...ironically, I thought I'd already done a rec-list on time-loops. I had not. 😅
I'm actually not a huge fan of time-loop fics.
If you don't know what a time-loop is - think Groundhog Day, or Happy Death Day, OK? OK.
In order for me to like it, a time-loop fic usually has to have a little something quirky to it - otherwise I get bored.
...So these aren't likely to be straight-forward, just a head's up!
I love novel-length fanfiction.
I am forever in awe of the dedication you have to show to something to write a full novel-length fanfic (especially if you're not planning on changing the names and selling it as an original novel like E. L. James 😅)
I gave a list (which you can see here,) about a year ago, of 5 of my favourite novel-length fanfics - and I figured it's time for another one! (Because I read a truly horrifying amount of fanfiction, lol.)
Remember to please check out the orginal rec'ing posts for Content Warnings and SPOILER status.
Some of these fics deal with difficult topics, so def. check the CWs!
I'll leave the link to those original rec. posts when I finish up talking about each fic.
Who doesn't love a ghost story?
...Don't answer that! 😅 I know they're not to everyone's taste.
But I love 'em - and there are some pretty awesome fanfic ghost stories out there (both spooky and not-so-spooky,) so I figured I'd remind you of a few of my faves
I was originally not planning on making this a specifically LGBTQ+ list, but this is fanfiction...
...so it turned out literally 100% of the fics I picked were LGBTQ+ in some capacity! Woo! Lol. 😅
As always with these rec-lists, check out the original rec'ing post for my full list of Content Warnings.
...Also check the rec posts for SPOILER status for the fics, m'k?
Hello 2023 nerdlets!
For this first Friday Fics Fix of the year, I figured I'd take a little look at some of the fics that stood out for me last year (2022 - in case we've all forgotten already 😅)
These aren't necessarily the 'best' fics - just the ones that stuck out most in my brain, for whatever reason.
I hope you find something you enjoy here! Or that destroys you emotionally (in a good way) - as fanfiction often does. 😅
And remember to check the original rec'ing post for the Content Warnings, and also the fic author's own tags.
'“Just give me a—hint, Loki. Jesus,” Tony says, panting when Enchantress’ fire trails a scorching path all around the exterior of the suit. At least that’s solved the weather problem, he thinks, as he unibeams her in the face.'
that one last tender place by oopshidaisy
So the whole *waves hands vaguely* deal with this fic is that Tony and Loki (from the MCU, in case you've stumbled onto this post by accident) have been linked mentally and emotionally in a sort-of-soul-bond type-deal-y.
Because magical shenanigans.
This is FrostIron. Because I am trash, and I don't care.
I just love Tony and Loki together *shrugs* - it weirdly works.
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(Fandom notes:
FrostIron is a romantic and/or sexual relationship between Iron Man, aka Tony Stark, and Loki, from the MCU (Marvel movies.))
Is there angst?
Well, this is me rec'ing it, so yes.
There's a butt-tonne of angst and hurt/comfort, and emotions every-goddamn-where.
What stood out to me about this one is just the whole interweave and dynamic between Tony and Loki, but also the actual plot being pretty damned good!
Original rec'ing post: Friday Fics Fix - Magical Shenanigans With Tony and Loki
'But the lies were out there, circulating, and were made into a movie, which is a really mixed blessing. Let’s pretend this narration is over the title crawl, and cut to our heroine...'
Anita's Voice by tangentti
Jennifer's Body is a 2009 cult-classic unapologetically Queer horror film.
This fic imagines an AU where the film Jennifer's Body is actually an adaptation of a true crime story
And Needy Lesnicki - the main character - still in the wind and on the run several years later, has seen the movie. She has some thoughts.
(Oh, and it should be obvious from the premise, but in case it's not: this fic is full of SPOILERS.)
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(Fandom notes:
AU = Alternate Universe)
As a true crime fan that tries to stay on the less-exploitative side of the media I consume, I kinda love the way it's played with in this fic.
It has some stuff to say about the lengths that true crime devotees and culture takes the celebrity and even mysticism bestowed on infamous killers.
...And you know I love me some fanfiction-based social commentary 😅
This one sticks in my head for the ingenuity and creativity involved - as well as a huge understanding of Needy herself.
Original rec'ing post: Friday Fics Fix - Needy Lesnicki: In The Wind and On The Run
'“Who is he?” Clint asks.
Sam shrugs his shoulders. “I don't know. He broke in, only thing he's really said is Steve's name.”'
Split Lip by Mjazilem
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AUs can be an incredible way for fic authors to play around with the characters and situations involved in the canon.
...and the best AUs are often the least fantastical.
(Fandom notes:
AUs = Alternate Universes.
Canon = the 'official' stuff in the book/film/whatever)
Basically, Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers (from the MCU/Marvel fandom, dearest potentially-lost nerdlets,) used to be foster brothers, until they lost touch and Steve heard that Bucky passed away.
Bucky had not passed away.
And now, at the worst possible time cos Steve's out of town, there's a bleeding teenager with a knife in Sam and Steve's kitchen.
The way the fic author commits to this AU, and manages to integrate the characters into it without it feeling forced, really made it memorable (plus... I couldn't stop reading it, OK? It was very page-turn-y!)
Original rec'ing post: Friday Fics Fix - Dealing With The Stabby Teenager In Your Kitchen
'“Alex,” he said quickly, his voice strained. “I need you to overrule security protocol and allow me access to a cell in the basement-level holding facility. Please listen carefully, I require several apparatuses to ensure my escape is at its lowest likelihood-”'
Present, Past and Future Hunt Me by Namesake
I had to include this one in the list!
Just the whole... *waves hands* -ness of it!
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It's like a whole-a** season arc of Supergirl.
It's incredible, and at just under 500 pages and, according to the author's notes, taking two years to complete - it shows some goddamn dedication!
And it has everything.
Action? Check.
Angst? Check.
Plot twists? Character interactions? The power of freaking love?! Check, check, check!
And not only do we have OTP Brainy and Nia taking front and centre in the fight against one of Brainy's evil ancestors, we also get Kara and J'onn being super superheroes, and Alex and Kelly doing their whole kick-a** Lesbian action hero schtick!
Oh and Lena! Lena's here too.
Honestly, if you're a Supergirl fan, you're gonna love it!
Original rec'ing post: Friday Fics Fix - Like A Whole Season Arc of Supergirl
'“Who would be controlling it?” Joaquin asked. “And why our camp?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Why those six kids in the movie? It’s just entertainment, right? Entertainment doesn’t need a big message with metaphors and motifs.”'
(Fandom notes:
SamBucky, also known as Winter Falcon, is a sexual and/or romantic relationship between Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes)
OK, so, hear me out: horror movie summer camp with teenage MCU characters.
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...Do I have to say more? Oh, I do, OK - how about this: there's Sam, Bucky, and Steve, as well as Joaquin Torres, Kate Bishop, and Yelena Belova AND America Chavez, Peter Parker, and Kamala Khan!
Just, this whole fic really sticks in my brain for it's perfect horror camp schtick, y'know? I love it.
Original rec'ing post: Friday Fics Fix - Horror Movie MCU
What fics stood out to you in 2022?
Have you read any of these?
Talk to me! 😎💬
Previous Friday Fics Fix posts:
Sharing and commenting makes me believe you wanna keep reading these posts! 😅
I love novel-length fanfiction!
I know, I know, it's not exactly a secret at this point.
...I didn't always; love novel-length fanfiction, that is.
I used to prefer the shorter the better.
But somewhere along the way my reading habits changed, and now I can't get enough of the novel and novella length stuff.
Since it's October, and therefore a time for all things spooky and gothic (woohoo!) I thought I'd give you all a little taste of some horror fics.
Some of these are horror in that the specific piece of fanfiction is horror-based, and some of them are actually based on horror media/fandoms. OK? OK.
Oh, and they're all Queer af.
There is a permanent corner of my brain devoted to The Falcon and The Winter Soldier right now.
For those who don't know: this is a new Disney+ series set in the MCU (the Marvel superhero movies,) - particularly the Captain America corner where Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes live.
...metaphorically. Although I'm sure they'd think it was mildly hilarious to live on a street named after Cap.
Since I couldn't find any fanfiction based specifically on this series that I wanted to rec., I decided to trawl through my relatively extensive archive of fic recs to pick out a handful of my faves featuring Sam and/or Bucky.
(This is the upside of having a shared cinematic universe - the downside is catching up on content if and when you fall behind so that you know wtf is going on 😅)
If anyone has any recs for fics based on this current series, please send 'em my way!
Also, it struck me that I see far less quality fics about Sam than about Bucky, so if you know of any good Falcon ones, lemme know!
(Warning: this post references racism and police brutality)
***All Amazon.com links in this post are commission links. This means I earn commission from purchases made in the US***
Please do not use my links to make UK purchases.
There are three important reasons for me writing this post:
1. Black Lives still Matter.
2. It's always a good time to highlight diverse books.
and 3. There are so many amazing Black creators out there, who don't always get the recognition they deserve.
So here's a small selection of some of the Young Adult (YA) and Middle Grade (MG) books on my TBR list that were written by Black authors.
For those of you who don't know the book-blog lingo - a TBR is a 'to-be-read' list. Mine is immortal and cannot be stopped. Send help.
For those of you who are British like me, and/or haven't heard the book blogging term, Middle Grade books are those aimed at (roughly) ages 8-12, or 8-14, depending who you ask.
(Quick disclaimer: obviously, I haven't read these books, just their synopses, so I don't know what they're like in terms of content, quality, etc.)
I hope you find something to add to your own TBR, and remember to support Black authors, and other Black creators.
There're so many talented Black authors out there who deserve our attention!
***All Amazon.com links in this post are commission links. This means I earn commission from purchases made in the US***
Please do not use my links to make UK purchases.
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| Image by nugroho dwi hartawan from Pixabay |
