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

Norse mythology

Loki

(Some Say the World Will) End in Fire by Gloria Mundi

The adaptable Gloria Mundi turns her attention to the Norse legends. I'm not sure the result will be for everyone, but I felt it fit well into canon and was surprisingly hot

[Added 16/12/2004; Romance/Erotica; 1000-2500; Norse mythology; Characters: Odin, Loki]

Balance to the Flame by Tristesses

'Loki gives her a thoughtful, intense look, and Sigyn feels her cheeks warm; even after all this time, all this pain, he still has this effect on her. "Do you know, I'm sure that if we tried very hard, we could find a position that allows you to hold the bowl and still lets us enjoy ourselves—"' This lighter than usual take on Sigyn & Loki's story gives plenty of insights into this oddest of couples, and grants Sigyn more power over her fate than the original

[Added 04/10/2013; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Norse mythology; Characters: Sigyn, Loki]

The Big Sleep by Fresne

'Loki's bed was wide as the sea and covered in fire proof satin.' A noir retelling of the trickster's story

[Added 03/01/2007; Drama; 6000-20,000; Norse mythology; Characters: Loki, Sigyn, Odin, Baldur, Angrboda, Sif, Hod, Vali, Narfi, Egyptian gods, Native American gods, Anansi ; Adult]

A Game of Shapes by Bagheera

'It was a very good changeling, in all outward aspects exactly like Baldr. ...But Frigg, who’d never had to lose an eye to see far, took one look at it and knew the changeling for what it was.' This tale of Loki & Thor's quest to recover Baldur cleverly weaves together many different legends into a seamless & original whole

[Added 25/11/2011; Drama; 6000-20,000; Norse mythology; Characters: Loki, Thor, Odin, Baldur, Frigg]

Trickster's Game by Alchemine

'If you've slain one three-headed fire-breathing monster, you've slain them all.' Beautifully characterised & hilarious

[Added 30/12/2005; Humour; 2500-6000; Norse mythology; Characters: Loki, Odin, Thor, Freyr, OCs]


Odin

(Some Say the World Will) End in Fire by Gloria Mundi

The adaptable Gloria Mundi turns her attention to the Norse legends. I'm not sure the result will be for everyone, but I felt it fit well into canon and was surprisingly hot

[Added 16/12/2004; Romance/Erotica; 1000-2500; Norse mythology; Characters: Odin, Loki]

A Game of Shapes by Bagheera

'It was a very good changeling, in all outward aspects exactly like Baldr. ...But Frigg, who’d never had to lose an eye to see far, took one look at it and knew the changeling for what it was.' This tale of Loki & Thor's quest to recover Baldur cleverly weaves together many different legends into a seamless & original whole

[Added 25/11/2011; Drama; 6000-20,000; Norse mythology; Characters: Loki, Thor, Odin, Baldur, Frigg]

Just a Trick of the Light by Barrowjane

'...the other is -- ordinary. Except he's not. He's too big for the seat, for the table, for the room.' A spare take on the modern-day gods, with a wonderfully creepy atmosphere

[Added 01/02/2011; Drama; 1000-2500; Norse mythology; Characters: Odin, Loki, Jormungand, Fenrir, Hel]

The Tale of Hljod the Giant's Daughter by Zdenka

'"If the Norns have decreed it," Hljod replied, "then no one can prevent it; but I do not think that any man will take me to wife against my will. King Rerir’s son will surely be a great warrior -- so the raven-god has told me."' An original take on the Volsung saga that weaves so deftly into the source it's hard to tell where the seams lie

[Added 08/08/2015; Drama; 2500-6000; Norse mythology; Characters: Hljod, Odin, Hrimnir, Hrimnir's wife, Volsung, Rerir's wife, Signy, Seggeir]

Trickster's Game by Alchemine

'If you've slain one three-headed fire-breathing monster, you've slain them all.' Beautifully characterised & hilarious

[Added 30/12/2005; Humour; 2500-6000; Norse mythology; Characters: Loki, Odin, Thor, Freyr, OCs]


Thor

A Game of Shapes by Bagheera

'It was a very good changeling, in all outward aspects exactly like Baldr. ...But Frigg, who’d never had to lose an eye to see far, took one look at it and knew the changeling for what it was.' This tale of Loki & Thor's quest to recover Baldur cleverly weaves together many different legends into a seamless & original whole

[Added 25/11/2011; Drama; 6000-20,000; Norse mythology; Characters: Loki, Thor, Odin, Baldur, Frigg]

Trickster's Game by Alchemine

'If you've slain one three-headed fire-breathing monster, you've slain them all.' Beautifully characterised & hilarious

[Added 30/12/2005; Humour; 2500-6000; Norse mythology; Characters: Loki, Odin, Thor, Freyr, OCs]


Miscellaneous

Balance to the Flame by Tristesses

'Loki gives her a thoughtful, intense look, and Sigyn feels her cheeks warm; even after all this time, all this pain, he still has this effect on her. "Do you know, I'm sure that if we tried very hard, we could find a position that allows you to hold the bowl and still lets us enjoy ourselves—"' This lighter than usual take on Sigyn & Loki's story gives plenty of insights into this oddest of couples, and grants Sigyn more power over her fate than the original

[Added 04/10/2013; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Norse mythology; Characters: Sigyn, Loki]

The Tale of Hljod the Giant's Daughter by Zdenka

'"If the Norns have decreed it," Hljod replied, "then no one can prevent it; but I do not think that any man will take me to wife against my will. King Rerir’s son will surely be a great warrior -- so the raven-god has told me."' An original take on the Volsung saga that weaves so deftly into the source it's hard to tell where the seams lie

[Added 08/08/2015; Drama; 2500-6000; Norse mythology; Characters: Hljod, Odin, Hrimnir, Hrimnir's wife, Volsung, Rerir's wife, Signy, Seggeir]

Trickster's Game by Alchemine

'If you've slain one three-headed fire-breathing monster, you've slain them all.' Beautifully characterised & hilarious

[Added 30/12/2005; Humour; 2500-6000; Norse mythology; Characters: Loki, Odin, Thor, Freyr, OCs]

Who Gathers All Things Mortal by Raspberryhunter

'Before her is a bleak plain of stone and ice, withered stumps of trees and piles of bones. But she can also see dry grass, drooping but whole trees, huddled masses of skin and fur, overlaid on the ice and bones.' An intriguing, unsettling view of Hel coming to terms with her fate

[Added 09/08/2014; Drama; 1000-2500; Norse mythology; Characters: Hel, Angrboða, OCs]