Yuletide 2015 recs

[ladybird97]

It's Yuletide! I have been doing a lot of reading, so here are a bunch of stories that I liked. I'm sure I've missed some, so if you've got recs, please send them my way!

(Disclaimer: a few of these I betaed, but will refrain from saying which ones for the sake of Yuletide anonymity.)

Comments

[retsuko]

Thank you for the Mad Max recs! I've got to read those.

A slightly off topic question for you, since you're an October Daye fan: have you read Rose-Red Chain yet? What did you think of it?

[ladybird97]

I am, I have, and I loved it! Walther just jumped way up in my favorite-character list, and the social commentary embedded in the court politics and class dynamics was really well done. (Cryptic comments are cryptic so as not to spoil those who haven't read it :)

MAYBE SOME SPOILERS HERE FOLKS MOVE ALONG

[retsuko]

I loved learning more about Walther's back story; that was the best part.

I just felt that ending was tremendously rushed. The torture scene at the end was bad enough, but then the ending just happened, and all that worldbuilding and pacing just ... got left there. I know that this may be my own bias (I want some comfort to go with the hurt, dammit), so I'm curious if you had the same experience as well. I'm wondering if some person (agent or publicist or publishing rep) pressured her to send it along when it wasn't finished.

Re: MAYBE SOME SPOILERS HERE FOLKS MOVE ALONG

[ladybird97]

Ah, OK, I understand. I wanted more denouement as well, but I always want the story to keep going as long as possible :)

I know the author's got a ton of balls in the air at the moment, so maybe some of the writing got rushed in order to devote time to other projects?

But, Walther! WALTHER! <3

[khemlab]

The "This American Life" one was excellent, thanks so much for the recommendation!

[ladybird97]

Isn't it? Every time I re-read it I see more depth and hear the voices more clearly.

Glad you liked the recs! Happy reading :)

[digitalemur]

I find myself hesitating to read the This American Life one because I expect so many feels. I have no idea why I'm that way, but that's where i am! funny, huh?

[ladybird97]

Hey, the feels come where and when they do. If/when you're up for it, it's great, and if not, you will not lack for other good Yuletide reading :)

[tabaqui]

Oh, lovely recs, thank you for sharing! :)

[ladybird97]

You're welcome! Glad you liked them :)