Title: "Second Son "
Author: A.K. Naten
Rating: M
Genre: Drama/Romance
Status: Complete
Fandom: UberXena
Pairings: OC/OC fem!slash

Summary: A Medieval-era tale that follows the story of two people who are brought together under less than ideal circumstances, and must learn to adapt to each other, as well as their new lives. Deception, heartache, and twists of fate complicate feelings and alter futures, and relationships struggle between bouts of love and despair.

Link: http://xenafiction.net/scrolls/ak_naten_ss1.html

I haven't done a recommendation in a really long time, so here goes...

I read this novel- length story a few years ago when I was in a total F/F slash binge, mostly centered on the Xenaverse and its UBER- derivates. The main character of the story (Uber-Xena) is in a very strange, genderbending situation and faces the nearly impossible task of faking herself through a marriage (including "consummation") without her bride noticing that she isn't actually a tough warrior guy.

Additionally, there's rape, "cuckolding", angst, high drama, politics and swordfights, all in an intriguing setting resembling England in the times of Richard the Lionheart.

The writing is good, both in the technical and the narrational sense. The central characters are not carbon- copies of Xena/Gabby, but close enough to see the resemblance. The plot is captivating, mainly because of the aforementioned gender- bending hide&seek drama, but in addition you get very well written F/F slash lemons...

4/5

EDIT by Minion: It's rated 3.5. Based on disposablehead's review and Nox's response I'll place it in the Recycling Bin. (12.17.2011)

 

I thought this was rather middling. The characters are almost all caricatures, excepting Anton and Gwyn. The writing is technically sound but obvious and repetitive. The plot is also weak whenever it turns from the relationship stuff. As a story, I'd say 3/5.

However, as porn, or more accurately, erotica... Great stuff. The sex scenes shift as the story progresses, and each has its own emotional tint from the state of the relationship. Well written(for porn), although still a bit too dependent on stock vocabulary. It all has an absurd but adorable "I can't admit my lust" vibe throughout. The fact that this caters to my Drag King fetish only makes it better.

tl;dr; weak as a story, good as femmeslash. Nuff said.

 

Maybe you're right about the story- telling itself, it has been years since I read this in its full length.