophecy that Wendy will die and supervillains will take over the world. The Middleman ... does not take it well. In addition to having plenty of the humorous chaos that is the show's stock-in-trade, this story also makes me want to hug everyone involved. Especially the Middleman.
Mythology - Greek and Roman
Hard is the Fall
Daedalus ignores the gods, and the gods do not take such things lightly. What charmed me most about this story was how very Greek the unseen but definitely present deities are - nobody ever said the gods were kind, but they are certainly predictable.
Small Step For Man
Artemis and Apollo cannot die, but over the centuries even gods can change. Creepy and elegant look at the past and future of two Olypmians and their family.
this is not a chick flick
Hilarious, irreverent, skewed romantic comedy take on the courtship of Hades and Persephone. I especially enjoyed the characterisation of Zeus.
This year, I find myself in the embarassing position of having written a terrible story and received a great one. Perhaps you think I am exagerating when I say that my story is terrible, but trust me when I say that when I link to it after the reveal you can see for yourself. The moral here is 'do not try to edit and submit your story while your father is in the hospital, because you will do a lousy job'. The concept of the story isn't bad, but the execution is ... lacking. Still, I am glad I did not end up defaulting and making more work for the organizers and pinch hitters, no matter how embarassed the kind feedback people have left makes me. At least nobody has recced the damn thing, or I would have to sink into the ground. As for the recipient, I think I may have thought of a way to make it up to her.
Speaking of recs, though, I have many!
First of all, there is the story I received: What Comes Around, an awsome Baldur's Gate story about Mazzy and the rest of the Bhaalspawn's crew saving Faerun. The author managed to work in all the things I asked for (plus Sarevok, whom I also love) and everyone is beautifully in character. My gift brings me great joy, thank you Yuletide writer! Of course, the lovely thing about Yuletide is that you get to enjoy everyone else's presents as well as your own.
Arrested Development
Tiger Beaten
George Michael Bluth gets a call from his cousin Maeby and somehow ends up becoming a drummer in a famous band. Hilarious, and just the kind of thing that always happens to the Bluths. The early morning phone calls between George Michael and his long-suffering father are a lovely touch.
Arthur Conan Doyle - Sherlock Holmes series
1918
A clever, subtle crossover that takes a look at the later years of the great detective and his loyal companion. Of course Watson could not help but get himself involved in the Great War, and in the course of it he meets ... but that would be telling. Even if you don't recognise the young soldier on the stretcher, it's a fine story.
Commonplaces
Sherlock Holmes may have fooled the world into thinking he's dead, but there's one person he cannot fool: Irene Adler. Now married and almost respectable, Irene can't resist tracking down her old foe. Painful and perfect.
The Adventure of the Expert Cracksman
Holmes and Watson are presented with a crime that bears all the hallmarks of a criminal the detective encountered when he was just learning his trade. A splendid casefile that sheds some light on Holmes' background and attitude towards his work and emotional involvement.
Baldur's Gate
On the Subject of Gratefulness
Viconia and Jaheira separate from the rest of their party to fetch some supplies, and end up confronting some old ghosts. A wonderful story that's both heartbreaking and funny, and shows a most unexpected kinship between the two of them. (Aside to
lokisrose: this is the story I told you about on the phone, which you have to read. Go now, if you didn't find it already.)Barbara Hambly - Windrose series
The Peacetime Weapon
After the series, Caris seeks a new path. A plausible and bittersweet ending for the character. I spent the first half wanting to shake him, which just goes to show how in character he is, since I always want to shake Caris :).
The Scarlet Wizard
They seek him here.
They seek him there.
Those Witchfinders seek him everywhere.
Is he in heaven?
Or is he in hell?
That damned, elusive, wizard -- wait, that doesn't rhyme. Never mind.
This story makes me happier than I can possibly say. I first read the Windrose books when I was fourteen, half my lifetime ago, and ever since that maddening last page revelation at the end of Dog Wizard I've been waiting for more. This is a funny, exciting, heart-wrenching sequel that replicates Hambly's style and characterisation perfectly. I am seriously considering sending this to my mother, who has never read a fanfic in her life.
Being Human
I am one such dream
George, Annie and Mitchell get settled in. A beautiful character portrait of George, and I adore the part about the blackboard.
Blakes 7
Break Away
An alternate universe where Avon and Vila leave the Liberator together. A great look at the not-exactly-friendship these two have, and a reality that probably turned out better for all concerned. (Admitedly, it would be hard to imagine how it could have turned out worse.)
The Pragmatist
A magnificent portrait of Jenna Stannis in all her practical glory. I love this look at her background, and seeing the Liberator and its crew through her eyes is an education.
Blue Beetle
Meet the Parents
Even when you've fought off supervillains and alien invaders, taking your new boyfriend home to meet your parents is a nerve-wracking experience. I can claim no expertise about Time Drake and his characterisation, but I do know that Jaime, Paco, Brenda and the Reyes family are all wonderfully drawn.
Sundae Blues
Milagro goes out for icecream with Jaime and his friends, but even getting desert isn't a simple matter when your brother is a superhero. Luckily, Milagro doesn't need as much protection as Jaime might think ...
Casanova
gravity caught my love around
Kinky, well-characterised look at Bellino's life with Giacamo Casanova.
Courtney Crumrin
It's Always Teatime Somewhere
Aloysius Crumrin gives Calpurnia a break from trying to work out how to teach Romeo and Juliet to seventh graders. A charming slice of life, and it's nice that these two have at least one other vaugley sensible adult to talk to.
Daria
A Week Off Spent in Lawndale for the Celebration of Key Religious Events
Daria comes home for Christmas and catches up with Jodie. A deceptively quiet story that captures their friendship perfectly, and I can easily see this happening after the close of the series.
Dexter
Fools Rush In
I've been treading carefully around potential spoilers for Season Three in the Dexter stories this year, but this is set just after the end of Season Two. Knowing that she's the only other person who can understand what Maria La Guerta has been through, Deb tries to help her, with mixed results. So very awesomely Deb.
repeat after me
Harry Morgan takes a long, hard look at what he's created. It's always hard to say who's ultimately scarier - the adopted father or the son - and this story doesn't clear that up. It is a great look at the inside of Harry's head, though.
Veni Vidi Veni
Vince Masuka sometimes reveals unexpected depths. As Deb puts it in the story, he may be a pervted, sex-obsessed freak - but even perverted, sex-obsessed freaks have feelings. One of the things I love most about Dexter as a show is how well-rounded every single member of the supporting cast is, and this story really nails that.
EW Hornung - Raffles series
The red, red rose and the briar
Despite not knowing their name, gender, marital status, location or anything else about the person who wrote this story, I have fancifully proposted marriage to them. I have wanted to see this crossover for years, and it's exquisitely executed. It turns out that Bunny is a big fan of Doctor John Watson's books. Naturally his friend has to drag him along to a signing that Holmes himself just happens to be attending. Wackiness, as they say, ensues.
The Sweets of Pillage
To be certain, it is a fine year for Raffles and Bunny. Here they are in past and possible future. It is sappy of me, but I would sincerely like to believe this story to be true.
Fringe
Correspondences
A history of Peter Bishop's misspent youth charted in the e-mails he writes to his mother after running away from home. Mrs. Bishop is one of the many mysteries waiting to be uncovered on the show, and we get a tantalising glimpse of her here through her son's letters. Peter's voice is reproduced to an uncanny degree.
Futurama
Four Things Turanga Leela Never Had To Put Up With, And One She Did (Guess)
One way and another, Leela has a hell of a lot to put up with, but at least she doesn't have to deal with this. (Well, not most of it. For sentimental reasons I like to think the third thing is the true one, but really, any of them could happen to the Planet Express crew and I wouldn't bat an eyelid.)
Five Deals the Robot Devil Almost Made
Turns out that the Robot Devil also has a lot to put up with, what with all the wacky things people want to sell their souls for. The punchline to Bender's section cracked me the hell up, and the sap in me loved the ending. Awwwwww.
GI Joe
Shed
Man, I love Cobra Commander way too much. It's because I imprinted on Chris Latta at an impressionable age. But it's also because he's so damn stubborn - here he is after the events of the movie, starting to crawl - literally - his way back to power. Great characterisation of both CC and his erstwhile allies.
Ghostbusters
Pop Quizz
... and speaking of cartoons with Frank Welker in them, here is some Ghostbusters fic! (Well, this is actually movieverse. But when it comes to me and Ghostbusters, RGB will always be the canon of my heart.) Egon and Ray, and Peter too, in college and out of it. They are totally adorable, especially when they're burning down important buildings.
The IT Crowd
Running Commentary
Moss invites himself over to Roy's for DVD watching, physics nitpicking, and maybe something more. Hysterically accurate characterisation of Moss, in particular.
JRR Tolkein - The Silmarillion
A Spirit of Fire
The events of The Silmarillion seen through the eyes of the enemy for a change - Melkor, as one might expect, has a rather different perspective on everything. A sort of otherworldly Paradise Lost, with orcs.
MASH
Five Kindnesses Charles Emerson Winchester Performed (But Would Never Acknowledge)
Charles Winchester is one of my favourite things about MASH, and this story captures his surface chilliness and unexpected kindness perfectly.
MI-5 aka Spooks
(A nitpick: it annoys me that this is listed in the Yuletide archive by its adopted American title first instead of its original name, but it does mean I got to the stories faster.)
The Drop
I have to admit, I was not sorry when Tom Quinn left Spooks early in Season Three. It wasn't that I disliked the character, but his annoying personal life drove me up the wall. So I don't often seek out fic about him post-departure. However, I really liked this - you can take the man out of the game, but you cannot take the game out of the man.
the man at the end of the pier
Apparently this is my year for Tom stories that I actually like. In any case, this one is Harry Pearce and Tom Quinn, from beginning to ... not quite end. Knowing how it will all turn out, though, the signs are there. (And Harry's method of dealing with stupid paperwork cracks me up.)
The Middleman
The Bellicose Doppelganger Auter-ization
When something bad happens to Lacey, the Middleman and Wendy have to go rescue her. Note-perfect recreation of the show's tone and feel. I won't spoil what the case turns out to be, but I can so see this happening in the series ...
The Ursine Therianthrope Divination
Roxy comes to the Middleman with news of a prophecy that Wendy will die and supervillains will take over the world. The Middleman ... does not take it well. In addition to having plenty of the humorous chaos that is the show's stock-in-trade, this story also makes me want to hug everyone involved. Especially the Middleman.
Mythology - Greek and Roman
Hard is the Fall
Daedalus ignores the gods, and the gods do not take such things lightly. What charmed me most about this story was how very Greek the unseen but definitely present deities are - nobody ever said the gods were kind, but they are certainly predictable.
Small Step For Man
Artemis and Apollo cannot die, but over the centuries even gods can change. Creepy and elegant look at the past and future of two Olypmians and their family.
this is not a chick flick
Hilarious, irreverent, skewed romantic comedy take on the courtship of Hades and Persephone. I especially enjoyed the characterisation of Zeus.