Favorite Stories of 2023

[amalthia]

Star Wars
Title/Author: alexjanna91 - Teach the Padawan. Save the Galaxy
Author Summary:
The man that was once Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, GAR General, knew that his death was finally here. Just as he was struck down he made a wish. As he disappeared from the mortal plane, he didn’t realize the Force had been listening. When he opened his eyes, with a younger body and in a time long past, it was apparent that the Force took a somewhat creative interpretation of his last thoughts. However, the man that was once Crazy Old Ben, Wizard of the Wastes, wasn’t going to squander this second chance. After all, he had a padawan to teach and the galaxy to save.
Word Count: 387,420
Review:
Loved the plot, pacing, character voices, all the action/adventure. The writing is excellent and I never felt confused during the sword fighting. I couldn't stop reading once I started. I loved seeing how things changed with Obi-Wan going back in time and training his younger self, while also making changes within the Jedi Order.

Title/Author: Vee017 - Sun Kissed
Author Summary:
Being on a world that supports slavery is one thing. Buying a slave and bringing him into Republic space is entirely another.
Word Count: 99,283
Review:
Loved the concept, character voices, and seeing Anakin and Obi-Wan fall in love. I also liked seeing Obi-Wan's life as an Agricorp Jedi and loved how supportive Obi-Wan was during Anakin's recovery.

Title/Author: MissLearn - The Exchange
Author Summary:
The Daughter has a bad day and it irrevocably changes the fate of the galaxy, twice over.
Or;
ROTS Obi-Wan and Anakin are swapped with their younger, TPM, selves. It changes things, in both parallels.
Word Count: 120,041
Review:
Loved the premise, the action, the character voices, I loved the dialogue, and I was on the edge of my seat. I've re-read the story multiple times and enjoyed it every time.


The Untamed
Title/Author: Ilona22 - Flowers Blooming
Author Summary:
At the coast, there is a city where they say the most beautiful of flowers live. Among them, one shines for many reasons.
Wei Ying is orphaned when he is four years old. Unlike in another world, he does not have to wait years to be found by his father’s martial brother. Instead, he is found by a woman looking for a child to love.
From that, he grows up differently. Some things are changed. Other matters are not influenced by the absence of one child. And yet others were written in the stars long ago.
Word Count: 35,796
Review:
I loved seeing how things turned out when a Courtesan finds and raises Wei Wuxian as her son. Loved the character voices, the plot, and I couldn't stop reading once I started.

Title/Author: nirejseki - The Other Mountain
Author Summary:
Lan Qiren still couldn’t quite bring himself to believe it.
He was married.
He had a wife.
That wife was Wen Ruohan.
Word Count: 287,015
Review:
Loved the plot, character voices, pacing, and some of the story made me cry. I also laughed out loud more than once. I loved the situational humor, the dialogue, the comedic timing and I couldn't stop reading once I started. This story kept me highly entertained on a long flight.

Title/Author: Stratisphyre - i’ll take a secondhand monster
Author Summary:
“You must not stray to the lower levels, A-Yu,” Yao-ge told him with his scary, empty smile. “Or else I shall tell the beast down there to eat you.”

There is a monster in Koi Tower.
Word Count: 24,691
Review:
Loved Mo Xuanyu's pov, character voice, and I got tears in my eyes a few times for this kid. I also loved seeing him finding a new family.

Title/Author: not_rude_ginger - For What, For All But Myself
Author Summary:
For twenty years Jiāng Chéng has lived by a simple code. Keep his sect and nephew safe at any cost. All else is secondary.

For this he has borne pain, humiliation, grief, fear and rage. He’s given up every want and hope he ever had. He no longer knows what is left for him with his sect stable and his nephew in power. Being made Chief Cultivator after Lán Wàngjī stepped down only heightens his unease, as he is now forced to care about other sects too. Why should he care for them when they tried to hurt his sect so many times?

His distrust seems correct when some of his disciples go missing. His spy-master tries to find them, something Jiāng Chéng should be fully involved with – if he were not distracted by another problem.

It would seem he has acquired a passenger – another thing invading his body. His doctors cannot kill it, cannot even identify it, but it’s alive and it’s growing. If they can’t remove it it will kill him – but Jiāng Chéng refuses to ask anyone for help, not even Jīn Líng. He certainly doesn’t want Wèi Wúxiàn to offer his ‘help’ because the consequences are unthinkable.

Jiāng Chéng has always found a way to keep going, he will find one more before this thing kills him.

Right?

Word Count: 285,923
Review:
I loved the character voices, plot, I was on the edge of my seat a few times and I loved seeing how the story played out. Loved the world building aspects and Jiang Cheng's pov.

Title/Author: Deastar - Concord
Author Summary:
Lan Wangji hopes, somewhat frivolously, that his betrothed might find him an acceptable companion. Neither he nor Wei Wuxian are able to bear children, so there will be no need to share a marital bed; that should make it easier for the two of them to reach a natural, comfortable equilibrium.

Two strings played in harmony: this is Lan Wangji’s quiet hope, as he arranges the Jingshi to accommodate a second inhabitant. Perhaps, he thinks, they might even become friends.
Word Count: 41,769
Review:
I cried so much reading this story, like my nose was stuffy for an hour, a lot. Loved the plot, pacing, character voices, and it was heartbreaking for so many reasons. Loved seeing Lan Wangji learning to live with someone so different, who never grew up with the Lan Clan rules, and he makes so many mistakes with good intentions. My heart also broke for Wei Wuxian who tries so hard to fit in and be useful for his new home and nothing he does works.

Title/Author: Mademoiselle_A - The Late Protector
Author Summary:
Jiang Cheng is a male Omega and he has a very long list of things he is bitter about in life.
-Being a male Omega- is not even on that list.
Word Count: 277,549
Review:
This story took over my life for a week until I finished reading. Loved the world building, the character voices, and Jiang Cheng's pov and seeing how he overcame so many obstacles.

Title/Author: Karmiya - Awaiting Your Return
Author Summary:
Upon their first meeting, Hanguang-jun and the Yiling Laozu begin an affair. Wei Wuxian understands this; what he doesn’t understand is why Lan Wangji keeps coming back for more.
Word Count: 126,501
Review:
I adored this story so much! The character voices felt spot on, loved the plot, pacing, the hot sex scenes, and seeing Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian falling in love.

Title/Author: MarbleGlove - Rest is Revolution
Author Summary:
The Elders of the four Great Sects: Jiang, Nie, Jin, and Lan. (for some definition of "Elder")

Sometimes, you just have to know when to stop pushing so hard. Work smarter, not harder, etc.
Word Count: 32,163
Review:
I had an absolute blast reading this series. Loved the character voices, plot, and seeing how things changed for the better after Wei Wuxian became an Elder of his sect.

Title/Author: enbysaurus_rex - My Boy Builds Coffins
Author Summary:
Lan Zhan, Lan Xichen, Lan Qiren, and their mother flee to Yiling when the boys are children. Lan Zhan discovers a penchant for coffin making.
Word Count: 48,586
Review:
I loved the character voices, imagery, plot, and I loved that Lan Wangji found a place for himself where he's accepted the way he is and doesn't have to change to fit in.

Title/Author: eatmyass - Seen and not heard
Author Summary:
A storm thunders violently, the forest howls in pain, and children are disappearing into the night. Amongst it all, Lan Wangji encounters a strange, beautiful man. And his five children.
Word Count: 51,168
Review:
I had so much fun reading this story! I loved the plot, character voices, and seeing Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji as parents to five kids. I also liked the canon divergence where Wei Wuxian was never found and grew up in an orphanage.

Title/Author: ArgentInferno - The Trials and Tribulations of Growing Up
Author Summary:
In Wei Wuxian’s defense, he didn’t intend to transport all of them with the talisman. He’d only planned on sending the apparently-unkillable yaoguai somewhere far, far away. It’s not his fault that Lan Wangji interrupted a very delicate casting, is it? Yeah, he was trying to prevent Wei Wuxian from being disemboweled, but still.

Well, no matter whose fault it is, it’s an undeniable fact that he, Lan Wangji, and Nie Huaisang are now stuck somewhere that looks suspiciously like Wen territory, with who knows how many leagues between them and Cloud Recesses. Getting home without getting captured, murdered by bandits, or eaten by a yao is going to take every ounce of courage, cunning, and skill they possess.

It’s a good thing Wei Wuxian has never shied away from a challenge.

Word Count: 175,236
Review:
I loved the plot, character voices, and I couldn't stop reading once I started. This was a fun action/adventure story where all the characters had a chance to showcase their strengths. It's also a good survial story and I loved seeing how the three teenagers managed to navigate their way through Wen territory.

Title/Author: meyari - Moments of Revelation
Author Summary:
As the Jianghu collapses around Jiang Cheng's ears, his borrowed core begins to fail. Wei Wuxian has one final trick up his sleeve, though the only person who can use it is the one person who has no core of his own: Jiang Cheng. Time travel may be impossible for everyone else, but Jiang Cheng has one slender, delicate chance to save the entire world. Of course he has to take it no matter what the cost might be.
Word Count: 133,987
Review:
I had a blast reading this story. I loved the plot, pacing, Jiang Cheng's character voice, the inventions created, and seeing the Sunshot Campaign from the different character's pov. It was also fun to find out the reasons for why Jiang Cheng traveled back in time.

Title/Author: Jotem27 - Dual Cultivation for a scholarship
Author Summary:
The Jiang Family especially Madam Yu are not willing to pay the fee for Wei Wuxian's lectures in Cloud Recesses. She makes a dubious bet with the young man.

Wei Wuxian tries to get one of the scholarships that the Lan Clan offers. After an entrance exam, he is offered an all-inclusive scholarship but only if he is willing to dual cultivate with Lan Wangji. The Lan elders wish that Lan Wangji reaches immortality and deem that dual cultivation is the best way.
Word Count: 56,052
Review:
I loved the concept, character voices, I liked the academic aspects of this fic a lot, the pacing, and I had a great time reading.

Title/Author: Reverie (cl410) - in the shadow of moonlit flowers
Author Summary:
It was a curse, some said. A gift, according to others. But Lan Zhan considered it neither a gift nor a curse; it was simply a part of him, the same as his golden core.

But he would treasure it either way, because it was his mother's greatest gift to him, and her last.
Word Count: 56,702
Review:
I loved the concept, character voices, and seeing how the instructors recognized Wei Wuxian's genius and did their best to make sure his education wasn't short changed. I think it's safe to say I like academic focused fics in this fandom. I also loved the difficulties Lan Wangji faced with his inability to not hear lies.

Title/Author: Admiranda - Persistence of Memory
Author Summary:
Liu Yang has grown up a disciple of the Lan Sect, hidden up on the clouded mountain by their honored elder who protects and shelters all of them from the world below. His life has been peaceful, he has never doubted that he belongs here in the Cloud Recesses. But there are strange things that he cannot explain, his certainty that the honored elder should not walk alone, should not look so sad when he thinks no one is looking. The same certainty as the memories that are his, but not, and the dreams that run out of order and time. Reincarnation is never a simple thing.
Word Count: 40,998
Review:
Loved the imagery, character voices, story structure, and pacing. I don't say this often but this is a beautiful story, parts of it brought me to tears and I loved the coming of age aspects. I also liked that we slowly learn over the course of the story what had happened in the past.

Title/Author: draechaeli - The Communication Effect
Author Summary:
If only there was more communication, or the right kind then everything would be all right. Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi might be bad when it comes to talking to each other about the important things, but they are still leagues better then the older generation that use communication like swords: concealing, revealing, and striking as they please for their own gain. From apologies, to misunderstandings, to sieges, to rumours and gossip, to cold wars, to lies, to civil wars, Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi navigate the world together once their brothers make sure they’re engaged before the classes at Cloud Recesses are finished.
Word Count: 187,106
Review:
Loved the character voices, the plot, pacing, and I had a blast reading. I loved seeing Wei Wuxian's genius at work with the talismans he created, and I loved that the story didn't gloss over the war and we got to see some battles and there was a sense of time passing during the war with wins and losses.

Title/Author: Lirazel - use the wood brought in by the tide
Author Summary:
Months into his arranged marriage to the head disciple of the Jiang sect, Lan Wangji confronts family dynamics unlike any he has encountered before.
Word Count: 27,443
Review:
Loved seeing how Lan Wangji adjusted to living in Lotus Pier after his arranged marriage to Wei Wuxian. I also liked how the three siblings handled the child abuse from Madam Yu. Loved that Lan Wangji was protective of Wei Wuxian. Good character voices, plot, and pacing.

Title/Author: ailuridae (abigailnicole), reasonwasoutforlunch - creation both haunted & holy
Author Summary:
They shouldn’t have dug up the gate. Wei Ying has translated enough ancient portents of doom and warnings of mass death to guess what lay on the other side. He definitely shouldn’t have gone through. And he never should have met Lan Zhan, or married him. But now there is only one thing that he could do, and still remain Wei Ying.

Lan Zhan has been trained as a sacrifice for his entire life. He expected torture and death, he expected to be a whore in Wen Ruohan’s bed. The only thing he didn’t expect was Wei Ying.
Word Count: 115,391
Review:
I wasn't sure how this Stargate fusion would work out but the author's did a great job of using Cultivation elements and making the alien threat terrifying. Loved the character voices, pacing, and the ending worked for me.

Title/Author: danegen - Certain foolish perfect hours
Author Summary:
Or at cultivator summer camp, Wei Wuxian offers to give Lan Wangji kissing lessons. Lan Wangji is, as always, an excellent student.
Word Count: 39,076
Review:
I loved seeing Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian fall in love during their time together at Cloud Recess. Loved the character voices, the kissing, imagery, and pacing. I couldn't stop reading once I started.

Title/Author: shorimochi - Cursed Couple
Author Summary:
Due to an unfortunate circumstance, Lan Qiren found himself accidentally brought back to the past, where he was still a young man, everyone dead was now alive while everyone alive was not yet born.

He also discovered that the young Wen Ruohan might not be the ruthless, power-hungry man he grew up to be. Could he change the future, maybe?

Lan Qiren certainly did not expect he would have to seduce Wen Ruohan to do that.
Word Count: 121,465
Review:
I had an absolute blast reading! Loved the concept, character voices, and it's not often we see Lan Qiren traveling to the past. This story had action, adventure, comedy, an interesting case to solve, and romance.

Title/Author: saraubs - the burden of my song
Author Summary:
Celebrated as the most talented Cultivator of his generation, Lan Wangji sets out on a Pilgrimage to visit the Great Sects and learn all he can in the pursuit of attaining immortality. His first stop: Lotus Pier, where he can finally meet First Disciple Wei Wuxian and determine his suitability to marry into Gusu Lan.
Word Count: 51,938
Review:
I loved the character voices, the imagery, plot, pacing, and I was on the edge of my seat to see how things would turn out near the end of the story.

Title/Author: kianspo - Turn Left
Author Summary:
“Make me so ugly that no one will ever want me,” he says. “Please.”

Or: Lan Wangji is kidnapped from the Lan Clan when he's still a small child. He retains no memories of his real identity, and only knows himself as a servant at Madam Ji's brothel. When the clients begin to look at him with interest, he finds someone to curse him and take away his true appearance, and with it any chance of ever finding his family.
Word Count: 204,411
Review:
I loved the character voices, the concept, plot, and I couldn't stop reading once I started. I really loved seeing how things turned out with Lan Wangji raised outside of the Lan Clan.

Title/Author: moeblobmegane - if you can't beat them, recruit them
Author Summary:
Wei Wuxian uses a powerful array to go back in time and builds a secret squad to prevent the misfortunes of the future.
Word Count: 228,416
Review:
I loved the plot, character voices, and concept. It was really fun seeing how Wei Wuxian gathered his team and with help made things turn out for the better for so many people. Fun story!

Title/Author: Stratisphyre - in stillness, clear water to the bottom
Author Summary:
On the heels of a great tragedy, Lan Qiren finds himself sent back in time to his youth. He decides to save, in order, his sister-in-law, his best friend, his best friend’s husband, and the only sect leader who may have a chance of standing against Wen Ruohan.
Word Count: 40,652
Review:
Loved the concept, character voices, and seeing how Lan Qiren handled finding himself in the past.

Title/Author: skeletonofaplant - Time, Time, Time
Author Summary:
Or the juniors travel back in time and meet people they never had a chance to
Word Count: 44,210
Review:
I had so much fun reading! Loved the junior's character voices, their interactions in the past. Parts of the story made me laugh out loud and other parts brought tears to my eyes. Couldn't stop reading once I started.

Title/Author: kianspo - Bring Your Wonder (Lose Your Faith)
Author Summary:
Canon divergence starting from after the Xuanwu Cave. What if it wasn't Wang Lingjiao who came to Lotus Pier? What if Wen Ruohan had sent Wen Zhuliu instead? The respectful, sensible Wen Zhuliu, who knows how to work the room...

In which Wei Wuxian loses his hand (he gets one better), Lotus Pier is saved, the Lan Clan is said to be dead to the last man, there's a horrible banquet in Nightless City, someone accidentally plays Sleeping Beauty, and there's that awkward moment when you realize Meng Yao is the sane one (except not really). It's a dark, dark night, but the sun will rise eventually.
Word Count: 75,406
Review:
Loved the character voices, the premise, pacing, and I was on the edge of my seat to see how things would turn out. Parts of the story made me cry and the ending really worked for me.

Title/Author: One_eyed_God - We'll Build A Dynasty (one the heavens can't shake)
Author Summary:
Wei Wuxian is well-known as a trouble-maker, someone who likes jokes and chaos. He promptly proves this by disappearing without a trace from the Cloud Recesses, in the middle of the Lectures. But when war is on the horizon and tensions boil over, can his actions really be summarized as a simple prank?

Or, the unbelievable story of Wei Wuxian, time traveller, told from everyone's point of view but his.
Word Count: 66,217
Review:
Loved the concept, pacing, plot, character voices and I couldn't stop reading once I started. I liked seeing Sect Leader Wei Wuxian and seeing how he helped the Wen Clan.

Comments

[schneefink]

Thanks for the recs! *opens a dozen new tabs immediately*

[amalthia]

I hope you have as much fun reading these stories as I did! :)