Chapter 1: Phoenix by Unniebee
Chapter Text
Work Title: Phoenix
Author: unniebee
Word Count: 231.3k
Rating: Explicit
Archive Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, Underage
Relationships: Chanyeol/Yifan | Kris, Chanyeol/Kyungsoo/Yifan | Kris, Tao/Sehun, Jongdae/Yixing, Junmyeon/Minseok
Tags: Science fiction, pseudoscience, action, angst with a happy ending, polyamory
Summary: The mercenary crew of the Phoenix takes on the dangerous job of kidnapping three genetic experiments and bringing them across the galaxy, unaware that the scientist who created is chasing them to get his children back.
My Review: Phoenix is a piece I just keep coming back too. I consider it to be something of a fandom classic, so if you haven't already read it, why not start right now!
Phoenix is plot driven rather than a progression of a relationship and its every sci fi nerd's dream. It doesn't read like a cliched sci fi, the au is very unique and well developed. Plot wise, there are lots of twists and turns which leave you hungering for the next instalment. You will not be able to put your phone down and this is a Fic that will stay with you. I certainly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a high octane, science fiction mystery with plenty of action but also several romantic subplots that don't feel forced or out of place.
Chapter 2: Demon Tamer by Daestruct
Chapter Text
Work Title: Demon Tamer
Author: Daestruct
Word Count: 122.4k
Rating: Explicit
Archive Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence
Relationships: Baekhyun/Sehun
Tags: Alternate Universe - Demons, Supernatural elements, Soul bond, Action/adventure
Summary: "Oh, Baekhyun." Long fingers trail over the markings on Baekhyun's back, and the streets are filled with a dance of hellfire. "Has no one ever told you that Hell would love you?" The moon begins to bleed. [Please note the warnings for violence and side character death.]
My Review: Demon Au's are attempted often but with varying degrees of success, Demon Tamer is definitely one of the best that I've read. Like Phoenix the au is very original, well developed and cleary thought out. Daestruct tackles the theme of personal identity in a very realistic, human way which makes it easy to identify with Baekhyun and his need to find where he belongs.
The relationship between Sehun and Baekhyun is written with an air of mystery yet simplicity. It plays on the base needs of a human but with a higher level of complexity and otherworldliness that makes it so undeniably non human in its nature. It's so beautifully written and my mind often wanders to sections of passages that struck a certain chord with me when I was reading.
I definitely reccommend this work, it's plot beautifully tackles the themes of love, revenge, friendship and self discovery with bags of personality, action, mystery and intrigue.
Chapter 3: Bitter Pill by Huaner
Chapter Text
Work Title: Bitter Pill
Author: Huaner
Word Count: 31.8k - Ongoing
Rating: Explicit
Archive Warnings: Rape/Non-Con
Relationships: Baekhyun/Chanyeol, Baekhyun/Taeyeon
Tags: Office AU, CEO!Chanyeol, Drama, Possesive behaviour, Rough sex, Breathplay, Dubious consent
Summary: Byun Baekhyun would do anything for his fiance, even if it meant sleeping with his boss, Park Chanyeol.
My Review:
I absolutely adore this work. At first I was reluctant to read this as I thought it could fall into the "have really kinky sex with me or I'll make you homeless" kind of trope. Bitter Pill manages to completely avoid that and instead offers a deep tangled web of conflicting feelings and ugly emotions. I've found myself torn between which pairing I prefer, these fics can often be very biased towards the main pairing (in this case baek yeol) so it's easy to root for them and forget the other partner. The Baekyeon is so wonderfully written that at times you almost wish they would work out. I think that Huaner cleverly shows two different sides to love, baekyeons I feel is very sweet and gentle, like a spring breeze. This constrasts beautifully to the deep, rich and very raw emotions that envelop Chanyeol's and Baekhyun's relationship.
Read this and you yourself will fall into the lies, deception, confusion and lust alongside Baekhyun and the other characters.
Chapter 4: Secret Stars and Summer Wishes by Nachtegael
Chapter Text
Work Title: Secret Stars and Summer Wishes
Author: Nachtegael
Word Count: 36.9k
Rating: Teen and Up
Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Junmyeon/Sehun
Tags: Kid!Tao, Kid!Kris, Romance, Kindergarten, Uni Au
Summary: Sehun has been looking forward to spending time with his nephew Tao, but his summer break plans did not include volunteering alongside the (cute) kindergarten teacher, Joonmyun.
My Review: This Fic in my opinion is crazily underrated. It's so soft and gentle and fills me with nostalgic feelings of sweltering summers and the carefree feeling summer has. Secret Stars and Summer Wishes honestly elicits from the the same kind of emotions I get when I'm watching a Studio Ghibli film, and it really reminds me of the anime Barakamon(which I also really recommend watching). Nachtegael focuses more on Sehuns feeling towards the work in the nursery rather than his crush on Junmyeon dominating the narrative, which is really refreshing to read.
If you want a light, whimsical romance then Secret Stars and Summer Wishes is for you.
su (Guest) on Chapter 1 Sat 12 Mar 2016 07:59PM UTC
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Jokykiss on Chapter 3 Sat 04 Nov 2023 05:48PM UTC
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pookie_bear on Chapter 4 Sun 11 Nov 2018 07:41PM UTC
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