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Set shortly after the movie, this mid-sized tale begins with Norrington and the crew of the Dauntless at sea. Just as they are about to take on a woefully out-gunned crew of pirates, the odds shift. Two more pirate ships show up, one of them the ‘Black Pearl’, with Captain Jack at its helm. Outnumbered and out-gunned, Norrington is forced to parley. Jack doesn’t seem any more eager for things to result in blood shed than the Commodore is, and so an uneasy truce is reached. The Commodore stays aboard the ‘Pearl’ as a ‘guest’ until he can be dropped off in a neutral port, and the Dauntless sails away.
This is a nice cross between a character study and a pwp, with enough action thrown in at the beginning to really get my attention. It’s not quite the action/adventure tale I’d like to get from PotC fic, but it has a damn fine portrayal of Norrington. I also liked Jack in this fic, and I do think he’s probably a lot more intelligent than he often pretends to be. He might not have been quite as… outrageously flaky in this story as he came across in the movie, but I still liked the characterization. Don’t get me wrong- particularly in the beginning there are some very nice bits of humor (on both men’s parts)- Jack is just a bit more consistently sane than I think canon portrays.
Overall, a very enjoyable read. Some hints of action, some nice humor, an excellent characterization of Norrington and his conceptualization of honor, and I bought the pairing in a way I rarely do. Really, I just wish there was more plot and action- or that this had a sequel. Yea. A sequel would be good!
This was a beautiful mid-sized read. It’s set some months after the movie, and it seems both Jack and the Commodore have been having disturbing dreams. And by disturbing, I mean sexy. It’s reached the point that each man finds himself distracted and vows to deal with the issue in such a way as to put their respective fantasies to rest. Fortunately for all concerned, they pick the same bar to go to in order to find a means of ‘dealing’ and the result is anything but a casual encounter. The end. Or hopefully not.
OK, it’s clear why I’m not rec’ing it- just not enough of the adventure I crave. However, the above does not do justice to this story. The writing and especially the world building is excellent! I was thoroughly engaged by the story. In the first chapter, Jack spends most of his time handling ship’s business (and getting drunk and dreaming, but hey, nothing wrong with that)- and I found it fascinating. The author does a great job using secondary characters to flesh out her world and to provide insights on both Jack and James’ personalities. There is also some interesting backstory hinted at with regard to Jack’s previous dealings with ‘gentlemen’. In short, I really do highly recommend reading this story- it was a great journey. I’m seriously going to have to hunt around to see if these authors have written anything a bit more adventury!
This is a fun, mid-sized adventure yarn told from Norrington’s pov (1st person, which works well here). It begins with bad news from the governor. Seems Jack has been granted a Letter of Marque- which basically means he’s a privateer working on the side of the English. Since they’re stuck with him, Swann decides it’s best to keep an eye on him, thus saddling Norrington with his own private demon. James is less than thrilled:
Aggravating man. How was it possible that I was doing this? Surely it wasn’t too late. I could still hang him. Apologise later. So sorry, terrible mistake. A blemish on my record, but could that compare to being free of Sparrow?
Hee! So the Black Pearl and the Dauntless set off to investigate a missing merchant ship, suspected to be in the hands of the Spanish. There’s some action/adventure and a great deal of snark, and the Commodore enjoys himself a great deal more than he thought he would. The story is simply a boatload of fun, with a great James voice and a fun version of Jack. It’s the first in a three part series, but stands very nicely on its own. The second story, ‘Close Quarters’, is also a solid entry, though there’s less action and more set-up for what will hopefully be a rousing ending. The series as a whole is marked as slash, but the first book reads very much as gen. Highly reced, much fun!
So the Mrs. Norrington challenge has stories posted, and while I’m not a big fan of either the romance genre or OC’s, I do so love the Commodore. I think my favorite portrayals get him a little dirty, a little bloody, and knock that wig off of his head. However, I also like to read about Norrington the gentleman, and that’s what this pleasurable mid-sized read gave me.
Set post-movie, it’s fairly low key. It explores two main themes- Norrington’s introduction to and growing friendship with Miss Victoria Talbot, and an increase in attacks by Spanish pirates. The story is told from Norrington’s PoV, which I greatly appreciated. It keeps the OC from taking over, and I doubt I’d have warmed to the story if the author had taken a different approach. I liked James’ slow building feelings and his failure to recognize the more romantic aspects of his feelings, even as outside observers clearly began to see the pair as a couple. I also liked the OC. She was interesting and pleasant and there was none of that teenage drama queen aspect that seems present in many of the fics I’ve glanced at that have OC pairings. The bits with more minor characters such as Will and Elizabeth were also nice- all of the characters were treated well in this fic- though fair warning, Jack is nowhere to be found.
The general plot and structure of the story worked well for me- the bits about the Longitude Prize were interesting and the pirate action, well, it gave me a taste of the more action oriented writing I tend to crave. I liked how James went into ‘rescue’ mode once he figured out what was up with the pirates. Good pacing on that and a nice bit of characterization.
Overall, a solidly written story that’s an enjoyable read for those wanting a pleasant dose of Norrington. It wasn’t shockingly unique or complex, and it’s not really the action oriented, gritty type of tale I usually go for, but I quite enjoyed it.
Since I’m in a PotC mood this chilly winter morn, thought I’d write up this crack_van rec. It’s a one shot with a slashy vibe, set many years post-movie. It begins with Norrington heading out for Fort St. James, where Sparrow is being held prior to hanging. It’s a fairly contained little vignette, set almost entirely inside Jack’s cell. Not really enough of a full blown story to ping my ‘rec’ vibe, but the writing and the characterizations seriously worked for me.
Both Jack and Norrington are older and worn, past playing games with each other. I like how bits of their histories are filled in, and while I’ve never particularly seen Elizabeth as the ‘one woman Norrington could love’, I did like the portrayal of his grief for her and his feelings concerning Will. I also liked the implication that Norrington is both dangerous and competent- yet still susceptible to Jack’s particular brand of craftiness. Though I prefer a little more ‘crazy’ in my Jack, this version worked well for the tale told.
Overall, a good read. Not a full blown story, but interesting characterizations and the writing was several cuts above the norm. The build-up to the final climax worked particularly well- I wasn’t certain what would happen until it did (which I’m about to spoil- you’ve been warned).
Of course, I don’t actually think Jack and Norrington could ever work in the long run. I tend to see Norrington as too committed to duty and Jack too committed to mayhem. They’re a difficult pairing for me. Hm- that’s completely untrue. I DO see the attraction, I just think they’re ultimately doomed. It’s weird though- I love the idea that Norrington can be set free from the shackles of convention and run off with Jack. I like that idea a lot. I just don’t buy it.
Jeesh- I thought Lex and Clark had a hard row to hoe. But with those two, I really think they are destined to be together. With Jack and Norrington, maybe they’re just destined to want to be together.
And I’ll stop rambling now. Interesting read- I’ll be hunting for more by this author!
I find myself on a serious PotC kick at the moment. Why? I have no idea. In truth, it’s not a fandom that tends to produce fics to my taste, and I have to hunt rather hard to find stories I like enough to a. read; b. complete. This is a pretty good example of the type of story that I do enjoy, even though it doesn’t really ‘ping my buttons’.
It’s a fairly lengthy read, set about a year after the movie. It begins with Norrington (first name ‘Gabriel’ in this fic) and Elizabeth chatting. Norrington is astute enough to know she’s hiding something from him, and Elizabeth is wise enough not to hold her secret too long. Seems Jack has taken seriously ill, and the crew of the Black Pearl delivered him over to the Turners for medical care. The Commodore is quite reasonably appalled at the position the Turners have put themselves in, and he ends up taking on the pirate’s care and feeding. What follows is pretty much what any slash fan would expect- a long, slow journey into pirategasm.
Frankly, I enjoyed the read, though it lacked the action focus I prefer. The writing is solid, the characters interesting, and there’s more plot than pwp. I was truly curious how it all would end. This version of Jack isn’t quite as manic as I prefer, but he was likably devious while still a ‘good man’ (which I’m not entirely convinced he is, but it’s a characterization I like). I enjoyed Norrington as well. He’s portrayed a bit younger and more vulnerable than in some fics, but still within the character range I find palatable. I can definitely see him as a man who is somewhat cut-off from deep relationships with other people, and I enjoy stories where he slowly manages to break through his doubts and reserve and allow such relationships to form. The Turners also fare well in this tale, and I got a few chuckles out of Will and Elizabeth dealing with impending parenthood. In short, everyone was likable and true enough to the characterizations as I see them.
Overall, this is more a relationship piece, but it’s a pleasant one. For those who like the Commodore, you’ll probably enjoy the way he slowly builds a friendship with Jack and the Turners, and his relationship with Gillette and Groves is an added bonus. I liked the ending, and how Norrington was willing to sacrifice himself to save Jack, and how his friends saw to it that he didn’t have to. All in all, an enoyable way to burn an hour.
Well, I finally got around to reading the rest of the ‘Moonverse Series’. I very much liked the first story, ‘Full Moon’, which I rambled about over here. My initial take on that story? Great stuff, but not a full blown story. I’ll hold out for a sequel before passing judgment. Luckily, folks chimed in to point out there were sequels. Yay! Unfortunately, I read the last of the bunch- ‘Penumbra’- and didn’t much care for it. So, I didn’t bother with the rest. Until now. Cause as I think I’ve mentioned, I’ve be jones’n for some PotC.
So.... Here’s my take on the rest of the series- which I think reads best as a whole (I’m lumping together: Tides, Drowning, Currents). Well, ‘Full Moon’ kicked ass. It gave us the threat of navel battles and Norrington cutting a deal with Jack in order to avoid bloodshed. The Commodore was stuck on the Black Perl until Jack could take her into Port Royal, say his goodbyes to the Turners, and then head out of Caribbean waters for good. There was much witty banter and the obligatory sex. I dug that first story, though it was obviously an incomplete tale. The next three stories take us into Port Royal, the meeting with the Turners, and Jack sailing off into the setting sun. I’ll admit. I was hoping for more.
While the banter, the appealing characterizations, and the insights into Jack and the Commodore continue, not a hell of a lot happens plot wise. Mostly, there’s a lot of sex. I mean, good, in-character, insightful sex. But still. Mostly sex. I did like how the story handles the near impossibility of Jack and Norrington being able to actually make a long term pairing. I thought that worked well and was true to the characters. But overall? I was hoping for a lot more action- not of the sex kind.
So- fun, interesting read. Not what I was hoping for. Oh- and I didn’t care much for the last story (’Penumbra’) at all, so I’m not going into it. Still wish there were more stories in the series, because I think there’s more of this story to be told and I dig the writer’s style.
This is a very interesting future fic featuring a ‘what if’ take on history. It’s a lovely read that switches back and forth from Norrington’s PoV to Jack’s. At the beginning, and through much of the story, Jack is marooned alone on a tiny island. The Commodore is marooned in an entirely different sense, but there’s no doubt the world he now occupies is completely cut off from the one he used to know. It is largely through his interactions with Anamaria that we figure out this strange new world (yep, both het and slash in this one).
The story explores an alternative history, which is a very neat idea, and it’s one that may allow Jack and Norrington to come together in a way I tend to think unlikely in ‘real’ history. However, to give you too many details would spoil it, so I’d highly suggest reading the story BEFORE reading this review. One of the things I liked best about the story was figuring out what the hell was going on with James. The author does a nice job of doling out those tidbits in a subtle and natural way, and it definitely reads best unspoiled.[lj-cut]
So- to spoil! Dang- I really like the idea of a history in which England no longer exists. That sets up so many interesting possibilities. I also liked the way the alternative history gradually becomes clear to the reader- there’s no big ‘exposition dump’. At the beginning of the story I was a little worried James had been sacked or something and fallen on hard times. That’s not really a scenario that appeals to me too much. However, I love the idea that it’s England herself that has fallen, and James is now a sort of privateer, fighting the good fight for a country that no longer exists. Hee! I dig that- it gives me down and dirty James, yet there is still that sense of nobility and honor. It also allows a lot of possibilities for James and Jack. I think under normal circumstances, they’re kind of doomed as a pairing. Jack is too much of a pirate to walk the straight and narrow and James is too much of a Commodore to continence piracy. The ‘what if’ quality of this story puts the two men in a situation where they could conceivably work together for the long haul, without violating their own natures. It’s very cool.
So, my favorite part of this story is definitely the premise. The writing was also excellent- clean, well crafted, and it just carries you effortlessly through the story. Ditto the characterizations. Jack wasn’t as outwardly humorous as I generally prefer, but his internal perspective, particularly on the island, rang very true. I also liked how at core, both men are Captains. It’s not really negotiable, it’s an inherent part of who they are. Finally, I liked the Norrington/Anamaria bits quite a lot. Overall, just a great read. I’d like to see more in this universe.[/lj-cut]
Note- edited link to go to LJ as the old one died.
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