Labyrinth/Fanfic Recs
Proof that the remaining 10% is worth dying for here.
These are recommendations made by Tropers for Labyrinth fanfics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic of your own to the list, but remember to use the template found here.
You can also add to the current recommendations if you want. Refrain from posting Conversation in the Main Page though; that goes in the discussion page.
Authors and Websites
Anything by Lixxle
- Recommended by Rabid Cookie
- Second by Elenor
- She does really good humor and romance. Comes down much heavier on humor but does have enough romance to satisfy most J/S shippers.
Stories by PaisleyRose
- Recommended by Elenor
- She does romance. More serious stories, some a little dark, but all of them different.
Stories by Subtilior
- Recommended by Elenor
- For people craving the darker stories. Mostly Jareth/Sarah, well, not romance though they do end up together after a fashion.
Stories by K.L. Morgan
- Recommended by notquiteanonymous
- Wonderful Labyrinth writer who focuses primarily on J/S; focuses more on romance and adventure than humor, great if you're looking for something long. Most of her fics are not for kiddies.
Stories by Kadasa Mori
- Recommended by Arya Daeriel
- Kadasa does mostly romance (J/S) and humorous fics, but her fic Heal Me, Hurt Me and it's sequel can be on the darker side in some chapters.
General Fics
Stories focused on the family and the friendly relationships of the cast. Plot-focused stories or light day-in-the-life stories. Pretty much anything that isn't focused on romance.
Beltane Night by Tara1189
- Recommended by Yessiika
- Pairing(s): Jareth/Sarah (though most decidedly NOT fluffy)
- Synopsis: The eve of Sarah's twenty-first birthday falls on the night of Beltane... a night when the borders between the physical and magical world become blurred, and a certain Goblin King reappears with an offer to renew, and won't be taking no for an answer...
- Comments: One of the best fanfics this troper has ever stumbled upon. It features a strong-willed, believable Sarah (one who isn't totally derailed into the author's Mary Sue or else completely flanderized) and a truly antagonistic Jareth. A little short (with only three well-lengthed chapters) but superbly written, with some beautiful Greek and Celtic mythology nods, and featuring a plot-twist you'll never expect.
- Seconded. All of her Labyrinth fic is superbly written with believable characterization and lots of mythology nods.
Dangerous Gifts by SG Cbearclub (This fic is rated M for Sexual Situations, Suggestive Themes, Violence, and mild-language.)
- Recommended by Fenro
- Pairing(s): Jareth/Sarah and SS/HG (This story is het).
- Synopsis: Snape never asked to be rescued. Sarah never asked for magic. Jareth doesn't generally ask, period. The Ministry should have remembered that, back when they assumed they won the Goblin Wars. Nothing is ever what it seems. The story takes place post movie.
- Comments: This is a crossover with Harry Potter. There is a lot of Sarah/Snape interaction, but my most favored part, is the interactions between Jareth/Snape. There's a bit of role reversal, that adds out of character variety to the story. One thing that was brought to my attention, was that I needed to do a bit of research on mythology in order to fully comprehend the story. The story seems to be in-progress.
A Forfeit of Dreams by klmorgan (This fic is rated M for mild language and character death.)
- Recommended by notquiteanonymous
- Pairing(s): Jareth/Sarah.
- Synopsis: If you had a second chance, would you take it? If you had a choice, would you do the right thing? And if you had a dream... what would you give to make it come true?
- Comments: Absolutely wonderful story, where Sarah must return to the Labyrinth in order to rescue a friend; but she's grown older and has changed quite a bit, and it's only natural that the Labyrinth must adapt as well. K.L. Morgan is a fantastic Labyrinth fic writer, and her story has a way of just sucking you in with its beautifully written scenes. I adored the interactions between Sarah and Jareth. She has a few OC's, but they are realistic and don't dominate the plot.
A Picture of Sarah by Tweetybirdalpha
- Recommended by Mariecat
- Pairing(s): Jareth/Sarah
- Synopsis: Jareth, the Goblin King, finally tracks Sarah down after two years on the run. Now, in order to rescue her family and friends, she must risk everything she is and might be in a battle of wits and creativity. It's back to the Labyrinth for one last show!
- Comments: Extremely well written, this fic focuses more on the relationships between the characters and their motivations than your normal Labyrinth fare. That isn't to say that the plot is basic, it's fast paced and very creative, and it really does feel like a second trip to the Labyrinth with all the oddity and humor of the original film. Characterization is spot on and the character development is some of the best I've seen in any fan fiction. You really get to know these characters the deeper you go. And well, I won't ruin you, but there are many reasons that this fic is defiantly worth checking out! Complete.
- It's so-so.
Welcome to Hell by Scattered Logic
- Recommended by Elenor
- Pairing(s): Jareth/Sarah
- Synopsis: Better to reign in hell, than serve in heav'n.
- Comments: Interesting fic that dives into the warning from Hoggle, "You know your problem? You take too much for granted. Take this labyrinth. Even if you reach the center, you'll never get out again."
Her Kingdom as Great by Marble Glove
- Recommended by Elenor
- Synopsis: What’s said is said, and Sarah said, “My Will is as Strong as Yours and my Kingdom as Great.”
- Comments: Eventually Jareth/Sarah, but more implied than anything. Focuses more on her last words.
Tokens of Affection by Shinku
- Recommended by Elenor
- Pairings: Jareth/Sarah
- Synopsis: A few months after the events of Labyrinth, Sarah contacts Jareth again with a letter sent via goblin. They communicate back and forth and eventually start courting. Unfortunately, just as things are being healed between them, a bully at Sarah's school goes completely psychotic, and a surprise visit from a family member has Jareth going through some of the painful things in his past.
- Comments: Very well written. The reconciliation between Jareth and Sarah did seem a bit fast to me, but the story's main focus is really on how the couple helps each other in times of trial. The author did an excellent job in creating backstories that were believable for both characters, and her OC's are well-developed and interesting. Plus, she adds a little bit of Flower Language to each chapter, which contributes to Jareth and Sarah's old-time courting dynamic and is really cool besides that.
In a Glass, Darkly by Subtilior
- Recommended by Andi Nightshade
- Pairings: Jareth/Sarah... to an extent.
- Synopsis: Dr. Sarah Williams, psychiatrist, wants fiercely to succeed. A tormented patient, Aaron Cohen, wants only to sleep. But they have something in common ... and that something wants nothing less than Sarah herself.
- Comments: Amazing story, but really very dark. Horror/Supernatural for a reason. I loved it, and read it one and a half times, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't like their Jareth evil. Subtilior's an amazing writer, but she really does love Evil!Jareth. You've been warned...
Shipping Fics
Stories focused on the romantic relationships between the cast.
As the World Falls Down by The-Flame-Faerie
- Recommended by Marlee Cross
- Pairing: Jareth/Sarah
- Synopsis: Sarah gives Ludo the peach instead of eating it herself. As a result, Ludo is transported to the ballroom scene in place of Sarah.
- Commentary: A very funny oneshot fic.
- Seconded, though it's only really hilarious until about half-way through, until it becomes dominated by OC's.
- One scene featuring one OC is hardly 'dominated'.
- Seconded, though it's only really hilarious until about half-way through, until it becomes dominated by OC's.
An Illusion, a Shadow, a Story by Scattered Logic
- Recommended by Elenor
- Pairing: Jareth/Sarah
- Synopsis: On the eve of her 20th birthday, Sarah learns she's not the only girl to encounter Jareth, nor is she the only girl to defeat him.
- Commentary: A different Sarah/Jareth get together with a twist at the end, sneaky Fey. "What is life? An illusion, a shadow, a story, And the greatest good is little enough: for all life is a dream, and dreams themselves are only dreams." — Pedro Calderon de la Barca
Shards of a Dream by Subtilior
- Recommended by Elenor
- Pairing: Jareth/Sarah
- Synopsis:Going to a dance in the underground can be risky. But Sarah's friends aren't human and know the rules. They'll look out for her, so what does she have to fear? Unless of course she decides to ask the Goblin King for a dance.
- Commentary: References to sex in the last chapter, nothing explicit, but not good for kiddies. "Her friends had warned her, and had told her the stories: the smallest favor taken unawares – and body or soul could be lost… They had never told her a story of someone who lost both. But, then, she had never asked. Instead, she introduced him to her friends. And the story was set, from that point on."
The King & the Girl by Foxtoast
- Recommended by Nausicaa Of The Spirits
- Pairing: Jareth/Sarah
- Synopsis: Sarah is forced to return to the Labyrinth for another round, this time for her own life.
- Comments: Quite a good read, although there's a bit of sensuality here and there, as well as implied sex towards the end.
Fan Webcomics
Girls Next Door by Pika-la-Cynique
- Recommended by Wellinever
- Pairing: Jareth/Sarah, Raoul/Christine (The Erik/Christine ship is officially sunk)
- Synopsis: In a small flat somewhere on the outskirts of metafiction Sarah has moved in with soprano and proffessional Prima Donna, Christine Daae after her old roomate couldn't handle the constant attention Sarah recieved from a certain sparklely stalker. Bizarrely enough Christine can relate. And more bizarrely still said stalkers are renting the flat directly below them.
- Commentary: Cross-overs upon cross-overs upon cross-overs. Mainly a Phantom of the Opera/Labyrinth. You'll laugh you'll cry it'll change your life. (Has a Trope page)