March 2004

Pirates Of The Caribbean PotC 2: Norrington's Revenge by Sheila. This is what the sequel should look like. Or maybe not. A PotC parody that pokes fun at the hypocrisy of Will and Elizabeth's behaviour, and fanon conventions about Norrington. Also featuring Captain Jack Sparrow.

February 2004

Master and Commander All The Wonder by shalott. Part of the 'Five Things That Never Happened to Aubrey & Maturin' series, this is a futuristic AU that puts the Surprise in space. Clever, clever sci-fi detailing retains all the flavour of the age-of-sail. A wonderful action story, and romantic too.

Master and Commander Homebound by Cruisedirector. This is how it ends for Stephen and Jack. Truly sad but also uplifting, with a real sense of the unpretty realities of these characters. Great Stephen POV too. Meep.

January 2004

Hornblower An Unnatural Condition by Cori Lannam. A story giving Pellew's point of view of the court-martial of Hornblower and Kennedy. Pellew feels too much for Horatio. Tight, and enlightening. It's also good to have an outsider's perspective on Horatio and Archie's relationship.

December 2003

Master & Commander The Butcher's Bill by Tiffany Rawlins. A conversation between Stephen and Jack. I thought she captured the character's voices wonderfully, particularly Stephen's, and the way the story progresses, taking certain things for granted... yeah. No specific spoilers for either the movie or the books.

Master & Commander Like Distance, Like Time by Nifra Idril. A movie-verse story, from the point of view of Hollom. What goes through his mind, as he prepares for the end. Beautiful and sad.

Master & Commander Prizes Over Discovery by Keiko. Set post-movie, with a little book canon thrown in, this is a wonderfully worded Aubrey/Maturin story that not only fits in Stephen's nautical cluelessness but captures Jack's capability and impetuousness and the importance of their relationship to the ship. Very like the books in style, but sweet on top of it. And Blakeney's in it!

Pirates of the Caribbean Hubris by Daft. A realistic look at the aftermath for the Black Pearl's crew, particularly the black sailors. A different and thought-provoking take on Norrington, too. Clever and dark.

Pirates of the Caribbean A Sea Change by Ladybee. An unusual fairytale-style origin story for Captain Jack Sparrow. Very lyrical and atmospheric.

Pirates of the Caribbean Silent As The Grave by Serafina. A Jack/Norrington story, set on the Dauntless, after Elizabeth accepts Norrington's proposal. A feisty Norrington POV, looking at the reality of Elizabeth's situation, and the reality of Norrington's feelings.

November 2003

Pirates of the Caribbean Gallows Bird by Sheila. The story of Jack, Will, Elizabeth and Norrington is a tale that's told... An absolutely gorgeous story giving the outsiders' view of events. Cleverly ambiguous and dreamy.

Pirates of the Caribbean Nigh Uncatchable by Cinzia. A rather distant Norrington-focused story with a bit of poetry to it. Norrington/Sparrow. 'Norrington dreams; Elizabeth wonders; Jack sets things straight.' I particularly liked the section of Elizabeth POV, which gives her perspective on her relationship with Will.

Pirates of the Caribbean Crossed by firesignwriter. AnaMaria, a woman you don't cross. A brisk slice of life story, set after the end of the movie. Special guest appearances from Gibbs and Jack. Enlightening, atmospheric and stark.

Pirates of the Caribbean Full Moon | Tides | Drowning | Current by firesignwriter. The 'Full Moon' series, a deliciously long, plotted and characterful Sparrow/Norrington story. We get both points of view in this one, but I prefer Norrington's. Interestingly non-woozy but still tricky Jack, and then there's Norrington, stretched between duty and desire. Satisfying.

Pirates of the Caribbean Slashers of the Caribbean: The Tight Ass Strikes Back! by Noctiluca. A comic strip of screencaps, this one parodies Mary Suedom and is really rather funny. Also, ravishing pictures.

Pirates of the Caribbean Worse Has Happened by Eddy. A post-movie fic in which Will rejoins the crew. Marvellously random Jack voice full of his meandering logic, and fun scenes. It didn't end the way I expected it to (and hoped it would) but, you know, so what? It's Captain Jack Sparrow!

October 2003

Pirates of the Caribbean Scars by Soappuppy. A revealing missing scene between Elizabeth and Jack while they're stranded on the island. Jack reveals a lot through his scars, and Elizabeth reveals a lot through her opinions. Revealing, all-in-all.

Pirates of the Caribbean Fortune and Favor by Firesignwriter. A tasty long-length post-movie story following the fortunes of Jack and Anamaria and an unfavourable encounter with Norrington. The characterisation is spot on, without overwrought drunken meandering, and the plot is lively and believable. There's a two-part sequel (written by someone else) and the links are at the end of this story.

September 2003

Pirates of the Caribbean Sunrise by Moonwhip. Sunkissed and debauched, this is delicious Jack/Elizabeth/Will, all comfort and heat. Yummy.

Pirates of the Caribbean All The Rum Is Gone by Rhiannariddle. 'Will knows he should have jumped'. A lovely little story about Will's yearning for the pirate life, and Jack in particular. Also, great use of rum.

August 2003

Pirates of the Caribbean First Warning by Rave. Jack/Will, set within the movie, in which deliciously snarky Jack entices a wearied Will to drink. Will POV. A fic smell-o-rama.

Pirates of the Caribbean Hurricane Jack by Shrift. Jack Sparrow/Will Turner. This story manages the impressive feat of being woozy without meandering. Beautiful Jack-voice and gratuitous use of pomegranate. Hilarious.

Hornblower The Gambler by Khaleesian. Bush/Hornblower, a Hornblower character study from Bush's POV. What is Hornblower to do with his time while laid up without pay at the cease of hostilities?

June 2003

Pirates of the Caribbean Slashers of the Caribbean by Noctiluca. Yeah, Pirates slash already. 'A pic fic /parody thingy', this is a fantastic photomanip comic strip, in which Will Turner tries to persuade Jack Sparrow to get it on and I snort, a lot. (Story is Missing, see Slashers of the Caribbean: The Tight Ass Strikes Back! for the sequel.)

January 2003

Hornblower Recalled To Life and sequel Into The Game by Pam and Del. (Scroll down to reach 'Into the Game'). The continuing adventures of Fourth Lieutenant Archibald Kennedy, Esq.. A finely characterised and meticulously researched story that reminded me irrepressibly of The Professionals.

Hornblower Watch and Watch: Forbidden Dreams by Calypso. (Story is Missing) Archie POV set during 'The Duchess and The Devil'. Archie's vigil while Horatio is imprisoned in the oubliette. Cunningly weaves around canon.

Hornblower Closer by Green. Horatio/Archie an answer to the events of 'The Frogs and the Lobsters/The Wrong War'. A moving and gentle story about poor, violently confused Horatio.

Hornblower Victims Of The Arrow by Rhiannon Drew. (Story is Missing) A post 'The Frogs and the Lobsters/The Wrong War' story. Archie wants to help Horatio heal. What is it about Hornblower stories that makes me blush?

Hornblower Figureheads by Victoria Bitter. (Story is Missing) Set after "The Duchess and the Devil" this is a wonderfully characterised Horatio/Archie story that even throws in some choice seafarin' metaphors.