Yuletide Recs I

More rec posts to come, of course, as I feel I've only just started to scratch the surface of all the fictional goodness.


American Gods

Do zla boga: Czernobog and the Zoryas arrive in America. (Incidentally, the Slavic gods are doing rather well in this year's Yuletide.) Captures both the otherness and the, in lack of a better term, person-hood of the gods and throws a fascinating light on the relationship between the Zoryas and Czernobog.

The Graveyard Book

Over the Stones : which is beautiful and haunting in just the right way.

And they're there for you: this, on the other hand, makes you go "aw" as we get a scene from Bod's childhood with Miss Lupescu and Silas. I was expecting Silas fic to appear in this year's Yuletide, and there is plenty, but what I'm really delighted about is that Miss Lupescu is not forgotten but appears in several stories as well, such as this one. I ♥ her.


Greek and Roman Mythology

Five ways Medea lost herself (to/with Jason): in which the relationship between Medea and Jason runs is course, and Medea becomes.



History

Ne Vile Velis: a look at Warwick the self-styled Kingmaker and his cousin Ned, Edward IV; great both if you're a Yorkist and if you're just generally interested in the history of the era.

The Order

Miracle Worker: absolutely fantastic ensemble fic centered on Kate Kildare. All the characterisations, their interactions are just superb, and in lieu of a cancelled comic, this is the best thing to a sequel I've seen.

The Sandman

Ink Space: Lucien, Dream and the library. Poetic, and one of several stories this year starring Daniel, not Morpheus. Wonderful to read.

A Lesson in Manners: in which Thessaly encounters Dream again post-canon and is her awesome self.


Sarah Connor Chronicles

First and Last Rites: post-s2 finale story centered on Sarah, co-starring Ellison and Savannah. Beautiful.

Eudaimonia: I found the relationship between James Ellison and John Henry fascinating, and this story sort of sums up why, complete with all the issues of the past and future between them.

Yuletide Recs II

A Place of Greater Safety

Six Revolutionary Pamphlets: one of my all time favourite historical novels, my favourite book about the French Revoluton, and it gets a fantastic, absolutely awesome fanfictional treat here. Everyone and everything is a joy to read: Camille Desmoulins, Robesspierre, Danton, Mirabeau, the sparkling dialogue, the complicated personal relationships, the power of words and deeds - I just love this story.


Arthurian Mythology

Daughter of the Ever-Changing Sea : Morgan Le Fey and her brother.

Babylon 5

The Stars Her Destination: Catherine Sakai rarely shows up in fanfic, and then "only" with Sinclair. Here, we get a good character portrait, her life post-Jeff, and a pairing up with Ivanova that I'd never have thought of but which comes across as completely believable.


Carnivale

Five walks Justin and Iris took together before he took one on his own : oh, first season of Carnivale and Justin and Iris Crowe in same, how I loved you. Here we get their relationship developing from their childhood onwards, and it captures all the intensity and ambiguity which made their scenes so utterly compelling later.

Damages

I might be wrong: speaking of intense relationships, though of a very different type, this is a brilliant Damages story about Ellen and Patty post-season 2, with a great plot and outstanding characterisation. If you're familiar with the show, go read at once!


Dexter

Sketches traced in sand: Deb post season 4, dealing with everything that happened. My Deb love knows no bounds, and this is a wonderful showcase for her hard-won maturity and strength (both of feeling and character).

Of Boston Cream and Cheesecake: whereas here we're in late s1 territory, when a younger (and not just in years) Deb talks with Doakes. Excellent Doakes pov, making me wish once more there'd be more fanfic about him.

James Bond

Gifts: Yuletide: guaranteed to cater to my not so secret soft spot for well-written M/Bond. Here they go shopping, and it totally works.

The Last Unicorn

Somewhere Between Stories: Molly and Schmendrick post-novel. A beautiful story to relax with and feel slightly fuzzy about.

Those Who Hunt The Night

The Shadows Where The Worlds Cross Over: Ysidro, Lydia, and James Asher sketched in great pen portraits. If you're fond of Barbara Hambly's novel, you'll enjoy this story very much.

Forgot to say this before now: if you can guess which story I wrote, you get a drabble in the fandom of your choice.