Modern Love by Penknife
'"Nobody's she in the mines, Sergeant. No one wears heels on their boots or paints their faces or wears breastplates that curve in interesting ways."' Penknife uses a series of vivid OCs to bring to life the complexities of dwarven sexuality, in this clever, funny set of linked vignettes
[Added 20/05/2009; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Discworld]
The Rules by Gileonnen
'There aren't very many rules, when one is a wizard. Or rather, there are very few rules that one might conceivably break twice.' Clever coming-of-age tale with a wonderful Pratchettesque style
[Added 20/05/2009; Humour; 2500-6000; Discworld]
Beggarman, Thief by Secondary Author
'There was one thing the counselor had gotten right, kind of: his stealing had nothing to do with immediate need. Only son of solidly middle-class parents: House had never lacked for anything--or, rather, the things he lacked were not the sort you could steal.' A well-shaped piece that takes a perceptive look at House's kleptomania
[Added 13/05/2009; Character Piece; 2500-6000; House, MD]
The Cat That Walked By Himself by Secondary Author
'Counting out loud, he came up with the names of at least seven dogs he'd owned as a kid. Well, not so much owned as inherited: usually they came with the military housing, left behind by previous occupants along with dying houseplants and mismatched crockery.' An unusual & memorable character exploration that wanders around a bit, but always rings true
[Added 13/05/2009; Character Piece; 2500-6000; House, MD]
Lies, damn lies and statistics by nigeltde
'Patient's symptoms: eight straight hours working with dying people, no lunch break, one coffee break only; three subsequent days avoiding all work, hiding out in the cafeteria (although not at lunchtime, more's the pity), his office, Cuddy's office, even the clinic, without once showing his face in House's own department; a devil-may-care attitude towards clothing, resulting in the foregoing of a doctor's coat and, horror of horrors, an argyle-patterned tie; and a renewal of the kind of behaviour that would get a less charming and attractive man a lawsuit from every woman in the place.' A well-written story featuring one of the best House voices I've encountered
[Added 14/05/2009; Drama; 6000-20,000; House, MD]
Maryland by Shalott
'"New project, kids," he announced, coming in. "I want to know everything there is to know about the oncology department." ' Shalott's take on House boasts strong characterisations all round, and despite the lack of patient of the week, there's more of the feel of an episode than much fanfiction for this series
[Added 14/05/2009; Drama; 2500-6000; House, MD]
Things To Do Before You Die by The Dead Parrot
'"Well, seeing as it's your thirty-eight and a half birthday, I thought you might want to go through your list. Get started on your midlife crisis."' Believable dialogue & precise details make this sweetly amusing vignette stand out from the House/Wilson hordes
[Added 14/05/2009; Humour; 1000-2500; House, MD]
Lomendánar (Little Love for the Things of My Love) by Vulgarweed
'He wore soft green moss, and small black snakes about his branches and darting silver fish between his toes. He bent his long locks to trail in the cool water, and all the spirits of the moist places were with him.' An unusual & thoughtful vignette, imbued with a strong sense of melancholy. Beautiful
[Added 20/05/2009; Romance/Erotica; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Do You Remember The Last Time? by Gair
'Forty years of pure data, processed by a man with forty years' experience. Gone. Eaten by a little bug. And he was what was left on the edge of its plate, a man who couldn't beat Alys Vorpatril in six rounds of Star-tarot One-up.' Stylish writing with a spot-on voice for Illyan, but Gair's insights into the differences between eidetic & somatic memory are what really make this piece
[Added 21/05/2009; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Vorkosigan series]
