yuletide recs Z-M

[pauraque_bk]

I don't think I'm going to get through everything I want to read before reveals this year, but here, have the first half of my recs list (which is the last half of the alphabet, because I read starting from Z).


Ding (1716 words) by voksen
Fandom: World of Warcraft
Rating: Mature
Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Relationships: Jin'do/Bloodlord Mandokir
Characters: Jin'do, Ohgan, Bloodlord Mandokir
Summary: Mandokir comes home.

WoW got several strong entries this year. This one particularly stood out for me because it takes these characters who became so familiar that we no longer really thought about who they were and what they were doing, and gives them life and passion. You can hear an intriguing line like "My blood feeds Hakkar — my soul feeds Jin'do" so many times that it becomes little more than background noise. This author transforms it into a vivid, believable relationship.


Le Rouge et le Blanc et le Noir (1919 words) by quillori
Fandom: Fairy Tales & Related Fandoms, Rotkäppchen | Little Red Riding Hood (Fairy Tale), Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot | Snow White and Rose Red (Fairy Tale), Grandaunt Tiger (Fairy Tale)
Rating: Not Rated
Warning: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Summary: Once upon a time there were two brothers, who walked in a wood, and found two sisters waiting for them there.

Weaves together strands of different myths into a cracking good original fairy tale that resonates just as strongly as the traditional stories do.


Living (2708 words) by zoi_no_miko
Fandom: Shawshank Redemption - All Media Types
Rating: General Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Andy Dufresne/Red
Characters: Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding, Andy Dufresne
Summary: After joining Andy Dufresne in Zihuatanejo, Red discovers that part of learning to live again is recognizing the importance of those who are close to you.

Beautiful writing and spot-on characterization in this one.


and i have told you this to make you grieve (3986 words) by kangeiko
Fandom: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Rating: General Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Winn Adami/Jaro Essa
Characters: Winn Adami, Jaro Essa
Summary: We must be above reproach, his aunt said, and looked him straight in the eye. Do you understand? Jaro met Winn for the first time during the height of the Occupation. It was never going to be simple.

DS9 was also blessed with a number of good stories. This one is especially awesome and has fantastic Bajoran worldbuilding. I suspect it may be getting less attention because it's been a while and people don't remember these characters, but give it a chance! It's really good.


a whisper to the living (4428 words) by alyse
Fandom: Space: Above and Beyond
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Shane Vansen, Cooper Hawkes
Summary: Their second Christmas aboard the Saratoga is much quieter than the first.

If you remember this sadly short-lived series even a little, you should read this fic. It'll come back to you, because the author captures the characters and their world perfectly.


Starling (1092 words) by loathlylady
Fandom: Romeo and Juliet - Shakespeare
Rating: Not Rated
Warning: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Characters: Rosaline (Romeo and Juliet), Juliet Capulet
Summary: Rosaline in the hot sun.

I don't know what I like best about this — the lush, lyrical imagery? The powerful and believable characterization of Rosaline? The insightful criticism of the play? Did I say gorgeous writing already?? Much love for this story.


Hearts of Oak (5506 words) by moetushie
Fandom: Robin Hood (traditional)
Rating: Mature
Warning: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Robin Hood/Will Scarlet
Characters: Will Scarlet, Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Little John
Summary: Robin Hood will live forever.

It's the Robin Hood/Will Scarlet slash epic I never knew I needed! (All right, it's not an epic, but it's decently long for Yuletide, and if this author wrote an epic I would have read it.) Strongly written characters make this a treat, not least of all Marian, who is a scene-stealer.


A Perfect Sonnet (2095 words) by greekhoop
Fandom: My So-Called Life
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Jordan Catalano/Angela Chase
Characters: Angela Chase, Jordan Catalano
Summary: Five inopportune moments, plus one that's worth waiting for.

This one did a really good job of showing Angela growing up a little, while staying very true to her character and the tone of the show. I can't think of anything I would have done differently.


I wasn't signed up this year because I didn't think I would have time, but I did write some last-minute treats. I wouldn't expect anyone to be able to pick them out, but two of them are for fandoms I've written in before.

[eta: authors]

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