fic: Hand of the Crow

[subterrain]

So as I was trolling around the fairly limited ASoIaF fandom this morning looking for some place to self-promote, I finally read and remembered that not only does Martin not condone fiction for his series, but that his drooling - and evidently masochistic, given the long spaces between his books - fandom generally hates fan fiction as well. So,

Comments

[zincpiccalilli]

Truly, most ASOIAF fans are not masochistic enough. It is a terrible exercise in self-flagellation to want fanfic in a book fandom where the difficulty of faithfully portraying world, characters, and style is compounded by the author's disapproval of such. That said, I am not most people.

Of the five ASOIAF Yuletide 2006 fics, I thought yours the best. For one, "Hand of the Crow" is long and plotty. Two characteristics I particularly enjoy in fanfic and the absence of which in this tinny fandom I've long lamented, feeling somewhat cheated given 4,000+ pages of canon plots within treacherous plots. In fact, I think I'd be gushingly grateful to you for the length alone. Then you elevated yourself to divine status for not only capturing GRRM's style but the essence and voice of the characters and setting, all in an intriguing and dramatic scenario that builds on canon without parroting it. It also certainly doesn't hurt that a) I'm rather fond of Jon Snow, b) I've been missing the cold wilds of the North something fierce with the AFFC/ADWD split, and c) Jon and Jaime are too clever mirrors to each other for me to resist wanting the two, however improbable, to meet. In short, you can roast and eat babies, and I'll still worship the ground you walk on.

Now for a little more specific commentary:

Poke Eye! Jaime being grateful for a shaggy, one-eyed, barely-bigger-than-a-dog garron so perfectly highlights the setting; he's not in King's Landing anymore-this is the North, beyond the Wall, and there are older, darker things to fear than taking bruises to your pride.

I've always thought the Night's Watch, though mainly the unwanted dregs of Westerosi society, faced horrors unimaginable to those south of the Neck with remarkable courage, an opinion partly validated when the brave, battle-hardened knights of Stannis's army had trouble fighting the giants. The dangers beyond the Wall disquieted Tyrion and Davos, too, and there's the general sense that the South is in for a rude awakening when winter and unearthly powers sweep out of the North. You captured that dread realization in Jaime's progression from joking of snarks and grumkins to fighting-and viscerally fearing-wights and Others to, finally, following a Jon beset by visions. Expertly and subtly done!

...flame-worshipping kingsmen...
Actually, isn't it queensmen? Or does Jaime not know or care about the difference?

...Ser Loras' recovery from his wounds on Dragonstone.
Not an adherent of the Grand Tyrell Conspiracy, lol? There's a ton of backstory given here, but I barely noticed the transition into happenings at King's Landing, then Castle Black, and finally back to the ranging. Very smooth and natural. I'm also impressed and, I admit, a bit amused by how very vague, yet seemingly comprehensive, you left the hows and whys of Margaery's release and Cersei's continued imprisonment. :D The confrontation between Jaime and Cersei was suitably bitter and empty. Referring to Tommen and Margaery as "the boy king and his rose wife" was especially fitting.

"Turn back and shelter Lord Snow, Ser" Cold Geremy, all in black...
The missing punctuation here really bugs me. I don't know why. Perhaps because, AFAIK, the rest of the fic is mechanically flawless.

Jon and Jaime's interaction is pitch-perfect. And, what's more, changes over the course of the fic in a totally believable way. Cold anger and distaste, distance, in the beginning. The exchange about Bran and cripples is an emotional and physical release. Then an understanding of sorts. Hint of warmth at the end. Fantastic!