Yahoo Forum Archive

We haven't been posting Final Author Reviews to this group until now. So, this first time, it will take a couple posts. There are 280 as of this evening.

Author: amebrindra · ID: 138 · Genres: Drama (includes Angst) (135): General
Reviewer: Legorfilinde · 2005-06-19 21:05:32


It has been said that some writers torture their characters and some torture their readers. Amebrindra certainly falls into the latter category. The intensity of her emotional writing sweeps you up into the drama of her characters' lives and before you even realize what has happened, you feel their pain, their agony, their love, their joy and their deepest, darkest hidden thoughts. She has the ability to make her characters come alive with a reality that is staggering. They seem so real in fact that you might believe they lived right next door and that you have known them all your life. Her very talented, imaginative and creative writing gives you insight into the thoughts, emotions and personality of each player in her story; even minor characters are vibrant and memorable. The story she weaves is addictive. She will make you cry and leave you begging for more. If you have not read anything Amebrindra has written, you must make it a point to read one of her stories; or better yet, her complete story arc. You will not be disappointed. What are you waiting for? Go read...
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Author: tyellas · ID: 155 · Races/Places: Elves (66): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 15:53:32
Tyellas has a real skill for world-building that I have only seen even approached by one other writer: Zimraphel. And that's a good thing because she writes the First and Second Age, where realistic world-building is so important. What's more than that, though, I have yet to see Tyellas try to write a genre where she has not completely blown me away. I laugh until it hurts at her humour, sit up straight and take notice at her drama, am aroused by her moments of romance.

The thing that truly astounds me, though, is that when I read about a certain character I come away knowing about much more than that particular character. Take "Magweth Pengolod" for instance. Soup makes a comment about how the apprentice down the street (who we never meet) is often beaten by his master, though Aelfwine never beats Soup. In this brief comment Tyellas conveys an incredible amount about the relationship between Numenorean apprentices and their masters. (I gather that Aelfwine and Soup are a little abnormal in this respect, because of Aelfwine's age and lameness.) For these reasons and many others, I always find Tyellas' works incredibly absorbing and always a good read.
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Author: tyellas · ID: 155 · Books/Time: The Hobbit (22): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 16:00:04
Tyellas has a real skill for world-building that I have only seen even approached by one other writer: Zimraphel. And that's a good thing because she writes the First and Second Age, where realistic world-building is so important. What's more than that, though, I have yet to see Tyellas try to write a genre where she has not completely blown me away. I laugh until it hurts at her humour, sit up straight and take notice at her drama, am aroused by her moments of romance.

The thing that truly astounds me, though, is that when I read about a certain character I come away knowing about much more than that particular character. Take "Magweth Pengolod" for instance. Soup makes a comment about how the apprentice down the street (who we never meet) is often beaten by his master, though Aelfwine never beats Soup. In this brief comment Tyellas conveys an incredible amount about the relationship between Numenorean apprentices and their masters. (I gather that Aelfwine and Soup are a little abnormal in this respect, because of Aelfwine's age and lameness.) For these reasons and many others, I always find Tyellas' works incredibly absorbing and always a good read.
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Author: tyellas · ID: 155 · Books/Time: The Silmarillion (67): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 16:08:56
Tyellas has a real skill for world-building that I have only seen even approached by one other writer: Zimraphel. And that's a good thing because she writes the First and Second Age, where realistic world-building is so important. What's more than that, though, I have yet to see Tyellas try to write a genre where she has not completely blown me away. I laugh until it hurts at her humour, sit up straight and take notice at her drama, am aroused by her moments of romance.

The thing that truly astounds me, though, is that when I read about a certain character I come away knowing about much more than that particular character. Take "Magweth Pengolod" for instance. Soup makes a comment about how the apprentice down the street (who we never meet) is often beaten by his master, though Aelfwine never beats Soup. In this brief comment Tyellas conveys an incredible amount about the relationship between Numenorean apprentices and their masters. (I gather that Aelfwine and Soup are a little abnormal in this respect, because of Aelfwine's age and lameness.) For these reasons and many others, I always find Tyellas' works incredibly absorbing and always a good read.
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Author: tyellas · ID: 155 · Genres: Non-Fiction (23): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 16:11:27
Tyellas has a real skill for world-building that I have only seen even approached by one other writer: Zimraphel. And that's a good thing because she writes the First and Second Age, where realistic world-building is so important. What's more than that, though, I have yet to see Tyellas try to write a genre where she has not completely blown me away. I laugh until it hurts at her humour, sit up straight and take notice at her drama, am aroused by her moments of romance.

The thing that truly astounds me, though, is that when I read about a certain character I come away knowing about much more than that particular character. Take "Magweth Pengolod" for instance. Soup makes a comment about how the apprentice down the street (who we never meet) is often beaten by his master, though Aelfwine never beats Soup. In this brief comment Tyellas conveys an incredible amount about the relationship between Numenorean apprentices and their masters. (I gather that Aelfwine and Soup are a little abnormal in this respect, because of Aelfwine's age and lameness.) For these reasons and many others, I always find Tyellas' works incredibly absorbing and always a good read.
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Author: tyellas · ID: 155 · Genres: Humor (85): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 16:14:53
Tyellas has a real skill for world-building that I have only seen even approached by one other writer: Zimraphel. And that's a good thing because she writes the First and Second Age, where realistic world-building is so important. What's more than that, though, I have yet to see Tyellas try to write a genre where she has not completely blown me away. I laugh until it hurts at her humour, sit up straight and take notice at her drama, am aroused by her moments of romance.

The thing that truly astounds me, though, is that when I read about a certain character I come away knowing about much more than that particular character. Take "Magweth Pengolod" for instance. Soup makes a comment about how the apprentice down the street (who we never meet) is often beaten by his master, though Aelfwine never beats Soup. In this brief comment Tyellas conveys an incredible amount about the relationship between Numenorean apprentices and their masters. (I gather that Aelfwine and Soup are a little abnormal in this respect, because of Aelfwine's age and lameness.) For these reasons and many others, I always find Tyellas' works incredibly absorbing and always a good read.
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Author: AngelsFall · ID: 353 · Genres: Humor (85): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 18:50:54
I think "Of Elvish Equitation and the High King's Horse" is the first piece I've read by this author (I may have read one other, but I think I may be confusing AngelsFall and AngelQueen). She has a strong sense of style and comedic timing, and I am left wanting to go find more of her stuff.
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Author: Tom Fairbairn · ID: 371 · Genres: Adventure (13): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 19:14:19
Tom Fairbairn does a particularly good job of portraying how non-hobbits relate to hobbits. He's one of those authors who I would like to read more of his stories.
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Author: Tom Fairbairn · ID: 371 · Genres: Movie-verse (21): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 19:18:55
Tom Fairbairn does a particularly good job of portraying how non-hobbits relate to hobbits. He's one of those authors who I would like to read more of his stories.
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Author: AngieT · ID: 458 · Genres: Humor (85): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 19:59:30
AngieT is good at telling the quieter moments with hobbits. Her pieces are not quite fluff, but also far from angst. Most especially I like her skilla t characterisation, especially hobbits. Based on the two examples I have read here. I would say that I like her Merry best of all.
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Author: AngieT · ID: 458 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 20:04:23
AngieT is good at telling the quieter moments with hobbits. Her pieces are not quite fluff, but also far from angst. Most especially I like her skilla t characterisation, especially hobbits. Based on the two examples I have read here. I would say that I like her Merry best of all.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 21:24:14
There are many authors out there whose drabbles I admire. But Ann often takes my breath away because she rarely writes anything else. When I read a drabble, for example, about Gwynnyd's Aragorn, I am able to read Gwynnyd's longer stories about him to fill in a few of the grey spaces around the edge of the moment she has painted. The drabble can stand on its own without knowing the other works, but it suddenly becomes fuller. What amazes me about Ann is that she has almost as rich a world, without these longer pieces to draw from! This is a truly spectacular gift, and she uses it to good effect. I always look forward to seeing her drabble stories updated.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Races/Places: Gondor (79): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 21:25:45
There are many authors out there whose drabbles I admire. But Ann often takes my breath away because she rarely writes anything else. When I read a drabble, for example, about Gwynnyd's Aragorn, I am able to read Gwynnyd's longer stories about him to fill in a few of the grey spaces around the edge of the moment she has painted. The drabble can stand on its own without knowing the other works, but it suddenly becomes fuller. What amazes me about Ann is that she has almost as rich a world, without these longer pieces to draw from! This is a truly spectacular gift, and she uses it to good effect. I always look forward to seeing her drabble stories updated.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Books/Time: The Lord of The Rings (111): Drabble
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 21:28:42
There are many authors out there whose drabbles I admire. But Ann often takes my breath away because she rarely writes anything else. When I read a drabble, for example, about Gwynnyd's Aragorn, I am able to read Gwynnyd's longer stories about him to fill in a few of the grey spaces around the edge of the moment she has painted. The drabble can stand on its own without knowing the other works, but it suddenly becomes fuller. What amazes me about Ann is that she has almost as rich a world, without these longer pieces to draw from! This is a truly spectacular gift, and she uses it to good effect. I always look forward to seeing her drabble stories updated.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Races/Places: Gondor (79): Drabble
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 21:37:17
There are many authors out there whose drabbles I admire. But Ann often takes my breath away because she rarely writes anything else. When I read a drabble, for example, about Gwynnyd's Aragorn, I am able to read Gwynnyd's longer stories about him to fill in a few of the grey spaces around the edge of the moment she has painted. The drabble can stand on its own without knowing the other works, but it suddenly becomes fuller. What amazes me about Ann is that she has almost as rich a world, without these longer pieces to draw from! This is a truly spectacular gift, and she uses it to good effect. I always look forward to seeing her drabble stories updated.
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Author: Anoriath · ID: 354 · Books/Time: Gap-Filler (58): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-04 18:41:56
Anoriath is good at writing gap-fillers. In her works I see glimpses of her characters (original and canonical) going about relatively mundane day-to-day business, and I like what I have read by her.
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Author: Anoriath · ID: 354 · Genres: Romance (72): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-04 18:43:15
Anoriath is good at writing gap-fillers. In her works I see glimpses of her characters (original and canonical) going about relatively mundane day-to-day business, and I like what I have read by her.
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Author: Anoriath · ID: 354 · Races/Places: Men (31): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-04 18:45:42
Anoriath is good at writing gap-fillers. In her works I see glimpses of her characters (original and canonical) going about relatively mundane day-to-day business, and I like what I have read by her.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Races/Places: Men (31): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:27:52
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Races/Places: Elves (66): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:28:51
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:29:52
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Genres: Movie-verse (21): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:31:12
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Genres: Humor (85): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:32:07
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Genres: Drama (includes Angst) (135): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:33:07
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Books/Time: The Lord of The Rings (111): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:34:32
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:36:27
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Books/Time: Gap-Filler (58): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:37:18
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Genres: Drama (includes Angst) (135): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 23:32:25
There are many authors out there whose drabbles I admire. But Ann often takes my breath away because she rarely writes anything else. When I read a drabble, for example, about Gwynnyd's Aragorn, I am able to read Gwynnyd's longer stories about him to fill in a few of the grey spaces around the edge of the moment she has painted. The drabble can stand on its own without knowing the other works, but it suddenly becomes fuller. What amazes me about Ann is that she has almost as rich a world, without these longer pieces to draw from! This is a truly spectacular gift, and she uses it to good effect. I always look forward to seeing her drabble stories updated.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Genres: Romance (72): Drabble
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 23:34:14
There are many authors out there whose drabbles I admire. But Ann often takes my breath away because she rarely writes anything else. When I read a drabble, for example, about Gwynnyd's Aragorn, I am able to read Gwynnyd's longer stories about him to fill in a few of the grey spaces around the edge of the moment she has painted. The drabble can stand on its own without knowing the other works, but it suddenly becomes fuller. What amazes me about Ann is that she has almost as rich a world, without these longer pieces to draw from! This is a truly spectacular gift, and she uses it to good effect. I always look forward to seeing her drabble stories updated.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Races/Places: Rohan (37): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-09 02:09:06
Thevina Finduilas has a real sense of humour in her stories. They're not humour, but there's usually a sense of humour (or perhaps just a strong sense of humanity) in all of her stories. It's not as wry as the humour I love in Thundera's story, but it's great fun. Beyond that, she probably writes the best characterisation of dwarves, and consistently, of any other author I have read.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Races/Places: Gondor (79): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-09 02:09:55
Thevina Finduilas has a real sense of humour in her stories. They're not humour, but there's usually a sense of humour (or perhaps just a strong sense of humanity) in all of her stories. It's not as wry as the humour I love in Thundera's story, but it's great fun. Beyond that, she probably writes the best characterisation of dwarves, and consistently, of any other author I have read.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Races/Places: Dwarves (13): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-09 02:10:51
Thevina Finduilas has a real sense of humour in her stories. They're not humour, but there's usually a sense of humour (or perhaps just a strong sense of humanity) in all of her stories. It's not as wry as the humour I love in Thundera's story, but it's great fun. Beyond that, she probably writes the best characterisation of dwarves, and consistently, of any other author I have read.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-09 02:13:11
Thevina Finduilas has a real sense of humour in her stories. They're not humour, but there's usually a sense of humour (or perhaps just a strong sense of humanity) in all of her stories. It's not as wry as the humour I love in Thundera's story, but it's great fun. Beyond that, she probably writes the best characterisation of dwarves, and consistently, of any other author I have read.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Genres: Humor (85): Poem
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-09 02:13:58
Thevina Finduilas has a real sense of humour in her stories. They're not humour, but there's usually a sense of humour (or perhaps just a strong sense of humanity) in all of her stories. It's not as wry as the humour I love in Thundera's story, but it's great fun. Beyond that, she probably writes the best characterisation of dwarves, and consistently, of any other author I have read.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Books/Time: Gap-Filler (58): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-09 02:15:04
Thevina Finduilas has a real sense of humour in her stories. They're not humour, but there's usually a sense of humour (or perhaps just a strong sense of humanity) in all of her stories. It's not as wry as the humour I love in Thundera's story, but it's great fun. Beyond that, she probably writes the best characterisation of dwarves, and consistently, of any other author I have read.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): General
Reviewer: Sivan Shemesh · 2005-07-10 08:37:30
This story forever remain in my heart as my mind, as god, you have so much powerful in your writing, and you make me cry.

It is damn good writing, as I love your story.

Sivan Shemesh
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Author: Dwimordene · ID: 8 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): Drabble
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2005-07-13 16:48:00
This is great - everything a drabble should be: simple, clear, detailing a simple event, and creating a world and ideas much larger than that. I liked the ending especially, how the author includes Elrond's concern without his ever voicing it.
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Author: Dwimordene · ID: 8 · Races/Places: Hobbits (90): Drabble
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2005-07-13 16:49:39
This is very nice. I can really see Merry taking a moment out from the party for a little quiet reflection, seeing first the somber and then the joyful, with a little chuckle for his friends.
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Author: Dwimordene · ID: 8 · Races/Places: Villains (31): Drabble
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2005-07-13 16:53:57
Wow! This is terrrific ... I continue to be awed by those who can make so little out of so much; not just the 100 word form, but these tiny textual nuggets as well. From that brief mention the author has created an entire world, an entire people who give praise to Sauron, are subject to taxes and conscription. By giving us this glimpse of the enemy, the author has created something noble and surprising.
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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Genres: Drama (includes Angst) (135): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:31:04

Elena Tiriel has a unique voice, greatly under-appreciated and greatly underused. Her work is fun and quirky, - sometimes subtle, sometimes not, but always insightful. Her drama is tender, her humor pointed and her horror conveys delicious shivers up the spine. I would love to see more of her work, an author with her skill always leaves readers, especially this reader, hungry for more.
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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Genres: Humor (85): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:32:38

Elena Tiriel has a unique voice, greatly under-appreciated and greatly underused. Her work is fun and quirky, - sometimes subtle, sometimes not, but always insightful. Her drama is tender, her humor pointed and her horror conveys delicious shivers up the spine. I would love to see more of her work, an author with her skill always leaves readers, especially this reader, hungry for more.
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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:33:22

Elena Tiriel has a unique voice, greatly under-appreciated and greatly underused. Her work is fun and quirky, - sometimes subtle, sometimes not, but always insightful. Her drama is tender, her humor pointed and her horror conveys delicious shivers up the spine. I would love to see more of her work, an author with her skill always leaves readers, especially this reader, hungry for more.
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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Races/Places: Gondor (79): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:33:24

Elena Tiriel has a unique voice, greatly under-appreciated and greatly underused. Her work is fun and quirky, - sometimes subtle, sometimes not, but always insightful. Her drama is tender, her humor pointed and her horror conveys delicious shivers up the spine. I would love to see more of her work, an author with her skill always leaves readers, especially this reader, hungry for more.
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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Races/Places: Villains (31): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:34:19

Elena Tiriel has a unique voice, greatly under-appreciated and greatly underused. Her work is fun and quirky, - sometimes subtle, sometimes not, but always insightful. Her drama is tender, her humor pointed and her horror conveys delicious shivers up the spine. I would love to see more of her work, an author with her skill always leaves readers, especially this reader, hungry for more.
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Author: Marnie · ID: 245 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:51:31
Marnie's Battle of the Golden Wood was the novel length work that hooked me on fanfiction. Surfing endless pages of - in my opinion, less than excellent works - I had almost lost hope of finding the quality reading I was looking for when I stumbled on her Celeborn. Her dedication to her work shows through in her consistency and attention to detail. Her skill is greatest in the depth of her brilliant characterization of individuals and races alike, and in her cleverly woven subplots that make the 'big picture' complete by the end of the story.
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Author: Marnie · ID: 245 · Genres: Crossovers (16): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:52:45
Marnie's Battle of the Golden Wood was the novel length work that hooked me on fanfiction. Surfing endless pages of - in my opinion, less than excellent works - I had almost lost hope of finding the quality reading I was looking for when I stumbled on her Celeborn. Her dedication to her work shows through in her consistency and attention to detail. Her skill is greatest in the depth of her brilliant characterization of individuals and races alike, and in her cleverly woven subplots that make the 'big picture' complete by the end of the story.
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Author: Marnie · ID: 245 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:53:56
Marnie's Battle of the Golden Wood was the novel length work that hooked me on fanfiction. Surfing endless pages of - in my opinion, less than excellent works - I had almost lost hope of finding the quality reading I was looking for when I stumbled on her Celeborn. Her dedication to her work shows through in her consistency and attention to detail. Her skill is greatest in the depth of her brilliant characterization of individuals and races alike, and in her cleverly woven subplots that make the 'big picture' complete by the end of the story.
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Author: Minuialeth · ID: 427 · Genres: Drama (includes Angst) (135): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:58:54
Minuialeth conveys extraordinary depth of insight in her writing, the
emotion and the underlying psychological trauma and conflict come
through strongly. I imagine that many readers, looking for fluff, will
pass this by - at their own great loss. I haven't read many writers,
either in fanfiction or professional, who convey so much complexity
through simplicity.

Minuialeth, - it's only my opinion, so take it for what it's worth,
but I believe you have a real gift. I am dismayed that this hasn't
been finished. I hope it means that you are working on other projects.
I strongly encourage you to continue writing, and especially continue
to pursue education in writing. Stay in touch, I miss hearing from
you. Sulriel.

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Author: Leaward · ID: 222 · Genres: Romance (72): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 15:22:12
Leaward - ahh... ...what to say about Leaward? Little did I imagine, when I first encouraged her, what I would be unleashing. <ducking!> <I mean that in the BEST possible way!> From those first tentative steps - the mind-dulling, brick-wall pounding arguments about passive voice and the importance of the varying depths of detail, personal style versus learned skill, all that talk about knowing the rules before you break them. Am I claiming too much? I hope not, I certainly was not the only one involved, and my nudges this way or that certainly are no reflection or claim on her natural ability and her persistence in improving her skill, to the point that I depend on her critique in my own works. This is, of course, about her, not about me, but please indulge my perspective. It's been a fabulous whirlwind of a journey with no end in sight.

For what I've seen, the growth over the last couple of years - we all have some level of natural ability, creativity and the flow of thoughts into words, Leaward has taken those gifts and worked her happy ...ahh. .. 'tail' off in self-improvement. The study, the books, the classes - a lifetime of learning continues. ... imagine a smith in the armory, pouring the molten steel into the mold, but that's only the first step. The strength comes from the work, the endless folding and pounding and refolding. The strength of dedication in how Leaward has molded her work is clear for all to see in her stand-alones as well as in her series of Dunadan fan-fictions. The characterization is strong and consistent, her heroes are flawed and human in ways that we can identify with, we care about them and what they face. Her subplots are important to the main, the details and description well-used, not only as flavor, but as plotting. Even in a series of fan fictions featuring original characters, her canon is fanatically, dare I say "Historically" accurate, from both a real world and a Middle-earth perspective. While it's easy to join the crowd in reading each new chapter she posts online, I fear I'll have to break a few noses with my elbow in order to be first in line when she comes to town for a book-signing. Should she choose to go that route I have no doubt she'll be successful. -Sulriel (proud to be basking in the shadow!)
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Author: Acacea · ID: 196 · Races/Places: Gondor (79): General
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2005-07-24 16:30:23
This was a wonderfully full story, from the details of gondorian life pre-war and more recently, that the soldier's family experienced loss similarly to the Steward's. A few inflated turns of phrase were a little distracting
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Author: Leaward · ID: 222 · Books/Time: Gap-Filler (58): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-29 21:37:33
Leaward - ahh... ...what to say about Leaward? Little did I imagine, when I first encouraged her, what I would be unleashing. <ducking!> <I mean that in the BEST possible way!> From those first tentative steps - the mind-dulling, brick-wall pounding arguments about passive voice and the importance of the varying depths of detail, personal style versus learned skill, all that talk about knowing the rules before you break them. Am I claiming too much? I hope not, I certainly was not the only one involved, and my nudges this way or that certainly are no reflection or claim on her natural ability and her persistence in improving her skill, to the point that I depend on her critique in my own works. This is, of course, about her, not about me, but please indulge my perspective. It's been a fabulous whirlwind of a journey with no end in sight.

For what I've seen, the growth over the last couple of years - we all have some level of natural ability, creativity and the flow of thoughts into words, Leaward has taken those gifts and worked her happy ...ahh. .. 'tail' off in self-improvement. The study, the books, the classes - a lifetime of learning continues. ... imagine a smith in the armory, pouring the molten steel into the mold, but that's only the first step. The strength comes from the work, the endless folding and pounding and refolding. The strength of dedication in how Leaward has molded her work is clear for all to see in her stand-alones as well as in her series of Dunadan fan-fictions. The characterization is strong and consistent, her heroes are flawed and human in ways that we can identify with, we care about them and what they face. Her subplots are important to the main, the details and description well-used, not only as flavor, but as plotting. Even in a series of fan fictions featuring original characters, her canon is fanatically, dare I say "Historically" accurate, from both a real world and a Middle-earth perspective. While it's easy to join the crowd in reading each new chapter she posts online, I fear I'll have to break a few noses with my elbow in order to be first in line when she comes to town for a book-signing. Should she choose to go that route I have no doubt she'll be successful. -Sulriel (proud to be basking in the shadow!)
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Author: Leaward · ID: 222 · Races/Places: Men (31): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-29 21:38:22
Leaward - ahh... ...what to say about Leaward? Little did I imagine, when I first encouraged her, what I would be unleashing. <ducking!> <I mean that in the BEST possible way!> From those first tentative steps - the mind-dulling, brick-wall pounding arguments about passive voice and the importance of the varying depths of detail, personal style versus learned skill, all that talk about knowing the rules before you break them. Am I claiming too much? I hope not, I certainly was not the only one involved, and my nudges this way or that certainly are no reflection or claim on her natural ability and her persistence in improving her skill, to the point that I depend on her critique in my own works. This is, of course, about her, not about me, but please indulge my perspective. It's been a fabulous whirlwind of a journey with no end in sight.

For what I've seen, the growth over the last couple of years - we all have some level of natural ability, creativity and the flow of thoughts into words, Leaward has taken those gifts and worked her happy ...ahh. .. 'tail' off in self-improvement. The study, the books, the classes - a lifetime of learning continues. ... imagine a smith in the armory, pouring the molten steel into the mold, but that's only the first step. The strength comes from the work, the endless folding and pounding and refolding. The strength of dedication in how Leaward has molded her work is clear for all to see in her stand-alones as well as in her series of Dunadan fan-fictions. The characterization is strong and consistent, her heroes are flawed and human in ways that we can identify with, we care about them and what they face. Her subplots are important to the main, the details and description well-used, not only as flavor, but as plotting. Even in a series of fan fictions featuring original characters, her canon is fanatically, dare I say "Historically" accurate, from both a real world and a Middle-earth perspective. While it's easy to join the crowd in reading each new chapter she posts online, I fear I'll have to break a few noses with my elbow in order to be first in line when she comes to town for a book-signing. Should she choose to go that route I have no doubt she'll be successful. -Sulriel (proud to be basking in the shadow!)
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Author: Nickey · ID: 374 · Genres: Horror (8): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 13:49:53
Party of what makes Nickey's stories so good is an ability to blend things that initially don't seem to fit together. For example, the blending of Merry's capture at the hands of the orcs and the freakshow in the Shire. The two start out with nothing to do with the other (or so it seems) but by the time the fic is done, they've become a single story with enough similarities to thoroughly unnerve a reader. The same thing happens in "The Last Fight." Two stories, both dark, come together to make something bigger and darker. And by coupling these entertwining tales with powerful imagery, Nickey creates a very strong sense of darkness and danger. In turn, that firmly sets the mood (which is essential for any horror story) and gives the reader things to think about afterwards. Very effective storytelling technique.
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Author: Honesty · ID: 284 · Genres: Horror (8): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 14:05:12
Honesty does something very dangerous in this horror story and gets away with it while pulling off spectacular results. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how this was accomplished, and I'd pay gold to know. But however it came about, the sheer amount of visceral, gut-wrenching imagery actually helps the story rather than detracting from it. I think part of the reason is that it becomes the subject of a defining moment for both Legolas and Gimli in the third chapter. And it serves as a very sharp contrast to Legolas's face and eyes in both chapter 2 and 3. It also seems to intensify the psychological strain in the first chapter by acting as a visual comparison. In any case, Honesty was absolutely brilliant in how all the imagery was used and did an amazing job of pulling a creating a very poignant story out of a very dire and graphic situation.
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Author: Mercat · ID: 225 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 17:15:24
Mercat keeps the writing very light in "Prelude," and it's the perfect touch when working with hobbits and elves. Both are often served best by lighter writing, though for different reasons, and it works very well when they're put together. Mercat also does a very good perspective change a little over halfway through. It fit well with the scene break, and offered readers a chance to see Frodo from Legolas's perspective. Very smooth pacing keeps the tone of this story peaceful and soothing, and it's a great mirror for Rivendell itself. Good narrative work.
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Author: LadyAranel · ID: 151 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 17:26:30
Lady Aranel does an amazing job with perspective work in the story "Out of Stone." Gloin was the perfect viewpoint for this tale because the friendship between Legolas and Gimli would come as such a shock to him. The other members of the Fellowship had seen it develop and anyone else (with the possible exception of Thranduil) wouldn't understand just how deep the estrangement between elves and dwarves went. But Gloin does know and this is all very new to him, which gives the friendship itself a very fresh perspective that Lady Aranel capitalizes on well.
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Author: Lamiel · ID: 298 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 17:33:54
I think one of Lamiel's best achievements in this story is pacing. That includes pacing of the narrative as well as pacing of plot developments, in particular the formation of a friendship between Legolas and Gimli. The way these things play off one another, adding tension here or a semblence of peace there, is remarkable, and Lamiel's ability to balance everything that goes on, both with Moria and with a certain elf and dwarf, is nothing short of amazing. It doesn't hurt that characterization is also fantastic.
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Author: Dwimordene · ID: 8 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 18:20:57
Dwimordene's strength in this drabble is her ability to make it point to something else. Drabbles are difficult to work with because they're so short, but if you can get them to allude to a bigger tale (or to many bigger tales) they become more effective. And Dwim does that very well, referencing dwarven reticence to reveal their own ways to outsiders as well as all the events in the Fellowship leading up to Gandalf's death. Dwim accesses a backstory for the drabble that makes it a capstone rather than forcing it to support all of its own weight.
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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 18:26:50
Elena Tiriel does a great job of framing book quotes with introspective drabbles. They add a fullness to the story and offer insight into things that Tolkien only lightly brushed, sometimes providing backstory and sometimes providing moments of realization. It's a great addition to canon, and these drabbles are kept light enough that they fit neatly into whatever is happening within the books. But they're also serious enough to carry the weight of the tale. Very deft touch by the author.
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Author: Tanaqui · ID: 40 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 18:34:26
One of Tanaqui's greatest abilities in drabbling is to capture flashes of insight or realization on the part of various characters. "And There Make a Garden" and "Legacies" are good examples of this. But what I like best about Tanaqui's drabbles is the poetry and how phrases become metaphors for many different things. "Brothers-in-Arms" is probably my favorite because of this, followed closely by "Cruel Caradhras." The ability to pack so much meaning into so few words is remarkable, and I can only shake my head in awe at that ability.
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Author: Lindelea · ID: 27 · Genres: Mystery (6): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 19:45:38
With her mystery story, Lindelea does something that all good mystery writers do: she drops clues ahead of time in such a way that you dont' always see them until you reach the end. It's a difficult thing to do because you have to have a solid outline of the plot, the twist, the characters and the mystery itself so that you can drop seemingly innocuous clues along the way and have them prove relevant later. But Lindelea pulls it off, and by the end of the story, it feels very complete and most of the loose ends have been tied together.
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Author: Dragon · ID: 360 · Genres: Mystery (6): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 19:54:37
Dragon does a fantastic job of writing imagery in the story "Chasing a Song." The setting is so fleshed out that it's almost a charater in its own right, and Dragon uses the setting to hint at things to come. For example, I liked the blood red cliffs that were described as Elrohir was chasing after Maglor. In fact, red was used several times in connection with Maglor, and it became a very subtle and effective way of characterizing an unknown watcher.
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Author: Honesty · ID: 284 · Races/Places: Dwarves (13): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 20:09:53
Honesty laid a host of backstory in the course of this tale, and it's this backstory that really drovethe action because it provided the foundation for the conflict. The differences in culture and customs between evles and dwarves were fascinating, and along with great characterization of both Narvi and Celebrimbor, it made for a very complete story. As an added bonus, Honesty managed to weave the backstory into the plot in such a way that it never became boring or bogged down. And that's difficult to do.
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Author: Erin's Daughter · ID: 366 · Races/Places: Dwarves (13): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 20:16:23
One of the most amazing things that Erin's Daughter does in this piece is characterization, specifically the characterization of a sword. The blade becomes a personality in the mind of the dwarf, and it's such a forceful personality that I can no longer think of it as just a blade. This, in turn, turns some powerful character strokes on our dwarven smith who is so attuned to his work that he can see things that no one else will ever see.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Races/Places: Dwarves (13): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 20:20:20
First person always makes me nervous. You're so firmly entrenched in someone else's head that it's very easy to do something that might be taken out of character. That said, I was blown away by this depiction of Gimli after the fall of the Morannon, and it's due to Thevina's amazing ability to paint a picture of a lost, desperate, battle-weary dwarf from the inside. The reader becomes completely immersed in Gimli's psyche, and his rambling thoughts tell us exactly how tired he is. We see only what he sees and only what he feels, and somehow in the midst of all this, Thevina manages to give the readers a very complete picture of what is happening. This is a great example of how first person should be done.
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Author: Tanaqui · ID: 40 · Races/Places: Dwarves (13): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-05 02:50:33
Tanaqui's use of contrasts in the drabble "From the Eastern Force" makes it unusually powerful. The contrasts of grim faces but true hearts, short-reach but heavy blows, and rock-hard but capable of grief tell a lot about the dwawrves, but also a lot about the elves who are watching them and what they value in allies. Very good double characterization with a single blow.
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Author: Dwimordene · ID: 8 · Races/Places: Dwarves (13): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-05 02:53:10
Dwim's attention to details (for example, the marching of the ranks as they file out of Khazad-dum) gives this drabble a slow, steady pace that is not unlike the dwarves themselves. It's really a great way to establish the tone through narrative pacing, and when Thrain finally comes to make his speech, the reader feels as though the dwarves are ready to move on, even if their hearts are still in Khazad-dum.
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Author: Celandine Brandybuck · ID: 243 · Books/Time: The Hobbit (22): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-08 02:06:20
One of the things that I love most about Celandine as an author is her amazing ability to bring cultures to life. You find it in both "Sheathing Sting" and "The Dragon Gem." Little things that really make a society special are created or expanded upon in both stories, and it's fascinating to see how a society's values shape its people and their attitudes. You get a better sense of the characters, particularly the OCs, when the culture is properly defined, and Celandine does this extremely well.
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Author: daw the minstrel · ID: 176 · Books/Time: The Hobbit (22): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-08 02:11:01
One of Daw's greatest talents lies in her ability to draw together several different plot threads and weave them into a larger story arc. What makes this so powerful is the character development that goes in the various threads, and this development is pounded home once the threads join together again in the end and everyone realizes what everyone else has been through and just how much they've all grown. Beyond that, the action sequences and the tension are all very good, and Daw has a gift for making the OCs fully realized characters in their own right that can stand on their own or enhance canon characters, whatever is required. And that's quite a talent!
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Author: JMac · ID: 383 · Books/Time: The Hobbit (22): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-08 02:16:09
JMac does something truly remarkable in "The Unexpected Homecoming." He successfully builds an epilogue to "The Hobbit" that feels so natural it's difficult to believe that it isn't part of canon. It's an expansion of what Tolkien gave us, taken to a very logical extreme that I can buy whole-heartedly. "The Hobbit" only hints at just how different Bilbo was when he returns home, and while LotR gives us a bit more, it's not the focus of the story. That's why I'm glad for authors like JMac, who can work with the little given to make a fitting conclusion that satisfies just as much as the canon conclusion.
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Author: Regina · ID: 104 · Books/Time: The Hobbit (22): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-08 02:20:45
I really love what Regina's done with the two little vignettes. She's established an OFC who is quirky, loveable, and an amazing match for Legolas. I suppose it helps that this OFC is too old for any serious romantic interest, but even so, I consider it an amazing achievement. And I love the way the two of them play with their relationship. Regina's writing covers the beginning and the end, but there are enough hints of the middle to let the imagination run wild. Brilliant character design. Thank you for such a treat!
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Author: jen_loves_elves · ID: 52 · Books/Time: The Hobbit (22): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-08 02:28:52
Voice can be extremely difficult, so when it's done perfectly, it's one of those things that really shocks you. An author who can get a narrative voice down and make it work is an author deserving of respect, so I humbly bow before Jen's greatness, because the voice of the thrush was flawless. Everything was taken into account: the age of the thrush; the fact that he's a bird; the different priorities of animals, dwarves, men, elves, and hobbits; etc. The humor woven into the thrush's voice was also perfect and made the story light enough to be fun but not so light that it couldn't be taken as a plausible account from the view of a bird. It takes a talented author to pull that off.
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Author: LadyAranel · ID: 151 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 21:42:47
I said it last year, and I'll say it again, ... Lady Aranel is my favorite author that never finishes things. <TIC> - except for maybe BarrowWight, but he's only ever started one fanfiction and I can poke him with a sharp stick when I see him several times a year, Lady Aranel is too far away for such persuasion, so I guess I'll just have to do the best I can here. So, here's to you, Lady Aranel, except for my relations, about the only fan-ficcer whose works in progress I will read. - Keep up the good work, a chapter at a time ... I am holding out hope, but not holding my breath, that you will eventually finish some of these chapter works. You have a special talent of emotion and introspection that puts you in touch with the inner workings of your readers in a way that few authors are able to do.

Lady Aranel’s works, all her works from her drabbles to her longer (although unfinished <pout>) fanfictions are carefully, painstakingly thought out and crafted word by word. Every nuance is thought through before it’s written, and rethought and rewritten time and again until it’s perfect.

Her settings are rich and detailed, every background filled in ‘just enough’ to settle the reader into the flavor of the scene without overloading them with detail, and ‘just enough’ to give the characters what they need to move the readers along with the story. Not just the sights, but the scent and sounds, the texture of bare Elven skin are woven in delicious, provocative detail that keeps the reader coming back for more.




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Author: LadyAranel · ID: 151 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 21:43:23
I said it last year, and I'll say it again, ... Lady Aranel is my favorite author that never finishes things. <TIC> - except for maybe BarrowWight, but he's only ever started one fanfiction and I can poke him with a sharp stick when I see him several times a year, Lady Aranel is too far away for such persuasion, so I guess I'll just have to do the best I can here. So, here's to you, Lady Aranel, except for my relations, about the only fan-ficcer whose works in progress I will read. - Keep up the good work, a chapter at a time ... I am holding out hope, but not holding my breath, that you will eventually finish some of these chapter works. You have a special talent of emotion and introspection that puts you in touch with the inner workings of your readers in a way that few authors are able to do.

Lady Aranel’s works, all her works from her drabbles to her longer (although unfinished <pout>) fanfictions are carefully, painstakingly thought out and crafted word by word. Every nuance is thought through before it’s written, and rethought and rewritten time and again until it’s perfect.

Her settings are rich and detailed, every background filled in ‘just enough’ to settle the reader into the flavor of the scene without overloading them with detail, and ‘just enough’ to give the characters what they need to move the readers along with the story. Not just the sights, but the scent and sounds, the texture of bare Elven skin are woven in delicious, provocative detail that keeps the reader coming back for more.




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Author: LadyAranel · ID: 151 · Books/Time: Gap-Filler (58): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 21:43:24
I said it last year, and I'll say it again, ... Lady Aranel is my favorite author that never finishes things. <TIC> - except for maybe BarrowWight, but he's only ever started one fanfiction and I can poke him with a sharp stick when I see him several times a year, Lady Aranel is too far away for such persuasion, so I guess I'll just have to do the best I can here. So, here's to you, Lady Aranel, except for my relations, about the only fan-ficcer whose works in progress I will read. - Keep up the good work, a chapter at a time ... I am holding out hope, but not holding my breath, that you will eventually finish some of these chapter works. You have a special talent of emotion and introspection that puts you in touch with the inner workings of your readers in a way that few authors are able to do.

Lady Aranel’s works, all her works from her drabbles to her longer (although unfinished <pout>) fanfictions are carefully, painstakingly thought out and crafted word by word. Every nuance is thought through before it’s written, and rethought and rewritten time and again until it’s perfect.

Her settings are rich and detailed, every background filled in ‘just enough’ to settle the reader into the flavor of the scene without overloading them with detail, and ‘just enough’ to give the characters what they need to move the readers along with the story. Not just the sights, but the scent and sounds, the texture of bare Elven skin are woven in delicious, provocative detail that keeps the reader coming back for more.




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Author: LadyAranel · ID: 151 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 21:44:49
I said it last year, and I'll say it again, ... Lady Aranel is my favorite author that never finishes things. <TIC> - except for maybe BarrowWight, but he's only ever started one fanfiction and I can poke him with a sharp stick when I see him several times a year, Lady Aranel is too far away for such persuasion, so I guess I'll just have to do the best I can here. So, here's to you, Lady Aranel, except for my relations, about the only fan-ficcer whose works in progress I will read. - Keep up the good work, a chapter at a time ... I am holding out hope, but not holding my breath, that you will eventually finish some of these chapter works. You have a special talent of emotion and introspection that puts you in touch with the inner workings of your readers in a way that few authors are able to do.

Lady Aranel’s works, all her works from her drabbles to her longer (although unfinished <pout>) fanfictions are carefully, painstakingly thought out and crafted word by word. Every nuance is thought through before it’s written, and rethought and rewritten time and again until it’s perfect.

Her settings are rich and detailed, every background filled in ‘just enough’ to settle the reader into the flavor of the scene without overloading them with detail, and ‘just enough’ to give the characters what they need to move the readers along with the story. Not just the sights, but the scent and sounds, the texture of bare Elven skin are woven in delicious, provocative detail that keeps the reader coming back for more.




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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Genres: Romance (72): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 21:50:23
Elena Tiriel has a unique voice, greatly under-appreciated and greatly
underused. Her work is fun and quirky, - sometimes subtle, sometimes not,
but always insightful. Her drama is tender, her humor pointed and her
horror conveys delicious shivers up the spine. I would love to see more of
her work, an author with her skill always leaves readers, especially this
reader, hungry for more.
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Author: Lindelea · ID: 27 · Books/Time: Gap-Filler (58): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 22:02:17
Lindelea is a caring and dedicated author, whose love of Hobbits and her love of her work shines through in her fascinating details and carefully woven plots and twisting subplots. Working within Tolkien’s Middle-earth, she’s crafted an elaborate world within a world with her extended hobbit families – both their pasts and their futures in the Shire she’s built, so carefully crafted alongside Tolkien’s. Keep up the good work Lindelea – I’ll try to be a better fan in the future and be more consistent with my reading and reviews.
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Author: Lindelea · ID: 27 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 22:02:39
Lindelea is a caring and dedicated author, whose love of Hobbits and her love of her work shines through in her fascinating details and carefully woven plots and twisting subplots. Working within Tolkien’s Middle-earth, she’s crafted an elaborate world within a world with her extended hobbit families – both their pasts and their futures in the Shire she’s built, so carefully crafted alongside Tolkien’s. Keep up the good work Lindelea – I’ll try to be a better fan in the future and be more consistent with my reading and reviews.
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Author: Lindelea · ID: 27 · Genres: Horror (8): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 22:02:39
Lindelea is a caring and dedicated author, whose love of Hobbits and her love of her work shines through in her fascinating details and carefully woven plots and twisting subplots. Working within Tolkien’s Middle-earth, she’s crafted an elaborate world within a world with her extended hobbit families – both their pasts and their futures in the Shire she’s built, so carefully crafted alongside Tolkien’s. Keep up the good work Lindelea – I’ll try to be a better fan in the future and be more consistent with my reading and reviews.
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Author: Tanaqui · ID: 40 · Races/Places: Elves (66): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-11 02:12:07
Tanaqui shows some remarkable versatility in this drabbles, hinting at part of a story in "Faithful Companion," telling almost the entire tale in "Refuge," and pulling off some powerful characterization and fascinating backstory with "Details." All in a mere 100 words. I think the trick might lie in Tanaqui's ability to brush the details enough to create a clear picture but not so much that the reader has no room to fill in the blanks. And Tanaqui isn't afraid to let some things go unstated, which takes a great deal of courage on the part of an author. Very nice drabbles.
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Author: Gwynnyd · ID: 186 · Races/Places: Elves (66): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-11 02:17:05
Gwynnyd has pulled off something neat here: a characterization of Arwen that puts her on equal footing with Aragorn without forcing her into the role of Arwen: Warrior Princess. Some fantastic imagery definitely helped, as did the contrasts within the narrative itself. Gwynnyd wove a drabble as tightly as Arwen might have, foiling light and dark, <br/><br/>(Message over 64 KB, truncated)

We haven't been posting Final Author Reviews to this group until now. So, this first time, it will take a couple posts. There are 280 as of this morning.

Author: amebrindra · ID: 138 · Genres: Drama (includes Angst) (135): General
Reviewer: Legorfilinde · 2005-06-19 21:05:32


It has been said that some writers torture their characters and some torture their readers. Amebrindra certainly falls into the latter category. The intensity of her emotional writing sweeps you up into the drama of her characters' lives and before you even realize what has happened, you feel their pain, their agony, their love, their joy and their deepest, darkest hidden thoughts. She has the ability to make her characters come alive with a reality that is staggering. They seem so real in fact that you might believe they lived right next door and that you have known them all your life. Her very talented, imaginative and creative writing gives you insight into the thoughts, emotions and personality of each player in her story; even minor characters are vibrant and memorable. The story she weaves is addictive. She will make you cry and leave you begging for more. If you have not read anything Amebrindra has written, you must make it a point to read one of her stories; or better yet, her complete story arc. You will not be disappointed. What are you waiting for? Go read...
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Author: tyellas · ID: 155 · Races/Places: Elves (66): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 15:53:32
Tyellas has a real skill for world-building that I have only seen even approached by one other writer: Zimraphel. And that's a good thing because she writes the First and Second Age, where realistic world-building is so important. What's more than that, though, I have yet to see Tyellas try to write a genre where she has not completely blown me away. I laugh until it hurts at her humour, sit up straight and take notice at her drama, am aroused by her moments of romance.

The thing that truly astounds me, though, is that when I read about a certain character I come away knowing about much more than that particular character. Take "Magweth Pengolod" for instance. Soup makes a comment about how the apprentice down the street (who we never meet) is often beaten by his master, though Aelfwine never beats Soup. In this brief comment Tyellas conveys an incredible amount about the relationship between Numenorean apprentices and their masters. (I gather that Aelfwine and Soup are a little abnormal in this respect, because of Aelfwine's age and lameness.) For these reasons and many others, I always find Tyellas' works incredibly absorbing and always a good read.
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Author: tyellas · ID: 155 · Books/Time: The Hobbit (22): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 16:00:04
Tyellas has a real skill for world-building that I have only seen even approached by one other writer: Zimraphel. And that's a good thing because she writes the First and Second Age, where realistic world-building is so important. What's more than that, though, I have yet to see Tyellas try to write a genre where she has not completely blown me away. I laugh until it hurts at her humour, sit up straight and take notice at her drama, am aroused by her moments of romance.

The thing that truly astounds me, though, is that when I read about a certain character I come away knowing about much more than that particular character. Take "Magweth Pengolod" for instance. Soup makes a comment about how the apprentice down the street (who we never meet) is often beaten by his master, though Aelfwine never beats Soup. In this brief comment Tyellas conveys an incredible amount about the relationship between Numenorean apprentices and their masters. (I gather that Aelfwine and Soup are a little abnormal in this respect, because of Aelfwine's age and lameness.) For these reasons and many others, I always find Tyellas' works incredibly absorbing and always a good read.
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Author: tyellas · ID: 155 · Books/Time: The Silmarillion (67): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 16:08:56
Tyellas has a real skill for world-building that I have only seen even approached by one other writer: Zimraphel. And that's a good thing because she writes the First and Second Age, where realistic world-building is so important. What's more than that, though, I have yet to see Tyellas try to write a genre where she has not completely blown me away. I laugh until it hurts at her humour, sit up straight and take notice at her drama, am aroused by her moments of romance.

The thing that truly astounds me, though, is that when I read about a certain character I come away knowing about much more than that particular character. Take "Magweth Pengolod" for instance. Soup makes a comment about how the apprentice down the street (who we never meet) is often beaten by his master, though Aelfwine never beats Soup. In this brief comment Tyellas conveys an incredible amount about the relationship between Numenorean apprentices and their masters. (I gather that Aelfwine and Soup are a little abnormal in this respect, because of Aelfwine's age and lameness.) For these reasons and many others, I always find Tyellas' works incredibly absorbing and always a good read.
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Author: tyellas · ID: 155 · Genres: Non-Fiction (23): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 16:11:27
Tyellas has a real skill for world-building that I have only seen even approached by one other writer: Zimraphel. And that's a good thing because she writes the First and Second Age, where realistic world-building is so important. What's more than that, though, I have yet to see Tyellas try to write a genre where she has not completely blown me away. I laugh until it hurts at her humour, sit up straight and take notice at her drama, am aroused by her moments of romance.

The thing that truly astounds me, though, is that when I read about a certain character I come away knowing about much more than that particular character. Take "Magweth Pengolod" for instance. Soup makes a comment about how the apprentice down the street (who we never meet) is often beaten by his master, though Aelfwine never beats Soup. In this brief comment Tyellas conveys an incredible amount about the relationship between Numenorean apprentices and their masters. (I gather that Aelfwine and Soup are a little abnormal in this respect, because of Aelfwine's age and lameness.) For these reasons and many others, I always find Tyellas' works incredibly absorbing and always a good read.
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Author: tyellas · ID: 155 · Genres: Humor (85): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 16:14:53
Tyellas has a real skill for world-building that I have only seen even approached by one other writer: Zimraphel. And that's a good thing because she writes the First and Second Age, where realistic world-building is so important. What's more than that, though, I have yet to see Tyellas try to write a genre where she has not completely blown me away. I laugh until it hurts at her humour, sit up straight and take notice at her drama, am aroused by her moments of romance.

The thing that truly astounds me, though, is that when I read about a certain character I come away knowing about much more than that particular character. Take "Magweth Pengolod" for instance. Soup makes a comment about how the apprentice down the street (who we never meet) is often beaten by his master, though Aelfwine never beats Soup. In this brief comment Tyellas conveys an incredible amount about the relationship between Numenorean apprentices and their masters. (I gather that Aelfwine and Soup are a little abnormal in this respect, because of Aelfwine's age and lameness.) For these reasons and many others, I always find Tyellas' works incredibly absorbing and always a good read.
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Author: AngelsFall · ID: 353 · Genres: Humor (85): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 18:50:54
I think "Of Elvish Equitation and the High King's Horse" is the first piece I've read by this author (I may have read one other, but I think I may be confusing AngelsFall and AngelQueen). She has a strong sense of style and comedic timing, and I am left wanting to go find more of her stuff.
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Author: Tom Fairbairn · ID: 371 · Genres: Adventure (13): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 19:14:19
Tom Fairbairn does a particularly good job of portraying how non-hobbits relate to hobbits. He's one of those authors who I would like to read more of his stories.
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Author: Tom Fairbairn · ID: 371 · Genres: Movie-verse (21): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 19:18:55
Tom Fairbairn does a particularly good job of portraying how non-hobbits relate to hobbits. He's one of those authors who I would like to read more of his stories.
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Author: AngieT · ID: 458 · Genres: Humor (85): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 19:59:30
AngieT is good at telling the quieter moments with hobbits. Her pieces are not quite fluff, but also far from angst. Most especially I like her skilla t characterisation, especially hobbits. Based on the two examples I have read here. I would say that I like her Merry best of all.
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Author: AngieT · ID: 458 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 20:04:23
AngieT is good at telling the quieter moments with hobbits. Her pieces are not quite fluff, but also far from angst. Most especially I like her skilla t characterisation, especially hobbits. Based on the two examples I have read here. I would say that I like her Merry best of all.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 21:24:14
There are many authors out there whose drabbles I admire. But Ann often takes my breath away because she rarely writes anything else. When I read a drabble, for example, about Gwynnyd's Aragorn, I am able to read Gwynnyd's longer stories about him to fill in a few of the grey spaces around the edge of the moment she has painted. The drabble can stand on its own without knowing the other works, but it suddenly becomes fuller. What amazes me about Ann is that she has almost as rich a world, without these longer pieces to draw from! This is a truly spectacular gift, and she uses it to good effect. I always look forward to seeing her drabble stories updated.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Races/Places: Gondor (79): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 21:25:45
There are many authors out there whose drabbles I admire. But Ann often takes my breath away because she rarely writes anything else. When I read a drabble, for example, about Gwynnyd's Aragorn, I am able to read Gwynnyd's longer stories about him to fill in a few of the grey spaces around the edge of the moment she has painted. The drabble can stand on its own without knowing the other works, but it suddenly becomes fuller. What amazes me about Ann is that she has almost as rich a world, without these longer pieces to draw from! This is a truly spectacular gift, and she uses it to good effect. I always look forward to seeing her drabble stories updated.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Books/Time: The Lord of The Rings (111): Drabble
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 21:28:42
There are many authors out there whose drabbles I admire. But Ann often takes my breath away because she rarely writes anything else. When I read a drabble, for example, about Gwynnyd's Aragorn, I am able to read Gwynnyd's longer stories about him to fill in a few of the grey spaces around the edge of the moment she has painted. The drabble can stand on its own without knowing the other works, but it suddenly becomes fuller. What amazes me about Ann is that she has almost as rich a world, without these longer pieces to draw from! This is a truly spectacular gift, and she uses it to good effect. I always look forward to seeing her drabble stories updated.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Races/Places: Gondor (79): Drabble
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-03 21:37:17
There are many authors out there whose drabbles I admire. But Ann often takes my breath away because she rarely writes anything else. When I read a drabble, for example, about Gwynnyd's Aragorn, I am able to read Gwynnyd's longer stories about him to fill in a few of the grey spaces around the edge of the moment she has painted. The drabble can stand on its own without knowing the other works, but it suddenly becomes fuller. What amazes me about Ann is that she has almost as rich a world, without these longer pieces to draw from! This is a truly spectacular gift, and she uses it to good effect. I always look forward to seeing her drabble stories updated.
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Author: Anoriath · ID: 354 · Books/Time: Gap-Filler (58): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-04 18:41:56
Anoriath is good at writing gap-fillers. In her works I see glimpses of her characters (original and canonical) going about relatively mundane day-to-day business, and I like what I have read by her.
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Author: Anoriath · ID: 354 · Genres: Romance (72): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-04 18:43:15
Anoriath is good at writing gap-fillers. In her works I see glimpses of her characters (original and canonical) going about relatively mundane day-to-day business, and I like what I have read by her.
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Author: Anoriath · ID: 354 · Races/Places: Men (31): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-04 18:45:42
Anoriath is good at writing gap-fillers. In her works I see glimpses of her characters (original and canonical) going about relatively mundane day-to-day business, and I like what I have read by her.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Races/Places: Men (31): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:27:52
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Races/Places: Elves (66): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:28:51
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:29:52
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Genres: Movie-verse (21): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:31:12
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Genres: Humor (85): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:32:07
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Genres: Drama (includes Angst) (135): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:33:07
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Books/Time: The Lord of The Rings (111): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:34:32
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:36:27
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Books/Time: Gap-Filler (58): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 21:37:18
Thundera has a real skill for writing those underdeveloped corners of canon. Northern Dúnedain Rangers. Dwarves. Animals. Elves in Mordor. Basically anything that Tolkien hinted at. She has a sense of humour that she brings to everyday life that "fills the corners" (to borrow a hobbity phrase) without overwhelming her stories, and it never, never seems inappropriate. I am yet to find a story of hers that I wasn't glad I read. Keep up the good work, Thundera! I'm always interested in reading more of your stuff.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Genres: Drama (includes Angst) (135): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 23:32:25
There are many authors out there whose drabbles I admire. But Ann often takes my breath away because she rarely writes anything else. When I read a drabble, for example, about Gwynnyd's Aragorn, I am able to read Gwynnyd's longer stories about him to fill in a few of the grey spaces around the edge of the moment she has painted. The drabble can stand on its own without knowing the other works, but it suddenly becomes fuller. What amazes me about Ann is that she has almost as rich a world, without these longer pieces to draw from! This is a truly spectacular gift, and she uses it to good effect. I always look forward to seeing her drabble stories updated.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Genres: Romance (72): Drabble
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-08 23:34:14
There are many authors out there whose drabbles I admire. But Ann often takes my breath away because she rarely writes anything else. When I read a drabble, for example, about Gwynnyd's Aragorn, I am able to read Gwynnyd's longer stories about him to fill in a few of the grey spaces around the edge of the moment she has painted. The drabble can stand on its own without knowing the other works, but it suddenly becomes fuller. What amazes me about Ann is that she has almost as rich a world, without these longer pieces to draw from! This is a truly spectacular gift, and she uses it to good effect. I always look forward to seeing her drabble stories updated.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Races/Places: Rohan (37): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-09 02:09:06
Thevina Finduilas has a real sense of humour in her stories. They're not humour, but there's usually a sense of humour (or perhaps just a strong sense of humanity) in all of her stories. It's not as wry as the humour I love in Thundera's story, but it's great fun. Beyond that, she probably writes the best characterisation of dwarves, and consistently, of any other author I have read.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Races/Places: Gondor (79): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-09 02:09:55
Thevina Finduilas has a real sense of humour in her stories. They're not humour, but there's usually a sense of humour (or perhaps just a strong sense of humanity) in all of her stories. It's not as wry as the humour I love in Thundera's story, but it's great fun. Beyond that, she probably writes the best characterisation of dwarves, and consistently, of any other author I have read.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Races/Places: Dwarves (13): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-09 02:10:51
Thevina Finduilas has a real sense of humour in her stories. They're not humour, but there's usually a sense of humour (or perhaps just a strong sense of humanity) in all of her stories. It's not as wry as the humour I love in Thundera's story, but it's great fun. Beyond that, she probably writes the best characterisation of dwarves, and consistently, of any other author I have read.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-09 02:13:11
Thevina Finduilas has a real sense of humour in her stories. They're not humour, but there's usually a sense of humour (or perhaps just a strong sense of humanity) in all of her stories. It's not as wry as the humour I love in Thundera's story, but it's great fun. Beyond that, she probably writes the best characterisation of dwarves, and consistently, of any other author I have read.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Genres: Humor (85): Poem
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-09 02:13:58
Thevina Finduilas has a real sense of humour in her stories. They're not humour, but there's usually a sense of humour (or perhaps just a strong sense of humanity) in all of her stories. It's not as wry as the humour I love in Thundera's story, but it's great fun. Beyond that, she probably writes the best characterisation of dwarves, and consistently, of any other author I have read.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Books/Time: Gap-Filler (58): General
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-07-09 02:15:04
Thevina Finduilas has a real sense of humour in her stories. They're not humour, but there's usually a sense of humour (or perhaps just a strong sense of humanity) in all of her stories. It's not as wry as the humour I love in Thundera's story, but it's great fun. Beyond that, she probably writes the best characterisation of dwarves, and consistently, of any other author I have read.
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Author: Thundera Tiger · ID: 86 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): General
Reviewer: Sivan Shemesh · 2005-07-10 08:37:30
This story forever remain in my heart as my mind, as god, you have so much powerful in your writing, and you make me cry.

It is damn good writing, as I love your story.

Sivan Shemesh
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Author: Dwimordene · ID: 8 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): Drabble
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2005-07-13 16:48:00
This is great - everything a drabble should be: simple, clear, detailing a simple event, and creating a world and ideas much larger than that. I liked the ending especially, how the author includes Elrond's concern without his ever voicing it.
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Author: Dwimordene · ID: 8 · Races/Places: Hobbits (90): Drabble
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2005-07-13 16:49:39
This is very nice. I can really see Merry taking a moment out from the party for a little quiet reflection, seeing first the somber and then the joyful, with a little chuckle for his friends.
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Author: Dwimordene · ID: 8 · Races/Places: Villains (31): Drabble
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2005-07-13 16:53:57
Wow! This is terrrific ... I continue to be awed by those who can make so little out of so much; not just the 100 word form, but these tiny textual nuggets as well. From that brief mention the author has created an entire world, an entire people who give praise to Sauron, are subject to taxes and conscription. By giving us this glimpse of the enemy, the author has created something noble and surprising.
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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Genres: Drama (includes Angst) (135): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:31:04

Elena Tiriel has a unique voice, greatly under-appreciated and greatly underused. Her work is fun and quirky, - sometimes subtle, sometimes not, but always insightful. Her drama is tender, her humor pointed and her horror conveys delicious shivers up the spine. I would love to see more of her work, an author with her skill always leaves readers, especially this reader, hungry for more.
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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Genres: Humor (85): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:32:38

Elena Tiriel has a unique voice, greatly under-appreciated and greatly underused. Her work is fun and quirky, - sometimes subtle, sometimes not, but always insightful. Her drama is tender, her humor pointed and her horror conveys delicious shivers up the spine. I would love to see more of her work, an author with her skill always leaves readers, especially this reader, hungry for more.
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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:33:22

Elena Tiriel has a unique voice, greatly under-appreciated and greatly underused. Her work is fun and quirky, - sometimes subtle, sometimes not, but always insightful. Her drama is tender, her humor pointed and her horror conveys delicious shivers up the spine. I would love to see more of her work, an author with her skill always leaves readers, especially this reader, hungry for more.
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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Races/Places: Gondor (79): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:33:24

Elena Tiriel has a unique voice, greatly under-appreciated and greatly underused. Her work is fun and quirky, - sometimes subtle, sometimes not, but always insightful. Her drama is tender, her humor pointed and her horror conveys delicious shivers up the spine. I would love to see more of her work, an author with her skill always leaves readers, especially this reader, hungry for more.
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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Races/Places: Villains (31): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:34:19

Elena Tiriel has a unique voice, greatly under-appreciated and greatly underused. Her work is fun and quirky, - sometimes subtle, sometimes not, but always insightful. Her drama is tender, her humor pointed and her horror conveys delicious shivers up the spine. I would love to see more of her work, an author with her skill always leaves readers, especially this reader, hungry for more.
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Author: Marnie · ID: 245 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:51:31
Marnie's Battle of the Golden Wood was the novel length work that hooked me on fanfiction. Surfing endless pages of - in my opinion, less than excellent works - I had almost lost hope of finding the quality reading I was looking for when I stumbled on her Celeborn. Her dedication to her work shows through in her consistency and attention to detail. Her skill is greatest in the depth of her brilliant characterization of individuals and races alike, and in her cleverly woven subplots that make the 'big picture' complete by the end of the story.
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Author: Marnie · ID: 245 · Genres: Crossovers (16): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:52:45
Marnie's Battle of the Golden Wood was the novel length work that hooked me on fanfiction. Surfing endless pages of - in my opinion, less than excellent works - I had almost lost hope of finding the quality reading I was looking for when I stumbled on her Celeborn. Her dedication to her work shows through in her consistency and attention to detail. Her skill is greatest in the depth of her brilliant characterization of individuals and races alike, and in her cleverly woven subplots that make the 'big picture' complete by the end of the story.
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Author: Marnie · ID: 245 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:53:56
Marnie's Battle of the Golden Wood was the novel length work that hooked me on fanfiction. Surfing endless pages of - in my opinion, less than excellent works - I had almost lost hope of finding the quality reading I was looking for when I stumbled on her Celeborn. Her dedication to her work shows through in her consistency and attention to detail. Her skill is greatest in the depth of her brilliant characterization of individuals and races alike, and in her cleverly woven subplots that make the 'big picture' complete by the end of the story.
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Author: Minuialeth · ID: 427 · Genres: Drama (includes Angst) (135): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 13:58:54
Minuialeth conveys extraordinary depth of insight in her writing, the
emotion and the underlying psychological trauma and conflict come
through strongly. I imagine that many readers, looking for fluff, will
pass this by - at their own great loss. I haven't read many writers,
either in fanfiction or professional, who convey so much complexity
through simplicity.

Minuialeth, - it's only my opinion, so take it for what it's worth,
but I believe you have a real gift. I am dismayed that this hasn't
been finished. I hope it means that you are working on other projects.
I strongly encourage you to continue writing, and especially continue
to pursue education in writing. Stay in touch, I miss hearing from
you. Sulriel.

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Author: Leaward · ID: 222 · Genres: Romance (72): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-21 15:22:12
Leaward - ahh... ...what to say about Leaward? Little did I imagine, when I first encouraged her, what I would be unleashing. <ducking!> <I mean that in the BEST possible way!> From those first tentative steps - the mind-dulling, brick-wall pounding arguments about passive voice and the importance of the varying depths of detail, personal style versus learned skill, all that talk about knowing the rules before you break them. Am I claiming too much? I hope not, I certainly was not the only one involved, and my nudges this way or that certainly are no reflection or claim on her natural ability and her persistence in improving her skill, to the point that I depend on her critique in my own works. This is, of course, about her, not about me, but please indulge my perspective. It's been a fabulous whirlwind of a journey with no end in sight.

For what I've seen, the growth over the last couple of years - we all have some level of natural ability, creativity and the flow of thoughts into words, Leaward has taken those gifts and worked her happy ...ahh. .. 'tail' off in self-improvement. The study, the books, the classes - a lifetime of learning continues. ... imagine a smith in the armory, pouring the molten steel into the mold, but that's only the first step. The strength comes from the work, the endless folding and pounding and refolding. The strength of dedication in how Leaward has molded her work is clear for all to see in her stand-alones as well as in her series of Dunadan fan-fictions. The characterization is strong and consistent, her heroes are flawed and human in ways that we can identify with, we care about them and what they face. Her subplots are important to the main, the details and description well-used, not only as flavor, but as plotting. Even in a series of fan fictions featuring original characters, her canon is fanatically, dare I say "Historically" accurate, from both a real world and a Middle-earth perspective. While it's easy to join the crowd in reading each new chapter she posts online, I fear I'll have to break a few noses with my elbow in order to be first in line when she comes to town for a book-signing. Should she choose to go that route I have no doubt she'll be successful. -Sulriel (proud to be basking in the shadow!)
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Author: Acacea · ID: 196 · Races/Places: Gondor (79): General
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2005-07-24 16:30:23
This was a wonderfully full story, from the details of gondorian life pre-war and more recently, that the soldier's family experienced loss similarly to the Steward's. A few inflated turns of phrase were a little distracting
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Author: Leaward · ID: 222 · Books/Time: Gap-Filler (58): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-29 21:37:33
Leaward - ahh... ...what to say about Leaward? Little did I imagine, when I first encouraged her, what I would be unleashing. <ducking!> <I mean that in the BEST possible way!> From those first tentative steps - the mind-dulling, brick-wall pounding arguments about passive voice and the importance of the varying depths of detail, personal style versus learned skill, all that talk about knowing the rules before you break them. Am I claiming too much? I hope not, I certainly was not the only one involved, and my nudges this way or that certainly are no reflection or claim on her natural ability and her persistence in improving her skill, to the point that I depend on her critique in my own works. This is, of course, about her, not about me, but please indulge my perspective. It's been a fabulous whirlwind of a journey with no end in sight.

For what I've seen, the growth over the last couple of years - we all have some level of natural ability, creativity and the flow of thoughts into words, Leaward has taken those gifts and worked her happy ...ahh. .. 'tail' off in self-improvement. The study, the books, the classes - a lifetime of learning continues. ... imagine a smith in the armory, pouring the molten steel into the mold, but that's only the first step. The strength comes from the work, the endless folding and pounding and refolding. The strength of dedication in how Leaward has molded her work is clear for all to see in her stand-alones as well as in her series of Dunadan fan-fictions. The characterization is strong and consistent, her heroes are flawed and human in ways that we can identify with, we care about them and what they face. Her subplots are important to the main, the details and description well-used, not only as flavor, but as plotting. Even in a series of fan fictions featuring original characters, her canon is fanatically, dare I say "Historically" accurate, from both a real world and a Middle-earth perspective. While it's easy to join the crowd in reading each new chapter she posts online, I fear I'll have to break a few noses with my elbow in order to be first in line when she comes to town for a book-signing. Should she choose to go that route I have no doubt she'll be successful. -Sulriel (proud to be basking in the shadow!)
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Author: Leaward · ID: 222 · Races/Places: Men (31): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-07-29 21:38:22
Leaward - ahh... ...what to say about Leaward? Little did I imagine, when I first encouraged her, what I would be unleashing. <ducking!> <I mean that in the BEST possible way!> From those first tentative steps - the mind-dulling, brick-wall pounding arguments about passive voice and the importance of the varying depths of detail, personal style versus learned skill, all that talk about knowing the rules before you break them. Am I claiming too much? I hope not, I certainly was not the only one involved, and my nudges this way or that certainly are no reflection or claim on her natural ability and her persistence in improving her skill, to the point that I depend on her critique in my own works. This is, of course, about her, not about me, but please indulge my perspective. It's been a fabulous whirlwind of a journey with no end in sight.

For what I've seen, the growth over the last couple of years - we all have some level of natural ability, creativity and the flow of thoughts into words, Leaward has taken those gifts and worked her happy ...ahh. .. 'tail' off in self-improvement. The study, the books, the classes - a lifetime of learning continues. ... imagine a smith in the armory, pouring the molten steel into the mold, but that's only the first step. The strength comes from the work, the endless folding and pounding and refolding. The strength of dedication in how Leaward has molded her work is clear for all to see in her stand-alones as well as in her series of Dunadan fan-fictions. The characterization is strong and consistent, her heroes are flawed and human in ways that we can identify with, we care about them and what they face. Her subplots are important to the main, the details and description well-used, not only as flavor, but as plotting. Even in a series of fan fictions featuring original characters, her canon is fanatically, dare I say "Historically" accurate, from both a real world and a Middle-earth perspective. While it's easy to join the crowd in reading each new chapter she posts online, I fear I'll have to break a few noses with my elbow in order to be first in line when she comes to town for a book-signing. Should she choose to go that route I have no doubt she'll be successful. -Sulriel (proud to be basking in the shadow!)
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Author: Nickey · ID: 374 · Genres: Horror (8): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 13:49:53
Party of what makes Nickey's stories so good is an ability to blend things that initially don't seem to fit together. For example, the blending of Merry's capture at the hands of the orcs and the freakshow in the Shire. The two start out with nothing to do with the other (or so it seems) but by the time the fic is done, they've become a single story with enough similarities to thoroughly unnerve a reader. The same thing happens in "The Last Fight." Two stories, both dark, come together to make something bigger and darker. And by coupling these entertwining tales with powerful imagery, Nickey creates a very strong sense of darkness and danger. In turn, that firmly sets the mood (which is essential for any horror story) and gives the reader things to think about afterwards. Very effective storytelling technique.
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Author: Honesty · ID: 284 · Genres: Horror (8): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 14:05:12
Honesty does something very dangerous in this horror story and gets away with it while pulling off spectacular results. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how this was accomplished, and I'd pay gold to know. But however it came about, the sheer amount of visceral, gut-wrenching imagery actually helps the story rather than detracting from it. I think part of the reason is that it becomes the subject of a defining moment for both Legolas and Gimli in the third chapter. And it serves as a very sharp contrast to Legolas's face and eyes in both chapter 2 and 3. It also seems to intensify the psychological strain in the first chapter by acting as a visual comparison. In any case, Honesty was absolutely brilliant in how all the imagery was used and did an amazing job of pulling a creating a very poignant story out of a very dire and graphic situation.
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Author: Mercat · ID: 225 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 17:15:24
Mercat keeps the writing very light in "Prelude," and it's the perfect touch when working with hobbits and elves. Both are often served best by lighter writing, though for different reasons, and it works very well when they're put together. Mercat also does a very good perspective change a little over halfway through. It fit well with the scene break, and offered readers a chance to see Frodo from Legolas's perspective. Very smooth pacing keeps the tone of this story peaceful and soothing, and it's a great mirror for Rivendell itself. Good narrative work.
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Author: LadyAranel · ID: 151 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 17:26:30
Lady Aranel does an amazing job with perspective work in the story "Out of Stone." Gloin was the perfect viewpoint for this tale because the friendship between Legolas and Gimli would come as such a shock to him. The other members of the Fellowship had seen it develop and anyone else (with the possible exception of Thranduil) wouldn't understand just how deep the estrangement between elves and dwarves went. But Gloin does know and this is all very new to him, which gives the friendship itself a very fresh perspective that Lady Aranel capitalizes on well.
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Author: Lamiel · ID: 298 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 17:33:54
I think one of Lamiel's best achievements in this story is pacing. That includes pacing of the narrative as well as pacing of plot developments, in particular the formation of a friendship between Legolas and Gimli. The way these things play off one another, adding tension here or a semblence of peace there, is remarkable, and Lamiel's ability to balance everything that goes on, both with Moria and with a certain elf and dwarf, is nothing short of amazing. It doesn't hurt that characterization is also fantastic.
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Author: Dwimordene · ID: 8 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 18:20:57
Dwimordene's strength in this drabble is her ability to make it point to something else. Drabbles are difficult to work with because they're so short, but if you can get them to allude to a bigger tale (or to many bigger tales) they become more effective. And Dwim does that very well, referencing dwarven reticence to reveal their own ways to outsiders as well as all the events in the Fellowship leading up to Gandalf's death. Dwim accesses a backstory for the drabble that makes it a capstone rather than forcing it to support all of its own weight.
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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 18:26:50
Elena Tiriel does a great job of framing book quotes with introspective drabbles. They add a fullness to the story and offer insight into things that Tolkien only lightly brushed, sometimes providing backstory and sometimes providing moments of realization. It's a great addition to canon, and these drabbles are kept light enough that they fit neatly into whatever is happening within the books. But they're also serious enough to carry the weight of the tale. Very deft touch by the author.
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Author: Tanaqui · ID: 40 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 18:34:26
One of Tanaqui's greatest abilities in drabbling is to capture flashes of insight or realization on the part of various characters. "And There Make a Garden" and "Legacies" are good examples of this. But what I like best about Tanaqui's drabbles is the poetry and how phrases become metaphors for many different things. "Brothers-in-Arms" is probably my favorite because of this, followed closely by "Cruel Caradhras." The ability to pack so much meaning into so few words is remarkable, and I can only shake my head in awe at that ability.
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Author: Lindelea · ID: 27 · Genres: Mystery (6): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 19:45:38
With her mystery story, Lindelea does something that all good mystery writers do: she drops clues ahead of time in such a way that you dont' always see them until you reach the end. It's a difficult thing to do because you have to have a solid outline of the plot, the twist, the characters and the mystery itself so that you can drop seemingly innocuous clues along the way and have them prove relevant later. But Lindelea pulls it off, and by the end of the story, it feels very complete and most of the loose ends have been tied together.
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Author: Dragon · ID: 360 · Genres: Mystery (6): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 19:54:37
Dragon does a fantastic job of writing imagery in the story "Chasing a Song." The setting is so fleshed out that it's almost a charater in its own right, and Dragon uses the setting to hint at things to come. For example, I liked the blood red cliffs that were described as Elrohir was chasing after Maglor. In fact, red was used several times in connection with Maglor, and it became a very subtle and effective way of characterizing an unknown watcher.
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Author: Honesty · ID: 284 · Races/Places: Dwarves (13): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 20:09:53
Honesty laid a host of backstory in the course of this tale, and it's this backstory that really drovethe action because it provided the foundation for the conflict. The differences in culture and customs between evles and dwarves were fascinating, and along with great characterization of both Narvi and Celebrimbor, it made for a very complete story. As an added bonus, Honesty managed to weave the backstory into the plot in such a way that it never became boring or bogged down. And that's difficult to do.
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Author: Erin's Daughter · ID: 366 · Races/Places: Dwarves (13): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 20:16:23
One of the most amazing things that Erin's Daughter does in this piece is characterization, specifically the characterization of a sword. The blade becomes a personality in the mind of the dwarf, and it's such a forceful personality that I can no longer think of it as just a blade. This, in turn, turns some powerful character strokes on our dwarven smith who is so attuned to his work that he can see things that no one else will ever see.
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Author: thevina_finduilas · ID: 87 · Races/Places: Dwarves (13): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-04 20:20:20
First person always makes me nervous. You're so firmly entrenched in someone else's head that it's very easy to do something that might be taken out of character. That said, I was blown away by this depiction of Gimli after the fall of the Morannon, and it's due to Thevina's amazing ability to paint a picture of a lost, desperate, battle-weary dwarf from the inside. The reader becomes completely immersed in Gimli's psyche, and his rambling thoughts tell us exactly how tired he is. We see only what he sees and only what he feels, and somehow in the midst of all this, Thevina manages to give the readers a very complete picture of what is happening. This is a great example of how first person should be done.
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Author: Tanaqui · ID: 40 · Races/Places: Dwarves (13): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-05 02:50:33
Tanaqui's use of contrasts in the drabble "From the Eastern Force" makes it unusually powerful. The contrasts of grim faces but true hearts, short-reach but heavy blows, and rock-hard but capable of grief tell a lot about the dwawrves, but also a lot about the elves who are watching them and what they value in allies. Very good double characterization with a single blow.
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Author: Dwimordene · ID: 8 · Races/Places: Dwarves (13): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-05 02:53:10
Dwim's attention to details (for example, the marching of the ranks as they file out of Khazad-dum) gives this drabble a slow, steady pace that is not unlike the dwarves themselves. It's really a great way to establish the tone through narrative pacing, and when Thrain finally comes to make his speech, the reader feels as though the dwarves are ready to move on, even if their hearts are still in Khazad-dum.
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Author: Celandine Brandybuck · ID: 243 · Books/Time: The Hobbit (22): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-08 02:06:20
One of the things that I love most about Celandine as an author is her amazing ability to bring cultures to life. You find it in both "Sheathing Sting" and "The Dragon Gem." Little things that really make a society special are created or expanded upon in both stories, and it's fascinating to see how a society's values shape its people and their attitudes. You get a better sense of the characters, particularly the OCs, when the culture is properly defined, and Celandine does this extremely well.
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Author: daw the minstrel · ID: 176 · Books/Time: The Hobbit (22): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-08 02:11:01
One of Daw's greatest talents lies in her ability to draw together several different plot threads and weave them into a larger story arc. What makes this so powerful is the character development that goes in the various threads, and this development is pounded home once the threads join together again in the end and everyone realizes what everyone else has been through and just how much they've all grown. Beyond that, the action sequences and the tension are all very good, and Daw has a gift for making the OCs fully realized characters in their own right that can stand on their own or enhance canon characters, whatever is required. And that's quite a talent!
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Author: JMac · ID: 383 · Books/Time: The Hobbit (22): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-08 02:16:09
JMac does something truly remarkable in "The Unexpected Homecoming." He successfully builds an epilogue to "The Hobbit" that feels so natural it's difficult to believe that it isn't part of canon. It's an expansion of what Tolkien gave us, taken to a very logical extreme that I can buy whole-heartedly. "The Hobbit" only hints at just how different Bilbo was when he returns home, and while LotR gives us a bit more, it's not the focus of the story. That's why I'm glad for authors like JMac, who can work with the little given to make a fitting conclusion that satisfies just as much as the canon conclusion.
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Author: Regina · ID: 104 · Books/Time: The Hobbit (22): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-08 02:20:45
I really love what Regina's done with the two little vignettes. She's established an OFC who is quirky, loveable, and an amazing match for Legolas. I suppose it helps that this OFC is too old for any serious romantic interest, but even so, I consider it an amazing achievement. And I love the way the two of them play with their relationship. Regina's writing covers the beginning and the end, but there are enough hints of the middle to let the imagination run wild. Brilliant character design. Thank you for such a treat!
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Author: jen_loves_elves · ID: 52 · Books/Time: The Hobbit (22): General
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-08 02:28:52
Voice can be extremely difficult, so when it's done perfectly, it's one of those things that really shocks you. An author who can get a narrative voice down and make it work is an author deserving of respect, so I humbly bow before Jen's greatness, because the voice of the thrush was flawless. Everything was taken into account: the age of the thrush; the fact that he's a bird; the different priorities of animals, dwarves, men, elves, and hobbits; etc. The humor woven into the thrush's voice was also perfect and made the story light enough to be fun but not so light that it couldn't be taken as a plausible account from the view of a bird. It takes a talented author to pull that off.
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Author: LadyAranel · ID: 151 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 21:42:47
I said it last year, and I'll say it again, ... Lady Aranel is my favorite author that never finishes things. <TIC> - except for maybe BarrowWight, but he's only ever started one fanfiction and I can poke him with a sharp stick when I see him several times a year, Lady Aranel is too far away for such persuasion, so I guess I'll just have to do the best I can here. So, here's to you, Lady Aranel, except for my relations, about the only fan-ficcer whose works in progress I will read. - Keep up the good work, a chapter at a time ... I am holding out hope, but not holding my breath, that you will eventually finish some of these chapter works. You have a special talent of emotion and introspection that puts you in touch with the inner workings of your readers in a way that few authors are able to do.

Lady Aranel’s works, all her works from her drabbles to her longer (although unfinished <pout>) fanfictions are carefully, painstakingly thought out and crafted word by word. Every nuance is thought through before it’s written, and rethought and rewritten time and again until it’s perfect.

Her settings are rich and detailed, every background filled in ‘just enough’ to settle the reader into the flavor of the scene without overloading them with detail, and ‘just enough’ to give the characters what they need to move the readers along with the story. Not just the sights, but the scent and sounds, the texture of bare Elven skin are woven in delicious, provocative detail that keeps the reader coming back for more.




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Author: LadyAranel · ID: 151 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 21:43:23
I said it last year, and I'll say it again, ... Lady Aranel is my favorite author that never finishes things. <TIC> - except for maybe BarrowWight, but he's only ever started one fanfiction and I can poke him with a sharp stick when I see him several times a year, Lady Aranel is too far away for such persuasion, so I guess I'll just have to do the best I can here. So, here's to you, Lady Aranel, except for my relations, about the only fan-ficcer whose works in progress I will read. - Keep up the good work, a chapter at a time ... I am holding out hope, but not holding my breath, that you will eventually finish some of these chapter works. You have a special talent of emotion and introspection that puts you in touch with the inner workings of your readers in a way that few authors are able to do.

Lady Aranel’s works, all her works from her drabbles to her longer (although unfinished <pout>) fanfictions are carefully, painstakingly thought out and crafted word by word. Every nuance is thought through before it’s written, and rethought and rewritten time and again until it’s perfect.

Her settings are rich and detailed, every background filled in ‘just enough’ to settle the reader into the flavor of the scene without overloading them with detail, and ‘just enough’ to give the characters what they need to move the readers along with the story. Not just the sights, but the scent and sounds, the texture of bare Elven skin are woven in delicious, provocative detail that keeps the reader coming back for more.




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Author: LadyAranel · ID: 151 · Books/Time: Gap-Filler (58): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 21:43:24
I said it last year, and I'll say it again, ... Lady Aranel is my favorite author that never finishes things. <TIC> - except for maybe BarrowWight, but he's only ever started one fanfiction and I can poke him with a sharp stick when I see him several times a year, Lady Aranel is too far away for such persuasion, so I guess I'll just have to do the best I can here. So, here's to you, Lady Aranel, except for my relations, about the only fan-ficcer whose works in progress I will read. - Keep up the good work, a chapter at a time ... I am holding out hope, but not holding my breath, that you will eventually finish some of these chapter works. You have a special talent of emotion and introspection that puts you in touch with the inner workings of your readers in a way that few authors are able to do.

Lady Aranel’s works, all her works from her drabbles to her longer (although unfinished <pout>) fanfictions are carefully, painstakingly thought out and crafted word by word. Every nuance is thought through before it’s written, and rethought and rewritten time and again until it’s perfect.

Her settings are rich and detailed, every background filled in ‘just enough’ to settle the reader into the flavor of the scene without overloading them with detail, and ‘just enough’ to give the characters what they need to move the readers along with the story. Not just the sights, but the scent and sounds, the texture of bare Elven skin are woven in delicious, provocative detail that keeps the reader coming back for more.




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Author: LadyAranel · ID: 151 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural (80): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 21:44:49
I said it last year, and I'll say it again, ... Lady Aranel is my favorite author that never finishes things. <TIC> - except for maybe BarrowWight, but he's only ever started one fanfiction and I can poke him with a sharp stick when I see him several times a year, Lady Aranel is too far away for such persuasion, so I guess I'll just have to do the best I can here. So, here's to you, Lady Aranel, except for my relations, about the only fan-ficcer whose works in progress I will read. - Keep up the good work, a chapter at a time ... I am holding out hope, but not holding my breath, that you will eventually finish some of these chapter works. You have a special talent of emotion and introspection that puts you in touch with the inner workings of your readers in a way that few authors are able to do.

Lady Aranel’s works, all her works from her drabbles to her longer (although unfinished <pout>) fanfictions are carefully, painstakingly thought out and crafted word by word. Every nuance is thought through before it’s written, and rethought and rewritten time and again until it’s perfect.

Her settings are rich and detailed, every background filled in ‘just enough’ to settle the reader into the flavor of the scene without overloading them with detail, and ‘just enough’ to give the characters what they need to move the readers along with the story. Not just the sights, but the scent and sounds, the texture of bare Elven skin are woven in delicious, provocative detail that keeps the reader coming back for more.




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Author: Elena Tiriel · ID: 247 · Genres: Romance (72): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 21:50:23
Elena Tiriel has a unique voice, greatly under-appreciated and greatly
underused. Her work is fun and quirky, - sometimes subtle, sometimes not,
but always insightful. Her drama is tender, her humor pointed and her
horror conveys delicious shivers up the spine. I would love to see more of
her work, an author with her skill always leaves readers, especially this
reader, hungry for more.
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Author: Lindelea · ID: 27 · Books/Time: Gap-Filler (58): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 22:02:17
Lindelea is a caring and dedicated author, whose love of Hobbits and her love of her work shines through in her fascinating details and carefully woven plots and twisting subplots. Working within Tolkien’s Middle-earth, she’s crafted an elaborate world within a world with her extended hobbit families – both their pasts and their futures in the Shire she’s built, so carefully crafted alongside Tolkien’s. Keep up the good work Lindelea – I’ll try to be a better fan in the future and be more consistent with my reading and reviews.
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Author: Lindelea · ID: 27 · Books/Time: Post-Ring War (142): Drabble
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 22:02:39
Lindelea is a caring and dedicated author, whose love of Hobbits and her love of her work shines through in her fascinating details and carefully woven plots and twisting subplots. Working within Tolkien’s Middle-earth, she’s crafted an elaborate world within a world with her extended hobbit families – both their pasts and their futures in the Shire she’s built, so carefully crafted alongside Tolkien’s. Keep up the good work Lindelea – I’ll try to be a better fan in the future and be more consistent with my reading and reviews.
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Author: Lindelea · ID: 27 · Genres: Horror (8): General
Reviewer: sulriel · 2005-08-10 22:02:39
Lindelea is a caring and dedicated author, whose love of Hobbits and her love of her work shines through in her fascinating details and carefully woven plots and twisting subplots. Working within Tolkien’s Middle-earth, she’s crafted an elaborate world within a world with her extended hobbit families – both their pasts and their futures in the Shire she’s built, so carefully crafted alongside Tolkien’s. Keep up the good work Lindelea – I’ll try to be a better fan in the future and be more consistent with my reading and reviews.
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Author: Tanaqui · ID: 40 · Races/Places: Elves (66): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-11 02:12:07
Tanaqui shows some remarkable versatility in this drabbles, hinting at part of a story in "Faithful Companion," telling almost the entire tale in "Refuge," and pulling off some powerful characterization and fascinating backstory with "Details." All in a mere 100 words. I think the trick might lie in Tanaqui's ability to brush the details enough to create a clear picture but not so much that the reader has no room to fill in the blanks. And Tanaqui isn't afraid to let some things go unstated, which takes a great deal of courage on the part of an author. Very nice drabbles.
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Author: Gwynnyd · ID: 186 · Races/Places: Elves (66): Drabble
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2005-08-11 02:17:05
Gwynnyd has pulled off something neat here: a characterization of Arwen that puts her on equal footing with Aragorn without forcing her into the role of Arwen: Warrior Princess. Some fantastic imagery definitely helped, as did the contrasts within the narrative itself. Gwynnyd wove a drabble as tightly as Arwen might have, foiling light and dark, <br/><br/>(Message over 64 KB, truncated)