My 5 Favorite Spike-Centric Fics of 2005

[beanbeans.livejournal.com]

Here's are my 5 fave Spike-centric fics this year.
All pairings. All chosen based on being wonderful reads. :)



1.) Title: "Quartz" A Kept!verse Ficlet
Author: sexymermaid
Pairing: Spander
Rated : NC-17 for references to non-con & violence

This ficlet is HERE. I am fond of the entire KEPT story, but this ficlet touched me very deeply. There is a tenderness and compassion in it that moves me every time I re-read it. It reminds us that the greatest gift we can give each other is respect and kindness. If you haven't read it, you are missing out on something amazing.


2.) Title : "Whispers In A Dead Man's Ear"
Author : amybnnyc
Pairing : Spuffy
Rated : R for language

This is one of the best canon spuffy stories I've ever read. Each chapter is a peek at the Spuffy relationship thru all the seasons, from S2 right through to post-NFA. It is insightful, powerful, gorgeously written- just one of the best fics written this year. I cannot say enough good things about this story. Make sure you have tissues nearby; it's deeply touching. :)
It is HERE .


3.) Title : "The Long And Winding Road"
Author : ezagaaikwe
Pairing : Spara
Rated : up to NC-17 for language, violence and sexual situations

A lovely time travel fic, where when Willow tries to undo Tara's death in S6, she sends Spike and Tara back in time. Ezagaaikwe beautifully weaves a tale full of excitement, longing, romance, and adventure, and somehow still keeps the canon plot elements intact and interwoven into her tale. A wonderful epic story- it's HERE.


4) Title : "Sunshine"
Author : euro_fics
Pairing : Spike / OC
Rated : NC-17 for HAWT sex

OMG, HAWT. This story killed me *ded* with teh HAWT. :P
Spike and the stripper "Sunshine" from the Pepermint Stick strip club in AtS S5. Her character voice is funny, sweet and relateable. And Spike is spot on for what we saw in AtS S5 in voice, mannerism and characterization.
And did I mention the HOT?! GUH.
Part 1 of the story is HERE
and
Part 2 is HERE .


5.) Title : "Manifest Destiny"
Author : uisge_beatha
Pairing : Spuffy
Rated : PG and up

A sensitively written time-travel fic where early S5 Spike and Buffy need to find their way back home, each relying on the other's help to get there. Lots of interesting twist and turns, wonderful OC characters, and a compelling evolution of the Spuffy relationship.
Manifest Destiny is HERE .


There you have it! I hope you all enjoy these stories. It was really hard to choose only 5, but these were the ones that stuck with me.

Happy Holidays and a joyful New Year to you all.

Comments

[jans-intentions.livejournal.com]

I've read "Sunshine" and it rocks but when I saw "Quartz" up there I got a lump in my throat. You know I'm proudest of having written that one ficlet. Thanks for loving it. *hugs*

[amybnnyc.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, sweetie! **snuggles you madly**

Well, between you and femmenerd, I have no choice but to print out Sunshine for Friday night reading. Yay! :)

I very much agree on "Quartz"--it's a lovely story. And I've heard so many lovely things about both "Manifest Destiny" and "The Long and Winding Road;" I certainly need to get there soon as well!

[yourlibrarian]

Oh, those sound so interesting! Looking forward to reading them.

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

Whispers In A Dead Man's Ear is terrific and I especially like how it fills in the gaps of what we saw on screen.

[beanbeans.livejournal.com]

You are most welcome, Jan. That ficlet breaks my heart open with love, every time. *hugs back*

[beanbeans.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, Amy! *snuggles you back*

Oh, do enjoy Sunshine. Day-um. *fans self*

And the other two are stories from the heart. Just lovely.

[beanbeans.livejournal.com]

Hurray! Thanks so much for trying them out. :)

[beanbeans.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree more. It is really brilliantly done. The chapter Pre-Him? With Crazy Spike? GAH. Just incredible.

[untitleddemo.livejournal.com]

Yay! There are a couple on this list that I have not read yet, and I'm gonna scurry over there ASAP. Great list, thanks for sharing.

[lillianmorgan.livejournal.com]

A tremendous list. I'm all onboard with "The Long And Winding Road". What makes me endeared to that fic even more is that she's able to write each character so well too, so it's like reading a really good alternative season and getting some wonderful Spara at the same time. I remember reading Quartz on my way through to catching up through Kept. She did such a great job of capturing the quintessential character of Spike and Xander in that. And yes, Sunshine is hot! I'm in awe of the way euro_fics can write. And you're right! I did cry during Whisper... and I don't often do that.
I haven't read #5 so I will absolutely head over there.
And oops sorry for the prattling, but good fic makes me squee! :)

[frimfram.livejournal.com]

The hotness of Euro's Spunshine fic still makes me fan myself, just thinking about it ;)

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

Great recs. A couple I have not read. I just really enjoy Spara, good to see a rec for the pairing.

[samifidler.livejournal.com]

Beanie-

Well you and I have very similar taste-LOL-but I never read Manifest Destiny, and for that alone-a great big huggley thank you.

Sami

[beanbeans.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome! Enjoy!

[beanbeans.livejournal.com]

Prattle away, lilian. You nicely summed up exactly how I feel about all these stories. :) I'm so glad you liked them.

Enjoy "Manifest Destiny". It's really wonderful! :D

[beanbeans.livejournal.com]

I know! After I reced it here, I had to go re-read it. GUH!
WHY does my husband have to work away from home??? :P

[beanbeans.livejournal.com]

I love Spara fic as well, woman_of_. If you've not read "The Long And Winding Road", then you are in for a treat. :)

[beanbeans.livejournal.com]

HURRAY!

Yes, we both like very similar stuff. :)
Trust me when I tell you- Manifest is delightful.
Enjoy, Sami

*huggleys back*

[frimfram.livejournal.com]

Heh. My boyfriend's three hundred miles away at the moment, so I share your pain :)

[gillo]

I adored Manifest Destiny but it stops dead at Chapter 15. Is there more I couldn't find or is it still a WIP? Please don't tell me it's an abandoned WIP!

[yourlibrarian]

Managed to get to "Sunshine" today. Wow, fabulous read!

[beanbeans.livejournal.com]

:D

[beanbeans.livejournal.com]

Oh, no- she's not abandoned it at all. She is still updating as often as she can. Lately she has been busy with work/RL things, but as I am a sometime beta, I can assure you, she is still working on it. And BOY- what's coming is wonderful. :)