Calufrax

Story: Someone to Listen
Author: Alienist
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 791
Author's Summary: He does so enjoy assassins.
Characters/Pairings: The Doctor (5th), Turlough
Warnings: n/a

Recced because: I... really don't like the first person narrative, so for a story to jump out at me like this, written in the first person, it must be something good. Add to that the fact that Turlough isn't a companion I know well and really it's an unlikely pick. But in contrast to the chipperness of the last rec, this is a very emotion-driven piece, and you're on the edge of your seat. I was holding my breath from the very begginning, because it's always nice to hear the more dangerous side of the Fifth Doctor. You find yourself simultaneously before feeling for Turlough and pitying him; you can see his angle, but you also want the Doctor to survive. The conversation flows, and it feels perfectly real, with interruptions, changes in tone, the works. The ending is very touching, too.

Story: An Unearthly Guest
Author: apolesen
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 14,774
Author's Summary: When Jenny finds an alien stranger outside the house at Paternoster Row, she and Madame Vastra follow instructions the Doctor has given them months in advance: “Take him in. Take care of him. Don’t get anyone else involved.” But the mysterious guest’s stay only leads to more questions. What has made him lose his memory? Why have they been told to keep the existence of alien life from an alien being? And how come the nameless guest reminds Jenny of the Doctor, when he looks nothing like him?
Characters/Pairings: Jenny Flint, Madame Vastra, The Doctor (11th), The Doctor (8th)
Warnings: n/a

Recced because: Another long rec! I'm actually still in the process of reading this one, but it's so good that I decided to take a break and add it to my reccing queue. The Eighth is my favourite Doctor and frankly, he fits in almost perfectly into Victorian England - after all, he looks like an Edwardian man. That, and 'amnesia' as a trope for this particular Doctor works particularly well. And can you see the potential for him hanging out with the Paternoster Gang? Especially considering the role of Sontarans in the War... Oh, I was delighted when I first stumbled across this fanfiction. The different POVs you get as the story go on stop you from getting bored with such a long piece, and it's well worth the fact that it may take you a few sittings (unless you're like me).

Story: The Impossible Flirts
Author: LordRebeccaSama
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 4,935
Author's Summary: Captain Jack Harkness and Professor River Song: two people that should never meet, but they do...multiple times across both their timelines. "The biggest flirts in all the universe, and you let them have coffee!"
Characters/Pairings: Other Character(s), River Song, The Doctor (11th), Gwen Cooper, Ianto Jones, Jack Harkness, Owen Harper, Toshiko Sato
Warnings: n/a

Recced because: The amount of relationship building that went into every side of this story is frankly astounding. As is the effort that went into characterisation, particularly at different points in each of the character's lives. Everyone is in character, the voices are crisp, and you can really picture the scene. I like how they've managed to seamlessly fill in some of the gaps in River's backstory to make it work, while still referencing little nods in episodes, like A Good Man Goes to War. The fish and chips nod is a pleasure, too! I also like the amount of work that's gone into both the pop culture references (eg. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) and into building new planets and species to play around with. Always a plus when there's some of that to add to a brilliant plot.

Another note - sorry that my reccing has been... sporadic. I underestimated the amount of real life that would happen this week and have spent half the week driving forth across the province of Nova Scotia and sewing.

Story: Tiger Tales
Author: Lissy Strata
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 3,002
Author's Summary: After an accident in a bio-engineering lab, the Doctor tries to get Leela to have the changes reversed. However, she rather likes her new form.
Characters/Pairings: Leela, Fourth Doctor
Warnings: Swearing

Recced because: Clearly, I have an interest for stories involving companions, and some degree of cat-like behaviour. Also, this one is just... fun. I was in stitches over and over, and sometimes you just need that. You can hear the Fourth Doctor, and I love how he interacts with Leela in this story. It's a follow-up to another story, but also works on it's own.