Bourne series Recs
I really enjoyed the first three
Bourne movies, but I have to say I prefer the Bourne Legacy above the
others. I just thought Aaron and Marta
were far more compelling and personable than Jason and Marie. And just Jeremy Renner ftw. That Aaron was mentally handicapped before
the medication regimen Outcome put him under was a plot point I really liked,
so there’s going to be a lot of Kenneth becomes Aaron fics in this recblog
post. Also I ship AaronxMarta pretty
much to the exclusion of all others.
Before I begin with my
recommendations, here is the template I use to review my recs.
Title fic ~ author
Rating, warnings, word count.
Summary
Recommendation
Rating:
Concept A-F,
from high to low, graded like in school.
Execution
Characterization
Overall
1-5
1= Good fic, I would read a
second time and save in my library. A
nice concept, or characterization, and/or decent execution. Generally the story is carried by one of
these categories. Typically short
stories.
2 = Great fic. Good concept or execution of story. Idea is compelling enough for me to follow a
WIP chapterfic.
3 = Favorite standard. Imminently readable, these fanfic have me
returning again and again to re-read it. I bookmark these on my author
profiles. Often longer stories.
4 = Impeccable, inspired
fic. One of the best in this
fandom. Great appeal to a number of my
favorite themes.
5 = Perfect in all ways, I am in
complete awe and think this writer is a giant among writers. These are some of the best stories I’ve read,
period. The concept draws you in like a
black hole, the prose is tight and gripping, the characters are real and either
spot on or make you see your favorites in a whole new light with these new
insights. The plot or lack thereof is
satisfying, and either leaves you craving more because it’s so good, or even
better, has such a good conclusion you feel closure at the end and can’t think
of a better place to end the story. Must
reads. Hits all my buttons and makes you
feel wonderful intense feelings.
WIP
A Fletcher’s Hands by Goethicite
R for sexual content. Crossover with Avengers. WIP 87,541 words as of 4-19-2013.
Summary: The transformation from
Kenneth to Aaron to Clint is not smooth. It's a crucible, and the final cast is
far different than the first. AaronxByer
scenes.
Recommendation: Very interesting. I am a huge fan of Jeremy Renner, and I love
the Avenger Hawkeye, so I jump on any and all Jeremy-Renner
character-is-Clint-Barton. Let me say
that I think Kenneth/Aaron/Clint is spectacularly done, as is his character
growth. This fic moves very slowly –
after 80,000+ words Aaron is still gaining experience. I’m not a fan of AaronxByer, but it’s not
romanticized by anyone other than sweet Aaron, so I buy it. I’m still hanging in for the change to Clint
Barton. A good read.
Concept – A
Execution – C
Characterization – B
Overall - 2
Fixation by Lovers_Reason
R for sexual content. Romance, action. WIP 24,193 words as of 1-18-2013.
Summary: A different beginning to the movie, where
Aaron's superiors realize that he has a bit of a thing for his doctor. AaronxMarta.
Recommendation: This caught my attention right away, but I
ended up with mixed feelings about this story.
It is a WIP that stopped at an unsatisfying cliffhangery spot, but the
characters are so well done and the romance is real. The chemistry between Aaron and Marta is hot
but sweet, and the author has an unusual dichotomy between smart-on-blues Aaron
and sweet but dim Kenneth, going for a split-personality type theme. I felt like the story got somewhat lost as it
went on, but the characters and concept are so good that I’ll continue to
follow this.
Concept – A
Execution – C
Characterization – A
Overall - 2
Complete
Belong by shell
T. Romance, life, heartwarming. 8,924 words.
Summary: The
first phase in any mission is always reconnaissance, and he hadn't done nearly
enough. "If we could settle somewhere, what kind of work do you think
you'd want to do?" he asked her casually over breakfast the next
morning. AaronxMarta..
Recommendation: I absolutely love
this story. It provides the perfect
ending for the Bourne Legacy, a happy ending that nevertheless contains a
little angst that makes sense for Aaron’s characterization. Explores how Kenneth’s past mental
retardation limits Aaron’s life in the present in a realistic and canny
fashion. Very indulgent, with the
perfect ending.
Concept – A
Execution – A+
Characterization – A+
Overall – 4
Family by shell
R for sexual content. Romance.
6,261 words.
Summary: Looking at her steadily,
he said, "The last time I remember you having your period was in
Istanbul." His voice was gentle, just like it had been that night in the
Comfort Inn by the airport.
Recommendation: Let me just say I
love shell’s Bourne fics, and it’s a shame there’s only two. Another ending to the movie, this time a
pregnancy one that takes a realistic look at the circumstances Marta and Aaron
are in after the end of the movie, but ends happily. The sex scene is good too.
Concept – B
Execution – A
Characterization – A+
Overall – 3
War-Wounded King by Irony Rocks
R. Action.
7,917 words.
Summary: In
Aaron’s way of thinking, it’s a simple enough strategy. He and Marta can’t
breathe until they figure out the scope of the problem, and in order to do
that, they have no choice but to go the source: Jason Bourne.
Recommendation: Aaron Cross meets
Jason Bourne. I liked this fic mostly
because it really contrasts the two operatives – charming Aaron and a very
flat, dead-eyed Jason Bourne who is nevertheless more badass. What struck me was how little humanity Jason
seems to have compared to Aaron, but maybe that’s just because of the quality
of Jeremy Renner, I dunno.
Concept – B
Execution – C
Characterization – B
Overall – 2
Bury My Heart On the Coals by
blackbird
NC-17 for sexual content. Romance.
6,280 words.
Summary: so give me hope in the darkness that i will see the light //
'cause oh that gave me such a fright but i will hold on with all of my might // just promise me we'll be alright
Aaron and Marta - this is what happens after. AaronxMarta.
Recommendation: A really nice
first time fic that explores the ghosts of both characters’ pasts. The sex is really hot but sweet. Yum!
Concept – B
Execution – A
Characterization – A
Overall – 3
we all go the same way home by
Eleanor_Lavish
T.
Crossover with Avengers. 5,314
words.
Summary: When Aaron Cross gets a message from his
past, he's not prepared for what it means for his future.
Recommendation: This fic is based
on the idea that Aaron Cross and Clint Barton are twin brothers. Aaron Cross is hunted down by SHIELD, where
he meets Clint. Well-written, with good
reasons why the two might have been separated at birth. I love this fic, go read it!
Concept – B
Execution – A
Characterization – A
Overall – 3
Below Deck by maplemahogany
NC-17. Romance/smut. 4,702 words.
Summary: A porny coda ending for
The Bourne Legacy. Begins a few hours after the final shot in the film.
Recommendations: Basic first time
smutfic. Very nice, very hot.
Concept – B
Execution – A
Characterization – A
Overall – 2
offered me a shade of blue by
topaz
NC-17. Romance/smut.
3,849 words.
Summary: The unspoken parts
between them are still the hardest even if they’ve come light years from the
awkward silences that swooped down on them once they’d started to believe
they’d made it far enough off the grid for the adrenaline to fade.
Recommendation: Another sweet
first time fic. Very hot, I love virgin
Aaron.
Concept – C
Execution – C
Characterization – B
Overall – 1
G.
Family, crossover with Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.
Summary: Once upon a time, there were two little boys with identical faces
but different smiles. [Aaron Cross and William Brandt are twins.]
Recommendation: Nice
characterization, contrast of the two brothers and how Will gets left behind
when Kenneth becomes Aaron. Short but
sweet.
Concept – A
Execution – B
Characterization – B
Overall – 2
T.
Crossover with Avengers. 1,868
words.
Summary: The Suit folds his
hands together on the tabletop. “You don’t look comfortable.”Clint has a smartass remark for that, something along the lines of Clearly you’ve never suffered second-degree burns over thirty percent of your body if you doubt their rejuvenating qualities based on how they look. He fidgets with his fingers and has to remind himself that Clint isn’t Clint right now. Clint’s Kenny so far as anyone here is concerned, and Kenny’s a stupidly good little soldier. “No, sir.”
Recommendation: Takes Kenneth’s
recruitment video and flips it on its head.
Clint is pretending to be Kenneth James Kitsom for a con. He didn’t expect Coulson. Love it.
Nice characterization for such a short story.
Concept – A
Execution – B
Characterization – A
Overall – 3
Landmines by Zihna
G.
Fusion with His Dark Materials.
1,656 words.
Summary: The first time she saw an intercision,
she was twenty-six and doing graduate work in the Middle East. This--the fever, the rivers of Dust, the way Aaron's daemon writhes and shakes against the sheets--looks a lot like that.
Or, a scene from a HDM AU.
Recommendation: A rare fusion. I didn’t like His Dark Materials but I love
the daemon concept, and it was very nicely explored here. Gripping tense plot – and I liked how the
problem was solved by daemon-touching.
Concept – A
Execution – A
Characterization – B
Overall – 3
If You Want To Sing Out by Siria
T. Gen. 1,075 words.
Sunmary: Aaron and words. AaronxMarta.
Recommendation: Nice short piece about Aaron’s interest in
language and the transition from Kenneth to Aaron.
Concept – B
Execution – C
Characterization – B
Overall – 1
Broke Everything New Again by
Siria
T. Gen.
1,1,63 words.
Summary: Training drilled it into
them, over and over: there was protocol but there was no routine. AaronxMarta.
Recommendation: A short look at what Aaron and Marta’s life
is like after the movie – I like their anxiety about doing jobs below their
qualifications.
Concept – B
Execution – C
Characterization – B
Overall – 2
Take On the World, or My OwnLittle Part of It Anyway by angelskuuipo
G. Character study. 1,088 words.
Summary: The world was a totally different place now.
Recommendation: Another
interesting look at the line between
Kenneth and Aaron. Aaron’s
perspective before and during the movie.
Concept – B
Execution – C
Characterization – C
Overall – 1
Careless Gods by Goethicite
T. Character study. 1,031 words.
Summary: Aaron Cross from a thousand feet up.
Recommendation: Kenneth’s
transformation into a cynical Aaron Cross.
Some slight Byer/Aaron but only the slightest hint.
Concept – B
Execution – C
Characterization – C
Overall – 1
Grace by monataharper
G. Romance.
197 words.
Summary: Marta has a lot of
time to think, once they're on the water.
Recommendation: Super short.
A sweet look at how Marta views Aaron
Concept – C
Execution – B
Characterization – B
Overall – 1
Transition by lycomingst
G. Character study. 750 words.
Summary: Kenneth is a long fall from Aaron.
Recommendation: This is the perfect look at exactly how
mentally handicapped Kenneth was, to not
be able to tie his shoes automatically and how the transition seemed to
Kenneth. Very subtle does an excellent
job showing rather than telling.
Concept – A
Execution – A++
Characterization – A
Overall – 4
We Won’t Need Legs To Stand by awesomesausome
G. Gen. 930 words.
Summary: If she's being honest, her hands are not clean.
They've never been clean.
Recommendation: I really like how flawed Marta is in this
piece. The absolution and tiny bit of
character growth at the end is great.
Concept – B
Execution – B
Characterization – B
Overall – 2
Lead Me Astray by chinaink
T. Romance/action. 6027 words.
Summary: They move like ghosts
through city after city, day after day, and Marta learns to look ahead. She's
made her choice, forty-two days ago when she looked into Aaron's eyes and took
a burning match from his outstretched hands.
AaronxMarta.
Recommendation: A really
excellent realistic look at what Aaron and Marta’s life on the run would be
life after the movie. I liked how they
didn’t hop into bed with each other right away and the repetition of Aaron
calling Marta a warrior as encouragement.
Concept – B
Execution – B
Characterization – A
Overall – 2
If you have any favorite fics to
recommend, add the links in your comments!
Enjoy!
-SensibleRin.
