An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Summary:
Modern-setting AU. A bomb scare brings Jon back into Sansa’s orbit after years of not seeing each other. As they grow close, Jon promises himself he won’t actively interfere with Sansa’s marriage—but how long can he keep that promise to himself?
Comments:
First of all this author knows what the fuck she’s doing. (I’m assuming they’re a she, but she-he-they!) Good writing elevates any premise and this premise is already damn good. The quality of her writing, the obvious detail and care that went into her choices, made the story one that I can’t stop thinking about, texted my best friend about, and brought a tear to my eye more than once.
Second, I’m a bit biased here because I was looking for a fic that has this exact premise and found this one-- so I was bound to be pleased. I’ve been looking for a good modern AU with Sansa intertwined in something dark and a dash of crime/mystery, preferably with insane/nasty Ramsay, and haven’t been able to find one I liked. (It usually comes down to the writing style/quality for me, I’ll abandon a story quick if I don’t like it). So this beautifully written story hooked me instantly and I stayed up to 2AM reading it.
The characterizations are another aspect of the story that make it stand out. Sansa in her high school flashbacks is exactly how I’d imagine her-- chatty, cares about grades, wants to excel, positive, does things like attend her cousin’s hockey game in a renaissance fair dress lol. Her insecurities and vulnerabilities were so believable and astoundingly touching too. The high school/younger years flashbacks may have been my favorite parts of the story-- perhaps because I’m writing my own modern AU where they’re teenagers-- and the confusion, angst, and pining in each mention of the shared past was just... ah! beautiful.
Sansa’s struggle in her violent manage, that raw vulnerability that she feels so keenly every moment of every day because Ramsay touches and destroys every aspect of her life... Jon’s struggle to contain his knowledge of what’s happening for her sake, to not embarrass her, to help her, to let her come to him... they were walking a tightrope the whole time and it was delicious to read.
I loved the characterization choices for all the side characters too, even ones that were barely mentioned (Daenerys, Margaery, Arya, Olenna, Mormont, Val, etc). Daenerys was a favorite. I love I love "fun rich feminist aunt who loves Jon as family" Daenerys.
The climax and the resolution were wonderful, satisfying, emotional, intelligent. This is just good shit, folks.
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