Polyamorous Fic Rec

Hello guys! Did you miss the little owl?

Sometimes love is so big and exciting that it needs more than one person to exist… welcome to the "Polyamorous Fic Rec". Two series and one fic about this unusual and obscure theme in The Hunger Games fandom.

Unalaska Series – Lbug84, (Mrs. Creative Smut)

Summary: A look at Katniss, Peeta, Gale & Finnick's life in Unalaska. AU, polyandry, mature, lemons, the whole 9.

Warnings: Rated M.

Why is this fic a creature from the night?

The main reason for that doesn't involve the fact that Katniss is the matriarch of a three husbands family. What makes this story something new and fresh is the Inuit/Eskimo/Native Alaskan culture where the it takes place.

Why is it good?

It's also be a history class! I personally love Lug84's style, and she works with plot twists beautifully.

Writing stuff comments:

With short chapters and a flowing plot, the author leads you to a different, intriguing story where at the end of each chapter you just need to read the next!

Heartbreaking line:

"I'm yours."

"Yes. You're mine."

The Glühwein Series – MockingJayFlyingFree (tumblr) and Lbug84, (Mrs. Creative Smut)

Summary: Peeta thinks his wife, Katniss, is too pure to have any dirty sexual fantasies. It turns out he's wrong. Very wrong. When the opportunity arises, will they make her fantasies come true?

Warnings: Rated NC-17.

Why is this fic a creature from the night?

I need to be honest: I squealed when I saw this update on tumblr. Seriously: MockingJayFlyingFree and Lbug84 writing a foursome fic? I NEEDED to read this.

Oh right, the obscure part is the FOURSOME one. But it's also the AWESOME part.

Why is it good?

Whoa, hello? Peeta, Finnick, Annie and Katniss? This should be: why is it AWESOME?

Writing stuff comments:

A long story, but every little word is worth it! They explore each relationship separately and combine them together in a polyamorous relationship that works perfectly in their AU world.

Katniss is the main character, and you go paragraph by paragraph exploring this new idea, concept, love. Not just you, reader, is convinced by this, but you feel like the author was convincing herself that four people in a bed would work.

It did, by the way.

First Person POV, a journey into Katniss' pure (yes, I used this word) mind and insecurities, with a story flow that makes you forget how many words this story has.

Considering the enormous success of the story, those lovely ladies wrote a sequel, "Absinthe". It's a WIP and you should also check it out!

Heartbreaking line:

I'm Katniss with no label.

And that's okay. Liberating, even.

"Does It Hurt You At Night, Or Does It Keep You Alive?" – ygrainette (tumblr)

 

Summary: She doesn’t think Katniss will ever really understand the effect she has. Not on Peeta, not on Johanna, not on the whole goddamn country.                      

Warnings: Rated M, PTSD, abuse, violence.

Why is this fic a creature from the night?

Another polyamorous fic, but this one has a strong focus on Johanna/Katniss, so we enter the colorful path of slash fics.

Why is it good?

The author shows Johanna's POV in part of Mockingjay and Catching Fire. Johanna is very well developed and has original touches, such as her background in District Seven.

Writing stuff comments:

3^rd Person POV. Johanna is the main character and we see what is going on in her mind through her ironic, sad and hopeful eyes. A short one-shot that makes the readers wonder what would happen if Katniss and Peeta had too much love between them that another person was necessary in their relationship.

Heartbreaking line:

Katniss grins as wide as Johanna's ever seen her. There are crinkles at the corners of her eyes and the ghost of a dimple in her left cheek. It might even be genuine.

Don't spread the hate! If this theme doesn't interest you, feel free to ignore this post! I'll be posting different themes, mostly the ones ignored by the fandom… 

Suggestions? I'm on tumblr: ask me!

WIP Everlark Recs With Titania: Catching Fire Edition

This has been a crazy week for The Hunger Games' fandom.  Every time I opened my tumblr, there were countless premier pictures, official clips and stills to feed the anticipation for the next installment of Suzanne Collins' amazing trilogy.  There is no question that the director and cast of the upcoming film demonstrated a deep understanding of our beloved characters and had a ton of fun making the film too!   So, in honor of the multiple premiers, I went on the hunt for fics set during Catching Fire.  There were countless one-shots and drabbles but below are two mult-chapter fics that really deserve a reader's attention:

A Marriage Between Victors by optimus-pam

Summary:

What if the Victory Tour ended with a wedding rather than an engagement? A story that explores what would have happened if Peeta and Katniss had been forced to marry. How does this change affect their relationship? District 12? The rebellion? Rated M for later chapters. Banner by Ro Nordmann.

Favorite excerpt:

“I love you.” Katniss froze at Peeta’s words, which he sealed with a kiss to her collarbone.

It terrified to hear those words after the intimacy they just shared.

The ‘thank you” slipped past her lips before she could think of anything better to say and immediately the weightless feeling her body enjoyed just moments ago was replaced by a heavy sense of dread.

[…]

He dragged a distracted had through his hair.  “You don’t say ‘thank you’ after…” he closed his eyes and took a deep breath to gain composure. “After something like this.’

He turned away from her and Katniss saw the scars he would bear forever, the high price he paid for loving her.  He left the bathroom with his shoulders slumped in defeat and closed th door quietly behind him.  Katniss dropped her head in to her hands and began to weep.  She wept in shame that her foolish heart once again broke Peeta’s

He was right, thank you was not enough for what had transpired between them.  It would never be enough.

Why I love it:

Characterization!  This fic keeps everyone in character in a credible way.  Katniss feels deeply but is still emotionally daft.  Peeta is sensitive and loving without being emasculated, as many fics end up doing to his character.  But the absolute breakout character of this fic is Gale – still angry, still rebellious but now with the added bitterness that Katniss has returned as the wife of Peeta.  This character is strongly AU but also maintains crucial cannon elements to help the reader connect to the original story.

Catching Fire and Burning Down by Tara Bear

Summary:

The effect it has on him is nothing short of satisfying. But wrong, so, so wrong, and different and not me. It's the hunger. The side of me that I didn't think would be. That wants things like this; nakedness, beds, Peeta. And so it's not really me, who reaches out and grasps his wrist when he makes to stand and leave, it's the want. The fire begging for more fuel. *Rewritten*

Excerpt:

“You make me weak,” I say, one of the hands I have slung around him, pinching his side lightly.  The accusation in my voice is overpowering.

It takes a moment, but his eyes open, eyelashes tickling my forehead.  I repeat myself when, groggy, Peeta pulls back so we are at a talking distance, but still entirely too temptingly close.  

“How?” he rasps.

“That’s a stupid question,” I tell him.  “You make me have another person to worry about. When I was young… it was only my mother and Prim.  Now I have you, and… Haymitch… and Gale…”

“Loving people isn’t a weakness, Katniss.”

“Yeah, well,” I say, stubbornly, “I don’t love you.”

“I know,” Peeta says, amusement in his voice.     `       

Why I love it:

Again, Katniss is her usual non-reflective self, which is appropriate for her character development at this stage of the trilogy – she has feelings for Peeta but for all the reasons we know, she keeps him emotionally at arm’s length.  Except in this fic, Peeta breaks down those barriers sooner, creating intense emotional drama as we see Katniss forced to confront the intensity of her feelings for Peeta.  The writer makes good use of the source material, rewriting the parts as needed to fit her narrative while maintaining cannon elements. 

AND

In honor of one of the most anticipated scenes in Catching Fire, see below a wonderful piece of fanart by ghtlovesthg.  Johanna converses with Peeta in her birthday suit while a chagrined Katniss attempts to maintain her composure.

Next Rec Theme:  Everlark and the Captiol's Depravities.

If you have any ideas for Rec themes or any fics I should look at, post a comment here or hit me up at titania522.tumblr.com.

Waxing Nostalgic AU Fics

Howdy, folks! This month I bring you two stories that evoke nostalgia in wonderfully different ways.

Title: "When the Moon Fell in Love with the Sun" (Katniss/Peeta)

Author: Mejhiren

Rating: M

Summary: "It's something out of an old tale: a golden young man in a white bearskin, striking strange bargains with desperate souls on the cruelest night of winter." AU fic, based on the fairy tale "East of the Sun & West of the Moon." Peeta Mellark, winner of the 74th Hunger Games, returns from his Victory Tour to make the starving Everdeens an offer they can't refuse.

Recommendation: Mejhiren had me at "fairy tale" in her clever yet subtle universe where the Hunger Games exists, but with a folk-taley spin. The premise of the story assumes the Everdeens are never involved in the Games, but Peeta becomes the Victor and earns himself fame and fortune. The story follows the plotline of the fairy tale from which it draws inspiration from. I took Mejhiren's advice and read the original tale, and I found myself regretting not having discovered it sooner; it's a gem. I love the way the original fairy tale lends itself to such an unexpected mashup. Further, I also really like how the author keeps the first person narrative, allowing us to see how a conflicted Katniss sees the kind yet vulnerable Peeta. Mejhiren wraps her story around the fairy tale, lending mysticism to the Hunger Games universe while humanizing the stock characters that often populate fairy tales. What we are left with is a doubly comforting world of decidedly human characters––lovable with their achingly familiar conflicts––and an enchantingly intriguing storyline that is a sure read.

Title: "Violets in the Mountains" (Katniss/Peeta)

Author: PenelopeWeaving

Rating: T

Summary: "The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks." -Tennessee Williams. Katniss and Peeta in North Georgia.

Recommendation: I love AU fics that highlight how well The Hunger Games fits in Americana. PW's story, which alludes to playwright Tennessee Williams and is set in Georgia, does just that. The prologue alone was enough to reel me into the story, depicting the often reinterpreted scene where Peeta saves Katniss with burned bread. I really enjoy how PW has written our main protagonists as children: little Katniss is so stubbornly proud, it's interesting to watch young Peeta chip away at her pride with his altruism. I was so excited yesterday, to find the story updated and the time frame sped up a few years. It is so delightful to read this narrative from Peeta's perspective, and his efforts to win over Katniss with charm and sincerity. The characterization of the characters, both major and minor, are spot on. I really enjoy the parallels drawn to the book, especially how Peeta and Katniss find each other again unexpectedly after spending a number of years without contact. I'm looking forward to seeing where this story takes us, and how PW will take the characters through adolescence in the '90s... because, you know, some of us have been through it, too.


Happy reading!

Present-Day AU Fics (Katniss/Peeta)

Hola, everyone! I come bearing a pair of recs by two fabulous authors who transport Hunger Games characters to modern times––very sexy modern times, I might add. What drew me about these two pieces in particular is the setting in each of them: one in San Francisco, and the other set in Manhattan.

Just a little soapbox moment for me. I've been a user on Fanfiction.net for over 10 years now. Yes, that probably dates me quite a bit. I've been reading fan fiction since I was in high school. Never did I anticipate there would come a day when "unleashing your imagination" would come with a caveat. The first rec in this entry (along with other stories) was forcibly removed from the site, despite being appropriately rated by the author herself. I'll spare you the tirade, but let me appeal to your continued support for all authors whose imaginations have been deemed too hot for FF.net to handle. "Fire is catching," and, well, you know the rest. /soapbox

Title: "Two Wrongs"

Author: JLaLa

Rating: M

Summary: "Katniss, you're my best friend and I love you but seriously––marry you?"

Recommendation: The plot of this story stems from the "Katniss and Peeta in an arranged marriage" situation attempted by a handful of fanfic writers. What makes JLaLa's story so wonderful is how realistic the circumstances faced by the characters are. JLaLa recycles familiar characters in believable roles, and I've been pleasantly surprised to find them parallel to their canon counterparts. Far from regurgitating the same storyline as the books, "Two Wrongs" stands on its own right, a roller-coaster of emotions that is light-hearted then heart-wrenching at times. Reading "Two Wrongs" makes me long to go back to the bay area, at least for a visit. JLaLa takes great care in including landmarks in her story, even providing useful footnotes about spots (and other pop culture references) mentioned in each chapter. 

Title: "The Beast and His Belle"

Author: Falafel_Waffel

Rating: M

Summary: His whole life was a masquerade. It wasn't until he met the outspoken Katniss Everdeen that Peter "Peeta" Mellark really began living.

Recommendation: The fact that I enjoy this story probably means that I'm a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey who isn't reading Fifty Shades of Grey. Falafel mentions that "Beast" is "somewhat inspired" by the runaway bestseller, but with a Hunger Games twist. The story is mostly light and playful, the kind of guilty pleasure you'd want to read while eating a tub of ice cream. Expect to blush violently every time you read a chapter from this story. What strikes me most about Falafel's story is that her Katniss remains feisty, fierce, and headstrong. On the other hand, you will meet a new side to Peeta, who is at his most charming, multiplied by about a hundred, raised to the power of fame and fortune; this Peeta equals irresistible. I'm partial to stories with developed settings, and if my "I ♥ NY" mug is any indication, this New York-based story has all the elements of being a must-read.

Aaaand that's all, folks! See you next month.

The Windup Girl (K/P) and She Flies with Her Own Wings (K/P)

Hey all! forthegenuine here, in my inaugural post. I want to thank the lovely staff here at Nightlock Recs for being such gracious hosts, and for the warm welcome I've received. I will be recommending Alternate Universe Fics here at NR about once a month.

I know that there are a ton of great AU fics out right now, but I want to spotlight a couple that are perhaps not as well-known. They are both works in progress, so hopefully with a little encouragement, these authors might be inspired to let us continue reading their works.

Title: The Windup Girl

Author: otterpuke
Rating: M

Summary: I wondered briefly if I would suffer the same fate as Finnick. After all, the Girl on Fire would price a fair penny in the Capitol, and as I crossed the arena bare in shackles and filth, oh but did the lions roar as they placed their bidding.

Recommendation: "The Windup Girl" grabbed my attention from the get-go. Like any good epic, it starts in medias res (in the middle of things), and the reader is left to wonder what exactly transpired in this universe. The characterization of the characters is familiar... with the exception of Peeta. I think many of us are intrigued by "dark" Peeta stories because we're so used to seeing him gentle-like for the most part. Glimpses of his twisted, hijacked persona are deliciously portrayed in the threatening and fearful version of Peeta this author has reinterpreted. The story also incorporates canon events, although the deviations are not yet fully explained. I love the narrative style in this piece because it is very reminiscent of Collins's voice. I'm anxious to discover where this story came from, and where it's headed next. The story is dark, though, so be forewarned.

Title: She Flies with Her Own Wings
Author: RainyDaysAnyways
Rating: M
Summary: When her father moved the family from the Seam to the forests of Oregon, Katniss thought she would never again see the Boy with the Bread. Now 18, the tough logger's daughter has arranged to take over as schoolteacher at Camp 7. Her plans are thwarted when college boy Peeta Mellark, fresh off the train, gets the job instead.

Recommendation: I love how The Hunger Games's characters and plot can be translated into period pieces. This one is set in 1916, and the author reveals that it is inspired by the Anne of Green Gables series. Having never read the series myself, I don't have anything to compare this fic to, but it draws you in immediately with the earnest characterization of an early-Twentieth Century and twenty-year-old Peeta. We've yet to meet this universe's Katniss, but the author has hinted that we will have that pleasure very shortly. While the plot has yet to be developed fully, you can appreciate that the story hints of an Oregon that is at once idyllic and progressive, contains a rich family drama, is peppered with humor, and yes, quite sexy at times. This is definitely a piece that I am on the lookout for.


That's all for now, folks! I hope you enjoy reading. Cheers!

Ever In Your Favour (Katniss/Gale)

OHMYNIGHTLOCKBERRIES. I'm so sorry for being away for these past couple of weeks; university has been burying me with assignments. I'm sure it hasn't been bad at all - you've been in the very capable recc'ing hands of Amata, Lavender and Polka! In any case, I'll be sharing a few fics I've recently floved and/or read over the next couple of weeks.

Title: Ever In Your Favour
Author: Estrunk
Summary: In the Epilogue Katniss was just guessing what would happen next. But she didn't see what was coming. Here's what really happened! PeetaxKatnissxGale If you think the end to Gale's story was just not right, take a look.

Please note: Super spoilery review.

I'm super sorry to the lovely Estrunk, but I'm giving a mixed review for Ever In Your Favour. There are many positives to this fic, which I'll go into later, but there was this one thing that made me not enjoy Ever In Your Favour: and that was the catalyst that kicked the plot off.

I'm not new to fanfiction; I've been kicking in in various fandoms for around seven years now. And I think it's because in terms of romance stories, I've mostly seen it all, I could see this plot point coming a mile away - and *spoiler* killing Peeta off so Gale and Katniss can have a relationship is a catalyst that I find to be very weak. I think this is because I've seen it done in a number of other fandoms, mostly Harry Potter, and so I was a bit like, this again? This major plot point was quite unoriginal and boring for me to read, despite how believably executed it was. This, though, was a stark contrast to the rest of the fic; I can honestly say I've never read anything like Ever In Your Favour in the Post-Mockingjay category. I also want to add that I had trouble believing Gale and Katniss' relationship at first; I felt like there wasn't any chemistry between them, only angst. (This eventually changes as the fic progresses.)

With negatives out of the way, I want to talk about the aspects I enjoyed - the parts I can tell Ever In Your Favour's loads of readers love. As aforementioned, the rest of the plot is quite original as it deviates away from the Post-MJ canon we all imagine. Estrunk has Gale's characterisation and voice down pat; Gale was my favourite point-of-view to read. I enjoyed some very unique features, such as Gale's job as a grave digger, and the expansion of settings and location. (What did you say?! We get out of District 12 in a Post-Mj fic?!) Estrunk also did a fabulous job of executing a slow, yet believable story of Gale and Katniss coming together and finding love. And huzzah for an epilogue without marriage and children!

All in all, if you can get past the slightly-overused plot point (and I'm sure I'm the only who couldn't, oops!), Ever In Your Favour is a a Gale/Katniss shipper's dream come true.

Happy reading,
Little Miss Mionie

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!