Reader’s Picks: Mirror
I enjoy stories structured around dialogue and I have a soft spot for dialog-only conversation pieces. I enjoy novelty and stories structured around incremental changes since I enjoy the journey more than the destination. I also enjoy the rare story where things escalate out of control because of either self-modifications going off the rails or because of the avenues of control going both ways.
I try to read all introductory stories by new authors. That can be a lot, so when I skim I make sure to read the dialogue, since I believe a good story should be able to stand on its dialogue.
I’ve read a lot of sex scenes over the years so I tend to find them boring. Sex is best mentioned in ing, like someone having a firm handshake.
One of my favorite themes is an idle comment being able to completely change somebody’s reality, which is what I’ve picked out below. Recommendations are sorted by author based on the author’s tendency to use standard mind control vs outright reality warping.
With Meleva, it’s the mind control itself that’s the focus rather than being a means to an end. It’s refreshing! Meleva’s works are all generally grounded in a shared fantasy universe. Pact is a bit darker than the usual standard.
Interstitial’s stories have a philosophical bent that appeals to me, and that I haven’t found elsewhere in the archive, often with emotional overtones or payoffs that I also don’t see elsewhere. This recommendation is off theme but well deserved.
The Limits series is Pan’s magnum opus and my favorite work in the archive. A slow burn of pushing people past their limits. Incest, although the incest actually happening is the end condition for the story. I would also recommend Pan’s shorter works, e.g. Torrid Tales and Sexy Shorts.
Limerick has many, many great works, but it’s the Obedience Virus series that has my favorites. This recommendation could easily have been for any of the other stories in this series, they’re all great. Honorable mentions for Retail and Nice to Men which are not in this series but which are on theme.
Flexies: Mia and the 7:15 by Donny
An unsequeled introduction to the archive that leaves longing in its wake.
I Beg to Differ by Downing Street
A classic by an esteemed author with many other great works.
Vanessa’s Voice: Brain Fucked By Phone by VWscribble
The Vanessa’s Voice series is a personal highlight on the archive. VWScribble does a great job of having characters be just a bit unsure of things after being mind-fucked. It lends itself to the feeling that reality is melting away at the seams and makes things more interesting than the same story with completely oblivious characters.
The Fiend’s Tongue by Ice Bear
This story is more fantastical than Ice Bear’s other works. In general I prefer Ice Bear’s more grounded stories but it’s the complete lack of subtlety here that makes this story a highlight. This recommendation would instead be for one of Ice Bear’s earlier works, but unfortunately Upstairoids is no longer available in the archive.
I Know You Better Than I Know Myself by TheWeaver
This is a general recommendation to check out TheWeaver. By rights I should instead be recommending a story from either the Choose Your Own Transformation or Mad Libby series, but I’m drawn to this story because of its mechanic and the potential it has.
The Infinity Device by Barker Tree
With Barker Tree, it’s the process that’s the focus rather than being a means to an end. It’s refreshing! Barker Tree’s stories are sadly unfinished.