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

Earthsea

Penthe

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The Dark of the Moon by Daegaer

'"You danced so fast at the Dark of the Moon that no one could see how you would not be cut," Thar said. "You should practice more, you are not yet as fast as Arha-that-was."' A short but powerful piece that encompasses Arha's past, present & future

[Added 25/04/2009; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Earthsea; Characters: Tenar, Penthe, Thar, Arha-that-was, Kossil]

The Eaten One by Daegaer

'In years to come, Tenar will look back on her days here at the Place, will see the years of her youth with a certain longing.' There isn't a lot of Earthsea fanfiction, and this unusual little vignette is among the best I've encountered

[Added 15/12/2004; Character Piece; <1000; Earthsea; Characters: Tenar, Penthe]

The Ending From the Beginning by Northland

'Even before she fled the Place of the Tombs, Penthe had never been a very good priestess. She had not been one of the novices who could read omens in the flight of birds or the spattered blood of a sacrifice. Still, she knew that the messengers must have something to do with the Place. Who else would ride such fine beasts to seek out an old farmwife in the hill country of Atuan?' A thoughtful take on a future Penthe, which answers a question I'd also pondered. Northland does a good job of fusing Tombs of Atuan with later canon, almost (dare I say it) better than Le Guin herself

[Added 27/12/2017; Drama; 1000-2500; Earthsea; Characters: Penthe, OCs]

Uneaten by Avanti 90

'"The little woman’s got a stick to walk with, and she tries to hold it like a wizard’s staff!" He came closer, unsheathing the long knife from his belt. "Give us all your money, white lady, and no one hurts you."' A set of plausible alternative futures for Tenar, each of which represents a more feminist choice than the path she embraces in Tehanu. Thoughtful & unusual

[Added 16/07/2012; Character Piece; 2500-6000; Earthsea; Characters: Tenar, Ged, Lebannen, Penthe, Original characters]