Battle Royal by Tiv'ester, PG

[aurora-novarum.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Daniel

Pairing: References to Daniel/Sha're (Shau'ri)
Category: Daniel; SG-1; Action/Adventure; Angst/Drama; Hurt/Comfort; Gen
Warning: Minor language; violence
Author on LJ: captain_tiv (I snagged this from someone else's tivester rec in the archives, but I think it's correct)
Author's Website: http://www.members.tripod.com/tivester/Fan_Fiction.htm

Link to Story: Battle Royal

Why this should be read:

This is part of the sg novel archive, so get set to curl up and enjoy this story when you have time to spare.

Set sometime after...I'm blanking on the ep title, but it's after the time Ska'ara has been freed from Klorel, "Battle Royal" is a very different look at Daniel. Here he is "Dan'yer" of Abydos, son of Kasuf, slayer of the false god Ra. The hero worship mentioned and witnessed in the pilot is given new life here as Daniel returns "home" for a visit.

This is definitely an Alpha-Daniel. Considering how he was almost considered a god by the Abydonians in "Full Circle", this story can fit into the Stargate universe easily, even if some of Daniel's actions are almost too good to be true. The story is definitely Daniel centric, with him taking the lead on organizing a battle, but with his knowledge of the land, the culture, and the individual people, the characterization is not implausible. Though not a Daniel I'm used to seeing, I found myself very willing to go along for the ride in a different slant on the Daniel Jackson of canon.

What I loved about this story is the rich layers of Abydonian culture explored. We witness several cities, and political machinations, a trial, punishment, a wedding, and an epic battle. The rest of the team's interactions with each other and observations of Abydos were an enjoyable read. I especially liked how Teal'c and Carter join Daniel and Jack as being part of the Abydonian Heroes Club.

Plus Hammond goes offworld and is part of the battlefield action. How often do we get to see that?

Also, when I went to verify the website, I noticed it's won a couple of stargatefanawards in 2004. Deservedly so, in my opinion.

Comments

[jedishadowolf.livejournal.com]

This is by far one of my favorite Daniel stories ever! Tiv'ester writes some great stuff but this is probably one of her best. :)

[aurora-novarum.livejournal.com]

This was one of the early fics I read in fandom, and it stuck with me (even if i didn't remember the title or author, heh). It was original, foreign, and familiar and canonesque all at the same time! Very cool.

Now that I've found her site, I'm going to have to look at the stories again and see if I've read others. It's only recently that I've tried to pay attention to *who* wrote fics. I usually just read descriptions and titles.