Sealskin (K/P, Rated M)

Well, well, well, look who found their way back! What can I say, I've been busy trying to find fantastic little stories for all you people to read and boy do I have one for you this month! How about we get right down to it, eh?

Title: Sealskin
Author: Loupee
Rating: Rated M
Pairing: Katniss/Peeta, Katniss/Gale
Summary: "In the cold north folklore told of shape shifters who lived both within the ocean waters and walked on land. Peeta believed they were just a thing of childhood stories until a fateful encounter. Years later he is drawn into the world of a girl with uncanny similarities whose past and future are interwoven with those of the creatures."

Why?

If you're relatively new to THG fanfiction you're probably still diving into the plethora of canon-compliant fics that have a tendancy to fill in the empty holes or other characterizations that you don't get from canon - and that's perfectly fine. If though you're like me and you've been kicking around for a while you may start dabbling in reading fics that take a more liberal approach to the characters by putting them into amazing little alternate universe scenarios that blow your mind.

Sealskin is absolutely one of the fics that will carry you away. I swear, you will show up for the star-crossed lovers and stay because you simply can't stop reading.

One of my favourite things about Loupee's Sealskin is that it is unlike anything I've ever read before. It centers around an old folklore tale but brings a very human aspect to the story that ties it almost seamlessly into the THG world. The characterizations are spot on with both Katniss and Peeta staying very true to form in their expected behaviours alone as well as during the critical moments that could be mirrored by canon elements. My only concern (and this is a personal preference of mine) is that once again Gale is in the role of the antogonist and that simply breaks my heart.

I highly recommend this story to anyone looking for something completely out of THG universe, or anyone who just wants something fantastic to read. Hopefully you go check it out.

Much love.

Hero of the Story (M Rating)

I'll tell you all right now, real life is getting the better of me. I'm writing this early on a Saturday morning because it's come down to me waking up early in order to actually get things done. Oh adulthood, how you steal my hopes and dreams and turn them blah blah.Okay - on to the story rec!

Title: Hero of the Story AO3 / FF.net
Author: atetheredmind (s_e_irvine) AO3 / FF.net
Rating: Explicit
Summary: By the end of the summer, Peeta Mellark had married the shoemaker's daughter. And by the end of the summer, Katniss had wed Gale in a small toasting ceremony. AU where Prim and Peeta are never reaped, and where there is no mockingjay, no rebellion.

Why? Okay, so there are lots of reasons that I would recommend atetheredmind as an author to anyone. For example, her stories are creative (read: explicit and adventurous), sex positive, and often so well written that you forget really who you are. But those are just some of them. I'm rec'ing this story to you today because for what started out as a prompt response, it somehow morphed into this two part story that has the capability to make you re-think nearly every conception you have about endgame Everlark.

Without giving too much away, the summary says it all - Peeta and Katniss are both married to other people. Plain and simple. For most, that's it, that's all. But not in this story - atetheredmind has effectively conveyed the challenges that two people face when their hearts are elsewhere which in turn makes you, the reader, reconsider where you think you stand on the convention of infidelity.

I'm not saying you're going to like it - hell, I had double thoughts while I read it - but you will come away from it thinking a little bit more about your conceived notions of monogamy and people's choices. Give it a whirl and hopefully you'll be as spellbound as I was.

PS. Just so you know, the erotica tag is on here because if you dig around a little more in atethermind's profile you'll find 'The Education of Peeta Mellark' and well, geez, that story is some of the best of the best. Trust me on that. 

Self Promotion Sundays #11

Self Promotion Sundays! *cheering*

and the sky falls into burning flames
by IridescentLife
Summary: Cinna, Portia, their pasts, and the District Eleven Victory Tour celebration.
Status: Complete

Enjoy!

-cindella204

Completely Fantasy

Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in. Back from too long of a hiatus, I'm bringing you two stories for the price of one. Both of these stories are fantastic for a light and quick read and they feature the perfect amount of playful writing with a dabble of angst and romance. I truly love the way that the author, HGRomance, has integrated classical myths/storylines into original works. So if you have a moment, please check out...

Title: Legend AO3 / FF.net
Author: HGRomance AO3 / FF.net
Rating: Explicit
Summary: People in the kingdom whispered about a legend: a boy with a bow. They said he took up residence in the woods, hiding out while committing random acts of kindness, namely stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Historical AU. Robin Hood.

Why? I chose this story this time around because I absolutely love Robin Hood. Okay, so that might be only part of the reason (really, I can whistle the whole opening Disney sequence), but I was on a roll reading everything HGRomance had written and this one stuck with me. Why you might ask? Well, that's easy. It's well written, well formed in terms of plot, and it let's the reader get lost in a fair amount of imagery. Plus, there's some pretty kick-butt romance tied in there that makes you swoon a little bit.

Now, when you think about it, it is also kind of the perfect pairing for a crossover type story - both stories are tales of ordinary people getting caught up in lives that rush them to change everything they've ever known. There's also arrows and bows and the woods which are all symbols tied in perfectly. In addition to all that, both the pairing characters (Peeta/Robin, Katniss/Marian) share a whole whack of similar traits like kindness, loyalty, and rebellious tomfoolery. Think you're interested? Go take a read!

Title: Goddess AO3 / FF.net
Author: HGRomance AO3 / FF.net
Rating: Explicit
Summary: If people knew who she was, they'd be confused. Their first questions would be these: "Where are your wings? Why can't you fly?" Ah, mortals and their fanciful beliefs and misplaced facts. Mythology AU. Cupid.

Why?  I didn't really know what to expect from this story when I read the summary. I mean, Cupid? What? What a silly concept for a story (all because I don't like the idea of a creepy little baby with an arrow shooting people). But I'll let you know, I was happily surprised.

HGRomance does a fantastic job with this story for more than one reason. Firstly, her writing is fun and exciting. The characters practically dance on the page with her descriptive use of language and the scenes play out so vividly that you can almost get lost. Secondly, it's cute. The characters, the plot, and especially the tie ins with the other deities. Thirdly, it's creative. So often do I read stories that tend to drift along familiar lines, repeating canon elements without added a little pizzazz to the story. But this story, this one could almost pull a Fifty Shades and just change the characters names to become 'original' and no longer 'fanfiction' (no, I'm not comparing their literary work, merely referencing the tactics used that somehow lead to Fifty getting published). Anyways. I'd like you to go read it. Now would be a great time. I mean, if you haven't already fallen into Legend.

Note! Update on Goddess, there's now a seasonal themed epilogue! Go check it out!

That's it for now. Enjoy your reading!

Prompts in Panem

I know, I know. This edition of Completed Fics is late - I'm sorry, okay? But I've been out of the country and dealing with things and real life and such.

Which means I also haven't had much time for reading. And you know what happens when you don't have the time to sit down and read through 50k word stories? You find something small that will give you just a small hit of satisfaction.

So this month I bring you something that you all probably know about, and if not, you probably should. Over on Tumblr, take the time to check out:

Collection: Prompts in Panem
Moderators: silvercistern and misshoneywell
Description: "Welcome, welcome...to promptsinpanem, home of week long writing challenges for fans of Everlark. Anyone who follows our simple rules is encouraged to participate! Those who do not will be turned into an Avox."

Why? Well, this is easy. The idea is to have user generated content. From what I've read so far, the stories being submitted (one-shots) based on the prompts are out of this world. Every story comes from a different angle on the prompt which in turn can play into your head-canon or develop into something you never even thought of. And isn't that the joy of one-shots in the first place? To make you see things in little bits so that it's easy to digest? Not to mention, the whole thing is moderated by two pretty trusted names in THG fandom.

Anyways, go, check it out. Find something you want to read. I promise you won't be disappointed!

-Polka Pop

Complete Tearjerkers

If you were to meet me, you'd probably notice that lately I'm a mess. It's alright, it's all cool. But with this comes to mind exactly what my next batch of fic recs will be. 

This month, I'm bringing you two complete tearjerkers. Two stories that up and caught me by surprise and made me ugly-cry in a way that I haven't done since John Green's The Fault in Our Stars.

So nestle up close, grab your favourite brand of liquor (if that's something you do), and read something that will drop your jaw and make you grab for the tissues. 

Title: Forever Until

Author: lieselmemingers

Summary: "When Peeta is diagnosed with a terminal illness, Katniss must learn to let go."

Rating: M (Obviously, major character death)

Rec'd because...

Oh, boy. I just read this fic like an hour ago and I still have the red marks on my face. I highly recommend this story if you're in the mood for something that is incredibly well written, highly-evocative, and paced so delicately that it gets inside you and claws at your heart. The best part is that it's not written with the focus of death, but with survival and rebirth as the main undertones. Just read it, okay?

Title: The Good Wife FF.net / AO3

Author: Silvercistern

Summary: "You're an awful wife, sweetheart." He's said worse, and so have I, but something about this, maybe the fact that this is the second time I've been told the same thing in one day, makes me burst into tears. Katniss discovers that being married is hard.

Rating: M
Rec'd because...

Okay, so maybe this one didn't get me to cry until the very end, but when it did, boy did I bawl like a wee babe fresh off the mother's teet. Honestly, this fic comes crazy recommended because not only is Silvercistern like magic with words, but the story is also part of a three-part series (The Ashes of District Twelve) all with outstanding outtakes and additions. Like Annie to Finnick, it creeps up on you.

The Bun is Really in the Oven - Cherrypit8 Request

In any fandom, there always seems to be that one nagging 'What If' moment that seems to latch onto any and all reader's and fanfiction writer's minds. In THG fandom, we've got a lot of them. For example, we've got the 'post-Mockingjay epilogue fill in'; we've got the 'Prim in the Games'; and we've got the 'nobody dies', to name a few.

All of these 'What If' moments have a plethora of stories that are magnificent, practical, and filled with detail that we, as reader's, felt were moments of particular interest.

So when Cherrypit8 came to us at Nightlock and asked, "What about the 'Katniss is really pregnant fics' like KaKaVegeGurl's?" - we thought, huh, now there's a 'What If' that's hard to track down.

With that in mind, we went on a mission: Find the Katniss-is-knocked-up stories that give depth, quality and justice to a storyline that can be a pretty difficult one to write simply because, well...


Hormones. Characters change with hormones, okay?

Now, I'm not saying this mission was easy. There's a lot of fic-diving going on when you're looking for a particular story angle. We trudged through a few difficult-to-read stories and by no means should this list be considered the final word (*cough* We are open to suggestions!)

Without further ado, here's some completed "Katniss is really pregnant" stories, just for you Cherrypit8:

Title:  Running Right Into the Fire

Author:  Julia101

Summary: "You could live a hundred lifetimes and not deserve him you know." Haymitch is right. What other boy could still love me after what I've done? What other boy would still stick by someone pregnant by another? Katniss/Peeta/Gale

Rating: M

One Line Rec:  Taking a spin on the Gale train, this fic takes the 'What If' and turns it around a bit, leading the reader down a pretty heartbreaking road.

Title:  Missing a Part of Me

Author:  lovelyladybug5

Summary:  One night before the Quarter Quell changes Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark's life forever. When Peeta is captured by the Capitol, Katniss turns to Julian, Peeta's brother, for help getting the boy with the bread back, and for help with two big changes.

Rating: M
One Line Rec: Though I'm not a fan of the formatting (warning, italics in use), this story has a pretty decent plot to follow, using Peeta's brother as a significant character to add depth and a creative twist to the general idea.

Title:  Will He Remember - WIP

Author:  batbaby

Summary:  What if when Peeta is rescued, he finds Katniss to be pregnant and draws out his memories?

Rating: M
One Line Rec: A good story with solid follow-through, it's still a work in progress so we'll have to wait to see how it ends.

Title:  It Isn't a Trick FF.net  / AO3

Author:  lollercakes

Summary:  It isn't a trick, she is really pregnant. A spattering of ficlets around the idea that Katniss is indeed knocked up. Launched from a prompt by lillian raven over at the kolms Girl on Fire ficathon.

Rating: M
One Line Rec: This story takes a variety of POV's and uses them to provide a full-circle telling of a pretty tragic event that spans not just the Quell but into the Epilogue as well.

Hope you enjoy these and please, let us know if you have any others you'd like to add to the list!

Much love, Polkapop


Post-script: I'll do my best to link up any recs I give with AO3 or other sources due to the crackdown on M rated fics over at ff.net, just an fyi. I could only locate It Isn't a Trick on AO3, please let me know if any others are cross-posted. 

Johanna-Pairing Fics

Hello, everyone!  So, inspired by how much I unexpectedly loved a recent rec of mine ("the beautiful wreckage", Johanna/Annie), I went searching for Johanna rare-pairing fics.  I must say I was pleasantly surprised to find two wonderful oneshots with rather unique pairings.  This post, I present:

Title:  The war is over and we are beginning

Author:  mirrorOfsin

Summary:  It's not much, what they have, but it keeps them alive and that's enough.

Pairing:  Johanna/Enobaria

Rating:  M

Category:  Post-Mockingjay

Title:  003 First Times: Opposites Attract

Author:  Embracing-Immensity

Summary:  The two of them couldn't be more different if they tried. He, "The Victor with the Bloodless Hands," and she, the scary new Victor that no one knows quite how to handle. Will they make it work or will their differences be too much to overcome?

Pairing:  Johanna/Peeta

Rating:  M

Category:  AU

My Recommendation: 

*Mockingjay Spoilers Ahead*

"The war is over and we are beginning" -- so, the pairing is definitely something new.  Now, before you start thinking, okay, two minor characters, femmeslash, non-canon, definitely an odd pair... really?, consider Katniss/Peeta.  A lot of their relationship at first stems from the aftermath of the Games, opening up other possible victor pairings.  (Finnick/Annie, anyone?)  Both Johanna and Enobaria are characterized wonderfully, down to the last little details mentioned in the canon.  They're real, they're relatable, and in a fic like this, the relationship works.  Their similarities are definitely made apparent in a "show, don't tell" way.  The romance is nicely non-traditional, avoiding stereotypes of the genre and keeping them both in-character.  If you're looking for a very different post-Mockingjay tale, this one's for you.

"003 First Times: Opposites Attract" -- I must note the pairing again; Katniss/Peeta shippers, don't go running away!  This story is quite the AU, in which Peeta is the sole (District Nine) victor of the sixty-sixth Hunger Games.  His relationship with Johanna, in some ways, parallels his relationship with Katniss, but explores, What would've happened if Peeta had won alone? and, What did Johanna go through as a victor?  I have to say, I don't usually read extended-oneshots in one sitting, but with this one, I couldn't stop reading, through all the twists and turns it takes, straight through till the end.  I especially recommend this piece for its relationship development -- each one is different, as they should be, and realistic in a way it's sometimes hard to find in Fanfictions.  This is a wonderful and unique "Hunger Games" AU for every reader.

So those are this week's recs -- go enjoy and review!

10k Stories [Completed Fics]

Hi! This month I'm pulling out the big guns. And by big guns I'm clearly referring to completed one-shot stories that measure in at just over 10,000 words and have enough punch to knock you out cold. So check them out!

Title: Let Me Name the Stars for You
Author: SamSnead
Rating: Rated M - Romance
Pairing: Johanna/Gale
Summary: This is the story of how the Hawthorne family puts Johanna back together again. Or maybe it's the other way around. Post MJ.
Words: 10,905

Recommended because... 

Johanna Mason has grown on me. Really, she has. In the past little while I've read some amazing Johanna fics and this one has absolutely stood out to me because it's maintained her hard edged personality but also made her loveable. There's a scene that's about 700 words long (without giving too much away) regarding nightmares that solidifies her character as someone deserving of redemeption - and the author makes you feel it.

Using a pretty standard style of formatting for 10k oneshots (which actually seems to be a thing), the piece offers incredible punches of romance, friendship and familial kindness, that will make your heart just bleed. The author cohesively creates a story around the idea that Johanna can fit into the Hawthorne bunch and therefore can heal as a result which makes you, the reader, relate better to her character.

Title: Pieces in Their Games
Author: crazyundeadfairy
Rating: Rated M - Hurt/Comfort/Angst
Pairing: Katniss/Peeta
Summary: President Snow sets out to show that no Victor is truly safe before the Quarter Quell announcement. Slight AU tweaking of a cannon event. Katniss/Peeta.
Words: 10,696

Recommended because...

When the author says it's a slight AU twist, they mean it. It is slight. But it's a killer.

I loved this story because it takes one moment of canon and turns it around. The author has written the characters so strongly in character that you could almost imagine the story happening this way, instead of that. The conversations, the implications, it all makes sense which can sometimes be hard to figure into a 10k story. I rec this not only for the twist, but for the simple enjoyment of imaginging something went different and seeing how it plays out.

Hope you enjoy them!

Everlark Completed Fics!

 

 Ah dear friends! My apologies for my tardiness in this month's update - life has been incredibly busy and I'm just now beginning to catch up. In an effort to appease you, I offer two 'coffee shop' fics this month from easily the most common pairing in the fandom (and the one you seem to go mad over) - the Everlark fic pairing. Coffee shop fics are stories I consider to be easy reads that are the perfect size and could be read while hanging out for an hour or two.


Title: Bliss
Author: DustWriter
Rating: Rated M - Romance/Angst
Summary: After the fall of North America, life is dismal in District Twelve even without the Hunger Games. Katniss must do the unthinkable to save her starving family, but her actions bind her to the baker's son forever.
Warning: This fic has earned its 'M' rating and deals with mature subject matter - it's not for the faint of heart, so be aware of that.

Recommended because...

We over here at Nightlock seem to love us some DustWriter. This author has serious talent, no word of a lie. So finding this story, a slightly AU version of District 12, absolutely did me in. I recommend this one for two reasons, the first being that it takes canon characters in a different emotional direction that I find incredibly interesting and is portrayed extremely well. The second reason is that it's a decent size, complete fic, that fits into an easy read category. Especially for those who are busy but crave something more substantial than a one-shot. Go check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Title: Pretending That She Don't Care

Author: BleedtoLoveHer
Rating: Rated T - Romance/Friendship
Summary: The Games don't exist, but Katniss is still just as adverse to relationships. A story of how Katniss and Peeta come together without the arena.

Recommended because... 

Here's another coffee shop fic that I read and just loved.  I recommend it for all of its lighthearted goodness and the excellent way that it's written. The characters are endearing, the story is touching, and the author never misses a beat to keep the reader entertained. Not to mention that Gale is actually redeemed as a character in this piece - a rarity it seems in the Everlark cycle. Go check it out, you'll have a good time, I promise.

That's all for now, have a good month!

A Tri-Rec Post (Undiscovered Gems)

Why, hello there, everyone.  This post we've got three fabulous oneshots that deserve a bit more recognition.  *notes eagerness on audience's faces*  Ah well, here you are, this week's recs~!


~ ~


Title:  A boy A girl A memory
Author:  librarylemming
Summary:  The story of the boy from district 10 in the 74th hunger games - the boy with the limp. The life you didn't see, and about the girl who was there watching him from the other side of the television screen.
Quote:  "Flickering images. Distorted sound. Nothing seemed real to her anymore. With a stony expression, she watched as they were paraded in their costumes, she watched as they were interviewed, she watched as they lived what was left of their lives on a TV screen. She couldn't think, or sleep, and she barely spoke. Her eyes were forever glued to that screen, as if it held secret to life itself."
Recommendation:  Before reading this fic, I'd never given a lot of thought to the District Ten boy.  But this story is so beautiful it can make you care about the most minor of characters.  Wonderful character development in a small piece, and a tragic, tear-inducing story all the way around.  It reminds you that everyone had someone rooting for them to come home.  Brought to you by librarylemming in a unique and well-chosen format, too.  Highly recommended - check it out for yourself, and review!

~ ~

Title:  23 Flies

Author:  The Withering Panda

Summary:  Innocent Johanna Mason could never hurt a fly. But maybe 23... Written for The Rebels forum Holiday Secret Fic Exchange.

Quote:  "The girl from One, she decided, would die slowly. And her district partner would watch, then be mutilated (preferably). Gerard Sullivan from Two, obviously the biggest threat, would die last, as the king piece is always defeated last in chess. His district partner, Sabrina, would be slaughtered as quickly as possible in order to shut her up. Districts Three, Five, Six, Eight, Nine, Ten, and Eleven would be killed... normally. Without special treatment. They made no impression on her. Nick, the boy from Seven, would be avoided as long as possible, and killed quickly if it came to that. The tributes from Four, she planned to drown. And the pair from Twelve would be trapped in an inconvenient avalanche or landslide."

Recommendation:  The Withering Panda has a talent for packing a lot of power into oneshots that flow wonderfully and leave you wanting more but satisfied with the ending.  This isn't just a normal "Johanna's Games" fic that exposes her plan to appear a weakling - instead it brings out a whole different side to her character, one that's cruel and calculating and slightly scares the reader.  Subtle but understandable references give insight into what's behind the Hunger Games.  Go on, read and review - you won't be disappointed.

~ ~

Title:  Wrong Turn

Author:  Toxophilite

Summary:  "I knew I should have taken a left." Getting lost during an uprising can never turn out well. Written for the Caesar's Palace Prompts: Member Challenges, The Vivid Challenge.

Quote:  "A bomb hits a building to my left, sending me flying back. I slam into a wall and struggle for air after the force of the impact combined with the smoke. I refuse to die today. I have to keep moving.

Squinting my eyes, I make my way through the smoke filled streets.

Right, left, right, right, left."

Recommendation:  This fic features a simple concept but executes it with more sophistication, zooming in on events scarcely mentioned in Mockingjay - especially, what it was like to be in a rebelling district for a citizen.  The rather gruesome setting adds a layer to the war rarely seen in most fics which prefer to focus on large plot events instead of the regular people of Panem.  The bloodshed isn't just in the background, either, but is quite well-written and painful to read (in the way intended).  Experience it yourself - go read and give feedback.

~ ~

(Note: I apologize if the formatting of this post - apart from being a bit different than my usual style - is slightly off; the new-post page is different and I'm still adjusting.  Thanks.)

the beautiful wreckage (Johanna/Annie)

This is possibly the rarest pairing I've recommended yet, but this fic is just as gripping as the rest. Tributes, victors, citizens, I present to you:

Title: the beautiful wreckage

Author: joyfraser

My Recommendation:

*Mockingjay spoilers ahead*

I must be completely honest and say that I did not expect to like this fic half as much as I did. It has an interesting starting point, just after the news is put out that Squad 451 (Katniss, Gale, Finnick, Boggs and others from Thirteen) is dead. This effectively sets the tone of the beginning of the piece and of Johanna and Annie's relationship, here:

“But they were the last thing I had. I don’t have anything anymore. I don’t have…” But she’s not sure what she doesn’t have. The strength. The will. The reason. Maybe she doesn’t have any of it.

“Well, now you have me,” Annie says as she pulls the smaller woman into a hug. Johanna doesn’t react. She can’t. She knows Annie meant it as a reassurance, an offering of peace – of friendship, even. But Johanna can’t see it that way.

All she can see is that this woman who was Finnick’s life – his strength, his will, his reason to live – is all that’s left of him now. And it is Johanna’s duty, her unbearable burden, to see that nothing happens to her.

And, as a post-Mockingjay story, it explores the vote on the final Games, the post-war chaos, Finnick's (real) death, raising Annie's son, the nightmarish flashbacks to the past - and all aren't just "there" to make the story canon, they're used - and used effectively - as plot points and development. Not a word is wasted.

The style of the piece can only be called beautiful. Consistent in voice and poetic, even in very dialogue-driven scenes it shines through as a real, positive attribute to the story. Writing like this creates an all-the-more intense and tragic tale. Truly wonderful.

Until next time, may the odds be ever in your favor.

as far as tales go, this one is cautionary (Johanna/Finnick, Johanna/Gale)

Hi all. This month's rec is amazing, I promise.

Title: as far as tales go, this one is cautionary
Author: jada_jasmine
Rating: Rated R
Summary: They never stood a chance. People say that makes this romantic.

Recommended because...

Okay, so there's a lot of reasons that I would recommend this fic. The first being, most simply, is that it is amazing. It is amazing in that it makes you emote feelings for a character that is often generally assumed to just be a horrible person. Maybe I consider myself like her, the way she's often written, or maybe just because people have freelance to make her a terrible human being, but Johanna Mason as written by jada_jasmine is above all things, human.

And that is a feat in and of itself in my books.

The second reason that I'm recommending this fic is because it can actually be the backstory to Finnick/Jo, Jo/Gale. There's a believability in the writing and in the way the characters interact that make it both heartbreaking and challenging. The relationships of Johanna have a transformative effect - the writing actually shows the evolution of the character.

Finally, I recommend it because it is a damn good read. It does fall under my usual word count of 10k+, but I felt that I could give it the 100 word discount because it's a one shot that made me hurt inside.

The writing is fantastic - it gives depth, evolution and believability to the characters. And it makes Johanna Mason, the sarcastic bitch punching bag of the THG fandom, have a little more ground (and pity) to stand on.

Beside and Near (Lavinia/Darius)

Another week, another rec! Time to shine some light on an up-and-coming pairing, featured in two fabulous fics by the talented when-i-caught-myself. Ladies and gentlemen, I present:

Title: Near

Summary: This is the story of how Darius and Lavinia first met. Keep her near; she's all you need. Nothing is the the same now; after they silenced you for good you found myself near her. She is all you need now. Oneshot.

Title: Beside

Summary: This is a companion piece to my other story, Near. When you saw him beside you you knew there was something new. To be at his side couldn't be any less wonderful.

*Catching Fire and Mockingjay spoilers ahead*

My Recommendation:

"Near" starts off dark, without another way to put it. Darius' perspective on the pain of being turned into an Avox, and the humiliation of old friends from District Twelve seeing him in that light. The emotion is captured beautifully, with a focus on his sentiments and not just the actual events. The piece also fills in gaps in the canon without flaw, realistically so that you can see it actually being the way it happened. It's the sort of story you confuse with the actual books.

Lavinia and Darius' relationship gets off to a firm, non-cliche' start. The exploration of the connection between them is nothing short of perfect - wonderfully sweet and adorable, though of course we know how it ends. You can quickly see the bond forming between them:

I don't want to elaborate further, even though Lavinia is probably the last living person that will truly understand me.

Thankfully, she doesn't pry. She writes three very simple words. "Are you okay?"

I nod. "Yes." Even if it might not be true, I don't want to seem weak.

Instead of writing, she gently puts down the pad and pen and takes one of my hands in hers. Her hands seem so small compared to mine, but they are slender and strong. Our fingers entwine together, sharing warmth. Even if we could still talk, we didn't need to say anything.

We sit down on the small bed. She edges close to me and rests her head on my shoulder. I lean my head on hers. We both feel lonely, but not now.

"Beside" is the companion, the piece written in Lavinia's perspective. What's nice is that it's different from "Near". It's not just a retelling; the voice is distinctly different, the view on what happened refreshing instead of exactly the same. Her internal reactions perfectly match her behavior in the original piece, so the two oneshots compliment each other just as they should, as well as adding to the actual series.

As Lavinia/Darius is still a fairly rare pairing, hopefully these fics get enough attention to bring it into more light... and hopefully then we'll have more wonderful fics like these!

There you have this week's post - go on and check out these fics, and I'll be back with more next week. Shalom to you all~

Puzzles (Plutarch)

Great Panem - sorry for the wait, but Life has caught up to me. Ah, well, here you go; ladies and gentlemen, this post I bring you:

Title: Puzzles

Author: deschanel10

Summary: To Plutarch Heavensbee, puzzles were more than just a riddle to be solved. Puzzles were essentially life. And life was just a gigantic puzzle. But some things are just not meant to be solved.

My Recommendation:

As you know, I usually recommend either rare pairing Fanfics or "undiscovered gems". This Fanfic has been discovered, it seems, and it's not a rare pairing - but the idea, I think, is certainly an "undiscovered gem", and so is a unique portrayal of the main character, Plutarch (Heavensbee).

In the first chapter, you see the interesting theme being discovered and locked in... as the title states, it's puzzles. (Now, picture the third Quarter Quell arena. Think.) But it's more than a classic intro of some little kid that we all know grows up to be a somebody. It's deep, it's enjoyable, and it pulls at your emotions.

A puzzle was reliable. Plutarch could rely on a simple jigsaw puzzle to always have an answer. There was one answer, one explanation. Plutarch never had to fear the unknown with puzzles. Puzzles could always be solved. And this was why Plutarch loved puzzles.

Plutarch began to believe life was just a large puzzle meant to be decoded. Surely life could be solved. And surely he could solve the source as well as a cure for his mother's depression. He was certain he could decode this riddle, just as he could solve every puzzle handed to him. He was genius. And geniuses could solve anything. He was sure of it.

One puzzle that this Fanfiction solves is Gamemaking - how it is done, and how the Gamemakers come to that point. Of course, the Fanfictions is biased towards Plutarch's perspective, so you see all the flaws and high points as he sees them, and possibly not as they truly are. But this is brilliantly written, because of course this would be the case. Through Plutarch, you see what it takes to be a Gamemaker, the dynamic within them, and also how things progress towards each Games. (Plus, his opinions on Seneca Crane, his predecessor.)

But this Fanfiction isn't only philosophical! It has its own shock-points, starting in the very first chapter. In the last, you can feel just how conflicted he is, torn between his role as a Gamemaker, and... other things. *cough*

Overall, a deep and refreshing perspective on several aspects of life and the Hunger Games - remarkable.

RIse Above The Crowds (Delly/Peeta)

Hey, all! Finally back with another rec for you guys.

Title: Rise Above The Crowds

Author: curiosa

Summary: Delly believes in dreams and freedom and being the best person that anyone can be, but most of all, Delly believes in Peeta.

My Recommendation:

This fic goes to show something about the author, because you would have really had to pay attention to Delly in Mockingjay to pull off characterization like this. For as little of the relationship developed between her and Peeta in the real books there is, this fic builds on it all wonderfully. This section particularly shows this:

“Why do you care what anybody else thinks?”

Peeta’s sat on the edge of her bed, staring at Delly with what looks like increasing confusion.

She wrinkles her nose at his reflection, staring flatly back at her own and sighing. “I don’t care,” she says, even if they both know that’s not true and she’s always been bad at lying. “I just want to look nice for once, you know?”

She knows what everyone says about her behind her back: Delly Cartright, the plump and pale girl with messy hair that’s barely worth a second glance over.

“You do look nice,” Peeta says and then moves restlessly from the bed, stretching out his legs and walking away to look at some of Delly’s old photos.

She tosses back her hair; pulling it up so the curls don’t look so scraggy and then lets them flop back lifelessly onto her shoulders. She likes her eyes, she thinks, a tone of blue and green, somewhere in between the two, which mix together and bring out the best of both her parents.

“You do look nice,” says Peeta, repeating himself, “won-der-ful,” dragging out the syllables and letting them catch at the edges of his teeth. “Always.”

He lets his head flop onto her shoulder and tucks his chin into the crook of her neck. Winking at her as the inevitable smile starts to unfurl on her lips, her hands moving to shove him away from her, laughing, tutting at his silly behaviour and grabbing for her coat that he’s got wrapped around his sleeve, waiting.

Peeta is perfectly in character, and a pro of the fic is that Peeta/Katniss is not completely ignored. This new relationship shown is just so beautiful, and a tragic glimpse at their future as it could've been. It's not completely unrequited love--just two different kinds of it that are contrasting with each other. (And let's face the facts: little kids are just plain adorable.)

Rise Above The Crowds is a highly ambitious piece for a focus on such a rare pairing, and it pulls it off beautifully. Even as a oneshot, you feel you suddenly know everything there is to know about these two. Just wonderful.

Farewell for this week; happy Spring!