Monday, 25 January 2010
Today's reviews and recs are for fanfiction, so if you don't like fanfic or are of the opinion that it doesn't have the same merit as original fiction, just skip this post.
I've chosen a kind of theme for these recs. Originally I was going for long stories and/or series, but as I was choosing what to rec I discovered I actually have a different theme. All of the links today involve original characters alongside the canon characters and are great examples of both how to write someone else's characters in character and how to create your own memorable characters.
Vignettes and Thoughts upon a Life Unplanned but Well Loved by Lady Gray. (Numb3rs)
This is a series dealing with Charlie Eppes and Colby's evolving relationship, including the eventual arrival of a daughter. There are other pairings as well but it's the Colby/Charlie relationship that is at the core of the series. I love that it's not overly romantic, but rather keeps them in character as the relationship develops. And the daughter is a brilliantly created original character. She's a genius, just like her dad, although in a completely different way, but still manages to ring true and not come off as too perfect.
A new history of Captain John Sheppard, HM Aerial Corps, and M. Rodney McKay, Esq., FRS, with the Captains Emmagan and Dex, late of the West Indies, composed from a great number of actual surveys; and other materials regulated by many new scientifick observations of their Affections and Masculine Virtues. Drawn up from the Journals which were kept by the several Commanders, And from the Papers of M. Rodney McKay, Esq., FRS; In One Volume, written by A Lady of Quality and the sequel A Supplement to the Second Edition, or, A Treatise on Those Matters Left Undiscussed by Locke et al, That In a State of Better Nature We Might Own: A Further History and More Civil Contract, Drawn from the Papers of M. Rodney McKay, Esq., FRS., and written In A Fashion, By His Own Hand by sheafrotherden (Stargate:Atlantis/Temeraire)
Set in Naomi Novik's Temeraire world, the story features Captain John Sheppard and Dr McKay, along with Sheppard's dragon Tripudio. The relationship between the two main characters is very delicately developed and fits the period the story is set in very well. The original character that I love in these stories is the dragon, Tripudio. Just as with the Temeraire novels, it's the dragon who is quite possibly the star of the show.
Primeval Series by Fred Bassett (Primeval)
A deliciously plotty series which was intended to focus on Stephen and Ryan, but somehow ended up with a whole raft of original Special Forces soldiers and a wonderfully crafted relationship between Sir James Lester and one of the original characters, Lieutenant Jon Lyle. The plotty dinosaur fics are creepy and scary and the relationship stuff is all very blokey and sexy. Frankly when I watch the show now I find myself wondering where Lyle is!
Of Old Mystics by Wolfling & Magpie. (Buffy)
This is a Giles/Ethan epic set after the end of the last season of Buffy. It's a wonderful story of chaos and order, weaving past and present together into a seamless whole. Temptation, destiny, hurt, and forgiveness, all twisted together with a lot of character growth from everyone and some brilliant original characters, especially Ian. This is one of those stories where you'll glance at the clock and wonder how the heck you just lost four hours. It also needs a tissue warning, I think. It certainly made me cry, although that's rarely a difficult task.
Horses of Different Colours by Jameswalkswithwind and Wolfling (Houston Knights)
An AU with centaurs. Very long, very plotty. The centaurs are woven into the world of the show expertly and there are plenty of original characters in the centaur herd. This series really tugs at your heartstrings in a couple of places and if you don't cry at least once you must have a heart of stone. There are also spin off series in other fandoms if you dig around on the author's website a little.
So Wise We Grow by Deastar (Star Trek Reboot)
It all starts with a message from Vulcan informing Commander Spock they've located his son. Spock knows the child can't possibly be his, but he also knows the right thing to do is to claim him. it's a story of how two men, both of whom have good reason to believe they would suck as parents, raise a Vulcan boy while exploring the universe and somehow eventually fall in love. The Kirk/Spock relationship doesn't feel at all forced and fits the reboot characterisation really well and Storek is a really well-thought out original character. Very Vulcan but at the same time someone you can easily empathise with. I haven't read much reboot fic yet but this was outstanding.
I've chosen a kind of theme for these recs. Originally I was going for long stories and/or series, but as I was choosing what to rec I discovered I actually have a different theme. All of the links today involve original characters alongside the canon characters and are great examples of both how to write someone else's characters in character and how to create your own memorable characters.
Vignettes and Thoughts upon a Life Unplanned but Well Loved by Lady Gray. (Numb3rs)
This is a series dealing with Charlie Eppes and Colby's evolving relationship, including the eventual arrival of a daughter. There are other pairings as well but it's the Colby/Charlie relationship that is at the core of the series. I love that it's not overly romantic, but rather keeps them in character as the relationship develops. And the daughter is a brilliantly created original character. She's a genius, just like her dad, although in a completely different way, but still manages to ring true and not come off as too perfect.
A new history of Captain John Sheppard, HM Aerial Corps, and M. Rodney McKay, Esq., FRS, with the Captains Emmagan and Dex, late of the West Indies, composed from a great number of actual surveys; and other materials regulated by many new scientifick observations of their Affections and Masculine Virtues. Drawn up from the Journals which were kept by the several Commanders, And from the Papers of M. Rodney McKay, Esq., FRS; In One Volume, written by A Lady of Quality and the sequel A Supplement to the Second Edition, or, A Treatise on Those Matters Left Undiscussed by Locke et al, That In a State of Better Nature We Might Own: A Further History and More Civil Contract, Drawn from the Papers of M. Rodney McKay, Esq., FRS., and written In A Fashion, By His Own Hand by sheafrotherden (Stargate:Atlantis/Temeraire)
Set in Naomi Novik's Temeraire world, the story features Captain John Sheppard and Dr McKay, along with Sheppard's dragon Tripudio. The relationship between the two main characters is very delicately developed and fits the period the story is set in very well. The original character that I love in these stories is the dragon, Tripudio. Just as with the Temeraire novels, it's the dragon who is quite possibly the star of the show.
Primeval Series by Fred Bassett (Primeval)
A deliciously plotty series which was intended to focus on Stephen and Ryan, but somehow ended up with a whole raft of original Special Forces soldiers and a wonderfully crafted relationship between Sir James Lester and one of the original characters, Lieutenant Jon Lyle. The plotty dinosaur fics are creepy and scary and the relationship stuff is all very blokey and sexy. Frankly when I watch the show now I find myself wondering where Lyle is!
Of Old Mystics by Wolfling & Magpie. (Buffy)
This is a Giles/Ethan epic set after the end of the last season of Buffy. It's a wonderful story of chaos and order, weaving past and present together into a seamless whole. Temptation, destiny, hurt, and forgiveness, all twisted together with a lot of character growth from everyone and some brilliant original characters, especially Ian. This is one of those stories where you'll glance at the clock and wonder how the heck you just lost four hours. It also needs a tissue warning, I think. It certainly made me cry, although that's rarely a difficult task.
Horses of Different Colours by Jameswalkswithwind and Wolfling (Houston Knights)
An AU with centaurs. Very long, very plotty. The centaurs are woven into the world of the show expertly and there are plenty of original characters in the centaur herd. This series really tugs at your heartstrings in a couple of places and if you don't cry at least once you must have a heart of stone. There are also spin off series in other fandoms if you dig around on the author's website a little.
So Wise We Grow by Deastar (Star Trek Reboot)
It all starts with a message from Vulcan informing Commander Spock they've located his son. Spock knows the child can't possibly be his, but he also knows the right thing to do is to claim him. it's a story of how two men, both of whom have good reason to believe they would suck as parents, raise a Vulcan boy while exploring the universe and somehow eventually fall in love. The Kirk/Spock relationship doesn't feel at all forced and fits the reboot characterisation really well and Storek is a really well-thought out original character. Very Vulcan but at the same time someone you can easily empathise with. I haven't read much reboot fic yet but this was outstanding.
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