August 2nd, 2009
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accomplishedLukewarm Trilogy by Juxian Tang
Lukewarm (R): http://juxian.slashcity.net/lukewarm.ht
Mine (NC17): http://juxian.slashcity.net/mine.ht
Out of Darkness (PG-13): http://juxian.slashcity.net/outofdarkne
If you like your Snupin in a slightly darker shade of gray, this trilogy should be on your reading list. These are older fics, and one reason I am recommending them is that they aren't archived in Moonshadow, and might be hard to find for Snupin readers hunting for fics. Another reason -- and the best one -- is simply that these are beautifully written and characterized stories with great POV voices and emotional depth. "Lukewarm" and "Out of Darkness" are written in Lupin's POV, "Mine" is in Snape's. All are done in First Person present tense POV, and even if you normally don't care for 1P, please give it a look because Juxian Tang does it beautifully.
What really blows me away about these stories is not only how well the author establishes Snape's and Lupin's characters, but how we get to see them change. One reason I go back to these fics so often is because, as a writer, I'm fascinated by her technique. The Remus we first meet in "Lukewarm" is not someone who could allow himself to love Severus Snape, but he becomes someone who can, and does. The Severus we see in "Mine" constantly struggles with his own insecurities, and with even allowing Remus to love him. Juxian Tang's Remus and Severus are both very flawed individuals -- weak, petty, indecisive and jealous. They are also courageous, humorous, determined, caring and tender. They are intensely, beautifully real characters whom I loved at first reading, and still love to this day. (I've been known to tear up a bit while reading these, especially the last two.)
Be aware that these contain dark themes, especially "Mine", which depicts graphic (but never gratuitous) torture, including rape. (The other two are pretty safe, as I recall. And if you're worried, there is no main pairing character death.) Despite that, this trilogy is at heart a love story, and it is true to that in the end.
Juxian Tang no longer writes in the HP fandom (at least not in English), and while this is a great shame, it doesn't detract from the value and enjoyment of the stories she's left with us. If you haven't read them and think they might be up your alley, definitely give them a read.
Lukewarm (R): http://juxian.slashcity.net/lukewarm.ht
Mine (NC17): http://juxian.slashcity.net/mine.ht
Out of Darkness (PG-13): http://juxian.slashcity.net/outofdarkne
If you like your Snupin in a slightly darker shade of gray, this trilogy should be on your reading list. These are older fics, and one reason I am recommending them is that they aren't archived in Moonshadow, and might be hard to find for Snupin readers hunting for fics. Another reason -- and the best one -- is simply that these are beautifully written and characterized stories with great POV voices and emotional depth. "Lukewarm" and "Out of Darkness" are written in Lupin's POV, "Mine" is in Snape's. All are done in First Person present tense POV, and even if you normally don't care for 1P, please give it a look because Juxian Tang does it beautifully.
What really blows me away about these stories is not only how well the author establishes Snape's and Lupin's characters, but how we get to see them change. One reason I go back to these fics so often is because, as a writer, I'm fascinated by her technique. The Remus we first meet in "Lukewarm" is not someone who could allow himself to love Severus Snape, but he becomes someone who can, and does. The Severus we see in "Mine" constantly struggles with his own insecurities, and with even allowing Remus to love him. Juxian Tang's Remus and Severus are both very flawed individuals -- weak, petty, indecisive and jealous. They are also courageous, humorous, determined, caring and tender. They are intensely, beautifully real characters whom I loved at first reading, and still love to this day. (I've been known to tear up a bit while reading these, especially the last two.)
Be aware that these contain dark themes, especially "Mine", which depicts graphic (but never gratuitous) torture, including rape. (The other two are pretty safe, as I recall. And if you're worried, there is no main pairing character death.) Despite that, this trilogy is at heart a love story, and it is true to that in the end.
Juxian Tang no longer writes in the HP fandom (at least not in English), and while this is a great shame, it doesn't detract from the value and enjoyment of the stories she's left with us. If you haven't read them and think they might be up your alley, definitely give them a read.