Compiled by the Espresso Addict

Espresso Recommendations

Innovative and stylish fanfiction, showcasing the very best across multiple sf, fantasy & literature fandoms. Good writing in all its forms can be found here, including gen, het, slash, OCs, AUs, crossovers, future fics, humour & pastiche

Contents: 1010 recs in 235 fandoms; 65 links

Lord of the Rings

Minor

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All's Well by Cara J. Loup

'But there wasn't any worse than this, was there...' Strong, believable characterisations make this post-Quest conversation piece particularly memorable

[Added 28/01/2004; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings; Characters: Samwise Gamgee, Hamfast Gamgee]

Keepers of the Hearth by Alawa

A quiet piece that reclaims Middle-earth for the ordinary woman, and celebrates the things that the War of the Ring was fought to preserve

[Added 25/06/2004; Character Piece; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings; Characters: Eomer, Eowyn, Lothíriel, OC]

A Kind of Valediction by Altariel

Faramir is haunted by the past. Literally. Tolkien, Dickens, TS Eliot and an excellent read

[Added 20/02/2003; Drama; 2500-6000; Lord of the Rings; Characters: Faramir, Minor]

Legacy by Anglachel

Shire society brought to life: prejudice, intrafamilial politics and all. This thoughtful story is one of the very few to treat hobbits as the complex and not entirely benign adults that Tolkien wrote. If you enjoyed 'Legacy', the author has completed a novel-length sequel, On Merry Yule

[Added 18/10/2002; Drama; >50,000; Lord of the Rings; Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Minor; Adult]

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; Characters: Skinbark, Yavanna, Goldberry, Tom Bombadil, Quickbeam]

Magda's Tale by Meg Thornton

Multi-cultural society in Bree through the eyes of a plausible and interesting OC (technically a WiP, but the chapters stand alone as a vignette series)

[Added 18/10/2002; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings; Characters: OC, Aragorn, Barliman Butterbur, Bill Ferny, Halbarad, Bilbo Baggins, Minor]

Nine Lives by Werecat

This stylish vignette is an excellent example of the 'history is written by the victors' maxim. In Umbar, at the Docks forms a loose sequel

[Added 25/06/2004; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings; Characters: Berúthiel, Tarannon, Nienna]

The Sickle of the Valar by Altariel

Wordsmithing at its best marks this vignette on the burden of grief and the possibility for renewal. Written for the Stargazers challenge

[Added 16/12/2003; Character Piece; <1000; Lord of the Rings; Characters: Denethor, Faramir, Adrahil]

A Silence Covered in Stone by Zimraphel

Dol Guldur gives up its darkest secret. An idea to send chills down the spine

[Added 16/12/2003; Drama; 2500-6000; Lord of the Rings; Characters: Celeborn, Thranduil, Minor]

The Strange Case of the House at Hollinport by Russ

'There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world.' A highly unusual Fourth Age tale, in the style of Lovecraft or Poe. Strongly recommended

[Added 24/06/2004; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings; Characters: Morgoth, OCs]

This Too Shall Pass by Isabeau of Greenlea

A tongue-in-cheek AU that solves a frequent gripe with Peter Jackson's vision of The Two Towers. There's only one word for this vignette: evil!

[Added 16/12/2003; Humour; <1000; Lord of the Rings; Characters: Witch-King of Angmar]

Webs by Roz Kaveney

'She moved in her webs, slow as a mountain.' A dark AU in which Frodo's quest failed; well written and chilling

[Added 18/10/2002; Drama; <1000; Lord of the Rings; Characters: Shelob, Sauron, Gollum]

Who Knackered Aragorn's Catamite? by Earthspot

Tolkien meets Raymond Chandler meets James Bond in this witty and inventive romp through Fourth Age Middle-earth. WKAC features a large cast of engaging original characters, plus delightful cameos from many of the major players. The author assures us that no canon was injured in the production of this fanfiction

[Added 09/09/2003; Drama; >50,000; Lord of the Rings; Characters: Aragorn, Arwen, Eowyn, Faramir, Goldberry, Gimli, Legolas, Bergil, Grishnakh, OCs; Adult]