Wine Glasses and Wire Cutters by Fish and RSB is a plotty little adventure that reads like a missing episode, rife with nice little character bits.
Paid In Full by Bookworm is another wondrous plot-filled gem.
Stay by Goldenthorn picks up where Heart of Gold leaves off, and has some beautiful character interplay between Mal, Inara, Kaylee and Jayne. Also? It has plot. Plot makes everything better, you know. Everything.
Robotics by rebecca is some pretty gosh-darned hot Mal/Simon that manages, while still delivering the erotic charge, to also be peppered with spot-on dialogue that absolutely rings true, whether you're a slash fan or not. I admit, I'm a sucker for talky PWPs. Folks get chatty, it happens, and it happens all too rarely in fiction, for some reason...
Fine Line by rebecca is a dark and gorgeous little Mal/Inara vignette that you can just taste, and is an excellent case for erotica sans dialogue, which is part of why I love rebecca. Girl's got range.
Oblivious by Rawles is a lovely and insightful look at a pre-Serenity Simon that also manages, at the same time, to create a perfect and balanced non-canon character to act as the audience's eyes and ears.
Release by Rawles is a gorgeous little Simon/Kaylee coda to Objects in Space which draws some fascinating parallels.
Mending by liquideyes is a Simon/Kaylee coda to The Message which has an excellent grasp of both characters, and you can just hear the dialogue it's so pitch-perfect.
Two Things by BK the Irregular is a sweet and lovely Simon/Kaylee moment.
Garden of Simple by SA is a perfect little Simon/Kaylee moment in time that accomplishes a great deal in a very small space.
Kassandra by Philomel is a fascinating look inside River's mind.
Secrets to Tell by eleanor k. is a gorgeous little Mal/Wash/Zoe vignette set after War Stories, chock full of excellent dialogue, as well as wonderfully erotic.
Casualties by molly is a beautifully lyrical bit of crazy space incest. I can't figure out how the heck I missed this one, but I'm ever so glad I found it. It's thus far the only csi from Simon's point of view that I even remotely buy, in large part because molly shows such insight into the characters.
Changing by scrunchy is just a delight, and reminds me time and time again how much I love stef's Wash.
Volitional Cecity by Rawles is a beautiful little musing on the Tams that will just break your heart.
I Have Gone Out by shrift is a stunning and lyrical trip inside River, as she makes her journey through the dreams of Serenity's sleeping denizens.
All The Desires by budclare is a lovely little snapshot of the entire gang, and what they want.
You Fill Me by Rachel Elisabeth is a lovely look at Kaylee and Inara's special bond.
Love at First Sight by Trisana McGraw feels as if it's a scene from Out of Gas which Tim just left out, but would fit in seamlessly.
Memories of Guns by Jade is a gorgeous look at what life might be like for Zoe and Wash's child.
Invisible Lines of Propriety by Nicole Clevenger is a wickedly insightful bit of crazy space incest that rings 100% true.
Time to Go by Ann is a lovely look at the man we'd come to know as Wash.
Relics by elismor is elegant and perfect in its simplicity.
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recs for 18 august 2003
The 'Glue' Series by rebecca is a darker, more complex AU version of the folks we know and love--particularly Zoe, Mal, Simon--that just grabs you and doesn't let go. rebecca handles all three with a sure hand, and creates a compelling narrative that tackles difficult subjects with grace, and shows us a "what might have been" scenario that's firmly grounded in canonical characterisations, while building an interesting almost parallel universe. It may not be everybody's cuppa, but it is beautifully written and executed.
Just Because by Chya is a nifty keen peek into Jayne and fleshes out the events of Ariel and its immediate aftermath. Love the interaction between Jayne and Mal in this one.
Mangoes on Boros by dirty diana is a delicious little Kaylee/Inara titbit.
Overload by Ana is a chilling little River vignette that is just lyrical and very precise. Excellent River "voice" as it were, and just heartbreaking, but still with a sense of hope.
Waking Dream by rebecca is Simon/kaylee all for me me me! Literally. And I couldn't be happier. Lovely little moments, and rebecca shows a feather-light touch with characterisation. It just gives me a warm, comfy feeling.
Shiny by dirty diana is a lovely little post-"Objects in Space" story makes me sigh and smile and then grin. Also? It's pretty gosh darned hot.
Childish Things by kate elizabeth is a delightful little Mal and Kaylee snippet. Voices are spot on, and this is a lovely little bit of character interaction that feels just right.
Repairs by Molly is a gorgeous Kaylee story set after War Stories that just does a beautiful job of exploring her relationship with Mal and Serenity. Also has an excellent take on Mal/kaylee, a 'ship that I don't always buy, but this story just sells it.
Diagnosis by rebecca is a lovely moment between Simon and Inara, with a nice little bit of Simon/Kaylee. all. for me. Part of the Hugh Simon Now! challenge.
Growing Up by eleanor k. is another Hugh Simon Now! challenge entry which pushes Simon to the brink (can you say crazy space incest? I knew you could!), and Inara provides solace and comfort in the only way she can. Just gorgeous.
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recs for 10 july 2003
Longing and Fighting Dirty by ThatGirlIsabel are two absolutely delightful little snippets of Mal and Kaylee joy that perfectly capture their relationship.
The Hours Inbetween by maystone is a lovely missing scene from "Heart of Gold" which is both insightful and sexy, and she channels Mal perfectly.
A Sorta Fairytale Series by Syn is a very interesting look at how Jayne/River would--or wouldn't--work that takes into account all the things the pairing should, such as how phenomenally wrong it is, yet how much sense it could make as well.
Laid Bare by Sarahetc is a lovely little "missing scene" story set between Ariel and War Stories which builds the tension between Wash and Zoe, and also has some lovely Wash and Kaylee interaction.
Easy by rebecca and Tenderfoot by Juli are two sweet and introspective little Mal/Simon stories which tackle a similar situation, but each has a different feel and pace and take on their relationship.
Ever Get The Feeling by Liss is a gorgeous Simon story set after "Objects In Space," as Simon questions his place on Serenity.
Not Poaching and
Not Sharing by Kate Coyne are combined one lovely look at Wash's relationship with Zoe, and what that means to Mal. Kate just nails Mal's voice, and shows a real affinity for Wash and Zoe as well.
Stages of Grief by Trisana McGraw is a lovely Jayne/Helen coda to "Heart of Gold."
Something Old by eleanor k. is a prequel to Something New and a gorgeous River piece that weaves in and out of the aired episodes, and shows excellent insight into River's relationships with both Simon and Kaylee.
Horatio's Bridge by Chya is exactly how I can see Jayne leaving.
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recs for 11 june 2003
Bad Business by Annie M. is a faboo first Firefly story from the writer, which is chock full of plotty goodness and reads just like an episode. She creates two excellent supporting castmembers for this little adventure, and everyone's voices were just spot on--especially Wash and Jayne. Simon/Kaylee and Mal/Inara shippers will get a kick out of the subtle little interactions from those crazy kids, but overall a fantastic read for all fans of the show.
Choices by Tzegha is an epic. Literally. This fan novel explores Simon's desperate devotion to his sister, and shows just how far he'll go if pushed. Excellent crew interaction, nifty keen stuff for everyone to do, and while the River chapter in the middle may seem as hard to decipher as our favourite borderline psychic herself, the overall story is well worth it.
Word Sense by Faechick is the hottest damn thing I've ever read. Stop laughing at me, I am not kidding! I am permanently giving Fae my porn brain, because it will thrive in her keeping. Because nothing I will ever write could ever be one eighth as sexy and erotic as this story. And the best part? Simon and Kaylee are 100% true to the characters we know and love. Just, you know, having incredibly hot sex. I mean... dayum.
Love Is by Nicole Clevenger is a gorgeous look at the crew through River's eyes.
Big Damn Heroes and Everyday Hero by Kate Coyne are two gorgeous little character vignettes from a newly-minted writer who shows excellent insight into Wash, Mal, and Kaylee.
The Gift by Maystone is a lovely look at a moment from Mal and Kaylee's past which defines perfectly what role Kaylee plays in his life, and exactly how necessary a role it is.
The Picket Fence by Harri Vane captures the surreal quality of a dream, as Simon's subconscious works out some important bits.
In The Name Of... by Kelly Girl is a beautiful little Zoe/Wash vignette that will rip your heart out.
Ways by Igeria is a fantastic little Mal moment, as he takes stock. Gun Trouble also by Igeria just makes me smile. A lot.
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recs for 28 may 2003
Recurring Nightmares and A Time To Heal by Shanna continue the Simon saga begun with Cat and Mouse Games, and together are a gripping action story grounded in the characters and their relationships, with spot-on characterisation for everybody, and a lovely bit of Simon and Kaylee interaction which takes into consideration all the roadblocks a potential relationship between the two would have to conquer first. Also, there's Cat. Cat makes everything better.
Left Behind by Ana explores one AU for each of the characters, and how the entire crew would deal with dire consequences and how the dynamics might shift. Not exactly cheerful, but definitely a fascinating look into the group dynamics.
Where I Cannot Stand by Hawkmoth is a lovely little gem set mainly during the war. We can blame Sharpe on tape for this one, and I for one say bring on the Sean bean marathon, if it always yields fic of this calibre.
Cat and Mouse by Bookworm is a nifty keen story set post-"Objects In Space" which does an excellent job of creating believable tension, and exploring Mal in particular.
Along The Way by Trisana McGraw is a lovely little Simon/Kaylee snippet which just brings me all sorts of joy. If you're looking for something to just make you grin like a fool for a few hours, this is the story for you.
Of Battles and Bandits by Nicole Clevenger once again displays Nicole's uncanny knack of knowing exactly Zoe would say, and how she would say it--and captures the Mal/Zoe relationship perfectly. I also love her continuing subplot of Mal trying to wrestle with how he feels—or doesn't feel—about his first mate. Lovely, subtle, true to all the characters, and it even is kinda plotty. Complications picks up where Of Battles leaves off to a degree, and is one of the very few Mal/Zoe stories that feels completely believable to me. Even Wash/Zoe fans I think will find it spot-on.
At Ends by northlight is a beautifully structured look at war, and Zoe, from three angles. I can't describe it; I can just tell you you should read it. Preferably twice, and right away.
Lost'n Found by Igeria is a very brief (it was written for a Firefly Friday challenge) but incredibly effective look at Simon and Mal. The dialogue is just right on the nose, and it's subtle and tasty, and hints at a lot more than it shows at first glance. Also, it has dinosaurs.
The Other Side of Serenity by Archer is just a nifty keen look at how the Battle of Serenity might look to someone on the "right" side.
Like A Stream by Maystone shows the darker side of the Firefly 'verse, when Mal and Jayne take off looking for a missing River.
Sturdy by Ana takes a minor character in one of the as-yet unaired episodes, and spins a gorgeous yarn that captures the flavour of the Firefly 'verse just perfectly. Elegant, subtle, and truthful to the core, it will give you a whole new perspective on Heart of Gold.
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recs for 8 may 2003
Fateful Hours by Hawkmoth is a marvellous Mal and Book story which explores the concept of faith. Hawk shows excellent insight into Mal, and particularly the prickly relationship the captain has with the preacher, due to Mal's relationship with Book's "boss." Chock full of plot (which, as we all know, makes everything better!) which I won't spoil here, excellent characterisation and dialogue, this just fits right in with the series.
In the Dark (Conclusions) by dirty diana wraps up this series which explores the tangled web of relationships--romantic and otherwise--aboard Serenity with a deft hand.
Ties That Bind by Harri Vane is a sweeping epic (and I do mean epic--it's almost as long as your average Stephen King novel!) of families. Harri paints a very detailed picture of Kaylee's family as well as Simon's, and the importance of being a part of a family--whether you were born into it, chose it, or it chose you.
Every Friday, a new challenge goes up at ff_friday, a livejournal community for posting 100-1000 word vignettes on that week's theme. Here are some of my favourites from the first batch of challenges...
The Player by Riotnerd is a fascinating look at a moment in Saffron's life which defines her.
Before He Had a Name by Hils is a lovely Book story full of charm and vivid images.
In Principle, In Practice by Bruce is a stunningly graceful look at how Inara handles the shades of grey in what she once believed was black and white.
Learning to Shoot by Puffgirl Two is just a perfect moment between Zoe and Simon set after "Objects In Space." The dialogue is excellent, and the whole tone of the piece is just tight and perfect.
Life Lessons by Trisana McGraw is a lovely flashback to Mal's youth on Shadow which shows exactly what kind of boy grows up into what kind of man Mal Reynolds is. His relationship with his mother is particularly touching.
Maybe by dafnap is a bittersweet Mal/Inara snippet that just nail's Mal's voice, and the complications of that particular coupling.
The Difference by scrunchy is a nifty keen look at the crew through Wash's eyes.
New Feelings by Trisana McGraw is a wonderful little Mal/Inara piece.
Perspective by Maystone is a wonderful juxtaposition on Simon and Mal's homes, both then and now, which does an excellent job of developing both characters in a very small space.
Never Home by igeria is a haunting look at what Inara's choices mean to her, and what she has lost.
Runaway by Harri Vane is a chilling little look at the Blue Hand Group's hold on River.
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recs for 24 april 2003
Mere human language cannot properly convey the love I have for Big Damn Zombies, Sir by shrift. Go. Read. Possibly avoid reading at work, if screaming gales of laughter might get you fired.
Vacancy by Ana is a solidly and wonderfully plot-driven mostly-gen story which explores Jayne's place in the crew, and how Serenity functions (or doesn't function) without him.
Ugly Boys by dafnap is a wonderful and insightful glimpse into Mal and Zoe during the war.
Ritual by Pearl-o is chilling look at Simon and River that rings true on so many levels.
Last Night at Sally Ann's by Maystone is just a sweet fun romp for crew and reader alike. Pure delight.
Working It Out by sf fan is some UST and RST revolving around Simon using Jayne's weight bench.
Life In Itself by Eleanor K. is another chapter in the Things That Haunt Us series, which continues to add joy and complications to both Mal and Simon's lives in pretty much equal measure.
An Earful by Bookworm is a fantastic moment between Mal and Book after "War Stories."
Traditionalist Musings by liquideyes is some lovely lovely Simon/Kaylee all for me! For me, I tell you! Excellent first story from a brand new writer which has some fantastic insights into both characters, and is sweet and sexy to boot.
Vignettes by skripka feeds my mad craving for Washfic with wonderful snippets of Wash and Zoe's life together which work surprisingly well all sewn together into one piece.
The Firefly Fridays Challenge, now coming up on its third week, has too many nifty keen bits for me to cover in one posting, but I did want to point it out and tell y'all to check out the fruits of the first two challenges (childhood, and a first kiss) because there is just some excellent and fun stuff to be found by a whole mess of folks!
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recs for 8 april 2003
Pieces by Philomel is a fantastically funny and sweet little Wash story that illustrates yet again why I love Wash, I love Wash/Zoe, and I love Phil's take on the pairing.
Dear Zoe by Northlight is a gorgeous look at Zoe through the eyes of her family.
Dealing and Visionary by Hawkmoth have assured her a place in heaven so far as I am concerned. Dealing picks up almost exactly where As Dreams Are Made On left off, while Visionary is a little Simon/Kaylee snippet. Both are sexy without being too too smutty, and Moth has just a gorgeous light touch with characterisation.
All The Talk Is Stars by AkaMaryKate is a fascinating look at the crew through River's eyes that says as much about her as it does her brother and friends.
Space Pirates and Cat and Mouse Games by Shanna are the first two stories in a series, and are chock full of plotty goodness, with a side of Mal/Inara and Simon/Kaylee UST. Shanna has a great affinity for Simon, and shows a deft hand with all of the characters voices, particularly River and Kaylee. Also? Damned entertained by Cat.
Brought to Heel by Ana is a nifty plot-driven story which fleshes out Jayne's backstory a bit, and has some excellent Mal/Jayne interaction as well. Extra points for creating an original character who works so well in the Firefly 'verse.
Aurora by Ana is a fantastic little story that has the feel of an episode, with great interactions between the whole cast.
So Long: Coda by Kate Elizabeth picks up ten years after So Long, and is a lovely little steamy Mal/Kaylee snippet. My affection for this pairing just grows and grows with each of Kate's stories. I may never throw Simon over for Mal, but there is such genuine sweetness in both these stories.
The Power of the Pen by sphinx81 gives Firefly the Ships That Pass Into Type treatment, as the crew discovers what all of us have been posting to the "cortex." Great fun with some genuine laugh-out-loud lines, and lives up to the spirit of HonorH's original (which can be found here).
Ghosts by maystone is a haunting little vignette that draws parallels between Simon and Mal that just make so much sense, and break your heart.
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recs for 24 march 2003
On The Mend by MollyTM is just a stunning little missing scene story set between War Stories and Objects in Space which perfectly illustrates Mal and Kaylee's relationship.
Of History by Northlight is a beautiful Zoe story, with perfect little details tucked into it which flesh out Zoe so
believably and realistically.
Divisions by maystone is a lovely Mal and Kaylee friendship story, as they commiserate over their respective relationships with their wayward babes.
Transport by Nicole Clevenger is a haunting snippet of Zoe and Mal's post-Serenity Valley life.
Unchained Melody and Mirage by bonibaru make me happy because boni just gets both Inara and Jayne. Also, Jayne/Vera may just become my favourite het pairing of all!
Scars by maystone is a lyrical and poetic look at the crew, done with great style.
Day is Done by scrunchy is a lovely look at young Mal's life on Shadow.
Weeks, Seasons by dafnap has excellent dialogue, sly humour, and I love me some Mal/Inara
UST and Simon/Kaylee sweetness, both of which this story delivers.
As Dreams Are Made On by Hawkmoth is a nifty keen Inara/Mal story which fleshes out Inara's backstory, and delivers one heck of a punch.
Natural Talent by Sarahetc is a beautiful look at what might have been between Wash and Kaylee, early on in the Serenity crew's lives, before everything was written in stone.
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recs for 12 march 2003
Life, Death and Serenity by Shanna is a heartbreaking look at how the crew could and would survive losing one of their own. Stunning characterisation, excellent voices throughout—be prepared to get the sniffles.
Can't Look by Nicole Clevenger is set after "War Stories", as the Tams deal with their individual actions on Niska's skyplex. Lovely and chilling River in particular.
The Call by maystone is a very plausible and real scenario leading to Mal/Jayne, as wounded and terrified, they run from Reavers.
Glass Walls by Ana is an interesting look at the possibilities were Jayne and Simon to be captured by the Feds some time in the future. Not quite so much Oz as one might think, but it's curious to see how each would survive their particular circumstances. I'm not 100% sure I agree with her Simon, but her Jayne is dead-on accurate.
The Rape of Kassandra by ReaverPoet is a fascinating and spellbinding look at how River handles (or doesn't handle, as the case may be) simultaneously experiencing the past, present, and future. Also, it has both lovely Simon/Kaylee and sultry River/Kaylee moments.
Coming Home by sf fan explores the idea of how Simon would handle returning to his former social standing, now that he's grown accustomed to life aboard Serenity.
Forgive and Forget by Trisana McGraw is a lovely "Ariel" coda which explores Jayne's conscience, what there is of it.
Dancing Lessons and its sequel, In The Before by kirby crow are hot, sexy, subtle Simon/Jayne stories chock full of character development as well as sexual tension.
Feather Stitch by Ana is a delicate and lovely Inara and Kaylee story.
Friction Leads to Fire by Mara Greengrass is a Moonlighting-style riff on Mal and Inara.
Inadequate Comforts by Nicole Clevenger is a post-"War Stories" look at both River and Mal, which explores Zoe's choice, and the ramifications thereof.
Seeing Eyes by Jennifer-Oksana is a deft little River/Jayne piece set after "Ariel."
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recs for 2 march 2003
All Is Bright by Hawkmoth is a gorgeous Christmas story which gets under Mal's skin, and to the heart of the character, amidst great character bits with the whole crew.
Touch also by Hawkmoth threads its way in and out of the episodes and is a lovely and poetic look at Inara's relationship with Mal.
Home Again by scrunchy is fantastic Washfic, which gives a backstory that I can utterly buy, and is rife with gorgeous characterisation and love interaction.
Dish Duty by Nicole Clevenger is a stunning Zoe story set after War Stories, which does lovely things with both Zoe and Wash, and Zoe and Mal.
Over and Over and Over by Sarahetc is another lovely little Zoe story which winds its way around and through "War Stories" and examines her relationships with the two men in her life.
Magical Thinking by Shanna is a nifty little Simon vignette from the TWoP dream challenge which gives Simon what he wants, and then takes it away again.
Calm The Raging River by Cyndy is an interesting look at the differences between Simon and Jayne when it comes to River.
Rock and a Hard Place: Kaylee by dirty diana continues to examine the heartbreak of the little love-triangle diana set up in the first two vignettes.
Off The Map and Seven Seeds by Eleanor K. continues the Things That Haunt Us series, as Simon and Mal go on a date. No, seriously. To Harga's House of Ribs. Seriously! yet more lovely UST and sweet shippy happiness that makes her my fave Mal/Simon writer thus far.
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recs for 11 february 2003
Survivors by maystone is a haunting look at what might have been, had Mal and Zoe not been as strong or as resilient as they are.
Tourniquet by Pearl-o is crazy space incest all for me, I tell you. All. For. Me! BWA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.... Also, it works on a non-CSI level as well, for all of you who get squicked by that sort of thing. Excellent examination of Simon's character, and how his wacky sister fits into his life.
So Long by Kate Elizabeth is a lovely Mal/Kaylee story set in a future where Mal and Kaylee are recovering from losing the people they loved, and find each other. I know that sounds corny, but it's sweet as hell without being cloying, and Kate shows a very light touch with characterisation, as well as beautiful attention to detail.
Eavesdown by Shanna is a nifty "Serenity" missing scene that shows just how Simon got from there to here.
The Things That Haunt Us series by Eleanor K. is Mal/Simon that I can believe in. Packed with delicious and tantalising UST that about melts your monitor, each story slips in between the episodes and builds a complex relationship between two people who need each other, and keep trying to deny themselves and that need. Also, it has plot. In case you haven't noticed, LJC likes plot. Plot makes everything better.
Lapses and Leaps by Piper is a fantastic coda to Out of Gas which shoes Mal that faith isn't always something that exists only to be lost or broken.
Dong Ma? by ThatGirlIsabel is a nifty little story which does a great job exploring Mal's fatherly/big brotherly relationship with Kaylee, and how the Captain is handling (or not handling, as the case may be) her and Simon growing closer. Poor Simon; you gotta feel for the guy, with Mal on one side, and Jayne on the other, ready to kick his ass if anyone hurts their meimei...
Threading by Sara is a beautifully spartan and elegant vignette about Simon and boundaries.
Given Name by Azar is a peachy keen crossover with Buffy. I figured, with both shows sharing joss, that this would be inevitable, and had been dreading that eventuality. Azar and this story however made me 12 kinds of happy. I wish they could all be this clever and subtle and spot on.
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recs for 26 january 2003
Synaesthesia by Sue Welsh is a plotty little River vignette with a strong dream-like quality to it. I get the feeling that the inside of River's head is a very very odd place to live in, but Sue's kinda comfy there.
The Heart of Her by Sarahetc is yet more lovely lovely Wash and Wash/Zoe that really does marvellous things , particularly Wash's relationship with Serenity and his wife.
Belle of the Ball is a nifty hurt/comfort Kaylee story by maystone which has some lovely meimei stuff with Mal and Inara, and enough Simon/Kaylee to make me all wibbly.
Everything Running Like Normal by Nicole Clevenger is a fascinating coda to "Out of Gas" which gets inside Mal Reynolds' head, exploring all his fears and worries, and how he sorts himself out again. Gorgeous use of language, and light touch with characterisation make this an utter joy to read. Nicole has a gift for writing Mal, and her Zoe is also quite marvellous.
Also by Nicole Clevenger, Listening In the Dark is a powerful and stunning little River piece. Nicole's use of language in particular is just enormously affecting. It's rife with little soft touches, and I completely love her take on Simon and River's relationship, and how it strains both of them as well as anchors them.
Powerful Weapons, Sexy Machines by Jayne Leitch is a fantastic little vignette set after War Stories and Objects in Space. Jayne just nails Jayne (um, his voice and characterisation, that is) and she has excellent Kaylee as well. I could completely picture this happening, and just the way she described. Beautiful work all around.
Take Me Out Into The Black by badger is a lovely little Kaylee vignette. Barger's got an excellent ear for dialogue, and her use of language all throughout is just lovely. Needs a few minor copy-edits (mostly in the area of punctuation) but all in all, very nice grasp of the characters.
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recs for 20 january 2003
Turn Away by Simon Field is a stunning little Jayne vignette that answers the question of what Jayne did during the War.
Passengers by Harriet Vane does an amazing job of mapping the crew to the players in The Odyssey, Metamorphoses and The Iliad in this nifty plot-y little story involving Serenity getting Shanghai'd by the Alliance into transporting a Prefect's family to a colony. While her grammar and punctuation skills can be rough, her ear for dialogue and gift for characterisation and plot make it worth it for me.
The Fair by maystone is a lovely little vignette exploring both Kaylee and Inara's friendship, and Inara and Mal's prickly courtship. There are a few technical errors in the way of POV shifts, but they don't detract much, and there's a lovely wistful feel to this piece. Added bonus: Jayne as a sloppy affectionate drunk.
Refuge by Lizbet is a thoughtful and interesting plot-driven story. I'm not 100% sure I buy the tech (felt a bit more B5 or Farscape than Firefly), but Lizbet's plot is strong, and she shows a deft hand for capturing the characters' voices.
The Founders of the Feast by Grey Bard is a lovely slice-of-life story set before Simon, Book, and River joined the crew. Love Grey's Kaylee and Wash in particular.
The Uses of Temptation by maystone is a gorgeous Book story. You'll never look at the preacher quite the same way again.
Wiretap by Ana takes a very different look at Bushwhacked by way of a war memory involving Mal and a young beau named Declan. Ana's storytelling style is simple and effective and evokes a lovely sense of grace.
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recs for 13 january 2003
If All the World by Philomel in another in the growing sub-genre of epic recountings of the untold story of Zoe and Wash's courtship. And it's fabulous, and makes me want to marry Wash.
A Taste of This by Jane St. Clair is a series of five things that never happened, little slivers of elseworlds that illuminate Simon's character through different lenses. Not to be missed.
Centripetal Motion by Rachel is a delicate Kaylee/Inara vignette just packed with a rich level of detail.
In Heaven There Are No Walls by Pablo is a gorgeous little Simon vignette that picks apart Simon's fears and worries and hopes with a deft hand. Really lovely.
Patience by hossgal is a nifty little look at the de-facto mayor of Whitefall, post-Serenity.
Battle Scars by Piper is a post-Objects In Space scene featuring Simon and Jayne that captures the adversarial nature of their relationship quite well--and strikes me as very easily believable. I'd also love to see a flip-side version from Jayne's POV someday, especially considering the events of Ariel.
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recs for 11 january 2003
Flying Lessons by VR Trakowski is a sweet little Simon/Kaylee vignette that does a lovely job with both characters, and is full of nifty little details and insights.
Mood to Burn Bridges by Sarahetc is so far my favourite of the "How did Mal take Wash and Zoe's relationship?" stories, in part because all three characters just come across exactly how I would picture each of them in the situation. Love Sarah's Wash , in particular.
It Was Night by Pyrrha Cottonwood is the Objects in Space coda I wish I had written, full of subtlety and light touches, and excellent characterisation of Simon, Kaylee, and Mal.
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recs for 9 january 2003
Live Without Warning by zara hemla is a lovely exploration of Mal's bond with his ship.
The Rules of Attraction by dafnap sheds some much-needed light on how Inara is able to do her job without going mad.
Bloodlines by Hawk Moth is a nifty exploration of who Mal Reynolds was, and how he became who he is.
Things Not Smooth by Hawk Moth is a continuation of the end of Ariel which just flows perfectly from the aired episode.
Still Flying by Northlight is a gorgeously little story about Kaylee and Zoe.
No Power in the 'Verse by by alliterator is a spooky and poignant look inside River's chaotic little brain.
The Mess by maystone is a scene in script format which perfectly captures a lovely little slice of life aboard Serenity.
Babysitter by Dex is an insightful and fascinating look at Mal, when Mal is forced to look after River when she's having a bad day. Extra points for excellent use of the phrase "crazy as a hammer sandwich."
Peanut Butter, We Got by Harriet Vane is a lovely little Mal and River missing scene from The Train Job.
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recs for 8 january 2003
Leaving Serenity by Celli is a stunning Out of Gas missing scene that beautiful illustrates exactly what Serenity means to Mal.
Tetchy by debchan really captures both Simon and Jayne, and in addition to being hysterically funny, is also pretty damn hot.
Opaque by Northlight is a lyrical dissection of Mal and Inara's relationship. The stylised nature of the piece works better than expected, and it's an interesting insight into Inara in particular.
Battleground by maystone is a very sweet missing scene from Objects in Space, as Mal helps Kaylee deal with her guilt over her inability to fight in either War Stories or Objects in Space. First-time writer maystone has a great handle on Mal and Kaylee's relationship, and Mal's voice in particular rings true.
A Modest Proposal by Grey Bard is an atmospheric and quirky look at how Wash was hired.
The Filament Series by Lemon Lashes is determined to make me a Wash/Simon fan. Lemon really fleshes out Wash's character in particular, giving him shades of grey and demons of his own that are only hinted at one the show. Not to mention, all the stories handle Wash's marriage to Zoe incredibly well. If you've got a few hours to spare, the series is well worth your time.
Safer by juli is a nice little alternate version of the Mal and Simon tag of Safe which delves a bit into the characters' interactions. Short, sweet, and insightful.
A Companion's Lot by Mara Greengrass is a lovely little slice of Inara's life.
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recs for 5 january 2003
Cradle Elbows Wide by Vehemently is a brutal look at the sickeningly harsh realities of trench warfare, and how to survive a siege, as well as an excellent look into Mal and Zoe's past.
RSVP by Sarahetc is a lovely look at how Mal's reaction to Zoe and Wash's nuptials.
Rara Avis by kirby crow is a gorgeous little Wash and Zoe missing scene from "Serenity" about truth and lies.
Cut Time Adagio by E.L. is a haunting look at Simon's relationship with River, and his lack of dreams.
Hook, Line, Sinker by BK the Irregular was a pleasant surprise. I'm not Inara's biggest fan, but this nifty and elegant story gave her depth and really got under her skin and offered a job description that I could get behind much moreso than the show had given me thus far...
Recalculation by BK the Irregular is a great look at how Serenity works--and how Jayne works, and how Jayne sometimes doesn't work.
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recs for 4 january 2003
Turn of the Wheel by Hawk Moth is kickass futurefic that I can buy completely and utterly. No spoilers, just a sigh of pleasure: Simon. I'm all. about. Simon.
Let Be by Celli is a treat I saved myself for dessert. See, now that I've written my "Objects In Space" coda, I'm free to go read everyone else's. And of all that I've found, this one feels the most in character. Celli's got a great grasp of Simon and Kaylee, and the story just flows very naturally. I especially love the way she handles River.
Marital/Martial by Lizbet made me 12 kinds of happy. Yay! Wash and Zoe! I'm sorry, do you need more of a reason? Because that's about all I need, I mean it. Excellent Wash and Zoe, too. I'm all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
Fever Dreams by Nicole is a delicious little Simon/River "Objects in Space" coda.
In a Flash by Meegzi is a nifty keen look at a source of Jayne's animosity towards Simon that totally works for me.
Nor Ever Chaste by victoria p. is a spooky little Simon/River treat in the form of a coda to "Safe" that is not to be missed.
Therapy by Harriet Vane is another lovely little Kaylee/Simon missing scene from the pilot. The author needs a line edit--but if you overlook the occasional homophones and misspellings (which I know goes completely against the grain, trust me), she's got a great grasp of the characters voices and a nice subtle way with characterisation.
Day of Prayer, also by Harriet Vane, is a wonderful plot-driven little story that has the feel of an episode in terms of structure and pacing. Again, her mastery of her craft is rough--but her characterisations and dialogue are spot on.
