The Blessing and the Curse, by The Black Arrow

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5100876/15/The_Blessing_and_the_Curse

FULL REVIEW STILL TO COME

This is quite an original story with fascinating characters and unbelievably hot UST!

I had seen the story description and not been compelled to check it out, but when Kiya mentioned it in an interview as one of her absolute faves, I checked it out. I am SO happy I did! This story is amazingly compelling, with a dark dark Edward who seems almost unredeemable in his selfish and dark manipulation of Bella. This is the first story I've read where Edward purposefully uses his mindreading gift as a direct means of getting what he wants. And what he wants being Bella. The story is now at a fascinating place and I wonder what will happen with Bella's fiance Mike, and how B & E will move forward, especially after the loss of Esme.

And god bless The Black Arrow for Chapter 15. See below for my Golden Lemon nom for best "Yes! They finally did it!"

My Reviews:



Ch 8  (11/24/09)

I have been lovin on this story! I am fascinated by this seemingly nefarious Edward. Can't wait to see what happens.

I love how you write your Bella, too. She falls prey to her weaknesses (who wouldn't with a predatorial Edward who is dripping with f*ckhotness) but always maintains an inner sense of strength and conflictedness.

Thanks so much for sharing your story!

Much love, Althea

PM to The Black Arrow re: Golden Lemon Nom
Hi! I'm one of the people who nominated you for the "YES! They Finally Did It" category over at the Golden Lemon awards. Why? (hold onto your bootstraps, sister. I'm about to unabashedly fangirl yer ass) Because B & E finally getting together in TBTC is perhaps the hottest lemon in all of fic-land. It works on so many levels: the emotional tenderness of her seeing him in a different way, the heightened emotion of the situation (reuniting after so many years, Esme being sick, etc.), the electricity that exists between the two of them, the straightup fuckhotness of your words, the power exchange that goes on between them... I hope you win - I know I'll be voting for you! Much love, Althea (AltheaJams on twitter)


The Black Arrow's Reply to my PM
Oh! I heart you so much! (I'm fangirling on YOU). What an awesome PM to get. Thank you!!

I'm so glad that the lemon worked for you. It was the hardest chapter to write; I had no interest in writing anything that took the story down into pure p/rnographic smut. The moment had to be something HIGHER, something bigger than themselves. It's a tall order, writing the eventual consummation of a lifetime of burning passion and destiny. It took about four solid, all consuming weeks to write, from memory, including a writer's retreat to the
seaside with my beta bookbag. I remember actually getting drunk and lying on my back with my eyes closed dreamily typing. No doubt most of it was dismissed as drivel in the morning... Ha!

Thank you so much for nominating me, I appreciate it so much. Hit me up on Twitter some time, it makes me squee, though I am so totally dorky and unoriginal in 140 characters.

Much love,

Sally


Ch 13  (2/7/10)
This chapter was brilliant, as are all of your chapters. The wait for an update is long, but the payoff is so so worth it. It comes across that you are careful and deliberate in crafting your story. Your sentences flow like silk and the pictures you paint are vivid. I love how you use the characters' history to draw so much intensity to the moment. And these characters are fascinating. With every chapter, more and more depth is revealed.

I thought I 'got' Rosalie, but now there's so much more I want to understand about her. How can she not see the threat that Edward poses to Bella? Doesn't Rose see that he will consume her?

And Michael, who I so *want* to hate. But you won't let us just dismiss him as too safe and bland and therefore 'the bad choice' for Bella. Because Edward is dangerously wrong for her as well. And just like Bella, I'm uncertain who she should choose. The fiery passion but potential devastation of Edward, or the boring but obviously caring (and potentially nurturing) Michael. There's just no right answer, and I LOVE THAT! Mike is equivalent to Jacob in this story - a promise of a nice life, but not the right choice solely because he is not Edward.

Obviously the perv in me votes for Edward all the way because, hell, who wouldn't want more of that mindblowing lemony action! Being able to feel your sensations/feelings AND being able to experience the sensations/feeling of the other person at the same time through an intimate mind-body connection... perhaps the absolute BEST manifestation of a supernatural power in a fic, ever.

Much much love to you! I will patiently wait for as long as it takes for the next chapter. Quality over quickness, sister!
- Althea

Official Description: By pretending she is falling for Edward, Bella is fulfilling Esme’s dying wish. But sexy, possessive Edward can read her mind. Will she ever get into his? Can Bella forget the pain of her teenage years, and can she resist his relentless seduction? AH.
Twilight - Rated: M - English - Angst/Romance - Chapters: 17 - Words: 92,870 - Reviews: 4770 - Updated: 11-13-09 - Published: 5-31-09 - Bella & Edward

The Screamers, by KiyaRaven

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5081258/1/The_Screamers

Official Description: Living on the streets is hard for Bella Swan, but not as hard as putting up with Edward Cullen when he drags her into his lifestyle of sex, drugs and Rock and Roll. Will they be able to help each other before they kill eachother? Cursing/sex/dark themes   WIP

 

This story is fiercely original. I <3 this Bella who is fiesty, smart, and funny. And the interactions with Rob -- hilarious! The lemons on this puppy are CRAZY and the Ginie/Godzy connection is one for the ages. But my favorite part has got to be Rob: starting with Saturday Night Live, hosted by Robert Pattinson and musical guest Edward Cullen. Gah and the self-deprecating comedic contribution of Rob, attempting to be Bella's supportive friend, just brilliant stuff. The story has got a bit o angst thrown in with some interesting twists and turns, bot to mention the premise of Bella being forced to live on the streets. But such a glum prospect is overcome by her totally original personality. This is a fun, sexy fic.

Grasping Darkness o/s, by KiyaRaven

Grasping Darkness o/s turned novella

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5478849/1/Grasping_Darkness

Official Description: Entry for the 'In the Dark' Contest: A dark angel visits Bella Swan in her dreams, filling her with lust and unparalleled pleasure, but what happens when the line between fantasy and reality starts to blur? Rated M for language & lemons.

Hot frickety hotness! I loved this oneshot so much that I tagged on $100 to a Fandom Gives Back bid to continue with this story.


MORE ON THIS STORY TO COME

Clipped Wings and Inked Armor, by hunterhunting

http://www.twilighted.net/viewstory.php?sid=7425

I plowed through 31 chapter in a matter of days. This story is so frickin hot with a pierced and tatted Edward. And the story itself is so compelling with an Edward and Bella both plagued by traumatic loss and using ink as a mechanism for coping. Edward covers himself in elaborate tattoos and piercings to create an armor he hopes will mask his vulnerabilities and project the strength he feels he lacks. Both Bella and Edward use ink to inscribe their heartache and history onto their skin as a permanent reminder of the pain they experienced.

Such an interesting concept! I love that the characters aren't just a part of the world of tattoos, but that the story delves into people's varied reasoning for marking themselves, and what it's like to go through such an emotional process. I think in a later chapter Edward even jokes about there needing to be a course that explores the meaning and psychology behind people's choices of tattoos. And how he could teach such a course.

I just finished chapter 31 and eagerly await the next update. I am SOOOOO glad I didn't start this story until now! If I had to read any of the last 5 or so chapters and then wait to see what happened, I would lose it. There was some MAJOR heartfail and it was painful enough to just read it. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have to wait to see what happens. This was a very helpful fanfic-reader-life-lesson.

I love some of the great fanficart people have created to show their love for this story. I'm not sure who made this so I will have to do a little investigative work.

Check out this banner created by AngstGoddess003. She seems to be one talented lady.

Official Description:
Haunted by her past Bella is broken and alone. Starting over, can she let go of the guilt that consumes her when she meets a beautiful tattoo artist or will his own personal demons destroy them first? Rated M for langage and lemons. AH/OOC

Twilight - Rated: M - English - Romance/Angst - Chapters: 31 - Words: 331,821 - Reviews: 17282 - Updated: 11-14-09 - Published: 6-16-09 - Edward & Bella


Here is another blinkie(?) that I see all over the place on the Twilighted boards.

. . . Looking back on October

October seemed to be the month of AU. Totally unintentional, and I'm just now realizing how, aside for a handful of stories, I ended up reading predominantly vamp fics all month.

Some were enjoyable:
- Dark Cravings
- Vicissitudes
- Lesson in Release (until later chapters, but I now see that she has posted an alternative ending that I'll have to check out)

Some were really really good:
- Subjugation (outtake from Emibella's Constellations)
- A Madman's Mercy (which I was really getting into but the authors totally left it hanging)
- Abbracciare il Cantante
- Daedalus in Exile

And some blew my mind and I still think about them a lot:
- My Yes, My No
- Beautiful Beat (I usually am turned off my any mention of Renesmee, but for some reason, everything americnxidiot does, I love. Probably because she is awesome.)
- Choice and Consequences (this story has grown on me)

I also found that while I enjoyed Canon fics, like Dark Side of the Moon by blondieAKArobin, I don't find them nearly as inventive and compelling as AU and AH.

I think I finally understand the appeal of following stories that are WIP. I used to get really annoyed at the idea of having to wait for the next chapter to be posted. I preferred to tackle stories that were already completed. Plus, given my lack of attention span, I imagined that I'd get an update for a story and not remember what had been going on. I have found that if I go back and skim the previous chapter, my memory is jogged. It's true it's hard to keep track of the nuances, especially with mysteries or stories where you pick up important clues along the way. But for the most part, my memory has served me well enough. I think it also helps when a story is updated regularly!

Besides, I have come to realize that it is totally worth that little memory hurdle in order to be a part of the energy of the fanfic reading community as we collectively anticipate an update from our favorite stories. I've gotten into the story threads over on the Twilighted forums, even if I don't actually post. I haven't really had anything I needed to say. I think I enjoy the excitement people express for stories I am also pumped about, and the appreciation being given to the authors that I think deserve the love. For stories that have big reveals or several theories of interpretation, I do skip over posts that discuss or put forth theories about what's going to happen. I'm happy for them to use the space for that, I just personally like having to come up with these things for myself. I try to avoid spoilers of any kind. I like to feel my natural response of surprise when things are revealed in a story.

There are a few stories that, had I read them while they were still updating, I would have probably enjoyed them more. Abbracciare il Cantante and Deconstructing Dracula were both highly recommended. I can imagine that having the suspense of wondering what was going to happen would have made an already enjoyable story all the more exciting.

October also marked the start of some new favorites. The Office. Ohmyfuck The Office. I also got into ItzMegan73's stories A Rough Start and The Cannabean Betrothal - both of which I jones for on a daily basis. I finally started Hydraulic Level 5 which surprisingly lived up to its hype!

I enjoyed updates from some of the WIP stories that I follow and love: The Lost Boys, Edward Wallbanger, Choice and Consequences, Nice Catch

In Septemeber I was very moved by americnxidiot's Cascade and Cyanide. In October, I really enjoyed Boy in the Red Sweater, and look forward tp updates of its EPOV, Girl with the Red Notebook. I suppose I am drawn to a mysteriously flawed Edward. Perhaps I might enjoy me some angst afterall. I tend to avoid seeking out the dark, but I have found that I enjoy it when it's done well. Will November be the month that I bite the bullet and start Wide Awake? We shall see.

Follow Me Inside o/s, by Bitter Shade

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5109622/1/Follow_Me_Inside

Bitter Shade's response to my comment was AWESOME! Something I said resonated with her, and I've never gotten a reaction like that from an author. I definitely need to try to interact more with people in the community. It feels great to be appreciated.

Official Description: One rainy night, two long-time lovers join each other in a dark hour of drugs and primal need. AH, OOC. Dark. Mature. EdwardxBella. One-shot. Twilight - Rated: M - English - Hurt/Comfort/Romance - Chapters: 1 - Words: 5,018 - Reviews: 12 - Published: 6-3-09 - Edward & Bella - Complete

My review:

Follow Me Inside, Ch 1 2009-11-03

Beautifully dark in that souls-twisting-together, codependent need kind of way. Saw this recc'd on Lazy Discerning Ficster. I'm not usually drawn to the dark fics, but something about being able to consume this in a bite sized oneshot chunk made it seem like something I could manage.

It was satiating in that same primal way as the Lou Reed song Heroin. I've never done it, never will, but there's a vicarious pace and darkness to that song that makes you feel drawn into that experience. That's kind of how I felt with this story - drawn into the need in the characters' connection. Well done.

Author, Bitter Shade, replied to my review:

Thank you for that incredibly intelligent, well thought out review. It's surprising--this story has remained fairly dormant, at least views-wise, for quite a while now, and suddenly I've gotten a truckload of hits today, and a couple of reviews. It just made my day. I had no idea that someone had recommended this story elsewhere.

That was a hell of a compliment, and I'm flattered. I struggle with this subject matter--maybe once upon a time this kind of thing came with ease, but like you, I can't really do the dark literature thing much. Every once in a while, though, some idea will strike me and I feel compelled to write it. I've never been a drug user, so hearing that I've sold it fairly effectively is great news; I certainly fretted over posting this for a while. You summed up exactly what I was going for here, and so eloquently and concisely--with vicarious pace and darkness. Though I don't think I listened to Lou Reed the day I wrote that, but his influence kind of seeps in, in retrospect. Heh.

Thank you again. Brightened my day right up!


I got the rec from HourofLead on TLYDF's Dumpster Dive:
http://discerningficster.blogspot.com/2009/11/fic-dive-dark-roller-wheels.html

Check out this fucking review. Now THIS is a rec:

Why I Read This:

I have a hard time finding dark things that I actually find geniunely "dark" and not just cliche or melodramatic. At the same time, no one wants to read something totally dismal, right? Who wants to read sullen, hapless characters going around moping about how pointless life is? Nobody, that's who. And if you do... get some help.

What really drew me in here was the promise of something "primal" in the summary. I interpreted that to mean that something intense was going to be conveyed, and that was enough to lure me. I love the idea of an inexorable need for something, even when better judgment is on the fritz. And that's really what's at the core of this one shot - bad, bad decisions with damaged hearts right in the center, desperately clinging to what they can, scrounging to keep afloat.

The piece undulates between vagueness and elucidation - explaining more to you about the characters and their rainy weather rendezvous as you go along. Drug activity is something I have never read before, and I went into this with a heaping dose of my good friend Pessimism. Shockingly (or not so shockingly - clever author! I see what you did there!), as a reader you actually end up wanting them to give into these mistakes, even though you know all they are doing is ensnarling themselves deeper into their worlds of anguish and guilt.

Ultimately,  Follow Me Inside manages to be melancholy yet amorous, tragic yet hopeful, reprehensible yet sexy.

How'd she manage that?

Failure to Thrive, by Julesnerd

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5169904/20/Failure_to_Thrive

Don't know what it is with me and these damaged Edwards!

First, I fell in love with americnxidiot's Cascade and Cyanide. Then it was the Boy in the Red Sweater by starrynytex. For someone who usually doesn't seek out the angst, I am finding myself drawn to it a bit.

I'm enjoying reading Failure to Thrive. I feel a bit weird and voyeuristic because the Edward is dealing with regular-man overactive peen issues. It's like I'm reading a diary written by someone who is documenting their process as a couple as they work through their bedroom inadequacies. But it is definitely an enjoyable read. Their love story is really cute and, as always, Edward is a dreamy romantic boyfriend. Aside from his inability to engage in normal sexytimes.

I think, all-in-all, there really isn't any truly dark angst in this story. I am curious to try dabble in some angst but my emotionally wimpy ass is a bit scared to put myself at the mercy of someone else's creative whims. If I do 'invest' in a straight up admittedly angsty story, it will probably be Wide Awake. Everyone talks about how incredible and formative it was for them to read it. I mean a gajillion recs can't all be wrong. So, of anything out there, it seems the most tested. With the most satisfied customers. Now I just have to work up the nerve to read it. Do it! Do it! Do it!

Official Description:
Bella is sexually unfulfilled after four horrible encounters. She meets Edward Masen, and things begin to change. Edward is sexally insatiable and Bella has been told she's frigid. B/E/AH/AU/OOC. Rated M for a reason! Lemons to follow. Humor/Sarcasm
Twilight - Rated: M - English - Romance/Hurt/Comfort - Chapters: 20 - Words: 141,640 - Reviews: 790 - Updated: 9-14-09 - Published: 6-26-09 - Edward & Bella