Yahoo Forum Archive

Post-WOTR
Hob4-4: Beyond the Havens by jodancingtree

This was one of the very first FF's I ever read. I was surprised
and overwhelmed by the fact that jodancingtree is the only author
so far who managed to blend christian faith open and clearly
expressed into a beautifully written Tolkien-FF. Her idea that
Frodo should experience his redemption from grief and guilt
through a direct encounter with the Son of Ilúvatar is thrilling and
deeply moving at the same time. If you add the fact that this is a
masterful tale, describing Frodo's time together with Sam in Tol
Eressëa in shining colours, and if you see all the exquisite
details and the truly heartbreaking end, it is no wonder that this
is and will always be one of my favorite tales in Tolkien
Fanfiction.




Post-WOTR
Hob4-11: Reckoning by Aratlithiel

What would Frodo have done if Gollum hadn't taken the ring at
the end of the Quest? For many, many readers this has been
one of the main questions in LOTR, and in Aratlithiels amazing
story it is asked again, mainly by Merry; he isn't able to deal with
the loss of Frodo and he's still seeking for explanations.
Surprisingly enough it is Sam who offers a piercing comfort:
Frodo would never have come home again to stay anyway… I
love this tale deeply; it is clever, wise, heartbreaking, bitter and in
a strange way soothing and comforting, all the same. Masterly
written, with deep love and astonishing insight… simply
wonderful.



Pre-WotR
HobPW4: Legacy by Anglachel

This Fic was recommended to me, and I gave it a rather
hesitating try, but I didn't regret it for a single moment. This is the
best portrayal of Bilbo Baggins ever – strong, clever, loving and
caring, and one of the most haunting and thrilling tales I know.
Bilbo comes to Brandy Hall to find out if Frodo is well, and he
discovers some things that are shocking and horrible. Anglachel
manages to describe a detailed hobbit-society, difficult and even
dangerous relationships (yes, there are hobbit-villains, and
folks, they are MEAN!), and her story of love, hate, abuse and
mistreat is so strong that it still takes my breath away. I will for
good reason translate it into german to give more readers the
chance to be as amazed as I was when I read it for the very first
time.



Pre-WotR
HobPW8: The Shaping of Samwise by Jodancingtree

This story is "sweet" in the best sense of the word. Sam starts
working as a gardener in Bag End when his father gets some
health problems, and he tries to improve work by using tubes to
water the garden. But his sworn enemy, Ted Sandyman, takes
this opportunity to take revenge for a proper earful he was given
by Sam, and suddenly Bag End is full of water, Sam seems to be
an idiot, his job is lost and no one wants to believe that the
whole mess wasn't his fault at all… except Frodo, of course, and
this is the beginning of a legendary friendship. This story is told
with deep warmth, great love and by a wonderful author who
seems to know the Shire as if she was living there. Lovely, wise,
thrilling and moving!


Hob11: Sam's Rose by jodancingtree

A nearly novel-length story from Rosie's POV – amazingly
detailed, insightful and clever. The tale begins pre-quest and
ends shortly after Frodo has left for the Grey Havens. Everything
rings true, and jodancingtree's Rose is a treasure… strong,
wise and with a great heart… a shining proof what a character
can be in Fanfiction if only the author takes Tolkien for serious,
and jodancingtree does. It is thrilling to read about the hard
times when Frodo and Sam were gone, and about the rime after
the Ring War – when Rosie finds out that Frodo will go into the
West. Amazingly good!


HobA2: Anglachel

Great author with astonishing imagination and courage, making
the hobbits "real" and making them believable in a haunting and
sometimes painful way.


HobA3: Aratlithiel
Reckoning

She manages both, humor and drama, and both equally
masterful. With a richness of language, deep feelings and
wonderful understanding she brings ME to Life in an absolutely
unique way.


HobA14: Jodancingtree
Beyond the Havens, Drunkard of Bag End, The Shaping of
Samwise, Sam's Rose

I've voted for nearly all of her stories, and with good reason. She
writes with unerring love, great insight and wonderful details,
and her Frodo is priceless… a shining creature, risen from
horrible torture and redeemed to wisdom and a quiet strength.
Simply great, each single story, and more than that: most of
them can be guides through dark times, promising hope and a
good ending despite all failure. She is one of the best writers I
know, and not only in Fanfiction.