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Rats' Alley
Sterek Fanfic
Four years after season two, after the pack has solidified and are attending school in Southern California, civilization crashes to a halt that kills most modern electronics. Derek orders the rest of the Hale Pack to either wait in LA or return to Beacon Hills, while he heads to Mexico to retrieve Stiles. What should have been a few days' trip turns into an odyssey contending with human horror, natural disasters and a lethal disease that may infect werewolves too. Derek and Stiles are forced into a closer partnership and an honest relationship even while they have to face that there is no promise of safety at their destination. Not for them, not for the Pack, and not for humanity.
No one guessed the domino fall of civilization would end with a howling from the forest when it all crashed to a halt.
Words:101736 complete
Four years after season two, after the pack has solidified and are attending school in Southern California, civilization crashes to a halt that kills most modern electronics. Derek orders the rest of the Hale Pack to either wait in LA or return to Beacon Hills, while he heads to Mexico to retrieve Stiles. What should have been a few days' trip turns into an odyssey contending with human horror, natural disasters and a lethal disease that may infect werewolves too. Derek and Stiles are forced into a closer partnership and an honest relationship even while they have to face that there is no promise of safety at their destination. Not for them, not for the Pack, and not for humanity.
No one guessed the domino fall of civilization would end with a howling from the forest when it all crashed to a halt.
Words:101736 complete
182 pages, ebook
First published December 11, 2013
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 10, 2020
4.5 Stars
Rats' Alley was a seriously dark and angsty Sterek fic, and not for the faint of heart.
Churning up my insides and rising my blood pressure at a damn-near constant rate, this story was non-stop action and survival drama, chronicling Derek and Stiles’ race to get home to Beacon Hills (from Mexico) during a post-apocalyptic event that pretty much ends of civilisation as we know it.
This story was intense, and it didn’t really even have a HFN, . But it was a great story and the characterisations of Derek and Stiles were some of the best I’ve encountered in recent years.
It also helped that 99% of the story is purely Derek and Stiles on page, leading the story, and thankfully reunited and together by the 20% mark onwards. I loved how their relationship progressed in this one, too, even if it did unfold during the worst situations possible—it just proved how strong their connection was and how undeniable their feelings were.
My one complaint is that the story was overly long (much longer than the 182 pages GR has it marked as—more like 300-400p), with certain chapters dragging at times, which slowed the story, even when the quiet times and inner reflections were poignant and relevant.
Overall, this was a great fic to add to my favourite Sterek’s list—although probably not one I’d be easily re-reading in the future because of the heavy mood and themes. Still, highly recommended to Sterek lovers!
Rats' Alley was a seriously dark and angsty Sterek fic, and not for the faint of heart.
Churning up my insides and rising my blood pressure at a damn-near constant rate, this story was non-stop action and survival drama, chronicling Derek and Stiles’ race to get home to Beacon Hills (from Mexico) during a post-apocalyptic event that pretty much ends of civilisation as we know it.
This story was intense, and it didn’t really even have a HFN, . But it was a great story and the characterisations of Derek and Stiles were some of the best I’ve encountered in recent years.
It also helped that 99% of the story is purely Derek and Stiles on page, leading the story, and thankfully reunited and together by the 20% mark onwards. I loved how their relationship progressed in this one, too, even if it did unfold during the worst situations possible—it just proved how strong their connection was and how undeniable their feelings were.
My one complaint is that the story was overly long (much longer than the 182 pages GR has it marked as—more like 300-400p), with certain chapters dragging at times, which slowed the story, even when the quiet times and inner reflections were poignant and relevant.
Overall, this was a great fic to add to my favourite Sterek’s list—although probably not one I’d be easily re-reading in the future because of the heavy mood and themes. Still, highly recommended to Sterek lovers!
February 2, 2015
3.5
Read Rats' Alley, they said. I can't wait to see what you think, they said.
You know what I have to say?
HOME TO MY FLUFF.
Am I glad that SOME PEOPLE recommended it to me? Yes.
Do I regret reading it? No.
Does the writing suck? No.
Is it an interesting take on two characters I've read about over and over and over and over again? Yes.
Is it an edge-of-your-seat-oh-my-gawd-what-the-fuck-is-going-to-happen-next read? Yes.
Am I going to stop with the douchey question-and-answer shit? Yes.
It was a solid I-really-like-it 4 star read until the last chapter. Everything is going to shit, but it's the apocalypse, people, everything is supposed to go to shit. I thought as long as Derek and Stiles don't die I'm cool with just about anything.
WRONG. Mind the "dark ending" tag, okay?
I have minor complaints , but my major complaint is just two small sentences in the second to last page:
Maybe that ending doesn't sound sound so bad unless you've read the fic, but for me it just completely negated everything that happened in the first 99%.
Would I recommend it? I don't know...sure? Yeah? It's definitely different and will give you plenty to think and talk about. And despite my ranting it's not the angstiest thing I've ever read--I didn't lose sleep over it, and give or take a week I'll probably let it go. Still....WHAT THE FUCK WAS WITH THAT ENDING?!
I'm going to have to break out my emergency happy place.
I feel a little better. Wait, no, I need the EMERGENCY emergency happy place.
Oh, yeah. That is niiiiice.
For a couple of excellent 5-star reviews click here and here.
January 25, 2015
5 Stars
It's the end of the world as we know it... and apparently, the ironic impetus that gets these two to finally admit their feelings for each other.
Central to this story is Derek. You can see how his past weighs so heavily on him - the guilt and grief often paralyzing his ability to be happy and to have a normal loving relationship with someone. Despite his strong, stoic facade, this is a man who is constantly battling his own demons, doubting his self worth and so afraid of failing those under his care.
"He needed to take a chance, gamble that he could live and not just endure… There would always be a piece of Derek waiting for the next betrayal and a knife in the back. That's what life had taught him to expect."
Then you have Stiles. He is so attune to Derek, afraid of pushing too hard or too fast, lest he scare him away for good. He knows what he's been through, handles him so perfectly, cares for him so deeply.
"He loved the Derek he knew now, the man Derek had become, the alpha and the wolf, but he'd always ache for the kid Kate Argent had done her best to destroy"
So against the backdrop of the apocalypse, there's mass chaos and something more sinister brewing - their budding, romantic relationship the least of their worries as they confront obstacle after obstacle in trying to get back home. This is a harsh, realistic fic set in the season 2 canon. I found it well written, nuanced and thoughtful toward the characters' motivation and voice.
The Stereks I have given 5 stars to, often give me an emotional punch regarding these two's feelings for each other. Their love is strong and profound here. I'm not saying this is perfect in all areas. It had a slow start. The smex is not abundant but grows as their relationship does. The fluff is rare but beautiful during the private moments between Stiles and Derek. However, it's the ending - the full weight of the angst of this book built and did not hit me til the end, and I'm still kinda left reeling from it and perhaps a little bit in denial.
"The rest of forever wouldn't have been enough for Stiles to get tired of being with Derek. They didn't belong to each other... they belonged with each other, they chose each other and to continue side by side together."
I look forward to a dialogue and seeing what everyone else thinks!
It's the end of the world as we know it... and apparently, the ironic impetus that gets these two to finally admit their feelings for each other.
Central to this story is Derek. You can see how his past weighs so heavily on him - the guilt and grief often paralyzing his ability to be happy and to have a normal loving relationship with someone. Despite his strong, stoic facade, this is a man who is constantly battling his own demons, doubting his self worth and so afraid of failing those under his care.
"He needed to take a chance, gamble that he could live and not just endure… There would always be a piece of Derek waiting for the next betrayal and a knife in the back. That's what life had taught him to expect."
Then you have Stiles. He is so attune to Derek, afraid of pushing too hard or too fast, lest he scare him away for good. He knows what he's been through, handles him so perfectly, cares for him so deeply.
"He loved the Derek he knew now, the man Derek had become, the alpha and the wolf, but he'd always ache for the kid Kate Argent had done her best to destroy"
So against the backdrop of the apocalypse, there's mass chaos and something more sinister brewing - their budding, romantic relationship the least of their worries as they confront obstacle after obstacle in trying to get back home. This is a harsh, realistic fic set in the season 2 canon. I found it well written, nuanced and thoughtful toward the characters' motivation and voice.
The Stereks I have given 5 stars to, often give me an emotional punch regarding these two's feelings for each other. Their love is strong and profound here. I'm not saying this is perfect in all areas. It had a slow start. The smex is not abundant but grows as their relationship does. The fluff is rare but beautiful during the private moments between Stiles and Derek. However, it's the ending - the full weight of the angst of this book built and did not hit me til the end, and I'm still kinda left reeling from it and perhaps a little bit in denial.
"The rest of forever wouldn't have been enough for Stiles to get tired of being with Derek. They didn't belong to each other... they belonged with each other, they chose each other and to continue side by side together."
I look forward to a dialogue and seeing what everyone else thinks!
January 26, 2014
Lately I have been trying to save money for our new house by not buying so many books. That combined with my new job and new friends means less time available to read. Next week, I will be reviewing Rhys Ford’s Clockwork Tangerine. But I just could not put this book down this week and was massively impressed with the concept, writing, and conclusion. So I HAD to do a review of Rat’s Alley by Auburn this week.
Normally with any Fan-Fiction, the author either goes into two directions: Same-world, just alternative storyline or alternate storyline. I have written several book reviews and blog posts which are here. For this book we have a post-apocalyptic setting, and while they are still werewolves and the same characters on the TV show, the setting and plot is completely different.
Basic Plot:
What happens to the Pack when a catastrophic electrical breakdown happens in society? Will they all make it back to Beacon Hill? Will they all survive? Will this be the chance for Stiles and Derek to stop fighting their attraction and accept fate?
Stiles Stillinski:
Stiles has the same personality that we see in the TV show. He is smart and sassy, always getting into trouble but uses his brain to find a way out. The story is set farther ahead in time, Stiles is now 20, with Derek being 26, so no longer do we have that conflict of “dating a teenager”. In the beginning of this book we see him in Mexico, south Mexico. He is doing some magical training with Consuelo, a witch. When the satellite phone stops working for several days, he knows something horrible has happened, so he begins his way back up Highway 1 to the pack in California. Luckily, the old Jeep is old enough to still run, most of the other cars won’t start.
Through Stiles we start to see how it must feel to have to rely on only yourself in isolation. He has to pack up and travel, alone in what he is beginning to understand is a something world-changing.
We get that feeling of danger, tension, and deep feelings early on in the story that creates buy-in for their relationship to work.
Derek Hale:
Derek is one of my favorite characters on the TV show, and this book portrays his character correctly. Derek is physically strong, and steps in when he should to protect those that he loves or to do the right thing. We see early on in this book as he helps those in the car crash, that he has a moral strength in him to try to help others. But always, in the back of his mind is loyalty and duty to the pack. Pack always comes first. Keep in mind that this is Derek at 26, so he has matured as a person and as an Alpha, so some angst we might have seen with his character in the TV has left.
So we see early one from this quote that his focus is always the health and safety of his pack.
What did I love?
This author kicked it when it came to creating a dark and dangerous environment through writing. I was amazed at how unnerved I was while reading it. It gave me the same feelings that Stephen King’s The Stand did. Not because she was stealing plot or anything, she just has the ability to so thoroughly build the scene that you are SEEING it, FEELING it, and TASTING it. Be prepared, the first few chapters with Derek will have you drawn into the storyline quickly and it will be hard to put the book down.
So, the writing is compelling, but I also liked how the relationship of Sterek evolved through this book. We can tell based on when it happens that the friendship is strong, and they already do love each other, just neither had moved it to the physical because of fear of hurting the friendship. This story starts at that point and then because of nature of the trip, we don’t have sex every five minutes. There is actual plot and character development.
I also loved how the author ended this book. This is a traveling story, when the environment and journey IS the story; how Stiles and Derek handle the problems along the way back to Beacon Hill. So, as they get closer and closer, while the book is still building tension, you KNOWN that more trouble is coming. It was a great way to build the suspense within the storyline.
What could be better?
I really could not think of anything better about this book. It is fan-fiction, so some editing might be expected (not for spelling but rather for pacing), but other than that it was a great book.
Conclusions:
I have a love for fan-fiction, no doubt about it. What I like about it is the freedom to take something that originally was well thought-out in characterizations and world creating. Fan-fiction gives us a chance to play with the world and plot, giving us something new and exciting that is not limited by society, ratings, producers, or the networks.
In Rats’ Alley, we see this in action. The storyline is epic in scope and direction, more than “just a romance”. You will go through numerous emotions: fear, hope, pain, lust, love, and determination. When the ending happens, it makes you feel glad, but only when you realize that some things will never be the same and we can only adapt.
This is a wonderful book, and I hope that this fan-fiction author goes on to become a professional author because she certainly has the skill to do so.
Bea
Normally with any Fan-Fiction, the author either goes into two directions: Same-world, just alternative storyline or alternate storyline. I have written several book reviews and blog posts which are here. For this book we have a post-apocalyptic setting, and while they are still werewolves and the same characters on the TV show, the setting and plot is completely different.
Basic Plot:
What happens to the Pack when a catastrophic electrical breakdown happens in society? Will they all make it back to Beacon Hill? Will they all survive? Will this be the chance for Stiles and Derek to stop fighting their attraction and accept fate?
Stiles Stillinski:
Stiles has the same personality that we see in the TV show. He is smart and sassy, always getting into trouble but uses his brain to find a way out. The story is set farther ahead in time, Stiles is now 20, with Derek being 26, so no longer do we have that conflict of “dating a teenager”. In the beginning of this book we see him in Mexico, south Mexico. He is doing some magical training with Consuelo, a witch. When the satellite phone stops working for several days, he knows something horrible has happened, so he begins his way back up Highway 1 to the pack in California. Luckily, the old Jeep is old enough to still run, most of the other cars won’t start.
Through Stiles we start to see how it must feel to have to rely on only yourself in isolation. He has to pack up and travel, alone in what he is beginning to understand is a something world-changing.
By the second day, Stiles had that crawling, hunch your shoulders and get ready to run feeling that always preceded another shit show. He hadn’t heard from the pack in more than a week. Derek insisted on weekly check ins — either someone called Stiles or he was supposed to call Derek to prove he was still alive. It went both ways: Stiles couldn’t settle if he was worrying about the pack. And now all he could do was worry about them and Derek in particular and, damn it, he should have taken his chances and said something to Derek before leaving, what if it was too late…?
We get that feeling of danger, tension, and deep feelings early on in the story that creates buy-in for their relationship to work.
Derek Hale:
Derek is one of my favorite characters on the TV show, and this book portrays his character correctly. Derek is physically strong, and steps in when he should to protect those that he loves or to do the right thing. We see early on in this book as he helps those in the car crash, that he has a moral strength in him to try to help others. But always, in the back of his mind is loyalty and duty to the pack. Pack always comes first. Keep in mind that this is Derek at 26, so he has matured as a person and as an Alpha, so some angst we might have seen with his character in the TV has left.
“You’re back,” she said eventually.
“I’ve got water,” Derek told her.
“This is Alex.”
“Alex Komorovski.”
“Angela Bailey. This is Billy.”
Billy peaked at Alex briefly then hid his face against his mother again.
They both looked at Derek. Derek handed Angela a bottle of water and didn’t offer his name.
Angela alternated drinking and giving sips to Billy. Alex winced when he saw Danny’s covered body and said nothing. He sipped slowly at the bottle of water Derek handed him and squinted westward. ”Any ideas?” he asked eventually.
“Walk,” Derek replied. A ragged line of people already had the same idea. Some were headed west down the side of the highway, though a few were marching back, maybe figuring they were closer to a town in that direction.
Alex nodded.
“My grand dad has a house in Afton,” Angela said unexpectedly. ”We should go there.”
Derek shrugged and finished his own water. ”I’ve got to get back to L.A.” He glanced down at Angela and Billy, then caught Alex’s gaze. ”keep the water.”
So we see early one from this quote that his focus is always the health and safety of his pack.
What did I love?
This author kicked it when it came to creating a dark and dangerous environment through writing. I was amazed at how unnerved I was while reading it. It gave me the same feelings that Stephen King’s The Stand did. Not because she was stealing plot or anything, she just has the ability to so thoroughly build the scene that you are SEEING it, FEELING it, and TASTING it. Be prepared, the first few chapters with Derek will have you drawn into the storyline quickly and it will be hard to put the book down.
A river of weekend gamblers were pouring back to the LA basin – Derek’s bail jumper had been one of them, now in the hands of the Las Vegas PD – and Derek let his foot press down the gas a little more, half intending to pass the mini-convoy of semis ahead of him. The SUV coughed and died instead; not just the engine but the electronics as well. Swift reflexes and strength let Derek wrestle the steering wheel right, hard enough to bounce off the Interstate and maintain control as it bounded onto the shoulder at eighty-five miles an hour. The SUV pin-balled and smashed sideways between two other vehicles in a horrendous screech of metal on metal and dust rose in a choking cloud around it.
So, the writing is compelling, but I also liked how the relationship of Sterek evolved through this book. We can tell based on when it happens that the friendship is strong, and they already do love each other, just neither had moved it to the physical because of fear of hurting the friendship. This story starts at that point and then because of nature of the trip, we don’t have sex every five minutes. There is actual plot and character development.
I also loved how the author ended this book. This is a traveling story, when the environment and journey IS the story; how Stiles and Derek handle the problems along the way back to Beacon Hill. So, as they get closer and closer, while the book is still building tension, you KNOWN that more trouble is coming. It was a great way to build the suspense within the storyline.
What could be better?
I really could not think of anything better about this book. It is fan-fiction, so some editing might be expected (not for spelling but rather for pacing), but other than that it was a great book.
Conclusions:
I have a love for fan-fiction, no doubt about it. What I like about it is the freedom to take something that originally was well thought-out in characterizations and world creating. Fan-fiction gives us a chance to play with the world and plot, giving us something new and exciting that is not limited by society, ratings, producers, or the networks.
In Rats’ Alley, we see this in action. The storyline is epic in scope and direction, more than “just a romance”. You will go through numerous emotions: fear, hope, pain, lust, love, and determination. When the ending happens, it makes you feel glad, but only when you realize that some things will never be the same and we can only adapt.
This is a wonderful book, and I hope that this fan-fiction author goes on to become a professional author because she certainly has the skill to do so.
Bea
March 13, 2016
4-4.5 stars
This was a great 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 is somewhat based around the TV show. The pack went through the first 2 seasons of the show (until the Alpha pack) and then skipped to 4 years later where the pack is still together and is living together in LA while everyone (except Derek) is in college.
When the story begins, Derek is still the Alpha of the pack and is working as a bounty hunter. He has just finished up a job and is heading home when an EMP type pulse takes out all electronics and the shit hits the fan. Derek is able to get back to LA and confirm that most of the pack is safe and alright but he's unhappy that Stiles is stuck down in Mexico. Stiles has some magical abilities and went to Mexico to study with a Bruja down there but since the end of civilization as we know it seems to be coming, Derek isn't content to have Stiles so far away.
Derek goes after Stiles and they meet up in Mexico as Stiles is heading out to get back home. The EMP issues are widespread and make traveling difficult. It also encourages people to take the law into their own hands and things become dangerous. Derek and Stiles make their way back to the US and along the way, the attraction that's been between them for 4 years finally gets acknowledged and they become a couple. Unfortunately, the EMP blast isn't the only problem they face as they head home and things aren't easy for the pair as they attempt to rejoin their pack. It is an apocalyptic situation so the ending isn't completely happy but Stiles and Derek are solidly together and as happy as can be expected when the story ends.
I really enjoyed this story a lot. Stiles and Derek were both likable in this story and I loved seeing them get together. The story had a few mistakes here and there (which kept it from 5 stars) but overall I thought the story was really good and it kept me engaged all the way to the end. :D
This was a great 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 is somewhat based around the TV show. The pack went through the first 2 seasons of the show (until the Alpha pack) and then skipped to 4 years later where the pack is still together and is living together in LA while everyone (except Derek) is in college.
When the story begins, Derek is still the Alpha of the pack and is working as a bounty hunter. He has just finished up a job and is heading home when an EMP type pulse takes out all electronics and the shit hits the fan. Derek is able to get back to LA and confirm that most of the pack is safe and alright but he's unhappy that Stiles is stuck down in Mexico. Stiles has some magical abilities and went to Mexico to study with a Bruja down there but since the end of civilization as we know it seems to be coming, Derek isn't content to have Stiles so far away.
Derek goes after Stiles and they meet up in Mexico as Stiles is heading out to get back home. The EMP issues are widespread and make traveling difficult. It also encourages people to take the law into their own hands and things become dangerous. Derek and Stiles make their way back to the US and along the way, the attraction that's been between them for 4 years finally gets acknowledged and they become a couple. Unfortunately, the EMP blast isn't the only problem they face as they head home and things aren't easy for the pair as they attempt to rejoin their pack. It is an apocalyptic situation so the ending isn't completely happy but Stiles and Derek are solidly together and as happy as can be expected when the story ends.
I really enjoyed this story a lot. Stiles and Derek were both likable in this story and I loved seeing them get together. The story had a few mistakes here and there (which kept it from 5 stars) but overall I thought the story was really good and it kept me engaged all the way to the end. :D
July 27, 2016
"I said kiss me, you're beautiful, these are truly the last days."
Dead Flag Blues, God Bless You! Black Emperor
Well that was bleak as fuck!!
I really did love this and the real proof of that is that here I am almost 2 weeks after finishing and I'm still thinking about it.
This is dark and depressing and, as I said, bleak as fuck but there were moments of hope throughout and it's what got me through it.
What really stuck with me because of this was that nature may have been what caused the electronics to fail but the real apocalypse was caused by man. I'm pretty much of the opinion that should it ever happen it will happen a bit like this.
Cheery ain't I? Well this book is not going to give you many cheery thoughts. Mostly really dark ones to be honest but again it was a really good read. Dual POV and wonderful POV's they were. Both Derek and Stiles have grown and matured and it's such a shame that an apocalypse is needed for them both to start communicating their true feelings and give in to the chemistry between them.
My most favourite thing about this though were the chapter headings. I spent the entirety of this fic with my road atlas on my lap and tracking their journey.
This is the kind of shit I absolutely love. No idea why but finding places and roads while reading about them is incredibly satisfying for me.
Totally worth a read. But beware...
"You grabbed my hand and we fell into it,
like a day dream or a fever."
Dead Flag Blues, God Bless You! Black Emperor
Dead Flag Blues, God Bless You! Black Emperor
Well that was bleak as fuck!!
I really did love this and the real proof of that is that here I am almost 2 weeks after finishing and I'm still thinking about it.
This is dark and depressing and, as I said, bleak as fuck but there were moments of hope throughout and it's what got me through it.
What really stuck with me because of this was that nature may have been what caused the electronics to fail but the real apocalypse was caused by man. I'm pretty much of the opinion that should it ever happen it will happen a bit like this.
Cheery ain't I? Well this book is not going to give you many cheery thoughts. Mostly really dark ones to be honest but again it was a really good read. Dual POV and wonderful POV's they were. Both Derek and Stiles have grown and matured and it's such a shame that an apocalypse is needed for them both to start communicating their true feelings and give in to the chemistry between them.
My most favourite thing about this though were the chapter headings. I spent the entirety of this fic with my road atlas on my lap and tracking their journey.
This is the kind of shit I absolutely love. No idea why but finding places and roads while reading about them is incredibly satisfying for me.
Totally worth a read. But beware...
"You grabbed my hand and we fell into it,
like a day dream or a fever."
Dead Flag Blues, God Bless You! Black Emperor
November 29, 2014
Me and dark endings are never going to be friends. They would ruin me.
I was more than a halfway through and I thought it's not angsty enough. But I just brought a disaster by thinking like that, because feelz slammed into me really fucking hard by a surprise.
I feel like this fic tore my heart out, ripped it apart and gave me back only half of it. It's not a nice feeling.
I was more than a halfway through and I thought it's not angsty enough. But I just brought a disaster by thinking like that, because feelz slammed into me really fucking hard by a surprise.
I feel like this fic tore my heart out, ripped it apart and gave me back only half of it. It's not a nice feeling.
You grabbed my hand and we fell into it,I need some fluff.
like a day dream or a fever.
The Dead Flag Blues, God Bless You! Black Emperor
June 9, 2015
I liked this fic. Cause post-apocalyptic, lots of Derek/Stiles time, long read matching the long journey from Baja to Beacon Hills, bittersweet ending appropriate to post-apocalyptic setting, the links in chapter titles taking you to real roads as their journey progressed, one really good smexxy time.
Not so liked: the slow start, the working helicopters (cause no other tech work so... WTF), too much fade-to-black smex (for my prurient self), no Stilesesque banter.
The tone and setting really matched my mood today so this fic really worked for me.
Not so liked: the slow start, the working helicopters (cause no other tech work so... WTF), too much fade-to-black smex (for my prurient self), no Stilesesque banter.
The tone and setting really matched my mood today so this fic really worked for me.
March 27, 2017
This was not the typical Sterek I read. It came highly recommended from someone whose Sterek recommendations always land on my top rated reads so I knew she wouldn't steer me wrong on this one.
This story had all the elements of my highest rated Stereks, although a happy ending wasn't guaranteed (and according to some, even forthcoming). I was on pins and needles at so many points in the story and wasn't sure how this story could end in a HFN or well at all. Now that I have reached the end of this intense journey, my guess is HEA or HFN depends upon your choice of that definition given the turns and twists thrown at your protagonists. The phrase, "it could be worse" comes to mind.
The writing was beautiful, descriptive and vivid. Living in Southern California, USA, I can attest that the descriptions of the wild fires/fires were on point. I actually reached for a glass of cool water as my throat felt parched both at the author's words and my memories of the same dry, gritty, dry heat that just reading about being caught in/around such fires evoked in me.
The writing touched me in a way that allowed me to lose myself in the story; I got misty when parts occurred that these two could be parted and angry when one person *chose* to leave the collective rather than change to stay and add strength to the collective (I could never leave those I loved during such a troubled time).
I would definitely read more from this writer.
Enjoy this story, but make sure you have a couple lighter stories lined up when you finish this if situational angst is not your usual type of read.
This story had all the elements of my highest rated Stereks, although a happy ending wasn't guaranteed (and according to some, even forthcoming). I was on pins and needles at so many points in the story and wasn't sure how this story could end in a HFN or well at all. Now that I have reached the end of this intense journey, my guess is HEA or HFN depends upon your choice of that definition given the turns and twists thrown at your protagonists. The phrase, "it could be worse" comes to mind.
The writing was beautiful, descriptive and vivid. Living in Southern California, USA, I can attest that the descriptions of the wild fires/fires were on point. I actually reached for a glass of cool water as my throat felt parched both at the author's words and my memories of the same dry, gritty, dry heat that just reading about being caught in/around such fires evoked in me.
The writing touched me in a way that allowed me to lose myself in the story; I got misty when parts occurred that these two could be parted and angry when one person *chose* to leave the collective rather than change to stay and add strength to the collective (I could never leave those I loved during such a troubled time).
I would definitely read more from this writer.
Enjoy this story, but make sure you have a couple lighter stories lined up when you finish this if situational angst is not your usual type of read.
dnf
July 28, 2015The writing isn't drawing me in, it's not bad, just one of those things.
August 12, 2020
3.5* hated the ending
June 23, 2015
3.5 stars
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