Five Historical Fics

[baudown.livejournal.com]

Last year, I posted five historical fics, and promised I would post five more. I didn't get around to it then, so here they are now:

1. Sacred, by Valancy -- An encounter between Angel, Spike, and Dru, set sometime after the events of the Boxer Rebellion. This is one of those stories that makes you think, "Oh, of course that would have happened." A beautifully written, emotionally authentic story with spot-on voices and characterization. I've only recently discovered this story, and unfortunately have been able to find very little of the author's other work.

2. Wild Demonic Fauna, by Peasant -- Some of Will's adventures as a three-year-old fledge. This story, as all of Peasant's stories, is beautifully rich with historic detail. For my money, she writes the best Fanged Four fic, period. Go read all of it, if you haven't already.

3. Manhattan Nocturne, by Herself_nyc -- Spike on the prowl in New York City, circa 1928. An atmospheric and evocative Spike character study, not to mention that it's steamy hot (in the wrongest possible way). This is the first part of the amazing Bittersweets series, but it can be read on its own as well.

4. Fanged Four Fairytales, by Kita -- The title tells it. Three vignettes, and the language reads like poetry.

5. Incandescence, by wiseacress -- Will and Angelus at the theater, reacting to those new-fangled electric lights. A perfect, perfectly-written slice of their past.

And, bonus material: Temper, by Coquette. This would have made the list proper, but for the fact that it's a WIP, never to be finished (alas). Despite it's unfinished status, it's well-worth reading. It's the second part of what was meant to be a three-part series. The first part, A Winter's Tale, was on my list last year, and can be found at the same link.

Comments

[chasingdemons.livejournal.com]

Oh god, I remember Incandescence! It brings me back to a time in my fandom life. These are all classic authors (except I don't recognize Valancy). Really excellent list!

[baudown.livejournal.com]

I love historical fics (I remember that you do as well), and I thought I'd found all the great ones already, so Sacred came as a very happy surprise. But really, each of these stories is a wonderful read.

[yourlibrarian]

This is one of my favorite categories and I haven't read them all, I don't think.

[baudown.livejournal.com]

It's one of my favorites, too. Enjoy!

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

I've read Manhattan Nocturne but the others are new to me. Nice. I love having new fic to read. ;-)

[baudown.livejournal.com]

Me, too. Sometimes I start feeling as if I've read everything that's out there, and then it turns out -- not so much.

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever read a historical fic - unless Xanpet by Siege counts as one - because I'm usually more Xander-centric when it comes to fic reading. But I've been drawn to history and historical events a lot lately, thank you so much for those. I'd be interested to check them out.

[baudown.livejournal.com]

Yeah, these are all Xander-less, but they're excellent. Most of them are Spike-centric, with an emphasis on Spangelus, but if that's not your thing, I'd give Manhattan Nocturne a try first -- not a sign of Angelus anywhere!

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

I don't mind Spangelus, but I will start with the one you recommended. I love Spike-centric fics.

[rbfvid.livejournal.com]

"Manhattan Nocturne" and "Incandescence" are among my favs, too. And I haven't read the others, yay! Thanks for the recs!

[baudown.livejournal.com]

Well, if you love those two, I have absolutely no doubt that you're going to love the rest.

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for this!


Gabrielle

[baudown.livejournal.com]

They are all really wonderful. I hope you give them a try!

[singedbylife.livejournal.com]

Rubs hands gleefully. Can't wait to read these.

[baudown.livejournal.com]

You're in for a treat! (Ahem -- Spike gets knocked around a bit in some of them).

[singedbylife.livejournal.com]

Lol, you know me so well.

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

You know, for some reason I haven't read any of these. Thank you for the recs! :)

[baudown.livejournal.com]

Probably because they lack the key ingredient of Xander. But don't let that stop you -- I'm fairly certain you'll enjoy them.

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

Yep, I'm shallow :)

I've read other peasant stories, but not that one.

I also seem to remember as well that Coquette was a former handle for wiseacress (unless I'm imagining that, which is quite possible...) *g*

[baudown.livejournal.com]

Coquette = witling = wiseacress. And she's amazing, under any name.