aeroport_art | big ol' rec list

Big Bang 2008 recommendations
...for the slash reader.

Enjoy the recs, fellow fans and readers! I hope you have as much fun as I did going through all the great talent this year.

HEY, BUSY BEE...get your ass over here and make some time.
****** (out of 5) stars
Come Play With Me by

lexzilla (j2, 25k)
Filmgeek!Jared and B-actor!Jensen...oh, BOYS. Their relationship is perfectly realized in this story, and the awesome pacing will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way through.
Do I seem bulletproof to you? by

fleshflutter (j2, 96k)
Prostitute!Jensen and bodyguard!Jared make this an illustrious entry into the hunted/protector genre of AU so popular with the kiddies. Under my notes, all I have for this story is "HOLY SHIT" but it's more than just that, haha.

fleshflutter's writing is, unfailingly, sublime in quality. Don't let the length intimidate you, because this story fits right in with the 20k word crowd with its exhilarating entertainment and unabashed romance. The characterization is wonderful--you won't want to let go of the boys in this universe. Perhaps best of all, the author isn't afraid to heap on the fanservice (read: porn).
Getting dressed in the dark by

sazzlette (j2, 60k)
The perfect stepbrothers!AU. Looong and satisfying. The author's ability to entertain its audience for 60k words without flagging is impressive indeed.
Into His Hand by

drvsilla (j2, 51k)
The language/voice/dialogue is fricking AMAZING in this, and for how long it is, the story remains visceral, entertaining, and romantic. I also love how the story is structured; a lot of thought and tons of research was clearly put into this, which makes it stand out from the crowd. Dru, I hope you're proud of this fic because it's CAPSLOCK GOOD.

MUST-READ...as in, you must read.
***** stars
Fourth Wall by

raina_at (j2, 33k)
This is one of those AUs with one of the boys being hunted (writer!Jared), but not without his protector (defendant!Jensen). Long, angsty, well-paced, and SATISFYING.
Open Mike Night at the Fremont by

audrarose (j2, 27k)
Artist!Jared and recluse!Jensen in a wonderful hurt/comfort story. Great characterization and the author takes you by the hand as Jared helps Jensen get over his tragedy. Tender and sweet, this is made for the warm and fuzzies.
The Seahorse by

memphis86 (j2, 36k)
Mpreg at its absolute BEST. The title hints at the humor you'll find within, and the tongue-in-cheek naughtiness doesn't even try to take a breather. Genuinely funny, well-paced, and lovable.
To Wake a Captive Dreamer by

sophie_448
Rockband!AU, where Jared's the new bassist trying to--with difficulty--understand drummer!Jensen's tragic past. Whether it's Chris Kane's awesome characterization as the protective best friend, or Jared saving the day, this is hurt/comfort at its absolute best.
The Wandering Kind by

sweetestdrain (Sam/Dean, 25k)
AU where the boys grow up without knowing of each others' existence. The author is absolutely amazing in this--she knows just how hard to push the romance, when to back off for plot development, and when to throw in angst or porn or some plain good Sam&Dean. This story feels like a perfectly executed recipe of accidental incest and it reads like a dream.
We Know Each Other as we Always Were by

mickeym (Sam/Dean, 45k)
Well-researched WWII!au, with all the makings of the trashiest romance novel you ever read (and I mean that in the BEST WAY possible). Angst and incest and meant-to-be-ism, oh my!
What Remains by

walkawayslowly (Sam/Dean)
Love and self-sacrifice and all sorts of squee-inducing Sam&Dean characterization, all wrapped up in a lovely candyshell of amnesia!fic.
You Take it With You by

lazy_daze (Sam/Dean, 30k)
AAaangsty and dark. This is good epiclove!fic.

SHOULD-READ...well worth the time investment.
**** stars
Almost at Home by

balefully (Sam/Dean, 24k)
Pre-series, which I'm a fan of. Great writing, great Sam&Dean. There's a slow and believable build-up to their relationship, and the whole thing is so, so bittersweet.
Better Elsewhere by

veronamay (Sam/Dean, 26k)
You'll never go wrong with

veronamay. In this instance, the story's real strength is its plot; creative, effective, and well-executed, with some angst thrown in for good measure.
Credit in the Straight World by

ninhursag (Sam/Dean, 30k)
Straight up guilty-pleasure reading. There's some underage and the writing is solid.
Crown and Anchor Me (or Let Me Sail Away) by

sneaky_sena (Sam/Dean, 24k)
A pre-series romance, and the definition of an unabashed guilty-pleasure read. Angst and hurt/comfort and happy endings, all that good stuff.
Fire or Fire by

lemmealone (gen, 21k)
I think the simple fact that this story is Gen--and that it made it to this category--attests to its quality.

lemmealone is an amazing author and this story is no different; while it didn't hit any of my squee buttons, it was satisfying from start to finish.
Dosvedanya, Mr. Darcy by

casspeach (j2, 29k)
Another hunted (witness!Jared) and protector (WitnessProtection!Jensen) AU. Well-written and a real page-turner. It's a little bit light on the romance, though.
Now We Are Come to Our Kingdom by

cormallen (Sam/Dean, 51k)
Very well-written. This would've made it to the above category if not for the ending, which felt vaguely like a let-down after having invested no small amount of emotional energies and time.
Relax, it's just sex by

enoughoflove (j2, 29k)
This story was just plain awesome. It flowed well, was a real page-turner, and boy was it hot. That's all you can really ask for, right? One of the best pornstar!AUs I've read.
Spin the Light to Gold by

belyste (j2, 52k)
Light, fluffy first-times are

belyste's specialty and this fic follows that trend. It's a summercamp!AU and most definitely as fun as it sounds!
The Telegram by

aeroport_art (Sam/Dean, 40k)
Yes, this would be my Big Bang entry :P Story's an edwardian!AU and I researched the shizz out of it--annotations, bibliography, and all. My best attempt at being objective would be to say the story is long, plotty, with potentially off-putting fancypants language, and little Sam/Dean gratification until halfway through the story. That said, this was my BABY and I'm right proud of her.
we must reinvent love by

_mournthewicked (j2, 27k)
Classic highschool!au where the boys grow up as best friends, and it reads like a dream. There's plenty of guilty-pleasure angst, and the story is, overall, well into the category of schmoop :)

Note: This is actually the abridged (read: fandom-friendly) version of the full list. If you wanna see the rest, it's f-locked over at my journal. If you can manage to keep the wank at least ten feet away at all times, and still want to see the reviews--which, I promise, are completely snark-free--then just leave a comment and I'll friend you.

As a reader I always wanted to see some honest reviews, but with none forthcoming I finally decided to make the resource for others. Big Bang '08's got a daunting library and we're all just trying to find the best parts as efficiently as possible. :)

xoxo