Fic Rec: What you Feel, by mlebayre
I haven't had much opportunity to recommend fics, but I love to catch up on reading. I especially love doing so when I come across a real gem.
What you Feel, by
mlebayre, was an absolutely wonderful joyride of a read. 13 chapters, and I couldn't stop reading once I started. It was that good. I found it while poking through posts on
spnstoryfinders, and can I just say forcefully if you've never searched for fic by using this community before you're selling your fic searches short?
I originally clicked on the link because I like to occasionally read animal transformation fics and the person originally searching for this fic said it included Dean turning into a Dragon. Who could resist such a lure? Not me! And hey - as a bonus for my limp!Sam love, it included Sam being kidnapped. Well, that was enough to start me reading.
But what kept me reading, despite a bit of a confusing start (could be I just need more sleep *grin*), was the combination of character voices and writing talent.
mlebayre is a very talented writer, and in fact I've read some of her writing in the past. But she nailed Sam and Dean in this fic. And she didn't just write them in a simple plot-driven piece with skill; she wrote them in a complicated, emotionally driven piece with dead-on character voices and skill. It's exceptionally hard to write either guy convincingly in a longer fic, but when you're including emotionally charged dialogue and reactions? Let's just say I very rarely see it done with the level of skill done here.
When you add in several different mythical plot points, including the animal transformations (yes, that's plural) and run-in with law enforcement and bad guys alike - you just come away with a richly rewarding fic. And the premise that underlies the tension and action throughout, that Sam is feeling what those around him feel, well, it takes empathy to a whole new level. Add in some smart and snarky humor here and there, and this story is just an all-around great read.
So, if you need something to read that is worth the time, that you'll really enjoy ... look no further than What you Feel, by
mlebayre
What you Feel, by
mlebayre, was an absolutely wonderful joyride of a read. 13 chapters, and I couldn't stop reading once I started. It was that good. I found it while poking through posts on
spnstoryfinders, and can I just say forcefully if you've never searched for fic by using this community before you're selling your fic searches short?
I originally clicked on the link because I like to occasionally read animal transformation fics and the person originally searching for this fic said it included Dean turning into a Dragon. Who could resist such a lure? Not me! And hey - as a bonus for my limp!Sam love, it included Sam being kidnapped. Well, that was enough to start me reading.
But what kept me reading, despite a bit of a confusing start (could be I just need more sleep *grin*), was the combination of character voices and writing talent.
mlebayre is a very talented writer, and in fact I've read some of her writing in the past. But she nailed Sam and Dean in this fic. And she didn't just write them in a simple plot-driven piece with skill; she wrote them in a complicated, emotionally driven piece with dead-on character voices and skill. It's exceptionally hard to write either guy convincingly in a longer fic, but when you're including emotionally charged dialogue and reactions? Let's just say I very rarely see it done with the level of skill done here.
When you add in several different mythical plot points, including the animal transformations (yes, that's plural) and run-in with law enforcement and bad guys alike - you just come away with a richly rewarding fic. And the premise that underlies the tension and action throughout, that Sam is feeling what those around him feel, well, it takes empathy to a whole new level. Add in some smart and snarky humor here and there, and this story is just an all-around great read.
So, if you need something to read that is worth the time, that you'll really enjoy ... look no further than What you Feel, by
mlebayre