Mae's Spring Fanfic Rec List 2023
Apr. 6th, 2023 12:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rocky41_7
(Photo credit to Irene Davila on Unsplash.)
Past fanfic rec lists
The Left Hand of Darkness
As One Thing Becomes Another by vir_adahlenn - G - 1,867 - A little cultural misunderstanding out on the ice. Really nice character voices!
Hearth and Family by aurora_chipotera - T - 1,762 - Just a fluffy meeting between Sorve and Genly after Therem takes Genly to his home hearth.
Meshe And The Pesthry (Transmission 61: Book Scans and Notes) by venndaai - G - 163 - A cute little fake journal entry about wildlife on Gethen, accompanied by a pretty illustration.
Mirage and Memory by yhlee - M - 1,166 - Ashe and Therem’s heartbreaking relationship from Ashe’s POV :( The format really captures the slow falling apart of something that was never built to last.
On the Ice by Snickfic - G - 1,831 - Such a sweet, playful side of Therem here. Him and Genly exchanging stories from their respective cultures feels so true to the themes of the book.
Other Kinds of Men by karanguni - NR - 2,937 - A fascinating dig into Arek and Therem’s relationship and their divergent attitudes about it and the pressures they face because of it.
The Other Lives by centrifugepolitics - G - 3,392 - Initially, Sorve is not happy to see Genly show up at their hearth.
* A Profound Hurt by keerawa - T - 1,805 - Beautiful, tragic look at Ashe and Therem’s relationship, particularly Ashe’s grief after Therem’s death. One of the few fics that addresses Ashe and Therem’s kids and their feelings about their parents. Wonderful work.
Shadows cast behind you by karanguni - T - 725 - A really interesting exploration of how other Gethenians see Therem and what his awareness of that is.
Submersion by venndaai - T - 5,285 - Really cute relationship between Genly and Therem. Some of Estraven getting what we all wished he had, rather than getting killed!
* what good is a wise hand on a broken tiller? by rem-ir - M - 2,929 - SUCH a good look at Ashe and Therem’s relationship before their separation. Ashe tries to convince Therem not to take the position with Argaven and their frustration is so understandable and painful.
your name a kiss of snow by venndaai - M - 3,393 - Tent sex ft. Genly’s first time ever.
Dragon Age
* Aeducan Pride by cartadwarfwithaheartofgold - M - 2,964 - Manka always captures such a wonderful, fucked up relationship among the Aeducans, particularly the Warden and Bhelen. Here, we see what happens to Rica after Bhelen loses the throne.
Love and Red Ink by hes5thlazarus - T - 1,670 - Bianca and Varric and their mutually-destructive relationship, parsed through a review of Varric’s work. Excellent stuff.
Welcome to the Guild by Toshi_Nama - T - 3,470 - Bianca and Varric are self-destructive at a party and it is fascinating to watch.
Tolkien
Arafinweans
* Berrypicking Time by swampdiamonds - T - 2,082 - This fic captures the best part of Finduilas/Nienor which is their healing and moving forward together. Both of them are trying so hard to process their own trauma, but they also want to help each other!
It's the Secret That We Keep by Loriand_Lost - E - 17,778 - Beautiful fic exploring Galadriel’s relationships with both Celeborn and Luthien in Doriath. Absolutely fantastic characterization! And great smut scenes.
On Sands of Pearls by cuarthol - G - 5,500 - Beautiful look at Finrod’s re-embodiment and his relationship with Olwe. Deals very nicely with Finrod’s feelings, and also the feelings of the Calaquendi concerned with how troubled Finrod seems to be…
* Opening by am_fae - T - 2,766 - Finrod’s game with Sauron is ongoing. In this installment, he wears a false Nauglamir and Sauron taunts him about releasing his captives. SUCH an amazing job wth both of these characters and their twisted power play dynamic. THE series that got me involved in this ship.
* The Pleasure of the King by Anonymous - E - 5,274 - Ahhh this is such a great fic. Azaghal and his wife Khoreti are quite eager to show Felagund the depths of hospitality in Belegost. Absolutely fantastic characterizations and such a fun time for everyone here. Also, origins of Finrod’s nipple piercings ;D
A Promise of the Sun by cuarthol - G - 874 - A really sweet look at the relationship between Beor and Finduilas as Beor approaches the end. TT_TT
The Sound of Water Falling Over Stone by TheLionInMyBed - E - 2,257 - Such a fun dynamic between Galadriel and Luthien here, you absolutely cannot blame Galadriel for being enchanted.
Undreams by nothinghereisworking - Finrod has nightmares about the ice :’) So captures the trauma of that experience.
Untitled by actual-bill-potts - Finrod and Nienna after his rebirth. A great little look at both the joy and the grief of Finrod in his return to Aman.
Untitled by that-angry-noldo - Ahhh heartbreaking look at Finrod post-Tol-in-Gaurhoth as he reviews the various scars and marks Sauron left behind.
What Happens After by The_Wavesinger - T - 3,088 - This fic does a great job balancing romantic and familial love. Finduilas and Nienor have helped each other through the worst of their trauma, but still they miss their families and want to find them.
Feanorians
* Beware of Women with Beards and Men Without by TheLionInMyBed - E - 4,782 - Azaghal and Maedhros’ alliance was full of cultural misunderstandings, but they push their way through it. Delightful characterizations here, particularly of Azaghal who gets basically none in canon, and a funny but also touching relationship between them.
* the bite of the blade by mochimilku - M - 947 - I’ve raved about this one before, but Curufin’s wife’s fucked up lusting over Luthien while she’s imprisoned in Nargothrond is incredible. 10/10 galaxy-brained idea Heather.
Deeds to Live in Song by firstamazon - M - 1,051 - Feanor and songs of Power! This author does a great job of writing a believable Feanor, his personality really shines through here, the good and the bad.
Every Time You’re Another Evil by Meadowlarkx - M - Tasty tasty drama when Mairon is granted re-embodiment in Valinor and Maedhros can’t let go of his past trauma. Somehow, they understand each other. Beautiful writing.
* a great chasm like bed and bier by willowcrowned - G - 2,930 - Great, gritty look at Maedhros and Maglor’s relationship wrt each other and also the Silmarils as they approach the end of their story.
I Like to Be Here When I Can by imnotdyingbuthereyouallare - G - 1,170 - A sweet little conversation between a young Maedhros and Nerdanel.
Loremastered by disastrousexpense - E - 2,334 - Maglor’s daddy kink arrives suddenly and powerfully. Absolutely fantastic and fun Daeron/Maglor smut. This fic does an amazing job showing Daeron’s confidence and intelligence as not only a minstrel but also as a linguist and a craftsman. Also, they play “two truths and a lie.”
Love All of Me by Alantie - G - 2,327 - I love this look at the very start of Feanor and Nerdanel’s courtship. The dynamic between them here is excellent and I’m always a sucker for Nerdanel being caught totally off-guard by Feanor’s interest in her XD
mock your own grinning by jouissants - M - 3,485 - Silvergifting at it deliciously peak fuckery. Sauron is haunted by what he did to Celebrimbor but since he doesn’t have a conscience really, that presents interestingly. Beautiful writing, fascinating character take.
Nerdanel, After the Kinslaying by brazenbells - Ow ow ow ow I always sympathize with Nerdanel and this fic beautifully drives home her grief over the loss of her family, particularly as a parent questioning where she went wrong.
* Nesting by LiveOakWithMoss - T - 4,580 - Uh. Not really sure what to say about this one. It has great characterizations and a fascinatingly toxic Kidnap Fam dynamic, both between the twins and the Feanorians and between Maedhros and Maglor themselves. The whole thing is delightfully fucked up.
* A Poetry Lesson by HewerOfCaves - T - 2,716 - I’m still losing it about this fic because Ingwion/Maedhros was never a ship I had considered but now I’m invested. Gorgeous characterization for Ingwion and I love seeing cocky prince Maedhros in Tirion who’s hot and smart and he knows it. Also, hitting on someone in a library feels like such an incredibly Maedhros move.
Untitled by imindhowwelayinjune - E - Curufin has the most cringefail sex with a frat bro Dwarf. You WILL have secondhand embarrassment about this, but it is funny enough to be worth it.
* Untitled by imindhowwelayinjune - T - On his death bed is as good a time as any for Celegorm to fall in love. Fantastic and also deeply fucked up, so prime Feanorian content.
Untitled by JengaJives - T - “You don’t get it, Maedhros is the normal one” stands out as one of THEE premiere Silm fanfic lines, and for the mute horror Daeron experiences after hearing it.
We're here to drink your beer and steal your rum by LiveOakWithMoss - T - 1,156 - It’s a funny little modern AU fic with Maedhros having too much to drink with his roommate Azaghal. An excellent “snapshot” fic that shows a vulnerable Maedhros moment and a cute relationship between the two characters.
* You Are Coming Down with Me by TheLionInMyBed - T - 10,933 - Dark comedy look at the Kidnap Fam which takes, imo, a much more realistic look at how unhealthy the situation was for everyone involved, particularly the twins. Excellent characterizations!
Nolofinweans
From the Heights, Such Light and Air by sallysavestheday - G - 852 - A look at Fingolfin and Turgon’s relationship both touching and heartbreaking. This is a relationship that feels rarely explored so this was great to see!
Untitled by jouissants - Fantastic dig into Turgon’s character, particularly his feelings about the Helcaraxe and his family in Middle-earth. Wrenching, realistic, and a reminder of the incredible trauma carried by the Elves who crossed the Grinding Ice.
Untitled by @lesbianhaleth - Turgon and Elwing bonding!! Absolutely love this discussion, a little bit of trauma healing for both of them.
Untitled by tanoraqui - Finwe’s adult children after rebirth. Cute little fic where they manage to sit around and have a few drinks without fighting.
We build castles with our fears and sleep in them like kings and queens by TheLionInMyBed - G - 3,185 - A great look at Findis and Lalwen through the recollections of Idril as she crosses the Helcaraxe.
Sindar
* And by their blazing signify that a great princess falls, but doth not die by TheLionInMyBed - G - 3,533 - Absolutely obsessed, some of the best Elwing characterization I’ve ever seen, and still the only fic I’ve read where she explicitly takes up arms against the Feanorians in the Havens. Gorgeous look at Elwing’s relationship with the other refugees of the Havens and at the Feanorians’ dynamic with them. One of the best Elwing fics I’ve ever read.
* Daeron Nails It by Tallulah - I am in LOVE with this little fic, it incorporates so many delightful details about the court in Menegroth. I am so pleased to see I am not the only one picturing Thingol and Melian with the cringiest pet names for each other.
Elwing, Survivor by crownlessliestheking - I do love fics that give Elwing space to be resentful about her fate, because she really did get a raw deal.
Festival by porphyriosao3 - A sweet look at Thingol and Melian’s relationship and also the pre-war relations between Doriath and the Dwarves of Belegost. Love the characterizations here!
* A Fish Hook, an Open Eye by simaetha - E - 2,185 - Delicious. Maglor goes to the Havens at Sirion to try to wheedle cooperation out of Elwing, but she is not having it. Their argument takes a interesting turn in private. Love how desperate and pathetic Maglor is here.
Flight Patterns by austerlitzborodinoleipzig - T - Great Elwing character study.
Friendship and Stern Demand by polutrope - Exploring the fascinating question of what exactly went on in Elwing and Maedhros’ diplomatic correspondence prior to the Third Kinslaying. Wonderful dynamics and subtlety here, and amazingly well-researched, as with all of Polu’s fics!
how big, how blue, how beautiful by mochimilku - T - 1,185 - Ahh childhood friends-to-lovers Earendil/Elwing is my favorite flavor and it comes off so well here, examining the similarities and differences in their respective experiences as refugees.
I hope we both die by @lesbianhaleth - T - Maglor confronts Elwing in the Havens, and loses.
In Our Dreams by Zhie - G - 1,746 - Other people posting Finrod/Thranduil?? Nice.
A Light Burns in the Forest by tinnurin - T - 15,038 - A young Thranduil and his father escape with Elwing during the Second Kinslaying. The author does a great job of showing how shocking the event must have been for the Doriathrim. Also, Thranduil is trying so hard here but clearly has no idea how to handle kids.
The Little Matchstick Twins by imindhowwelayinjune - As to be expected heartbreaking examination of the deaths of Elured and Elurin.
Runes by StarSpray - G - 861 - Lovely cultural exchange between Doriath and the Dwarves, and someone, at least, makes good use of Daeron’s alphabet.
The Unrealized Ambitions of the Foam by Brazenbells - Elwing and her sons, from joy to grief. Excellent use of the cyclical tragedy of Elwing and the Doriathrim.
Untitled by simaethae - Adorable family ficlet about Elwing, Earendil, and the twins. Also a great look at their life in the Havens!
Sleepless in Lórien by elennalore - G - 2,135 - What if? type fic where Melian and Thingol’s first meeting was during his ambassadorial visit to Aman. This fic does a great job showing how the Ainur and the Elves are still getting to know each other.
Small Birds, Dry Grass by vardasvapors - A bittersweet look at Elrond and Elros as Elros’ age starts to catch up with him, but more sweet than bitter I think! The author portrays such a lovely sibling relationship between them.
Stay, Forever by Melesta - G - 1,374 - This is such a cute Celrond fic, absolutely a sucker for the way Elrond finds Celebrian’s presence a restoring force and for the healing from the trauma of his childhood.
Valar
And She Vanished by polutropos - G - 432 - A sweet look at the relationship between Melian and Yavanna after Thingol’s death.
Dwarves
Of Good Memory by searchingforserendipity25 - T - Lovely tribute to Dis and her losses. And a great glimpse at the lead-up to the quest and the Ereborians in exile!
Untitled by SquirrelWrangler - G - The Dwarf Gamil Zarik arrives in Doriath to complete one last project for King Thingol, but age is catching up with him.
Men
Watch the wall my darling, while the gentlemen go by by Cycas - A really fascinating look at Numenor! This fic addresses more personal, practical impacts of the deteriorating relationship between Numenor and the Elves.
Lord of the Rings
The Blue Hour by Tallulah - G - 2,161 - A sweet, lovely Tarwen fic that focuses on Tauriel’s sense of their difference in position (which coincidentally, Arwen is not thinking about at all).
Miles to Go Before I Sleep by SatiricalDraperies - G - 690 - Early in their journey, Gimli reflects. A bit of Dwarf worldbuilding and group singing--what more can you ask for?
The Other Side of the Road by vinyarie - G - 6,221 - A really fun look at Bilbo and Frodo in Valinor. They get to meet Celebrimbor, who is understandably nervous about that.
A Shell That Speaks by undercat - G - 2,633 - This is such a lovely scene of Arwen and her children at the beach after the end of LotR. So many fluffy family feels here and a touch of bittersweetness with grandparents Celebrian and Elrond across the sea.
