Eroica recs

Posted on August 5, 2008
Filed Under Eroica recs, small fandom recs, anime/manga fandom |

I found a new, shiny fandom! Yay! How I love this moment when I begin reading fiction in a new fandom. Like Mr James entering a supermarket where a sale is on. Who? Read the manga! (Helpful link to my very long GLOWING rec of Eroica.)

Well, it’s a veeeery old fandom actually. I simply discovered it now. And OMG am excited! So now I’m wallowing in Eroica fiction like a happy piglet in the mud.

As usual,

## means “loved to bits OMG!”
# stands for “liked.”
[] means “rather liked,” on the brink between “liked” and “not my thing.”

If you want my reviews of manga and yaoi manga that I liked, click here. Other fandom recs are here.

Eroica fanfiction on the net:
Eroica fanfiction index at Eroicafans, the most comprehensive archive, with email order
Fried Potatoes, an eFiction based Eroica archive
Eroica archive at Belladonna.org, sorted by author; most links lead to Eroicafans
Castle Gloria, LJ community for Eroicafic
Schloss Eberbach, everything Eroica-related on LJ
Yuletide Eroica fics (mostly short)
Eroica fiction on FFnet
Eroica sources at Beladonna
Eroica recs at Crack Van

A Sadistic Entanglement, by Hunter (or here)
This is Dorian/Klaus ship manifesto. Nice, if one wants a smooth introduction to the pairing and even fandom.




Angel and By Any Other Name, by Kay Reynolds (or here) #
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, novel-length. Summary1: Our heroes must escape from a Third World prison. Summary 2: Our heroes face their pasts… and their future.

There were 2.5 things in this story that I disliked (one of them strongly). I would quit very soon were it another story. But there was something in this one, lots of somethings even, that made me read it for two days, totally engrossed. I’ll start with those 2.5 things as I always try to be honest about what I liked or not but please read this rec to the end, ok? Because really, I hate one of these things with a passion, so if I enjoyed this story despite them, maybe you will, too.

1) The story has a serious case of epithitus (the thief, the Earl, Dorian, Eroica vs Klaus and Major), which makes it read like an orgy or a group fight, depending on the scene: Smiling, Dorian crossed the short distance to the bed, positioning himself before Klaus. The Major put his arms around his thighs […]. Then he paused. Dorian shifted a bit, uncomfortable. […] The thief placed his hands on Klaus’ shoulders and pressed his fingertips into muscle, encouraging, Go on….. Which leads to constant POV jolting. Which makes for unnecessary interruptions of smooth reading ‘cos the story has gliding POV as it is. Which, in turn, sometimes shifts to completely random POV character like a cat or a secondary character we can see only two times in the fic. In which I can’t see any reason or purpose, within this story.

2) There are other stylistic choices that irked me. a) I wish the author didn’t use German for Klaus’s speech apart from ‘Gut’ and ‘Ja’. ‘Cos there were errors. b) Sex scene = purple. Blades, swords, sexes, anything but plain old cock. On the other hand, purple prose made me think of “Man in purple” so I found it amusing rather than annoying. The sex is still hot though, very very hot. c) The story is not without SPAG errors on the whole either (not many but what there are, recur).

IMO, the things I list above point at the lack of writing experience. Perhaps. Or the lack of knowledge of writing tricks. But where it lacks in that, the author compensates in talent and the ability to tell a really good story: strong, interesting, and multifaceted. It’s darker than the manga, more in the mood of Der Freischütz. For example, “They call it ‘intelligence.’ But what I am doing most of the time is killing people,” Klaus told him harshly. “Sometimes people are trying to kill me. To stay alive, to accomplish my work requires so much concentration, so much determination and resolution that I have no room for anything else.” Well, there are no killings in From Eroica in Love, at least not in the first 21 volumes, but if you remember Der Freischütz or try to look at the same story from another angle, not humorous, of course you won’t do without death.

This story touches and digs deep into other dark(ish) topics: attempted rape in the prequel, family history where the parents, if not quite demonic, aren’t good parents at all (which seems to be a cliché in this fandom), with other twisted past events that influence the characters’ present. The biographies the author creates for both Klaus and Dorian and all the historical stuff are interesting and not unbelievable, or maybe just very suitable for this darker reality. The story is rather verbose; it’s also very dramatic. It’s often bleak, at other times romantic. But it’s always captivating and interesting to follow. I enjoyed it a lot and was particularly impressed with how the author made Major and Eroica’s relationship work and be so damn logical. The cat was a very nice touch too :) A cat always improves a story, as for me, and this one is no exception.

I think the author managed to keep a really fine balance between romance and angst, and between action and contemplation. The story is pretty plotty but it’s not very fast-paced.

I do imagine these characters differently from the Dorian and Klaus in the manga when I read this story, especially if I think of Klaus. But I don’t think it’s a question of characters being in character or out of character. I believe it’s the matter of another medium and genre.

There was a passage that made me laugh out loud:

“And ‘Mad Vlad’ Zhirinovsky is ready to begin a new war.”

“He is demanding the return of Alaska, Finland, Poland and the satellite countries. He is threatening to deploy nuclear weapons at Germany. He likes to think of himself as Russia’s answer to Hitler. Zhirinovsky is connected to the KGB. He was recruited in his student days in Turkey, back in 1969.”

I do remember the time when Zhirinovsky seemed a big shark. Now, there are bigger ones, and he looks just like one of the numerous opportunistic politicians, no more. But this scene is a nice touch — very much in the mood of the original manga and that historical period.

As a conclusion, it’s a very enjoyable story, as for me. And the storytelling is good, too, despite small imperfections. Would you believe me if I told you that I stopped noticing POV switches and epithets by the middle of it? Well, I did. I think it’s worth rereading too.


Angle of Descent, by CTB (Colette T. Bolech) (available from the Eroicafans.org email archive) []
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, ~8600 words. Summary: Eroica finally has enough and does as the Major wishes. He leaves. But is that really what they both want?

Angsty and intense. We can see an offended and cold Dorian. Sex when it happens is sexy. Quite pleasant, on the angsty end of things.


But Not For Me, by unknown (available from the Eroicafans.org email archive) []
Dorian/Klaus, PG-13, ficlet. Summary: Dorian, the Major, and a romantic location.

Amusing, even funny. I never expected such a twist — although I should have! How many years have I been reading fanfiction? It’s just a vignette but nicely tricky.


Caged Flight series, by BT #
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, longish novella on the whole. Written: August 1989. Summary: Capture, escape and rescue. And of subsequent events.

A delightful writer. I’m reading their Eroica fiction one story after another and enjoying them all. There are quite a few good writers in this fandom. That makes it such a pleasure to wallow :)

I like it that sex happens early in the story, even thought with the help of mind-altering substances. I do prefer these two characters to come to some sort of relationship without any help from any devices, but if it’s done as well as here, I like it too. it’s even refreshing that BT makes Klaus and Eroica fall into bed first (believably!) and sort out the mess later. It reads really smoothly. Well-written, hot, plotty, and nicely angsty in places where Dorian’s and Klaus’s characters clash.


Cakes and Ale, by Torch (flambeau) #
Dorian/Klaus, R, ~5K words. Summary: Klaus finds out what the road to hell is paved with, and Dorian refuses to wear a tie.

Amusing, hot, and well-written. Dorian and Klaus wake up terribly hungover in Schloss Eberbach and try to remember what they did or didn’t do last night. Very vivid. Pleasure!


Calamity is Virtue’s Opportunity, by Sandy K. Herrold []
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, novella. Summary: Eroica has his eye on a prize, which Klaus warns him not to attempt. But how can Eroica resist a challenge?

This is another blackmail plot which, I gather, are pretty common in this fandom. There are a few details I found interesting though: spoilers, highlight to read: for one, Klaus had a brother whose death has a mystery for him to uncover. For another, Dorian kills. The motivation for Klaus and Eroica to do it didn’t seem too convincing to me but it’s wasn’t unbelievable. The story is darkish and of course plotty. This is what I like about this fandom so far! If one wants to keep up with the source, they have to write plotty fics. I enjoyed this one.


Cantiques de Noël, by BT #
Dorian/Klaus, Dorian/OCM, NC-17, novella. 1991. Summary: The Major gets lost in thought, and then the snow at Christmas time.

It’s Christmas, but Klaus is lost. His mission was cancelled, his subordinates and colleagues are busy partying, but he decides to escape and have a fast night drive through Britain. The story features an emotionally stunted Klaus that is written very well, and lots of vivid scenes. I watched it rather than read. Pleasure!


Could we start again, please?, by Anne-Li (or here) []
Dorian/Klaus, PG-13, ~16K. Summary: Klaus finds a way to get rid of Dorian for good. Is it really such a great idea, though? Some people die, but most of them do get better. Slight crossover with the Ateam.

This is a time-travel fic, the first I’ve read in this fandom. Aw, I love plot-related clichés :) On one of his missions, Klaus finds a new science lab that has constructed a time machine. Klaus thinks that he finally found a way to fix all his problems, as most of those are connected to Eroica. He travels to the moment of their first meeting and ‘fixes’ it. Only, being a hapless Muggle, he doesn’t know that fiddling with time is a terrible thing. So afterwards, he has to fix what he has ‘fixed’. Easy to follow, interesting to read.


Crossing the Lines, by Jay Tryfanstone (link to the main page) []
Dorian/Klaus, PG-13, short. Summary: Nailing the flag to the wall.

A much older General comes to a much older Earl. The story is non-linear, and trust Tryfanstone to use various formal devices with such a skill. What she achieves I can only call elegance. Very succinct: a line from a conversation, a hint at a parallel scene. This is here and that is in England; this is now and that will come to pass. But as soon as you catch up with the rhythm, it’s not difficult to follow. Sad but not hopeless.


The Curse of the Eberbachs, by Heather Sparrows and Anne-Li #
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, ~58K words. AU with regards to the events of 1588 and crossover with Harry Potter.

This is a story like what you’d encounter off LJ, at FFnet maybe — only if you come across one like this, grab it! It’s fun and light but with a nice doze of angst. I wouldn’t read it if it were an HP story ‘cos I’m used to different tone and styles in HP fanfic but it reads very well in Eroica. The wizard I love best in HP (if you know me, you’ll know who it is) is super cool here, if paired with [”Oh noes”] <= that's me escaping spoilers.

Centuries past, a wizard curses Tyrian Persimmon, the notorious ancestor of Klaus Heinz von dem Eberbach, and all his male descendants to become beasts that Tyrian showed himself to be if they don't acknowledge their true love by their 30s birthday. In 1985, Klaus wakes up as a dog, keeping only his human voice and mind. He has to find somebody he trusts to help him. Enter Eroica. That is, exit dog!Klaus :) I had lots of fun reading it, laughed at the Major’s antics and lines, wept when things went pear-shaped, and on the whole, enjoyed it an awful lot. Very entertaining and vivid.


Den of Thieves and Brother of the Sun, Brother of the Moon, by K. L. Fidelius (story 2 by K. L. Fidelius and Countess Grey) []
Dorian/Klaus, R and NC-17, 12K and 24K words. Summary 1: Eroica is called in by NATO to steal back from other thieves. The KGB objects. Summary 2: So much time has passed since the story was begun (based on the first few English translations) that it now resides in a sort of alternate time-line to the Eroica series — but then all slash stories do that anyway. This story takes place before the end of the Cold War. Category: Amnesiac!Klaus.

Story one was part of No Holds Barred 9 fanzine (link above is to the place where to obtain it), so it’s not the easiest thing to get. But it’s not necessary for understanding story 2. In Den of Thieves, Klaus has to go to, well, a den of thieves to get plans of a new Soviet tank. In exchange for them, he has to deliver a criminal to be released there. Klaus is displeased but has to do what NATO powers that be ordered him to. But the criminal boss asks him to perform at the party. With Dorian. There’s also Misha the Cub, the stolen Leopard tank thrown into action, faked sex, and lots of other fun things. Story 2 is a bit too tell-ey in places but still very enjoyable. It’s vivid like a film and somewhat resembles Jules Verne’s The Mysterious Island or Robinson Crusoe, meaning that the main characters stranded in a closed-off location find the necessary items to live on and have to exercise their mental powers to make their living from simple things.

I’m not sure I quite believe everything about what Klaus remembers of his father and what the latter says about WW2 but it’s a small detail in a long story, so I don’t think it matters much. I liked amnesiac!Klaus in this story. He’s lost his memory but not his powers of observation. So based on what glimpses of memories he gets, he comes to the most logical conclusions. Too bad for him that those glimpses were out of context :) The ending’s awfully romantic. Pleasant story, even if the plot is cliché.


Desperate Measures, by Kadorienne #
Dorian/Klaus, PG-13, ~15K words. Summary: Dorian gets expert consultation.

Delightful! The taming of a very special German NATO shrew with the help of a professional, of a sort. Funny and romantic, and very pleasant on the whole.


Diversions, by Jen B. aka Caithion []
Dorian/Klaus, PG-13, ~22K words. Summary: There are diversions for pleasure, diversions to tease, and diversions of necessity.

Klaus is on his last mission before retirement and then on a contract to trace the terrorists when said mission goes awry. Dorian goes with him of course. A large part of the story is set in my homeland and it made me very amused. I also find it amusing that it’s not the first fic where Misha the Cub (KGB/ex-KGB head) was shown as a rather honourable character. I would prefer Klaus and Dorian not to be in their fifties. Actually, I prefer their age not stated at all. There are trademark non-existent Russian names, travel all over the world, and action. Nicely written, too.


Five Days in Padesca, by laurakaye []
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, shortish. “This is still about the Pope, isn’t it? It’s hardly fair to keep on about that after all this time.”

I liked how the author made the Major change his mind about Eroica in this story. With his unique single-mindedness, he analyses everything from top to bottom and, having set on the course of action, acts. Lovely and hot!


A Garden in Paris and A Garden in Eden, by Jeanne Johnson (gaining access is a pain) []
Dorian/other man, some Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, novella. Papuwa/Eroica x-over.

I haven’t read Papuwa (and found no info that it’s even been scanlated), but it doesn’t matter. The story reads just fine. It’s very intriguing and interesting. Sergei and his, let’s put it like this to avoid spoilers, connections read like wonderfully written OCs to me. The story is darkish, angsty, and wonderfully balanced between plot and relationships, exactly in the way I like most. Twisted families and twisted pasts rule the current events, and mysteries are uncovered at a nice pace. The only disadvantage for me was that it’s not much about Klaus. It’s mostly about Dorian and Sergei. And when it comes to Klaus, he only appears several times; the rest is left offscreen. Nice story.


Goodwill To All Men, by Karen Colohan / Yavanna []
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, ~15500 words. Summary: Christmas is supposed to be the season of goodwill, but Klaus can’t help feeling those around him him are stretching things a bit too far…

It’s a PWP, nice and detailed. I thought it was a bit too easy in how they fell into bed but it was pleasant to read anyway. I liked Eroica’s costume. I would hate it in another universe or on another character but I think it suits Eroica really well.


Hold, by Sleeps With Coyotes []
Dorian/Klaus, PG, short. Summary: If he could, whether or not he should, would he?

I bet you thought what I did when you saw the summary. Take your mind out of the gutter, you perv (and fetch mine too)! It’s verrry romantic. And amusing, in its precise little details.


House of Cards, by Margaret Price (w/stories by Yoiko and Filigree incorporated in the text) #
Dorian/Klaus, R, ~72K words. Category: CIA!Dorian, OutOfTheCloset!Klaus. Warnings: AU, violence, fist fights, angst, guns, bombs, terrorists, and spy stuff, plot twists, crack-humor moments, a world tour, planes, boats, and other seagoing vessels, exotic locations, and other surprises. Summary: After twenty-five years of resisting Eroica’s advances, Klaus finally gives in, only to have the Earl drop a bombshell that convinces the Major that the world he knew ended without his knowledge and was replaced with a cruel parody. Nobody breathe or the house of cards will collapse.

That’s when one should say the words “really, really far-fetched.” The story requires a serious suspension of disbelief, theoretically. But in fact, the universe of “From Eroica with Love” gives credit to almost any far-fetched plot set within it. Dorian Red, Earl of Gloria, criminal alias Eroica, turns out to be neither Dorian, nor Lord Gloria, nor Eroica but something else entirely. Too bad Klaus learned about it a day after he had come to Eroica, basically saying, “Ok, you won, you can have me.” Klaus’s world is destroyed. He takes several drastic steps, and things get very, very complicated because secrets from the past also begin floating up.

There are some things in the writing that I didn’t like, i.e. that Klaus’s speech often sounds American or that sometimes some scenes made me feel as if the author were playing dolls, but my overall emotion while reading can be best expressed by “OMG!” The fic is very, very plotty! It’s a roller-coaster. I read 72K words in one go, nervously biting my lips and chain-smoking not unlike Iron Klaus. So captivating!


In the Shadows, by FoxyG unrated so far
PG-13, WIP (a bit over 20K words so far). Eroica/Pet Shop of Horrors crossover. Klaus is tracking down a terrorist in Los Angeles. Count D has a new client.

Until I stumbled upon this story, it hadn’t occurred to me that these two fandoms could be crossed. But now it seems so logical! It’s a very enjoyable reading. Plotty and often very amusing. But not without being slightly creepy — it’s D’s petshop, what else would you expect!

So, who will out-macho the other? Klaus or Leon? And who’ll out-charm the other? D or Eroica? My bet is on Klaus and D :)

Not without occasional error, but very intriguing so far. I hope the author continues it.


Incandescence Arc: [1], [2], [3], by Kat Reitz and Tzigan (or at Kat Reitz, Tzigane, Whizzy, and Perryvic’s site) #
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, novel-length. First Time, Hurt/Comfort, Death. AU as it diverges from the middle of the series. Warnings: Sex, yelling, love, emotional pain and physical pain, warm fuzzy moments, and the realistic decline into a tragic circumstance. Summary: “The candle that burns brightest burns out quickest.”

Deep in the story and liking it a lot, I suddenly decide to look at the headers — do I wish I didn’t! I’m now scared shitless that it will make me bawl. Well, it should be expected that I come across a death!fic even in such a happy fandom as Eroica. What this fic does, it gives you a feeling of impending doom looming over all the bliss (even if it’s a bliss after a really heavy injury). You just can’t help hoping for a miracle but know deep inside that there can’t be one.

I could say that this fic is melodramatic. It is, especially part 3, excessively so, even. But it simply sucks you in, so by the time that you notice that it’s becoming rather heavy on emotion, you are so involved in reading that it simply doesn’t matter. There are small problems scattered all over: light epithitus, small errors and typos, especially of the lie/lay variety. But, once again, I read about 100K words in one sitting. The authors just made me care about the characters that much. But it is a very sad story. Rather like Beautiful World by Cinnamon — HP readers will get what I mean. So, yes, it did make me bawl.

Bottom!Klaus is my bulletproof kink, especially a Klaus that tentatively discovers the joys of bottoming soon after discovering the joys of gay sex, and switching roles is too. Also, I like it when there’s lots of explicit sex. This fic features all of that. Very enjoyable, as for me, although might not be everybody’s cup of tea.


The Iron Mask, by Kadorienne []
Dorian/Klaus, R, ~6K words. Written: 2001. Category: Amnesiac!Klaus. Summary: Take the standard Eroica blackmail plot. Throw in the sharp blow to the head our darling Major has been needing so desperately.

Cliché but fun. It’s the first time I saw amnesia plot in this fandom, and although I admit that there’s nothing unique in how it’s executed here, it was still pleasant to read. The way the Major behaves after losing his memory is very much him and therefore, very amusing.

“Where shall I take you, darling?” The man’s accent was English and aristocratic, quite pleasant to hear.

“Wherever you wish.”

The other man seemed a bit surprised at that. Giving Klaus an inquiring look, he said, “Well, we really ought to get you out of those wet clothes.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he looked as if he regretted them. He sent a quick, apprehensive glance Klaus’ way. When Klaus only nodded mutely, the other man continued, “My flat is closer than the schloss, if that’s all right.”

“Of course.”

Klaus had said something wrong. The confusion in the blond’s face was muted, but it was there. Klaus only hoped he could get his bearings without offending the man. A lovers’ quarrel was all he needed now.


It Cuts Both Ways, by Karen Colohan / Yavanna []
Dorian/Krycek, Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, ~15K words. Eroica/X-Files crossover. Summary: It takes another man to make Klaus see Dorian in a whole new light.

A PWP, and even with a kink I don’t like (knifeplay), and again I think Klaus surrenders a bit too easily, but it’s hot and enjoyable. Yes, sometimes I like PWPs. I know zero about X-Files, so I went and read character description at Wikipedia. It wasn’t necessary though; you can get the story quite well without.

One thing I disliked was this line: However, he’d nearly got more involved in the action than he’d bargained for when a stray bullet had flown in his direction. Fortunately for Eroica, Z had seen the danger and yelled at him to duck. — just how slowly do they think a bullet flies? It’s not a potted plant thrown by an angry housewife, you know.


Lacunae, Or, Five Klauses That Never Happened to Dorian, by afrai (bravecows) #
Dorian/Klaus, PG-13, ~5K words. Crossover with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Summary: We’ll see how brave you are.

I don’t know how much the story borrows from Eternal Sunshine ‘cos I haven’t seen it, but the result is beautiful. Klaus erasing his memories for the sake of his work is very Klaus, and he remains true to himself, in everything he does, in everything he says. Dorian is very Dorian too, always believing in love, even inside Klaus’s mind, and ever persistent, even if he doesn’t know what exactly happened with Klaus. Lots of fine nuances in this one, and it’s written very pleasantly.


Lives Lived: Part 1 , Lives Lived: Part 2, by Jeanne Johnson []
PG-13 and R.

Amusing, clever, well-written, witty even, it’s a story of souls reborn. Not quite my thing though because it’s too, I dunno, literature-like. But memorable.


A Matter of Good Will, by Beth Minster []
Dorian/Klaus, R for violence, novella. Summary: A priceless artefact, a theft, and Mardi Gras.

Pleasant and plotty (although not without occasional light epithitus too). One thing I didn’t like was that in the respect of Dorian and Klaus’s relationship, it’s exactly like the manga. Sapienti sat :) Other than that, it has a nice plot with a carnival, disguises, mystery, and native religions. Reads quite well.


Members Only, by Sleeps With Coyotes []
Gen, PG, short. Summary: Klaus tracks a target to a very private gentleman’s club.

Well-written, vivid (the guards at the club!) and amusing, especially the ending. Pity only it’s not Klaus/Dorian :)


My Kingdom for a Horse series, by BT []
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, novella. Published in Homosapien 1991. Set during the 1988 Korean Olympics. Summary: The Major hates filthy bars, courier duty, and Eroica. He especially hates when he has to contend with them all at the same time half a world away from his beloved Germany.

Again, what I liked best in this story that it practically begins with sex. There’s no long way to it, no slow and gradual change of Klaus’s views. But somehow it’s believable all the same. Good use of alcohol :) I also liked the NATO interviews and ‘Dr Freud’ — that was very unusual but insightful. Pleasant story, longish too!


Not The End Of The World, by Heather Sparrows []
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, ~16K. Warnings: Angst, Injury, Rape (implied, not graphic). Summary: When Dorian is injured, Klaus must face his demons.

Very angsty. Features bottom!Klaus, a Klaus that realises/acts on his attraction when Dorian is injured, and Dorian that has to come to terms with being unable to act as Eroica anymore. Cliché? Yes, even several of them at once. I liked this story among the best that work with these clichés though.


Not So Horrible, by Anne-Li (or here) #
Dorian/Klaus, PG-13, ~15K words. Category: Crossover with Doubting Lucifer, the author’s original story, currently unavailable. Summary: The Major gets some disquieting mission orders.
Has two sequels: Lies and Deception and The Name of the Game
24K and 20K, Summary: The Major learns Eroica has been arrested, but not for stealing. Then things really get out of control.

This story features asexual!virgin!Klaus, for real! Yummity! So I like asexual!Klaus (or bottom!Klaus), Snape, L — I’m disturbing myself :) Well, I do like Horatio and Eroica and Boromir so maybe I’m not hopeless. But I digress. In story one, the Major is given a mission that requires him not to shoot or get microfilms but to get into good graces of a very dangerous criminal mastermind. By getting into his bed. He comes for help to the one expert he knows in this field. Story two is a nice proper mystery. Dorian is imprisoned on a false accusation. Klaus with his Alphabets and the remains of Eroica’s team (minus the traitors that ran away as soon as they smelled trouble) try to find who could frame him. There are several people whose behaviour is suspicious and tables are turned several times. The sequels are very pleasant, even if Lies and Deception has an info dump about the events of story 1 at the beginning. There’s an occasional error here and there but they don’t spoil the reading. I liked the criminal boss OC an awful lot. He’s weird and scary but also funny.


One Morning In January and sequel, White Rose Blooming, by Kadorienne #
Novella.
Dorian/Klaus, Klaus/OCF. #1 Summary: A story about Lieutenant Klaus Heinz von dem Eberbach.. #2 Summary: Virgin!Eroica, EmperorOfTheHamburgNights!Klaus. Novella. Rated PG-13 and R. Warnings: Het scene!

Story 1 is a scene from Major Eberbach’s past. The one I really liked was story 2. I was glad to see characters from vol 1 (Caesar) in story 2, although I admit I spent some time trying to remember who he was.

The story is angsty, USTy, and awfully romantic. I quite liked it. But what I liked best was the author’s take on Klaus’s homosexuality. I didn’t have to suspend any disbelief about it. Just think, it’s no mean feat if we are thinking of Iron Klaus. I also liked how Kadorienne pulled off Dorian’s being a virgin (at his age! And Dorian!) Was also believable, as for me. So, this time they go to Peru. Klaus is on his official mission — well, and on an unofficial one, too, and Dorian of course has his own business there. And of course their paths cross. Action begins. There are terrorists, secret orders, kidnappings, rescues. I.e. it’s nicely plotty. Meanwhile outside of his mission(s), Klaus is in the middle of settling down. He’s chosen a nice woman and is going to marry. The frustration soaking all this business is nearly palpable. Dorian’s angst is too.

There was one thing I didn’t like: an info dump in the middle in the form of Dorian’s recollections, recounting the events we all know from the manga. Why would anyone do that? But that’s a minor thing while the story on the whole is very enjoyable. As for me, of course.


Out There, by Kadorienne #
Dorian/Klaus, Scully/OCF, R, ~33K words. Category: Crossover – From Eroica With Love/X-files. Summary: Klaus seeks the truth, and finds a great many things. Note: If you really believe in alien abductions and UFOs, you might want to avoid this.

Very much to my rationalistic tastes. Something inexplicable and very disturbing is happening to Klaus. He takes a leave and goes to America to look for answers. There he meets Spooky Mulder and Scully, about whom I know little but that turned out to be all right ‘cos the story gives you the necessary context. Eroica follows Klaus, as usual. The story is nicely plotty; there are a mystery, aliens, shrinks, special agents, army bases and army secrets, and it all comes to a satisfactory conclusion. Interesting story with well-written characters.


The Perfume of the Gods, by Kat Benedict []
Dorian/Klaus, R, ~28K words. Summary: Eroica has a case of the blues, which can only be solved by a theft that suits his tastes.

A bit FFnet-like and over the top but very entertaining. There’s a plot carried out by some sinister Egyptian group, a super-duper ancient perfume that would make the one who wears it loved by all, encased in sheer emerald, various factions that fight and plot; people are kidnapped, heists are pulled off. In other words, it’s action/adventure. Entertaining and fun to read, even if not light all the way through.


Peripeteia, by Sylvia ##
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, ~28K words. Category: Uke!Klaus. Summary: Peripeteia: sudden change of fortunes; in drama, the climax and turning point of a tragedy, leading into the catastrophe; also used for other narrative forms.

See the category? How could I not bite? I liked this story a lot, so much so that I went to search what else this author wrote. Nothing in this fandom, regretfully. There were a couple of things I simply loved about it, first of which is characterisation. The author works with the side of Eroica one doesn’t often see in Eroica fanfiction: he’s very selfish and gets carried away by his whims and fantasies, so that he becomes pretty uncaring/delusional in his obsession: he doesn’t understand what’s going on inside Klaus’s head, nor does he care very much ‘cos his own love (and lust) takes precedence for him. This side is present in canon!Eroica. It’s not his only side but fandom usually looks at his more pleasant and gentle character traits more eagerly. Yes, Eroica is lovely but he can be rather scary, not to mention bothersome, and Sylvia does wonders with this part of him. Which leads to somewhat disturbing dub-con when the Earl, overcome with his passions, finally gets his Major at a rather unfortunate moment. I wouldn’t like it if it stopped there. ‘Cos I love Eroica and however egotistic and capricious, he’s not a rapist. But then Klaus comes into the spotlight. What the author makes of him is no less interesting or wonderful. I love the asexual and psychotic canon!Klaus. I like many a fanon version of him. The one in this story, IMO, is a perfect mix. I liked a lot of versions of his sexual identity crisis that I’ve seen in fanfic. I like the variety. But this one was the one that seemed most in character to me. I totally believe that Iron Klaus would deal with it the way he does in this story.

Wonderfully written, interesting, and believable. Damn, I wish Sylvia wrote more Eroica fics.


Revels and Revelations, by BT []
Oct 1996. Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, ~7000 words. Summary: An undercover Major is invited to a “co-worker’s” family gathering at Christmas time, only to learn it is also the Earl’s family.

Another Christmas story from BT. It’s an established relationship fic, well, background EST anyway. I don’t usually like those but here I couldn’t help imagining it as a sequel to one of the stories above :)

The Major, as a British ministry clerk, comes with his superior to the latter’s family Christmas where he meets his lover of the past year — as it turns out, part of the family. The trademark Major’s suspicious mind begins analysing every talk and gesture for the clues for his mission. It’s very amusing and not a little tense. Also, I like how BT writes sex.


Spring Fever, by Kadorienne #
Dorian/Klaus, R, novella. Written: 2001. Summary: Klaus makes Dorian an offer he can’t refuse.

I love how Kadorienne writes romance: so exciting and comforting, with a nice touch of angst and tension and engaging plots. Perfect to bask in. One thing I wish is that the story were explicit. But I shouldn’t be too greedy.

As iamtheenemy says in their crack_van rec, “This story has a simple premise - Klaus, realizing he will be unable to resist Eroica’s constant flirtation any longer, makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Eroica gets one night with a cooperative Klaus, and in return, must never bother him again. Of course, things don’t go quite as planned, for either man.”

Amusing and lovely, and a bit angsty, to spice the romance. Pleasure!


Strangers, by Colette T. Bolech & KM (available from the Eroicafans.org email archive) []
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, novella. Warnings: Character death – before start of story, angst and grief. Summary: Dorian is deeply depressed and gets support from an unlikely source.

The ‘before the start of story’ situation made me really sad. It robs Dorian of his Eroica part, and to see it missing is pretty painful. I don’t quite understand the very premise, why Klaus comes to visit Dorian at all. But if to put that aside, the way the story goes is lovely, even if I don’t quite believe in this Klaus. The story also needs another proof-reading.


Suite of Hours, by CTB (Colette T. Bolech) (available from the Eroicafans.org email archive) []
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, ~13K words. Summary: Eroica and the Major reflect on their relationship or lack there of. Conclusions are draw. Notes: Published in Concupiscence 3- 1994

The story is slow and rather verbose, as for me. While the characters think of each other, there is a lot of masturbation (rather repetitive) and contemplation but it’s not as boring as I though it would be on reading the unfortunate summary. The stupefied and insecure Major is hot. I like how CTB writes sex: even though it is repetitive (or not very varied), it’s somehow very sincere and intense.


The Three Kisses, or, Love Tank, by Beth Minster #
Dorian/Klaus, PG-13, novella. Summary: The Major needs Eroica’s services… but can he pay the price? Illustrated by Nico & Kat Benedict!

Well, it’s a story of three kisses. Amusing in the best Eroica style. And absolutely delightful, despite occasional light epithitus. The author spells the Major’s name as Klaus von Eberbach which contradicts the canon that doesn’t itself agree with grammar. Canon or grammar? Well, I’ll take any :)

It’s also my ideal comfort reading and ideal romance. I reread it two times since, and every time I find myself smiling all the way, this is how much I enjoy it.


Too Good To Be True and sequel The Truth Shall Set You Free, by Kadorienne []
Alternate sequel: The Course of True Love.
Dorian/Klaus, Dorian/OMC. Rated R. Summary 1: Just a few scenes from the manga told from a somewhat different angle. Klaus’ point of view. Summary 2: Discovery, disgrace, and redemption. Summary 3 (alternate): Klaus makes a terrible error in judgment, and accepts the consequences.

Too Good To Be True shows us Major Eberbach’s view of the world. It’s pretty bleak as such a view of the world is but amusing because it’s Iron Klaus and very IC, as for me. I liked the alternate sequel better, so I’ll speak of it. IMO, it fits the first story (and manga) very well. Major is exquisitely paranoid. The author takes this character trait of his and develops it to — almost — absurd, which seems very logical and fitting in this case. Major Eberbach sees plots everywhere. More than that, he sees the proof that they are real plots. So he mistrusts Eroica. And mistrusts him. And keeps doing it, until the picture of the world he sees loses its orderliness. Then he feels that maybe it’s a call for a rethink. But that doesn’t mean that Eroica will welcome him with open arms. The second half of the story is awfully romantic, in a nice way, but a bit too much for me. A pleasant story on the whole.


The Waiting Man, by Kat Benedict []
Dorian/Klaus, R, novel-length. Summary: The Major fears the stress of his job is getting to him. And then things get worse.

By all rights, I should have hated this fic. It’s chock full of things I dislike. But I enjoyed it, even while rolling my eyes or moaning “oh noes”. It surely makes for an engaging reading. It begins with two mysteries: one concerning Klaus, the other, investigation he takes a part in. After that, the story undergoes some pretty wild genre leaps: the initial plot gets resolved and it drifts into psychology (childhood trauma and therapy) and some paranormal things. The story keeps developing on the brink of characters being completely OOC, falling into rather boisterous humour or cheesiness and coming back to some middle ground. There should be warnings; I don’t know if they disappeared when the story was republished or weren’t there at all, but here’s what a standard warning would be for: bad things that happened in the past but are talked about in detail in the present, for violence, and for religious topics. Well, and a warning from me for bad German. [I do wonder why people keep using languages in their fics that they don’t know shit about. Ask a native speaker to beta or simply don’t use it. Errors in elementary grammar don’t make the story look good.] One more thing not to my tastes was that IMO, the author isn’t very precise in what concerns secondary character actions. Say, this:

After a few hours of fruitless labor, Klaus called a break. “I don’t think there’s anything down here. Let’s do some more looking upstairs.”

Agent J wiped himself off with his shirt. “Looking for what? We don’t know what the scholars were after, or the Neo-Nazis. For all we know, the Neo-Nazis were digging here only because we were. Maybe they think we know what we’re looking for.” — I had an impression that Klaus didn’t really let the Alphabets discuss his decisions.

However, this fic is very vivid and memorable. There are lots of interesting scenes and funny scenes (Klaus in the sex shop is hilarious, so are the teenagers they keep stumbling across), and it is very engaging and reads smoothly. I don’t regret reading it and think I’ll remember it.

Dorian looked up at Bonham. There were tears in his eyes. “I just had a vision! Klaus is dead! I saw it! He’s dead!”

“‘Ere, ‘ere, what’s all this?” Bonham soothed. “Hit your ‘ead, Your Grace? I think you’ve knocked yourself silly. Now come on, upsy-daisy.” — this exchange made me laugh out loud. It’s so Eroica.


Watching Me Watching You, by Colette T. Bolech & KM (is available by email request) #
Dorian/Klaus, R, novella. Summary: The Major, Eroica, and a blackmail plot.

By now I get it that epithitus is a common illness in this fandom so I probably should quit warning for it. But anyway, it’s present in this story too, and no, it isn’t very distracting in it either. There’s a blackmailer who threatens NATO officers. NATO powers that be assign the Major to play a part of homosexual lovers with Eroica to lure the blackmailer and catch him. Klaus, ever serious about his missions, will go to any lengths to accomplish it. So he begins staging and play-acting with Eroica, as planned. And hates it, of course. But they have to do it for a long time. Somewhere along the way, Klaus’s thoughts about his role change. I liked how gradual and smooth the change was in this story. They have to pretend to be lovers, spending a lot of time together. Then they have to pretend a little less and enjoy their outings a little more. Little by little, step by tiny step, we come to the lack of pretence. There’s plenty of angst but quite a few of lovely scenes too. I liked it.


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