Monday, June 29, 2009

Stone Dragons

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"Sometimes there are no right decisions. There are only actions and consequences. Hermione's only choice now is who to betray. "

Location: dmhgficexchange, (here)
Title: Stone Dragons
Author: gravidy
Rating: R
Categories: Best Short Story, Best Action/Adventure, Best Heart-Wrenching Angst, Most Creative, Best Hermione

This was great... Great in that heavy, heady, emotional roller coaster kind of way. It was so well supported, with a huge backstory and so much new material that I don't believe I will ever see the worlds the same again. It could completely change the way I read HP fiction, and things related to the series... The pureblood/muggle dynamic in this really makes you think...

Pros: Thought provoking, well written, and although there is very little "happy" in this fic, it's worth it to push through the tears...
Cons: So, unfailingly sad. The D/Hr relationship is really subdued because of the amount of tragic and terrible stuff going on. 

Hydrotherapy

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"Draco finds a trip to the showers after playing Quidditch...enlightening."

Location: Pure Arrogance, (here)
Title: Hydrotherapy
Author:eilonwy
Rating: NC17
Categories: Best Short Story

Incredibly... hot, sexy, humid, and all manners of wet! This is short and steamy, romantic and I can't believe it wasn't nominated for Best Smut! I'm absolutely RAVING here!

Pros: Hot, and so very nice! No technical issues of any sort, and I wish it never ended!
Cons: Sequel, anyone?

Heaven Forbid

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"She held the Muggle pregnancy test limply in her hands, and the red plus sign glared at Draco dauntingly, his very own monster come to wreak havoc in his world."

Location: dmhgficexchange, (here)
Title: Heaven Forbid
Author: empathapathique
Rating: NC-17
Categories: Best Short Story, Best Heart-Wrenching Angst, Best Draco

I just, sort of, finished this fic... I liked it, and by the authors writing ability it is clear why it was nominated. I had some problems following the story and what was going on Then and Now but I did my best to read through it. How I went about reading it was probably the source of my confusion. I couldn't read it all in one sitting, so I read a little here, and a little there, and couldn't actually follow specific issues at once... All I can say is, "my bad."

Because of my mistakes, I'll only list the Pros with this story!

Pros: Well written, planned out, and great execution of such a heavy topic (abortion). 

Sunday, June 28, 2009

White Knickers

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominations

"A short vignette between Draco and Hermione."

Location: LJ, (here)
Title: White Knickers
Author: Bunney/Krissy
Rating: PG, ought to be T in my book
Categories: Best One-Shot

Another awesome one-shot! This was no usual PG fic. As soon as I saw that rating, I almost immediately skipped it, but it was worth the read! There is no fluff here, and although it's sweet, you there's no beautiful story line to fall back on... I wish I could say more! Smart, sexy, yet subdued.

Pros: Amazing, in character, hot.
Cons: I wish there was more! Not that it should be longer, but I just didn't want it to end!

Companion fics!!!
White Noise: http://bunney.livejournal.com/511164.html
White Light:  http://bunney.livejournal.com/525998.html

The Nothing Fights

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Awards

"And she fell for him like her heart was a mob informant and he was the East River."

Location: dmhgfixexchange, (here)
Title: The Nothing Fights
Author: somandalicious
Rating: Light R
Categories: Best One-Shot, Best Comedy

I absolutely adored this fic, and that's saying a lot! So nice, so complete, it was long enough to get used to the plot and acquire some expectations of the coming events, but not too long... So funny!

Pros: Perfectly written, betaed, organized. Hilarious, yet sweet, and an awesome Hermione! 
Cons: I almost wish there was a sequel! Or a companion!

That Ferret!

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"Draco Malfoy has been a constant pain in my you know where for the last six years. But now ... “Going to the library, huh? Can’t wait until 8?” He whispers softly, teasing me. “Like I said, you just can’t resist my charm.” That ferret!"

Location: FF.net, (here)
Title: That Ferret!
Author: emaji
Rating: T
Categories: Best One-Shot

This is a first-fic with a really good idea behind it, but it's not my favorite. I think it's because I'm picky, and one-shots are really not my "thing," but it was a good first shot for emaji!

Pros: Nicely written, no horrendous grammar or technical issues.
Cons: Really short, no real story (just an idea), climax? plot? Unclear transitions between thoughts, actual spoken words, and story happenings...

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Leap Year

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"Nobody needs anybody, Granger. They just want the point of pain."

Location: dmhgficexchange, (here)
Title: Leap Year
Author: basicaquatics or attica (?)
Rating: PG-13
Category: Best One-Shot

For some reason I held off on reading this fic... Like, the first time I opened it, I immediately backtracked to the Nom Page to find something else... I guess I figured it would be too long, or something I ought not start until I had enough time to read it on my computer instead of my Blackberry... Either way, I did read it, and I did like it!

The style is a bit... new to me. I'm one to pay attention to specifics, in grammar, and sentence structure... And along with that, the story itself was really different... I've done this in the past, focused a fic almost entirely on the characters and their characterizations, somewhat glazing over the backstory, and even the setting. In this case, I would have appreciated some more backstory, a lead-in or something. It almost comes off as AU, especially in the beginning...

But despite this, and the fact that it's PG-13, I did like it. It is nicely written, and it's definitely deserving of the nomination!

Pros: Well written, really different, and rather quirky in spots!
Cons: Confusing structure for those who don't understand the pacing, very little backstory, comes off as AU often, maybe even AH...

How You Need It

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"When Hermione finally comes to her senses and tries to divorce Ron, he refuses to give her one. Can Draco of all people help Hermione learn to love again, or will Ron get in the way of their happiness? DMHG, HPGW. DH compliant minus epilogue."

Location: GE, (here) and FF.net, (here)
Title: How You Need It
Author: dynonugget
Rating: M
Categories: Best Novel-Length, Best Fluff

As most of dyno's fics are, this one is perfectly written, well thought out and organized! If you want good, honest fiction, this story is for you... The issues involved are very real, and even though this fic is fluffy, it's rather painful in spots. Great read, great work!

Pros: well organized, betaed, and executed. Wonderful story, interesting characterization of Ron.
Cons: Almost too much fluff, (with good reason) extremely OOC Draco. 

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Pathetic

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"Granger was dead. Granger was dead and everyone was acting like the sun had burnt out, like life was no longer worth living, like they should all just walk straight into the lake with their mouths open and drown. Pathetic."

Location: FF.net, (here)
Title: Pathetic
Author: I-Can-Spell-Confusion-With-A-K
Rating: T
Categories: Best One-Shot

This was a very short, in character Draco POV fic... Really nice! It was simple, not particularly layered or deep, but it had an attitude that I'm not used to finding in one-shots. This reads as a fic that didn't take much time to create, but like a really good idea that was written out for all to see... 

Pros: Wonderfully organized, in character Draco, great feel, complete
Cons: I would say that it's short... But I really couldn't imagine it being any longer.

Longing

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"Hermione has a longing, caused by none other than Draco Malfoy."

Location: GE, (here)
Title: Longing
Author: dynonugget
Rating: NC17
Categories: Best One-Shot

Longing was really really sweet, nicely written, and particularly pleasant. I'd just finished the most intense, angsty smutfest fic I've ever come across so this did come off as rather "light," but in a GREAT way. Pretty short, but then again, it's a one-shot!

Pros: Well written, by dynonugget, sweet, and the drama was not too dramatic.
Cons: The length if you don't like one-shots :)

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Atonement

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"DH, post-epilogue. Twenty years after the war, Draco is plagued by remorse. In his mind, Hermione is the only one who can grant him the absolution he is seeking. Hermione takes him up on his offer, to suffer for her. Angst, BDSM, Humil, M/F"

Location: AFF.net, (here)
Title: Atonement
Author: Emily Waters
Rating: NC17, Adult++
Categories: Best Short Story, Best Heart Wrenching Angst, Best Hermione

Wow. Just wow. Great night read, awesome semi-quick read. If you aren't afraid of humiliation, and heavy BDSM themes, this is absolutely perfect. It isn't too short, it felt complete, very well written, and it even made me want to read a bit more by Emily Waters before the hour's through. 

Pros: Engaging, perfect length, emotional, well written, well-betaed, complete
Cons: A bit heavy if you don't like BDSM, angst, and humiliation.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Black & Blue

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Location: GE, (here)
Title: Black & Blue
Author: pokeystar
Rated: PG-13
Category: Best One-shot, Most Creative

I'm not one for one-shots, so this one was a struggle for me! There were a lot of things I liked, but quite a few things I didn't. Personal taste, I imagine, based on the fact that almost everything I read is 50K and I've formed a preference for that length. 

I liked it, didn't love it, but it was very creative and interesting... The layout is somewhat genius, but only if you understand what the writer is doing. I love the little dynamic Draco and Hermione have here... it really is unique, though. 

Pros: Perfectly betaed, great idea, very creative, pleasant characterizations, no extremes
Cons: Confusing, doesn't seem complete, to many time switches

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Heart and Soul

The Dramione Awards
Round 5 Nominee

"Dear Miss Granger, I understand and sympathize with you, however there is very little else I can do. While I know how difficult Mr. Malfoy can be, you are his last hope... Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore. AU/AR, M/F"

Location: AFF.net (here)
Title: Heart and Soul
Author: Tassana Burrfoot
Rated: NC17, Adult+ (nothing extreme)
Categories: Best Novel Length (50K or more), Best Romance

I just finished this fic by T. Burrfoot and it had it's ups and downs, but I know I couldn't put it down! Good characterizations, awesome plot, and a backstory like no other. The concept, though a bit sped through, was really... I wouldn't say unique, but very well thought out. This is a plot that most would find typical and common, but it really isn't. Their experiences... I suppose I can't give anything away!

Pros: Great plot, story, phrasing, and concept, complete.
Cons: Quick paced periodically, overly fluffy/mean in parts, spelling issues.

The Dramione Awards Round 5


Alright, so it's that time again! Well, it has been that time again... for a while yet! But now that all the nominations are up, and I have plenty of time, I can get through them all and vote appropriately! I couldn't do this with the Smutastic Awards, but I'm on it for the Dramione's! 

So yes, I must read, or have read, every fic to vote right. Right, correctly, whatever... I said "appropriately" above so we'll go with that one. So I am going down the list, (in my own order) reading the fics one by one. And now I have a plan!

I am going to review each fic, individually, but not the full on editorials I usually do. They are going to be short, really as a way for me to remember my likes and dislikes for when the actual voting comes around! My review format will contain the author, title, the fics location, the rating, the category(ies) nominated for, the summary, and a little review from me! So please, to the few people who check out my blog here, check those out! I can't really bomb through the 50K+ fics, but I shall try my best! 

This is awesome! So many fics to read, so little time. (June 1-June 30!)

This isn't meant to be a resource, Loves Dramione's sole purpose is and always will be my personal means to link to, recall, and have all of the fics I rec/rev in one place. All authors whose stories are reviewed and hotlinked here are contacted, and permission is granted from each. If an author wishes a review to be removed from my blog, I'll do so-no questions asked!

*I am in no way affiliated with the Dramione Awards, the authors and/or stories represented, or the moderators of the community itself. 

Monday, June 1, 2009

Need and Want

I got back into the groove! Holy crap fanfiction.net is really becoming my best source for fics, new and old. Not only do the pages load easier on my phone, the amount of fiction there is just stupendous...


Through the community "Hermione's Happy Endings," I have found a few fics that have loaded up the memory on my Blackberry: Be Careful What You Bet On by BooBlack, Best Laid Plans by shadowglove, Love and Forgiveness by HarryPGinnyW4eva, and most recently Need and Want by rinny08. 

Location: FF.net
The summary for this story is:
"Head Girl Hermione Granger wants nothing more than a quiet final year at Hogwarts, only to be thwarted by Head Boy Draco Malfoy who offers her an arrangement that might be everything she needs. AU after HBP and DH."
Warnings: AU (?)
Rating: soft M
Length: Medium length, 22 chapters/~45K words
Time Period: 7th year Hogwarts/Post War
How Good?: Pretty good, 8/10
And the Smut?: -/10, see below
Status: Complete
Pairing: Dramione 
Awards: Haven't found any...

***Spoilers

The Bad:
This fic was a pleasant, quick, easy read but by the description I was expecting much more... something. Spunk, heat, and that anticipation that you usually get while finishing a chapter. 

Alot of that anticipation was dissolved with the little previews given at the end of each chapter, along with the writers exceptional foreshadowing. It was too good, and I could tell nearly every "big" point in the story many chapters before they happened. 

The smut was, even though the summary foreshadows otherwise, nearly nonexistent and the relationship was so fluffy at times that... well, it almost seemed indecent for any smut to be written out at all. In the beginning, the deal is made, and I am expecting a plethora of hot and sweaty, but secret, Head Boy/Girl action. They set up their "arrangement" and we expect their first time together, along with the second, and perhaps some kink throughout the story. I mean, the fic is called Need and Want for goodness sake, not Want and Fulfilled. Despite our expectations, I can't remember any actual smut whatsoever... It's like, the set up is there, hints at foreplay, but even the kissing is kept to modest pecks for the most part. What I mean is, she sets up for what sounds like some amazingly randy hotness at the end of one chapter, only for it to be referred to briefly in the next. Or having a lead in with some caresses in one sentence, with some Stephenie Meyer sex smattered about (not even), and then the little "after their fulfilling night, Draco and Hermione went..." afterwards. And by Stephenie Meyer sex I mean the kind where she skips a few lines and you are just supposed to imagine it, in there, the blank space...

I bombed through this story trying to find the heat, but it wasn't there.

The Good:
I AM happy I finished this fic though. This is great writing, nearly perfectly betaed, very well thought out phrasing and sentence structure, and some beautiful descriptions. That's why this got an 8/10. Apart from the dryness of the plot itself, which is a bit half corked, if summarized correctly this fic could very possibly win a Dramione Award if it hasn't already. This has a very, though not particularly, happy ending--something I adore in a fic. 

Draco and Hermione's relationship progresses quickly, and although a lot of hearty information is left out, I can certainly appreciate what the writer has put in! There is a very intense moment at the end but... I really love how it is resolved! I guess I can't say anymore on that!

So, even though it is displayed as a fic with romance and angst, especially with the M rating, this is definitely not meant to be that kind of fic. It's fluffy, with some drama, a pleasant (though choppy) storyline, and should probably, if anything, be rated T. 

Love is...
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