Observations on Sentinels and Guides and Victorian London

[annariel]

Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (2009) - though frankly I think you could pick your Holmes canon of choice for this since it is an AU - and The Sentinel
Rating: Teen and Up
Characters/Pairings: Holmes/Watson
Length: 89,181 words





What is this?: This is an absolute world-building tour-de-force which takes both Holmes canon and the basic idea behind The Sentinel TV series and spins them off into something entirely original and completely engrossing. Sherlock Holmes is a Sentinel and, of course, a sentinel's heightened senses make complete sense of Holmes hyper-observational abilities and also fit well with the slow motion style of much of Ritchie's filmography. But this isn't a world where Sentinel's are rare (as is implied in The Sentinel TV series) but one where they are commonplace and London is full of them, all governed in a rigid Victorian hierarchy. Sherlock would be the alpha of the London pride only he has refused to bond with a guide, leaving the Sentinel organisation vulnerable and faction-ridden. Then newly awakened guide, John Watson, arrives in London. He is untrained and inexperienced and far older than guides normally are when they become active. While Watson struggles within the machinations and manipulations of the London pride, darker forces are at work. Holmes and Watson gradually become aware of each other, but people and events are all conspiring to prevent them meeting, let alone bonding.

I don't think knowledge of either canon is really needed to enjoy this story. Though you will have fun spotting references to Holmes canon, especially A Study in Scarlet, if you have read Conan-Doyle.

Observations on Sentinels and Guides in Victorian London by RyuuzaKochou