454: Hidden Gems [A Look Back at the 2009 SPN_J2_BigBang]
title. Speaking for the Dead
author. jade_1459
characters. Sam/Dean, Ruby, Bobby, Castiel, OCs
rating. NC17
words. 53,000
summary. In all of history there have been less than a dozen recorded Necromancers. Most of them destroyed themselves with the madness that came from such an unpredictable gift. Those few who survived, who learned to control that cold affinity, were feared for the power they wielded. When Dean is kidnapped by a crazy psychic out to collect the talents of others like him and enslave their souls to fuel his own power base, Sam is left wondering how he's going to pick up the pieces now that his brother seems to have everything he's ever wanted, with just one little catch...
read this. A creepy and compelling story with some amazing action. The way Dean's emphasis on family and loyalty becomes an important facet of his character is sweet and true to character.
title. An Unforgettable Moment (In Time)
artist. nerrianah
characters. Jared/Jensen
rating. PG [reccer's rating]
type. digital drawing
summary. Cover, 4 illustrations, and 2 icons
see this. These use a beautiful palette to really draw your eye. I especially love the character illustrations for Jared and Jensen which are basic, yet bold.
title. See: Life
author. silentpoetry1
characters. Jared/Jensen, Chris, Steve, Chad
rating. NC17
words. 42,000
summary. At the orders of his psychiatrist, Jensen is forced to leave the city and move in with his aunt in a remote and laid back country town. Out amongst the endless horizons and suffocating world, his Bipolar Disorder, questionable love of psychedelics, broken past, and his strange fear of and infatuation with them seems out of place. He is out of place. But all this may change when he meets a boy named Jared with startling jackal eyes, the type of person he never looked for, but perhaps he always needed. Jensen just needs to get out of his wrecked head first.
read this. Heartbreaking and lyrical, this really gets into the bipolar mindset and hurts bad, but the payoff is more than worth it. Jared's support and love of Jensen is beautiful. This is one of those stories that made me glad I read fanfic.
title. My Own Destroyer
artist. mithborien
characters. Dean, Sam
rating. PG13 [reccer's rating]
type. Vid / Digital
summary. One vid, a banner, a soundtrack, and icons
see this. While the graphics are great, the vid is amazing and is really the main reason I'm reccing this. The style and scene selections really elicit an atmosphere I think many vids strive for and has real emotional impact.
title. A Complicated Love and Affection Between Two Men
author. aleia
characters. Jared/Jensen, Mike/Tom, Chris/Steve
rating. R
words. 28,924
summary. Thanks to his idiot friends, Jensen gets signed up to compete for Jared Padalecki's friendship on the second season of MTV's Bromance. Can he beat out seven other guys to be Jared's new best friend...or maybe more?
read this. To break up the emo of the last couple fic recs, here's a story that will make you laugh until it hurts! Fun, flirty, and hilarious, of course. In addition, this quite possibly contains Mike's finest moment in fanfic.
title. We Are Legend
artist. xtinethepirate
characters. Dean, Sam
rating. PG [reccer's rating]
type. Ink / Pencil / Acrylic / Watercolor
summary. 3 scene illustrations
see this. This artist's style is gorgeous. The placement in each piece is such that it draws the eye and in the last scene in particular, the color choices are perfect. Watercolors are difficult and this artist obviously has true talent!
title. Boy Falling Out of Sky
author. sylvanwitch
characters. Sam/Dean, Sam/OMC, John, OCs
rating. NC17
words. 37,115
summary. When Sam steps in to rescue a boy and the boy's best friend from Green Bank Regional High School's biggest bullies, he expects trouble. What he doesn't expect is the trouble he gets. Sam is sixteen and keeping all kinds of secrets from Dean--about the boy he kind of likes and the supernatural situation he's found himself in. These secrets start to take their toll at home, where Dean is harboring his own secret, one that might be the most life-changing of all.
read this. A really fabulous story with an intriguing plot, wonderful characterizations and exceptional writing. Sam's understanding of HS politics was fabulous and, to me, totally in character. All the plot points just works together superbly.
title. Deadsville
artist. badesquisse
characters. Jared/Jensen
rating. PG [reccer's rating]
type. Digital
summary. Cover and soundtrack art
see this. When I look at digital art, I'm always looking for something that sounds out as unique. This definitely fits that description. The use of the Gray's Anatomy illustrations combined with silhouettes and black text is innovative and bold. The overall effect is genuinely breathtaking.
title. Counting the Steps to the Door of Your Heart
author. annella
characters. Jared/Jensen, Jared/Sandy, Jensen/OMCs, others
rating. NC17
words. 44,500
summary. Jensen's life isn't perfect, but he's happy enough. He has friends (well, one friend and one roommate), a prospective career (if he can pass this stupid, stupid test which requires him to be able to talk to people), a sex life of sorts (with guys who are total jerkfaces and think Jensen is a dork, which is actually true), and a life-size Dalek costume with a voice modulator which lets him EXTERMINATE things (like the toaster). Then, out of nowhere, he also has Jared (gorgeous, wonderful, socially retarded, and already taken), and his life turns upside down in the blink of an eye. For the first time, Jensen has found what he wants, but how is he going to get it?
read this. I'm a huge sucker for stories where the boys are huge nerds. This is fantastically adorable. Jensen was infinitely relatable for me as a geek who doesn't want to have to hide his geekiness in order to find a boyfriend.
title. Living in Lucid Dreams
artist. tipitina
characters. Jared/Jensen
rating. PG13 [reccer's rating]
type. Digital graphics & drawing
summary. Cover art, soundtrack, wallpaper, and scene illustrations
see this. You know how stories get stuck in your head? Well, this art got stuck in mine. The cover art with the graphical speech bubble kept popping into my head for months afterwards. It's such a simple image, but it conveys so much.
title. Stained Glass Masquerade
author. splashpink
characters. Jared/Jensen, Chris, Genevieve
rating. NC17
words. 42,000
summary. When his life takes a turn for the worse, the offer of a job with the exclusive Mayfair Group seems like a sign that the fates are finally finding in Jared’s favor. In return for an impressive paycheck, all he is required to do is look after Charlie, who, when not Imprinted with serial killers (or serial daters) happens to be the most likable guy in the world. It’s perfectly easy to ignore the darker aspects of his job, that is until Charlie is Imprinted with his own personality and the line between reality and illusion is eradicated from the equation. Dollhouse AU.
read this. This takes all the best parts of a J2!AU and Whedon's Dollhouse and seamlessly fit them together. Charlie/Jensen's story is sad, but genuine, and Jared's motivations and emotions are sympathetic and beautiful. All in all, gorgeous.
title. Metaphysical
artist. tammylee
characters. Dean, Sam, Meg, Jo
rating. PG [reccer's rating]
type. Digital drawings / Pencil
summary. Cover art and character sketches
see this. Steampunk on it's own is awesome, but when you get an amazing artist illustrating it goes to a whole new level. The costumes, details, and expressions are great. Add the bare-bones palette and these really embody that steampunk feel.
reccer's note. 2009 was a banner year for spn_j2_bigbang with 225 fics and even more art! This was also the first year Big Bang during which sawedoff_recs was in business and your reccing team here worked tirelessly to bring you a ton of fabulous picks from each week's new stories. You can find these posts under the tag for the 2009 Big Bang. Since so many stories had already been recced I attempted (and hopefully succeeded) to select a completely new set for you this week.
Next Wednesday will focus on last year's 2010 Big Bang. Enjoy and hope you're getting psyched for the 2011 Big Bang!