ACBB 10TH ANNIVERSARY RECS: In Spite of Everything, The Stars
This ACBB was recommended by PapySanzo and Clea2011:
Title: In Spite of Everything, The Stars Writer: Polomonkey Artist: mushroomtale Ship(s): Merlin/Arthur Rating: Mature Word Count: 82,243
Summary: London. 2015. The government is set to vote on ending the microchipping of magic users, and Arthur Pendragon has been tasked with kidnapping prominent Magical activist Merlin Emrys to influence the outcome.
Locked away in a house on the North York Moors, tensions rise and confrontation ensues as Arthur is forced to re-evaluate everything he’s been taught about magic, and Merlin finds himself in a struggle for his life. And the fact that they’re falling for each other doesn’t help…
Link: FIC: https://archiveofourown.org/works/4647243/chapters/10599906 | ART: https://archiveofourown.org/works/4647402
Why PapySanzo recommends this ACBB: One of the first ACBBs I read and it has remained in my heart forever. The way Polomonkey describes the violence Merlin suffered, the way she talks about Merlin and his always being worried and looking over his shoulder, and the way the one time he decides to trust he is kidnapped is perfect.
Arthur's characterization is one of the things I like most in this story, how he always tries to keep his head down because Uther is right, how his spirit is somehow broken but not completely, how being close to Merlin helps him and how he finally sees how much of a villain his father is and tired to make the right thing.
Every now and then I keep thinking back to different scenes that touched me and I end up re-reading it. In addition, the drawings are WONDERFUL. Why Clea2011 recommends this ACBB: Polo's writing is always excellent and well worth reading. This is one of those can't-put-it-down stories, I think I must be due a re-read. Mushroomtale's art is beautiful. Want to rec an ACBB fic yourself that you feel deserves some more love? Feel free to send us your rec through our 10th Anniversary Rec form!









