Elsewhere, by Bulbus: I�m not really that much of a fan of AU fics, but when I stumbled across this adventure I was immensely impressed. Not only has Bulbus managed to create an intriguing and complex alternative universe, he�s also managed to do the one thing that not many writers can do: he�s created alternative versions of our favourite characters and still managed to maintain their basic characteristics, which define each individual character.
Surprisingly Chloe has double the charisma she usually has (impossible, I hear you cry. Read the damn thing and you�ll see), Lana is no longer one-dimensional and somewhere along the way has inherited a backbone (she maybe a bad guy, but she rocks), Pete, bless his cotton socks, actually plays a vital part in this intriguing little plot, and Lex, my little sex-god, has hair. Clark, who remains the same as he is (was?) in the original Smallville universe, is as heroic and as loveable as ever. What more could you ask for? With intense Chlark undertones and a juicy, juicy plot, this adventurous piece is a must-read for any Smallville fan. Check it out, pronto.
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Wax Ecstatic, by Kieyra: After overdosing on ecstasy, college student Chloe Sullivan runs to the only person she knows will be able to help her; the only person who will understand - our favourite playboy, Lex Luthor. And from there, my friends, things suddenly get interesting. I was impressed with this short standalone written by Kieyra because of it�s interesting, original and plausible take on Chloe and Lex�s relationship. Though I�m a huge Chlex-shipper I find it hard to discover fresh, new fics that are able to deal with this sort of relationship logically and realistically. Because they are who they are, I feel it�s difficult for writers to automatically make Chloe and Lex fall in love with each other, but this delicious piece takes a plausible look into their transition from friends to lovers. An exciting read.
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An Arrangement Between Friends, by Teri Leigh: By far my most favourite Chlark fic. Though still a work-in-progress, this fic has managed to secure itself a permanent place on my �ohmygodzgivememore� list (teehee). A humorous, entertaining (and let�s not forget smutty) take on Chloe and Clark�s friendship (cough--relationship--cough), which suddenly takes an interesting turn after Chloe proposes they experiment. With each other. Hellloooo smut. I don�t usually read a lot of smut because I think that not many authors can write it without sounding like they�ve swallowed a tub of Philadelphia (including myself. Blech), but Teri Leigh knows how to write smut. An intensely steamy yet light-hearted fic, this little gem manages to get me all hot and bothered even though the pair haven�t actually got to the sex part yet. I like this fic, because though this would never happen on the show, you could actually imagine it happening behind doors. This is a behind-the-scenes look at two, typical teenagers (I mean, er, one intensely eccentric blonde and an alien) with typical, teenage hormones. The show never bothers to address the subject of sex, puberty and the illogical (and sometimes logical) angst and drama of being a teenager yet Teri Leigh manages to do this with a bit of style. She�s got Chloe�s inner turmoil and snark down pat. Despite making an out-of-character decision and accepting Chloe�s offer, Clark still remains the same sincere, considerate and loyal friend he�s always been. In between the smut lays angst, humor, a veiled gloss of romance, friendship and good ol� fashioned wisdom. I highly recommend this unique fic to any Chlark fans out there, and even to those that are up for an intriguing look into aspects of the characters we don�t get to see on the show.
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Gone, by Serenity Sea: As Ali�s beta-reader I can honestly say that this girl has talent. This angsty fic delves into the blooming friendship that Chloe Sullivan and Lex Luthor have been forcefully pushed into. After Chloe�s father dies she is left in the young Luthor�s care, who does everything in his power to help the young blonde. Meanwhile, Chloe is trying to unearth the truth behind her father�s death.
Still a work-in-progress, Ali manages to keep this mystery above water, without drowning it in heavy Chlex undertones. This fic leaves readers in suspense because just like Chloe, we�re unsure of what she�s going to find and we have no idea if Lex has had any part in her father�s death. Definitely a piece I�m going to follow to the end.
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Unexpected, by Ranting Idiot: The mother of all Chlex fics. This superb insight into the development of Chloe and Lex�s relationship was the first to open me up to the idea of Chlex and ever since I�ve been hooked.
When Chloe falls pregnant to Lex Luthor, things just seem to get worse. Forced into a loveless relationship Chloe finds herself living under the same roof with the playboy who, in the first few months, acts indifferent towards her. Following their relationship through nine, agonising, entertaining and intriguing months, Ranting Idiot carries us through the trials and tribulations of pregnancy, friendship, love and everything in between. A unique look at the characters, this fic not only has good characterisation but reminds us of the fact that love is not as simple as we�d like to think. Beautiful.
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Reasons Unknown, by Perri White: A brilliantly written, adventurous piece that manages to cram humor, drama and angst into one, unforgettable scene.
Concussed and trapped in a room with Smallville�s most eligible bachelor, Chloe Sullivan finds herself in an intriguing situation with Lex Luthor. This is a beautiful little fic and I only wish that there was more authors out there like Perri White.
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The Autumn People, by jenn: An exceptionally well-written, realistic future-fic that takes a good, dark look into two of my favourite characters, Chloe Sullivan and Lex Luthor. This is one of those fics that makes you believe that, if Chloe were to survive in Smallville universe, this would be were she'd end up. Same goes for Lex. I like this piece because even though Lex is a little dark, he still holds that little bit of humanity that we otherwise believe he's going to one day lose. This is a gritty fic that deals with both sides of one coin - love and lust. Jenn proves outright that these two characters do not have to fall head over heels for each other to have chemistry. Even as they are in this fic, Lex and Chloe are on fire - just the way they should be.
To check out more of jenn's Smallville fics, click here. An innovative, refreshing writer, you can't go wrong with jenn.
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Flying Lessons, by Paperbkryter: This was one of the first Chlark fics I ever read and it's still my favourite. An interesting take on Chloe and Clark's friendship and their transition from friends to lovers. This fic answers the question a lot of Chlarker's undoubtedly ask: what would happen if Chloe found out Clark's secret?
This light-hearted piece takes a good look into this scenario, which invokes in me warm, fuzzy feelings. This fic was also made memorable by Paperbkryter's unexpected, realistic and plausible ending. Check it out.
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Pitch Black:
The Faithful, by Jules: One of the best Pitch Black fanfics around. Jules has an incredible talent and I found her development of her Jack/Riddick relationship to be well-written and skillfully done. There are very few people who are capable of pairing off these two unlikely yet intriguing characters, and Jules is one of them.
Also check out Jules' continuations to this fic here. An imaginative writer with a creative spark very few possess.
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Apprentice, by Ardath Rekha: Yet another amazing Jack/Riddick fic. This is one of those fics that can make you laugh and cry in the same chapter. A truly emotional piece with a solid, intriguing plot. The relationship between Jack and Riddick is well-developed and the characters are given new dimensions - ones we could never hope to see in the actual film. A definite read.
Also check out Ardath's other Pitch Black fics here. An inspirational writer, Ardath adds depth and intrigue to an unfortunately small fandom.
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X-Men:
Cat and Mouse, by rhiannonsaille: Ever since I read FyrDrakken's "Just Between Friends", I've been a huge Kitty/Kurt 'shipper. Now that I've managed to find a decent comicbook shop in my town and have now got a steady stream of X-Men comics coming in, I'm a huge Nightcrawler fan, too. Unfortunately there's a distinct lack of Kitty/Kurt fics out there, but luckily it's writers like saille who make up for quantity with quality.
Cat and Mouse is a beautifully-written (but unfortunately unfinished) comic-verse fic that manages to somehow pull two unusual characters into a more realistic reality. Kurt is a very cartoonish character, as are many of the X-Men, but saille has somehow managed to breathe life into the fuzzy blue elf. Kurt is a lot grittier in this fic, as is Kitty. Their complexities are fashioned not just by the fact that they're mutants, but by the fact that they are people, too, dealing with human emotions, problems and disasters like everybody else. This is what makes this fic so refreshing, I think.
Saille, like myself, is also a big Nightcrawler fan and has written quite a few novellas and short stories based on the fuzzy blue elf. Check out her site here. I strongly recommend checking out Abby's Kurt drawings in the Art section, too. If you weren't turned on by thoughts of a fur-covered washboard stomach, you will be after this. Mmmm.
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Tarnished Goods, by TW Lewis: Kitty. Kurt. Smut. What more can I say, apart from this is a beautiful little piece I'd recommend to any Kitty/Kurt fan. Go read it.
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An Accidental Interception of Fate, by Minisinoo: I was never really a big Scott or Jean fan when I watched the movie, but this novel-length fic has left me with a fondness for them. It follows the path of Scott and Jean's relationship prior to the movie -- how they met, how they became friends, and how they became much more. A brilliant piece of work which keeps the reader intrigued with numerous cameos, references to other existing comics, and original characters that are as solid as the pre-existing ones.
A Sure Thing, by Katherine: Now even though I'm a big Marie/Logan 'shipper and the fandom is evergrowing I still think there isn't that many fics out there who can handle this relationship well. There a sparse number of authors who have any real impact on me as writer's of this 'ship, and Katherine is one of them.
I adore this small piece because it deals with Marie's infatuation with Logan head on. I love her character in this - she's gutsy, snarky, and above all, confident. I find it refreshing how Marie knows what she wants and doesn't care that Logan knows it, too. In fact, she out-and-out tells him. The banter between the two is chuckle-worthy and by the end of this fic I was left gleaming with hope for these pair. Nicely done.
Read more of Katherine's Marie/Logan fics here. A skilled writer with the creativity and imagination to add a refreshing spark to an otherwise old fandom.
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Overheard, by jenn and Victoria P: After abandoning the X-Men fanfiction fandom for a while, I returned to find this amusing little piece from jenn and Victoria P, two of my favourite writers of the Marie/Logan 'ship. This fic had me in stitches, literally. I found it amazing how simple dialogue like this could provide so much insight into their relationship. You didn't need actions or a plot (there is one, it's just not literary solid) to comprehend what was going on, and though there was no written imagery included in the piece, I could imagine clearly everything that was going on. Now that's what I call talent. Check it out, even if you're not a Marie/Logan 'shipper.
To check out more of Victoria P's fics, click here. An imaginative, knowledgable writer with a taste for humor, romance and angst.
To check out more of jenn's fics, click here. Also one of the best fanfic writers out there, jenn writes for numerous fandoms, including X-Men, Smallville, Star Trek and Queer as Folk.
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Practice Makes Perfect, by FyrDrakken: only one in a collection of fantastic Marie/Logan fics written by FyrDrakken. I absolutely adore this fic because of the way in which it handles Marie and Logan's transition from friends to lovers so realistically. I'm never one for too much smut, and although the sexual content isn't too heavy (yet), FyrDrakken still has good cause to use heavy doses of pure, sexual tension. The idea that through sexual motivation Marie is able to slowly learn how to control her gift is an intriguing and exciting prospect. What better motivation than a promise of sexual favours preoffered by the Wolverine himself? I know I'd certainly be motivated (grin).
This is an excellent fic, written realistically with heavy dashes of humor, a sprinkling of angst, a truckload of entertainment and healthy doses of light smut (soon to grow in its intensity, I hope). Any dedicated Marie/Logan fan should definitely check this out.
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Just Between Friends, by FyrDrakken: I have never been a Kurt/Kitty 'shipper. As a fan of the movies, who has yet to find the money to finance a dive into comic world of X-Men, I have never even considered the idea of this relationship. Kitty barely said a word in the first movie, she didn't even have any lines in the second movie, and Kurt (played by talented Alan Cumming in the movie) didn't really strike me as a prospective love interest.
FyrDrakken, however, has managed to pull me into a world of Kurt/Kitty 'shippers with only one fic that has fuelled an addiction. Based primarily on comic!Kurt and comic!Kitty, FyrDrakken establishes this relationship in the movieverse timeline and manages, quite miraculously, to combine comic!Kurt and movie!Kurt in such a way that readers need no prior knowledge of the comic characters. Readers are able to identify a distinct difference between fanfic!Kurt and movie!Kurt and FyrDrakken has carefully crafted this effect without changing his character an inch.
This small, smutty number left me rooting for these guys as soon as I'd finished reading it. The chemistry between Kurt and Kitty is fantastically written and who knew sleeping with a blue-furred, three-fingered teleporter with a tail would be so much fun? Damn, did that tail come in handy (teehee).
You have to read this fic, even if you're not a Kurt/Kitty 'shipper, even if you haven't read any of the comics. FyrDrakken still manages to reel you into a beautiful world where friends really do make the best lovers, and if you're not addicted by the end of this fic then there is something drastically wrong.
To check out more of FyrDrakken's work, click here. An exceptional author with the finesse to handle sensitive topics such as paedophile and incest tastefully, this writer can open your eyes to so many possibilities simply because of her talent.
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Other:
STAR WARS - Succumb, by Kelly B [ NEW ]: I'm a sucker for one of the more conventional 'ships of Star Wars, and that's Padme/Anakin. Unfortunately it's difficult to find good P/A fic out there and it took me hours to find this one.
This is a beautifully written gem, written by an author that gives this particular fandom hope. It's written from Padme's POV and Kelly manages to catch her voice perfectly. It follows the events that transpire between Padme and Anakin throughout the prequel trilogy, and though it paints a very dark and hopeless picture, it's still a delight to read.
If you're looking for a happy-go-lucky, fluffy fic, then this isn't for you. Kelly explores the darker side of their relationship, focusing heavily on Anakin's obsessive and somes volatile nature. The sex scenes, though handled well, may still be a little too violent and sinister for some.
If you enjoy this fic I also recommend Kelly's companion fic, The End Justifies The Means. It follows the same events but is written from Anakin's POV. You can find other works by Kelly hosted here.
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KELLEY ARMSTRONG - Kelley Armstrong's e-fiction: For those who have read Armstrong's Otherworld series ("Bitten", "Stolen", "Dime Store Magic" and "Industrial Magic") you'll probably be interested in this. Armstrong, being the generous author she is, has actually written several e-serials and short stories based on her existing series and has posted them on to her site for people to read, free of charge. Keep checking back every month for a new short story. Already she has written novella-length in-betweens looking back on how Clay became part of the Pack, how Elena became the first female werewolf and how Jeremy became Alpha. Check them out.
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L.J SMITH - Chimera, by Kiana Caelum: It's intensely difficult to put into words how amazing this fic is. Only one in a series of intriguing, capitivating novels, Chimera follows the events of what Kiana affectionately terms Circle Strange; a bunch of friends (of the fantasy kind - witches, vampires, werewolves, Old Souls, take your pick) that exist in Smith's fascinating Night World. This fic is my favourite because it deals mostly with two soulmates, Chatoya Irkil and Blue Malefici. Soulmates they may be, but this unlikely duo are far from the star-crossed lovers we expect them to be. Built on death, hatred and manipulation, their relationship is an unpredictable, mind-boggling but addictive aspect of Kiana's writing that I simply adore. The way Kiana manages to make you love characters you should otherwise hate is unbelievable. Her talent is awe-inspiring, because Kiana has a way of justifying the most evil of characters, Blue Malefici included. I was blown away when I first read this. With constant twists, unpredictable moments and heavy doses of dark romance, angst, humor, drama and smidgen of light-hearted fluff, this is a must read.
Also check out Kiana's other Night World fics here. Definitely one of my role-models, this young writer harbours a talent a teenager like me can only dream about.
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L.J SMITH - The Signet Series, by River: A magnificent collection of novels based on the characters of L.J.Smith's series, "The Vampire Diaries". This is truly a work of art. Not only has River has pushed the boundaries of conventional fanfiction, she's added dimensions to some of Smith's most fascinating characters. Jam-packed with suspense, twists, horror, humor, romance, friendship and characters you both love to love and love to hate, The Signet Series is an awe-inspiring piece of work. River's imagination and creativity exceeds itself and her intricate creation of the Signet system is practically mind-boggling. This is a definite must-read for both fans who have read the books, and for those who haven't. You won't be sorry you read it.
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THE O.C. - Places That You Know, by MollyTM - Now because I'm British (I hate admitting it, but it's true) I'm unfortunately lagging behind on all the good shows that are well under way in America and other countries. The O.C. is one of them. It's been airing here for approximately a month; I was hooked from episode two (I missed the first one, but the wonderful world of the internet soon sorted that out) and by episode four, the most recent to air here, I could contain myself no longer and was forced (quite willingly) into the world of O.C. fanfiction.
After recalling that one of my favourite fanfic writers, Molly (who has also written some excellent Smallville and X-Men fanfiction), also wrote The O.C. fanfiction, I delved straight in and found that not only had she written excellent, addictive fanfiction for this fandom, but she'd also written this delicious crossover, which included one of my favourite characters in both television and fanfiction - Chloe Sullivan.
This Smallville/O.C. crossover looks at the fast-developing, intricate relationship between an orphaned Chloe, and my two favourite boys (who incidentally have one eye on each other and the other on our little intrepid reporter), Seth and Ryan. Packed with intense sexual tension, a comfortable amount of light smut, sigh-worthy fluff and giant heaps of friendship, entertainment and humor, I couldn't turn away from the screen until I'd finished this fic from start to finish. Then I moved on to the sequel (which you should read, by the way. Molly's take on Chloe's debut into Newport society is excellent).
I'm not much for slash fic, just like I'm not much for smut. It's not really my thing. But Molly handles this exciting, three-way relationship with such finesse that the implied slash and mild smut only adds to the beauty of it instead of taking away from it. A definite recommendation to anyone with a love for these characters.
To check out more of MollyTM's work, click here. A creative, daring writer who slips into the unconventional with effortless ease and talent.
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THE O.C. - Separating, by lalejandra: lalejandra is one of my favourite O.C. writers. She's one of very few authors who are able to creatively twist the characters into plausible situations without making them OOC. She's wrote several fics, of which I recommend them all, but this fic, and the one following, are the two that made the biggest impression on me.
Now I'm vehemently against the atrocity that is Ryan and Marissa, but Separating is so beautifully written that even those against this 'shipper would find it beautifully written. Whist reading it, the reader can't help but sense the confliction that Ryan is feeling in this fic -- his physical need to be with Marissa, and his emotional need to distance himself from her. lalejandra's portrayal of their relationship is realistic and plausible; it fits in perfectly with the show. It's not hard to believe that, though Ryan doesn't necessarily dislike Marissa, he doesn't love her, either. If he did, he wouldn't have fallen so easily for Theresa.
One of my favourite parts of this fic, also, is the way lalejandra describes Ryan's feelings in regards to his family and friends. She emphasises the fact that Ryan loves his new family in his own way; a unique and different way, which is beautiful nonetheless. I absolutely adore that she picks up on this, because this is totally how I see Ryan's character.
Check this fic out, even if you're not a Ryan/Marissa 'shipper, because everything lalejandra writes is so artfully done, you won't have no quelms about it.
Now, moving on to one of my favourite 'shippers - Ryan and Summer.
Slumming It is a brilliant portrayal of Ryan and Summer as friends and a little more. Again lalejanrda twists the characters into new situations without changing the characters at all. She writes Ryan and Summer realistically, handles their personal demons magnificently, and builds their chemistry skillfully. There's not much more I can say without ruining this fic, except that it has Smoking!Ryan. And who can resist Smoking!Ryan? He's hot.
I can actually see this scenario happening on the show and this kind of plausible, realistic writing is common for lalejandra. She can lure me into worshipping any 'shipper she wants, just by the way she writes, and that says a lot about her as a writer. Though Ryan and Summer are my favourite 'shipper (also check out Shattered Glass, Broken Lungs, and Mascara Gets Washed Away) when it comes to this author, she also handles the threesome that is Seth/Summer/Ryan beautifully. I'm not much for slash, but she writes it so tastefully that I can't help but love these three together. Check out Low Expectations and Sex Ed, to see what I'm talking about.
You can find more of lalejandra's fics at her LiveJournal, here. An excellent, talented and unique author, lalejandra can draw you into any fandom she wants. Just go with the flow, people. You won't regret it.
