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28 May 2005 @ 07:41 pm
Pariah  

Title: Pariah
Author: Aucta Sinistra
Rating: PG
Category: Snarry
Summary: Snape pursues Harry.

There is no story ever written by Aucta Sinistra which would be even slightly disappointing. The reason I’m here to rec ‘Pariah’ is not because it’s the best of them (it’s truly impossible to say which one is), but probably because it’s so unique.
Several things strike me about this piece: how old Harry seems to be so shortly after Hogwarts, how Snape can be both bitter and compassionate at the same time, and how nothing is sweet and lovely for the two of them, even if the war is over. But above everything else: I’m amazed by the fact that the author dared to risk introducing so many original characters and telling the story from an external point of view. This mixture can really fail spectacularly. Yet here, it couldn’t work better.
Morrighan  

I have a weakness for love letters.  I own a book called The 50 Greatest Love Letters of All Time  which I re-read periodically just to soak in the beauty of them.  Aucta Sinistra's Pariah contains some love letters that are just as (if not more) beautiful than the ones in the book.  Aucta has proved that the art of letter writing is most definitely alive and well.  As much as I adore the letters in Pariah, there are other things about it that I like.  I really enjoyed the point of view and I loved the OC, Martin.  The characterizations were excellent.  Harry was appropriately guilty and bitter and Snape was intense and a bit of a bastard (though amazingly tender at moments).  Now if only I could get somebody to write me a letter like Severus writes a letter...

Nessime


guest-starring: [info]ac1d6urn

 Pariah doesn’t emphasise a lot of things that I look for in this pairing. It doesn’t emphasise the arguments, the clash of personalities, the conflict between two very strong characters each stubborn and controlling in their own ways.
Don’t get me wrong, the story has all that too, plenty of it. Aucta Sinistra keeps her Harry and her Snape very much in character. But when I think of Pariah, first of all I think of two people, broken and damaged and incomplete trying to help each other get better.
And there is something very true and accurate about such characterisation of these two men.
I absolutely believed the idea that Aucta Sinistra tried to convey in this story. It's a rather simple one. If Harry reads Snape’s words written on paper without the name attached to it, without automatically discarding them as false just because of that name, he would grow to think very differently of Snape very soon. After all HP:HBP used a similar plot twist as Pariah, and who am I to argue with canon?
“Sometimes - just once in a while - will you write me a letter?”
Yes! That made me believe.

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sch_addiction
28 May 2005 @ 07:48 pm
Flight  
Title: Flight
Author: Sushi
Rating: R
Category: Snarry
Summary:  Very loosely based on The Diary of Anne Frank, in the darkest of all possible futures, the wizarding world has only one concern: survival.

A rather short fic, but very intense. Beautifully written. Set in a bleak future that brings out the best in some people and the worst in others.
Moving, touching and very sad.
Maryx


I have to agree. 'Flight' belongs to those little works of art which leave your eyes stinging and your heart shattered into millions of pieces. I can never rec it well enough so just click on the title and read it. It will only take a while, but you'll never be able to think about the Muggle world in the same way.
Morrighan

I wish that I liked Flight as much as Maria and Morrighan as it's extremely well-written and quite engaging.  I want to like this story, I really do, but I have trouble with it.  This trouble stems from the fact that I prefer a happy ending (or at least a slightly hopeful one).  That said, there are a few things that I really like about Flight.  I really like the formatting and POV of the story which is fairly unique to HP fic and quite wonderful.  I also like the characterizations and the fact that it has a bit of depth, something also difficult to find at times in HP fic.  I like that in the end, Snape did things on his own terms and refused to give in and I loved how Harry reacted to everything.  An excellently written story with a fascinating plot.  I would definitely recommend that it be read as it's far too good not to read at least once. Nessime


guest-starring: [info]ac1d6urn


I read this story late at night a few days after I finished reading Civil War and was going through my rapid "more Sushi fiction please!" addiction stage.
It broke my heart.
I kept thinking of it for days until I finally blocked it out of my mind like one would try to forget a traumatic experience.
Because I'm not the type to simply leave well enough alone, or, I suppose, because one should face their demons sooner or later, and because coming up with an alternative ending to this story in my head and moving on would have ruined the impact, the powerful message of it, I came back a few weeks later and reread it again, with a clear mind and full expectation of what lies ahead.
Flight is the type of story that you will not be able to come back to reread again that easily. You’ll think twice about recommending it. There'll be a time when you'll regret reading it altogether. There'll be a time when you'll want to erase it out of your mind completely. You will not be able to. If you ask me now, I'll tell you that it's worth reading every single word. At least once.
Sushi has a talent for describing a sociological catastrophe in an understated way, for addressing the universal themes of right and wrong, human nature and love, survival and standing up for something one believes in.
Sushi is also the only HP/SS writer in the fandom to use the word ‘husband’ in a story and make me believe the implications of it because it sounded spontaneous and unforced and very true to my ears.
Flight makes an impact and it will change the way you think and the way you look at life. It's unforgettable. That's what good writing is all about.

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sch_addiction
28 May 2005 @ 07:56 pm
Severus and the Crup  

Title: Severus and the Crup
Author: Josan
Rating: NC-17
Category: Snarry
Summary: What happens when a man meets a dog.

Imagine you’re born a witch or a wizard, grow up in a house like The Burrow, go to Hogwarts, then work at the Ministry of Magic, St. Mungo’s or a magical school. Not that difficult, is it? And now imagine that you’re over 20, or 30, and suddenly all magic is gone. What does your life look like from now on?
‘Severus and the Crup’ is a story which not only tries to answer this question. It is a story of unexpected allies, of people who find solace in each other, of people who don’t give up, who fight against their worst fears.
Beautifully written, amazingly gentle and perfect for those who don’t like descriptive sex scenes. Josan’s style makes you sympathize with Severus and Harry, cry with them, struggle with them and celebrate with them.
I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about the thematic difference between the first and the second part of this story. I have an impression that the fic would be twice as good if it had been divided into two parts: the main story and its sequel. But besides that, ‘Severus and the Crup’ is a marvellous read.
Morrighan

PS: Had this Journal been devoted to SS/OC, I’d be probably recommending ‘A Gift of Light’ next (*hint, hint*).

Severus and the Crup is an enchanting story.  Josan's characterizations are excellent.  Her Harry and Severus are fabulous, but whenever I read the story I'm always struck by her Lucuis Malfoy.  He is a completely manipulative bastard and yet Josan also shows a tender side to him which I found fascinating.  I adored Severus reactions to Harry and Toby.  I love how even though he felt betrayed and angry, he still couldn't bring himself to send Harry away as he had gotten used to having companionship.  I loved how their relationship evolved and I really enjoyed the plot, which was quite unique.  In all, a wonderful read.  The tone of the story was really captivating.  This story is definitely in my 'Favorite Stories' folder for a reason.

Nessime

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