Composing Hallelujah

Title: Composing Hallelujah
Author: Ricechex
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John/Sherlock, Mycroft, Irene, Jim, Victor/Sherlock
Warning: NC-17, slash, non-con/(Sherlock), drug abuse (Sherlock), suicidal (John)
Length: Novel
Status: Ongoing


Sherlock Holmes is hailed as the world's greatest concert violinist who can't leave off the cocaine and is willing to trade sex and abuse to get it. John Watson is a failed surgeon who, after losing a high profile patient, drinks himself into a stupor and tries to kill himself - but only ends up shooting himself in the shoulder. What happens when they become roommates at Clouds House, a rehab center in beautiful Wiltshire? And what happens after they leave Clouds?


AO3

Consisting of three parts;
The Secret Chord
The Minor Fall
The Major Lift

In terms of an AU, a must-read. There aren't that many well-written Sherlock!musician stories out there. I especially liked the tentative approach Sherlock and John decide on. They are aware of the circumstances and value each other too much to risk their relationship. Similiar to The Baker Street Nativity, Composing Hallelujah is about tackling the obstacles between you, and having the foresight to see the ones coming.


Same author as:
I Don't Speak French

Courtship Rituals

Title: Courtship Rituals
Author: meri
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters: Snape/Harry (switch), Ron, Dumbledore, Hermione
Warning: NC-17, slash, injury (Snape)
Length: Novella
Status: Completed


Snape is ordered to court Harry Potter.


AO3

Classic, and meri once again. Most of her longer works are part of the Snarry canon.
I like the approach in Courtship Rituals, even if I still think it somewhat chan. This is more about the beautiful details of the magical engagement than the actual marriage. I like meri's fresh and creative approaches to the magical world.

Same author as:
The Same Coin

Castle and Sand

Title: Castle and Sand

Author: grey853

Fandom: Sherlock

Characters: John/Sherlock, mention of Sherlock/others, Mycroft/Lestrade, Mommy Holmes

Warning: NC-17, slash, illness (PTSD, cancer - Mommy Holmes), child abuse (Sherlock), non-con (Sherlock), 

Length: Novel

Status: Completed

Sherlock and John both have difficult pasts that affect their evolving relationship. When John prevents a mugging, it sets off a dangerous chain of events that not only impacts him, but his whole family. In the end there's a wedding and a honeymoon, but will there really be a happy ending?

AO3

Another goodie for my novel collection.

I particularly like how both, Sherlock and John, are broken in their own regards and need each other to find some sort of closure. They do not wall in their misery, but it is definitely an issue. Haunting them. Well-done, grey853.

The Same Coin

Title: The Same Coin

Author: Meri

Fandom: Harry Potter

Characters: Snape/Harry, McGonagall

Warning: R, slash, injury(Harry), post-war
Length: Novella
Status: Completed

After being injured as an Auror, Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts to teach Defense Against The Dark Arts.

AO3

LJ also

Definitely one of the classics. And definitely one of the classic writers.

The story features two of my favorites; post-war and Snarry. A winner in its own rights. The way their relationship progresses from despise to amiable friendship, then tentative love is believable and told in strong words.

Same Author as:
Courtship Rituals

The Pumpkin Scone Conspiracy

Title: The Pumpkin Scone Conspiracy
Author: oliversnape
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters: Snape/Harry
Warning: NC-17, slash, injury (Ron), memory loss (selected)
Length: Novella
Status: Completed


After the war, Harry finds Severus under house arrest, himself badgered for publicity stunts, and the memories of his friends tampered with. Severus learns to tolerate Potter as they try to figure out just who is manipulating the wizarding world, and why.


AO3

Nice post-hogwarts read. I like oliversnape, and I didn't make much of a secret out of it. The writing style's captivating, the idea somewhat intriguing. Not the best one out there, but definitely with promise, and oliversnape always delivers.
I liked the title reference. A lot, to be honest. And that's it from my side.

Same Author as:
The Definition of Home (With Sequels: The Definition of Family; The Photo Album)
Far Beyond a Promise Kept
Coiners

The Right Question

Title: The Right Question
Author: Anonymous
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: Victor/Sherlock, John
Waring: PG
Length: Short
Status: Completed



Fluffy Victor/Sherlock story which highlights the reason why this shipping works.


LJ


Love it. Just fluffy.

Pull the Stars from the Sky

Title: Pull the Stars from the Sky
Author: roane
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John/Sherlock, Jim, Lestrade, Harry, Irene
Warning: NC-17, slash, injury (Irene, Sherlock)
Length: Novella
Status: Ongoing


It’s the fall of 2000, and to help him out after his military career has ended due to injury, John Watson’s sister Harriet gets him a job as US tour manager for rising star of the industrial scene and enfant terrible, Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock’s not long out of rehab and there are plenty of doubts as to whether he’s serious about recovery. Plus, the music industry is shaking in its boots over the Napster mess. All John has to do is keep the money coming in and make sure his star doesn't screw things up. After the army, that should be easy, right?


AO3


A music AU; there aren't that many well-done AUs, so a rec for this work. Its pacing is good. Otherwise, well, enjoyable. Not deep, or very artistic. Not the author's intention. I think it's more of a "light reading". Good for relaxing.

Neither A Soldier Nor A Gentleman

Title: Neither A Soldier Nor A Gentleman
Author: Francesca_Wayland
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: Sherlock/Irene
Warning: R, het, injury
Length: Novella
Status: Completed


How does Sherlock actually escape from the Karachi insurgents himself, and what happens when an adrenaline-filled Sherlock finds Irene waiting for him in his hotel room right after his audacious rescue? 


AO3

So, once again a het ship.
This story focuses more on Sherlock, and I love the close resemblance to Death Takes a Holiday - the progress of action is rather similiar, e.g. the ambush.
Sherlock/Irene isn't that big of a ship in the fandom, so I am glad to add to the few stories I have found so far that I deem rec-worthy. Doesn't mean I don't know more, just most do not seem to me like I will reread them or that they are that outstanding in their category. Some are very good, though. Just not what I am looking for.

Same Author as:
Sui Generis

Le Scandale Bohème

Title: Le Scandale Bohème
Author: mycake
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: Sherlock/Lestrade (switch once), Mycroft, Mrs Hudson, Jim
Warning: NC-17, slash, chan, drug abuse, non-con (Sherlock/other), child abuse (Lestrade)
Length: Novella
Status: Ongoing


A desperate police officer puts all of his faith into an eighteen year old junkie who is only interested in getting his hands on the only thing that can ease his unstable mind. Both men become far more involved with one another than either had intended and must keep their home life a secret or risk losing everything.


AO3

Yes, I read that monster, and I read it twice.
In here, we got a lot of the typical "Lestrade picks up Sherlock when he's at his worst and makes him better" elements but it also is about Lestrade himself, for once. He has problems; financial, social, family. In a way, that makes him less jaded than the Lestrade we see in other fiction, strangely enough. Lestrade is young, his age nonwithstanding. He's actively dealing with his life and influencing it. I think this is as much about Lestrade as it is about Sherlock. I like that.

Songs of Expedience

Title: Songs of Expedience
Author: Impractical Beekeeping
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John, Sherlock, Mycroft
Warning: PG-13, drug abuse (Sherlock), injury (Sherlock), amnesia (Sherlock)
Length: Novella
Status: Ongoing

Post Reichenbach adventures told from varying perspectives. Sherlock, Sebastian Moran, and John told separately, then joined (minus one) into an ongoing narrative.


Or in own words: When Sherlock returns to take out Sebastian Moran... 



AO3

The first two to three instalments are a bit hard to read, there's lots of stream of consciousness. A worthy read, though. The case later is enjoyable and interesting. These Songs all are rather poetic in some aspects and there are lots of references to be caught. If that's your cup of tea... definitely read it. I loved it.

Same Author as:
Don't Is not The Same as Haven't

Don't Is not The Same as Haven't

Title: Don't Is not The Same as Haven't
Author: Impractical Beekeeping
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: Victor/Sherlock, Mycroft, John
Warning: R, slash, diability (Victor), character death (Mr. Trevor), murder (Mr. Trevor), drug abuse (Sherlock)
Length: Medium
Status: Completed

When Sherlock Holmes told John Watson he didn't have friends, it wasn't the same as saying he never had.

In 1995, he steps on a dog's paw in a darkened chapel. The resultant wound is a minor thing, but the friendship he forges with Victor Trevor will leave scars for years to come.

AO3

Difficult, well-done work and a meta on Sherlock's behavior towards other people. 

I took the liberty to quote something - which has not as much impact out of context, but I think it sums up the story's main point - how Sherlock's self-esteem was crushed enough to distrust people as much as he does.

“I’ll grant you that,” Victor says, exhaling slowly. “I’ve never had to work so hard for a shag.

[...]  Did I say that I loved you? Well. Maybe I meant it. Maybe I didn’t.”

[...]You repel me." 

(Victor to Sherlock after Sherlock deduced that Victor's father committed murder which ends in a fight)


After this qote it seems unbelievable to state just this: I like Victor Trevor. Yes, I do. This work made me like this character so much that I now prefer it to Sherstrade. It is interesting how a somewhat gullible, inexperienced, young Sherlock winds up with a blind guy as a boyfriend. While not much related to their relationship is depicted, the author shows the magic behind this pairing. The utter completion Sherlock finds in that boy that accepts him, that is fascinated in him and, most of all, loves him, no explanation needed. I consider this special; with Sherlock/Irene, it's about attraction and double entendre. With Sherlock/Lestrade, it's about amicable silence and a deep understanding of one's needs. With Johnlock, it's about trust and admiration (both ways). All of these, I can see as friendship relationships. With Sherlock/Victor, I can't. To me, the idea of Victor is deeply linked to Sherlock's first experience with love given to him without any ties (family, work). I cannot see them as mere friends. I cannot. And this is one of the two works that have shaped my concept of Victor.

Same Author as:
Songs of Expedience

Through the Clouds

Title: Through the Clouds
Author: Mazarin221b
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John/Sherlock
Warning: R, slash
Length: Medium
Status: Completed

Sherlock takes a remarkably early retirement at 47, and convinces John that a change of pace would do them both good. They buy an old cottage on the South Downs, and exchange their nonstop life in Baker Street for quiet contemplation, bee studies, and book writing.

They might go completely insane, but sometimes it takes stepping outside of the life you're living to find the life you want.

Sherlock takes one last look out to the horizon, mouth downturned and brow furrowed, before seeming to shake himself and catching up to John with a few long-legged strides. John turns back toward the path cut into the cliffs, climbing steadily toward the rolling downs already green and lush in the weak April warmth.

They reach the top and Sherlock strikes toward the west, back to where their hired Land Rover sits a mile away in a public carpark. John falls into step beside him and takes a deep breath.

“I expected a case,” he starts. “A bit chilly for a walk, really, so. D’you mind telling me what we’re doing out here?”
Sherlock doesn’t even pause, simply tucks his head down against the wind and continues walking.

“I’m retiring,” he says simply.

AO3

The story is fairly easy, the author a pragmatic. I especially liked the scenery throughout the story. It is a very beautiful, very strong imagery mazarin221b creates.

Elective Affinities

Title: Elective Affinities
Author: Caecelia
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters: Snape/Harry, Lily
Warning: PG-13
Length: Novella
Status: Ongonig


It's 1976, and a strange new transfer student is about to turn Severus Snape's life on its head . . .


AO3

I looked at different sites and this is more than likely incomplete. I like it anyway, so here it goes.
Usually, I don't like it when people travel back in time, change their name completely and don't resemble their prior selfs a bit. Caecelia made it possible for me to imagine just this. The focus is quite a lot on Severus Snape. It's a small meta on his younger self.

A Matter of Fact

Title: A Matter of Fact

Author: OpalJade
Fandom: Sherlock

Characters: John/Sherlock, Mommy Holmes

Warning: R, slash

Length: Novella
Status: Completed

John Watson did not believe in fortune tellers. The psychic he’d been dragged to in his younger days might’ve been right about ‘a serious injury occurring in a foreign land’ and in advising him to take a ‘greater interest in computers and IT’. But not once had she mentioned that in his forties he would fall head over heels in love with his male flatmate. A little warning would’ve been nice.

Sherlock Holmes only believed in empirical data and facts. He’d assumed those would be enough to persuade John Watson that his fake suicide had been necessary. But not once had it crossed his brilliant mind that the one thing that would ultimately convince John would have nothing to do with facts. A little warning would’ve changed absolutely nothing.

AO3

Either the author is bloody brilliant or really has some issues. I prefer the former deduction.

Her thesis on Reichenbach Fall is intriguing. Far-fetched, intriguing, and.. well, brilliant. Nuts, but I like it. My new head-canon.

Otherwise, this story follows the usual recipe for Johnlock works; John and Sherlock notice how entangled their lives have become. and consider "more". Here this story becomes once more brilliant... and nuts at the same time. Sherlock visits Ella. One of my favorite tropes now. I need to find more stories like that XD

A Memory that Never Forgets

Title: A Memory that Never Forgets

Author: ImpishTubist

Fandom: Sherlock

Characters: Sherlock/Victor, John(/Mary), OMC (child)

Warning: R, illness (Sherlock - depression)

Length: Novella
Status: Completed

The eldest son of a high-profile diplomat has been murdered, and pressure is mounting for the Yard to bring the case to a swift close. But when the prime suspect turns out to be Sherlock Holmes’ oldest friend and a man he knows to be innocent, Sherlock must find a way to clear his name - and uncover the real killer before he strikes again.

AO3

ImpishTubist and Victor/Sherlock... dare I say more?

I am highly anticipating the upcoming chapters. This might develop into one of my favorites. So far, it shows promise.
Update:
Finally complete. Well, I actually didn't like Victor in the end. He's still incredibly selfish. I don't think he'll make Sherlock happy in the long run. Didn't like the end that much... well, the story still remains good enough to be rec'ed.

Same Author as:

They're Gonna Be All Right (Lestrade/Sherlock)
Winter's Child (John/Sherlock, Lestrade)
The Coming of the Night (Lestrade/Sherlock)
The First and Only Convention of the Scotland Yard Matchmaker Committee
The Fall of Gods
An Age of Silver

A Finger Slip

Title: A Finger Slip
Author: Pawtal
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John/Sherlock, Mycroft, Lestrade
Warning: PG
Length: Medium
Status: Completed


In which John sends a text to the wrong number by mistake. Little does he know the person he just texted will impact his life more than he could have imagined.


AO3


The SMS exchanges are very funny at times. I like Lestrade in here, and Sherlock's all flustered and not sure how to approach John later on. I liked that.
The end was sad - John leaving, well...
There's still an epilogue missing, until then... ongoing.
A different author wrote a "fanfiction" on this, with Pawtal's approval. Katzedecimal's A Slip of The Finger
Personally, I like the original one more but for the sake of completeness... and it isn't a bad fanfiction, no! I just like the original better.

Left Behind

Title: Left Behind
Author: MoonRiver
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John/Sherlock, Victor/Sherlock(switch), Mycroft
Warning: NC-17, slash, child abuse(Sherlock), injury(Sherlock, John, Victor, Mr. Trevor), violence(Sherlock), drug abuse(Victor, Sherlock)
Length: Novella
Status: Completed


Sherlock lost his virginity after his first year at university. After running away from his abusive father he allows Victor Trevor in, offering him complete trust until tragedy tears them apart. The breakup is traumatizing, and they don't speak again...until Victor shows up in London nine years later, asking for Sherlock and John's help.


At AO3


I like this one. Classic for the fact that it involves Victor and is sort of meta - in a way that it covers Sherlock' university years until "now" while not breaking the magical 100.000 words.
I have a very high opinion of this - there's so much love in there. You feel the joy and love MoonRiver holds for BBC Sherlock.

And to round it up, a short quote.

Because I can tell you’re worth it.

(Victor to Sherlock when asked why he cares for Sherlock)


I think this is true, not just for Victor but for the entire Sherlock Fandom. Why do we like BBC Sherlock? I mean, just from the description without ever having seen Sherlock, we get an aggressive, ruthless, intelligent, rude, almost non-empathic person. So why do we like the series, why do we want season three, and possibly season four, and whatever they will give us? Because we can tell that Sherlock is worth it. The person. We see something in him that tells us that there's more to him, and that's why we feel with him. That's why we care. Why we care to see where he's going.

Shadow Child

Title: Shadow Child
Author: Kourion
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John, Sherlock, Mycroft
Warning: NC-17, child abuse (Sherlock), non-con(Sherlock), illness(Sherlock)
Length: Novella
Status: Ongoing


I take a step back, my heart fluttering in my chest. The look of rage I had seen a moment before is rapidly draining from my friend's face. "Did I... did I hurt you?," Sherlock clarifies, his eyes closed. Unwilling to look. 


AO3



I am not sure whether this is over the top brilliant or over the top out of character.
Both, probably.
There are several aspects that made me continue with reading instead of bolting; as far as child abuse and non-con is concerned, the descriptions are real, horrible, and excellently adapted into written form. It's difficult for me to see Sherlock in there. It's too much to result in the person we see in canon. One aspect, non-con or child abuse, yes. But both, and then his incredible difficult time growing up, seem not compatible with the person I see in BBC Sherlock.
From an experienced (well, somewhat) reader, I still believe this to be a thorough story which deserves to be read, not cast aside due to the "lineup".

Making the Connection

Title: Making the Connection
Author: JessamyGriffith
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John/Sherlock
Warning: R, slash (telephone)
Length: Novella
Status: Ongoing

It only started with phone sex.... Then it became something more.

Sherlock is on detox, and bored. He calls a phone sex line to test a hypothesis. He gets John. Sherlock is intrigued, and calls back several times. But the experiment isn't going quite how Sherlock predicted...

AO3


I like the resolution in the last two chapters, that's mainly what made me rec it. It's a nice story but overall the best one. The setting offers a good opportunity, the author took that and shows us the first season in a different light. Like many fanfictions that stick to the episodes, it's a bit obvious what's going to happen. More of a retelling, but it's fine. JessamyGriffith did at least connect it with the setting.

Concertos and Blackmail

Title: Concertos and Blackmail
Author: hoc_voluerunt
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John, Sherlock
Warning: PG-13
Length: Medium
Status: Completed

It’s around about when John’s in a white dinner jacket, shooting out security cameras and running from guards through the skyscraper of a media tycoon-cum-gentleman blackmailer, that he realises he’s probably gone well and truly mad. He couldn’t really care less, though. And hey — he and Sherlock started out sharing a flat; how appropriate if they end up sharing a prison cell.


AO3

Perfectly enjoyable case fic. Charles Milverton case.

John Watson's Twelve Days of Christmas

Title: John Watson's Twelve Days of Christmas
Author: earlgreytea69
Fandom: Sherlock
Chararacters: John/Sherlock, Mycroft, Mommy Holmes
Warning: R, slash
Length: Novella
Status: Completed


It's the holiday season. John Watson needs money. Sherlock Holmes needs something else.


AO3


God, the fandom needed a story like this - John and Sherlock as Christmas elves.
Well, besides that, it's an intriguing ontake on Mommy Holmes and the entire Holmes family dynamics. I thoroughly enjoyed the courting and dancing. It's pure fluff, so probably not everybody's cup of tea. It just fit, especially around this time at the year.

Same Author as:
The Bang and the Clatter
Scotch
Nature and Nurture
Saving Sherlock Holmes

The Theory of Narrative Causality

Title: The Theory of Narrative Causality
Author: falling_voices
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John/Sherlock, Jim
Warning: R
Length: Novella (I guess?)
Status: Completed


LJ

Yes. I finally came around to rec this, too. Basically, it's a fic where BBC Sherlock becomes, well, a fic. This is more of a hommage to all Sherlock Holmes fans, and well, to all livejournal fellows. I strongly recommend reading it. The author makes sure to show us that this is a contemporary work and meant as such. We got chat, we got threads, we got text messages. This work of fiction is just what the title implies - a modern ontake on narration. As a fellow author and student of literary studies, I enjoyed the creativity behind it. Though it's a bit hard to read - especially on LJ. You always wonder which posts are the real comments and which, well, belong to the story. This is something I comment on, it's not criticism. falling_voices manages to show a new border between "reality" and "fiction".
There's no actual slash in there, so I cut that out of the warnings. The author rated the story as NC-17, probably due to the short fanfiction sections. I personally even regret rating these as R, but well... peer pressure XD

Mary

So, once again, ranting time.
With the third season's airing date coming around, no big surprise.
I've often stated that I truly do not want to see Mary in the role of John's wife - so no wonder here that this post is more to find my inner peace, to be in the mood to suffer through the possible disappointment.
Yes, I ship Johnlock. But I also ship Sherlock/Irene, Lestrade/Sherlock, and face it, I also ship Mycroft/Sherlock. Well, not ship the last part but I can see where it is coming from. They do have a certain air around them, and those knowingly glares...
I do not hate Amanda or anything like that. It's more about Mary Morstan. I have a problem with her, with the general idea behind her:

Mary Morstan is kind, and sweet, and good-hearted, and a teacher, and that poor thing doesn't have any family left, and she understands Watson's need to work on cases and his bromance relationship with Sherlock.
It is just... dull. Tedious. Boring. And I am not even Sherlock, that's just me, even for my normal standards she is plan as hell. I feel like throwing up already. To me, relationships need to be about tension. I seriously can't see that there. It's a sickenly sweet relationship. The stress on sickenly. To me, it always seemed like Gatiss and Moffat knew what they were doing. Sherlock contains lots of quick wit, strong characters with enough quirks to make you like them, and damn, even the slash opposers must admit that BBC Sherlock owes its success to the explicitly implicit bromance sequences. It just added a quirk of modern life to Doyle's fictional world that Elementary, for instance, is lacking.
I really don't want to see that go. And to me, Mary is a threat. A threat to this tightrope balance between John and Sherlock. There's this spark that makes them both function, makes them interesting and different together. Makes you respect them. Makes them anything but plain. Marrying off John will make him... plain. So, you can name her Anna, Liza or Mary - the idea behind them, this utter dullness, it feels like the weight that will destroy their tightrope act, that will destroy the chemistry between the both of them. Then exactly that will happen which happens in all Sherlock/Irene stories. John is there but lost his place to Irene. In Sherlock, though, it'd be Sherlock who is stil there but lost his place. An unsettling thought. I don't mind a missing John in fanfictions - but I do mind Sherlock getting lost in this sappy, dull romance scheme. Even if Mary just gets random mentions... I don't WANT to think 'fuck off already' everytime she calls about which color the bridemaids should wear, or what flowers to buy, or whether John bought his suit yet, or when he's coming home, or whether he's staying out with Sherlock. It already gets on my nerves before it even started.

For now, I seriously hope Gatiss and Moffat are currently laughing their asses off because they gave us so many details and fucked with our minds but it will be different from what is expected by the masses.

We do know that there will be a Mary Morstan.
We do know that there will be a wedding.

I can imagine three possible solutions to avoid the "dullness" of the predictability:

1. Mary is Harry's new girlfriend and they actually get to... civil partnership.

2. Mary and John actually plan to marry (which I really can only squirt my eyes at) but Mary falls in love with Sherlock during the planning, and at the altar, she confesses her love to him, they blow off the wedding.
This solution solves all my troubles and it could be hilarious. So my absolute favorite XD
Idea a bit stolen by Rayonea's John Watson, Bachelor - in the end, a girl declines John's offer for sex because she fell in love with Sherlock. She fought all the time with him and noticed in the end that she could totally imagine doing that for the rest of her life with him. I loved that most about the entire fic XD stuck with me.

3. Mary is just some friend John made, preferably a stripper or prostitute to make it more ridiculous. John befriended her while he was grieving and they got along. Now there's a case and Sherlock needs them to pretend to marry so that he can solve the case. Scam wedding.
Yes, I admit it. Plot stolen -  Rairakku1234's The Adventure of the Civil Partnership


So... I know that it is highly unlikely to be anything like the described scenarios.

But please, Gatiss, please, Moffat, make it interesting. Somehow. Enough to not lose fans like me who abhor predictable outcomes.

Yosh. I feel ready now to face season three. Just needed to get this out of my mind.

Because there are Mary's I liked. Actually, I did. Yes. In fanfiction. There are GOOD examples of how to deal with her to make her... into something I can respect. And yes, probably some other fans, too.
For example: The Way The Heavens Go - solojones. Actually there are two previous works but I liked that one best. Mary's boring but there's Irene to take focus from John, so it's not like you really notice how dull he became himself. Mary's not condensing, and she "gets" Sherlock to a degree only few do.
Or: Meeting Mary - Snommis. Okay, Mary is boring in here, too. But she is a woman I can respect, and she knows what she wants, and she is neither clingy nor expects unrealistically to become best friends forever with Sherlock. I respect her in this story, especially for her decision to, well, dump John. Seriously, he was behaving like an idiot. It's self-respecting to dump him. And it's kind, too. The king thing to do. Only this way he'll realize what to do. Because he's scaring both of them away with his behavior.

So maybe, just maybe, it will be a blast. And I'll not hate my past self for those stupid scenarios that "had no chance of ever coming true".

In Memoriam

Title: In Memoriam
Author: strangegibbon
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John/Sherlock, Mary
Warning: NC-17, slash, amnesia, injury(John)
Length: Novella
Status: Completed


Sherlock returns from his self-imposed exile to find a John Watson he barely recognises. Now he must solve the mystery of the disappeared man and try to rebuild their relationship as well as deal with his own return to a London that has forgotten him.


AO3

I love my Sherlock to be injured, sick or whatever makes it Sherlock!whump. John, though, I like him independent. Even so, this author taught me to appreciate John!whump. Sherlock is rather miserable while dealing with John's amnesia, which fulfils my need for him to feel somehow awful, too. I guess, a win-win for everybody. Well, not John and Sherlock, I fear.
Mary wasn't necessary to the plot but I feel like it's a role rather suited to her. I wouldn't mind being somehow connected to Moriarty in the third season, either. Would bring more spice to her otherwise, to use Sherlock's words, dull character. (Nothing against the actress, so no flaming. I just don't like the idea of Mary Morstan. At least not the idea of Doyle's Morstan. She is sickenly dull and absolutely unimportant to the story. Even Doyle knew that, he never gave her another appearance after her case. I just hope Sherlock's Mary won't be like that - I still hope she's either a prostitute John hired while he was grieving and became attached to her, Harry's new girlfriend, or ends up falling in love with Sherlock and thus tells John at the wedding altar that she can't marry him. Reminds me to put some entry on about these options. Just for the sake of it. For some ranting. I feel like ranting once more.)

Through The Looking Glass

Title: Through The Looking Glass
Author: ObsidianEmbrace
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: Sherlock/John
Warning: R, dimension travel, character death (Sherlock - implied)
Length: Novel
Status: Completed


When you chase criminals over rooftops, death is always a possibility. We woke up in 1889 instead. Which is not a place two men in a relationship want to be


AO3

A difficult read. The multiple versions of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson make it impossible at times to read the action-filled scenes in a moderate pace. More than once I found myself hitting my forehead when I noticed that I was imagining the wrong guys, so to speak.
On the other head, I consider this an important piece of "literature" in the Sherlock Fandom. It combines multiple elements which are rarely found together. Homophobia, the ontake of different adaptions, the supernatural element combined with Sherlock Holmes' love of deduction based on logic.
Did I enjoy the read? No, not really.
Did I like the story? Yes, yes I did. A lot. Enough to rec this. it certainly contains a lot of creativity, a lot of effort, and last but not least, a lot of great ideas strung together.

The Heart in the Whole

Title: The Heart in the Whole
Author: verityburns
Fandom: Sherlock
Characters: John/Sherlock, Mycroft, Jim
Warning: R, slash, injury (Sherlock), disability (Sherlock)
Length: Novel
Status: Completed


Events after 'The Great Game' leave Sherlock dependent on his best friend and colleague. But John has a secret of his own...


AO3

Why didn't I rec this before? I've read it two times already! Well, so never to late, I suppose. Here goes nothing - I like verityburns. Seriously. Verityburns' works always do have a certain something that makes it pleasant to read them. With the Heart in the Whole, you get a lot of tropes often neglected in Sherlock fandom. Sherlock becomes disabled and has to deal with it - not easy, especially when it is possible that his sight returns. There's hope and this hope makes it difficult to adapt to normal life again. Then there's John, poor, reliable, responsible, caring John. I believe without him Sherlock never would manage his life again. He needs him, not just for physical help but also emotionally. It's a good mixture, and not out of character. So go for it.

Same Author as:
The Green Blade
Given in Evidence
The Road Less Traveled