Recs by Jane Elliot

Title: Point of a Pistol by Giddygeek
Fandom: Person of Interest
Pairing: John/Harold
Categories: drama, action, case file
Length: ~25,000 words
Warnings: n/a

Review:
Root comes after Harold again and this time John's not taking it lying down.

Branching off of canon sometime during early season 2, this is a fun cat-and-mouse game between John and Root, with Harold providing technical support and enough trust issues to sink a boat. I really loved getting to see John being the clever one for once, and the developing relationship between John and Harold provides a nice focal point around which the action centers. An enjoyable story that (aside from the gay romance) could be an episode of the show and a perfect read for anyone in the mood for a Person of Interest style case file fic.

Point of a Pistol

Title: A Meeting of Equals
Fandom: The Sentinel
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Categories: canon divergence, angst, epistolary, favorite
Length: ~30,000 words
Warnings: Some of the formatting isn't quite right, which can make some of the e-mails hard to read.

Review:
After a nasty fight with Jim, Blair decides that it's time to learn how to stand on his own two feet.

I'm a total sucker for Blair Runs Away From Home fics, and this one is quite possibly my favorite of the entire genre. I love the fact that Blair isn't just running away to punish Jim, I love the fact that Blair and Jim correspond throughout the story, and I love the fact that the entire story is more about Blair growing as a person than it is about potential romance between Jim and Blair (though that's there, too). If you're a fan of epistolary fics or just are in the mood to follow along as two characters work out their issues over a long distance, you should find this a very satisfying read.

A Meeting of Equals

Still alive, but not reading as much (damn you, RL!) Since I only rec about 0.5% of what I read, that's going to cut down on recs. On the plus side, I have a few recs saved up, so here's a really belated Christmas present for ya'll. (Side note: it seems LJ is fucking up again. Some more. So, as a reminder, this comm does have a DW mirror.)

Title: The Certain Stakes I Gained by Tom Cranver
Fandom: Nikita
Pairing: mostly gen
Categories: drama, family, friendship
Length: ~16,500 words
Warnings: n/a

Review:
Nikita loses Michael, finds a family, and keeps on keeping on.

Branching off from canon in mid-season 2, this is an different way that Nikita could have come to what eventually turned out to be the canon ending of that season (and mad props to Tom Cranver for figuring out exactly where the show was headed from halfway through the season). The biggest difference is that Michael departs pretty early on to be with Max and Owen comes back to stay. If I'd known that going in I'm not sure I would have given this story a chance, so I'm glad that I went in cold, because this is the best Nikita fic I've read to date. The character voices are fantastic, the writing is fast-paced and fun, and I adore the family that Nikita builds up around her, even if Michael isn't one of the crew.

One warning: this is a yuletide story, and the limited writing time is evident in a few rough patches and the occasional dropped storyline (hello, Percy). Still, it's entertaining and well written and the character relationships are captivating. A great read for Nikita and found family fans.

The Certain Stakes I Gained

Title: Out of the Ordinary by Eruanna17
Fandom: Gokusen
Pairing: Yankumi/Shin
Categories: humor, drama
Length: 119,000 words (!)
Warnings: n/a

Review:
A novelization of the first season (i.e., the season with Shin) of the live action TV show, from Shin's POV.

I'll admit, I wasn't sure about this fic in the beginning, as I didn't particularly like the live action version of Gokusen and because the author consistently uses incorrect punctuation with regard to dialogue. Then again, epic Gokusen fic is rare and epic Gokusen fic based on the manga is nonexistent so I stuck with this fic through the first couple of chapters and by the end found myself hugely impressed. Between the slow build of Shin's affections, the smooth integration of Shin's internal monologue with canon dialogue, and the slight shift in characterization that makes Yankumi just a bit more like her manga version, this proved to be a truly engrossing story. Best of all, it continues past the incredibly unsatisfying TV ending and gives you a couple more chapters of Shin and Yankumi that's even more satisfying than the end of the manga.

For those who have only read the manga or seen the anime, this fic can easily be read as a canon-verse AU. For fans of the live action show, this fic offers you an in-depth look into Shin's mind as he learns to trust Yankumi (and more!) Fans of either should find lots to love in this fantastic story.

Out of the Ordinary

Sequel: The Substitute (apparently not complete, but I didn't realize that until after I finished reading it and looked up the link for this rec. At any rate, the first three chapters stand alone perfectly well.)

Title: The New Deal by Closer
Fandom: Suits
Pairing: Gen (with a side of canon-level Harvey/Scotty non-dating)
Categories: AU, family, angst, drama, homeless
Length: 33,500 words
Warnings: pre-story child abuse

Review:
In his second year of law school, Harvey finds a homeless teenager on his doorstep.

Anyone who followed my recs over at epic_recs knows that I love homeless!fics, due to their inherent trust issues and angst. The New Deal has both of those in spades, but what really sucked me in was the way Harvey and Mike started out as strangers and ended up family. I adore found family fics and this is an exceptionally good one, with great characterization and some very entertaining Harvey (and Mike!) at law school moments. A great fic for Suits fans.

The New Deal

Title: The Fast and the NBTs series by Jedi Buttercup
Fandom: The Fast and the Furious/Transformers (Bay 'verse)
Pairing: Brian/Dom
Categories: crossover, drama
Length: 22,000 words (so far)
Warnings: n/a

Review:
For reasons that don't really matter (and which, to be honest, I didn't really understand), Brian was in Mission City when Sam released that pulse of Allspark. Which means that, given enough time and motivation, he can fulfill the ultimate dream of car geeks everywhere: he can create his own Transformers.

A few notes up front: first, this series is apparently still in progress, though each story stands on its own. Second, unfortunately every story in the series thus far has had a bizarrely rushed and abrupt ending. Third, there's a lot of references to the movies of both franchises and if you haven't seen the movies (or if, like me, they went right out of your mind the moment you left the theater) you might be a bit confused.

Normally I wouldn't rec a fic with this many caveats, but this is one of those rare cases where the premise is good enough to carry a story (or a series of stories) despite the fics' flaws. Brian's transforming talent is positively inspired and the Transformer OCs he creates are both adorable and wonderfully unique personalities. Honestly, I'm reccing the story for them, because they're likable enough that even with the rushed endings and the random movie exposition, I wanted more stories so I could see more of the various Transformers Brian has created. Mix in solid characterizations for Mia and Dom, some cute Rome family connections, and cameos from nearly every other Fast and Furious secondary character and you have a fun, light, entertaining set of stories.

The Fast and the NBTs series

Title: Stay by Ferd
Musical Artist: Shakespeare's Sister
Fandom: Batman Universe/Smallville
Pairing: Bruce Wayne/Lois Lane
Categories: fanvid, crossover, angst, favorite
Warnings: n/a

Review:
Bruce and Lois have the perfect relationship, until Selina Kyle steps in and tries to take Lois out.

First I should note that this is quite likely the only vid I'll ever rec at this comm; after several attempts to get into the genre, I've concluded that fanvids are just not for me. That said, Stay has haunted me since the day I first watched it and is the only vid I've ever had in my rereadwatch folder.

So what makes Stay so special? Simply put, it tells a story. From Bruce and Lois's romance, to the conflict with Selina, to the clash between Lois and Selina, to the final battle between Bruce and Selina, this is a fully fleshed tale told in just over four minutes. Mix in the fact that Ferd managed to convincingly edit together three actors who never shared a screen, some positively inspired editing choices that blend the story seamlessly into the song, as well as the brilliant choice of song in the first place and you have a beautiful, classic fanvid.

Unfortunately the download version is no longer available, but it can still be found on YouTube.

Note

NOTE: this vid appears to be one of a whole universe of fanvids. However, as they are currently only available on YouTube and as several of them are only available if you have a YouTube account, I'm not reccing or linking to the rest. I should also note that the vids (including Stay) frequently draw from a very small number of clips; the resulting repetition can detract from your enjoyment of individual vids if you choose to watch more than one.

Title: Night by Irena K
Fandom: Trigun (with a cameo from the Buffy 'verse)
Pairing: gen
Categories: action, drama, supernatural
Length: 21,000 words
Warnings: n/a

Review:
Vash, Meryl, and Millie discover vampires. It doesn't go well.

This is the first Trigun fic I've ever recced and I'm delighted to say that it's one that would have fit right in with the actual anime (aside from, you know, the vampires). I'm most impressed by the characterization: anime characters are always tough to write, because they're usually canonically larger than life and while that works well in visual media, it doesn't always translate well into prose. Irena does a brilliant job of staying true to the characters and their relationships while keeping their actions realistic. She also does a phenomenal job of using the world of the desert planet and Plants to make a layered, interesting plot that does an excellent job of blending action with emotion.

Fun and full of action and suspense, Night is a very enjoyable Trigun fic.

Night

Title: These Tracks Stretch Out Before by ciaan
Fandom: Supernatural/Sky High
Pairing: Sam Winchester/Warren Peace
Categories: AU, crossover, action, angst, drama, crossover
Length: 25,000 words
Warnings: n/a

Review:
In an AU crossover world where demons have been replaced by supervillains, Sam's psychic visions are flagged as a superpower. And where do people with superpowers go to school? Sky High, of course!

This is a very clever crossover, one that manages to keep Sam, Dean, and John perfectly in character while transporting them to the world of Sky High. Along for the ride is the Sky High crew, who are all a little more fleshed out than they were in canon (especially Warren's mom, who is awesome) and whose interactions with Sam are fascinating. Mix in some original (and very intriguing) superpower politics, daddy issues left right and center, and loads of very entertaining "Save the Citizen" competitions and you have a fun, albeit a bit angsty (John Winchester and Baron Battle: world's worst dads), fic.

Note: this is a complete story, but it's part of a series that appears to have been abandoned. Thus while most of the internal plotlines are tied up, the ending is a bit open.

These Tracks Stretch Out Before

Title: My Fine Feathered Friend by Lixxle
Fandom: Labyrinth
Pairing: Jareth/Sarah
Categories: crack, humor, romance
Length: ~80,000 words
Warnings: lots of author's notes and review responses

Review:
When goblins steal Sarah's feather duster (and a pair of pink stilettos), the Goblin King sends her a letter of apology (with a replacement duster and some leather boots). Thus begins a series of letters and gift giving that might just lead to something more.

I should start by saying that I don't often use the 'crack' tag. So many concepts that were labeled crack when I first got into fanfic (mpreg, genderswap, bodyswap, deaging) are now treated as Serious Business that I have become jaded as to what constitutes crack. That said, I think (hope?) that rabid assassin chickens and kleptomaniac cross-dressing goblins are always going to be cracky.

Set ten years after the movie and featuring a hysterical collection of OC goblins, My Fine Feathered Friend is one of the funniest, wildest, weirdest fics I've ever read. The best part of the fic is Lixxle's collection of wacky (but surprisingly endearing) goblin OCs and their adventures; Jareth and Sarah are at their most entertaining when they're responding to yet another crazy goblin-initiated disaster and the heart of the story lies less in Jareth's attempts to make Sarah his queen and more in the way the goblins antics make Sarah want to be their queen.

I do have to admit that the story drags a bit when it focuses on romance instead of humor and the fact that the inner voices of Sarah and Jareth are characters all of their own makes the two leads come across as schizophrenic. Still, Lixxle does an excellent job of making Jareth both mostly in character and still likable, while the grown-up Sarah is all around awesome. Mix in a boatload of innuendo, some wished-away pro-wrestlers, and a positively vicious chicken named Rosalinda, and you have just enough craziness to guarantee a laugh or eight.

My Fine Feathered Friend