[identity profile] sparrow2000.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] buffyversetop5
Last year in the classic recs season I challenged myself to rec some non-Xander related fics, since it’s well known where my fic preferences lie. Here’s what I came up this year for the same self-challenge.

If you want a demonstration of how to create humour in the midst of angst and keep it to 100 words, then look no further than Substitute by [livejournal.com profile] speakr2customrs and [livejournal.com profile] beer_good_foamy. Dawn’s up on Glory’s tower, so I really shouldn’t be giggling - right...


Long Time Passing by [livejournal.com profile] aadler is a portrait of Riley Finn that paints him as a rounded three-dimensional character that you so rarely see in fic.He really feels like a person in this story – his feelings, motivations, emotions and self awareness are incredibly well drawn and make him feel so tangible and have such depth (I”m quoting my own original review here, because reading it again, that’s what still really strikes me.) Oh and he has a thing for 19th century poets which is a lovely, unexpected detail. This story is a remix of [livejournal.com profile] velvetwhip’s Civilian, which details an encounter between Willow and Riley. It is equally excellent.

Talking of [livejournal.com profile] velvetwhip, firstly, I’d like to say that it is lovely to have her back in fandom after her time away. Her enthusiastic voice has been much missed. As far as a classic rec is concerned, I’m looking at In Days of Auld Lang Syne. I first read this as part of an assignment at the [livejournal.com profile] feedbackathon a few years back. One of the joys about those was reading things that really were not in my wheelhouse, and I can say quite honestly that Willow/Angel falls squarely in that category. Having said that, Gabrielle makes this portrait of an older mature Willow contemplating the future and a world-weary Angel who has realised the folly of self-denial, compelling and intriguing and I totally believed in the pairing of these two in this really interesting characterisation. Really elegantly done.

The Dead Girls of London by [livejournal.com profile] shapinglight is another fic that demonstrates that you don’t have to write an epic to tell a huge story. If you ever wondered where Spike went after Africa before he turned up in the Sunndydale High School basement, then this fic has the answer. It’s short, sharp and oh so pointy.

I defy you to read Sad That You Can’t Hear by [livejournal.com profile] dragonyphoenix and not sniff, just a little. Giles is at Jenny’s graveside, flowers in his hand and regret and sorrow in his heart. This is lovely, little jewel of a fic.

That's it for now, more coming later today

Date: 2017-10-29 06:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] petzipellepingo.livejournal.com
Excellent choices and yes, it's good that [livejournal.com profile] velvetwhip is back.

Thanks for posting.

Date: 2017-10-29 06:39 pm (UTC)
yourlibrarian: Angel and Lindsey (Classic Recs-eyesthatslay)
From: [personal profile] yourlibrarian
I don't think I remember Feedbackathon, but what a great idea that is!

Date: 2017-10-29 08:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] velvetwhip.livejournal.com
I can't tell you how flattered and honoured I am that you think so well of my work! Wow! Also, I adore [livejournal.com profile] aadler's remix of Civilian and am so glad to see it get some love!


Gabrielle

Date: 2017-10-29 09:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sunalso.livejournal.com
OMG- that first one is MAGICAL. Thank you so much for this wonderful list!

Date: 2017-10-30 06:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thenewbuzwuzz.livejournal.com
Long Time Passing was amazing! Thank you.

Date: 2017-10-31 02:22 am (UTC)
double_dutchess: (Buffy Beneath Me)
From: [personal profile] double_dutchess
Big LOL at the first one! I haven't read Aadler's and velvetwhip's, so will put those one my To Read list. Thanks!

Date: 2017-11-20 04:10 am (UTC)
dragonyphoenix: (raven)
From: [personal profile] dragonyphoenix
Ooh, I totally missed that you rec'd my story! Eeee!

Finally getting to reading the recs. Loved substitute! Haven't gotten to the others yet but looking forward to them.

Edit: Just read The Dead Girls of London. Wow!
Edited Date: 2017-11-20 04:23 am (UTC)

Date: 2017-11-02 01:05 pm (UTC)
shapinglight: (Autumn 3)
From: [personal profile] shapinglight
Thank you so much for reccing my ficlet, love. I really appreciate it.

Date: 2017-11-13 05:56 pm (UTC)
aadler: (ChainGiles)
From: [personal profile] aadler
I failed to thank you immediately for RE-reccing “Long Time Passing”, but I’m doing it now. Even apart from having one of my stories cited (always welcome), I had forgotten just how much praise you offered. I’m happy and pleased, and that’s on you.

What's the Sitch

1) Top 5 is a seasonal recs community. We're open for posting over Halloween in October.
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