Stargate SG1

The Blue Jell-O Metaphor by Jennghis Kahn
Oh, God. Poor, poor Sam. What a funny and adorable and spot-on take on Sam, and the support of the team behind her is warm'n'fuzzy-inducing in the best possible way.

Snakeskin by Katie M
This is just the coolest concept ever. Five ficlets, each telling the connection between a host and the symbiote, which are at turns insightful, humorous and moving.

The Art of the Deal by Littera Abactor
Who says First Contact needs to be made with ceremony? SG-1 negotiates with a new breed of aliens with a fascination for a facet of our popular media, and their request is... err, somewhat peculiar. Possibly the funniest take on this particular cliche ever.

In A House Made Of Sycamore by Brighid
AU from Hathor, and Jack/Daniel... sort of. This has the feel and the formal language of a dark and twisted fairy tale, and the deliberate confusion of the narrative stemming from the blurring of the identities enhances the unsettling power of the story. The ending packs quite a punch.

With None Believing by Stars Like Dust
Sam/Jack - A neat little idea that never gets mentioned on the show but you figure it has to happen. There's an inevitability about events in this story that is very appealing, Sam's world spirals out of control and we're left knowing the conclusion without it ever being stated.

This is the Way by Ness
Sam/Jack - Ness writes the apocalypse and does it so simply and effectively you would swear it would happen just like this. Ness has a way with detail that creates a scene so vivid it's tangible.

And These Valleys Unknown by Nanda
Sam/Jack - "You know, I can't always fix things just because you order me to." This line says it all. This is another very simple idea well told. It could be part of a much larger story but I like stories that are about little triumphs, just the small things that must be overcome before you deal with the large.

The Empty Well by Destina
Jack/Daniel - Another really simple idea, but fantastically appealing. It has a mythical feel to it, the way it weaves in a sort of fairytale element, a aligning of the stars kind of theme. Destina has such a lovely credibility about her characters, it's a joy to read.

A Lapse of Gravity by Shalott
Sam/Daniel/Teal'c (and Jack) - I really should have recced this earlier because a good OT4 is a rare and precious thing. Lots of heavy ideas here about sex and bonds and things that tie people together. Credibly told with plenty of depth to the characterisation of Sam. If you haven't read it already don't miss out.

In December by Kres
Jack/Daniel - Just beautiful. I love the narrative devices used in this story, the repetition, the poetry style metaphors. I read this story a few months ago and I still recall scenes and lines - such is its impact. A haunting story.

Every Art and Artifice by the stylus
A Janet in the military pre-Stargate programme fic. A very rare thing and probably the best you're likely to see. Very credible, very detailed and very Janet. This is a absolute necessity for any Janet fans. It will become your canon.

This Day in History by The Grrrl
Jack/Daniel - Hot but also *nice*, which might sound like an unsual combination but there's something so nice about this that makes you think, well, life is not so bad and it's not a freaking revelation either - it just is and maybe it's this that needs to be remembered. Smut fic - but so much more than smut fic.

Thunder Follow Me by Cofax
Dan/Janet (as an incidental - not the focus of the story) - Awesome, epic, apocalyptic tale where the SGC is taken over by the Goa'uld and the dream team are either missing or dead, leaving us with Daniel and Janet trying to save what's left. This story pulls no punches. A dark, shocking tale that will make you thank the gods of Stargate fanfic for Cofax.

Chapel of Love by Splash the Cat
Apparently the earth has started rotating in the wrong direction or something, because here I am, reccin'g a story in which Jack and Sam run off to Vegas to get married by an Elvis impersonator. Oh, shut up! It's really cute!

The Dirt of Sowing and Reaping by Salieri
Sal's post-apocalyptic story is also a mystery, and in reading it, you're torn between the desire to rush ahead to find out what is going on, and the wish to linger and slowly savor the beauty of the language. There's a lot of grief and love in this story, and an original character who's inserted into the lives of Jack, Daniel, and Sam like a question mark. A slow, luxurious read.

Everyday is Like Sunday by Nostalgia
A short "Lost City" story where Jack is not so much revived by the Asgard but kept in a not-dead state. Dan/ Sam pairing in the story but it's a relationship less important to the relationships Dan and Sam have (had) with Jack. It's sad and funny - and just very poignant.

Uncounted Scars by Cofax
The apocathreesome rides again. Sam/Jack/ Daniel at the end of the world. Cofax has a lovely light touch with weighty subjects, using the smallest imagery to drag you in. A short but memorable piece.

Stand, Sit, Stand by Tallulah Rasa
A short piece where Daniel talks to Jack about life, death, sanity and insanity - to tell you much more would spoil a great story. Some really poignant dialogue - a sad story simply told.

Wheel by Brighid
So, what if the team gets stranded on a planet, and doesn't make it back? This story *glows*, like a quiet late afternoon on a lovely autumn day, full-bodied and leisurely and warm.

Left Behind by elly427
Sometimes, things don't end with a bang, even if you're the fabled SG-1. I love this fic to pieces, despite the fact that the story is antithetical to everything I love about the team. It's bitter and plausible and kind of nasty, with an edge of pitch-black humor. Ouch.

Paths Worth Exploring by Katie M
An absolutely delightful bit of in-character (almost) smut, which lets you get inside the heads, and under the skin of Sam and Daniel in the universe Katie created in "In the Wrong Story". I don't know if they're allowed to have this much fun in a post-apocalyptic world, but hey! We can't begrudge them for seizing the day, can we?

(Stargate Atlantis)
Seven Ways John Sheppard Goes Home by minnow
Minnow's prose has such marvellous unfettered clarity to it, which she uses here to explore different possibilities that lie awaiting the team in this brand-new universe. The results are at turns moving, harrowing, and wondrous, with each scenario carrying a ring of plausibility.

Almost A Statesman by Katie M
Good Teal'c stories are rare, and *great* Teal'c stories, even more so. Katie chooses a less trodden path here, employing Ry'ac as the chronicler of his father's life, and the reflective distance of the narrative voice suits the story beautifully. An unusual and quietly moving story.

His House Lasts 'Til Doomsday by Salieri
Holy frickin' OW. I guess it's OK to have our hearts ripped out as long as the violence is done with such gorgeousness. Go forth, read, and wallow.

The Water Is Wide by Cofax
This is the latest of the post-apocalyptic snapshot series from cofax, and it packs much into mere 1200 words--a terrific second-person Sam voice and Jack who will make your heart ache, all in a prose as clean and sharp as a blade of glass. After you're done, you'd want to go read the rest of the series, too.

Grounded by Pares
Oh! How wonderful. This ficlet is melancholy and funny and sweet and thoughtful and hot all at the same time. Plus, it's got Daniel speaking in tongues in throe of passion. Can't go wrong with that.

Mnemophobia by Tripoli
Tripoli spins an intriguing tale of how Daniel might have come back, which beats the pants off Fallen/Homecoming if you ask me. Its characterizations are more vivid (including those of some *wonderful* original characters), its world-building and politics more complex, and the relationships within are thornier, richer, and more rewarding. Damn, I kind of wish they filmed this and showed it to us instead.

Pieces by Nanda
Nanda proves she can write slash as deftly as she can write ship. This is beautiful characterisation and a perfectly believable connection between two people who are closer than common understanding of relationships can define.

These Comedians by Tripoli
If you haven't already bought the Jack/Daniel relationship, this story should do it. This story is blends sex with existentialism and if that doesn't make you jump up and down and scream then you and I will never go bowling together.

After Words by Tallulah Rosa
Proof that beauty lies in simplicity. I love this story for its light touch with the weighty theme of death and for a Daniel who remains hopeful. 

Salvage by Nanda
Nanda once again reminds us that complex people don't have uncomplicated relationships. If you thought Sam and Jack could just quit the airforce and ride off into the sunset you are so very wrong.

Unmade by Destina
Oh, man. Chockfull of loss, loneliness, grief and desire, this story goes AU post "Double Jeopardy", and will gently break your heart into a million tiny pieces.

Combinations by Katie M
Ten vignettes in response to the oddball LJ-name challenge that are like perfectly cut little gems, full of seldom-explored and fascinating interactions between various team members. I particularly love Katie's Teal'c. The peeks at his inner life we get through Katie’s writing beautifully compliment the canon.

A White Dove by Jemima Pereira
After Anubis has landed and the world has fallen into the darkness, a Sam and a Jack cross their paths across a quantum mirror on a mountain full of sand. This is a subtle story told in a clear, matter-of-fact prose, full of quiet, unexpected depth.

The Good Wife by Julie Fortune
Numfar, do the dance of Julie writing Stargate fic! And what a terrific fic it is. It reads like one of the episodes from the show, with lovely bits of Daniel characterizations and an interesting original character to boot. Here's hoping that Julie stays to play in this particular pond a good while longer.

Nearing Wichita by Otter
Otter is the master of the sneak-attack. She throws you into the middle of a story, disorients and unsettles you, and at the end, she invariably leaves you gaping at the stealth-knife that’s sticking out from your middle. This story is just like that. It’s about Daniel, well past the brink.

Morning Rituals by Layton Colt
Had enough of angst? Try this as a palate-cleanser. Sam and Teal'c bond over... err, something unexpected. Just read it. It's adorable.

The Standard of Comparison by Otter
I don't care who you ship for, if you haven't discovered Otter yet you're doing yourself a great disservice. This story will blow your mind.

The Way Things Are by Not Jenny
NJ turns her poetic prose to Sam and Jack with just a little Sam and Janet thrown in for good measure. A story set circa "2010" and it's such pretty futility.

Ciphers by Destina
First, Destina is an amazing writer. Second, the plot—about Daniel acquiring sudden and debilitating synesthetic abilities—is absolutely fascinating. Third, the characterizations kick ass from here to Sunday. Seeing that my favorite kind of fic is well-written, beautifully-characterized, long plotty gen, you could see how this story would have made me happy as a clam. Oh yeah.

The Alternative Universe Survival Guide by Jemima Pereira
OK, I don’t usually go for fluff, but once in a while, a story comes along that is so irresistibly charming that it sneaks past my prickly defenses with its sheer adorableness. This is one of those stories. To wit: throw in Jack and Sam, some pesky sunspots, and one overly-delicate gate-mechanism, and you’ve got a recipe for much hilarity.

Coming Forth By Day by Salieri
The psychological complexity of a Goa’uld possession is such a rich field to be mined, I often wonder why there are so few writers in fandom tackling this aspect of the show. Salieri, bless her heart, seems to be an exception to the rule. Richly layered and gorgeously written, this story gives us a glimpse into the depth of host-symbiote relationship beyond even what we’ve seen on the show itself.

In the Wrong Story by Katie M.
Katie describes the story as thus: "Sam and Jack and Daniel, after the end of the world. Warning for implied rodent sex, sadly melted candy, and one intentional misspelling. Oh, also UST of various kinds." Now, who can resist a summary like that? For a post-apocalyptic story, this fic leaves you with an uncommonly warm glow. The details of the aftermath are gracefully interspersed with beautiful character moments, and the ending is simply delightful.

Surface Tension by Salieri
This is an odd bird, a strange and disorienting story that lets you peak into a darker side of Sam. It's a terrifically moody mind-bender, and gorgeously written.

My First Stargate Story by Halrloprillalar
The inimitable Hal does a send-up on every Jack/Daniel badfic ever written. ::snickers uncontrollably:: If you value your health, do NOT be drinking anything while reading this fic. You've been warned.

The Wind of the Wing by Otter
Otter is a gifted new writer who's gathering a bit of a reputation for taking her stories to unexpected directions, and this is no exception. Here, she takes a moment in canon and spins it off in a terrific little twist. I liked this a lot.

Desolation Angels by Salieri
Oh, God. Oh, wow. I have no idea how Salieri manages, time and time again, to reinvent the mythology of the show and to imbue it with such a dark and terrifying power. This fic deals with the Harcesis child and the implications of the absolute knowledge, and the way it builds up its tension inexorably from the first ominous opening paragraph to the tremendous climax just knocked me out for the loop, breathless and shaking. Add to the story Salieri's typically rich and beautifully-textured prose, and you've got one of the best Stargate stories I've ever had the pleasure to read. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

In or Out by s.a.
Awww. That's durn cute. And that title! Works on so many levels. So sweet and so clever. Just the thing for those of us bereft of good, short Stargate stories.

Tether by Nanda
It's all in this line: "I lost a whole planet once." An intriguing story about Cassie post-"Heroes" and a wonderful example of the way a peripheral character can give insight into the characters we know and love.

Abnormality by Ness
What gets me about this story is the way it kind of comes to life in front of you - the way that you can really SEE Sam in her whole 'this is not' happening state. It's a single moment stretched out into a story and it just works so well.

A Dark and Empty Reflection by Emily M
I like twisted AUs and this one doesn't hold anything back. It's a story that make Janet the pivotal figure too - which I love. Janet being the key-pin is such a antalizing idea but it's also a story that does justice to everyone. I particularly like the way Sha're is included even though you know she's buried in Ammonet.

But You Are the Wall Crumbling by not jenny
I am packing not jenny up and taking her home! A beeyootiful Sam/ Janet with a gorgeous Sam voice and a gorgeous, technicolour encounter.

Chaos Theory by Nanda
This is a Sam/Jack story the way I like them best, quiet and subtle with keen insights.

Willing by Salieri
An exploration of the issues of possession and identity, told in a deceptively simple story. I loved its disorienting beginning, the clean, lyrical prose, and the beautiful characterizations of the team members, especially Jack. On top of all that, the story also challenges our assumptions about the ubiquitous villains of the Stargate universe--no mean feat.

Meeting Of Minds by SEF
Woo-hoo! We've got a nifty-keen gen story here, chockfull of continuity and original spin on SG canon, and the best thing is that it's told from the POV of Sam, who's competent and compassionate and no-nonsense, just the way I like her on the show. It also features a lovely, believable team dynamic for S7, peppered with small moments of insights into events of the past. Good stuff.

Gravity Well by The Stylus
I love it when people write stories about peripheral characters feeling peripheral. This is beautifully written and beautifully insightful. Welcome to SG fic, TS - hope you stay.

Some Long-Lost Rockwell by Julian Lee
Julian writes the Sam/ Janet relationship as hard, angry and complex. The result is something to sink your teeth into. Lovely language and great dialogue.

Whistling Or Just After by Hetre Z.
Daniel comes back, but something's not quite right with him. A marvellously creepy little story.

The Cost of Doing Business by Tripoli
I should start by saying that this story wrecked me, just absolutely wrecked me. A routine mission goes horribly wrong as the team encounters an old enemy. Then things get worse. Much worse. A densely plotted, exquisitely-written ride to the darkest depth of possibilities only hinted at by the show, this is not an easy story to read, but God, what a story it is. The ending is like a punch to the gut.

Phase by Nanda
In a fandom that seems devoid of backstory, Nanda gives us insight into Sam after her mother's death. It's a raw and "real" portrayal written with insight and sensitivity.

Echoes of an Empty Place by cgb
I was whining the other day about how I couldn't find a bleak and tragic AU fic set in 2010-verse, and voila! This story dropped on my lap like an answer to my prayer. Christine gives us a heart-stoppingly believable Janet and a broken Daniel. I love this story.

Forgetting by Ness
I love the way Ness finds these twisted scenarios in order to tell her tales. I envy that ability. This is not what you think it is.

Meaningless by Nanda
New to SG fic (and very, very welcome) Nanda constructs a complex and layered Sam and Jack with sex as something to hide in.

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night: Suddenly a Jaffa Yelled, "Kree!" by Jojo and Michelle V.
Every fandom should be able to laugh at itself. Especially when the cliches are in abundance! This is a nose snorter. Keep the beverages away from the keyboard.

Never by Suzvoy
So. In a fit of insanity Suz decided to slash Jonas and Jack and who'd a thunk it, she made it not only work, but she may turn me into a Jack/ Jonas shipper. Oddly enough - sexy and appealing.

Both Sides Now, and Other Stories by Tripoli
I read the story once, then immediately sat down and read it again, and this time, s l o w l y. It deals with the emotional fallouts from "Meridian" through the eyes of  each remaining member of the team, and the way it moves from heartbreak to quiet catharsis is extraordinary.

Sleepers by Alli Snow
Another long, plotty gen with suspense and acutely truthful characterizations, especially of Carter and O'Neill. The premise is intriguing, and the resolution is unexpectedly moving.

Finding Life by Suz
Oooh yes! This hurts in so many ways. And it's credible and haunting. Suz gives Sam a much needed dark side. And much appreciated.

Sense Of by Ness
This is brutal and stirring with an ending that wallops. A story that will leave you dwelling on the subject matter for days.

Sightless by Ness
This is a great Jonas story - and the world needs more great Jonas stories. Full of wonderful insights and memorable moments.

Static by Destina Fortunato
Jack angst is irresistable, and here it's an absolute delight. The writing is something to fall in love with.

Fly and Dry by Suz
Suz, herself, describes the story as "very, very silly" - and it definitely is, but you got to hand it to Suz to produce all the finest elements of farce in a fanfic. Very funny. And just so damned likeable.

Stuck by Suz
I love the subtlety of this, despite the rather heavy subject matter. There's a light touch here, that makes the whole "character death" thing so perfectly evocative.

These Thoughts by Julian Lee
I love a story that brings out the delicacies of characters - the possibilities. With just a hint of an issue Julian creates a problematic relationships between Sam and Janet that works - really works. A rare stone in the rubble.

Five Billion Years of Sunshine by Maayan
Maayan destroys the world in seven different ways and she does it with such panache. The story has some terrific characterizations for both major and minor characters, one OC who is finely drawn, a stealth crossover, and some of the best last lines I've come across in fic.

Limping Toward Bethlehem by Maayan
Graceful expostion story and sad, sad after the end of the world characters.

The Hanged Man by Maayan
A very powerful piece that examines the complexity behind the ties that bind. This is a wonderfully layered story with multi-faceted characters who are beautifully crafted as brutal needy people. A memorable, haunting story.

System Of A Down by Maayan
Gorgeous and unsettling look at Daniel's descension, full of sharp, bittersweet moments, enhanced by an oddball structure that highlights Daniel's sense of disconnection from his new body. Wonderful stuff.