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

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Original character

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Dead Man Blues by Elsa Frohman

By no means your usual Spike history-fic, 'Dead Man Blues' gives a peek at a possible Spike in the 1920s, with resonances for the Spike of the 2000s. There's also a decent twisty plot, a host of interesting original characters and some rather out-of-the-ordinary settings

[Added 12/02/2004; Drama; >50,000; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Characters: Spike, OC, Rupert Giles, Willow Rosenberg, Dawn Summers]

Silent Upon a Peak in Darien by Doyle

Most fanfiction treats Ethan as a plot hook for magical mayhem or an excuse for a bit of Giles slash, so Doyle's nicely characterised piece makes a refreshing change. A plausible bit of fallout from 'Chosen'

[Added 13/08/2004; Drama; 6000-20,000; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Characters: Ethan Rayne, OCs]

The Stranger's Portrait by Rowan

An unusual, haunting little vignette, as memorable as the portrait it commemorates

[Added 28/01/2004; Drama; 1000-2500; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Characters: Spike, OC]

The Waking by Mad Poetess

One of the more unusual BtVS stories I've ever read. Haunting, beautiful, strange yet somehow perfectly in tune with canon

[Added 12/02/2004; Drama; 6000-20,000; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Characters: Rupert Giles, Ethan Rayne, OC]