Worst Case Scenario by X-parrot (PG)

Fandom: Yugioh
Pairings/Characters: Kaiba, Mokuba (gen)
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 12,500
Author: X-parrot
Website: xmagicalx.net
Summary: An experiment gone awry sends Kaiba through time to unexpected, unacceptable future.
Why: X-parrot writes some really great Kaiba brothers gen. In this case, X-parrot comes up with an interesting and plausible idea for time travel and then handles the fallout beautifully. Instead of the meaningless drama that this could have degenerated into, there's a fast-moving plot, great Kaiba characterization, and a couple surprises along the way. It's stories like this that remind me why I keep reading Yugioh fanfiction.

Worst Case Scenario by X-parrot

Bastard Weeps by Sahiya (R)

Fandom: Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
Pairings/Characters: Cazaril/Palli
Rating: R
Wordcount: 4,500
Author: Sahiya
Website: Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Summary: During the siege of Gortoget, Cazaril and Palli share a Father's Day feast.
Why: I like the way that this got into Palli's head and captured some of the desperation of the siege of Gotorget. Even though it's something we hear about in the book, this story really makes it real. I also really liked seeing Cazaril from an outside eye, and even though I knew what was coming, the ending as seen through Palli's eyes left me both frustrated and sad.

Bastard Weeps by Sahiya

Pieces of the Dead by David Hines (PG)

Fandom: Transformers movie
Pairings/Characters: Mikaela/Sam, but mostly Sam gen
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 11,000
Author: David Hines
Website: David Hines on FF.net
Summary: Sam and Optimus take a road trip.
Why: I have to admit, I don't expect a lot from the Transformers movie fandom. Possibly this story is a sign that I should stop letting what I read on fanficrants determine my expectations for a fandom. Or this story is just the really good exception to the rule. It has really great characterization, from Sam's vulnerabilities to Optimus Prime's wisdom. I really enjoyed the way that it dealt with the relationship between Sam and Mikaela as very much in keeping with the movie. There's also a very interesting discussion of death and the differences in the ways that humans deal with it in contrast to how the Autobots do that I highly enjoyed.

Pieces of the Dead by David Hines