Amplirecathon 2012: Hidden Gems

[intransitive]

I'm calling this rec list "hidden gems," but I'm sure some of them have been recced before. One is from a tiny book fandom, others from much bigger media and RPF fandoms, but they've all got something special that leads to me listening to them over and over again. I hope you'll find something new and great to listen to, or re-discover an old favorite.


Paper Gangsta :: American Idol RPF :: Kris/Adam, 1:36:22
by cynnet3490, read by klb

The reader's timing – comedic and otherwise – is brilliant in this podfic. It's hilarious and touching in turns, and the romance, which could have been nothing more than Stockholm Syndrome, is sweet and believable. If the idea of Kris Allen as a super assassin with a heart of gold from a family of super assassins appeals to you on any level at all, this is the story for you.

No Second Coming :: The Dark is Rising :: Will/Bran, 1:52:17
by Aria, read by luzula

The Drews and Bran are all grown up and starting to remember their childhood adventure together, and Will struggles with his secrets as the Dark pushes into the world again. I love this podfic – it's atmospheric and haunting at times, and at other times it's like drinking a warm, soothing beverage. It's really an ensemble cast story and the viewpoints of all the characters are distinct, but the reader also portrays the way they all tie together in the end beautifully. Even if you're not up on the canon (the Dark is Rising books by Susan Cooper), I feel you can enjoy this story as a twist on Arthurian legend, an adventure, and a slow-burning romance.

The Ecstasy of the Rose :: SPN :: Ruby/Anna, 50:45
by mercuries read by cantarina and fishpatrol

When Anna meets Ruby for the first time, Ruby knows her. Anna is just beginning to understand. The readers found the perfect way to tell a chronologically backwards story, and as each part of Anna and Ruby's history, together and apart, is revealed, the emotional stakes get higher. Their voices draw you in, and make it easy to feel with the characters. It almost hurt too much for me to listen to this, and my re-listens are usually reserved for times when I can take a heavy hit to my heart, but – it's worth it. If you love finding new interpretations for Supernatural's supporting characters, this is a must-listen.

Mission Control :: SPN :: Dean/Castiel, 10:51
by emerald_embers, read by speccygeekgrrl

So, in this story, Castiel is curiously and grumpily experimenting with human senses such as taste and sound in an attempt to find God. Dean and Sam suffer in not-quite-silence. This is incredibly funny, and the reader portrays Dean's frustration and fondness very endearingly. If you need a funny break from Supernatural apocalypse angst, this is your story.

In a Brand New West :: SPN RPF :: Jared/Jensen, 45:31
by movablehistory read by heard_the_owl

I was SO excited to see that this story had been podficced, because it's charming and unique and very entertaining, and it was even better than I could have hoped! The reader added (very successfully) special effects that really highlight the setting of the story (space!) and add to the emotional impact. The pacing is perfect, and the character voices are spot on. If you like J2 at all, give this a try.

Comments

[crinklysolution]

Thanks for the recs! These are some of my favorite readers, too, and I somehow missed these, so much obliged...

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Excellent! Happy listening :)

[fire_juggler]

*FLAILS* HOW DID I NOT KNOW THAT THERE WAS THE DARK IS RISING PODFIC!!!!! AND BY LUZULA!!!! *FLAILS SOME MORE*

Okay. I have to go disappear and download it ASAP!

(p.s. Awesome post, I need to listen to several of these. How did I miss them!??!?!)

[intransitive]

I know you'll love it, it's fantastic! I'm glad you found some new stories :)