redrikki

I haven't bothered with Thursday recommendations for a while, but this series utterly devoured my brain during the months where it was updated twice-weekly, so I just have to share it now that it's done.

Do you liked Downton Abbey? How about well-researched historical fiction? How about gay romance set against the backdrop of World War I? How do you feel about gross sobbing? I know I did it more than a few times reading it.

I give you the Halo Effect series by Alex51324 

Part 1. Halo Effect - When Thomas rescues Lady Mary from the nefarious attentions of Turkish houseguest Kemal Pamuk, his employers and coworkers begin to see him differently...and Things Get Better. A Season One AU diverging from canon in Episode 3, The One Where The Turkish Gentleman Dies in Mary's Bed.

Part 2 - Soldier's Heart - Following the events of "Halo Effect," Thomas Barrow goes to war. A season two AU.

I hear the author plans a season three in the long term, but is currently working on a one-shot set in WWII where Thomas and his boyfriend take in an evacuee from the blitz.

I think I read enough fic to get in on this Thursday rec thing dreamwidth has going, so here goes!

attackfish, queen of the Avatar AUs, has written a story just for me, but before I can recommend it, I must recommend the rest of the series.

Until the Walls Break Like Waves by attackfish 

It was just before the winter solstice when Earth Kingdom soldiers captured the prince of the Fire Nation and his uncle, the Dragon of the West. It was the dead of winter when they were brought to Ba Sing Se.

You want Zuko wump? This has it in spades with a side order of touching family relations and mind bending.

Until the Walls Universe Drabbles by attackfish 

Real drabbles are exactly 100 words. This is a hill I will die on, but I'm willing to let it slide for this collection of short stories set in this universe. Strictly speaking, you don't need to have read these for the next story to make sense, but it certainly makes more sense if you read these first.

The Sharpest Rocks Like Just Below the Surface by attackfish 

No one comes out of Lake Laogai the same person they were when they went in.

This is the story she wrote for me and I couldn't be happier. Iroh gets his mind back and the Gang gets an honorary uncle.


In other news, there's a Netflix Originals Exchange on AO3 that I'm seriously contemplating signing up for. Sign-ups close August 31st so, if you, like me, are indecisive, you have some time to make up your mind.