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The Heart in the Whole
Sherlock AU
Events after The Great Game leave Sherlock dependent on his best friend and colleague. But John has a secret of his own... Hurt/Comfort, Romance. Slash.
Words: 101,650 complete
Events after The Great Game leave Sherlock dependent on his best friend and colleague. But John has a secret of his own... Hurt/Comfort, Romance. Slash.
Words: 101,650 complete
305 pages, ebook
First published May 14, 2011
4 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 27, 2013
I actually finished this at 1 AM, but I'm very anal about my shelves so I'll consider this read on 2nd April.
I really really liked this but there are things I hated too. You get a review by points 'cause I'm not in the mood (guess I exhausted any reviewy inclinations by writing about It's Like This).
YES
*Sherlock is jealous and possessive and this also shows in the sexual part of his and John's relationship, even though in the beginning he's completely innocent - both in matters of love and sex.
*Sherlock's dreams are very important to the story. They have no mystical or prescient connotations; they are, as would be expected of the detective, a figment of his rational mind, that can't stop working even in his sleep (much like mine does... only I don't usually have any brilliant intuitions)
*We get an in-depth analysis of Sherlock's thought processes and we get to know exactly why he's so worried about getting into a relationship with John. More on this later... in the NO list.
*Sherlock's (that's not really a spoiler, actually, but you never know what people might consider a spoiler) is never forgotten. That seems pretty obvious, but I've read quite a few stories where a deaf character turns around... after hearing someone's footsteps.
*John and Sherlock's voices are very different and consistent throughout the story. There is no way one could possibly mistake one for the other, even without knowing who's talking, just like you couldn't confuse the actual actors' voices.
NO
*...the reason why Sherlock doesn't want to get in a relationship with John, and why John is hesitant too. Both of them seem almost convinced that Sherlock's feeling simply appeared after his TBI, and they could very well disappear suddenly, in the same way. Do I have to develop on that? ...All right, since you seem to want me to. WTF? Feelings don't appear and disappear. You could say that, I don't know, Sherlock has gained a different awareness of himself, both physically and emotionally, after waking up from the coma. Or you could say that risking to die pushed him to acknowledge his feelings. Or anything along those lines. Anything else.
*The big drama at about 70% was justified, but completely overblown. Its resolution was handled beautifully, though.
*Crying, crying, crying all the fucking time. Which, just, no.
As you can see, the positive points largely outnumber the negatives.
Draw your own conclusions.
I really really liked this but there are things I hated too. You get a review by points 'cause I'm not in the mood (guess I exhausted any reviewy inclinations by writing about It's Like This).
YES
*Sherlock is jealous and possessive and this also shows in the sexual part of his and John's relationship, even though in the beginning he's completely innocent - both in matters of love and sex.
*Sherlock's dreams are very important to the story. They have no mystical or prescient connotations; they are, as would be expected of the detective, a figment of his rational mind, that can't stop working even in his sleep (much like mine does... only I don't usually have any brilliant intuitions)
*We get an in-depth analysis of Sherlock's thought processes and we get to know exactly why he's so worried about getting into a relationship with John. More on this later... in the NO list.
*Sherlock's (that's not really a spoiler, actually, but you never know what people might consider a spoiler) is never forgotten. That seems pretty obvious, but I've read quite a few stories where a deaf character turns around... after hearing someone's footsteps.
*John and Sherlock's voices are very different and consistent throughout the story. There is no way one could possibly mistake one for the other, even without knowing who's talking, just like you couldn't confuse the actual actors' voices.
NO
*...the reason why Sherlock doesn't want to get in a relationship with John, and why John is hesitant too. Both of them seem almost convinced that Sherlock's feeling simply appeared after his TBI, and they could very well disappear suddenly, in the same way. Do I have to develop on that? ...All right, since you seem to want me to. WTF? Feelings don't appear and disappear. You could say that, I don't know, Sherlock has gained a different awareness of himself, both physically and emotionally, after waking up from the coma. Or you could say that risking to die pushed him to acknowledge his feelings. Or anything along those lines. Anything else.
*The big drama at about 70% was justified, but completely overblown. Its resolution was handled beautifully, though.
*Crying, crying, crying all the fucking time. Which, just, no.
As you can see, the positive points largely outnumber the negatives.
Draw your own conclusions.
Read
January 16, 2019A tad drawnout, but worth the read.
September 12, 2011
The strong point of this well written Sherlock-fan-fiction is the description of the characters. It felt like I could see them in front of my eyes.
The ending and epilogue chapters, though, I'm not going to say 'ruined', but tainted an otherwise perfectly good story.
The ending and epilogue chapters, though, I'm not going to say 'ruined', but tainted an otherwise perfectly good story.
May 14, 2024
Good afternoon!
This work attracts me.
Sometimes it can be difficult to read, but this is due to the fact that English is not my native language. Please tell me where can I buy this work in printed form now?
This work attracts me.
Sometimes it can be difficult to read, but this is due to the fact that English is not my native language. Please tell me where can I buy this work in printed form now?
May 25, 2016
Sherlock is blinded after trauma during a case and John becomes his main caretaker. It was interesting to see how Sherlock dealt with the blindness and learned to work around it. His literal blindness opened him up to a relationship with John. Of course John was endlessly patient and tolerant of Sherlock. To me Sherlock was not quite right, he is supposed to be a sociopath but he was very gentle and empathic. Slowly, they inched toward a sexual relationship but John forbids kissing because it's too intimate.
Moriarty threatens John's life and Sherlock realizes he loves John.
I did like the Moriarty resolution.
Moriarty threatens John's life and Sherlock realizes he loves John.
I did like the Moriarty resolution.
January 5, 2015
Upon rereading this I've downgraded a star. I do like the premise, the blindness issue, the way Sherlock's dreams play a part, and the Moriarty drama, however, I just didn't care for most of the relationship dynamics. I think I've stopped liking the inexperienced, insecure, "please teach me" incarnation of Sherlock. The kiss embargo felt rather cliche as well. The change from timid to sure also seemed a bit abrupt. He's afraid of losing control and then suddenly he's all in. It just didn't feel natural to me. That said, if you like this type of sherlock incarnation you will probably quite enjoy this story as it is generally well written. Just not my cuppa any more.
February 26, 2017
Every time I hear the title, I sort of repeat it in a whiny voice and my heart aches a bit. And I have the sudden urge to read it again. This fanfiction is, in my opinion, one of the best Sherlock fanfiction I've read so far. I believe it was even rated as one of the "classics" of the sherlock fandom, and I think this title is well deserved.
REREAD EDIT: I didn't remember that this story had next to no case, and it was all about the relationship between John and Sherlock. While exploring this was interesting, at some point I began to be bored by it and wished that there was a proper b-plot. That's the reason why I decided to go down to four stars. I still enjoyed it, though.
REREAD EDIT: I didn't remember that this story had next to no case, and it was all about the relationship between John and Sherlock. While exploring this was interesting, at some point I began to be bored by it and wished that there was a proper b-plot. That's the reason why I decided to go down to four stars. I still enjoyed it, though.
November 18, 2023
I have this audiobook downloaded and so I listen to it often while working (among other books)
I find it absolutely fascinating seeing Sherlock learn to navigate his blindness. The fear is also really well written in this story. I'd definitely recommend.
I find it absolutely fascinating seeing Sherlock learn to navigate his blindness. The fear is also really well written in this story. I'd definitely recommend.
August 26, 2015
Verityburns is the reason I started reading fanfictions and got addicted to this story form. I loved this and return to it again and again.
Read
June 14, 2016DNF at 30%. I have lost all patience and interest to follow through.
September 12, 2025
2019: 5 stars
2025: 4 stars
2025: 4 stars
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews