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avocado_love) wrote2009-12-06 11:07 pm
Avocado Love's Offical Avatar Fan Fiction Rec List
Updated: 12/06/09
I've been working on this on and off for a few weeks now, and it's finally ready to be put up! After spending an abhorrent amount of time rewriting rec lists every time someone asked for one, I decided to post an updated list. It's short now, but my plan is to eventually include graphics and crap. Check back often. It will be updated on a regular basis.
Keep in mind that my opinions are only my own and this list will contain slash, spoilers for all seasons, and all sorts of pairings (which will be warned about).
Please also keep note of the WARNINGS for NC-17 and Tearbending (Oh yeah, I so went there).
(NEW) Adagio for the Revolution by May Flyer
Theirs was a long, cold war. Futurefic. Mai/Zuko (T) 1,100+ words. Oneshot.
Now this is a future fic with a canon pairing I can get behind. What I liked about this one is that it raises more questions than it does answers, but it doesn’t fall into despair the way that so many other future fics like this do. Highly recommended.
Adaptation by Ali wildgoose
In which young Zuko disapproves of "Love Amongst the Dragons" (the tale of Princess Soza, Avatar Kuro, and a love that was never meant to be) Slight Soku (PG) 3,200+ words Oneshot
Starts out with a charming little tale of Ursa giving little Zuko some plays to read. Then it extends to just before Ember Island Players. The slash is light, and the story is charming. I'll never think of "Love Amongst the Dragons" in the same way again.
Adrift by Spleefmistress
It's a Fire Nation royal... and a Water Tribe native. But it's NOT Zutara! You'll be delightfully surprised at this pairing! It's the first one of this pairing... ever. Hakoda/Ursa (T) 1,200+ words. Oneshot.
Well I seriously doubt it's the first Hakoda/Ursa ever, but this was a well told oneshot anyway. The author wrote this couple like the adults that they are, and it ends on a rather sweet note.
Alternate History by Rufftoon
This is a "What if"...20 some years later, and still no Avatar. GEN (PG) Graphic Novel WIP (Seems to be abandoned).
Even though there hasn't been an update in over a year, this graphic novel is so good it still deserves a rec. It's been twenty years, the moon spirit is destroyed, and the Avatar has been found by a couple of grown Water Tribe siblings. Takes place at the North Pole and is brilliant.
An Honorable Man by Alligatorade
A flash of temper means a different ending to an Agni Kai. What would happen if the battle between Zuko and his father had gone another way? An AU version of the events of "The Avatar Returns". GEN AU (K+) 1,400+ words. Complete (Sob)
This is one of those fics where I thought was going to be from the POV of one character (Ozai), but when it turned out I was wrong, it turned out SO much better. The whole AU premise is very much in the bounds of reality, and I want this to continue damnit!
Around the Fountain by CollaneR
In which Sokka muses, Jit Sang doesn't like Teo- and has a very sharp knife- Hakoda braids his beard and mediates, Haru nearly cries, to the amusement of all, Aang shaves expertly, and Zuko rejoins the Ponytail Club, to looks of general confusion. GEN (K+) Humor, 3,400+ words. Oneshot.
This is a great feel-good male bonding story. The author has all the character voices down, and I laughed out loud in a couple parts.
Avatar Cycle Trilogy by amurderofcrows
The Happiest Years: The Iroh Cycle
A series of drabbles dedicted to Iroh and his history-- leading from his birth as a prince of the Fire Nation to his steadfast loyalty to Prince Zuko on the hunt for the Avatar. First in a series.Redefining Honor: The Zuko Cycle
The second of the Cycles; a story built out of a series of drabbles. Zuko, after the end of 'The Happiest Years', must decide what the path to honor is and where it will lead him.Ship Of Fools: The Avatar Cycle, Book 1: Water
Aang and company now travel with Zuko; however, the prince's condition leads them to wonder if he might be better off with his own people.
(NEW) Always the Light by Treacle Chip
In the midst of the grand scheme of things, there are little moments that no one ever gets to see... Well, almost no one. Zutara, from Appa's point of view. Zutara (K) 2,300+ words. Oneshot.
This is somewhat standard Zutara story. Katara hates Zuko when he joins the Gaang. They fight. Zuko eventually wins her over. The end. What sets this fic apart is that it happens to be told from Appa’s point of view, and the author did a great job at his inner dialog. Funny thing is that Appa is more eloquent than I ever knew! ;)
Bad Day by Lisse
His old man wears an Earth Kingdom name like a shirt that doesn't fit. Complete, 1,100+ words (K) GEN
It's a quick story about a possible future told through the eyes of a special Earth Kingdom boy. One easy way to get my rec list is to have future!Zuko, and this has it. :)
Beaches and Icebergs by 3VAD127
A Sukka story set during "Southern Raiders." Suki and Sokka want to go all the way, but Suki's having some second thoughts. This is how Sokka convinced Suki otherwise and what REALLY happened after Zuko left Sokka's tent. A little smutty with refs to sex. Sukka Romance, 2,600+ words (M) Oneshot.
I'm not even a huge fan of Sukka, and I enjoyed this. It's cute and it's sexy, and really fills in the gaps for fans who are old enough to figure out what was really going on with that tent scene in Southern Raiders.
(NEW) Bitter Ashes by HyacinthMacaw
Ozai has been defeated and so the Gaang can begin to work towards a new world of peace, prosperity, and kindness. But Zuko has one last obstacle to face alone, and it's the hardest one of his life. (GEN) (T) 4,700+ words. Complete.
I would have totally loved it if the Agni Kai between Zuko and Azula led up like this. *Le sigh* Takes an adult approach to the legal ramifications of Zuko’s banishment AND manages to tie up a loose plot point in The Firebending Masters. Wonderfully written.
Borderlines by Scuttlebuttincx (This link is for chapter 1. Please refer to their LJ for the other parts)
Three years after the war, the work still isn't quite done and the Gaang is scattered across the continents in their efforts to help the world recover. When Aang and Katara pay visit to the Fire Nation where Zuko is Fire Lord and Sokka acts as Ambassador for the Water Tribe, sparks fly between the siblings over Sokka's life choices. Sokka/Zuko Slash (R), WIP
This fic first made me a fan of their work. Like all of their stories, it starts out slow and the romance builds from there. Characterization is very well done on all levels, and the post-war world is rich and realistic.
Book 3: Fire by xcgirl08
Picks up where Season Two leaves us hanging..enjoy. Zutara, Taang, Sukki. 151,000+ words, AU (T). Compleate.
Despite the bad summery, this is a real gem of a fic. The author has the ability to write amazing action scenes. Reading this feels like you're watching the actual series. All the characters are believable, and Zuko takes a very long time to trust the Gaang. There are some Christian themes which I felt didn't really mesh with the whole eastern theme of the show, but it can easily be overlooked in the face of all the rest. The Azula/Katara fight at the end still remains to be one of the best showdowns I've ever read in a fan fictio
Book 4: Air - A Canon Continuation Fic by Capt BoomerAang
My goal with this story is to create a realistic continuation fic that ties up any loose ends I found at the end of the series. Expect Action, Humor, Romance and everything else you love about Avatar. PG-13 (Canon Ships), WIP
This is a very, very, very well written WIP. Chapters are split up much like how an episode would look. Grammar and spelling is almost perfect as are the wonderful details. The fic just gets better with every chapter and if it keeps up like this it will be my new canon.
Book One: Water by Aliwildgoose
A season in drabbles. Too many characters to name! Various pairings hinted at, but mostly this is gen. K+, Complete, 2,100+ words, GEN
As said, it's a short fic in a series of drabbles. Some of them are heartbreaking, and some are beautiful.
(NEW) Broken Promisesby RebeccaHb
Twenty-three years before canon, Jeong Jeong does not enjoy teaching, but he does what he can to make it worthwhile for both his students and himself. Unfortunately, his failures are more spectacular than his successes. GEN (T) 5,400+ Oneshot.
This is the only Jeong Jeong fic listed in fanfiction.net (look it up!), and not only is it a fascinating back-story of our favorite jaded firebender, it’s very in-character. The author got into Jeong Jeong’s mind and really showed us what he was about.
Bromance
Poor Katara. (T) Subtext Zutara and Soka 400+ words Oneshot
Silly and cracky. Added to the rec list because it has the best reason for Zutara ever.
Brothers in Arms by Fuzzytomato
In a palace in Ba Sing Se, one man awaits his death, one boy – his torture, and another – his destiny. An Iroh, Sokka and Zuko adventure. 58,000+ words, GEN (T) with a bit of Zutara. Sokka/Zuko friendship. Complete.
This is the story that got me into writing Avatar fiction. Seriously. It starts out after the events of season 2. The way it is written almost makes it seem like a book of its own. The Zuko/Sokka snarking is priceless. Every character is IC, the action is non-stop almost from the beginning, and Azula is delightfully evil. Read.
(NEW) Captain Avatar and the Avateers by Suzukiblu
LOOTING AND POLLUTING IS NOT THE WAY, ZUKO. (Multi-pairing) Rating anywhere from PG-13 to NC-17. Long list of drabbles with a chapter-fic planned.
This is an insanely fun Avatar/Captain Planet and The Planeteers crossover. You heard me. And I can’t recommend it enough. There’s so much GOOD in this, but I think my favorite parts have to be any time Sokka uses ‘Heart’ on any of the other characters. Link leads to the timeline, story notes and links to the actual stories. OMG read it.
(NEW) Certain Things by Suzukiblu
Prisonsex porn, set during The Boiling Rock Sokka/Zuko NC-17 800+ words. Oneshot.
Like it says on the tin. ;D This was my birthday present and I loves it so. *cuddles and pets delicious smut*
Comedy of Errors by DJNS
On the eve of Sokka and Suki's wedding, the gang learns Toph has a crush on the Dragon of the West. Hilarity ensues. Kataang/Maiko/Sukka. (T) 23, 900+ words. Oneshot
SO MUCH LOVE for the balls of this author. Not only does she write all the characters true to form (Mai was a hoot. I simply loved her by the end of the fic) she manages to write believable Toph/Iroh. Personally, I alternated between squick and D'awwwwww... your mileage may vary on that pairing, but all reactions of the other characters were believable. The Kataang was some of the very sweetest I've read at all. JUST FREAKIN' READ IT!
Crash and Burn: Inspector Iroh by Invadrk
Part of the Inspector Iroh AU Modern-Verse. GHI Chief Hakoda arrives at the scene of a recent plane-crash. (M) 1,000+words Oneshot
It’s rare that I like modern AU’s, but this is a gritty cool oneshot that played in my head more like a realistic TV show than anything else. I really enjoyed it.
Crossing by Geekery Pokery
1. The act by which anything is crossed; as, the crossing of the ocean. [...] 4. Intersection, as of two paths or roads. [...] 6. Contradiction; thwarting; obstruction.(Webster's Revised Unabridged) 29,000+ words Warning: NC-17, Darkfic, TEARBENDING, dubious consent and/or rape (You’ll see what I mean. It’s hard to tell which it is), Jet/Zuko Complete.
I see this and the sequel, Float, as some of the the top Jetko fic in the ship. The sex is hot, hot, hot. The characterization is shockingly good, especially since I don’t think this author wrote Avatar Fic before this. (At least none that I could find.) The fic draws to its logical conclusion once Jet and Zuko get into Ba Sing Se, and then end… it made my chest hurt trying to keep the tears in. This is a mature fic. Read at your own risk.
Discoveries by Kittyjimjams
There wasn’t a whole lot to do at the Western Air Temple. On any given day, Sokka would get up, wander down to where Zuko and Aang were practising, and spend the morning fine-tuning his jerkbending puns. Sokka/Zuko WARNING NC-17 3,000 Words Oneshot
I'm not just reccing this because it was written for me in the Avatar Slash Swap (but it doesn't hurt, either haha!). This was pretty much everything I love in a good one-shot slash fic. The scene was creative, the sex was hot, and the end held promise for more. Read!
(NEW) di sl o cat i on by trefallen
Azula wins, post-war. Everyone Sokka knows is dead, save for him. (Hard PG-13) WARNING Dark Fic 800+words Oneshot
Oh man this one gave me the heebee jeebees. It’s another plotless character study, but… poor Sokka… *cuddles him* This fic and the prequel Neldluva's Little Toy Monster are brilliant.
Distorted Reality by Orgo
What if the Water Tribes ruled the world? What if it was Azula and Zuko who found Aang? What if he helped them fight against the Water Tribes? Aang lands himself in a world much different than his own. Bigger summary inside. Follows the show, with few changes. (Possible) Aang/Azula, Maiko. 202,000+ AU (T) WIP
Until I read this, I always thought that the Water Tribes were a bunch of wimps, but in this author's hands they are about a million times more frightening than the Fire Nation ever was. There are a couple of uneven chapters, but for the most part the fic is pure brilliance. The handling of Azula in particular as a good guy, but still keeping everything about her so her it's to be commended. And do I even need to mention Prince Sokka?
Duel by Loopy
Sukka, (G) Oneshot
Wonderful little oneshot where Sokka and Suki decide to sharpen their skills while hanging out on Ember Island. You can totally feel the love between both the characters. Very nice.
Ember Island Truths by Jakia
After the Team Avatar experiences some really bad breakups one right after another, Aang and Sokka devise a way to win back the hearts of their girls: A love potion, of course! Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned, and an unexpected effect of the potion may cause some real feelings to get reveled. (T), 7,500+ words Zutara, Taang, Sukka, CRACK WIP
I hardly ever like crack fics. This is freakin' brilliant. I kept cracking up while reading this at work. The writer writes in a clear sitcom-ish way that sets up and delivers every joke very well.
Enslaved by Sharkflip
A triumphant war party returns with an exotic slave, a gift for the ruling house. AU (K) 1,400+ words Oneshot (So far?) Zutara.
I hate the fact that this is a oneshot. I mean, seriously? It’s an old twist on the old ‘Katara is captured and brought as a slave to the Fire Palace’ fic. The details are clear and awesome and come alive in this fic. Reading it brightened my day.
Edit: No longer a oneshot! It's a multi-chapter epic and SOOOOO good. Read it, people! Read!
Fire (Speculative Season 3) by Wren Sharpbeak
An entire season 3 written in 21 parts (K+) Zutara, Taang WIP
This is the only link that actually goes to the author's profile. It's a massive effort, with each episode being a story of its own. Well written with an emphasis on Zuko. It reads like real episodes and is a wonderful mix of humor, action and tragedy. No real character bashing even though the author favors a Zutara arc. The author is talented in drawing as well and provides wonderful illistrations on her profile. Just be sure to review or Wren will gut you with a dull butterknife. ;D
Float by Geekery Pokery (Note: This is the tag to all the parts. The first chapter starts at the bottom)
An alternate ending to Crossing, utilizing Jet/Zuko AU Conceit Number One: So what if Jet didn't see Iroh firebend at his tea that one time? Although I like to think it goes off in a pretty different direction than most. WARNING: NC-17 AU 120,000+ words Jet/Zuko complete.
This is the longer, lighter, plotty-er cousin to Crossing. It’s… wow. Geekery Pokery has this very unique style of writing that is descriptive almost to the point of being stream of consciousness, but not. It’s hard to describe, but in this fic, Geekery Pokery proves that she is just as good as writing action and a cohesive plot as she is wringing you emotionally dry. Tip: If the darker edge of the first fic puts you off, you can read the first two parts to Crossing and then skip on over to Float. Actually, I enjoyed this even more than I did with Crossing, and that was already one of my favorites. So please, do yourself a favor and read this.
Fragile by Princess Tyler Briefs
When Sokka comes back injured after going hunting with Zuko, Katara realizes her brother is more breakable than he seems. Post-Boiling Rock GEN 2,800+ words (T) Oneshot.
As the summery says, Sokka comes back badly injured from a hunting trip. What really makes this fic great is the well-written reactions of all the Gaang as they pull together around Sokka. WARNING: May make you tearbend!
(NEW) Fragile by Hotspur
Eleven years before Aang appeared, Lu Ten and Zuko decided to escape the palace for a short holiday. But when their ship explodes and they are captured, they must escape captivity to their enemies and hide their identity.
I love this fic, and not only because Hotspur was sweet enough to write it as a gift to me. Zuko’s young, and completely adorable and Lu Ten is just a kid thrown in way over his head, and trying to keep them both safe. It’s just getting started, but since this is the same author as Just the Girl this promises to be a good one.
Guide Me Home by Rashaka
To sleep, perchance to dream. Katara and Zuko find a friendship they never expected in a place that seemed impossible. Zutara Friendship (K+) 1,200 Oneshot (NOOOO!!!!)
Occasionally I come across a fic that is so perfect, so brilliant, that I just fall in love with fanfiction all over again. This is one of those. It's just... gah. Read.
Headstrong as the Blood of the Earth by InformalSpoofer
Kuzon was a firebender, and a jerk, and a boy with a mission, and a hundred other things, but before that, he was Aang's best friend. AangxKuzon (K+) 500+ words Oneshot
I loved this little ficlet because it says everything I wish I could write about the fierce passion of the people of the Fire Nation.
i think i'm drunk, prinshess... by trefallen
Maybe a day will come when they get their sanity back. (R) 700+ words Crack! Sokka/Zuko Oneshot
Link may be f-locked. This is a cute dialogue-only fic of what happens as our two favorite boys get drunker and drunker…
I Will Survive, I Will Endure by Hotspur
An AU to the night Ursa was forced to leave. Instead, Ursa made another choice and went down another dark path. GEN (K+) 3,500+ Oneshot
I always love badass!Ursa, and this has it in spades. The concept is fascinating, and I remember a chill going down my spine the first time I read this. It's well paced, and ends on the right note for the story's theme.
Irko Week 2.0 – AU by Loopy
(T) 1,000+ words. Oneshot.
Loopy is a genius with oneshots, and this is no different. I guess there’s a copy of a proto-type Avatar universe floating around by Bryke where things were… a little different. This story is based on that.
Is There A Doctor In The HOUSE? by firephonixe
When Aang comes down with a strange ilness that has them end up in another universe with House. Cross over with ATLAHouse. Will House solve the ilness, and maybe teach Zuko a few tricks? (T) 13,000+ GEN XOVER
Yes there are some uneven chapters, but for the most part it's brilliant. House is painfully IC -- and faced with the gAang + season 2 Iroh and Zuko is so much fun to read.
Iroh and Zuko by Plushulala
Fleeting glimpses into the hearts of our two favorite Firebenders as they try to make lives for themselves in Ba Sing Se. K+ GEN 4,500+ words Oneshot
Short, untold stories of Iroh and Zuko's time in Ba Sing Se. Cute and heartwarming. It really shows how, in spite of it all, these two are such family.
Just The Girl by Hotspur
Zuko finds help from a very unlikely source. Who knew a blind earthbender, a banished Prince and a retired general could take on the world? This chapter: Zuko and Toph. (K+) TOKO, 92,500+ words, Complete.
My God. A well written Toko? Be still my beating heart. Toph is truly badass in this fic, and Zuko is so in character for his season 2 self you just want to slap him most of the time. Who says that you need the Avatar to win the war for you?
Last Firebender by Clockworkchaos
In a timeline where the Avatar was never frozen, Azula must escape the Fire Nation as it falls to the armies of the Air Empire. Can she possibly take on the Avatar and save the world? (T) 122,000+ words. (Gen) WIP
There’s a quiet sort of genius written in this fic, from the world-building to the lengths the new world would change the characters, to the sort of bad guys the air nomads turn out to be. Jamyang the Air Nomad OC has to be one of my favorites, ever.
Later Can Wait by Ali Wildgoose
It won't always be like this. But tonight, it's what he needs. NC-17 SLASH 2,000+ words Sokka/Zuko Oneshot.
Sequel to The Usual Reasons, and takes off directly from there. It's pure smut, but some of the most well written I've ever read.
Leave The Window Open by Suzukiblu
S1!Zuko/Haru. 'Stroke the fires of summer, lover, bid the earth to grow/Leave the windows open when the time has come to go.'” WARNING: NC-17 2000+ words Zuko/Haru Oneshot.
Zuko and Haru… well that’s something you don’t see every day. Nevertheless, this is a tastefully done slash with Zuko as the Blue Spirit. The setting is unique, and it’s not often that I find myself liking Haru.
Lessons In Thin Air by Lisse
What Zuko learns at the Western Air Temple, whether he wants to or not. GEN (K) 1,200+ words. Oneshot.
A nice series of interconnected drabbles. These are what drabbles should be: Beautiful, well written and interesting all at the same time.
Toph is convinced Zuko needs a hug. Good thing he's a much worse lier than his sister. Post Boiling Rock. FLUFF 600+ words (K) Oneshot Toph/Zuko/Aang friendship
This is fluffier than a basket full of fluffy, fluffy kittens. It's short, which works. All together now: AWWWWWWWWWW.
(NEW) Line in the Sand by hallidae
A few years after Looking Into the Abyss. Toph/Long Feng (PG-13) 700+ words. Oneshot
If anything, I enjoyed this sequel more than the original fic. It’s short so I won’t give much away, but now that the Avatar has returned Toph has a choice to make and you should read it.
Little Toy Monster by neldluva
A short ficlet from Azula's perspective. With Sokka in her clutches, she does what she always does with her toys. (Hard PG-13) WARNING: Dark Fic 700+ words Oneshot
I’m usually a fan of a little more plot, but as a character study this makes for a good read. I swear, the way this fic is written could be in song, which is oddly captivating. Followed by trefallen’s di sl o cat i on.
Long Long Time Ago by Lisse
A serious take on the swampbenders. Really. (K+) GEN, 2,300+words Oneshot
The perfect answer to all of those fics where the next Avatar is a Northern Water Tribe Princess, cousin to Princess Yue, or whatever. I betcha never thought of a Avatar from
(NEW) Looking Into the Abyss by hallidae
AU in which Aang hasn't been woken up yet. Toph/Long Feng (PG-13) 900+ words. Oneshot (With a sequel)
If I told you that I’ve found a believable Toph/Long Feng fic, would you read it? Well you should! :D It’s a fic with more than a little bit of a chill, but not nearly as dark as it could be.
(NEW) Lotus Resiliensby Misora
AU past 310 and 311, The Day of Black Sun. Three things cannot be long hidden; the sun, the moon, and the truth. Zutara (T) 52,000+ words WIP
Like, I shouldn’t be one to talk, but I really wish this author would hurry up and update. ;D What can I say? It should be a tired old Zutara plot where Zuko and Katara fight when he joins the group and they eventually become closer. What this story actually turns out to be is this crazy well written saga where they fight, the kids end up pretending to be circus performers to get by, the Gaang gets HIGH with Lily and Chong, and it looks like they’re well on their way to discovering some lost airbenders. AND it manages to stay completely in character. Shocking, I know. Read it.
Mai's Ramblings by Loopy Mai's secrets thoughts on... pretty much all the Avatar ships PG-13, WIP, HUMOR
So very, very, very funny. Mai is the perfect vehical to talk about shipping, and in this author's hands it's pure brilliance.
Married to the Flames by Serendipity1 Jin’s married life proves to be anything but stable, but she’s fine with that in a world where Ba Sing Se can fall and firebenders run teashops. (PG-13) AU 1100+ words Jin/Zuko Oneshot
This list has become too long to be contained in one post! Click here for the rest of the list N-Z.
This is a bitter-sweet oneshot which answers all of those little ‘what ifs’ left over from Zuko’s time in Ba Sing Se to my satisfaction. It’s a great read. If you think there's a fic out there that deserves to be on the list (even if its your own), go ahead and reply. The comments to this are screened but I'll give it a read and put it up if it's good.
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