The Long-time Coming Rec List
The Hunger Games
Scars by holymfwikee
Rated: R
Summary: Post-CF. Peeta is rescued from the Capitol by Katniss and her band of rebels; however, after months of torture it is unknown if he will survive. It is also unknown if Katniss will survive if he doesn't. Majority written prior to the publication of MJ.
Why it rocks: Spot-on characterization. As much as I love romance and sweetness (and this fic has that), it's also important to me that Katniss be in-character, and she is not someone who deals in romance or sweetness very easily. Peeta, meanwhile, is pushed to the limits of his renowned patience by the severity of his injuries and where they leave him. I'm also drawn into the side-stories of Gale and Madge quite easily here.
Even Without the Games by booksandblades
Rated: PG
Summary: Even without the Games, Katniss and Peeta are destined to fight a war, and maybe find each other along the way.
Why it rocks: It's got a little of the flavor of "My 1st Date with Katniss Everdeen" in the way that the main characters come together gradually under more peaceful circumstances (and with a very, very strong emphasis on friendship above anything romantic), but it deviates strongly in the way that we largely follow Katniss's perspective and we feel ourselves hurtling toward a war that was going to happen anyway. These two can't help but be sucked in, and it has that great feeling of destiny, even though circumstances have caused that destiny to be delayed.
{Art Recs}
The Healer by decimoterceraluna
Why it rocks: There's very little art of hijacked!Peeta, and I like the emotion of this one.
I tell him, Real by Palnk
Why it rocks: I am an utter sucker for cannonical scars in fanart, and this one's got 'em. From Katniss's half-hazardly shorn hair, to the burns along her back, neck, and face, I love this pic for it's detail and the sweetness of the moment.
Hunger Games Interviews by alexisneo
Why it rocks: At first, I thought it was way too happy and Disney-esque to be an appropriate piece of HG art, but then it occurred to me... these shiny happy people are probably Peeta and Katniss as the Capitol sees them, poor dumb media-heads that they are...
Innocence- Katniss and Rue by commoner-pocky
Why it rocks: Detailed and beautiful traditional piece of Rue's death scene
THG: otp by Minuiko
Why it rocks: It's meant to be a simple scrap, but the shadows, the body language, everything... it just captures my dear Peeta & Katniss to a tea.
Disney
The Betrothed by Lightbird
Rated:PG-13
Summary: Mulan returned home after the war, her secret undiscovered. Now she prepares to marry the man that she was betrothed to as a child, who turns out to be Shang. Things get complicated when they're both summoned for a new mission.
Why it rocks: Moooarrr dramatic irony. Isn't that the whole point of a Mulan fic? I really like the respect Shang has for Ping here, and I enjoy the way Mulan handles herself, navigating the enemies who suspect her and seek to blackmail her.
Times that Taint by Aenigmatic
Rated: PG-13
Summary:Mulan returns home, injured, identity still concealed after the avalanche battle with the Huns. What happens 5 years after? A tale of people tainted by harsh times and broken dreams.
Why it rocks: A world-weary and kick-ass Mulan collides with an unsuspecting Shang who, over the years, has become something of a quixotic dreamer yearning for the glory days. There is a reveal, and Shan Yu, and vengeance, and UST aplenty.
Filling the Silence by Yochan
Rated:PG
Summary:Eric visits Ariel in the night and realizes that he's been going about things all wrong.
Why it rocks: It take place during Ariel's 3 days in which she must silently attempt to woo Eric. Basically, Eric tries to have a conversation with her despite her inability to speak and truly knowing nothing about her station, background, or origin. Basically, fandom should have more of this Eric.
Picture This by TrudiRose
Rated: PG-13
Summary: The epic and entirely plausible romance of Belle and Gaston.
Why it rocks: She really does make it epic and entirely plausible. The story of a somewhat judgemental and bookish woman who learns to give an undereducated hunter half a chance.
Narnia
Letting Go by Lirenel
Rated:PG -13
Summary: What happens when the High King does not take his brother's hand as the magic starts pulling them? What happens when the Just King returns to Narnia...alone? A Prince Caspian AU.
Why it rocks: I loved the testosterone-driven rivalry between Peter and Caspian in the second movie, yet I mourned the fact that we saw very little of Edmund. This changes up the game by having Edmund and Caspian meet without any interference from the others. It allows them to develop a very strong bond, that is tested when the queens and one very jealous king show up.
Four Narnian Crossovers that Never Happened by Lirenel
Rated: PG
Summary: The Pevensies meet the 11th Doctor, the crew of the Enterprise, Sherlock Holmes, and Hogan's Heroes.
Why it rocks: The Doctor Who cross is giggle-worthy. The meeting with James T. Kirk is spot-on and hillarious. The meeting with Holmes is haunting and creepy. The cross with Hogan's Heroes is just a treat.
A Stop at Camelot by Noor1
Rated:PG
Summary: Narnia/Merlin crossover Wherein the Pevensies make a stop at Camelot. Expect little adventure. Just a forging of new acquaintances.
Why it rocks: As much as I crave Narnia/Merlin crossovers, there aren't many, but Noor1's got a good hang of it. It's basically Edmund and Susan attempting to merely pass through, and enjoying a short stay at the castle. There is secrecy pertaining to magic and dramatic irony abounding.
Chanson de Geste by LVDB
Rated: PG-13
Summary: Edmund's memoirs reveal a darker Narnia than the one Professor Lewis described...
Why it rocks: It is a very, very in-depth look at the relationship between Edmund and Jadis, exploring the idea that she messed with his head in some ways that wouldn't even be fully realized till he reached adulthood. And yet, that he could be the very one to offer her a certain redemption from beyond the grave... Oh, and they play a mind-trippy form of chess. Lots of it.
Merlin (vid recs)
Emrys by Liisakee
Song: "Intro" by XX
Why it rocks: The music weaves a strange mix of nostalgic and significant, and the video moves not quickly, but steadily, building into a flash of imagery that captures the feel of the show at it's most epic.
Blinding by crazygirl786
Song: "Blinding" by Florence + the Machine
Why it rocks: This is the video that made me fall in love with this song. A dark rythm with a subtle yet powerful drum. I love how it covers a variety of relationships in a single vid, yet makes it all feel inter-connected. Nice ensemble feel to it.
Remember the Name by Luthien3333
Song: "Remember the Name" by Fort Minor
Why it rocks: Both badass and funny in the same moment, quickly giving you a rundown on just why Gwain, Arthur, and Merlin make such a powerful trio.
Strike me Down by Zeldona
Song: "Lightning Field" by Sneaker Pimps
Why it rocks: Gives an apopriately haunting AU scenario of what would happen if Morgana seduced Arthur into turning on Uther.
Hurricane by TwoSidesStudios
Song: "Hurricane" by 30 Seconds to Mars
Why it rocks: Great ensemble vid again, emphasizing that all the characters actions, ill or well-intended, have grave consequences. That, and I'm a sucker for vids that incorporate Freya and Merlin's romance into the mix.
Scars by holymfwikee
Rated: R
Summary: Post-CF. Peeta is rescued from the Capitol by Katniss and her band of rebels; however, after months of torture it is unknown if he will survive. It is also unknown if Katniss will survive if he doesn't. Majority written prior to the publication of MJ.
Why it rocks: Spot-on characterization. As much as I love romance and sweetness (and this fic has that), it's also important to me that Katniss be in-character, and she is not someone who deals in romance or sweetness very easily. Peeta, meanwhile, is pushed to the limits of his renowned patience by the severity of his injuries and where they leave him. I'm also drawn into the side-stories of Gale and Madge quite easily here.
Even Without the Games by booksandblades
Rated: PG
Summary: Even without the Games, Katniss and Peeta are destined to fight a war, and maybe find each other along the way.
Why it rocks: It's got a little of the flavor of "My 1st Date with Katniss Everdeen" in the way that the main characters come together gradually under more peaceful circumstances (and with a very, very strong emphasis on friendship above anything romantic), but it deviates strongly in the way that we largely follow Katniss's perspective and we feel ourselves hurtling toward a war that was going to happen anyway. These two can't help but be sucked in, and it has that great feeling of destiny, even though circumstances have caused that destiny to be delayed.
{Art Recs}
The Healer by decimoterceraluna
Why it rocks: There's very little art of hijacked!Peeta, and I like the emotion of this one.
I tell him, Real by Palnk
Why it rocks: I am an utter sucker for cannonical scars in fanart, and this one's got 'em. From Katniss's half-hazardly shorn hair, to the burns along her back, neck, and face, I love this pic for it's detail and the sweetness of the moment.
Hunger Games Interviews by alexisneo
Why it rocks: At first, I thought it was way too happy and Disney-esque to be an appropriate piece of HG art, but then it occurred to me... these shiny happy people are probably Peeta and Katniss as the Capitol sees them, poor dumb media-heads that they are...
Innocence- Katniss and Rue by commoner-pocky
Why it rocks: Detailed and beautiful traditional piece of Rue's death scene
THG: otp by Minuiko
Why it rocks: It's meant to be a simple scrap, but the shadows, the body language, everything... it just captures my dear Peeta & Katniss to a tea.
Disney
The Betrothed by Lightbird
Rated:PG-13
Summary: Mulan returned home after the war, her secret undiscovered. Now she prepares to marry the man that she was betrothed to as a child, who turns out to be Shang. Things get complicated when they're both summoned for a new mission.
Why it rocks: Moooarrr dramatic irony. Isn't that the whole point of a Mulan fic? I really like the respect Shang has for Ping here, and I enjoy the way Mulan handles herself, navigating the enemies who suspect her and seek to blackmail her.
Times that Taint by Aenigmatic
Rated: PG-13
Summary:Mulan returns home, injured, identity still concealed after the avalanche battle with the Huns. What happens 5 years after? A tale of people tainted by harsh times and broken dreams.
Why it rocks: A world-weary and kick-ass Mulan collides with an unsuspecting Shang who, over the years, has become something of a quixotic dreamer yearning for the glory days. There is a reveal, and Shan Yu, and vengeance, and UST aplenty.
Filling the Silence by Yochan
Rated:PG
Summary:Eric visits Ariel in the night and realizes that he's been going about things all wrong.
Why it rocks: It take place during Ariel's 3 days in which she must silently attempt to woo Eric. Basically, Eric tries to have a conversation with her despite her inability to speak and truly knowing nothing about her station, background, or origin. Basically, fandom should have more of this Eric.
Picture This by TrudiRose
Rated: PG-13
Summary: The epic and entirely plausible romance of Belle and Gaston.
Why it rocks: She really does make it epic and entirely plausible. The story of a somewhat judgemental and bookish woman who learns to give an undereducated hunter half a chance.
Narnia
Letting Go by Lirenel
Rated:PG -13
Summary: What happens when the High King does not take his brother's hand as the magic starts pulling them? What happens when the Just King returns to Narnia...alone? A Prince Caspian AU.
Why it rocks: I loved the testosterone-driven rivalry between Peter and Caspian in the second movie, yet I mourned the fact that we saw very little of Edmund. This changes up the game by having Edmund and Caspian meet without any interference from the others. It allows them to develop a very strong bond, that is tested when the queens and one very jealous king show up.
Four Narnian Crossovers that Never Happened by Lirenel
Rated: PG
Summary: The Pevensies meet the 11th Doctor, the crew of the Enterprise, Sherlock Holmes, and Hogan's Heroes.
Why it rocks: The Doctor Who cross is giggle-worthy. The meeting with James T. Kirk is spot-on and hillarious. The meeting with Holmes is haunting and creepy. The cross with Hogan's Heroes is just a treat.
A Stop at Camelot by Noor1
Rated:PG
Summary: Narnia/Merlin crossover Wherein the Pevensies make a stop at Camelot. Expect little adventure. Just a forging of new acquaintances.
Why it rocks: As much as I crave Narnia/Merlin crossovers, there aren't many, but Noor1's got a good hang of it. It's basically Edmund and Susan attempting to merely pass through, and enjoying a short stay at the castle. There is secrecy pertaining to magic and dramatic irony abounding.
Chanson de Geste by LVDB
Rated: PG-13
Summary: Edmund's memoirs reveal a darker Narnia than the one Professor Lewis described...
Why it rocks: It is a very, very in-depth look at the relationship between Edmund and Jadis, exploring the idea that she messed with his head in some ways that wouldn't even be fully realized till he reached adulthood. And yet, that he could be the very one to offer her a certain redemption from beyond the grave... Oh, and they play a mind-trippy form of chess. Lots of it.
Merlin (vid recs)
Emrys by Liisakee
Song: "Intro" by XX
Why it rocks: The music weaves a strange mix of nostalgic and significant, and the video moves not quickly, but steadily, building into a flash of imagery that captures the feel of the show at it's most epic.
Blinding by crazygirl786
Song: "Blinding" by Florence + the Machine
Why it rocks: This is the video that made me fall in love with this song. A dark rythm with a subtle yet powerful drum. I love how it covers a variety of relationships in a single vid, yet makes it all feel inter-connected. Nice ensemble feel to it.
Remember the Name by Luthien3333
Song: "Remember the Name" by Fort Minor
Why it rocks: Both badass and funny in the same moment, quickly giving you a rundown on just why Gwain, Arthur, and Merlin make such a powerful trio.
Strike me Down by Zeldona
Song: "Lightning Field" by Sneaker Pimps
Why it rocks: Gives an apopriately haunting AU scenario of what would happen if Morgana seduced Arthur into turning on Uther.
Hurricane by TwoSidesStudios
Song: "Hurricane" by 30 Seconds to Mars
Why it rocks: Great ensemble vid again, emphasizing that all the characters actions, ill or well-intended, have grave consequences. That, and I'm a sucker for vids that incorporate Freya and Merlin's romance into the mix.