I can't remember the last time I managed to read all fest creations in time. This year I managed it for minerva_fest, perhaps because I didn't write for it. There were so many excellent entries this year; I really do recommend them all in their own way (and did so with links on tumblr) but this year I'm going to shoot for getting down five official recs. I started out with 10 and had to carefully, fingers close to hair-pulling, make my way down to 5. So here they are:

Toy Soldiers - Fic - R - 3.3k

I will admit that I didn't expect to like this one as much as I did--and I did quite a lot. It's written simply, but as I read I found that that only added to the power behind the big statements. (There are some amazing, gut-punching lines.) This piece follows the books; it journeys quickly from one to the other while still picking up on all the important pieces of the story. It's all from Minerva's point of view and is ripe to bowl a reader over with intense feelings. I cherish a look at the whole storyline from Minerva's POV as a teacher, as a fellow soldier, and as a person who was part of the war from before this set of children were born--before she had a hand in teaching them what they would inevitably become. This is a potent story and well worth a read.

Enough - Art - PG

Just go admire this piece for a few hours, please, I implore you. It is one of the most exquisite pieces of fanart I've ever seen in any fandom: intricate details keep popping out at the viewer the longer one looks. Minerva is stunningly captured in a moment of fierce protectiveness and Neville is there in all his badarse BAMFery. This one goes down in the books!

The Bones of What You Believe - Fic - PG - 5.8k

This story is excellent: the writing style, the story-crafting, the characterisation of every character, the grappling with beliefs and with the times... I love this merger of theological consideration, Harry Potter, and Minerva McGonagall. This story could absolutely convince me of Minerva's Pottermore backstory in how the story handled and presented it. It is not all happy-ending but is fulfilling in where it leaves Minerva and the reader. It has a strong female character (of course!), female friendship, mother/daughter and father/daughter relationships, and looks at how friends, family and acquaintances can impact a person's ways of seeing things. Read it!

Unbuttoned - Fic/Art - R - 4.7k

Mmmm this is hot, adorable and lovely with a special treat at the end. Both Minerva and Wil are real charmers here. There's some natural hesitation and Wil in suits--what's not to love? The writing is lovely and the characterisation sparks a smile. Also, Pomona cameo! Well worth a read. Hot, well-written, well-characterised femslash always is. :D [Who would I be not to rec at least one piece of hot-as-hell femslash? (; ]

A Moment of Peace - Art - G

This is a stunning piece of work. Minerva gets to kick back and relax on her one free morning and we, the lucky voyeurs, get to see it. Every little detail is impeccable and provides us with little extra pieces of the character that is Minerva McGonagall. Absolutely go take a look at it and leave a comment on this piece of brilliance!

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I was astonished by the level of artwork in this year's fest. It's all set to drool over!

Now on to reading some spooky - sexy - scandalous Halloween Drabbles.

[Crossposted from dreamwidth.]