de gustibus non est disputandum
fan fiction recommendations by
Let’s not fight about taste.
Obviously, there is no guarantee that just because I like a certain
story you will like it, too. Nevertheless I feel the strange desire to
recommend a number of stories.
I won’t post them here, but I’ll
provide outside links. If you enjoy the stories, please take the time to let
the authors know that you did. Feedback is – after all – the only reward we
get, apart from the satisfaction of writing, of course.
The stories are listed according to
genre and then listed in alphabetical order, by their authors, not in order of
preference. “New” means “newly recommended” not “newly written.” I will add
older stories to my recommendations list as I encounter them…
Post S6 fics
Voices in the Dark and Reminders by Kimi
G and
PG-13 (Spike/Buffy)
Souled Spike returns to
Sunnydale. That’s how many stories
begin. However, Kimi has a particularly good grasp of the characters, writes a great
Clem and tries to be fair to ALL the Scoobies. Not just mindless fluff or
instant gratification but a good mix of optimism and angst.
Judgement by Miranda
PG-13 (Spike and the Scoobies)
Spike acquires not just a soul but
finds a new calling, too. When he returns to Sunnydale the Scoobies are less
than happy. Everybody has to adjust, but evil is afoot…
Miranda is definitely one of my
favourite authors. Check her out!
General fics
Love is Blind by Avalon
NC-17
(Spike/Buffy)
Buffy is blind and decides to seek
death in battle. Spike decides to help her. Fabulous characterization.
Riveting. One of the best fan fictions I have read to date.
If Tomorrow Never Comes by Fyre
(Spike/Buffy)
Set during S5,
before “The Body”. A “Groundhog Day”-story. Spike lives the same day again and
again and again. The story was written in response to a challenge posted at You
Got the Stones. Funny. Very funny.
R
(Spike)
This is dramatic and angsty, but I
can’t bring myself to fully call this a darkfic, because it has so many funny or
ironic or touching moments. This is truly one of the most fascinating stories
around. Hurt/Comfort, Redemptionist (in a totally unfluffy way). WIP
Bachelor Party by Kimi
G (Spike/Buffy)
Spike organizes a big bachelor
party for Xander. The L.A. gang is recruited, Oz makes an appearance. A
cheerful S/B story that makes a pleasant change from all the angst of S6. WIP
R
(Spike/Tara)
This one started off as a one off
short story but fortunately Miranda made it a long one. Tara becomes a writer,
Spike leaves Sunnydale. But their paths cross again… Credible characterization
makes this a very satisfying read.
Darkest Before Dawn by Nmissi
AU. Departs from canon mid-S5.
Involves the “Angel”-cast, too. Very long – in a good way. Original. Redemptionist.
Old Friends, New Friends by Perletwo
A story told from an unusual perspective: Mr. Gordo meets Drusilla.
Set some time after “Crush”. Cute, disturbing, just a bit sad and very original.
Long Way Home by The Idle
Sets in just after Buffy’s death in
“The Gift”. AU. Brilliant story, marvellous imagery. Easily one of the most
imaginative stories around. We encounter a strong Dawn, an interesting Tara,
Spike gets treated by a Mafia doctor, becomes a treasure hunter, and Doc makes
a gruesome appearance. Due to the fact that I don’t just like the plot and
characterization but also the language (although the present tense takes
getting used to) I consider this series one of the most original around. WIP.
Battle Stations by Vic Noir
NC-17 (Spike/Buffy)
A rather unpleasant master
vampire, an old enemy of Spike’s, comes to Sunnydale.
Wow, this story is
so hot. Unconventional and just a tad kinky but in good way. Well written. And
did I mention it? Hot!
Dark fics
NC-17 for violence, het and slash sex; (Spike/Other) for the first part, (afterwards Spike/Buffy) - Darkfic
An amazing
series, marvellous angst-y writing, nice glimpses into Spike’s past. Most of the series is set in S6. Buffy is
still hurting, afraid that she came back wrong… Warning: most of the time Buffy
is not nice to Spike. Even so, the author evokes sympathy for both characters.
Many Loves by Jessica Walker
“A not-so-brief history of William the Bloody, including a hundred and twenty
years, two girlfriends, three doomed obsessions, four continents, nine
haircolors, four parties, three torture scenes, two blowjobs, twelve
consecutive shots of whiskey, forty-three thousand eight hundred packs of
cigarettes, and a car theft. S/D, S/A, S/H, S/B; NC-17 for violence, het
and slash sex, and industrial-strength angst. “
The definitive
Spike history. The Woodstock chapter is a must! An amazing story, off the
beaten track.
Six Foot Deep by Kita & Jess Walker
“Resurrection is a bitch.” Sets in just after Buffy’s death in “The Gift”, describes the summer between S5 and S6, moves on to Season 6, until “Wrecked” and a bit beyond. This is emotionally intense, not really pretty, but a really gripping story. About death and resurrection and pain. It really is dark, and perhaps you shouldn’t read it, if you are busy trying to forget that Buffy and Angel ever happened. Or if you are only into redemptionist or fluffy fics. But then you’d miss an awfully good read.
Chocalatey Goodness by Mad Poetess
NC-17 (Xander/Spike) – Slash Series
This marvellous series provides
hours and hours of entertainment. Xander and Spike slowly but surely fall in
lust and later in love. Funny, angsty, full of chocolate and pop culture
references. This is the series that made me believe that Xander and Spike would
be a great couple. Series is on hiatus but the last chapter that was
posted provides some sort of closure.
Coming Out by Kayla
Convinced that her
son is gay, Xander’s Mum invites Spike over for dinner. A wonderful coming out
story. Very funny, too.
Cricket by Saber Shadowkitten
I don’t really
think that Saber is a master at characterization, but she is a good
storyteller. “Cricket” is a guilty pleasure, a sweet fluffy slashy love story,
with an unusually shy Spike. It would be easy to nitpick and find flaws in this
story, but since I read it three times already, it fully deserves being
recommended. – set in a future AU
A strange link forms between Xander
and Spike… Set during Season 4. Lot’s of action, satisfying smut, humour, a
very bad Riley, a nice Angel, a Buffy that starts off as annoying but gets
better and a rather nasty Initiative. Fun!
WIP.
Sweet Memories by Kayla
When Spike and Xander accidentally
lose their memories and try to reconstruct their past they come to the
conclusion that they are gay and a couple. This is so cute and sweet and
romantic and funny… I love it! Complete!
Throwing Shapes by Anna S. (new!)
NC-17 (Spike/Xander) – Slash
Xander and Spike lose their
memories but find a loaded gun and a sack full of money in their hands.
Believing that they are bank robbers they make a run for it…
Hilariously funny, with some
darker tones and brilliant language to boot this is where fanfiction becomes
art.
Trading Places by Marguerite (new!)
NC-17 (Spike/Xander) – Slash –
complete
When Spike and Xander make a wish,
Halfrek is only too happy to comply. Funny and hot. Nice voices. A
feelgood-story.
We’re not gay. We’re just friends. Who have sex.
by Juliatheyounger
NC-17 (Xander/Spike) – Slash Series
A very nice variant on my favorite
story: Xander and Spike fall in love. This time cable television is involved,
Manchester United, a blackout… Written in alternate POVs the boys sound very
authentic. Funny. Hot.
(If you read this one, try out
Julia’s Spike/Tara fic “Soft”)
Last updated: December 4th 2002