InsaneJournal

Femslash recs, part 1
Having recced only two femslash pieces from the Xmas fests thusfar (both of which were my gifts) more recs are clearly due. Luckily, there have been several wonderful femslash pieces amongst the Yule Balls and Fem Exchange fics I've read and each explores different minor pairings.</p>

There are several characteristics that my favourite femslash fics tend to share including the obvious (e.g. good writing and characterization) and less obvious traits such as strong female characters and hints of political themes. Although the fics below are very different from each other, they all share these traits and most of them provide hot, intimate smut besides. But enough rambling – onwards to the fic!

Beyond layers (Minerva/Poppy, R)
This is a lovely piece set in the era of the war against Grindelwald, or what we Muggles think of as World War Two. The fic really captures the feel of the era, from their clothing to the secrecy of war work and provides a delightful account of Minerva and Poppy's contribution to the war effort despite the fact that in the magical world, witches are not permitted to fight. Fantastic, understated writing which culminates in hot, evocative & politicised sex.

Healing (Cho/Tracey, PG)
This is the least smutty of these fics, but the exploration of these minor characters and the difficulties faced by Slytherins after the battle at Hogwarts makes it more than just fluff. The story is set in St Mungos and the atmosphere of the hospital is convincingly written as well as providing the opportunity to see smart, highly competent women at work. We get some great insights into Cho through her interactions with her friends, and the gradual development of Cho & Tracey's relationship is well handled.

Sub Rosa (Millicent/Pansy, NC-17)
This story does a fantastic job of developing Millicent's character, including both her strength and her insecurities, and shows a fascinatingly complex relationship between her and Pansy. Writing Slytherin students during the war requires a light touch, but the author writes Pansy and Millicent as engaging and vulnerable characters while retaining the self-interest and questionable politics that make them authentically Slytherin. Best of all the sex is highly emotionally significant, showing the heart-rending vulnerability of both characters before the battle.

Other Realms (Minerva/Pomona, Rosmerta/Dorcas Meadowes, also James/Sirius & Severus/Regulus, NC-17)
Not many fics combine slash and femslash pairings and it is certainly rare to see the sex written in such a varied and compelling manner, which really contributes to the characterization. Personally, I wasn't wholly convinced by the James/Sirius because I'm really fussy about that pairing, but Minerva/Pomona was wonderfully written and bittersweet, as was the hot, memorable and emotionally intense Severus/Regulus scene. Very much worth a look.