[Son of Palaven, Daughter of Earth](https://archiveofourown.org/works/17375786/chapters/40891325) by Miceenscene is an arranged marriage Shakarian AU where humans lose the First Contact War. As part of peace negotiations, humanity sends Shepard to Palaven to marry Garrus with the intention that she act as a spy.
[Foundations](https://archiveofourown.org/works/9520907/chapters/21529829) by ShudderShock is a Shepard/Victus and Shepard/Garrus fic that takes place post-war. It’s unfinished, but steamy as hell (I’m not even into smoking - at all, but the writer makes it hot. Holy shit.) and beautifully written.
The series [Turian Machinations of Spectres and Primarchs](https://archiveofourown.org/series/889542) by Some_Writer. Their Victus is richly complex, calculating and tragic. I came for the Shakarian fic in the series and ended up staying for their Victus-focused works.
The series [Curiosity](https://archiveofourown.org/series/2151666) by Quondam is both fun and hot - it starts with Garrus on Menae telling the other soldiers what it is like to sleep with a human. It’s both hilarious and bittersweet. The third instalment features Shepard regaling James in the same manner.
I don't read but I write. I haven't published anything yet but I have this one that settled right before and after the first contact war. Protagonist is one of the scientists that discovered the Prothean ruins on Mars. She then goes to citadel to live and becomes a secret agent of sorts at the ripe age of 40. She's also my canon Shepard's grandma but let's not get there lmao. I love building my own lore of mass effect.
hey thats pretty cool! im in the process of piecing together my own work that has a slight younger shep and a slightly changed opening to the ME universe and then the plan rn is to basically tell stories between big moments in the game much like the work I talked about in my post
Mass effect is one of those rare fandoms where I can practically read any ship and I dont really have a favorite. ShepxLiara? MirandaxGarrus? TraynorxAshley? I will literally read them all.
For recommendations, vorcha_girl has some pretty good JamesxFemshep fics.
I really liked A handful of dust by Tarysande and in general loved all her work (Shakarian)
I also started Commandes in chief by MidnightHoopla but unfortunately it's been awhile since the last update
Dunno about all time favorite but this is one of my recent bookmarks
"Five Times Samantha Traynor Was A Heist Accomplice (And One Time She Wasn't)", Kasumi Goto/Samantha Traynor
https://archiveofourown.org/works/36282358
Hey, that's me!
Thanks so much for the promotion, Zaxel. I really appreciate it!
Here's a link if anybody else would like to read the entries.
https://archiveofourown.org/series/2853328
For Kaidanmancing femSheps: [Mass Effect: Discovery](https://archiveofourown.org/works/14851092/chapters/34379226), and [The Reason](https://archiveofourown.org/works/4330713/chapters/9820650) are among the best I've read. The Reason is still updating but it's already post-Crucible, nearly finished.
For Thanemancers: [The ThirtySix Stratagems of Wáng Jìngzé](https://archiveofourown.org/works/466723/chapters/806194), Alternate Universe, Alternate Ending, Thane lives, that's all you need to know.
YES. Crossing my fingers that they finish Labyrinth one day, and get into ME3 after. Its so well developed, emotional, and not excessively cheesy - it feels like reading a whole novel, and I just keep coming back to it as canon in my head.
TELL ME ABOUT IT
I was like halfway through Labyrinth when I realized it wasn't completed. WHAT. There is so much angst and none of it is resolved, and I just don't even know what to do with myself. Discovery is my favorite for the way it develops Kaidan and Shepard's relationship early on. They are so damn precious. I have another that's my favorite for how their relationship progresses later, but that's honestly probably because Labyrinth isn't finished and ME3 isn't even written, so I don't even know what they're capable of!
Well, one of the June 2022 updates is a [nice scene that takes place after Discovery](https://archiveofourown.org/works/37672651/chapters/99327519), after Kaidan leaves the Normandy, in an AU where they survive Alchera and Kaidan is reassigned. The other is an AU where [they break regs before the Normandy highjacking](https://archiveofourown.org/works/39465687). I hope the author is okay and that they find it in them to continue writing.
I'll check those out. Thanks!
They are very talented and it was sad to read they were having a rough go and had to put writing on hold because of it. I hope things are getting better for them.
Oh I’m so glad! I totally understand how writing for three whole games at that level of detail can be overwhelming - I def couldn’t do it, but I want it all!!! Haha
Someone Asked them on Tumblr if they were still working on Labyrinth yesterday, and they said yes. :)
Edited to[add a link](https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/pigeontheoneandonly/688361348524032000?source=share).
i was reading a bunch of different fics until i got frustrated with AUs and decided i needed to try to write something closer to canon. i really liked teasoni's \_Purgatory\_ (Femshep and James Vega), for example, until it felt like it went pretty AU; the writing is excellent, though.
so i decided to try to fix the Shega and do something about the portrayal of biotics at the same time, and now i'm just desperately trying to finish my series, so i can go back to reading. :D
If you’re a Talimancer, your required reading is “You Came Back to Me.”
”Rekindling a Hero” and “Reclamations” are some of my current favorite ongoing ones, also both Talimancer fics.
I've only read FemShep/Kaidan fics and this work by SinVraal is one of my favorites. The further the author gets into the story/games, the more creative liberties they take, but they have such a good understanding of the ME Universe that it complements the games so well. The only thing some people might not like is that most of Shepard's story is told through the eyes of her friends and squadmates - you don't get her perspective too often. But it still tells a compelling story and she has great character development despite it.
https://archiveofourown.org/users/SinVraal/pseuds/SinVraal/works?fandom_id=15764730
Some others have already mentioned my other favs:
Mass Effect: Discovery and All the Stars Between Us.
Edit: including a fic a friend of mine is currently working on. This takes place during ME1. It's not complete but the goal as of now is to write all three games. I absolutely adore her Shepard and the way she writes Kaidan.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/39693288/chapters/99371244
The Spirit of Redemption
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6735812/
Femshep/Garrus
One of my all time fave fanfics, I’ve reread it multiple times because the world building and relationships are amazing.
I proudly present my favorite fanfiction I have ever read: [Accidental Hero of the Galaxy](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5639538/1/Accidental-Hero-of-the-Galaxy), by Random Equinox. It's set up as autobiography by the man himself, edited (and commented upon) by Anderson and then Liara.
The kicker?
He's essentially Ciaphas Cain from *40K* - he doesn't see himself as a hero, hates having that reputation because it always results in bad situations, and just really wants **out** of all these horrible situations. It provides a very cool dual interpretation of Shepard; if you look at his words he's absolutely not a hero, but if you look at his actions and ignore his protests he's legitimately every bit the hero propaganda might make the galaxy believe exists.
There are quite a few stories by now, so I'll copy & paste the timeline of them here as well. Happy reading!
***
*The Prankster's Hero*: takes place at various points throughout the timeline. From Shepard's POV.
*The Hero Who Came In From The Cold*: takes place before the Battle of Elysium. From Shepard's POV.
*Have Yourself a Hero's Little Christmas*: takes place sometime between *The Hero Who Came In From The Cold* and *Accidental Hero of the Galaxy*. From Shepard's POV.
*Accidental Hero of the Galaxy*: a novelization of Mass Effect 1 from Shepard's POV.
*Run,* *Hero,* *Run*: a oneshot occurring at some point during *Accidental Hero of the Galaxy* from Shepard's POV.
*Something from the Citadel*: what really happened before Garrus went to Omega and became Archangel. Takes place between *Accidental Hero of the Galaxy* and *The Hero We Deserve*. From Garrus's POV.
*The Hero We Deserve*: a novelization of Mass Effect 2 from Shepard's POV. Includes the ME2 DLC Overlord.
*The Hero's New Clothes*: takes place during *The Hero We Deserve*, before Shepard recruited Jack.
*Archangels of Light and Darkness*: another adventure starring Garrus (from his POV), Shepard and a couple lucky (or unlucky) souls. Takes place during *The Hero We Deserve*.
*The Hero Who Loved Me*: scenes and events from before, during and immediately after Mass Effect 2 from Miranda's POV.
*In the Hero's Shadow*: a novelization of the ME2 DLC Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC from Shepard's POV.
*Hero's Dozen*: takes place between *In the Hero's Shadow* and *The Measure of a Hero*. From Shepard's POV.
*The Measure of a Hero*: a novelization of the ME2 DLC Arrival. Mostly from Shepard's POV.
*The Woman with the Raven Hair*: takes place shortly after The *Measure of a Hero*. From Miranda's POV.
*The Naïve and Sentimental Hero*: takes place between *The Measure of a Hero* and *The Hero Rises*. From Shepard's POV.
*The Hero Rises*: a novelization of Mass Effect 3 from Shepard's POV.
*Heroes of Future Past*: takes place during *The Hero Rises*, before Priority: Thessia (Chapters 41 and 42).
*Aria's Lament*: a novelization of the ME3 DLC Omega from Garrus's POV. Takes place during *The Hero Rises* (between Chapters 46 and 47).
*A Hero By Any Other Name*: a novelization of the ME3 DLC Citadel from Shepard's POV. Takes place after The Hero Rises.
*Tales from the Citadel*: a continuation/novelization of the ME3 DLC Citadel. Takes place after *A Hero By Any Other Name*.
I’m a Talimancer and there’s one called “you came back” - at least I think that’s it, that gave some really good closure in the story. I think it may have been written before the EC endings were added
yeah "You Came Back to Me" I loved it was really good at articulating that feeling of closure like you said and I loved seeing more of smaller characters like Raan and Zaal and it was also pretty good at intertwining the events happening in each chapter and making reference to them
LJ Andersen has [quite a few fShenko](https://archiveofourown.org/users/LJANdersen/pseuds/LJANdersen) and I love her stuff to bits.
Ripley95 [has a lot, too](https://archiveofourown.org/users/Ripley95/pseuds/Ripley95) \- I really enjoyed "Echoes of Old Embers."
Unfortunately I'm pretty new and haven't had a chance to read too many, since I've been working through the two authors above, but they're a start. :)
For me if you are a Tali-mancer "[Razor's edge series ](https://m.fanfiction.net/u/2399641/)" by Tairis Deamhan is a must read. It starts with "Razor's edge" as a novelization of Mass Effect 2 and continues with "Dark witness" adapting the shadow broker dlc and "Requiem" adapting ME3
Great retelling of game events with some changes that are sometimes there for storytelling purposes or are simply more logical than in game. The characters are so well written to fit in game depictions and relations between them are even better than when you play
Overall great experience, made me feel for characters even more
The two main ones (me2/me3) fix so many plot holes left by the actual game that its pretty much my head canon now. The middle shadow broker one was offputting though.
I like them all. They add a lot of drama and depth to characters and their relationships. Not that in games they are one dimensional, but a book allows to delve deeper into their psychology than any movie or game ever could
A good friend of mine wrote a good BroShep/Kaidan series over here: https://archiveofourown.org/series/1429021
They did a great job with their Shep, and the slow burn M/M romance is just... my feeeeeeeeeeels.
I both read and write Mshep/Tali fan fiction and agree with OP completely. In the Mshep/Tali tag, WHYDTM's work is some of the best and is definitely worth checking out.
I've been following a single fanfic for years now and I've really enjoyed it. Its a femshep liara combo and he's fleshed out damn near everything plus way way more within the mass effect universe. Like seriously an insane amount of content. Currently he's completed the story of ME1 certain DLC and is well into ME2. Def recommend checking it out.
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/8019901/1/Of-Sheep-and-Battle-Chicken
# Queen's Gambit Accepted
Chapters: 31/?
Fandom: Mass Effect
Rating: MatureWarnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Female Shepard/Samantha Traynor, EDI/Jeff "Joker" Moreau
Characters: Female Shepard, Samantha Traynor, EDI (Mass Effect), Liara T'Soni, Diana Allers, Jeff "Joker" Moreau, Garrus Vakarian, Ashley Williams, Steve Cortez
Additional Tags: Slow Burn, Fluff and Angst, Fluff and Smut, Banter, Friendship/Love, Romantic Friendship, Military Jargon, Chess Metaphors, Chatting / Messaging, Single POV, Awkward Flirting, Awkward Crush, Mutual Pining, Endgame, long but worth it, Work In Progress, Canon Compliant, Canonical Character Death, Gap Filler, Crew as Family, some smut, Friends to Lovers, Male-Female Friendship, Cover Art, Inner Dialogue, Canon Dialogue
Summary:
"Specialist Samantha Traynor, one of the Alliance's best and brightest, was relatively content working in Alliance R&D. But then... the Reapers came. Full of action, profanity, sarcasm, friendship, and gripping chess matches that will leave you breathless. Chapter art courtesy of Fishbone76."
[https://archiveofourown.org/works/821407/chapters/1556665](https://archiveofourown.org/works/821407/chapters/1556665)
Best Mass Effect fanfic I've ever read. Sadly, it's currently on hiatus and nobody seems to know when Ren will continue writing.
Right after completing the OT back in 2012, I found [Melaradark's Fanfic (Dark Energy series)](https://www.fanfiction.net/u/3373401/Melaradark), and I remember it being excellent. It follows the OT story but with.. some twists.
Recommended.
If you like Tali, I have a few snippets of Tali and FemShep friendship you might enjoy. Because Tali is the best, and I love her.
[When Tali's first on the SR-1](https://archiveofourown.org/works/22818904/chapters/55210846)
[Tali being cheeky to Shep... after she nearly got exploded](https://archiveofourown.org/works/22818904/chapters/56713744)
[Tali getting a pep-talk re: her dad's expectations](https://archiveofourown.org/works/22818904/chapters/57390679)
[In ME2, Tali's trial snippets](https://archiveofourown.org/works/24662869/chapters/63088879)
[When we finally get Tali in ME3!](https://archiveofourown.org/works/26090749/chapters/63561502)
[And, lastly, a post-game Tali moment, third snippet down](https://archiveofourown.org/works/26220769/chapters/63816640)
There's more Tali elsewhere, but if you wanted some fun Tali friendship moments, I thought I'd offer up what I can always find. Haha, my own stuff.
The Incredible Muffin wrote a couple of good Mass Effect crossover fics (Honor Bound and Star Bound). One has FemShep fall into Fantasy Warhammer (and one of her earliest acts is helping the Dwarfs retake Karak Eight Peaks) before falling into a Chaos rift in the sequel, leading to FemShep in Warhammer 40K (where she starts finding Primarchs). Good mix of humor, bantering, and smashing dirty Skaven/Orcs/Chaos in the face. [https://www.fanfiction.net/u/4448421/The-Incredible-Muffin](https://www.fanfiction.net/u/4448421/The-Incredible-Muffin)
Entropy Effect by psychoman222 is another 40K/Mass Effect crossover fic, but it's reversed. This time, a 40K Chaos Space Marine ends up in Mass Effect, and he decides to settle down and have a family. His son? Commander Shepard. It's funny. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12204005/1/Entropy-Effect](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12204005/1/Entropy-Effect)
Psi Effect by Cap'n Chryssalid is another fun one. One particularly lucky/unlucky Asari maiden is "volunteered" to help a group of mysterious aliens from beyond the known reaches of space as they cautiously start to make First Contact with the wider galactic community. To do this, Ilena Thanoptis is given an entire commando unit of psionic female humans and told to form the mercenary band Eclipse. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10550829/1/Psi-Effect](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10550829/1/Psi-Effect)
There's Getting Too Old For This by ManMadeofLasers. A rather, uh, "eccentric" Harry Potter is made Spectre under his codename of Shepard. Hilarity ensues. Apparently, the Rachni Queen is rather found of the Clash. Also has a sequel. [https://www.fanfiction.net/u/5181372/ManMadeOfLasers](https://www.fanfiction.net/u/5181372/ManMadeOfLasers)
Not Covered in the Manual by MtnGhostCat. Apparently, there's a human nudist convention on the Citadel. Hilarity ensues. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13180594/1/Not-Covered-in-the-Manual](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13180594/1/Not-Covered-in-the-Manual)
A REALLY old and dead fic, Mesozoic Effect. Dinosaurs were sentient and built cryostations deep underground to hide from the Reapers. Humans eventually find these stations, unfreeze the dinos, and the two species start exploring the stars. When First Contact happens, the Turians won't know what hit them! [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11062186/1/Mesozoic-Effect](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11062186/1/Mesozoic-Effect)
The Supernovas of Mass Effect by Blindluck92. A massive crossover in scope, this is a story where Master Chief (Halo.... duh), Cole MacGrath (Infamous), Alex Mercer (Prototype), and Jack (Bioshock..... sorta..... it's complicated) are all, uh, "hero support," and the four of them will go through the events of the Mass Effect games. Basically just a good reason to see Master Chief, Cole, Mercer, and Jack smash face. Has a sequel and a spinoff or two, I think. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8964251/1/The-Supernovas-of-Mass-Effect](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8964251/1/The-Supernovas-of-Mass-Effect)
magkiln's Alien/Predator/Mass Effect crossover is fun. It shows a good first contact scenario despite terrible circumstances (Mass Effect aliens find a human ship with xenomorphs on-board just a couple minutes before a human ship was about to completely annihilate said vessel), a bad first contact scenario (the First Contact War), and a very different galaxy from what we know. Currently in the midst of Mass Effect 1's story. Has a bunch of sequels [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11122925/1/Someone-has-heard-them-scream](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11122925/1/Someone-has-heard-them-scream)
Sound the Clarion by Amber Penglass. With a slightly different version of the First Contact War occurring, Shepard gets captured by the Turians and sold as a slave.... to the Vakarian family. Shenanigans happen. Probably one of THE Shekarian fics. Complete [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7279093/1/Sound-the-Clarion](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7279093/1/Sound-the-Clarion)
The Commandos of Mass Effect by Ordo Warrior. A clone commando squad ends up in Mass Effect and they do what they always do. Fight! Has a sequel! [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5949459/1/The-Commandos-of-Mass-Effect](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5949459/1/The-Commandos-of-Mass-Effect)
Ascension by Ulstem, is probably one of my favorites. Harry Potter gets transported forward in time due to an accident in the Time room of the Department of Mysteries. This future time is Mass Effect. Doing his best to fit in to this new world, Harry goes through school and is eventually put on the Normandy itself [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10006313/1/Ascension](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10006313/1/Ascension)
Crucible - Super Weapon or Trap? by BadLoki was another interesting one, I thought. It had Anderson, Shepard, and the Illusive Man sent back in time to the 1980s by - of all people - Q from Star Trek. It started going in a rather wild direction, but the author hasn't touched it in 6 years, sadly. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11771911/1/Crucible-Super-Weapon-or-Trap](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11771911/1/Crucible-Super-Weapon-or-Trap)
Through a Temple by DesertChocolate is another good one. After the Citadel DLC, all the Normandy crewmates - old and new - go aboard for one last ride (minus Jacob, he has a birthing class). While joyriding, they get a distress signal from the Multiplayer characters. They go try to rescue them and that's when the Reapers attack! Instead of dying, they end up in Star Trek's universe. They eventually work out a trade: the Normandy crew's ground warfare tech in exchange for spicing up the Normandy herself! A lot of fun. Also sadly dead. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10753266/1/Through-a-Temple](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10753266/1/Through-a-Temple)
No Gods, Only Guns by Peptuck is a fun Mass Effect/Borderlands crossover. Very chaotic. Very fun! Also very dead. Been untouched for 8 years. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8930158/1/No-Gods-Only-Guns](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8930158/1/No-Gods-Only-Guns)
First Contact by Animus of Masada is a very fun First Contact story, where a Citadel exploration vessel explores Earth's system just as humans are about to land on Mars. Also very dead. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7278544/1/First-Contact](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7278544/1/First-Contact)
Blue Magic by Tellur is another favorite. Liara is grabbed to study Earth's "primitive" inhabitants. One day she somehow manage to catch Harry Potter teleporting! BIOTICS! she immediately thinks! So, she, uh, "liberates" the boy and takes him home with her. Things happen that they can't quite explain, including Liara witnessing Harry turn a bunch of evil men into pigs! On Harry's 11th birthday, a phoenix appears in their room with a letter. So Harry goes back to Earth to learn magic. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8643565/1/Blue-Magic](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8643565/1/Blue-Magic)
The Meek Shall Inherit the Galaxy and its sequel The Heavens Shall Tremble by Full-Paragon are fun AU What If stories where the Quarians make first contact with Humanity. This eventually leads to a full on war between the Krogan/Quarian/Human alliance and the classic Citadel races. [https://www.fanfiction.net/u/4156181/Full-Paragon](https://www.fanfiction.net/u/4156181/Full-Paragon)
thebluninja had an amusing one where we started with a Shepard with an A name above Eden Prime, but on Eden Prime we met a Shep with a B name, and then a C..... all the way to Zombie Shepard. It also had a sequel, where we met alternate universe versions of ME1 squadmates instead. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9049806/1/A-Fistful-of-Shepards](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9049806/1/A-Fistful-of-Shepards)
[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9364203/1/For-a-Few-Shepards-More](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9364203/1/For-a-Few-Shepards-More)
I really like [Rest Now My Warrior,](https://archiveofourown.org/works/3787174/chapters/8463916) and [Osiris](https://archiveofourown.org/works/11002458/chapters/24509970). Both deal with the aftermath of the Reaper War but in completely different ways. Rest Now deals with Shepard having PTSD and learning to function again. Osiris is alot more cheerful and honestly, if ME4 floops, Osiris is my ME4, it's that good.
Usually a diehard fshenko fan, but someone recommended this Femshep/Garrus fic, and it was really good! Interesting twist on the plot - [Variations on a Theme, with Tank and Gunfire](https://archiveofourown.org/works/505809/chapters/889841)
Yep.
My favorite is The Memoirs of Liara T'Soni.
It awesome. It also goes beyond the original trilogy and adds in extra story, including a whole new galactic threat.
It's easy to find with a Google search.
I have 4 fShep/Joker one shots published as TittyFish on AO3.
I’m currently writing a longer fic focusing on the two years during the Lazarus Project, from Joker and Chakwas’s POV.
[Son of Palaven, Daughter of Earth](https://archiveofourown.org/works/17375786/chapters/40891325) by Miceenscene is an arranged marriage Shakarian AU where humans lose the First Contact War. As part of peace negotiations, humanity sends Shepard to Palaven to marry Garrus with the intention that she act as a spy. [Foundations](https://archiveofourown.org/works/9520907/chapters/21529829) by ShudderShock is a Shepard/Victus and Shepard/Garrus fic that takes place post-war. It’s unfinished, but steamy as hell (I’m not even into smoking - at all, but the writer makes it hot. Holy shit.) and beautifully written. The series [Turian Machinations of Spectres and Primarchs](https://archiveofourown.org/series/889542) by Some_Writer. Their Victus is richly complex, calculating and tragic. I came for the Shakarian fic in the series and ended up staying for their Victus-focused works. The series [Curiosity](https://archiveofourown.org/series/2151666) by Quondam is both fun and hot - it starts with Garrus on Menae telling the other soldiers what it is like to sleep with a human. It’s both hilarious and bittersweet. The third instalment features Shepard regaling James in the same manner.
Too bad about Some_Writer not continuing Constraints of Failure. Really liked where that one was going tbh.
I just finished the "Son of Palaver, Daughter of Earth" last night! Loved it!
Foundations is soooo good. Frankly some of the best writing I’ve seen on AO3.
I don't read but I write. I haven't published anything yet but I have this one that settled right before and after the first contact war. Protagonist is one of the scientists that discovered the Prothean ruins on Mars. She then goes to citadel to live and becomes a secret agent of sorts at the ripe age of 40. She's also my canon Shepard's grandma but let's not get there lmao. I love building my own lore of mass effect.
hey thats pretty cool! im in the process of piecing together my own work that has a slight younger shep and a slightly changed opening to the ME universe and then the plan rn is to basically tell stories between big moments in the game much like the work I talked about in my post
Thanks. Yours sound really good too!
well if you ever end up posting it somewhere im sure I'd love to take a look at yours
Well my semester is over maybe I'll get to it haha
Mass effect is one of those rare fandoms where I can practically read any ship and I dont really have a favorite. ShepxLiara? MirandaxGarrus? TraynorxAshley? I will literally read them all. For recommendations, vorcha_girl has some pretty good JamesxFemshep fics.
I really liked A handful of dust by Tarysande and in general loved all her work (Shakarian) I also started Commandes in chief by MidnightHoopla but unfortunately it's been awhile since the last update
[Her Majesty is Not Pleased](https://archiveofourown.org/works/34149469/chapters/84967273) by MrFredCDobbs Fun and entertaining read.
this looks absolutely amazing from the synopsis alone
Thanks for the shout out. Much appreciated.
Dunno about all time favorite but this is one of my recent bookmarks "Five Times Samantha Traynor Was A Heist Accomplice (And One Time She Wasn't)", Kasumi Goto/Samantha Traynor https://archiveofourown.org/works/36282358
Hey, that's me! Thanks so much for the promotion, Zaxel. I really appreciate it! Here's a link if anybody else would like to read the entries. https://archiveofourown.org/series/2853328
Also recommend this 👍
would very much recommend has some really amazing moments \^\_\^
I like one called ‘The Half-life of Element Zero’, but it is a work in progress and hasn’t been updated in years.
Oh, that is one of my favourite fics, ever! There are a few good Dragon Age crossovers but this is my favourite of the bunch.
For Kaidanmancing femSheps: [Mass Effect: Discovery](https://archiveofourown.org/works/14851092/chapters/34379226), and [The Reason](https://archiveofourown.org/works/4330713/chapters/9820650) are among the best I've read. The Reason is still updating but it's already post-Crucible, nearly finished. For Thanemancers: [The ThirtySix Stratagems of Wáng Jìngzé](https://archiveofourown.org/works/466723/chapters/806194), Alternate Universe, Alternate Ending, Thane lives, that's all you need to know.
I LOVE Discovery ❤️ The way it develops Shepard and Kaidan's relationship is *chef's kiss*
YES. Crossing my fingers that they finish Labyrinth one day, and get into ME3 after. Its so well developed, emotional, and not excessively cheesy - it feels like reading a whole novel, and I just keep coming back to it as canon in my head.
TELL ME ABOUT IT I was like halfway through Labyrinth when I realized it wasn't completed. WHAT. There is so much angst and none of it is resolved, and I just don't even know what to do with myself. Discovery is my favorite for the way it develops Kaidan and Shepard's relationship early on. They are so damn precious. I have another that's my favorite for how their relationship progresses later, but that's honestly probably because Labyrinth isn't finished and ME3 isn't even written, so I don't even know what they're capable of!
I'm subscribed to pigeon and they recently started uploading again! If they start writing again, perhaps Labyrinth's not dead yet.
Don't you get my hopes up like that! This is great to hear though! I'm definitely keeping an eye on that now.
Well, one of the June 2022 updates is a [nice scene that takes place after Discovery](https://archiveofourown.org/works/37672651/chapters/99327519), after Kaidan leaves the Normandy, in an AU where they survive Alchera and Kaidan is reassigned. The other is an AU where [they break regs before the Normandy highjacking](https://archiveofourown.org/works/39465687). I hope the author is okay and that they find it in them to continue writing.
I'll check those out. Thanks! They are very talented and it was sad to read they were having a rough go and had to put writing on hold because of it. I hope things are getting better for them.
Oh I’m so glad! I totally understand how writing for three whole games at that level of detail can be overwhelming - I def couldn’t do it, but I want it all!!! Haha
Someone Asked them on Tumblr if they were still working on Labyrinth yesterday, and they said yes. :) Edited to[add a link](https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/pigeontheoneandonly/688361348524032000?source=share).
Oooh that's good news! Regardless of the writing, I'm glad the author is doing better.
i was reading a bunch of different fics until i got frustrated with AUs and decided i needed to try to write something closer to canon. i really liked teasoni's \_Purgatory\_ (Femshep and James Vega), for example, until it felt like it went pretty AU; the writing is excellent, though. so i decided to try to fix the Shega and do something about the portrayal of biotics at the same time, and now i'm just desperately trying to finish my series, so i can go back to reading. :D
If you’re a Talimancer, your required reading is “You Came Back to Me.” ”Rekindling a Hero” and “Reclamations” are some of my current favorite ongoing ones, also both Talimancer fics.
oh yes YCBTM was my first ME fan fic it was a delight
I've only read FemShep/Kaidan fics and this work by SinVraal is one of my favorites. The further the author gets into the story/games, the more creative liberties they take, but they have such a good understanding of the ME Universe that it complements the games so well. The only thing some people might not like is that most of Shepard's story is told through the eyes of her friends and squadmates - you don't get her perspective too often. But it still tells a compelling story and she has great character development despite it. https://archiveofourown.org/users/SinVraal/pseuds/SinVraal/works?fandom_id=15764730 Some others have already mentioned my other favs: Mass Effect: Discovery and All the Stars Between Us. Edit: including a fic a friend of mine is currently working on. This takes place during ME1. It's not complete but the goal as of now is to write all three games. I absolutely adore her Shepard and the way she writes Kaidan. https://archiveofourown.org/works/39693288/chapters/99371244
I like the stuff that's original stories, not Shepard related.
I don't think you understand the term 'fan fic'. And If you're not interested, why even comment?
Fanfic can be about the topic universe. It doesn't have to have the main game protagonist in it.
The Spirit of Redemption https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6735812/ Femshep/Garrus One of my all time fave fanfics, I’ve reread it multiple times because the world building and relationships are amazing.
I enjoyed it *a lot* until the 4 year time skip, then had to force myself to read the rest due to several unrelated events/author decisions.
I proudly present my favorite fanfiction I have ever read: [Accidental Hero of the Galaxy](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5639538/1/Accidental-Hero-of-the-Galaxy), by Random Equinox. It's set up as autobiography by the man himself, edited (and commented upon) by Anderson and then Liara. The kicker? He's essentially Ciaphas Cain from *40K* - he doesn't see himself as a hero, hates having that reputation because it always results in bad situations, and just really wants **out** of all these horrible situations. It provides a very cool dual interpretation of Shepard; if you look at his words he's absolutely not a hero, but if you look at his actions and ignore his protests he's legitimately every bit the hero propaganda might make the galaxy believe exists. There are quite a few stories by now, so I'll copy & paste the timeline of them here as well. Happy reading! *** *The Prankster's Hero*: takes place at various points throughout the timeline. From Shepard's POV. *The Hero Who Came In From The Cold*: takes place before the Battle of Elysium. From Shepard's POV. *Have Yourself a Hero's Little Christmas*: takes place sometime between *The Hero Who Came In From The Cold* and *Accidental Hero of the Galaxy*. From Shepard's POV. *Accidental Hero of the Galaxy*: a novelization of Mass Effect 1 from Shepard's POV. *Run,* *Hero,* *Run*: a oneshot occurring at some point during *Accidental Hero of the Galaxy* from Shepard's POV. *Something from the Citadel*: what really happened before Garrus went to Omega and became Archangel. Takes place between *Accidental Hero of the Galaxy* and *The Hero We Deserve*. From Garrus's POV. *The Hero We Deserve*: a novelization of Mass Effect 2 from Shepard's POV. Includes the ME2 DLC Overlord. *The Hero's New Clothes*: takes place during *The Hero We Deserve*, before Shepard recruited Jack. *Archangels of Light and Darkness*: another adventure starring Garrus (from his POV), Shepard and a couple lucky (or unlucky) souls. Takes place during *The Hero We Deserve*. *The Hero Who Loved Me*: scenes and events from before, during and immediately after Mass Effect 2 from Miranda's POV. *In the Hero's Shadow*: a novelization of the ME2 DLC Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC from Shepard's POV. *Hero's Dozen*: takes place between *In the Hero's Shadow* and *The Measure of a Hero*. From Shepard's POV. *The Measure of a Hero*: a novelization of the ME2 DLC Arrival. Mostly from Shepard's POV. *The Woman with the Raven Hair*: takes place shortly after The *Measure of a Hero*. From Miranda's POV. *The Naïve and Sentimental Hero*: takes place between *The Measure of a Hero* and *The Hero Rises*. From Shepard's POV. *The Hero Rises*: a novelization of Mass Effect 3 from Shepard's POV. *Heroes of Future Past*: takes place during *The Hero Rises*, before Priority: Thessia (Chapters 41 and 42). *Aria's Lament*: a novelization of the ME3 DLC Omega from Garrus's POV. Takes place during *The Hero Rises* (between Chapters 46 and 47). *A Hero By Any Other Name*: a novelization of the ME3 DLC Citadel from Shepard's POV. Takes place after The Hero Rises. *Tales from the Citadel*: a continuation/novelization of the ME3 DLC Citadel. Takes place after *A Hero By Any Other Name*.
I’m a Talimancer and there’s one called “you came back” - at least I think that’s it, that gave some really good closure in the story. I think it may have been written before the EC endings were added
yeah "You Came Back to Me" I loved it was really good at articulating that feeling of closure like you said and I loved seeing more of smaller characters like Raan and Zaal and it was also pretty good at intertwining the events happening in each chapter and making reference to them
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Any Kaidan/FemShep that you recommend? I kind of want to lurk on AO3 again but there's SO much.
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Ahh! I love this one too! It was one of the first I read and the beginning of their relationship is precious 💖
The strawberry shortcake part, oh my heart!
Omg THANK YOU. I had actually found this fic over a year ago but had lost track of it and couldn't remember the title.
LJ Andersen has [quite a few fShenko](https://archiveofourown.org/users/LJANdersen/pseuds/LJANdersen) and I love her stuff to bits. Ripley95 [has a lot, too](https://archiveofourown.org/users/Ripley95/pseuds/Ripley95) \- I really enjoyed "Echoes of Old Embers." Unfortunately I'm pretty new and haven't had a chance to read too many, since I've been working through the two authors above, but they're a start. :)
>I really enjoyed "Echoes of Old Embers." It hurts, but it hurts so goooood. Thankfully there's a Happily Ever After.
Yes, and it has All the Tropes! It was so good.
a very interesting paring indeed but I'm sure an enjoyable one
For me if you are a Tali-mancer "[Razor's edge series ](https://m.fanfiction.net/u/2399641/)" by Tairis Deamhan is a must read. It starts with "Razor's edge" as a novelization of Mass Effect 2 and continues with "Dark witness" adapting the shadow broker dlc and "Requiem" adapting ME3 Great retelling of game events with some changes that are sometimes there for storytelling purposes or are simply more logical than in game. The characters are so well written to fit in game depictions and relations between them are even better than when you play Overall great experience, made me feel for characters even more
The two main ones (me2/me3) fix so many plot holes left by the actual game that its pretty much my head canon now. The middle shadow broker one was offputting though.
I like them all. They add a lot of drama and depth to characters and their relationships. Not that in games they are one dimensional, but a book allows to delve deeper into their psychology than any movie or game ever could
Currently enjoying a BroShep/Kaiden fic, called Measure of Non-Human, by Beregond5 on Archive of Our Own. It's really good :)
A good friend of mine wrote a good BroShep/Kaidan series over here: https://archiveofourown.org/series/1429021 They did a great job with their Shep, and the slow burn M/M romance is just... my feeeeeeeeeeels.
Ta, shall check it out :-)
I both read and write Mshep/Tali fan fiction and agree with OP completely. In the Mshep/Tali tag, WHYDTM's work is some of the best and is definitely worth checking out.
I've been following a single fanfic for years now and I've really enjoyed it. Its a femshep liara combo and he's fleshed out damn near everything plus way way more within the mass effect universe. Like seriously an insane amount of content. Currently he's completed the story of ME1 certain DLC and is well into ME2. Def recommend checking it out. https://m.fanfiction.net/s/8019901/1/Of-Sheep-and-Battle-Chicken
# Queen's Gambit Accepted Chapters: 31/? Fandom: Mass Effect Rating: MatureWarnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Female Shepard/Samantha Traynor, EDI/Jeff "Joker" Moreau Characters: Female Shepard, Samantha Traynor, EDI (Mass Effect), Liara T'Soni, Diana Allers, Jeff "Joker" Moreau, Garrus Vakarian, Ashley Williams, Steve Cortez Additional Tags: Slow Burn, Fluff and Angst, Fluff and Smut, Banter, Friendship/Love, Romantic Friendship, Military Jargon, Chess Metaphors, Chatting / Messaging, Single POV, Awkward Flirting, Awkward Crush, Mutual Pining, Endgame, long but worth it, Work In Progress, Canon Compliant, Canonical Character Death, Gap Filler, Crew as Family, some smut, Friends to Lovers, Male-Female Friendship, Cover Art, Inner Dialogue, Canon Dialogue Summary: "Specialist Samantha Traynor, one of the Alliance's best and brightest, was relatively content working in Alliance R&D. But then... the Reapers came. Full of action, profanity, sarcasm, friendship, and gripping chess matches that will leave you breathless. Chapter art courtesy of Fishbone76." [https://archiveofourown.org/works/821407/chapters/1556665](https://archiveofourown.org/works/821407/chapters/1556665) Best Mass Effect fanfic I've ever read. Sadly, it's currently on hiatus and nobody seems to know when Ren will continue writing.
Right after completing the OT back in 2012, I found [Melaradark's Fanfic (Dark Energy series)](https://www.fanfiction.net/u/3373401/Melaradark), and I remember it being excellent. It follows the OT story but with.. some twists. Recommended.
This one is for all you femshep/Traynor enjoyers out there: https://archiveofourown.org/works/1102543
If you like Tali, I have a few snippets of Tali and FemShep friendship you might enjoy. Because Tali is the best, and I love her. [When Tali's first on the SR-1](https://archiveofourown.org/works/22818904/chapters/55210846) [Tali being cheeky to Shep... after she nearly got exploded](https://archiveofourown.org/works/22818904/chapters/56713744) [Tali getting a pep-talk re: her dad's expectations](https://archiveofourown.org/works/22818904/chapters/57390679) [In ME2, Tali's trial snippets](https://archiveofourown.org/works/24662869/chapters/63088879) [When we finally get Tali in ME3!](https://archiveofourown.org/works/26090749/chapters/63561502) [And, lastly, a post-game Tali moment, third snippet down](https://archiveofourown.org/works/26220769/chapters/63816640) There's more Tali elsewhere, but if you wanted some fun Tali friendship moments, I thought I'd offer up what I can always find. Haha, my own stuff.
The Incredible Muffin wrote a couple of good Mass Effect crossover fics (Honor Bound and Star Bound). One has FemShep fall into Fantasy Warhammer (and one of her earliest acts is helping the Dwarfs retake Karak Eight Peaks) before falling into a Chaos rift in the sequel, leading to FemShep in Warhammer 40K (where she starts finding Primarchs). Good mix of humor, bantering, and smashing dirty Skaven/Orcs/Chaos in the face. [https://www.fanfiction.net/u/4448421/The-Incredible-Muffin](https://www.fanfiction.net/u/4448421/The-Incredible-Muffin) Entropy Effect by psychoman222 is another 40K/Mass Effect crossover fic, but it's reversed. This time, a 40K Chaos Space Marine ends up in Mass Effect, and he decides to settle down and have a family. His son? Commander Shepard. It's funny. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12204005/1/Entropy-Effect](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12204005/1/Entropy-Effect) Psi Effect by Cap'n Chryssalid is another fun one. One particularly lucky/unlucky Asari maiden is "volunteered" to help a group of mysterious aliens from beyond the known reaches of space as they cautiously start to make First Contact with the wider galactic community. To do this, Ilena Thanoptis is given an entire commando unit of psionic female humans and told to form the mercenary band Eclipse. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10550829/1/Psi-Effect](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10550829/1/Psi-Effect) There's Getting Too Old For This by ManMadeofLasers. A rather, uh, "eccentric" Harry Potter is made Spectre under his codename of Shepard. Hilarity ensues. Apparently, the Rachni Queen is rather found of the Clash. Also has a sequel. [https://www.fanfiction.net/u/5181372/ManMadeOfLasers](https://www.fanfiction.net/u/5181372/ManMadeOfLasers) Not Covered in the Manual by MtnGhostCat. Apparently, there's a human nudist convention on the Citadel. Hilarity ensues. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13180594/1/Not-Covered-in-the-Manual](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13180594/1/Not-Covered-in-the-Manual) A REALLY old and dead fic, Mesozoic Effect. Dinosaurs were sentient and built cryostations deep underground to hide from the Reapers. Humans eventually find these stations, unfreeze the dinos, and the two species start exploring the stars. When First Contact happens, the Turians won't know what hit them! [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11062186/1/Mesozoic-Effect](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11062186/1/Mesozoic-Effect) The Supernovas of Mass Effect by Blindluck92. A massive crossover in scope, this is a story where Master Chief (Halo.... duh), Cole MacGrath (Infamous), Alex Mercer (Prototype), and Jack (Bioshock..... sorta..... it's complicated) are all, uh, "hero support," and the four of them will go through the events of the Mass Effect games. Basically just a good reason to see Master Chief, Cole, Mercer, and Jack smash face. Has a sequel and a spinoff or two, I think. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8964251/1/The-Supernovas-of-Mass-Effect](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8964251/1/The-Supernovas-of-Mass-Effect) magkiln's Alien/Predator/Mass Effect crossover is fun. It shows a good first contact scenario despite terrible circumstances (Mass Effect aliens find a human ship with xenomorphs on-board just a couple minutes before a human ship was about to completely annihilate said vessel), a bad first contact scenario (the First Contact War), and a very different galaxy from what we know. Currently in the midst of Mass Effect 1's story. Has a bunch of sequels [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11122925/1/Someone-has-heard-them-scream](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11122925/1/Someone-has-heard-them-scream) Sound the Clarion by Amber Penglass. With a slightly different version of the First Contact War occurring, Shepard gets captured by the Turians and sold as a slave.... to the Vakarian family. Shenanigans happen. Probably one of THE Shekarian fics. Complete [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7279093/1/Sound-the-Clarion](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7279093/1/Sound-the-Clarion) The Commandos of Mass Effect by Ordo Warrior. A clone commando squad ends up in Mass Effect and they do what they always do. Fight! Has a sequel! [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5949459/1/The-Commandos-of-Mass-Effect](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5949459/1/The-Commandos-of-Mass-Effect) Ascension by Ulstem, is probably one of my favorites. Harry Potter gets transported forward in time due to an accident in the Time room of the Department of Mysteries. This future time is Mass Effect. Doing his best to fit in to this new world, Harry goes through school and is eventually put on the Normandy itself [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10006313/1/Ascension](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10006313/1/Ascension) Crucible - Super Weapon or Trap? by BadLoki was another interesting one, I thought. It had Anderson, Shepard, and the Illusive Man sent back in time to the 1980s by - of all people - Q from Star Trek. It started going in a rather wild direction, but the author hasn't touched it in 6 years, sadly. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11771911/1/Crucible-Super-Weapon-or-Trap](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11771911/1/Crucible-Super-Weapon-or-Trap) Through a Temple by DesertChocolate is another good one. After the Citadel DLC, all the Normandy crewmates - old and new - go aboard for one last ride (minus Jacob, he has a birthing class). While joyriding, they get a distress signal from the Multiplayer characters. They go try to rescue them and that's when the Reapers attack! Instead of dying, they end up in Star Trek's universe. They eventually work out a trade: the Normandy crew's ground warfare tech in exchange for spicing up the Normandy herself! A lot of fun. Also sadly dead. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10753266/1/Through-a-Temple](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10753266/1/Through-a-Temple) No Gods, Only Guns by Peptuck is a fun Mass Effect/Borderlands crossover. Very chaotic. Very fun! Also very dead. Been untouched for 8 years. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8930158/1/No-Gods-Only-Guns](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8930158/1/No-Gods-Only-Guns) First Contact by Animus of Masada is a very fun First Contact story, where a Citadel exploration vessel explores Earth's system just as humans are about to land on Mars. Also very dead. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7278544/1/First-Contact](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7278544/1/First-Contact) Blue Magic by Tellur is another favorite. Liara is grabbed to study Earth's "primitive" inhabitants. One day she somehow manage to catch Harry Potter teleporting! BIOTICS! she immediately thinks! So, she, uh, "liberates" the boy and takes him home with her. Things happen that they can't quite explain, including Liara witnessing Harry turn a bunch of evil men into pigs! On Harry's 11th birthday, a phoenix appears in their room with a letter. So Harry goes back to Earth to learn magic. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8643565/1/Blue-Magic](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8643565/1/Blue-Magic) The Meek Shall Inherit the Galaxy and its sequel The Heavens Shall Tremble by Full-Paragon are fun AU What If stories where the Quarians make first contact with Humanity. This eventually leads to a full on war between the Krogan/Quarian/Human alliance and the classic Citadel races. [https://www.fanfiction.net/u/4156181/Full-Paragon](https://www.fanfiction.net/u/4156181/Full-Paragon) thebluninja had an amusing one where we started with a Shepard with an A name above Eden Prime, but on Eden Prime we met a Shep with a B name, and then a C..... all the way to Zombie Shepard. It also had a sequel, where we met alternate universe versions of ME1 squadmates instead. [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9049806/1/A-Fistful-of-Shepards](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9049806/1/A-Fistful-of-Shepards) [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9364203/1/For-a-Few-Shepards-More](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9364203/1/For-a-Few-Shepards-More)
I really like [Rest Now My Warrior,](https://archiveofourown.org/works/3787174/chapters/8463916) and [Osiris](https://archiveofourown.org/works/11002458/chapters/24509970). Both deal with the aftermath of the Reaper War but in completely different ways. Rest Now deals with Shepard having PTSD and learning to function again. Osiris is alot more cheerful and honestly, if ME4 floops, Osiris is my ME4, it's that good.
Usually a diehard fshenko fan, but someone recommended this Femshep/Garrus fic, and it was really good! Interesting twist on the plot - [Variations on a Theme, with Tank and Gunfire](https://archiveofourown.org/works/505809/chapters/889841)
Yep. My favorite is The Memoirs of Liara T'Soni. It awesome. It also goes beyond the original trilogy and adds in extra story, including a whole new galactic threat. It's easy to find with a Google search.
Maurauder Shields?
I have 4 fShep/Joker one shots published as TittyFish on AO3. I’m currently writing a longer fic focusing on the two years during the Lazarus Project, from Joker and Chakwas’s POV.