Top five slash WIPs worth reading IP in 2008 and beyond

[reremouse.livejournal.com]

Five WIPs worth waiting for in 2008 and beyond. My criteria are great writing, memorable plots and super in-character characterizations. Also WIPness.

Item Title or Description: So Crazy It Just Might Work
Creator’s Name: savoytruffle
Pairing: Xander/Spike, ensemble
Rating: Mature
Why: Because it's Angel: The Series with Xander in Los Angeles instead of Cordy and savoytruffle is the master of the form. Gay!Xander fits surprisingly well into Cordy's shoes (only not literally - because hello, male) and banters with Angel better than anyone. I'd be reading this story even if Xander's wiles hadn't convinced a newly chipped Spike that fighting the good fight at Angel's side (or - y'know - a few feet to the left, possibly above or ahead of him. Wherever the excitement is) sounds like a good idea. Each part is a rewritten episode complete in itself. There's no truffle quite like this truffle for reminding me why I love Buffy.



Item Title or Description: Sleep While I Drive
Creator’s Name: mireille719
Pairing: Giles/Xander
Rating: Adult
Why: Because Giles went on the road trip with Xander and they made it past Oxnard. They might not successfully drive to Hawaii but it's a road trip to remember. Mir's character voices for a newly adult Xander and off duty Giles are always a pleasure to read fumbling toward a relationship together and as a bonus, we get to see the country through Xander's eyes. Enjoy the story as it comes. mireille719 writes when the spirit moves her and that's a spirit worth waiting for a visit from.

Item Title or Description: The Giles Thing
Creator’s Name: drsquidlove
Pairing: Xander/Giles
Rating: Adult
Why: Because when Giles' Bad-Magic-Hates-The-World-Ticking-Time-Bomb Guy younger self is transported to 1999 Sunnydale, of course it's Xander who runs into him first. Giles is disturbingly sexy. Xander is just disturbed. And after young!Giles is sent back where he belongs, Xander learns that a guy like Giles only improves with age. The course of true love, naturally, does not run smooth. drsquidlove is a master of subtle characterization and has a fine hand with the emotional upheaval.

Item Title or Description: The Ballad Of Christian And Xander
Creator’s Name: witling
Pairing: Xander/Christian Bale (only not really)
Rating: Mature
Why: Xander's the Council's handyman extraordinaire. Christian's the ER doctor who has it all. Xander's just kind of wondering what the guy who has it all sees in him - also where his heterosexuality disappeared to. Funny, witty, great writing, great banter and Xander as only witling can write him.
Note: witling's journal is friends locked. Just email her as per the instructions on the public post to be friended. It's worth it.

Item Title or Description: The 'Life After Sunnydale' Verse
Creator’s Name: cordelianne
Pairing: Dawn/Faith
Rating: Mature
Why: Because cordelianne writes Dawn/Faith as well as Spike/Xander and in a way that really really appeals to my Spander-loving sensibilities. The first story in the 'verse is done with more to come in 2009. Dawn's courage doesn't bother to make an appointment and it has a lot to answer for.

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

I hadn't realized #3 had continued on! I believe I recced an earlier installment of it here last year.

[reremouse.livejournal.com]

She posted story number three last fall - and will be posting story number four soon.

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

OMG, there's more to The Giles Thing?!! Oh thank you thank you!

[stretfordditto.livejournal.com]

Excellent choices.

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

I think I've only read one of these, and I had no idea that "The Giles Thing" had a third installment. Thanks for another fantastic group.