Holiday Recs Deuxieme Partie!

(Thanks to everyone who sent me emails, virtual gifts and PMs to cheer me up. Mia's on the mend and doing well, but there are more tests coming up.)

I have a tonne more recs. Stay tuned!

From hd_holidays

[FIC] Darkstar [NC-17] by Mystery Author.

Yes, I know. It is better to give than to receive at the holidays. But when you receive your gift fic, and it's super awesome, how can you not squeak like a stoked elf?

One of the things that really pleased me about my gift was that without knowing (I'm assuming :P) some of my theories on Harry leaving Ginny, this person was able to extract the information from my brain with me none the wiser. I've always believed that Harry would get bored leading an idyllic lifestyle. And while I love the idea of Harry becoming an Auror, without that major threat of Voldemort, not much else would compare. You see, it's been my belief that because Harry was bred a weapon, peacetime would just be a huge drag for him. So when Robards gives Harry a way out and into something more challenging, I'm so not surprised he jumps on this. Harry may seem a little light about his decision at times, but there's never any character bashing or assignment of blame. Harry just is what he is.

He joins Darkstar as a sleeper agent, and if you're a big fan of the Bourne series like I am, the plot will seem familiar. There are other elements not mentioned that I am reminded of. There's a spark of Luc Besson's La Femme Nikita present here, too. At least IMHO. After faking his death, Harry begins his training, and he's essentially told that everything's a test. He's dumped in a foreign city under a spell where everyone communicates in English, so you're never really sure where he's been stationed, and I love the air of mystery there. He finds his way to a place called Arachne's Den in search of his handler where he's seduced by a shirtless blond with a military crew-cut, and yeah, it's not hard to tell where the story goes from here. Oh, the sex just SIZZLES, too. I love a reluctant Harry just going with the flow. Sooo hot. Mmm!

I don't want to spoil much more, but I absolutely loved Harry's training; it's a unique blend of wizarding stratagem and Muggle tactics. And while I'm not overly keen on the use of Muggle articles in fics sometimes, they ABSOLUTELY work here. It makes perfect sense to me that a wizard should have options. There are interesting characters along the way, too, and they define but never distract. The focus is always on Harry, his choices and his scenes with Draco. I just loved the uniqueness of all this.

If you're looking for something grey on the darkness scale, action packed, gritty and dirty-sexy, then I totally recommend Darkstar. I was EXTREMELY PLEASED with my gift this year and can't wait to shower the author with LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

[ART] Aurors in Neverland [WS] by Mystery Artist.

From harry_holidays

[ART] Just Enough - Sirius/Regulus [NWS] by Mystery Artist.

From hp_yule_balls

[ART] Blinded - Tonks/Ginny [NWS] by Mystery Artist.

From snapelyholidays

[ART] Snape's Apprentice - Snape/Harry [WS] by Mystery Artist.

From snarry_holidays

[ART] Animagery 101 [NWS] by Mystery Artist.

[ART] Drinking Party [NWS] by Mystery Artist.

From hp_toujours

[ART] Family Visit - Sirius/Remus, Andromeda [WS] by Mystery Artist.

[ART] Finally! - Orion, Walburga, Bellatrix, Andromeda, Narcissa, Sirius (and Regulus) [WS] by Mystery Artist.

From rs_small_gifts

[ART] Coming Into the Light - Remus/Sirius [NWS] by remeciel.

Enjoy all!

--P