argentum_ls (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
argentum_ls) wrote2013-12-29 11:49 pm
argentum_ls) wrote2013-12-29 11:49 pm
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Yuletide Recs
Though I'm still working my way through the archive, I wanted to start compiling some recs. Everything is gen unless otherwise noted.
I must start with my gifts this year. I got two :)
My Secret Identity - Extreme Circumstances - “Dr. J said they could only be used in extreme circumstances. You hid your powers from me, your best friend, for two whole years. Today absolutely qualifies.”
Quite simply, this is a story I've been waiting more than 20 years to read, and I love every inch of it. The author nails the character voices and the relationship between the two friends. There's a fun plot that's perfectly in keeping with the show, and tons of callbacks to the canon for anyone who's seen it recently. (The story is understandable even if you haven't.) There's also a stealth crossover to another one of my fannish shows. Can you find it?
The Tomorrow People - Echoes in My Head - Stephen talks to one of his counselors, a woman he can't read.
This is a crossover between the 2013 Tomorrow People and the 1992 version. Set early in the 2013 run, the author positions Stephen to discuss his changing life with an expert whom he doesn't know is an expert. The questions raised about what it means to be a Tomorrow Person are intriguing without being heavy-handed, and the scenario makes wonderful use of the crossover to give us some insight into the main character.
Other stories that have stuck with me.
The Amazing Spider-Man - You Will Always Be in Front of Me, Even as I Disappear from View - Gwen is not the damsel in distress. She is the hero of her own story and doesn't need to be protected. (Background Gwen/Peter)
Set after the first movie, Gwen gets her life started again, figures out her path, and starts to make peace with what happened between her and Peter. The story is action packed, yet filled with great character moments. It's tighly plotted, well-paced, and all around fun. Gwen explores the price of dating a superhero and ultimately makes her own choices.
Arrow - Thin Lines - The story of Starling City and the eldest son of the Queen family are tied together, in strange, often illogical ways. Oliver Queen is a next-generation one percenter, one of the coterie of overbred socialites that find their calling in reality television, branded perfumes, and over-priced clothing lines. Mr. Queen owns and operates a nightclub in Starling City called Verdant. On October 15th, 2013, that nightclub was the scene of an attack on the Queen family. What happened that night is still unclear.
Another one of the longer stories in the archive, this one makes use of a dual framing device to set the background and perspective on a larger story about Oliver being held accountable for the Arrow's actions. Like my other recs, it has great character voices (always important to me) and offers insight into the characters' motivations and relationships.
Ghost Soup Infidel Blue - The Very Secret Diaries of Mary_Suep – Ghost Soup BNF (and grade-A cowbag) - Amaresu – I really hope this doesn’t cause wank, but if Mary_Suep had been talking like this about me behind MY back, I would want to know. I really hope this doesn’t Ruin Yuletide for you, or anything. You know that if she HAS made a mockery of your request, or failed to post a completed fic, you can report her to the mods, right? *big hugs* A concerned nonnie and fellow REAL Ghost Soup fangirl
I'm not really into the whole Ghost Soup thing, and if not for the title, I would have skipped over this one. I really glad I didn't. The author pans BNFs and BNF culture while also poking fun at anon memes, Yuletide Coal, and Yuletide itself. The level of detail is incredible (you must click on the links) and the sheer amount of referentialism is astounding to behold. I laughed all they way through, then went back to read the story again.
Highlander: the Raven - Keep a Candle Burning - Amanda says goodbye and Liam says hello.
A study of Amanda as she works through her grief over the death of John (Rebecca's husband). The situation is well drawn and developed, believable in all the right ways. Though more somber than we normally see Amanda, her voice and perspective are still clear.
I must start with my gifts this year. I got two :)
My Secret Identity - Extreme Circumstances - “Dr. J said they could only be used in extreme circumstances. You hid your powers from me, your best friend, for two whole years. Today absolutely qualifies.”
Quite simply, this is a story I've been waiting more than 20 years to read, and I love every inch of it. The author nails the character voices and the relationship between the two friends. There's a fun plot that's perfectly in keeping with the show, and tons of callbacks to the canon for anyone who's seen it recently. (The story is understandable even if you haven't.) There's also a stealth crossover to another one of my fannish shows. Can you find it?
The Tomorrow People - Echoes in My Head - Stephen talks to one of his counselors, a woman he can't read.
This is a crossover between the 2013 Tomorrow People and the 1992 version. Set early in the 2013 run, the author positions Stephen to discuss his changing life with an expert whom he doesn't know is an expert. The questions raised about what it means to be a Tomorrow Person are intriguing without being heavy-handed, and the scenario makes wonderful use of the crossover to give us some insight into the main character.
Other stories that have stuck with me.
The Amazing Spider-Man - You Will Always Be in Front of Me, Even as I Disappear from View - Gwen is not the damsel in distress. She is the hero of her own story and doesn't need to be protected. (Background Gwen/Peter)
Set after the first movie, Gwen gets her life started again, figures out her path, and starts to make peace with what happened between her and Peter. The story is action packed, yet filled with great character moments. It's tighly plotted, well-paced, and all around fun. Gwen explores the price of dating a superhero and ultimately makes her own choices.
Arrow - Thin Lines - The story of Starling City and the eldest son of the Queen family are tied together, in strange, often illogical ways. Oliver Queen is a next-generation one percenter, one of the coterie of overbred socialites that find their calling in reality television, branded perfumes, and over-priced clothing lines. Mr. Queen owns and operates a nightclub in Starling City called Verdant. On October 15th, 2013, that nightclub was the scene of an attack on the Queen family. What happened that night is still unclear.
Another one of the longer stories in the archive, this one makes use of a dual framing device to set the background and perspective on a larger story about Oliver being held accountable for the Arrow's actions. Like my other recs, it has great character voices (always important to me) and offers insight into the characters' motivations and relationships.
Ghost Soup Infidel Blue - The Very Secret Diaries of Mary_Suep – Ghost Soup BNF (and grade-A cowbag) - Amaresu – I really hope this doesn’t cause wank, but if Mary_Suep had been talking like this about me behind MY back, I would want to know. I really hope this doesn’t Ruin Yuletide for you, or anything. You know that if she HAS made a mockery of your request, or failed to post a completed fic, you can report her to the mods, right? *big hugs* A concerned nonnie and fellow REAL Ghost Soup fangirl
I'm not really into the whole Ghost Soup thing, and if not for the title, I would have skipped over this one. I really glad I didn't. The author pans BNFs and BNF culture while also poking fun at anon memes, Yuletide Coal, and Yuletide itself. The level of detail is incredible (you must click on the links) and the sheer amount of referentialism is astounding to behold. I laughed all they way through, then went back to read the story again.
Highlander: the Raven - Keep a Candle Burning - Amanda says goodbye and Liam says hello.
A study of Amanda as she works through her grief over the death of John (Rebecca's husband). The situation is well drawn and developed, believable in all the right ways. Though more somber than we normally see Amanda, her voice and perspective are still clear.