fantasy + military fiction is like, my fucking FAVORITE.

[osaraba]

I think this series was started just after I'd stopped shooting up with Merlin fic. But it's almost a year later and not only is it GOOD, but it's also almost 500,000 words of it. I'm only just started part 3 now, but I can't express how fucking happy I am to read really fucking well-written military fiction in ANY fandom, and even moreso in Merlin fandom!

My one gripe so far is that of Arthur's characterization in part 1, but he's gotten a lot better as the story moves forward.

I can't recommend this highly enough, and I'm not even halfway through yet! I suspect it'll take me til at least tomorrow to finish, but I can already tell that I won't want it to end.

Loaded March (series) by Footloose. Eventual Arthur/Merlin. Modern AU. The reason SAS Captain Arthur Pendragon can't keep a communications specialist in Team Excalibur because none of them are good enough. And then Lieutenant Merlin Emrys gets assigned to his squad, and Arthur does everything he can to prove that Merlin isn't good enough, either. Except he is.

ETA: So unfortunately I have to admit that there's some odd (maybe internalized?) misogyny sprinkled throughout this otherwise awesomely epic fic. It's not relegated to a specific character or two, so there really isn't an "in-character" excuse. It does make me a bit uncomfortable but the rest of the plot is so darn good it still outweighs the unfortunate parts. So there's a bit of a trigger warning for you. =/

And yes, I realize that everyone has probably already read this. But dammit, someone should've told me about it! =P

This makes me want to reread pretty much everything by David Weber, who writes the best military sci-fi EVER. But of course, that reminds me that there are a few of Weber's series I have to catch up on. \o/

Comments

[eledhwenlin]

Loaded March is really fucking amazing. OMG, I just saw that they uploaded new parts since I last checked. SCORE. \o/

Oh, I had not heard of Weber before. *checks out on amazon*

[osaraba]

Oooh, I highly recommend most of Weber's books! I'd start with either the Honor Harrington series ("On Basilisk Station" is book 1), or the Empire of Man series ("March Upcountry"), or one of his few stand alone novels, "The Excalibur Alternative". =DDD

Oh! Also, a lot of his books are free online (legally) because the publisher is AWESOME.

http://www.baen.com/library/

[eledhwenlin]

... then I might actually have already some of these. :D? (I check out Baen regularly, but my reading speed is ... very, very slow.)

[osaraba]

Oooh, well, let m know if you end up reading one, I'd love to hear what you think! =D

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I've been hesitant to read it because it's, like, a major endeavor. I like epic fics, but JEBUS, you know? But I'm glad you're liking it. I know what I'm going to add to my "to read" list. :)

[osaraba]

I'd urge you to read it now because it's pretty darn good. But you should save it for when you're in the mood to read something epic because it'll be even better then! But definitely read it one day. =D

[shiroi-ten.livejournal.com]

I've been out of Merlin fandom for a while but was wondering About it so I am LOVING your recs. I took the last one on a long flight and it saved me from boredom. <3 I can't wait to read this one!!!

[osaraba]

YAY!!! I sometimes hesitate to rec stuff that's been out for a while because I feel like everyone else has read it already, so I'm really glad it was something that worked for you! =DDD

[shiroi-ten.livejournal.com]

Oh god. I read it for like 10+ hours today and I NEED MORE. I THOUGHT SINCE IT WAS SO LONG IT'D BE OVER. I love novel length stories. ALL THE WORDS IN MY EYES. the feels and the smex and the team dynamic is AMAZING.

[osaraba]

LOL OMFG, you read all of that IN ONE DAY? I'm only in the middle of part 8 now and I've been reading since yesterday morning! Though I've been sort of taking my time, trying to make it last. I really do love all the team dynamics and the military stuff. A lot of the R&R parts were a bit weird to me, I keep getting brought up short by the oddly misogynistic stuff. =/

BUT STILL. I know I'll want more once I get to the end of part 9! =DDD

[jana1x2x1.livejournal.com]

*I* have not read it, but shall! totally adoring merlin/arthur and visa versa! also... *SNUG*