Amplirecathon: newish HP recs

[starduchess]

All of these recs are in Harry Potter fandom and were released over the last year, from about June 2011 to June 2012, broken into two categories. (Forgive any people links that aren't working. Most of them are really on LJ. I have no idea how to cross-post usernames. Thank you, cybel! If anyone sees a broken link or user name, comment and I'll fix it.)

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hp_podfic_fest ran its first fest in December with the theme: Winter Fest!

Here is my rec list of favourites. Click on the name of the fic to go to the podfic post for downloading either the mp3 or m4b file or listening directly with the streaming audio option. Listed in alphabetical order.


Amistlemour by rivertempest read by deirdre_aithne, PG-13, Draco/Hermione.
Summary: After receiving an enchanted Christmas present from Fred Weasley, Hermione thinks her life will never be the same. And she's right.

A humourous tale. She did a great job with Twiggy's voice and Hermione's outbursts and annoyance at her life's situation. Even though this tale is comedic, the reader got me to cry with Hermione in the middle of the story.

Draco, Merrily on High by byblythe read by 1farmer_girl, PG-13, Draco/Harry, Remus/Tonks.
Summary: Draco Malfoy, conductor of the Junior London Magical Oratory, ends up caroling in front of Harry Potter's house. There's cooking and dancing and lots of music.

The reader does a wonderful job of showcasing all the characters' attitudes, including Harry's tipsiness which always makes me laugh, and there's lots of music included in this too, some swiped from Christmas albums and some that she sang herself.

Elemental by katmarajade read by tree00faery, PG, Percy gen.
Summary: I wonder what he's giving his family for Christmas.

A different tale, showcasing how Percy feels about his family compared to himself. Nicely read. It's also short, which makes it's playback value high.

Fade to Silver by furiosity read by raitala, PG, Draco/Harry.
Summary: Four years ago, Draco Malfoy disappeared from the wizarding world. This is the story of what happened after that.

Absolutely fantastic reading!!!!! Every intonation is perfect and the emotions come through so well. The pacing is phenomenal, with speed ups and slow downs and silence at all the right moments. I could listen to her all day. The fic is unique, with a little bit of mystery, and the music, which was suggested by the author, fits it perfectly and is excellently edited in.

Foreplay by joanwilder read by amanitamuscaria, NC-17, Severus/Harry.
Summary: Harry discovers that anticipation is the best part of the holiday season.

A slow moving romance filled with lots of foreplay. She does a nice job reading and subtly altering the character voices, but specifically does well with Snape's voice -- not too low, but very controlled. She also adds in a bit of sound effect for the announcer on stage, which adds to the "realness" of the piece.

The Friday Box by leela_cat read by flamingolady, G, Severus gen.
Summary: Sometimes, when no one was watching, Severus Snape went into a windowless room and performed a private ritual taught to him by his Grandma Snape.

An interesting look at Jewish holiday traditions, hidden away in the Wizarding World. The reading is clear and even.

Lights Out by dhobikikutti read by cantarina1, G, Parvati gen.
Summary: Not celebrating is still an event.

A unique fic, this time looking at Indian holiday traditions. The reader did very well on her Hindi.

Not a Present by kellychambliss read by jenepod, PG, Severus, Pomona, Minerva gen.
Summary: On Christmas morning at Hogwarts, Severus receives a package.

A lovely fic about Snape's first Christmas as a teacher. I love Pomona's voice in this, and the overall delivery is excellent. Jenepod is a seasoned reader and her editing is perfect.

Shall Yourselves Find Blessing by quill_lumos read by teas_me, NC-17, Severus/Harry.
Summary: Returning to Hogwarts, Harry discovers Snape is living alone in a hovel and takes him in. As a thank you, Snape listens to Harry's sexual problems and offers a solution.

This is extremely easy to listen to, and both Harry and Snape are shown to go through a score of emotions.

Snow Fairies by lash_larue read by Regina Nigellus, PG, Padma, Luna gen (pre-slash?).
Summary: Padma leaves the Yule Ball in anger and frustration, and stumbles across something extraordinary.

A wonderful look at Luna through Padma's eyes. The reader's accent is perfect for Padma's POV. Her fascination and astonishment come through very clearly.

Spinsters on a Sunday Morning by tetleythesecond read by sylvaine57, R, Minerva/Irma Pince, Rita gen.
Summary: The headmistress is retiring, and Rita Skeeter is sent to interview her. Oh, how she looks forward to that.

An amusing fic. I love how she reads Rita's parts all fast and energetic and condescending compared to Minerva's parts, which are slower and more loving.

The Way of the World by zionsstarfish read by vaysh11, PG-13, Draco/Harry, Ron/Hermione.
Summary: Draco makes a living (barely) as delivery boy of holidays gifts. His last parcel for the day is for Mr. Harry Pot–

This is a beautiful, touching story. She does a fabulous job reading it, with Draco's desparation and yearning for comfort. The music is a German Christmas carol, which works so well with this fic, very lilting and ethereal and almost like a prayer.

So, go, listen, enjoy Christmas in July, and leave the readers lots of good feedback!

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Now, I would also like to add a few additional HP recs from over the last year, not winter themed.


As Red as Hearts and Autumn by rosie_rues read by adistantsun, PG-13, Remus/Sirius, James/Lily.
Summary: It's the autumn of Sixth Year, there's a flu epidemic at Hogwarts, and the Blacks want their heir back.

Another fantastic reading!!! This is a long fic and she manages to keep the interest and UST between the boys for the whole time. She did a fabulous job with the different voices as well as getting every fun prank and sad thought clearly captured in aural format. I loved the sneezes -- every single one made me smile. The little guitar pieces that separated scenes/chapters fit well with the "light-hearted, good-ole-days" feel to the piece, and her reading also captured that bit of last innocence in the Marauders. It was a true joy to listen to.

New Life (for Accioslash) by perverse_idyll read by perverse_idyll, R, Snape/Harry, Harry/Ginny.
Summary: Snape has always watched over Harry while alive, so it's no wonder that he watches over him at each anniversary of his death, too.

The writing and reading of this fic is a wonder. It's somehow timeless and full of wonder, mystery and mysticism. It's slow and quiet yet there's an undercurrent of potential that she captures well. Another one not to be missed.

Playing with Matches by emynn read by teas_me, NC-17, Snape/Harry.
Summary: Harry Potter finds no greater happiness in life than helping others fall in love. But he can’t quite seem to summon that same joy when Severus Snape shows up and asks him to find his match.

This is another good reading by this podficcer. She's really got Harry's positive attitude down well and Snape's apparent aloofness, and then you get to the scene where Harry's looking at the picture from his last birthday with him and Severus smiling together and her delivery of the line "How did I not notice?" is perfection. I wanted to cry right along with Harry.

Wedding Bell Blues by ellid read by malnpudl, PG-13, Snape/Remus, Remus/Tonks.
Summary: A best man has many duties. Including keeping the groom from making the mistake of his life.

This fic struck me as both funny and sad. The reader managed to capture the full range of emotions going on in Snape's head. The pacing was very even and she had excellent snark, and Tonks' bridezilla attitude came through well, too. A very delightful listen.

And three from the same podficcer:

Savage by marguerite_26 read by fire_juggler, NC-17, Draco/Harry, werewolf fic.
Summary: In a post-war world that lives in fear and ignorance of werewolves, Draco Malfoy has taken every step to keep his condition hidden. When the delicate balance of his life shatters in a single moment, it is Harry Potter alone standing in his defense.

Fire_Juggler is one of my favourite readers; her style is clear and easy to listen to, a very smooth story-teller voice. With Savage, I really like how she nailed Draco's despair and his bestiality and Harry was a good mix of supportive advocate and submissive lover. The little werewolf growls in between sections was a nicely added touch.

Catch and Release by roozetter read by fire_juggler, PG, Snape/Harry, Ron/Hermione.
Summary: Harry has a “tell” when he needs affection. Ron never realized Severus had the same one.

First off, this is an incredibly moving story told from Ron's POV, and her reading of it just brings the whole thing to life, from Ron's incredulity at Harry and Snape's relationship to his loss with one baby to his joy at the birth of the other baby. Be prepared with tissues on this one. It's a happy ending, but one you'll be crying buckets over, especially with the combination of Roo's writing and FJ's reading. Do not miss this one!

Unstrung Heroes by joanwilder read by fire_juggler, NC-17, Snape/Harry.
Summary: A decade after the war, Severus encounters Harry on a bench in Victoria Park. Written for the 2006 Live Journal hp_fairytales Fairytale Fest, thematically based on Oscar Wilde's "The Happy Prince."

Can you tell I love her stuff yet? Anyway, this one is an absolute fav of mine; I've probably listened to it a dozen times by now. It's a simple fic, just two guys talking on a park bench, but the melancholy in both of them rings loud and clear and the joy when they finally come together is palpable. A lovely story and a lovely reading.

So, go have a listen and enjoy!

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