Fanfic Favorites and Recommendations
Under all the Mary Sues, terrible self inserts and cascade of cliche OCs, there are some damn good fanfics out there. This is a short list of what I'm reading, or have enjoyed. It's by no means comprehensive; I'll add to when I realize I've forgotten something.
Updated 2/11/10. Eleven new recs and I still feel like I'm missing a ton! New fics are *marked. Corrected the links to kinrazza 's stories, and added links to author's LJ or FFN profile. If you come across any dead/bad links, let me know!
Movie-verse
Instability by steel_feathers
This fic is already the length of a standard novel, which is decidedly too small to contain all the awesome in it. This story is incredibly refreshing for several reasons. While I’m not typically a fan of reading much about human characters (I’m here for the giant robots thankyouverymuch), but I will make a major exception for this one. Sam is written much like his goofy movie persona, complete with teenage angst and texting drama. It also stays true to the Sam/Mikaela pairing, but still leaves room for the bizarre relationship between Sam and Bumblebee without being slash.
This is probably the first fanfic in the movieverse I’ve read that has made the Transformers so ridiculously alien. They are alien to the point that not only is Sam terrified of them, but so am I. They creep me out.
Other than that, the re-imagining of Wheeljack is fantastic, Skids and Mudflap are annoyingly in character (yet I’m still reading), Ravage is a force to reckoned with, and Barricade’s insanity is another colorful twist. Take the time to read this fic, because it’s worth it.
*Xeno by antepathy (link goes to adultfanfictiondotnet)
Because cars (and jets (and copters)) getting freaky with chicks is freaking hot. This is a collection of June/Barricade and Jennifer/Starscream, with a bonus Rachel/Blackout thrown in the mix. Rated M for sticky plug n' play (it exists, because antepathy and her friend are made of talent).
Sheer Dumb Luck by dreams_of_all
The Ratchet/Constructicons pairing was enough to pique my curiosity, and I wasn’t disappointed. This was started prior to Revenge of the Fallen, so the Constructicons are sticking to their G1 roots, and have come to pick up what’s left of Bonecrusher. Recruited to repair their fallen comrade, Ratchet gets into a comfortable habit with the rest of them. The Constructicons are nicely re-imagined to mesh with the movieverse style, complete with a four-armed Hook and a spike-covered Scavenger. Plug 'n play is really the only way to pull of this set up, and it delivers. Updates don’t come soon enough for this story! Rated M for obvious reasons.
Collision by The Feesh
Barricade manages to make a human friend while still being Barricade; an impressive feat considering how nice he was to Sam in the first movie. This story doesn’t update often, but it’s still a fun read.
Traitor by Ace of Dreams
Have I mentioned that I’m a sucker for anything that has to do with Blackout? In this fic, having survived the battle of Mission City, Blackout finds himself out of options when it comes to survival. A companion fic to this is In the Med Bay, an utterly adorable depiction of Mikaela giving Scorponok a bath.
Hate to Love by The Feesh
I’m pretty much a huge sucker for Blackout/Barricade as well, and this was one of the first ones out there. Guilty pleasures, folks. Guilty pleasures. Rated M for plug n' play.
Did you like the series Dead Like Me? Do you like Transformers? If you answered yes to both questions, then the next fic is a must read:
Robot Like Me by Lady Sunflower
True to the style of Dead Like Me, the fic is narrated by George, whose team of fellow Reapers has been unwittingly chosen to reap the souls of Cybertronians. Of course, they’re not told that their Reaps are anything out of the ordinary, which makes things interesting when Roxie learns her Reap must be done at 85 mph.
Power Rush by kinrazza
Oh look, another guilty pleasure. This is the only Brawl/Bonecrusher fic I’ve ever found, but it more than makes up for the lack of them. This is also proof that plug ‘n play can be as hot, if not hotter, than sticky. Brawl is referred to as Devastator because, let’s be honest, even Brawl got confused in the movie. It’s also dubcon, but with Brawl, when is it not dubcon? He appropriately describes his method of interfacing as "a fully immersive, all-out, cable-frying, hydraulics-busting celebration of raw power."
* Dead Zone by kinrazza
I'm definitely biased towards this fic, because I created the prompt for the tf_rare_pairing October challenge. I couldn't have been happier when I saw that kinrazza was the author, creating another wonderful fic for one of my OTPs. Rated M for plug 'n play, and definitely one of my favorite Blackout/Barricade fics ever.
*Pretty Copter! series by antepathy
Devastator/Grindor. Yes, you read that right. Yes, Grindor's cool with it. This series hits quite a few kinks, including size, oral, masturbation, aaand lots more. It also makes me feel all :3 about their relationship, and the fact that Grindor is helping the Constructicons out, at the same time they're giving him some sense of belonging. There is both 'b'aaaaw' and 'omfg wet panties' in this series. Rated M like holy crap.
Gestalt I Grindor's Problem I Draining the Tank, Part 1 I Draining the Tank, Part 2
Promise Not To Tell by P.A.W. 07
To be honest, I really don’t like fics where male characters get turned into girls or are actually girls in disguise. Somehow or another, I wound up reading this one and actually liked it. Here, Bumblebee is struggling to keep a lid on her secret at a time when a surviving femme could mean the future of their race.
Parasite by P.A.W. 07
Movie-verse Scorponok doesn’t get a whole lot of love, and it’s trying very hard to get some in this fic. Well, if love is synonymous with food, then that’s correct. This story crosses over heavily with G1, featuring Bluestreak’s struggle as a youngling with a major Decepticon drone problem. I personally don't buy into the youngling stuff, but it's pulled off well here.
Riding With Tracks by kenyastarflight
Tracks works his way into the movie-verse, along with his human counterpart Raoul. I wish there was a continuation of this, as the ending is so full of warm fuzzies you just never want it to end. Barricade makes his appearance as the stereotypical Bad Guy, but it otherwise focuses on Raoul learning that the vintage Stingray he bought is really an alien robot. Sometimes, that plot gimmick never gets old.
*Break, Fallout, and Redeem by antepathy
Whoooo wants a Decepticon angstfest of epic storytelling proportions? If you answer no, then I'm sorry, we can't be friends. Break and Fallout are finished, but Redeem is currently in progress. This is the ugly part of war, and what it does to those who are considered the bad guy. It's hard to summarize this series, but I highly recommend it.
Transformers: Animated
Hymn by Soggy Pheonix
A dark alternative to Transformers Animated. There are some spelling and grammar errors, and it could have been just as good without the slash, but I still like it. While most of the team follows Bulkhead into exile, Ratchet selfishly remains behind to be with Omega Supreme. It’s too bad this was apparently a one-shot; I would have loved to have seen the Autobots struggling with their new personas.
*Connection by trinityva (story links go to her dreamwidth. full list of her stories, with chapter links is here)
After a silly conversation on tf_afts about Black Arachnia/Slipstream, trinityva went above and beyond the call of duty and wrote them some femmeslash. M for hot sparksex.
*Cybertronian Nights by TheInamorato ( toyzintheattik , antepathy , and Optimus Bob )
One of the few (okay, the only) TF:A fic I've been reading and following. It's probably because of the porn, or the cast of millions, involving the porn. And the fluff that happens, too. Anyways, it's a joint effort between three authors, telling the many tales of Autobots and Decepticons after the war has ended. Some are lost without the war, some are thriving. When these two camps collide, it's disastrous fun. Rated M for sticky porn (featuring Blackout's rotors).
G1 (and IDW)
Surface Deep by Lady Dementia
Thanks to the most unlikely of sources, Starscream finds himself to be the temporary object of lust for the entire Decepticon faction. Half the fun is watching everyone react to what they're seeing, up until Megatron puts an end to it all. This story makes me want to hug Scavenger for ever and ever.
What’s Wrong With A Little Destruction? by ajremax
There are no words that can adequately express my love for this collection of fics revolving around the Wreckers. It seems it started as a 28 memes collection, but the stories just kept coming. Most of them are short, so don’t be daunted by the 150 chapter mark. It takes place in the IDW verse, with healthy doses of G1 (combiners, Arcee-the-not-so-tranny, etc.).
* Jump Start by anon_decepticon
Not only a Wildrider/Drag Strip story, but one of the major inspirations for my Wonderful Electric fic. I don't think I've ever seen Cybertronian sex toys with plug 'n play, but I have no problem with them misusing human tech. In this case, jumper cables. Rated M. For Mmmmm.
* Consult Your Doctor Before Use by kookaburra1701
Despite being a raving Decepticon fangirl, I do have favorite Autobot pairing. Hound/Mirage is one of them. This was another part of the inspiration for one of my fics, plug 'n play with the help of a human medical device. Because defibrillators are sexy.
*Nova Black by trinityva
A cast of neutral and Decepticon OCs that isn't a pack of Mary Sues (no matter what that stupid litmus test says ;) ) and is a great read. I'm always a fan of hearing the story of the grunts and supposed nobodies. Everyone's got a story to tell, and Nova Black's got a good one.
Anything by mdperera including but not limited to:
The Girl Who Loved Wildrider
After getting kicked out of the Decepticon base (for reverse-racing with Drag Strip in the Nemesis), Wildrider struggles to entertain himself to keep from going insane(r). He picks up Geri, an eleven year old blind girl caught up in kidnapping. Despite the title, it's not a romance, but definitely way better than The Girl Who Loved Powerglide. I don't know what it says about me that I would prefer Wildrider over him.
The Worst Race
This was the first story I ever read by mdperera , and I was hooked in no time. Drag Strip has always been my favorite Stunticon. Here, his race against Wildrider attracts the attention of not only the Autobots, but the Combaticons. It is, in fact, the worst race (but the best story).
Speed Demons
The 28 memes starring the Stunticons. Transformers and Shakespeare? Check. Grim alternate futures? Check. Motormaster being terrifying? Check. I could go on - this is the go-to collection for all things Stunticon-awesome.
A House Divided
The Stunticons hate Motormaster. Ever wonder what would happen if they actually did something about it? Then read this fic.
* After Atlantis by anon_decepticon
I'm going to be perfectly honest, the summary made me cringe: "Raped by Starscream, Wheeljack struggles to cope." Terrible fanfiction has taught me that most noncon involves the victim swooning/falling in love with the raper. I avoided this one for a long time, not only squicked, but unconvinced that it was going to be any different. Then, one day, I gave it a go. Wow, was I wrong. It's Autobot-centric, and fits well enough into canon I am amazed by anon_decepticon 's attention to detail.
* 543 Steps Home by kinrazza
Slingshot/Metroplex. It starts out seemingly cutesy, until you realize something is dreadfully wrong with the entire situation. The suspense is nail biting.
And lastly, a totally non-Transformers favorite: Just Like the Movies, by lurking grue.
It’s pretty much a novelization of the gameplay for Left 4 Dead. I’ve never played the game, and I probably never will, but I love me a good zombie survival scenario. This story outlines the journey of Zoey, Francis, Louis and Bill as they attempt to escape the city of Pittsburg.
Happy reading!