tani_recs | Entries tagged with fandom: buffy

Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Pairings/Characters: pre-Angel/Xander-ish
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: ~146,000
Author: lit-gal
Website: Litgal's fanfic
Summary: When Xander has a little heart to heart with Angel, he inadvertantly changes the world by sharing a few truths. The most significant changeis a slowly building relationship between Angel and the boy who taught him a few unpleasant truths about destiny and morality.
Why: First, pairing clarification. This story is, strictly speaking, gen. It features a relationship between Angel and Xander that generally fits into the mentor category, and not the love interest category. However, there are definitely moments where, if you're not comfortable with the idea of an Angel/Xander pairing, you're going to be pretty uncomfortable. This story reads like it's leading to Angel/Xander, even if it never actually happens. So if that's not your pairing of choice, be forewarned. (And likewise, if it is your pairing of choice, please note that you're probably going to be screaming in agony when it ends without getting them together.)

That said, this story kind of ate my brain for a couple of days. It takes on the idea that Angel was so busy idealizing Buffy in the beginning that he never actually realized who and what she was: a teenage girl. This story starts with Xander pointing out that little fact, and then looks at the relationship that develops between Angel and Xander from there. I really love the way that Litgal used this one event to start so many ripples going. It was really fascinating for me to see where things changed and where they stayed the same. I got a huge kick out of the relationship between Angel and Xander. Even though it felt awkwardly in-between in some respects, it worked perfectly for the story that Litgal was telling. I also really liked the moral issues that got brought up throughout the story, as Litgal had some points to make that had never occurred to me before. And none of the characters were villainized in making those points, which I definitely appreciated. Litgal did a spectacular job of creating an alternate path for things to have taken. Really, the only complaint I could possibly have about this story is that there isn't a sequel!

Kin of the Heart by Litgal

Current Mood: tired
Current Music: Arashi - Blue

Fandom: Buffy/Star Wars
Pairings/Characters: Xander-centric, ensemble
Rating: PG
Wordcount: ~230,000
Spoilers for: events from the first three seasons of Buffy
Author: The Dark Scribbler
Website: The Dark Scribbler on Ff.net
Summary: Xander goes for a rather different costume at Halloween. May the force be with him?
Why: I was going to wait to rec this fic until I had finished the sequel, but as I was looking through the things I intend to rec, this popped out at me and I realized that I hadn't touched the sequel in months and have no clue when and if I will again. So, I guess it's time to rec this. Although it should be somewhat obvious from the title, this story is based on the idea that on that fateful Halloween, Xander went dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Just as in the real episode, some of the skills from his costume remain, and so Xander ends up training himself as a Jedi. I enjoyed this for being Xander-centric and for taking Xander's development in an interesting direction. I also liked that although the story is about Xander, all the other characters get their parts to play and moments to shine.

Can you sense the 'but' coming here? I'm afraid this story falls into a little bit of a trap eventually. You see, by the end of the story, Xander is more powerful than Buffy. Which is fine, maybe, but it takes away some of the suspense and it makes it really hard to honestly threaten him. That is the reason that I've been unable to finish the sequel. Now, this is something that bothers me, but maybe won't bother other people. So if the idea intrigues you, I recommend you go for it. This is definitely a well-written story written by an author with a good grasp of character voice. But if you're a little more picky, this is your warning. In any case, the first 2/3rds of this story does not fall into the trap and presents a very enjoyable 'what if' that more than make up for its eventual decline. I can really recommend this story with very little hesitation. However, if you find yourself bothered by some of the things I've mentioned as you near the end of Jedi Harris, my current recommendation is to not worry about the sequel. Just treat this as a standalone.

And hopefully my prolonged warning won't keep anyone who's interested from reading. I really do recommend this. I just think that it's best to be forewarned when you're starting a story of this length. :D

Jedi Harris by The Dark Scribbler

Current Mood: discontent

Fandom: Buffy
Pairings/Characters: Xander/Spike
Rating: NC-17
Wordcount: ~19,000
Author: Kayla
Website: Kayla's Slash Fanfic
Summary: Xander is dragged out of a closet he never knew he was in.
Why: This was one of the first Xander/Spike fics and I ever read, so when I decided to revisit it a while ago, I was a little apprehensive. After all, you never know if these things are going to stand the test of time. Thankfully, "Coming Out" does so with style. Based on a series of misunderstandings and good intentions gone bad, this is a lighthearted story that doesn't pretend to be anything else. It's a great story to read when you're in need of a laugh and a little cheering up.

Coming Out by Kayla

Current Mood: amused

Fandom: Buffy, Good Omens
Pairings/Characters: Anya, Aziraphale
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: 734 for the original, 3,148 for the sequel
Author: Booster1
Website: Booster1 on Ff.net
Summary: Aziraphale's been hauled back to Heaven to help deal with the backlog of souls. His first case: Ms Anya Jenkins.
Why: I'm actually reccing both "Let's Go Round Again" and its sequel "Let's Go Round Again and Again and Again" because if you don't like the first, you definitely won't like the second, which stopped just short of pushing things too far for me, and probably will go a bit too far for some other people. The humor's kind of cracktastic in these, but I really like the idea of Aziraphale and Anya having this sort of face-off: Anya wants a good reincarnation, and Aziraphale wants Anya out of his hair. And then things just keep going wrong...The author shows a lot of creativity in the different reincarnations, and there are actually a lot more fandoms involved than the ones I've indicated, but figuring out where Anya's ended up now is part of the fun. I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise!

Let's Go Round Again by Booster1
Let's Go Round Again and Again and Again by Booster1

Fandom: Buffy
Pairings/Characters: Spike, Wesley
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: ~4,500
Author: Roseveare
Website: Freaky Alternate Universe
Summary: Spike, aka William the Bloody, experiencing a rather bad week while attempting to affect the removal of one Pesky Government Implant, is forced by Dire Circumstance to join forces with the World's Worst Demon Hunter to save the world from Imminent Destruction.
Why: Great Spike voice, and a fun adventure in saving the world. I loved seeing Wesley and Spike inadvertently teaming up so early in the timeline.

William the Bloody Useless and the Beaker of Doom by Roseveare

Fandom: Buffy
Pairings/Characters: Spike/Xander
Rating: M
Warnings: attempted suicide
Spoilers for: the ends of both Angel and Buffy
Author:

reremouse
Website: Reremouse's memories
Summary: Burned out on saving the world, Xander makes a wish. Spike picks up the pieces.
Why: This story grabs you by the heart and doesn't let go.

reremouse is a master of manipulating emotions, and if you're anything like me, you'll feel like you're on an emotional rollercoaster by the end of the story. To be completely honest, the end of this brought tears to my eyes. It was that good.

reremouse also does a spectacular job of managing the Spike perspective, which was definitely a highlight of the story for me. This is the Spike that I love and the Xander I love and in general the kind of story that I love.

Wilderness by Reremouse

Current Mood: hungry

Fandom: House/Angel/Buffy
Pairings/Characters: House, Angel, Xander, Faith, Andrew
Rating: T
Spoilers for: the ends of Angel and Buffy
Author:

lady_dragon_667
Website: eponine on Twisting the Hellmouth
Summary: House ends up with a very interesting patient, much to his amusement and his staff's lament. But honestly, how does one diagnose a vampire?
Why: Yes, it's another House crossover. Did I ever mention that I have a bit of an obsessive nature? However, this should be the last one for a little while at least, so bear with me. I liked this story for one simple reason. It amused me. It's not meant to be a serious fic, but that's a strength rather than a weakness. This is the kind of story that should be read when you're in the mood for some lighthearted fun with characters that you love. (Just a warning: There is a bit of Angel bashing, but I wasn't particularly bothered. However, hardcore Angel fans might want to beware.)

Enigmatic Absurdities by eponine