Blue Eyes, by Thea (NC-17)

[irony-rocks.livejournal.com]

Fandom Category: Farscape
Pairing: Aeryn Sun/John Crichton
Fic Title: Blue Eyes
Author: Thea
Link: http://shriftweb.org/leviathan/archive/7/blueeyes.html
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, sex, violence, harsh language
Genre: Episode-related, angst, action/adventure, romance
WIP?: no

Why This Must Be Read: What if John Crichton had married the princess during the "The Look at the Princess" trilogy? And what if things still didn't go as planned. Sixteen cycles after John is frozen as a statue, married to royalty he hardly knows, war breaks out across the galaxy and brings violence to the world John is now poised to rule. With it, Captain Aeryn Sun returns, with a kid in tow.

I cannot explain enough about the awesomeness of this fic. It's novella length, with everything you could possibly hope for: plot, wonderful characterization, action, adventure, romance, angst, wonderful OCs, and damn good writing overall. This is the first Farscape fic I have ever read (just got into the fandom now), and I'm pretty sure it's one of the best out there, period. A great look at this universe.

( Excerpt )

History Repeating, by Sugargroupie (NC-17)

[irony-rocks.livejournal.com]

Fandom Category: Stargate: Atlantis
Pairing: John Sheppard/Elizabeth Weir
Fic Title: History Repeating
Author: Sugargroupie
Link: http://sugargroupie.livejournal.com/173071.html?nc=24
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, sex
Genre: Romance/general
WIP?: no

Why This Must Be Read: More people should read sugargroupie's SGA fanfic, and especially her Sheppard/Weir gems. A great look at Elizabeth and John as they keep continually falling into bed together, despite the fact that Elizabeth knows better. Great characterization, lovely narrative, humor, angst, hotness and all.

Plus, I love this additonally because not only does it have hot Sheppard/Weir, but a great Elizabeth-Teyla friendship moment. There are not enough of those! Read it!

( Rated R Excerpt )

"Side by Side, They Both Get Bright" and "Parallax" by renisanz (G)

[asugar.livejournal.com]

Fandom Category: Stargate Atlantis
Pairing: John Sheppard/Teyla Emmagen, Ronon Dex/Jennifer Keller also in "Parallax"
Fic Title: "Side by Side, They Both Get Bright" and "Parallax"
Author: renisanz
Link: renisanz.livejournal.com/21282.html#cutid1 and renisanz.livejournal.com/18149.html#cutid1
Rating/Warning(s): G, one tiny spoiler for seasons 4 and 5
Genre: Romance/General
WIP?: No

Why These Must Be Read: These two unusual and perceptive fics are from an author who usually writes (wonderful) Ronon/Keller stories. They are extremely short and subtle so I would urge any Stargate Atlantis fan to read them, regardless of pairing preference. Both stories use the act of expression through art as a means for the characters to communicate, albeit unintentionally. The stories are too short for excerpts and renisanz punctuates them so beautifully with quotes that I was inspired do the same.

In "Side by Side, They Both Get Bright," Teyla teaches John a stress-reduction technique from the late Kate Heightmeyer who must have read the following: "When we are self-conscious, we cannot be wholly aware; we must throw ourselves out first. This throwing ourselves away is the act of creativity. So, when we wholly concentrate, like a child in play, or an artist at work, then we share in the act of creating. We not only escape time, we escape our self-conscious selves." (Madeleine L'Engle)

In "Parallax", my favorite of the two, renisanz spins two bland prompts into something unforgettable when she writes about Teyla learning to express herself with photography the pre-digital way after lessons from Jennifer Keller, who also teaches Ronon. The use of technical terminology and Teyla's POV is extremely well-done. "The picture… will reveal a truth of fact, of feeling, of experience, of aesthetic power, of form, of life itself – and this not only to you but also to one or all who look at it. The picture may even tell different things to different people – but it will tell." (Tim Gidal) The same could just as easily be said about the author and reader of a story and I found what renisanz reveals here of the characters and herself insightful and lovely.

 

 

Translation, by Mylittleredgirl (NC-17)

[ed-84.livejournal.com]

Fandom Category: Stargate: Atlantis
Pairing: Teyla Emmagan/Ronon Dex
Fic Title: Translation
Author: Mylittleredgirl
Link: http://mylittleredgirl.livejournal.com/243087.html
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, sex
Genre: General romance
WIP?: No

Why This Must Be Read: Because mylittleredgirl knows how to write damn well. This look at Ronon/Teyla tells a story which has wonderful characterization, and explores some awesome possibilities in Athosian fanon. Not only does this weave a great tale about Ronon/Teyla, and their point of view, but it draws in the Earth perspective via John and Elizabeth, comparing and contrasting the line between friendship and romance.

Thus, the summary is well-put: This seems obvious to her: they're friends, and lovers isn't so far removed from friends, but not everyone sees it that way.

( Excerpt )

"To Fight Aloud Is Very Brave" by siriaeve

[renisanz.livejournal.com]

Fandom Category: Stargate: Atlantis
Pairing: Jennifer Keller/Ronon Dex
Fic Title: "To Fight Aloud Is Very Brave
Author: siriaeve
Link: http://community.livejournal.com/comfort_andjoy/1339.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG, Contains spoilers for Season 4, "Missing."
Genre: Romance/General
WIP?: NO.

Why This Must Be Read: I would classify this as the quintessential Dex/Keller fic. It was one of the first fics written for this ship that I found, and it has many of the basic elements that are mirrored in subsequent fics about in the pairing. This fic starts off at a place in canon where I first figured Ronon and Jennifer might have a believable interaction—that first spark of interest—after "Missing" (0407).

There's the initial awkwardness when Jennifer first approaches Ronon to ask him a "favor." The pacing is just right, and nothing seemed rushed about their developing relationship. Their growing closeness is very believable.

So read this fic if you'd like to see this pairing done right. :)

( Excerpt )

Resolutions, by Martha Wilson (pg-13)

[irony-rocks.livejournal.com]

For lothy, who just suggested "Star Wars" as a possible fandom for our next challenge. I think we'll do a poll to see what fandom gets it, but until then, I already have a "Star Wars" rec from a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. ;)

Fandom Category: Star Wars (Original Films)
Pairing: Leia Organa (Skywalker)/Han Solo
Fic Title: Resolutions
Author: Martha Wilson
Link: http://www.ltljverse.com/embassy/stories/resolut1.htm
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Genre: General
WIP?: No

Why This Must Be Read: Long, plotty, shippy and excellent characterization - my four favorite things. An awesome story set between Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, with excellent UST built up and explored between Leia and Han. The two are sent on a mission to a trading conference and events conspire to bring them closer together. This author has a big name (I think) in the Star Wars fandom, and for good reason. Her characterization is spot on, and she really explores the Star Wars movies wonderfully.

And there's Leia and Han at their best - fighting, snarking, and butting heads. The romantic vibes come through loud and clear, the hallmarks that made this ship so classic, surviving decades. ;)

( Excerpt )

Renaissance by Melyanna, Angelqueen04 and Miera_c (PG)

[lothy.livejournal.com]

Fandom Category: Stargate Atlantis & SG-1
Pairing: John/Elizabeth, Laura/Carson, Kate/Lorne and many more
Fic Title: Renaissance
Author: melyanna, angelqueen04 and miera_c
Link: http://community.livejournal.com/stargate_ren/8085.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG?
Genre: Romance, drama, AU
WIP?: It's an ongoing series

Why This Must Be Read:

This is a superb series that capably manages a massive amount of characters and plotlines, and paints a wonderful picture of the history and politics of the alternate universe it is based in. It's one of those AUs that doesn't really have much resemblance to the canon at all, and generally I dislike that, but with such good writing I can easily forgive it.

In this AU, Elizabeth is the young, newly crowned monarch of the nation of Atalan, and she falls in love with John, a visitor who was exiled from his own land. Romance, drama, assassination attempts, pirates, court intrigues, wars, and all kinds of other themes play a part in this massive AU. Many characters from both Stargate shows appear, and some of the rare pairings featured are wonderful. It is well-written, engrossing, and constantly being added to.

A highly recommended series... without a doubt, my favourite Stargate Atlantis fanfiction.