a hero and a scholar
Dec. 29th, 2025 03:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pensnestThe children came round yesterday for Lasagne and a long post-prandial natter, which was very nice. Meanwhile, I have been reading more Yuletide fics, so here are some more recs.
The Truth that Once Was Spoken - Les Miserables/Chalion (Lois Bujold)
I love the Five Gods—it's the most appealing fictional religion I have ever read—but I would never have expected to find that world paired so perfectly with Les Miserables. It works remarkably well, and I was absolutely absorbed as I read. I am familiar with both canons (less so with Les Mis, but I suspect you would understand it if you know only one, or even neither. One of my favourites this year.
Hoar and Hound Brother Cadfael—Ellis Peters
Not a major mystery, rather a minor rescue mission, but Cadfael's voice is caught so perfectly, and the descriptions are wonderful.
The Parthenos in All Her Glory Saga of the Exiles - Julian May
It has been many years since I read the Saga of the Exiles, and I have forgotten a lot of the details, but this was written in a style that felt exactly right. Main character Felice is somewhat more likeable and somewhat less batshit than she becomes in canon, but it all plays out in a very believable way.
It would never have occurred to me that there might be a six-word canon, but there is: For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn. And it is possible to write rather good fic for it, because there are in fact three such fics. This one is my favourite:
Never Worn
But the others are also well worth your time.
By Special Licence Georgette Heyer's Cotillion
This is one of my favourite Heyer stories. I adore Freddy, and I'm charmed to see Lord Legerwood faced with the evidence that his son is now a capable adult. Legerwood is also one of my favourites, and this fic captures him perfectly.
And this is the story that was written for me!
Defending Honour
Arthur Dent... is not very good at Girls. Ford, on the other hand, has a gift. But there's something a bit...off about Ford, when Arthur really pays attention. Deftly done, and it made me grin.
The Truth that Once Was Spoken - Les Miserables/Chalion (Lois Bujold)
I love the Five Gods—it's the most appealing fictional religion I have ever read—but I would never have expected to find that world paired so perfectly with Les Miserables. It works remarkably well, and I was absolutely absorbed as I read. I am familiar with both canons (less so with Les Mis, but I suspect you would understand it if you know only one, or even neither. One of my favourites this year.
Hoar and Hound Brother Cadfael—Ellis Peters
Not a major mystery, rather a minor rescue mission, but Cadfael's voice is caught so perfectly, and the descriptions are wonderful.
The Parthenos in All Her Glory Saga of the Exiles - Julian May
It has been many years since I read the Saga of the Exiles, and I have forgotten a lot of the details, but this was written in a style that felt exactly right. Main character Felice is somewhat more likeable and somewhat less batshit than she becomes in canon, but it all plays out in a very believable way.
It would never have occurred to me that there might be a six-word canon, but there is: For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn. And it is possible to write rather good fic for it, because there are in fact three such fics. This one is my favourite:
Never Worn
But the others are also well worth your time.
By Special Licence Georgette Heyer's Cotillion
This is one of my favourite Heyer stories. I adore Freddy, and I'm charmed to see Lord Legerwood faced with the evidence that his son is now a capable adult. Legerwood is also one of my favourites, and this fic captures him perfectly.
And this is the story that was written for me!
Defending Honour
Arthur Dent... is not very good at Girls. Ford, on the other hand, has a gift. But there's something a bit...off about Ford, when Arthur really pays attention. Deftly done, and it made me grin.