Well Hi Hello there, we WIP'd out yet?
Good lawd y'all have been keeping me on my toes the last couple of weeks with the content you've been sending me, and I have to admit... I have been having a lot of fun and am SO SO SO proud of all the authors out there doing the damn thing. Now... onto our WIP rec list...
The House in the Enchanted Forest by maplesdonut
Summary: caseworker regina mills longs for her mother’s approval. when she’s sent by her mother to investigate (read: find problems and shut down) an orphanage for magical youth located on a remote island, she knows she cannot fail. orphanage master emma swan will do anything to protect the six children under her watch (one of whom could bring about the destruction of the world).a remote island? an orphanage with secrets written in its walls? six rowdy magical children? what could possibly go wrong? (hubris voice)
Why it has me HEAVING: An SQ rewrite of the book “The House in the Cerulean Sea,” by T. J. Klune- this fic offers an absolutely enticing premise. I haven’t read the source material, so I’m not sure how much is cherry picked from the book- but good lord it is FUN. If you’ve ever read anything else by maplesdonut, then you know there are twists and turns around every corner that will keep you scrolling well into the night. Their fics are always just an absolute delight to read and this one is no exception. I would also suggest checking out Komorebi- an extremely ambitious Season 2b rewrite, maplesdonut attacks the heavy themes of that season with biting humor and overall badassery. Admirably patient with relationship development, they let Emma and Regina have their back and forth with a very realistic rhythm that’s worth checking out.
Bonus points for a wraith scene that was creepy, violent, and had me sitting up in bed like OMG, IS POOKIE OKAY?!
The One Who Rides Through the Wind and the Night by MpSkyfall
Summary: A mysterious fever begins to strike the children of Storybrooke seemingly at random. As the children, including Henry, run temperatures high enough to cause delirium, Regina must confront, alongside her wife Emma, a ghost from the past she thought she had buried.
Why it has me HEAVING: Set in the time period where Emma is the Dark One, this fic answers the question of what if Emma remained the Dark One and she and Regina were married? Well, some saucy circumstances and a whole lot of exploring both the darkest and lightest sides of ourselves through poetry, is what. MpSkyfall has somehow managed to meld together spooky and sweet by having our ladies encounter an ominous new villain while simultaneously navigating through the (shockingly tasty sans the poison) cookbook of a former-Dark One. So far with the updates, the ball has really started to get rolling. Well, it’s more like a boulder, and you know what- I’ll happily let it roll over me cause this story is fun.
Before the Crown by alyssa_gibson
Summary: Before the crown took everything from her, Regina found freedom in stolen walks through the woods, quiet moments in the stables, and a girl named Emma Swan. (AU where Regina and Emma meet in the Echanted Forest as teens)
Why it has me HEAVING: What truly captured my attention to this story was the the absolute brilliant way alyssa_gibson portrayed Cora /before/ she even physically entered the story. Her presence was felt rather than seen in an eery way that had me clutching some pearls and by the time she showed up- the author pulled together a cold, villainously pragmatic Cora that caused me to lose a few fingernails. Emma and Regina’s dynamic is utterly heart-wrenching in its innocent authenticity as they slowly get to know each other before life sweeps them up and the story really gets gasp-worthy. I could keep gushing, but then I would be giving too much away. Updates every Wednesday, 10/10 no notes.
Again, if you haven't already- please do send me your WIPs or even your finished fics that you're proud of.
RIP YOUR INBOX,
MLEther