What do you think?
Rate this book
Play It Again #1
Play It Again
Sterek
In which Stiles goes along with one of Derek’s plans and ends up in an alternate universe as a result. He should’ve known better. He did know better, actually, and that means he has no one to blame but himself.
Art by Villainette
Words: 63206
In which Stiles goes along with one of Derek’s plans and ends up in an alternate universe as a result. He should’ve known better. He did know better, actually, and that means he has no one to blame but himself.
Art by Villainette
Words: 63206
135 pages, ebook
First published July 12, 2013
3 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 8, 2015
Reread 04/05/2014
This is my new favorite comfort read. It's funny, rather melancholy and just wonderful.
If you haven't read it yet, please PLEASE do.
**********************************************************
Well, that'll teach me not to listen to me.
I avoided reading this one for the longest time (4 months--okay, it just feels like a long time) solely because it's pre-slash. And what's the point of reading a Sterek if there's no Sterek-love?
Shut it, Rosa, you know nothing! Here are a few points:
1. Stiles is awesome.
2. BAMF!Stiles
3. Magical!Stiles
4. Tattooed!Stiles
5. PTSD!Stiles
6. This fic is altogether awesome.
7. I repeat, Stiles is awesome.
Yeah, I missed the romance but instead of feeling tortured by not knowing exactly how Derek and Stiles get together, I feel perfectly content and happy knowing it will happen.
Favorite example of Stiles' deflective babble:
This is my new favorite comfort read. It's funny, rather melancholy and just wonderful.
If you haven't read it yet, please PLEASE do.
**********************************************************
Well, that'll teach me not to listen to me.
I avoided reading this one for the longest time (4 months--okay, it just feels like a long time) solely because it's pre-slash. And what's the point of reading a Sterek if there's no Sterek-love?
Shut it, Rosa, you know nothing! Here are a few points:
1. Stiles is awesome.
2. BAMF!Stiles
3. Magical!Stiles
4. Tattooed!Stiles
5. PTSD!Stiles
6. This fic is altogether awesome.
7. I repeat, Stiles is awesome.
Yeah, I missed the romance but instead of feeling tortured by not knowing exactly how Derek and Stiles get together, I feel perfectly content and happy knowing it will happen.
Favorite example of Stiles' deflective babble:
"I think, statistically speaking, most people know a werewolf or two? Seems to have about the same genetic frequency as red hair. Of course, you might not realize it since you can't see the werewolf on people, and there's no percentage in sharing it around, because that might get them shot. Whereas nobody shoots redheads...although they are kind of weird about them in the UK. Possibly because the English have the whole Irish racism thing going on? Not sure. Anyway, not applicable in California. Go redheads."Favorite quote (maybe a bit of a spoiler?):
July 31, 2015
three different people recommended this one to me.
I read it when I was in the middle of a bad time, when I wasn't rating or reviewing anything—but I did read it, and love it.
excellent sterek is excellent. read it at once, if you can.
(thx, Vivian, Trix, and MD!)
I read it when I was in the middle of a bad time, when I wasn't rating or reviewing anything—but I did read it, and love it.
excellent sterek is excellent. read it at once, if you can.
(thx, Vivian, Trix, and MD!)
January 1, 2024
Sterek that made me want to cry while laughing. Wow. Totally worth it.
**If you like multiverse then this is one you should read**
This Doesn't Hurt: http://archiveofourown.org/works/2034597
Part Two, which is a whole different story about Isaac is good, too. A quick add-on. Love Melissa's thoughts:
"Stiles believes in ferociously defending the tiny number of people he cares about, even if he has to kill the rest of the world to do it."
Part 3, Kiss of Death is fantastically funny and Peter is hysterical.
**If you like multiverse then this is one you should read**
This Doesn't Hurt: http://archiveofourown.org/works/2034597
Part Two, which is a whole different story about Isaac is good, too. A quick add-on. Love Melissa's thoughts:
"Stiles believes in ferociously defending the tiny number of people he cares about, even if he has to kill the rest of the world to do it."
Part 3, Kiss of Death is fantastically funny and Peter is hysterical.
October 15, 2015
I can't believe that this fic was on my TBR list for almost a year. It's a really good story and I'm glad that I finally read it. Magical and BAMF!Stiles was straight up awesome.
I have always expected this to be very angsty, but it's really not. For me at least, so don't quote me on that. Also, it reminds me of Misfire, which I loved. The thing is that Misfire broke my heart and made me cry, while this one didn't and I totally wanted it to.
If you haven't read this fic or Misfire yet, go do it. They're both great.
I have always expected this to be very angsty, but it's really not. For me at least, so don't quote me on that. Also, it reminds me of Misfire, which I loved. The thing is that Misfire broke my heart and made me cry, while this one didn't and I totally wanted it to.
If you haven't read this fic or Misfire yet, go do it. They're both great.
July 22, 2021
love love love
Merged review:
I could really, really use a sequel or a small update. This was fricken awesome.
Re-read 08/03/2015 yup read it again.
Re-read 08/05/2015 wtf is up with me and this story?!?!
Re-read 08/15/2015
Re-read 3/31/2016 I still want a sequel. I still love this book.
Re-read 6/22/2016
Re-read 2/17/2017 I freaking love this story, 9/3/2017
Re-read 1/12/2018 even though my tastes have changed drastically over the years, THIS book still does it for me. Happy sigh.
Re-read 3/25/2018
Reread 8/10/2019 my happy place
new decade reread 1/29/2020 this book still makes me happy.
Re-read 7/22/2021
Merged review:
I could really, really use a sequel or a small update. This was fricken awesome.
Re-read 08/03/2015 yup read it again.
Re-read 08/05/2015 wtf is up with me and this story?!?!
Re-read 08/15/2015
Re-read 3/31/2016 I still want a sequel. I still love this book.
Re-read 6/22/2016
Re-read 2/17/2017 I freaking love this story, 9/3/2017
Re-read 1/12/2018 even though my tastes have changed drastically over the years, THIS book still does it for me. Happy sigh.
Re-read 3/25/2018
Reread 8/10/2019 my happy place
new decade reread 1/29/2020 this book still makes me happy.
Re-read 7/22/2021
April 14, 2015
"Don't conflate your Dereks."
I didn't think it was possible for me to love a Sterek that doesn't have a happy ending but I was wrong.
This fic is heart breaking, funny and completely brilliant.
One of the best Stiles characterizations I've read.
It's a good thing Stiles is finally figuring out how to let go, though, because this is going to suck for a very long time. But eventually, he knows, even the worst pain wears itself out, and in the end all that's left is a sore spot you try to not touch. He's looking forward to that.
Re-read April 2015
Read January 2015
I didn't think it was possible for me to love a Sterek that doesn't have a happy ending but I was wrong.
This fic is heart breaking, funny and completely brilliant.
One of the best Stiles characterizations I've read.
It's a good thing Stiles is finally figuring out how to let go, though, because this is going to suck for a very long time. But eventually, he knows, even the worst pain wears itself out, and in the end all that's left is a sore spot you try to not touch. He's looking forward to that.
Re-read April 2015
Read January 2015
June 26, 2017
4.5 Stars
I have to admit I was very wary going into this for a variety of reasons that many have stated.
-the threat of some serious angst
-the absence of smex (say it isn't so!)
-alternate realities messing with my brain
No thank you. I was right to be hesitant. Right??
But…. like everyone had also said, it doesn't matter at all that the above is true. This was just so smart. I will emphasize that this had standout Stiles voice and truly all the interactions and reactions and situations that he's confronted with in the alternate reality were sublime.
Stiles is the freakin bomb - magically powerful, genius in his plans, fiercely loyal and protective. He carries the weight of two worlds on his shoulders and he punishes himself with guilt and the sheer need to unrealistically atone, atone, atone. He may not be in his own reality but that doesn't mean he can't make his new and current situation better - it might be different, it might suck at times, it definitely doesn't negate any of the other people he has lost and loved. But how can he say no to a chance at redemption? A second go to do things smarter with foresight and hindsight and all that terrible awful experience he brings with him? Who gets that? No one. Stiles is theunluckiest bastard ever. And he knows it. He's going to make sure he saves what he can and perhaps he'll get to keep it.
So yes - there was not one smidge of smex (believe me - I would have embraced an E rated version of this most happily) but the promise of what's to come for our beloved pairing has to suffice. I can do nothing but take comfort in the fact that they will have their epic love. They will!!
And I have no doubt Stiles will make damn sure of it.
I have to admit I was very wary going into this for a variety of reasons that many have stated.
-the threat of some serious angst
-the absence of smex (say it isn't so!)
-alternate realities messing with my brain
No thank you. I was right to be hesitant. Right??
But…. like everyone had also said, it doesn't matter at all that the above is true. This was just so smart. I will emphasize that this had standout Stiles voice and truly all the interactions and reactions and situations that he's confronted with in the alternate reality were sublime.
Stiles is the freakin bomb - magically powerful, genius in his plans, fiercely loyal and protective. He carries the weight of two worlds on his shoulders and he punishes himself with guilt and the sheer need to unrealistically atone, atone, atone. He may not be in his own reality but that doesn't mean he can't make his new and current situation better - it might be different, it might suck at times, it definitely doesn't negate any of the other people he has lost and loved. But how can he say no to a chance at redemption? A second go to do things smarter with foresight and hindsight and all that terrible awful experience he brings with him? Who gets that? No one. Stiles is the
So yes - there was not one smidge of smex (believe me - I would have embraced an E rated version of this most happily) but the promise of what's to come for our beloved pairing has to suffice. I can do nothing but take comfort in the fact that they will have their epic love. They will!!
And I have no doubt Stiles will make damn sure of it.
November 29, 2015
What an incredible adventure! From the opening scene, this story comes at the reader with force and ferocity. Stiles is in mortal danger, and his world is falling apart. His only hope for survival is travel to a parallel universe. An alternate universe where things seem the same, but are actually quite different. The joys (and the challenges) of this story are discovering those differences alongside Stiles.
There is so much to love about this story. Stiles is amazing. He is brave, brash, bossy, and just a wee bit bonkers. And I love him. I love him for his determination, his loyalty, and his fighting spirit. Where others may have broken, Stiles battles on. He is damaged, but not destroyed.
Derek is loveable, but in a completely different way. Derek in this story is softer and gentler; yet he retains his stoicism and strength. The romance between Stiles and Derek is minimal, but the love between the two is strong. There may not be on-page wooing between this lovable duo, but their deep devotion to each other is clear.
The cast of charters is daunting; as a newbie to this fanfic, I think that this story introduced me to most of the town of Beacon Hills! Nice to meet such, ahem, eclectic folk.
I laughed, cried, and then laugh/cried at the same time. What a heartbreakingly, endearingly, fantastically amazing read.
Thanks to my GR buddy, Rosa for the recommendation!!
There is so much to love about this story. Stiles is amazing. He is brave, brash, bossy, and just a wee bit bonkers. And I love him. I love him for his determination, his loyalty, and his fighting spirit. Where others may have broken, Stiles battles on. He is damaged, but not destroyed.
Derek is loveable, but in a completely different way. Derek in this story is softer and gentler; yet he retains his stoicism and strength. The romance between Stiles and Derek is minimal, but the love between the two is strong. There may not be on-page wooing between this lovable duo, but their deep devotion to each other is clear.
The cast of charters is daunting; as a newbie to this fanfic, I think that this story introduced me to most of the town of Beacon Hills! Nice to meet such, ahem, eclectic folk.
I laughed, cried, and then laugh/cried at the same time. What a heartbreakingly, endearingly, fantastically amazing read.
Thanks to my GR buddy, Rosa for the recommendation!!
October 21, 2016
Whew. Not a fluffy Sterek. Not even a romantic Sterek. This was a bit confusing and completely action packed. I liked it and it really kept my attention but it was really heavy stuff. I think I am more a fan of the fics based on the show having just a bit of fluff with their scary. Well written story though. Bittersweet ending. I could have used one more chapter, you know, TWO MONTHS LATER!! No regrets about reading it at all.
January 20, 2015
Well done, plot heavy story, completely devoid of smut. I love the ideas behind the story, and I liked watching how things unfolded. The author did a good job figuring out how the changes in the world, and events would have changed people, and their personalities. Derek, open, and trusting, is fun, and I love Stiles as the hardened bad ass.
March 16, 2018
Alternate realities and a role reversal Sterek - Stiles being a total bad arse while Derek having family is the sweet trusting person he should have been.
It's a comlicated story and confusing at times though that aspect actually works for it, because we have Stiles' pov and he doesn't have all the answers himself.
While there's no romance the threads are there for the future, I'm hoping there'll be an extra fic to give us a glimpse of it. This Derek is more what this Stiles needs.
I found the side characters interesting though we don't delve into them that much, the Sheriff is a good man and lovely to see, I kept thinking him and Chris had things they could talk about ;)
The action is off screen with the plot careering forward at a breakneck speed that doesn't always allow time for reactions, I felt the characters would all need time to adjust and while I liked the fact the adults got to step in it was a strange change of pace to see Stiles suddenly stopping and sitting back.
I liked the frentic feel of Stiles who loves deeply and yet selectively. There's a bitter undertaste because for all the making things right all options come with loss and a downside. It's a well written fascinating look at an alternative Sterek world.
There's a side-fic starring Melissa - http://archiveofourown.org/works/2034597
It's a comlicated story and confusing at times though that aspect actually works for it, because we have Stiles' pov and he doesn't have all the answers himself.
While there's no romance the threads are there for the future, I'm hoping there'll be an extra fic to give us a glimpse of it. This Derek is more what this Stiles needs.
I found the side characters interesting though we don't delve into them that much, the Sheriff is a good man and lovely to see, I kept thinking him and Chris had things they could talk about ;)
The action is off screen with the plot careering forward at a breakneck speed that doesn't always allow time for reactions, I felt the characters would all need time to adjust and while I liked the fact the adults got to step in it was a strange change of pace to see Stiles suddenly stopping and sitting back.
I liked the frentic feel of Stiles who loves deeply and yet selectively. There's a bitter undertaste because for all the making things right all options come with loss and a downside. It's a well written fascinating look at an alternative Sterek world.
There's a side-fic starring Melissa - http://archiveofourown.org/works/2034597
September 6, 2016
“I remind you of someone? Is that why you creep around my house all the goddamn time?” Derek demands, ignoring Laura’s sharp kick to his leg.
The kid, though, just snickers and drops his head onto his knee, mumbling, “The irony, it burns.” Which makes no fucking sense.
“Who are you?”
“Me?” The kid looks up, wide-eyed, surprised…what, hurt? “Um, I’m Stiles. Stilinski. My dad’s the sheriff?”
“So you’re familiar with the concept of stalking.”
“So familiar,” he says earnestly. Derek’s ninety percent sure he’s being made fun of, but he has no idea why.
“Shut up,” he says on principle.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sad and funny and really excellent.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Re-read for the third (fourth?) time, it still holds up. Five stars, definitely.
The kid, though, just snickers and drops his head onto his knee, mumbling, “The irony, it burns.” Which makes no fucking sense.
“Who are you?”
“Me?” The kid looks up, wide-eyed, surprised…what, hurt? “Um, I’m Stiles. Stilinski. My dad’s the sheriff?”
“So you’re familiar with the concept of stalking.”
“So familiar,” he says earnestly. Derek’s ninety percent sure he’s being made fun of, but he has no idea why.
“Shut up,” he says on principle.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sad and funny and really excellent.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Re-read for the third (fourth?) time, it still holds up. Five stars, definitely.
March 15, 2016
Adored this. Absolutely adored.
Badass AU Stiles whose world was torn apart arrives in a world where the Hales lived and lived happy. So, so, so clever and sad and funny and entertaining and just flat out deadly!!
There is little to no romance in this and I didn't miss it at all. I could see it down the road so my imagination can totally work with that.
I loved the Derek in this world, it was cool to see him be the naive one and Stiles be the jaded one.
This fic along with Won't Do Me No Good Washing in the River, The Weight Of Living, Adore to See Your Eyes Fly, with bloody feet across the hallowed ground, I Know Where Babies Come From, Derek and Promise You'll Look After Him are my top 2015 Stereks.
Badass AU Stiles whose world was torn apart arrives in a world where the Hales lived and lived happy. So, so, so clever and sad and funny and entertaining and just flat out deadly!!
There is little to no romance in this and I didn't miss it at all. I could see it down the road so my imagination can totally work with that.
I loved the Derek in this world, it was cool to see him be the naive one and Stiles be the jaded one.
This fic along with Won't Do Me No Good Washing in the River, The Weight Of Living, Adore to See Your Eyes Fly, with bloody feet across the hallowed ground, I Know Where Babies Come From, Derek and Promise You'll Look After Him are my top 2015 Stereks.
November 28, 2014
I really enjoyed this story. I loved the (kind of) role reversal of Stiles & Derek. Also...the more of these fics I read, the more of a crush on Sheriff Stilinski I have. Cool dad is cool.
March 13, 2022
If you hear "fanfic" and expect smutty slash, this is not for you. There is no sex, and only an undertone of romance. Instead you get plot, characterization, and PTSD.
This is a concept fanfic is particularly suited to, since it comes with a pre-built world: a character is transported to an alternate time-line where certain key events -- events that were traumatic and made several main characters who they are in the original series -- never took place. The conflict that was taking place at the time of the dimension shift, which nearly killed the protagonist and killed several of his friends, is still going on, but no one in this timeline has died yet and he's determined to protect them.
I haven't watched the TV show this is based on, but the author references enough details that I was able to follow and feel like I understood who most of the characters were and what their prior relationships had been. Well-crafted.
This is a concept fanfic is particularly suited to, since it comes with a pre-built world: a character is transported to an alternate time-line where certain key events -- events that were traumatic and made several main characters who they are in the original series -- never took place. The conflict that was taking place at the time of the dimension shift, which nearly killed the protagonist and killed several of his friends, is still going on, but no one in this timeline has died yet and he's determined to protect them.
I haven't watched the TV show this is based on, but the author references enough details that I was able to follow and feel like I understood who most of the characters were and what their prior relationships had been. Well-crafted.
March 15, 2016
4.5 stars
This was a really good read – definitely one of my favourite sterek fics I've read so far. I liked the main premise around the alternate universe and thought it was carried out really well. Everyone is pretty much in character and the places where anyone was slightly different in personality to what we are used to seeing (mainly Derek) made sense in this situation, so that I could still recognise them as the original characters we know. Stiles was kind of a BAMF, but I wanted him to be even more so...perhaps he deserved a bit of a break though. We get a few different POVs on top of Stiles and Derek – initially this threw me slightly, as I wasn't expecting it, but as soon as I realised what was happening, it wasn't difficult to read.
The story was fun, exciting and well-written. I think I kind of count this alongside things like Mirrorkill’s The Nightmare of my Choice in that these fics are quite long and involved with a really good plot to keep you interested and engaged, without being too focused on the Sterek part...even though it is clearly subtly being woven throughout. Which brings me to Stiles & Derek – this is definitely pre-slash, there is an obvious connection here, but no romantic relationship is shown. There is still a lot of good, platonic Sterek interaction and as we get the POV from both Derek and Stiles, a future romantic relationship is definitely being strongly implied. The rest of the Hales even tease them on this...so it’s enough that it’s obvious to other people. Now don’t get me wrong, I am usually ALL about the sex people! But for some reason, recently I've been ok without it, as long as there is a strong plot and hints at a relationship of some form...which this fic provides nicely.
Edited to add: Oh I forgot to mention, there is also a short follow up fic from Melissa's POV I think - This Doesn't Hurt, 4,680 words - and from the author's notes, it looks like there is another in the pipeline, which I am assuming show Derek & Stiles FINALLY getting together, as it's a fic of Stiles' 18th birthday!
This was a really good read – definitely one of my favourite sterek fics I've read so far. I liked the main premise around the alternate universe and thought it was carried out really well. Everyone is pretty much in character and the places where anyone was slightly different in personality to what we are used to seeing (mainly Derek) made sense in this situation, so that I could still recognise them as the original characters we know. Stiles was kind of a BAMF, but I wanted him to be even more so...perhaps he deserved a bit of a break though. We get a few different POVs on top of Stiles and Derek – initially this threw me slightly, as I wasn't expecting it, but as soon as I realised what was happening, it wasn't difficult to read.
The story was fun, exciting and well-written. I think I kind of count this alongside things like Mirrorkill’s The Nightmare of my Choice in that these fics are quite long and involved with a really good plot to keep you interested and engaged, without being too focused on the Sterek part...even though it is clearly subtly being woven throughout. Which brings me to Stiles & Derek – this is definitely pre-slash, there is an obvious connection here, but no romantic relationship is shown. There is still a lot of good, platonic Sterek interaction and as we get the POV from both Derek and Stiles, a future romantic relationship is definitely being strongly implied. The rest of the Hales even tease them on this...so it’s enough that it’s obvious to other people. Now don’t get me wrong, I am usually ALL about the sex people! But for some reason, recently I've been ok without it, as long as there is a strong plot and hints at a relationship of some form...which this fic provides nicely.
Edited to add: Oh I forgot to mention, there is also a short follow up fic from Melissa's POV I think - This Doesn't Hurt, 4,680 words - and from the author's notes, it looks like there is another in the pipeline, which I am assuming show Derek & Stiles FINALLY getting together, as it's a fic of Stiles' 18th birthday!
June 4, 2016
An intriguing well-written fanfic from metisket. Stiles is transported to a parallel universe in which the Hale family is alive and well and Scott has not been bitten. Sadly no sex in this, not even a kiss!
Derek scowls, but Laura giggles. “He’s squishy on the inside,” she announces because she’s evil. “Promise. You just have to ignore everything he says and watch what he does.”
Derek scowls, but Laura giggles. “He’s squishy on the inside,” she announces because she’s evil. “Promise. You just have to ignore everything he says and watch what he does.”
December 24, 2025
What a wonderful gem this turned out to be!
If there was anything I wish more of would be that there had been more romance. But seriously, the story is so good, it hardly matters.
The writing was concise (no errors from what I could tell, or maybe I was too absorbed to notice), Stiles was so believable, the story veered from the TV show but very realistic and with no loose ends.
I simply adored this Stiles. He managed to induce a thread of humour even in dire situations.
Fabulous writing. Well knitted plot. Developed, complex characters. Good fighting scenes. There really isn't any downside to this!
If there was anything I wish more of would be that there had been more romance. But seriously, the story is so good, it hardly matters.
The writing was concise (no errors from what I could tell, or maybe I was too absorbed to notice), Stiles was so believable, the story veered from the TV show but very realistic and with no loose ends.
I simply adored this Stiles. He managed to induce a thread of humour even in dire situations.
Fabulous writing. Well knitted plot. Developed, complex characters. Good fighting scenes. There really isn't any downside to this!
April 12, 2015
I just finished the pod fic. It was almost as good as the written fic. My second "read" of this fic. It was so nice to re-visit this story. The narrator was quite good. Better than some of the narrators of audiobooks that I've paid for. I wish it could have lasted longer.
October 23, 2015
3.5 stars
Story was great. Writing was excellent.
Stiles turns up in another reality where the Hales are still alive and Derek actually smiles.
But… but….. but…. there was NO ROMANCE. None whatsoever. No kissing, no hanky panky, no declaration of eternal love and devotion. Just an implication of something more between Stiles and Derek as soon as Stiles turns 18.
Is it wrong I REALLY wanted me some of this?
Story was still good though.
Story was great. Writing was excellent.
Stiles turns up in another reality where the Hales are still alive and Derek actually smiles.
But… but….. but…. there was NO ROMANCE. None whatsoever. No kissing, no hanky panky, no declaration of eternal love and devotion. Just an implication of something more between Stiles and Derek as soon as Stiles turns 18.
Is it wrong I REALLY wanted me some of this?
Story was still good though.
May 15, 2019
Daaaaayum this is good. Stiles is just so perfectly Stiles. I love alternate reality stories because, just like with Misfire, they're devastating and sad and hopeful and redeeming. Just, sigh.
The pace is great. It gets you right in the feelz. Things are happy at the end, but not perfect, as Stiles says:
Re-re-read 1/2016: Still.Amazing. Podfic especially.
Re-re-re-read 2/2018: I leave this audio on my phone for if I'm ever out of audiobooks and need something to listen to. I'm familiar enough with it now that I can pop in and out, but I enjoy it so much that it's still a nice interlude.
Re-re-re-re-read 5/2019: Had a long drive and I wasn’t disappointed with this as company. I always forget how heartbreakingly beautiful the last line is!
The pace is great. It gets you right in the feelz. Things are happy at the end, but not perfect, as Stiles says:
"Bottom line: he's never surprised by loss, and he's always suspicious of his own happiness. He's fucking broken inside, and always has been. And this world he's in, where he's got everything and nothing at the same time? Where none of it really belongs to him and he'll always feel like a thief? He thinks he might actually manage to be content here. Like he's paid his dues, somehow."
Re-re-read 1/2016: Still.Amazing. Podfic especially.
Re-re-re-read 2/2018: I leave this audio on my phone for if I'm ever out of audiobooks and need something to listen to. I'm familiar enough with it now that I can pop in and out, but I enjoy it so much that it's still a nice interlude.
Re-re-re-re-read 5/2019: Had a long drive and I wasn’t disappointed with this as company. I always forget how heartbreakingly beautiful the last line is!
April 7, 2015
Usually this alternate universe trope aka "Stiles being send to a BH in which the fire never happened and all the Hales live merrily in the woods" isn't my preferred Sterek fanfic.
As are the "Stiles is magically send back in the past before the Hale fire ever happened and ergo tries to prevent it from happening"-ones.
But this was pretty, pretty good. Like wow, well most of the time. I really liked the writing and the characterisation and, yeah, this author certainly knows how to tell a story.
The very sudden and anticlimcatic end (I know, the big, glaring anticlimax is addressed in the fic itself, but, well, still anticlimactic, even if it's a deliberate part of the story...) is what spoiled this totally entertaining and up until then solid 5 star read for me a bit. And tbh, the anticlimax I could live with, but the abruptness of it all kind of caught me unawares and left me rather unsatisfied. A bit.
This fic is still totally worth reading and everyone who loves TW fanfics and still hasn't read it?.. Read it! Like srsly, read it now.
As are the "Stiles is magically send back in the past before the Hale fire ever happened and ergo tries to prevent it from happening"-ones.
But this was pretty, pretty good. Like wow, well most of the time. I really liked the writing and the characterisation and, yeah, this author certainly knows how to tell a story.
The very sudden and anticlimcatic end (I know, the big, glaring anticlimax is addressed in the fic itself, but, well, still anticlimactic, even if it's a deliberate part of the story...) is what spoiled this totally entertaining and up until then solid 5 star read for me a bit. And tbh, the anticlimax I could live with, but the abruptness of it all kind of caught me unawares and left me rather unsatisfied. A bit.
This fic is still totally worth reading and everyone who loves TW fanfics and still hasn't read it?.. Read it! Like srsly, read it now.
February 27, 2015
4.5 stars. I loved this take on stiles-gets-sucked-into-a-parallel-timeline story. Awesomeness, lots of awesomeness.
June 28, 2015
Really great. Really really great. PTSD Stiles thrown into a world where things are mostly ok. It makes you sympathize with high stress, high risk jobs. How do you deal with calm and normal when most everything you live is chaos and panic?
Touching, thoughtful, and interesting, this was a great read. Very well paced story. Some heartbreaking and thoughtful moments throughout as Stiles reveals his two realities and tries to take care of those he loves in the here and now while dealing with the loss of what was.
Similar to Misfire (another fanfic) in some ways with the reset but amazingly way less heartachey but I think that's because of Stiles and his battle mindset. He is still at war and unable to stop and grieve just yet. He refuses to dwell on everything, preferring to take action instead. BAMF Stiles is awesome.
I want more!
Touching, thoughtful, and interesting, this was a great read. Very well paced story. Some heartbreaking and thoughtful moments throughout as Stiles reveals his two realities and tries to take care of those he loves in the here and now while dealing with the loss of what was.
Similar to Misfire (another fanfic) in some ways with the reset but amazingly way less heartachey but I think that's because of Stiles and his battle mindset. He is still at war and unable to stop and grieve just yet. He refuses to dwell on everything, preferring to take action instead. BAMF Stiles is awesome.
I want more!
August 27, 2016
BAMF magic!Stiles with a heavy plot and no-fluff. I kind of don't know why this was classified "Sterek" - it's really just TW fanfic... as there's no romance (i.e.: completely devoid of kissing, sexy times...everything).
It...was good, but long, and the podfic (though really well done) did not help the somewhat boring nature for me on occasion.
I mean, I didn't really enjoy it, but I didn't not enjoy it either? I'm kind of on the fence with it, really.
I feel like if I'd read it instead of listening to it I might judge it differently.
It just seemed to be missing that certain...je ne sais quoi.
It...was good, but long, and the podfic (though really well done) did not help the somewhat boring nature for me on occasion.
I mean, I didn't really enjoy it, but I didn't not enjoy it either? I'm kind of on the fence with it, really.
I feel like if I'd read it instead of listening to it I might judge it differently.
It just seemed to be missing that certain...je ne sais quoi.
March 29, 2021
3.5 stars
This is so clever, I barely even noticed the lack of smut. And since I pretty much read Sterek specifically for the smut, that is saying A LOT!
It's funny, it's interesting, there's relationship development even though there's no actual relationship yet since STILES IS UNDERAGE. (Thank you, author, this is often my sticking point with Sterek fanfic.) Here, Stiles is a few months away from turning 18 and making smart choices, and I LOVED that. Definitely means the plot has to up its game, though, and this one met the challenge no problem. This is hands down the best Sterek plot I've read.
You do need to have some familiarity with TW canon to fully appreciate it, but you don't have to, like, actually watch the show for that :) I never have. Just don't start your Sterek addiction with this particular fanfic. Wait until you've read enough to give you a feel for the backbone of the world. (It doesn't take much.) The cleverness is very much in the contrast between the two universes, so if you don't have a handle on the basics of the original universe, you're going to miss the genius of it.
This is so clever, I barely even noticed the lack of smut. And since I pretty much read Sterek specifically for the smut, that is saying A LOT!
It's funny, it's interesting, there's relationship development even though there's no actual relationship yet since STILES IS UNDERAGE. (Thank you, author, this is often my sticking point with Sterek fanfic.) Here, Stiles is a few months away from turning 18 and making smart choices, and I LOVED that. Definitely means the plot has to up its game, though, and this one met the challenge no problem. This is hands down the best Sterek plot I've read.
You do need to have some familiarity with TW canon to fully appreciate it, but you don't have to, like, actually watch the show for that :) I never have. Just don't start your Sterek addiction with this particular fanfic. Wait until you've read enough to give you a feel for the backbone of the world. (It doesn't take much.) The cleverness is very much in the contrast between the two universes, so if you don't have a handle on the basics of the original universe, you're going to miss the genius of it.
May 8, 2023
2023 Re-Read:
This is by no means only the 4th time I've read this. It's become my ultimate comfort read. I don't even bother to close the AO3 tab I have open for this story. My all-time favorite fanfic.
2nd 2018 Re-Read:
I was in need of some comfort reads today, and this was the first thing that came to mind. Which is weird, because this story is not especially comforting. But it was perfect for my mood.
2018 Re-Read:
I just read this six months ago, but couldn't wait any longer to read it again. It's just awesome.
This is by no means only the 4th time I've read this. It's become my ultimate comfort read. I don't even bother to close the AO3 tab I have open for this story. My all-time favorite fanfic.
2nd 2018 Re-Read:
I was in need of some comfort reads today, and this was the first thing that came to mind. Which is weird, because this story is not especially comforting. But it was perfect for my mood.
2018 Re-Read:
I just read this six months ago, but couldn't wait any longer to read it again. It's just awesome.
December 22, 2020
Wow. Just wow!
January 3, 2015
4 stars
This was a very good story. This is a Sterek fanfiction story. For those of you that don't know...Sterek fanfic is based off 2 male characters, Stiles and Derek, from the TV show Teen Wolf. In the show they're both heterosexual but some viewers have fantasized about them together in a m/m relationship and thus Sterek was born. This story has a Stiles that was part of the TV show world (that went wonkie) and he ends up in a world that is similar but the Hale family was never killed. This means that Scott was never bitten and Derek is a lot more relaxed (an kind of unsure of himself). Fair warning though...this is more of a Stiles story that has a hint of something happening between Stiles and Derek as the story ends (they don't even kiss).
The story begins in the TV show world but things have gone wrong and most of Stiles' pack has been killed, including Derek. Stiles is trying to get Scott and his dad out of the country and hopefully to safety. As he's trying to get to them, Stiles is attacked by a rampaging werewolf. Stiles has a Hale family pendant given to him by Derek before he died (to be used in only the worst case scenarios) and right before the werewolf kills Stiles he uses it. Stiles finds himself in the hospital and it ends up it's from an accident where he hit a dear with his jeap. He calls Scott and figures out pretty quickly that Scott isn't a werewolf and he's in a seriously different world from where he'd lived the first 17 years of his life. The story pretty much revolves around Stiles dealing with getting a handle on this new world, figuring out whether or not he can go home and dealing with dangers and things that need fixing in the new world. It was actually pretty cool to see the Hale family alive and Peter not crazy. Since Derek didn't go through the whole Kate thing and losing his family, he wasn't as guarded and was actually less forceful and sure of himself. I liked him though and it was kind of cool to see him liking Stiles from afar (after all Stiles is only 17 in the story so no touching allowed for another few months). The story ends happily...the romance between Derek and Stiles is just hinted at but seems sure to bloom in to a relationship in the future.
This was a very enjoyable story. I really liked how the story was written...I wouldn't have minded more Derek in the story (the story pretty much had Stiles as the MC with Derek, Scott and Laura as the next most important characters in the story) but it was still very good none the less. It was a very interesting story and I enjoyed it a lot. :D
* note - I listened to the podcast of this Sterek and the narrator did a very good job.
This was a very good story. This is a Sterek fanfiction story. For those of you that don't know...Sterek fanfic is based off 2 male characters, Stiles and Derek, from the TV show Teen Wolf. In the show they're both heterosexual but some viewers have fantasized about them together in a m/m relationship and thus Sterek was born. This story has a Stiles that was part of the TV show world (that went wonkie) and he ends up in a world that is similar but the Hale family was never killed. This means that Scott was never bitten and Derek is a lot more relaxed (an kind of unsure of himself). Fair warning though...this is more of a Stiles story that has a hint of something happening between Stiles and Derek as the story ends (they don't even kiss).
The story begins in the TV show world but things have gone wrong and most of Stiles' pack has been killed, including Derek. Stiles is trying to get Scott and his dad out of the country and hopefully to safety. As he's trying to get to them, Stiles is attacked by a rampaging werewolf. Stiles has a Hale family pendant given to him by Derek before he died (to be used in only the worst case scenarios) and right before the werewolf kills Stiles he uses it. Stiles finds himself in the hospital and it ends up it's from an accident where he hit a dear with his jeap. He calls Scott and figures out pretty quickly that Scott isn't a werewolf and he's in a seriously different world from where he'd lived the first 17 years of his life. The story pretty much revolves around Stiles dealing with getting a handle on this new world, figuring out whether or not he can go home and dealing with dangers and things that need fixing in the new world. It was actually pretty cool to see the Hale family alive and Peter not crazy. Since Derek didn't go through the whole Kate thing and losing his family, he wasn't as guarded and was actually less forceful and sure of himself. I liked him though and it was kind of cool to see him liking Stiles from afar (after all Stiles is only 17 in the story so no touching allowed for another few months). The story ends happily...the romance between Derek and Stiles is just hinted at but seems sure to bloom in to a relationship in the future.
This was a very enjoyable story. I really liked how the story was written...I wouldn't have minded more Derek in the story (the story pretty much had Stiles as the MC with Derek, Scott and Laura as the next most important characters in the story) but it was still very good none the less. It was a very interesting story and I enjoyed it a lot. :D
* note - I listened to the podcast of this Sterek and the narrator did a very good job.
January 9, 2015
Awesome fic in which Stiles tries to escape being killed by Peter and ends up in an alternate universe where all the Hales are still alive and Derek is adorable (more than usual). Unfortunately he doesn't seem to be able to get back home, but on the other hand he is just what the Universe he landed in needed.
I really liked that Stiles is such a badass in this one. He has tons more experience with life or death situations than even the adults and constantly gets the upper hand with everybody. I really liked the story for the intense moments and the way it was mostly about the characters and how they interacted and dealt with the situations. The actual fighting happened off screen, but I didn't mind it. It was kind of nice to be in the house with Stiles, fretting over how things will end up, but finally able to let the adults handle it.
It has only a little Sterek slash (as in they don't even get to kiss), but it is implied that they like each other romantically.
I really liked that Stiles is such a badass in this one. He has tons more experience with life or death situations than even the adults and constantly gets the upper hand with everybody. I really liked the story for the intense moments and the way it was mostly about the characters and how they interacted and dealt with the situations. The actual fighting happened off screen, but I didn't mind it. It was kind of nice to be in the house with Stiles, fretting over how things will end up, but finally able to let the adults handle it.
It has only a little Sterek slash (as in they don't even get to kiss), but it is implied that they like each other romantically.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews