A Year Goes By...
Hi again...
I haven't updated in a while. I don't even know where to start. But today I just got this really nice fic request which gryfforin wrote for me for the qo_ficexchange which I'm completely ecstatic about :) So I thought I'll do a little fic rec for the holiday :)
I can't believe 2004 is almost over. How fast time flies. I've been so stressed this year, because everything is still unsettled. I need to get into the graduate schools and I've been studying so hard and preparing for that, but I really just don't know if they will amount to anything. I'm pressured a lot to achieve much more, to do so much more and I disappoint. My parents were overachievers in every sense of the word. And people expect so much of me. Actually this wouldn't matter at all, except that *I* expect so much more of myself. I try so hard, I really do - but maybe my best is just not enough. It has also been almost a year and a half since my father passed away and even now I still feel so dazed and confused, with my career plans in havoc, my lost of interest in any relationship, or even my muse in the ability to write as I once could. I just hope that this year, everything would be more settled so that I can move on with my life and become someone that at last I am proud of.
Alrite, on to something more chirpy :) Here's my new fic recs for your holiday reading (But mind you, I haven't been in the happiest holiday moods, so they might not be quite the ...er...conventional holiday reading :P)
NEW FIC RECS:
1. Beauty in the Breakdown by Xylitol
Summary: Draco and Hermione are having a hard time choosing which way to go. Draco/Hermione, R.
Ra Says: Short, poignant and angsty! If you know me, you know I crave this this kind of fic :P This was personally one of my favorites from the dmhgficexchange. In these few words, the author is able to develop their relationship in parallel to the fading sunlight and dying leaves of Fall. Beautiful scenery and vivid descriptions.
2. London by littlealex
Summary: Love seems to get in the way of everything sometimes. Draco/Pansy, Harry/Pansy, NC-17.
Ra Says: I haven't read a Pansy-fic this good in a long time. This definitely joins the ranks of one of the best one-shot Pansy fics ever written, amongst slytherincess's Wick and Blankets of Pansies as well as Maya's (mistful) Flame and Shadow and Loved Those of Great Ambition. What I liked about this fic "London" was in the author's strong characterization of not only Pansy and Draco, but also Harry. This story could be view as AU Post-Hogwarts, but her characterization alone merits this worthy reading. This story left me shaking long after I read it - it was so real, it hurts. A word of caution: this is terribly angsty, but incredibly well-written. It's the story of a girl who we all loved to hate and how we want to see her end up, yet at the same time, it's something most of us have all felt and can sympathize with at one point in time.
3. Immortality by Inell
Summary: He is her darkness. Ginny/Voldemort, mention of Hermione/Ginny, R.
Ra Says: This was a little drabble that yours truly requested :P It was interesting to see Inell's take on a Ginny/Voldemort relationship, as she relies on metaphors of the Dark being Voldemort and the Light being Hermione. Dark and romantic in a twisted way.
4. Entropy by Morgane
Summary: Someone screws up; someone is screwed. Over countless bottles of fire whiskey and angry lamentations, James Potter finds out that he has more in common with Narcissa Black than he had ever imagined. James/Narcissa; angsty type stuff. NC-17.
Ra Says: I found this fic by accident and I must say, the pairing definitely caught my attention! Are there actually other stories of this pairing? This story is a PWP one-shot, but I think it is based on some really interesting ideas which could develop into a really good story if anyone should ever take an interest in writing James/Narcssa one day. There is much more plot than this story alone would seem to allow for. This is about two people who hurt and seek a moment to forget in one another.
4. Filling the Void by adux
Note: No summary provided. Bellatrix/Ginny/Voldemort, Riddle/Ginny. R. Warning: Underage Sex
Ra Says: This is really one of hottest Ginny fics I've ever read. There's a plausible link-connection that I think Ginny may find with Bellatrix if she did indeed form a bond with Tom and/or had feelings for him. This fic is *hot* and it's all about debauchery.
5. Control by legomymalfoy
Summary: Pansy tries to keep control. Harry tries to make her lose it. Harry/Pansy, Draco/Pansy. NC-17.
Ra Says: This is not a very long fic, but it captures the essence of a Harry/Pansy/Draco dynamic... feel the conflict. Oh, and there's incredibly hot HET frottage as well :P
6. He Makes Me Happy by dsneyvoice
Note: No summary was provided. Remus/Narcissa, NC-17.
Ra Says: This is another interesting take into Narcissa Malfoy, where she is not just the abused wife, absolutely evil or a trophy wife. There is depth to Narcissa and her relationship with Remus. This story is all about "what-if" ...What if Narcissa was capable of loving someone else other than Lucius after all? Yet bound by who she is, she can never be free.
7. Someone Else's Story by go_back_chief
Summary: More angry, frustrated and bitter than ever before, Draco is focusing completely on his plans to avenge his father’s imprisonment. Polyjuicing himself as Ron, he intends to grill Hermione for information that could give him fuel or help his scheming along. Draco/Hermione and Ron/Hermione from Draco's POV, PG-13.
Ra Says: I read that someone people find it difficult trying to realize the possible of Draco/Hermione in canon. While that is true, this fic is probably the closest thing I've ever read to a canon interpretation of Draco/Hermione. And although it is not full of throes of passion and confessions of forbidden love, it is realistic and compelling. The author has integrated plots from the canon books, particularly "Order of the Phoenix" extremely well. Though this is not the typical Draco/Hermione love-and-be-all fic I love to read, this fic is really not to be missed if you ever found yourself questioning the plasibility of Draco/Hermione in the canon world. Extremely in-character with an unusual development. We can only hope that the author would decide to write more to this.
8. Mayhem at the Burrow by VGSS
Summary: After the Quiddich Cup, a zonkos gag helps Ron explore a forbidden relationship. Naturally, they are caught by their intelligent classmate... Ron/Hermione, Ron/Ginny. NC-17.
Ra Says: This fic was written by a guy and I'm recc'ing it cuz it's interesting to see how different girls and guys really write stories! Guys really are that more visual! And even the way they write sentences and structures out descriptions. Less is paid on the emotional development, but the plot is still crazily unbelievably entertaining :P Oh, this is also extremely high on the *raunch* factor, so if you can't stomach it, I suggest you not check it out :P It's hot and *sexy* while being funny and piquing my curiosity at the same time!
9. Witch? Wizard? by gryfforin
Click to the links for the eight chapters:
Epilogue 1, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4,
Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Epilogue 2.
Summary: Blaise has feelings for Draco Malfoy that he won't let go. Is Malfoy the love that Blaise really needs? Draco/Blaise, Draco/Hermione, Blaise/Hermione, R.
Ra Says: This is a story I requested for the qo_ficexchange and it's so beautiful and so - so perfect. I gave out a very tough fic request and gryfforin was able to incorporate all the request into this story so beautifully and innovatively. If you ever wanted to read a story where love transcends gender, this is it. Please trust me on this one. Her characterization of Blaise, Hermione and Draco are all very in-character and extremely real. Their emotions are so raw, especially Blaise's. There is a good deal of plot, yet the strength of this story comes from the theme which the author is able to develop and carry across the character's development. There has been a number of of fics where het couples break up for slash lovers, so this is a refreshing change to see a reversing trend. This story is truly beautiful, the message poignant - and something that is truly not to be missed.
* * * * *
Take care and happy holidays everyone!
~Ra
I haven't updated in a while. I don't even know where to start. But today I just got this really nice fic request which gryfforin wrote for me for the qo_ficexchange which I'm completely ecstatic about :) So I thought I'll do a little fic rec for the holiday :)
I can't believe 2004 is almost over. How fast time flies. I've been so stressed this year, because everything is still unsettled. I need to get into the graduate schools and I've been studying so hard and preparing for that, but I really just don't know if they will amount to anything. I'm pressured a lot to achieve much more, to do so much more and I disappoint. My parents were overachievers in every sense of the word. And people expect so much of me. Actually this wouldn't matter at all, except that *I* expect so much more of myself. I try so hard, I really do - but maybe my best is just not enough. It has also been almost a year and a half since my father passed away and even now I still feel so dazed and confused, with my career plans in havoc, my lost of interest in any relationship, or even my muse in the ability to write as I once could. I just hope that this year, everything would be more settled so that I can move on with my life and become someone that at last I am proud of.
Alrite, on to something more chirpy :) Here's my new fic recs for your holiday reading (But mind you, I haven't been in the happiest holiday moods, so they might not be quite the ...er...conventional holiday reading :P)
NEW FIC RECS:
1. Beauty in the Breakdown by Xylitol
Summary: Draco and Hermione are having a hard time choosing which way to go. Draco/Hermione, R.
Ra Says: Short, poignant and angsty! If you know me, you know I crave this this kind of fic :P This was personally one of my favorites from the dmhgficexchange. In these few words, the author is able to develop their relationship in parallel to the fading sunlight and dying leaves of Fall. Beautiful scenery and vivid descriptions.
2. London by littlealex
Summary: Love seems to get in the way of everything sometimes. Draco/Pansy, Harry/Pansy, NC-17.
Ra Says: I haven't read a Pansy-fic this good in a long time. This definitely joins the ranks of one of the best one-shot Pansy fics ever written, amongst slytherincess's Wick and Blankets of Pansies as well as Maya's (mistful) Flame and Shadow and Loved Those of Great Ambition. What I liked about this fic "London" was in the author's strong characterization of not only Pansy and Draco, but also Harry. This story could be view as AU Post-Hogwarts, but her characterization alone merits this worthy reading. This story left me shaking long after I read it - it was so real, it hurts. A word of caution: this is terribly angsty, but incredibly well-written. It's the story of a girl who we all loved to hate and how we want to see her end up, yet at the same time, it's something most of us have all felt and can sympathize with at one point in time.
3. Immortality by Inell
Summary: He is her darkness. Ginny/Voldemort, mention of Hermione/Ginny, R.
Ra Says: This was a little drabble that yours truly requested :P It was interesting to see Inell's take on a Ginny/Voldemort relationship, as she relies on metaphors of the Dark being Voldemort and the Light being Hermione. Dark and romantic in a twisted way.
4. Entropy by Morgane
Summary: Someone screws up; someone is screwed. Over countless bottles of fire whiskey and angry lamentations, James Potter finds out that he has more in common with Narcissa Black than he had ever imagined. James/Narcissa; angsty type stuff. NC-17.
Ra Says: I found this fic by accident and I must say, the pairing definitely caught my attention! Are there actually other stories of this pairing? This story is a PWP one-shot, but I think it is based on some really interesting ideas which could develop into a really good story if anyone should ever take an interest in writing James/Narcssa one day. There is much more plot than this story alone would seem to allow for. This is about two people who hurt and seek a moment to forget in one another.
4. Filling the Void by adux
Note: No summary provided. Bellatrix/Ginny/Voldemort, Riddle/Ginny. R. Warning: Underage Sex
Ra Says: This is really one of hottest Ginny fics I've ever read. There's a plausible link-connection that I think Ginny may find with Bellatrix if she did indeed form a bond with Tom and/or had feelings for him. This fic is *hot* and it's all about debauchery.
5. Control by legomymalfoy
Summary: Pansy tries to keep control. Harry tries to make her lose it. Harry/Pansy, Draco/Pansy. NC-17.
Ra Says: This is not a very long fic, but it captures the essence of a Harry/Pansy/Draco dynamic... feel the conflict. Oh, and there's incredibly hot HET frottage as well :P
6. He Makes Me Happy by dsneyvoice
Note: No summary was provided. Remus/Narcissa, NC-17.
Ra Says: This is another interesting take into Narcissa Malfoy, where she is not just the abused wife, absolutely evil or a trophy wife. There is depth to Narcissa and her relationship with Remus. This story is all about "what-if" ...What if Narcissa was capable of loving someone else other than Lucius after all? Yet bound by who she is, she can never be free.
7. Someone Else's Story by go_back_chief
Summary: More angry, frustrated and bitter than ever before, Draco is focusing completely on his plans to avenge his father’s imprisonment. Polyjuicing himself as Ron, he intends to grill Hermione for information that could give him fuel or help his scheming along. Draco/Hermione and Ron/Hermione from Draco's POV, PG-13.
Ra Says: I read that someone people find it difficult trying to realize the possible of Draco/Hermione in canon. While that is true, this fic is probably the closest thing I've ever read to a canon interpretation of Draco/Hermione. And although it is not full of throes of passion and confessions of forbidden love, it is realistic and compelling. The author has integrated plots from the canon books, particularly "Order of the Phoenix" extremely well. Though this is not the typical Draco/Hermione love-and-be-all fic I love to read, this fic is really not to be missed if you ever found yourself questioning the plasibility of Draco/Hermione in the canon world. Extremely in-character with an unusual development. We can only hope that the author would decide to write more to this.
8. Mayhem at the Burrow by VGSS
Summary: After the Quiddich Cup, a zonkos gag helps Ron explore a forbidden relationship. Naturally, they are caught by their intelligent classmate... Ron/Hermione, Ron/Ginny. NC-17.
Ra Says: This fic was written by a guy and I'm recc'ing it cuz it's interesting to see how different girls and guys really write stories! Guys really are that more visual! And even the way they write sentences and structures out descriptions. Less is paid on the emotional development, but the plot is still crazily unbelievably entertaining :P Oh, this is also extremely high on the *raunch* factor, so if you can't stomach it, I suggest you not check it out :P It's hot and *sexy* while being funny and piquing my curiosity at the same time!
9. Witch? Wizard? by gryfforin
Click to the links for the eight chapters:
Epilogue 1, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4,
Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Epilogue 2.
Summary: Blaise has feelings for Draco Malfoy that he won't let go. Is Malfoy the love that Blaise really needs? Draco/Blaise, Draco/Hermione, Blaise/Hermione, R.
Ra Says: This is a story I requested for the qo_ficexchange and it's so beautiful and so - so perfect. I gave out a very tough fic request and gryfforin was able to incorporate all the request into this story so beautifully and innovatively. If you ever wanted to read a story where love transcends gender, this is it. Please trust me on this one. Her characterization of Blaise, Hermione and Draco are all very in-character and extremely real. Their emotions are so raw, especially Blaise's. There is a good deal of plot, yet the strength of this story comes from the theme which the author is able to develop and carry across the character's development. There has been a number of of fics where het couples break up for slash lovers, so this is a refreshing change to see a reversing trend. This story is truly beautiful, the message poignant - and something that is truly not to be missed.
* * * * *
Take care and happy holidays everyone!
~Ra