McKay (scribbulus_ink) wrote in lupin_snape, @ 2009-08-25 10:48:00 |
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Entry tags: | project: august 09 rec event |
Recs!
It's my turn to rec for the August Rec Event, and since Snupin Santa is underway (and because I've got to get busy printing out the prompts, creating my spreadsheet, and starting to match participants), I thought I'd go back to some of my older Snupin Santa recs to get us in the holiday fest state of mind before all the frantic writing/drawing begins. ;)
Captured Cravings, by lore
Rating: R
Summary: As the war ends, Remus and Severus prepare to return to Hogwarts in a flurry of publicity. Only Minerva is aware of the status of their relationship, but she wants a closer look.
What I like about this, aside from McGonagall as voyeur and secret slash fan, is that it shows a significant stylistic leap for the author, a more fluid style of prose that works well and makes the sex particularly yummy and tender. McGonagall is funny in her fascination with Snape and Lupin (and Snape/Lupin), but it's bittersweet as well, very telling of her loneliness and isolation, although we do see her contemplate asking Hooch out to dinner. I like that Snape and Lupin recognize this and appreciate what she's done for them to share their intimacy, and I like that she recognizes the depths of the gift they give her. I don't think I could have brought myself to have destroyed the tape as she did, though. ;)
Twas the Night Before..., by bethbethbeth
Rating: PG-13
Summary: They say that dead men tell no tales. They're wrong.
I don't usually read, much less rec, dark!fic, but OMG. Regulus faking his death is one of my secret kinks ever since I created a "faked his death" back story so I could play Regulus in snark_n_bark (this was pre-HBP, so it was easier to manage then). Here, Regulus is the narrator, and while we don't know how he remained alive - and there's a lot we don't know at the end of the story, but we're given tantalizing hints and invited to fill in the blanks ourselves - he's a witness to certain key interactions between Snape and Lupin, who are just so UST-y that it hurts. The ending is a shock, and it made my stomach plummet, but I really liked this. It's well-crafted and intriguing.
Dark Wizards Anonymous, by thesnapelyone
Rated: NC17
Summary: Post-War, Severus and Remus are both leading free but unsatisfying lives. A Ministry-run counselling group for Dark Arts Addicts brings them together and gets Severus thinking that it's about time he started enjoying his retirement.
This is a dryly humorous story with the kind of banter and lines that ping me as a reader. For example, I knew I was going to be hooked when I saw this near the beginning:
Severus blinked, and stared. It was Remus Lupin. And his wan smile, tired eyes, and shaggy, dirty blonde hair had come with him. Severus hadn't seen Lupin since his trial after the war, when the prat had dared step forward as a character witness for his defence, even though Severus certainly hadn't asked him to.
Followed by:
“Looks like he did a lot of unleashing his inner monster,” Lucius muttered sarcastically, and Severus chuckled appreciatively. “What did he do, savage a few tea bags?”
Lucius and Severus' cattiness is droll and funny, and the language of the story is the kind of playing with language that appeals to me, a way of weaving words without going over the top into abstract opacity. This is good story-telling with unobtrusive description and detail that enhance the story, and it pings my reader buttons big-time.
Better Things to Do, by chazpure
Rated: NC17
Summary: Severus Snape didn't want to be in the "Slug Club," or so he said, but when Lily needed a favor, there was just one thing he wanted in return.
Normally, I don't read Marauders Era Snape/Lupin, because it's such a bittersweet time and I'm far more interested in adult characters than adolescent ones, even with my two favorites. But I read this and enjoyed it because it doesn't deal with The Prank. It's got hot, fumbly teen sex in the library, and the descriptions of the library from Severus and Remus' perspectives denote a true bibliophile. Lily is great here, strong and smart and a friend to both boys.
Vegas Is For Wizards, by odogoddess
Rated: NC17
Summary: After a drunken night of debauchery in Las Vegas, Remus and Severus got married (still under the influence of alcohol) in a wizarding chapel. They both realised it's a mistake (once sobered up) but determined not to lose face, they decided to play happy couple for the world and wait a year before divorcing. Of course, the plan didn't go has smoothly as hoped...
What I like best about this story is that it has a strong JKR vibe in its descriptions and names, and it creates a strong image of Wizarding Las Vegas. I'm also vastly amused that it's the red shirt group that keeps running into trouble throughout the story. The nice thing about this story is that just when I was about to frown in puzzlement over something, an explanation would show up shortly that made it all make sense. There was a lot of thought and crafting of detail in this piece, and I appreciate the workmanship, plus it's a fun read, providing evil amusement at watching Severus and Remus get increasingly worked up over each other and trying to muddle their way through the mess they got themselves into. What happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas this time!
A Haunting of Two, by osmalic
Rated: R
Summary: There are things that haunt us, and then are are things that haunt.
This is a nice understated piece with a lot going on under the surface. It's something of a mystery/ghost story with an interesting twist, and in the meantime, there are lots of hints about what Severus and Remus have gone through during the war and just after; they're both damaged, especially Severus, and Remus is trying to help mend him. It's one of those stories that unfolds gradually, revealing its secrets at a leisurely pace, and there's much going on between the lines.
Words Left Unspoken, by firefly124
Rated: R
Summary: How many times can a man lose almost everything and move on?
This is a short PWP that opens with dream shagging - quite an opener! The narrative weaves together dream and reality, past and present, and it ends on a hopeful note that makes all the pain and loss they suffered worthwhile. It packs a lot into a short space, and I thought it was really well done.
The Remainder of Their Days, by Alley-B
Rated: NC17
Warnings: Non-con, dub-con, het, mention of characters' deaths (no one in the pairings), heavy angst, and a smidgen of voyeurism
Pairings: Remus/Fenrir, Remus/Petunia, Remus/Severus/Petunia
Summary: Voldemort wins the war; Snape gets Lupin and Petunia as a reward.
This is not the sort of story I usually go for, but I was intrigued by the idea of Remus, Severus, and Petunia together, so I gave it a shot, and I'm glad I did. It's not an easy story; it opens on a rape scene (Fenrir raping Remus), but this line is what sold me: "Remus had no doubt that Snape had been the kind of kid who kept his toys all lined up on a shelf, taking them down one at a time to play with them before carefully putting them back." It's not a story for those who are squicked by het or non-con, although if you get past that opening scene, the rest of the sex is consenual. Petunia is a sympathetic character, as broken as Severus and Remus, and the resolution offers hope even in the midst of the dystopia the characters find themselves in.
All You Get Is Me, by Diana Moon
Rated: NC17
Warnings: Frotting, Fellatio, and Gratuitous Cross-Dressing
Summary: Moony and I could never agree on anything. After the war I wanted to give up and he wanted to forget. I wanted something different and he wanted it to be like before. But when she appeared, that all changed.
HEE! Okay, so in this story, Remus is gay, but Moony is straight, but they both find what they want when they encounter Severus in drag at a party. Of course I like this one! :D It's a fun little PWP with Severus creating an alter ego for various reasons and Remus panting after him/her. If you want something light and smutty, this is a good choice.
ART: The Feast, by Ghot. NWS!
Hi, hot kitchecn sex! Love the spatters of food, Severus' expression, and the fact that Remus isn't completely undressed. Lovely and hot!
ART: Dreaming, by karasu-hime
I really like the depictions of different fairy tale scenarios here, although Snape's outfit in the third one is definitely my favorite. The cool thing about these images are that you can readily identify which fairy tale they came from, but they still have the essence of RL/SS.
ART: The Winner Collects, by _noesumeragi_. NWS!
Aside from the cross-dressing element, which I love, the color and sense of movement in this piece are wonderful, and I love the way they're connected, each reaching out to hold on.
I could keep going with the recs, because Snupin Santa has produced so much fantastic writing and art every year, but I need to get started on this year!