ZUTARA FIC REC MASTER POST
I will be deleting soon, and I wanted to collect all of my fic rec posts into one post. Very long, but good recommended stories. Just a warning – final half of this was still in draft mode, so it is a bit sloppy, but it has all of the titles to fics there still.
Enjoy, and be sure to reblog because my blog will be gone in the next day!
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*** NOTE: THIS ISN’T ALL THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND, BUT WHAT I HAD TIME TO JOT DOWN FOR THIS POST– THERE WILL BE MORE IN THE FUTURE AND IF YOU CANNOT WAIT, MESSAGE ME DIRECTLY AND I’LL SEND SOME YOUR WAY***
(this is especially for yell-allons-y, damonsbonbon and hyperspacemashmallow, hope this helps :D )
I’ve included lil summaries that may or may not reveal spoilers cuz sometimes the author descriptions don’t do it for me. Warning there, you can skip over these and read only the bolded, italicized author summaries if you so wish.
Generally, if anything has an M rating, you can skip through the explicit stuff.
Anything with *** are favorite stories of mine right now.
Many of the authors listed have profiles full of other great stories not listed on here, so I have linked all of their profile links as well so you can check those out too :)
Finally, most important for everyone to do, REVIEW THE STORIES! So many awesome authors stop writing because there is no feedback from the readers. I have found that even if an author hasn’t updated in years (I’m talking several), as long as you try to review every chapter letting the writer know what you did and didn’t like about the characterization, plot, and writing itself, it is enough encouragement to get them motivated and updating again. So once again, REVIEW!!!
- The Last Waterbender*** by Haikoui (Rated T, 56k+ words, WIP)
The Southern Raiders found the last waterbender, leaving her mother alive, and took the child with them to the Fire Nation as a prisoner. Zutara AU. The avatar has not been found yet, and Zuko has not been banished yet, either. Rated T (and maybe M at some point… maybe!) for later chapters.
Slow to develop relationship (they’ve just started interacting due to certain circumstances), both learning things, unlearning prejudices and propaganda, very IC, very good OC’s too. The plot is super interesting as the author manages to include both things from the show as well as their own very original ideas. I like how even though this isn’t a canon story line, the characters are still IC, something I cannot say for even those who write stories that coordinate with canon. The suspense and surprises are very well thought out, too, as the author has an endless supply of creative villains and an interesting plot. Overall, super awesome.
- Jasmine*** by Yorushike (Rated T, 140k+ words, WIP)
AU, Katara, traveling companion of the Avatar, had always dreamed of the day the war would end, but she had never thought that she would be forced to marry Firelord Zuko, who was said to have killed his own father, for this to happen. Zuko had no other goal than to repent for his sins and bring peace to the world, even if both his allies and enemies feared and hated him. Zutara,
While Katara is travelling with Gaang for training, Chief Hakoda is captured by a cold and distant Fire Lord Zuko, who has killed off his own family to become ruler and is feared by pretty much everyone, even his own citizens. Instead of torturing or killing Hakoda, he asks for Katara’s hand in marriage as a symbol of peace, to which she reluctantly agrees. She finds out things, like he’s actually trying to atone for his sins and those of the Fire Nation, and that he is a genuinely good but tortured man. Everyone is so IC, with a “I’m not deserving of love or anything good, imma just brood over here in this dark corner while trying to heal wounds i’ve inflicted on world” pre-Gaang Zuko and a “STFU, ZUKO, YOU ARE ACTUALLY A BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY CREATURE AND A PRETTY CHILL GUY WHY DON’T YOU GET YOUR ANGSTY HEAD OUT OF YOUR LILY WHITE BEHIND AND SEE THAT i pet ur face now k frand?” motherly Katara. The author also keeps Gaang in character. You will laugh out loud, if not let out one of those ugly laugh snorts every time the whole Gaang is present, especially seeing awkward ass Zuko interacting with them. You will cry at a couple of points in the story (especially one chapter in particular but i’m not telling cuz i’m a cruel person and want your heart completely unprepared for the pain WOOOOOOOOAH HOHOOOOooOooooOo). It is a bit slow at first, but that adds to strong development between Katara and Zuko, as well as setting up a good plot with interesting politics and culture. At this point, shit is going down but you have no idea what it is yet so SUPER SCARY but good yes. Occasional spelling errors, but not super present.
- Butterflies and Hurricanes by Rebirth of the Phoenix (Rated T, 103k+ words, Complete)
“You may find yourself capturing hearts that you are forbidden to keep.” She is a servant. He is a Prince. Together they are about to go against everything that keeps the world at peace. Zutara
AU, This one is already pretty popular. Katara is bought taken as little girl to Fire Nation, becomes servant to Mai, later to Royal Family, becomes friendly with Zuko, whole tiime she has little memory of her family, Zuko puts pieces together and they face shit. Pretty IC for the most part (I just wish Katara was a little bit more outspoken but at the same time it was understandable considering her station for a large portion of the story), good OC’s that you’ll like too.
- Fortress *** by SilverLining33 (Rated T, 69+ words, WIP)
As a child, I was blind to the tragedies of the world. I chose not to understand. I chose not to acknowledge. I chose not to act. But now, things are different. This war has taken everything from me: my home, my family, my freedom. No more waiting for rescue. No more sitting by and relying on hope and faith. It’s time for me to take action. It’s time for me to fight back. AU.
WOW. this story. this story. THIS STORY. ohmygaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhHHhHhHh
I cannot begin to tell you all how great this story is and how much I think you’ll enjoy it too.
AU, Fire Nation has pretty much taken over and colonized the whole world, including the Southern Water Tribe. Covers all that shitty shit that colonized people would go through like unfair and harsh government and brutality. Fetus Katara meets Fetus Zuko, son of mean governor Ozai who rules over South Pole at this point in the story. Shit happens, big stuff too, but I won’t reveal what. Fast forward several years, Ozai has long left with family in tow to Fire Nation, Katara thinks she’s done with them (hehe WRONG). The Water tribe and Katara suffer horribly, she’s left with no family (they’re gone for different important reasons), she’s depressed and filled with anger, has to hide waterbending or risk imprisonment and death, all while dealing with a fire nation soldier who is stationed in the South Pole and has the hots for her (hehe… pun… i’m sorry.) that she can’t stand… and then A LOT OF STUFF HAPPENS SHIT HITS THE FAN OHMYGAHD AND SHE HAS TO GO SOMEWHERE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING BIG AND I WON’T SAY TOO MUCH BUT BAM, SHE MEETS LIL ASSHOLE KID SHE MET AS A CHILD THAT WAS THE GOVERNOR’S SON ONLY HE IS NOW AN ADULT ASSHOLE AND HAS A SCAR AND I CAN’T SAY ANYTHING ELSE BUT THERE IS MORE THAN THAT GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME TOO.
Basically awesome story. This author obviously took the time to not only research their stuff, but also spent time diving into the characters to portray very raw and realistic emotions and reactions. This gives very awesome, IC people, which is what I want from my fics but don’t always find. To add on to that, even the authors OC’s were well developed. I was surprised by the quality of these characters– even people who appeared for no more than one chapter made a big impact on me and the story. And the plot itself is very nice. The romance isn’t what drives it– there are outside factors like a freaking war and people fighting that move the plot along which adds to the realism. This also throws in the suspense, because while it may be safe for the mean time, there are people on the other side of the world who could be planning some shit.
Anyway, good story. Really, really good story. It has lots of potential and I hope to see it grow to a 200k fic complete with the main seasons covered in ATLA as the author’s interpretation is fun to read.
- Dancing in the Dark by DamageCtrl (Rated T, 64k+ Words, Complete)
AUPWP: Having heard a rumor about two tea servers in the lower tiers of Ba Sing Se, Katara and Toph sneak away go to investigate only to have their suspicions confirmed. ZutaraBlutara
Another pretty popular one. For anyone who likes season 2 Zutara or Blutara, this is for you. It’s pretty cute. Zuko disguises himself as the Blue Spirit to get information on Gaang, Toph and Katara sneak around and find out Zuko and Iroh are working in teashop, Blue Spirit realizes Katara is a freaking idiot at dancing, he gives lessons to her cuz Zuko knows fancy royal dances, she falls in love with Blue Spirit, Zuko falls in love with her, stuff happens, OH NO WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF KATARA FINDS OUT WHO THE BLUE SPIRIT REALLY IS, on top of EVERYTHING else happening??!?1!?! Anyway, cutesy cute fic.
- Time and Time Again*** by Dra323 (Rated T, 36k+ words, WIP)
A sigh of relief barely escaped her lips before rough hands grabbed her body and pushed her back against the tree. Katara screamed and attempted to claw at the body of the person holding her, only to have her hands captured. “Well, doesn’t this seem familiar?” He hissed.
Starts off at Waterbending Scroll episode, goes different direction. Zuko is pretty much the insane, reckless, violent, angsty lil shit we see in Season 1. Katara is super sassy and coolio and tough and if bad stuff happens to her, she doesn’t do any of that stupid “cowering in fear but falls in love with mean guy cuz yay Stockholm Syndrome!” shit, instead she does the “imma be awful to you if you’re awful to me, and the fact that you’re fire nation doesn’t help you at all you asshat little brat.” I like the frustrated, crazy Zuko, I like how smart, sneaky, and resourceful Katara is in this story as well.
Lots of shit happens from the moment Katara is taken to his ship. Right now, where I’m at in the story, they’re on a deserted island and have to depend on each other and Zuko is starting to realize “wow, I’ve been a big asshat to Katara, and she’s my only means of survival right now, I should be nice and appreciate what she has done for me so far”, kinda hinting at the beginning of a redemption arc, while Katara is like “he can go shove a coconut up his ass I’m not messing with that tool ffs I hate his stupid angry ass byyyyye”. Jet has also just been introduced and is as insane as ever, a big wild card right now and no one knows what’s going to happen with this guy walking around.
Right now it’s heading in a very awesome direction, the emotions are there and you will get tense while reading. The action scenes are well written and you’ll be freaking out when you get to them. I’m hoping that the author will write this as a 200k fic that covers the whole show to the end (and maybe beyond??) because I am liking how the author is writing not only the characters, but their relationship development too. It would be cool to see them interacting to different situations introduced throughout the show. There is the occasional spelling error, but not so obvious that it takes away from the story. Really good though so far, you should definitely check this out.
- In the Same Candlelight by Like a Dove (Rated T, 76+ words, Complete)
In a world where there is no war, Zuko and Katara spend their summers together. Growing up is messy, embarrassing, and at times sad, but they think it might be okay because they have each other. Edited summary.
AU, no war. Aang stopped Fire Nation from messing world up, he’s now a pretty old guy who is still adorable af. Water Tribe siblings and Fire Nation siblings spend vacations with each other and pretty much grow up with each other. More cutesy stuff.
- I Was Not Magnficent by Like a Dove (Rated M, 53k+ words, Complete)
When Zuko first meets the waterbender with the scars, he’s fascinated by her. His fascination quickly turns into something much more. Soon Zuko will have to confront his greatest enemy - himself. AU.
AU, No Aang found from iceberg, Zuko didn’t speak out against general at war meeting and is still a prince in the Fire Nation, Fire Nation has pretty much taken over the whole world with Sozin’s Comet. Because of problems with little rebellions, Fire Nation starts messed up breeding program so they can raise their own earthbenders and waterbenders to enforce Fire Nation rule around world. They finally bring in a scarred waterbender for the program, shit goes down. Pretty good. Zuko is a snotty little dick who you kinda wanna slap (Katara actually does this, so no worries there) but grows into a more honorable guy. Katara is pretty cool too. My only complaint is that I didn’t like how quickly they immediately fell in love with each other. It felt a little rushed considering that they really didn’t confront many obstacles and personal beliefs that would keep them from wanting to suck face, but otherwise pretty cool story.
- Resting in a Raze (Sequel to I Was Not Magnificent) by Like a Dove (Rated M, 24k+ words, WIP)
Zuko and Sokka go searching for a waterbender who has been long lost. Slowly but surely their world begins to erupt around them. Sequel to ‘I Was Not Magnificent’.
To be honest, I haven’t kept up too much with this, but I figured people might want to know that there’s a sequel so BAM here it is
- Tempest in a Teacup*** by AkaVertigo (Rated T, 34k+ words, IDK if it’s supposed to be complete, it felt like there was supposed to be more to me…)
Fate puts Katara in the Fire Nation to grow up in the company of a Dragon, a prince, and a lot of good tea. AU Zutara…of a sort.
I’m pretty sure this is one of the most famous Zutara fics out there. AU, Iroh finds Katara as a little girl, raises her, she and Zuko grow close. This is really beautifully written. It manages to deliver strong emotions, humor, great dialogue, and an overall good plot through gorgeous passages. It’s set up like poetry at times but it is awesome. Pretty good stuff here.
- The Chief and I *** by jassmarie19 (Rated T, 21k+ words, WIP)
100 years after the War started the Fire Nation has managed to add on all of the four nations as Provinces, except the Southern Water Tribe. It is Zuko’s duty to travel to this land of people that shut themselves away from the world at the onset of the War and convince them to surrender. The King and I inspired AU. Rating may change.
This story is super awesome. I’m not gonna lie, the first chapter had me thinking that there wouldn’t be much to expect from the story but I WAS A FOOL AND HAVE SEEN THE ERROR IN MY WAYS. The plot is super cool. There is much tension between the accomplished asshole Prince Zuko and a proud and sassy Chief Katara. Katara has some struggles she must face before and during the Fire Nation’s unexpected and very much unwanted arrival, such as just wanting her dad and bro home to take over. She and Zuko constantly butt heads as the arrogant (and very ignorant) Zuko tries to force Katara to surrender the Southern Water Tribe to the Fire Nation (or empire, at this point). Where I am right now, it looks like Zuko will be pulling in man power to take over the Water Tribe through force as he is getting frustrated (in more than one way, tbh, which is entertaining cuz Katara is just like GUHhhHhHHHHROSS GET YOUR WEIRD ASS TYRANNICAL SELF AWAY FROM ME). I can’t wait for the next update as shit just went down cuz Zuko is an impulsive dumbass who “doesn’t think things through” so suspense is there and very strong. Definitely worth reading.
- Polar Nights by crystalline talisman (Rated T, 72k+ words, WIP)
In order to arrange a treaty for the long standing war between the Water Tribe and Fire Nation, Prince Zuko is sent to the South Pole to arrange a truce by Fire Lord Lu Ten, where he is greeted by subzero temperatures, sea prunes, and quirky customs. This of course, is a cake walk compared to the revelation he’ll be marrying the stubborn spiritual leader, Katara. AU. Zutara.
Kind of a challenge to the idea of Katara being the one to leave her homeland for a political marriage. This is really entertaining, with spot on characters and interactions, an interesting look at South Water Tribe and Fire Nation cultures, and a fun plot overall. It shouldn’t be so entertaining seeing Zuko have a hard time, but with so many funny components to the many challenges he has to face in order to be seen as “proper husband material”, you can’t help but hope for more. Katara is also very awesome. She is a priestess with a stubborn personality, trying to face her own fate and what is expected of her in her position. She that takes quite a bit of joy out of jostling Zuko around. Fun. They are growing to at least see each other as possible friends where I am at in the story, with the prospect of heading back to the Fire Nation for another ceremonial process there. Humorous with great drama, this one is a pretty great read.
-Water Wench *** by Meeknchic (Rated M, 3k+ words, WIP)
“What is your idea of justice, Prince Zuko?” she asked through the fixed smirk. The woman sauntered closer. “Would you throw me in your dungeon?”
This is such a funny fic. I’m not sure if I should label it as “humor” or cracktastic. Poor Zuko is just trying his hardest and then he has to deal with a dumbass military friend, Chang, (who is bae tbh if he isn’t at first he will be later) and a snarky waterbender that just won’t give him the Avatar. The thing is, she doesn’t know that she’s giving shelter to the master of four elements. Each chapter so far has basically been Zuko’s failed attempts at getting the Avatar, persuading Katara to hand him over, ignoring his attraction for the uninterested Katara, while his stupid ass friend is laughing at Zuko when he is on fire when butt naked (this actually happens). The dialogue is witty and hilarious, the characters are quite on point as far as sticking to their canon selves goes. The author’s main OC (Chang the bae) has so much personality considering that he isn’t in the fic as often as Z and K. Where I am at, Katara has just been apprehended and is pissed.
Anyway, super fun, quick read, so you READ AND FINISH IT WHILE TAKING A SHIT.
-Down in Flames *** by sjdboom (Rated M, 80k+ words, WIP)
As Katara battles to protect the Avatar and restore balance to the world, she struggles to ignore the one major, golden-eyed confliction who keeps getting in her way. Rated M for chapters 22 & 26 ;)
YOU WANT BLUTARA?! YOU GET BLUTARA!! YOU WANT FLUFF?!! YOU GET FLUFF!!! YOU WANT PRE-GAANG ZUKO?!?! YOU GET PRE-GAANG ZUKO!! YOU WANT GAANG ZUKO??!? YOU GET A GAANG ZUKO!!! YOU WANT SOME ANGST YOU GONNA GET SOME OF THAT TOO!!! THIS AUTHOR IS LIKE THE FREAKING OPRAH OF ZUTARA AUTHOR HANDING OUT EVERY LITTLE THING YOU LOVE ABOUT ZUTARA FICS IN ONE STORY.
like damn this fic has the best of everything and the things I listed above only scratch the surface. you get a reasonably paced development between Zuko and Katara, you get betrayal, you get a sneaky Zuko with inner turmoil (who Katara thinks is named “Chen”), you get a smart and independent katara, you get a capture where SHE DON’T FALL IN LOVE PLS STOP THIS AWFUL TROPE DON’T DO THIS PLS. you also get an awesome plot that has you hopping all over the world, the Gaang present or working in background of story (you know, like what they would do in their situations, instead of fangirling over z and k…. they gonna do stuff with the war), Katara and Zuko having to face each other and themselves, just so much happens in this fic for how short it is and it is handled so well. I am praying for the next update.
Super awesome, you’ll immediately get hooked.
-Facets*** by balai (Rated T, 61k+ words, WIP)
It was unfathomable. Imagine the rumours, the scandal that would spread at the idea of the Fire Lord sneaking about under the cover of darkness, donning the mask of the Blue Spirit. But he would do it. He knew the risks he took. Still, he would do it for her.
Oh you want a punch to the heart? read this fic then and feel you insides cry. like damn this fic is so good and you will be filled with emotions so no mascara while reading this one. basically post war Zuko and Katara dealing with external and internal forces, growing closer as they overcome many obstacles in efforts to help the world get back on its feet. Very nice.
-The Plan*** by Sisters-From-Hell (Rated T, 53k+ words, WIP)
Katara was captured after trying to save Haru. Now she is a concubine in the Fire Lord’s Palace and she must find a way to save her tribe and the world. AU based on the movie “One Night With the King”
YES THIS ONE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST I READ AND IT’S STILL ONE OF THE BEST. AU, older, no avatar (yet…. wink wink)
GTFO with all those weird “KAtaara is a concubine to PRinc no FIRE LORD ZUko but they fall into luv <3” shit cuz that is not what would happen and YOU know it and thankfully this author knows it too.
Katara, being Katara, isn’t just gonna sit around all doe eyed while the world goes up in flames (pun), and she gets captured by the Fire Nation while causing shit for the nation. Sent to its capital, about to be given to old creepy guys for “personal use” a certain angel comes to her in the form of a tea loving uncle of the freaking Fire Lord. Iroh is basically a sneaky little shit but you know that’s Iroh and we love him for it. Zuko and Katara meet, it goes BADLY, and they hate each other (at worst) or ignore and look down on each other (at best). Does a pretty good job of subtly acknowledging stuff like the prejudices one would see in a colonizing, warring country, and doesn’t have Katara and Zuko falling in love immediately. There’s an incredible amount of tension and contempt between the two, and when they aren’t making the other’s life shitty, they’re creating plans. For Zuko, to use Katara as a tool for the war to “persuade” the Water Tribes to surrender to Fire Nation rule. With Katara, she takes advantage of living in the palace to soak up every bit of information at her disposal, with the hopes of using it later to give to the resistance groups or to take out the Fire Lord himself. She so far has kept her bending abilities hidden, and she has attracted the eye of certain Fire Nation men that Zuko is to deal with. Right now, it seems like Zuko is beginning to find her attractive (not admitting that to himself, though) and she is literally puking at the thought of being romantic with him, even if it is for her benefit in the long run. Also, a certain tribesman may have just cracked open the iceberg…
Super awesome, definitely should read if you want a break from the never-ending “katara-gets-captured-and-instead-of-working-to-end-war-or-to-acknowledge-and-fight-back-against-oppressive-nation-and-people-that-have-messed-up-her-life-she-gonna-fall-for-a-dude’s-diq-while-he-ignores-years-of-propoganda-and-shitty-parenting-and-decides-he-suddenly-likes-katara-too” stories.
-Fallacy by BloomRay (Rated T, 15k+ words, WIP)
Three years have passed since the Avatar’s defeat and the Fire Nation’s victory in the war. Katara and a handful of survivors have sought refuge amongst the ruins of the Western Air Temple. That is, until someone shows up. A very unwelcome someone, as it so happens. AU.
Not gonna lie, when I first read this, I was like “no”. I didn’t want to see Zuko regress back into his Season 1 personality as it would have been out of character, and I don’t like “Aang died…. okay anyway Zuko and Katara now suck face happy happy ending yes!” stories
This doesn’t do that wow I don’t know why I thought it would thank Jesus that’s not what we readers will have in this story. There were plot twists and major surprises and it’s only the beginning of the story. Very good so far, it has lots of potential.
-The Prophecy by XrhiaX (Rated T, 19k+ words, WIP)
AU. The Avatar lives in chains. The Earth Kingdom has fallen. Prince Zuko is a prisoner within the palace for his traitorous actions. And a Prophecy foretells of how the Last Southern Waterbender pertains to the Fire Nation’s ultimate victory.
To be honest I have no idea what’s happening right now and I mean that in a good way. Basically, you have a different plot running with the idea of Zuko still suffering punishment, but now he has a new “cell mate” (will make sense once you read). There’s still a search for the Avatar, and a confused and pissed Katara is taken to the Fire Nation to live in a gold cage, for reasons she doesn’t know either. There is obviously something keeping her there, as characters like Lu Ten are acting strangely while visiting a lonely Zuko, and there are talks of a prophecy. I can’t wait to see what will happen next, as the author already shows they have something planned with the way they are setting up everything so far. Since it is told from Zuko’s and Katara’s limited points of view, we only see so much, adding to the suspense. Pretty cool fic.
-Aerials*** by Bravada (Rated M, 28k+ words, WIP)
AU. One hundred years ago, the Avatar was killed, and the benders were no more. But now that the Fire Lord has merged with a demon, the Spirits are going to have to set things straight. Zutara, Taang, Sukka.
I love this fic. Zuko and Uncle washed up on SWT shore, taking on aliases to avoid death (confrontation, though, is something they do face and face often). Zuko slowly bonds with STW, in particular the two children of Chief Hakoda. Right when it seems like everything is going well, BAM SHIT GOES DOWN, IDENTITIES EXPOSED, and that’s just the beginning. Where I am right now, Zuko, Katara, Sokka, and Iroh left for the Southern Air Temples in search for people similar to Zuko and Katara. I love how in character everyone is, how fun the dialogues are as they always seem to grow a bit after a conversation, and the writing overall flows well. Every little interaction adds so much to the story. I enjoyed how Zuko grows from awkward and angry to awkward and nice, along with how Katara is strong, but also affectionate. The little events that help them to grow together are super fun and exciting. The other characters so far, such as Hakoda, Iroh, Sokka, and Zhao also make big impressions.
-The Spirit’s Beauty: A Fairy Tale of Sorts by NonsensicalLyrics (Rated T, 28k+ words, Complete)
When Sokka and Aang go snooping around a seemingly abandoned ship only to discover it’s cursed, Katara must sacrifice herself in exchange for the Avatar’s freedom. Based loosely on the traditional fairy tale, “Beauty and the Beast”. Bluetara/Zutara.
This follows pretty closely to the original Disney story while remaining true to ATLA, I was surprised that this could be accomplished and done well. Zuko as the beast is endearing and Katara is pretty cool. I loved the whole mythos set up for the story as it added much to the story without taking away the charm ATLA has. It pretty much works like an episode of ATLA as they immediately go along with the main plot there. Pretty nice stuff.
-Reflections Dire by Jadely (Rated K+, 7k+ words, Complete)
News of the Painted Lady’s return spreads all the way to the Fire Nation capital, birthing festivities among the people. And who could happen to stumble into the middle of it with a keen curiosity other than the unsettled prince Zuko, who decides who decides to take up the face of the Blue Spirit one last time to meet the fabled woman himself. But who is who under the moonlight?
Zuko and Katara have to face their demons. Pretty cool, will make you sad for actual Painted Lady and Blue Spirit. Katara’s and Zuko’s interactions are pretty realistic too. Very nice short read.
-Even So*** by lewilder (Rated T, 7k+ words, Complete)
A hundred years after Avatar Roku stops the Fire Nation’s attempts to take over the world, uprisings begin again in the Fire court. After the battles, the new Fire Lord, Zuko, seeks to reaffirm old alliances and looks for a bride from the Southern Water Tribe. Zutara, AU. Oneshot.
THIS FIC KILLS ME WITH THE BEAUTY AND SIMPLICITY AND THE SET UP BOTH IN TERMS OF PLOT AND THE WRITING STYLE ITSELF GOSH IT’S SO PERFECT THIS IS WHAT I WANT FROM MY ARRANGED MARRIAGE STORIES
Zuko and Katara marry, Katara is stubborn and won’t learn his language, he is still a shy little sweety anyway, they grow close while learning each others languages and the amount of affection between the two is so sweet but believable and not too much. It kinda follows them throughout their married years together (a little bit before for Katara). Very beautiful, can also read while in bathroom stall so double awesome. One of my favorites of all time.
-Beneath the Alder Tree by Harky21 (Rated M, 27k+ words, WIP)
“I’ve experienced many things in my time. I’ve seen storms brew and felt the earth quake. But there’s one thing that I’d only ever heard of in the whistling of the wind and on the dying breaths of men.” Beneath the branches of an alder tree a boy and a girl from enemy clans meet and learn that they may not be as different from each other as they thought. Rated M for later chapters.
Really great, set up almost poetically and from the point of a tree. It may sound weird, but it works so well. Katara and Zuko live in neighboring clans at war with each other, but grow very close through out the years in a field between their homes. The tree is a sort of narrator and I read it for the most part in Gandalf’s voice so there’s that. Super nice story with lots of surprises, tension, and great character growth.
-Burn to Ashes by beanaroony (Rated T, 21k+ words, WIP)
This is what the blood of betrayal tastes like, when its claws dig into your chest and tear at your throat and you palate nothing but sorrow and distrust again and again, again and again. S3 finale AU.
Well if you’re up for more angst cuz you just couldn’t get enough from earlier fics, here is this one for you. While heading over to take down Azula during Sozin’s comet, Zuko turns on Katara, believing it was for the best. They have to deal with much tension as Katara is sooooo done at this point and Zuko, being Zuko, just wanted to help but keeps screwing up instead. While they’re interacting, there’s lots going on in the background, mainly with everyone’s favorite batshit crazy royal, Azula. Pretty good so far. Where I’m at in the story, there is a major build up to something big about to happen so yes suspense is there, too.
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Welcome Heat by cowlicklesschick (Rated T; 33k+; WIP)
This author is super talented, sweet, and also on tumblr!!! @cowlicklesschick
One fire, one collapsing doorway, and one crazy coincidence lead Katara and Zuko to the world’s most unlikely friendship forged through physical therapy appointments and dance classes. Shameless Zutara fluff with a side of angst. AU.
This is a modern day story that starts with Katara delivering brownies to the hospitalized fireman who got injured saving her life, and it just gets better from there. If you guys know me, you know how much I HATE modern AU’s, they usually kinda suck imo. However, this fic helped change my opinion. It is fun, sweet, and it has an element of crime and mystery. Nothing is especially overdone, and everyone in the story (the Gaang, Iroh, etc.) is super in character, something that is usually made more difficult in AU’s, especially modern AU’s. You’ll enjoy Zuko’s journey from constant emo crank to emotionally open sweetie pie, you’ll enjoy the the sweet budding romance of tough but big hearted Suki with the big dorky Sokka, you’ll love Iroh’s meddling and Toph’s sass, you’ll love how perfectly Aang’s job and optimistic attitude are portrayed, and WHo KiLLeD yuE? ThERe iS a PAst?!?! WiTH a GAng?! real good stuff.
Some Love is Found Everywhere by archergwen (FF.NET / AO3) (Rated T; 32k+ words; WIP)
This person is on tumblr, too!!! @archergwen also has a writing tumblr too (check it out!! @archergwenwrites)
The sun and the moon are tied together no matter where you go. … Zutara AUs that don’t fit in the “Jasmine and Souchong” universe.
I think for anyone just starting with writing, whether it be fanfics or not, should definitely check this link out. This author is extremely talented, and offers a ton of one shots, all from different settings, AU’s, etc., and all are creative and fun and feel fully developed. After you read just one one-shot, you want to explore more (and sometimes, we are lucky enough to get Part II’s). If you want a spy AU, a Sun Warriors and Swamp Tribe AU, etc., check this story and this author out. For many other things they’ve written, they expand on fun scenarios (my fav to this day might be the Sun Warrior and Swamp Tribe AU because it is just so interesting and the author has managed to somehow include the same characterization and relationship development between Zuko & Katara, along with the other characters) introduced here and in other fic links, so there’s lots to find with this author!
Jasmine and Souchong (FF.NET/AO3) by archergwen (FF.NET / AO3) (Rated K+, 6k+ words, Complete)
“He wants to stay like this forever. Just her and an empty tea shop, sugar and smoke on her breath.” Zuko’s lone night manning his uncle’s tea shop and doing homework does not go according to plan. Originally a one-shot; now complete
Did you think I was kidding with my last sentence? TEA SHOP AU FEATURING THE DORKS OF ATLA !!!!!
***The One with Different Cultures*** by archergwen (FF.NET / AO3)(Rated K+, 5k+ words, WIP)
Where a Sun Warrior and a girl from the Foggy Swamp meet on a wild ride that just might end up saving the world… (First two parts originally uploaded as part of “Some Love is Found Everywhere”)
No, really, did you think I was kidding? This starts off with an annoyed Swamp Tribe member caught in the traps of the Sun Warriors, and sassing off to an even more annoyed and steaming Sun Warrior, and then just escalates when the Swamp Tribe member’s friend appear on a flying animal to “save” her, and theN A TON OF STUFF HAPPENS I WON’T SPOIL IT!!!!!1! Definitely one of my fav stories at the moment. I hope it goes at least past 50k+. This is super awesome and has the potential to be a stand out in the fandom.
***Subterfuge*** by Smylealong (Rated M; 14k+ words; WIP)
In a war torn land where loyalties are ever shifting, a disillusioned prince finds himself allying with people he spent a lifetime looking down upon. However, even allies can’t be trusted for who knows what lies beneath the masks everyone wears. AU. Zutara.
Every once in a while, you need a good “I’m undercover and going into enemy lines” story, and this fic has that. It starts off shockingly, immediately drawing you into a story that is not like many others. It’s an AU in which everyone is in their twenties, and the war is still going on as normal for the most part and it shows us in a way where the Gaang and others would be had ATLA picked up later in their lives. Zuko is a frustrated Fire Nation Military leader attempting to simultaneously break Earth Kingdom lines heal his men who are dying from what seems to be poisoning on a mass scale. In his desperation to heal them, he calls upon a Water Tribe healer who the audience finds out is actually there to spy on and possibly take down the Fire Nation. Katara and Zuko’s interactions are very interesting to read, as they are arguably closest to their season 1 stages, but have obviously matured in some ways as individuals now in their adult years, so seeing them interact with some characteristics that seem to draw on inspiration across all books is very cool. We also find out that Katara basically wormed her way into the spot, pissing off lil misogynistic Hahn (someone she has to work with), freaking out Aang (who finds out about her leaving for the Earth Kingdom to help out the Tribes after he returns from a long journey away to ask for her to marry him), and causing a ruckus in the Water Tribes. We also see Sokka dealing with politics at home, Toph just being introduced (likely spying for the Earth Kingdom, but at this point, no one knows who are what she is doing when she appears), and Suki possibly about to be captured by a certain fire princess while on a mission…. sneaking through her rooms. Overall, super fun and creative and the tension, adventure, suspense, and action are handled well. I hope the author goes far with this and makes this a long story with a high word count, because the potential is there and they have shown they’re capable of it this far.
***Scarred Bonds*** by Smylealong (Rated K; 14k+ words; Complete)
What starts as an exchange between two friends slowly morphs into something that neither was prepared for. Sometimes bonds that last a life time form over a scar. Post-war Zutara. Two-shot
Immediately post war angsty fluff. Starts from Zuko’s coronation party and evolves into Zuko and Katara’s letters, along with stuff they are personally dealing with in the Fire Nation and Southern Water Tribe, over the period of about a year. Really nice stuff. In character depictions, a great exploration into their thought processes, and I live for stories with Iroh and / or Sokka meddling, and Sokka does quite a bit of that. I also love Zuko and Katara just pouring their souls out to each other and realizing that they are closer with each other than with anyone else. The author does a good job of just showing how strong their friendship was and then how that makes a good foundation for a romance, which is honestly cute with their dorkiness. It is angsty and heartwarming and an overall solid story.
Broken Hearts and Shattered Breaths
Of Birds, Bees, and Tsungi Horns by Smylealong (Rated K, 1k+ words, Complete)
Fire Lord Zuko faces his toughest challenge yet- giving the Avatar the ‘birds and bees’ speech. To make matters worse, Sokka is ‘helping’. How can it be anything but a disaster?
Super fun time with Aang, Sokka, and Zuko. I love their ridiculousness, and even though they’re adults in this fic, I’m happy to see they’re still just as hilarious when in the same room with each other. Sokka pulls Aang into Zuko’s office for what he intends to be an educational experience on the birds and the bees, but Zuko is uncomfortable and awkard and has no idea how to do ANYTHING, Sokka is a Dingus Supremus, and Aang is simultaneously the smartest and most naive guy in the room. The last sentence is my favorite from the whole story. Every ATLA story should end with this sentence, regardless of the context.
***Princess and the Badger Cat*** by Kyra Rivers (Rated K+, 44k+ words, Complete)
Crack!AU. In a land never torn apart by Sozin’s War, the sixteen-year-old Avatar Aang is best friends with Crown Prince Zuko, Toph is engaged, Katara is kidnapped, and Sokka is a badger-cat. Yeah, he doesn’t understand why either. Full summary inside.
This story is so much fun. There are evil pirates, mischievous wizards and witches, lots of fun actions scenes, and an overall enjoyable story that mainly focuses on Toph, who is attempting to her restrictive, high society life behind to help a badger cat – who won’t shut up about finding his sister, Katara – back to human. They have to evade and fight evil guys who are attempting to collect benders for a dark and dangerous ritual, and meet up with a bubbly airbender, a super serious fire prince, and eventually Katara and other people from ATLA. There is more than one plotline (until they all join at the end for the big battle), and they’re each so fun and interesting that I never want to skip through one perspective to get back to another (…which I do quite bit in other stories…). Although Zutara takes a backseat to Toph and Sokka’s journey, it is still present and it is fun seeing Zuko blush around Katara and Aang making fun of him. There is also some Taang here for you Taang lovers!
***The Bottom of a Swimming Pool*** by d-dulcet (Rated T, 36k+ words, WIP)
This talented sweetheart is also on tumblr! You can follow her beautiful face at @lagooony !!!
There comes a moment after the war ends, when Katara opts to stay in the Fire Nation with Zuko, that she realizes his body is healing but his mind is not, and not every wound can be fixed by her touch. [AU]
You want a hug and then a punch to the heart, followed by another hug and punch to the heart, followed by another set until the end of time? Because if so, here’s the fic for you. You won’t only get a full range of crying from sadness and happiness, you’ll get some of the best writing of a character EVER!!! Seriously, this author gives characters from ATLA justice, portrays them accurately, and even gives them a depth that Bryke decided to slate last minute when cutting the fourth season of ATLA (in favor for that awful movie…. I’m looking at you, Mai). If you’ve read any meta reblogged from my stupid tumblr, you’ll see where characters such as Mai really didn’t get developed well by Bryke, or in other cases, great and developed characters are reduced to OOC depictions, if they appear at all! This author isn’t having any of that, and is instead going to give you a great post war fic that allows us to see the frustration, pain, happiness, etc., that the characters would have to endure when coming to terms with each other and the state of the world immediately after the war. The author fleshes out everyone, no matter who the character is, fantastically. Just the beautiful descriptions of their feelings alone make them seem real and human, it is feels like you are going through the same emotions as they are. It’s honestly really beautiful, tragic, heartwarming, and just fantastic writing in general. I find that it is successful in every way a story should be: people are in character, their actions are believable, their emotions feel valid, every little bit of plot is important, and the way the author writes a sentence is beautifully constructed. If you want to better your writing and simply just compare the way Bryke and this author present certain scenarios and character portrayals, this could definitely benefit you (again, Mai!!!! So well done and complex and layered here!!!! That alone should be of interest!!!!) I could write fifteen chapters on how perfect it is, but I’ll stop here so you won’t waste any time and can get to it to see for yourself
Alternate Uses for Bathtubs by espadachina (Rated T; 5k+ words; Complete)
Katara finds a big fish and takes him home.
Have you ever asked yourself “I wonder what Zuko would be like as a disgruntled mermaid?” Because Katara has to deal with this injured, angry, magical dork that washed up near her home. Thank goodness for wheel barrels and no investigating grandmas, amirite?
Haunted by Advocaat (Rated T; 9k+ words; Complete)
Immediately postwar. Katara is dead. But that doesn’t mean she’s gone. Join Zuko as he struggles through day to day life as Fire Lord with his very own phantom menace. Zutara. Oneshot.
“What if Katara or Zuko died at this point” fics will forever be the bane of my existence. More so than student debt. This fic, however, is different. I won’t spoil the ending, but Zuko is seemingly haunted by the spirit of Katara, who enjoys playing jokes on him and overall just being a nuisance if she isn’t trying to reach out and be someone he can lean on (not literally, thought – she still not in physical form so…). You will wonder during most of the story if Zuko is crazy, because for some reason, only he can hear and see Katara as she disrupts his governing, with the rest of the Gaang wondering if he’s suffered a mind break. As everyone tries to figure out what’s going on, he and Katara grow extremely close, and you’ll discover something huge is going on with Katara. No angsty ending, only happy endings.
As if Death Itself Was Undone by archiveidiotjello (Rated T; 1k+ words; Complete)
Z/K Finale AU “'It’s not right to linger like this,’ says the Death Spirit. ‘I don’t want to leave her,’ Zuko says. ‘They never do.’” After being struck by Azula’s lighting, Zuko rejects death.
When all of those “what if Zuko or Katara died during the battle with Azula” become too much of a hopeless tear fest, this fic offers an alternate route to that, as indicated by the title. Zuko died protecting Katara, and with the assistance of an entity from the spirit world, he is given the chance to see Life After Zuko. Paying particularly close attention to Katara, we see with Zuko how she never fully healed from the trauma of losing him in battle, and the subtlety in which the author shows her grappling with it and trying to deal with it (unhealthy if we are being honest) is both beautiful and sad. You see the rest of the Gaang noticing how she seems to try to recreate certain things and project parts of Zuko onto other people, and a ton of other things too that are honestly super sad, until Zuko has enough and decides to do something about it. Good stuff, makes you just love Zuko that much more.
***Dreams of the Dragon King*** by Void (Rated M; 6k+ words; Complete)
Drabble series; Zuko POV; AU. The Fire Lord dreams of fire and ash and oceans. It’s not going to get any easier.
I’m still emotionally recovering from this. It’s a few years post war, and outside political influences trying to keep Zuko and Katara apart are too powerful.
***She Moves with the Sea*** by Void (Rated T; 7k+ words: Complete)
Companion to “Dreams of the Dragon King.” Katara POV. What it’s like to love a man who’s struggling under the weight. (Final update! Story is complete.)
Just as the summary suggests. My goodness my heart just breaks from these two pieces. Just the last chapter alone makes me want to hug Katara and bat everyone away.
***Spirits*** by lady wisp (Rated T; 11k+ words; WIP)
The water witch obtains a spirit bound by vow to protect her. Shaman!Katara. Spirit!Zuko AU
One of my favorite stories so far for its creativity, great writing, in character depictions (leaning on Season 1 Zuko and Katara personalities at the moment). We see the story mostly through Katara’s eyes, which is awesome because it gives us a limited viewpoint. What? How is that a good thing?! Because that and the AU setting for this story creates a sort of mystery for us readers. Based on what I have read so far, the Northern and Southern Tribes are at war, and Katara has no idea that bending is a thing (her idea of it is “magic”). She is thought to be a sort of connection to the spirit world (because, again, she and possibly the rest of the tribe have had little to no contact with the outside world and believe it to be an aspect of her “powers”), and she is trying desperately to find a way to help the depleting numbers of SWT people, so when she comes across a being that is clearly not Water Tribe and is insisting he is Fire Nation royalty, she thinks that this is the spirit’s answers to her prayers. He is initially hostile and rude, but once he learns more about her, Zuko comes up with a plan and suggests a deal for Katara that allows him to find someone powerful and important and he would help her and her people win her war. As it continues, it seems that no one sees or hears Zuko besides Katara, and it seems like Zuko may be lying about who and what he is… Overall, it’s great. I also love seeing how Zuko is starting to like Katara and catch himself thinking that she isn’t so bad looking. Really funny, fun, interesting, developed, creative, in character, well written stuff. The interactions between Zuko and Katara is also adorable because of how sassy they are and how it is obvious that they appreciate each other
Southern Hospitality by madonna_and_whore (Rated K; 5k+ words, Complete)
Greeting new neighbor Zuko who is -_- with pie, Katara almost kills him (allergies)
***Nautilus*** by maddeve (Rated T, 21k+ words, WIP)
Katara -> “who am I? what to do now?” -> politics, building up the world again, how relationships with people and between countries evolve with her and the rest of the gaang’s actions
When Destiny Keeps Calling by Crazyache (Rated K; 1k+ words, Complete)
Groundhog day -> Zuko repeating what happens in Catacombs over and over
***Our Fortunes Together*** by NomDeGuerre
Old Aang, Zuko and Katara political marriage, Aang big zutara shipper, world where the huge war hasn’t happened, but politics force these two together. ozai also in here conniving
***Through Ice and Fire by liacat (Rated T+; 48000k+ words, WIP)
Fantastic, and as someone who doesn’t really care for sci-fi themed media, this makes me love it. You have an angry and stressed season 1-esque Zuko hunting down the Avatar, accidentally landing on the WT’s planet. He decides to pretend to be friendly with this planet while hanging with the siblings who saved him in the attempt to gain information on the whereabouts of the Avatar. He slowly realizes, much to his chagrin, that he likes these people. On top of that, his worries grow tenfold when he realizes that he is falling for Katara, who he at first couldn’t stand. This while he is basically losing time on finding and taking back the Avatar. If you like enemies to friends to lovers and BETRAYAL?! What to do? and fics where Confused dumb boi Zuko tries making decisions and tries not liking confused dumb gal Katara), all while big political stuff and external pressures are occurring in the background (speaking of which, great world building in this fic) you’ll love this
***SHIPWRECKED*** by paintedladys (Not Rated; 1k+ words, WIP)
Fire Nation occupies world, Zuko stationed at water tribe and he doesn’t want to be there, katara and WT having to deal with colonists and Zuko and Katara seeing they aren’t one dimensional propaganda characters -> https://archiveofourown.org/works/10379577/chapters/22922994?view_adult=true
***ON A DISTANT SHORE*** -> (FAV*** sadly only like two chapters must review)
Zuko And Iroh shipwrecked at South Pole and forced to rely upon SWT, Zuko is season 1 and angry they need to rely on water tribe, katara cute
https://archiveofourown.org/works/6628840/chapters/15168373
Lewilder – EVERYTHING IS GOOD BY LEWILDER and they have a tumblr i think so follow them. fav stuff by them, ‘specially that one where they can’t speak each other’s languages gooooooood shtuff yeeeeeee
nonsensicallyrics – mhmmm!
@archergwen on tumblr and fic sites – VERY NICE. A+.
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Note to those still reading these rushed notes (also mad props because i couldn’t even do that): check out others for good analysis and writing and questions regarding the show. people who worked on the show talked to others A LOT more than me, they’re easy to find.
also much love to @araeph follow them for anything atla or lit related and anyone still sending me messages about atla should be funneled to this classy and intelligent and kind human being. honestly go to them for info on the show too.
check out some of these writers on tumblr as well
pearlynn59 somuttersthesea bulletproofteacup astaroffire
same with @kohthefacedealer @lagooony @articianne class A babearoonies love them.
blakekathryn
dailybridgerton
baratheonpilled
ellievsbear
gracieabrams
kianamaiart
tangentwithtanner
origamiaround
