Yahoo Forum Archive

Hey guys,

I promised that once I was somewhat settled after my move I would start
posting reviews to this listserv. All of the final reviews submitted
before the latest Friday noon will be visible by logging in to
http://www.mefawards.net/MEFA2006/ (or clicking the "login as guest"
link) and then clicking the "Reviews" or "Author Reviews" link in the
blue bar at the top of the page. In the past they have also been posted
to this list.

I had initially planned to post them in groupings of twenty-five reviews
a day. However, looking at it... you guys have written a lot of reviews!
And that's great, exactly what you should be doing. However, there are
1,254 final reviews. That's enough for fifty-one days at twenty-five
reviews a day, without adding any more reviews. And the end of the
awards will be here before we know it.

So I think I'm going to post fifty a day for a while at least. If we get
caught up I may cut it back to twenty-five reviews a day. But to keep
the emails at a somewhat manageable size I'm going to make two emails of
twenty-five each. I can split these reviews up into any groupings of
ten, twenty-five, or fifty reviews each. So if five emails of ten each
would work better I could do that, or if you'd prefer one long email of
fifty reviews I could do that too. Let me know.

Anyway, without further adieu...

Title: The Roots of the Ivy · Author: Aranel Took · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 118
Reviewer: juno_magic · 2006-05-03 11:50:46 Score: 10

The Roots of the Ivy is an epic Alternative Universe novel.
The story is based on a premise that seems almost inconceivable at first
glance: on the evening before the Battle on the Fields of the Pelennor,
Merry and Éowyn comfort each other in the secrecy of their shared
tent, with the result that Éowyn conceives Merry's child.
The Roots of the Ivy follows the life of this child, Ivy Brandybuck,
half-Hobbit, half-human.
The story begins with Ivy's conception and the awkward circumstances of
her birth. Then it moves on to relate how she grows up in the Shire and
in Gondor, and never seems to fit in either culture. In the Shire Ivy is
too tall and matures too quickly, in Gondor she is too small and too
young for her age. When she finally falls in love, it's at the wrong
time and with the wrong person. At first it seems that there will be no
chance for her love... and I'm not going to give away more at this
point. But how Ivy finally manages to find her place in life, to hold on
to her love, and finally to have the family she has always dreamed of,
is a touching, exciting story that can be read and enjoyed again and again.
As unbelievable as the premise of the story may seem, as realistically
the story is developed. What's more, the spirit of Tolkien's
Middle-earth is more present in this story than in many canon stories
that I have read over the years.
The plot is carefully structured and moves along at an exciting pace in
relatively short chapters that make online reading very easy.
The characters, no matter if canon or original, are rounded and
believable. Even minor characters become real and have a background and
a voice of their own. The cultures of Middle-earth are well-researched,
down to details of marriage customs or the question of inheritance.
Middle-earth really feels real in this story, and soon the idea of Merry
and Éowyn having a child together feels more like a detail that Tolkien
left out in his telling of LOTR, because well, the story is a little
awkward and less than proper.
A highlight of the story is the excellent use of dialogue. Without doubt
that's one of the strongest points of the authors. Every character has a
distinct voice, and when we read their arguments or their romantic
whisperings, every word sounds true.
The story also contains adult scenes. Hobbits are not cute, childish,
inane figures in The Roots of the Ivy. They are real persons, some
good, some bad. Tensions and problems are not glossed over, but
dramatically developed and in the end very satisfyingly resolved.
And yes, Hobbits do have sex! Tasteful, stirring and realistic love
scenes are another talent of Aranel Took. A pleasure to read for any
adult reader who doesn't want the usual tedious smut. Here's heartache
mingled with laughter and real hunger.
That is another point I would like elaborate on: The Roots of the Ivy
is a story that evokes real emotions. Reading it, I have smiled, laughed
and cried, the story had me jumping up and down and squeeing. The Roots
of the Ivy has real emotional impact.
All in all, The Roots of the Ivy are one of the best epic fan fiction
novels I have ever read, and certainly one of the best Hobbit stories I
have ever seen.
I recommend the story to everyone who is interested in realistic romance
novels and Hobbits.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Three Towers · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 113
Reviewer: Cuthalion · 2006-05-03 20:26:59 Score: 9

Shirebound is (and has always been) a storyteller of comfort and silent
joy, and wherever her plot gets too angsty, she is quick to add enough
lightheartedness to ease the nerves of her readers. This tale is no
exception. It is set Post-Quest in Minas Tirith, where Frodo suffers
from a lack of memory of certain parts of his journey. What happened in
the Tower of Cirith Ungol - and would regaining his remembrance help him
to overcome the loss of the ring and and the haunting old pain? This
time he has not to make the journey alone... the King of Gondor
accompanies him, Legolas and Gimli, his cousins, his gardener (of
course!) and some gondorean soldiers who see this journey as a chance to
serve the Ringbearer.

Shirebound's heart belongs to the hobbits (again: of course!), but she
has a good hand with the other characters, too. Her portrays of Aragorn,
Legolas and especially Gimli are truly remarkable. Her idea to give
Frodo Baggins the chance to reconcile with his nightmare-ish experiences
in Cirith Ungol is heartwarming, and even her original characters are
fully-fleshed, vivid men with caring souls that stay in your mind long
afterwards. A wonderfully enjoyable read!
-----------------------------------
Title: Of Falcons and Mûmakil · Author: Lialathuveril · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 97
Reviewer: Cuthalion · 2006-05-05 09:47:02 Score: 9

In "Of Falcons and Mûmakil" the author Lialathuveril tells the tale how
Éomer King of Rohan and Princess Lothiriel of Dol Amroth fell in love.
Good het romances in LOTR fanfiction are getting increasingly rare, and
this is one of the best and most adventurous love stories I've ever
read, full of wonderful details, humor and marvelous dialogues.

Lothiriel is a heroine I'm able to love and adore, not a shy maiden
constantly to be rescued from some dreadful danger, but a woman with
great intelligence and strength of will, absolutely believable and
delightful. And Éomer is just - wow. He's yummy and strong and humorous
and the perfect, old-fashioned hero (who at the same time finds the idea
to lock a noblewoman away in a golden cage completely ridiculous). Who
could wish for a better man? Ah yes... and I have never never never seen
someone who is able to build up erotic tension as Lia does, without
giving her lovers more than an embrace or a kiss (and giving the reader
the distinct feeling that more would simply be wrong). She is a mistress
of romance, she has achieved with her very first (!!) fanfiction what I
needed to learn in years, and I bow to her. Go and enjoy!
-----------------------------------
Title: All Those Who Wander · Author: daw the minstrel · Races: Elves:
Featuring Mirkwood Elves · ID: 209
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-05-06 06:29:52 Score: 10

This is just another of those enchanting episodes in a family that has
become totally real to me. Eilian's struggles with developing a - shall
we say - more mature attitude to life and overcome his gremlins,
Ithilden's correct and occasionally rather sanctimonious attitude that
conceals an elf just as hurt as his younger brother, Legolas's pure need
for his family - and Thranduil, struggling to hold it all together and
attempting to mend his sons' hurts, run a kingdom and deal with his own
devastating pain make me happy to follow these characters through
anything. The visit Legolas pays to Maltanaur at the end is a lovely
touch - of course he would wish to express his disapproval at his
brother's keeper's getting hurt to the point where he cannot look after
Eilian properly! Legolas is just such a delightful combination of his
parents here - Thranduil's authority and his mother's charm - that I'm
not surprised Maltanaur responded as he did - with the intention of
using Eilian's affection for his little brother.

The characters are all so multi-dimensional: I think that is one of the
things that makes this family such a pleasure to read about. And the
minor characters are as much so as the central ones. Maltanaur is
Maltanaur - protective of wild Eilian and not above using events to
manipulate him - and he is also a husband, father and friend. He does
not cease to have a life simply because he is not centre stage. Same
with Beliond - and Siondel and Elowen and Annael. And the terror Turgon.
Anyway, this is just another excellent, readable and re-readable episode
in the lives of your characters - and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
-----------------------------------
Title: Evensong · Author: aranda_nz · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 191
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-05-06 08:49:59 Score: 10

This is a gorgeous story. I just love the fact it is Gimli-centric  the
Dwarf doesnt get enough attention and spends too much time being comic
relief for the Elf and the Dúnadan. I really enjoyed his point of view
on advancing age and decrepitude  and the quest that was set on his
shoulders. A quest, moreover, that answers some questions in a most
fascinating way.

The Legolas you portray has an edge to him, too. He has an inhuman power
that is normally concealed beneath an aura of amiability, but it is
there. The power of the non-human elements of Middle-earth is shown in him.

I love the relationship of Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. Aragorn is aware
of the passage of time far more than the other two and is prepared to
make a few more concessions to it  probably due to having to rule a
bunch of humans  but they are still like a group of boys on an outing.
Until it gets serious, at least.

Favourite minor character has to be Stone-Water-Worn-Smooth  although
Earnulf runs him close. And then theres Radagast  and Treebeard.

In addition to enjoying the story, you also produce some of the most
beautiful descriptive turns of phrase. Never to excess, just sentences
that leave the reader breathless. The juxtaposition of words is so
cleverly done, too, to make unexpected and evocative effects. Your prose
is certainly not mundane!

Im still hoping for the next episode in this adventure.

-----------------------------------
Title: The Prince and the Pea · Author: Karri · Genres: Humor: Children
· ID: 158
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-05-06 11:37:18 Score: 10

This is such a funny story - so beautifully written and so clever. I
love the sneaky way the elves all gang up to provide Estel with an . . .
interesting experience. And I cannot help wondering just how many heirs
of Isildur they have worked this scam on before. They are all far too
slick and professional to be trialling this one for the first time!

And I enjoyed seeing Celeborn joining in the play! Wonderful. He usually
seems to be portrayed as far too dignified to involve himself in this
sort of malarkey. The haughty Vanyar comment made me laugh. And I loved
the bit about mattress stacking being listed among the many renowned
skills of this hero of the First Age. It probably came in the job
description right after Balrog slayer.

I adore the slightly world-weary reaction from Legolas - the sideways
look and the long-suffering sigh that seem to say not again and ask if
the sons of Elrond are ever going to outgrow this particular gag. Mind
you - why would they, since even their father and grandfather are happy
to involve themselves in pulling this trick on Estel.

Estels reaction the following morning is hilarious  he is all askew
and twitching. And Legolas's words are just right. I cannot imagine how
they all kept a straight face. I couldn't  I suppose theyve had plenty
of practice, though.

And such a complicated elven joke - with everybody in on it except
Gilraen and Estel. I wonder if anybody ever let Aragorn know that it was
a set up. That would make a delightful scene in itself  as would
pulling the same jest on Eldarion in the future.

-----------------------------------
Title: Necessity and Desire · Author: Gwynnyd · Times: The Great Years ·
ID: 173
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-05-06 11:55:50 Score: 10

This story is a lovely complex weaving of so many different elements.
Arwen putting Aragorn in mail seems an odd act  if according to the
facts - but I'm glad to see he is putty in her hands.

There are just so many delights - Boromir and his first meeting with the
twins  poor man, he dealt well with the arrival of a haughty elf; Arwen
and her involvement with the practicalities of running a large house 
not just a pretty face; her and Aragorn together, the wooden Arathorn
figure, the detail of Aragorn's elven/human room, Elrohir tidying up
behind him - the discussion. I loved the way Elrohir reflected on his
foster-brother as they worked together on their plan and recalled the
numerous times they had put him through planning exercises. Even now, it
must catch at them sometimes, that he has grown so swiftly to be the man
he is at this point.

Arwen and Aragorn's closeness - and willingness to let her brothers see
it  is delightful. They are a family at home. Arwen looking at Aragorn
and responding just before he gets to the amusing parts shows their
affectionate intimacy so perfectly.

Their discussion about the importance of what they had worked out and
the need to reforge Narsil so that Aragorn could go with Boromir to
Gondor is vital. For this, it would seem acceptable for Aragorn to miss
Frodo's feast. Time, after all, is running distressingly short.

Mind you, Elrond is unlikely to be delighted by an absence that might
seem, as Elrohir suggested, rude and unforgivable. (This son of Elrond
seems to have a knack for finding the right word.)

But Elrond might be slightly more manageable than his daughter - who had
invested a lot of effort into making that awkward feast go off smoothly.

And Aragorn thinks that Arwen will not be best pleased by their absence,
does he? The man is a master of understatement.

-----------------------------------
Title: Mathom · Author: Perelleth · Genres: Humor · ID: 192
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-05-06 12:09:00 Score: 10

If this story details a peaceful interlude in Imladris, I wouldn't want
to be around when things are going seriously haywire! I loved Elrond
getting concerned about his wine cellar and Erestor provoking him about
it - and speculating about the future disappearance of the key! And the
Erestor and Elladan moments were priceless. I loved Elrohir sitting
there in his filthy clothes - spewing wine down himself - and wondering
how to avoid a paternal ear-bashing!

Keeping Estel hidden is a great stalking-horse  and then there is poor
Glorfindel, who is powerless to resist Gilraen's wiles. (I adore a
Glorfindel who can defeat Balrogs and keep the Elrondionnath in line,
but melts before a winsome smile!) Estel is seriously delightful - and
in full command of the childhood dripping tap technique of persuasion.

I took great pleasure in Elrohir being sent off with Bilbo to spend long
hours talking about the presence of hobbits at Fornost - not to mention
Elrohir resorting to twin-confusion to pass the hobbit over to Elladan.
Nowhere near as subtly as he might have intended.

I like the view of the kitchen as a microcosm of the whole - ruling the
world but on a smaller scale. Erestor's training in breaking into
kitchens might well stand Estel in good stead when he is king, too. And
I've never heard a better explanation of why Rivendell appeared to be
the home of dotty ditties.

This is just the most delightful story. Glorfindel's reaction to his
entry into the midst of what they are trying to hide is so well
presented. And then for him to swoo... become contemplative when all
their precautions came to nothing. So contemplative that he failed to
notice the rest of the night - not to mention dropping Estel. And not
appearing to observe the slips of the tongue that suggest there is more
than one sword to consider. I love the silvery bells of Valmar, too -
and the promise that the day will come. Glorfindel needed that.

This is a delightful tale, Perelleth. Just delicious on so many levels.
I loved it - and I hope there will be more tales of life in Imladris to
follow.

-----------------------------------
Title: In The Pits Of Utumno · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves ·
ID: 164
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-05-06 14:29:46 Score: 10

I find this such a delightful story! It started out so ominously with
brave Elatan risking death and worse to creep into the darkest pits of
Utumno to try to rescue his friend. The tension is great  and the
reader can really see the fortress through Elatans eyes. Then Elendur 
naked and tortured  is rescued at last and&

Lovely twist. It's just so typical of children to play out the tales
they are told - and Glorfindel must certainly have an enormous store of
amazing stories to fire their imaginations. I love the way Elladan
sneaked across the Hall of Fire to find Elrohir artistically arranged on
a pile of rags in foul captivity. (Rags? That I question. I wonder who
will find the dishevelled pile of clean laundry. Very sensible of
Elrohir to ensure a bit of comfort for the unhappy prisoner.) And that
he kept his smalls on! Naked is as naked does - and elflings don't do
naked! Well. Not unless hot summer days and cool water is involved  and
even then it might depend on who was around!

The performance was beautifully done - right up to the moment Erestor
inconsiderately got in the twins' way and broke the mood. Didn't he
enjoy it, though. I'm sure he'll get a great deal of fun out of this
over a very long period of time - and I wonder how long it will take to
get back to Glorfindel... and Melkor! A certain pair of twins might grow
tired of hearing this story before too many centuries have elapsed.

Very enjoyable story, Jay. I'm left with a big smile.

-----------------------------------
Title: The Gift · Author: Dot · Races: Elves: Featuring Mirkwood Elves ·
ID: 160
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-05-06 16:37:45 Score: 10

I love the relationship here between Thranduil and Legolas. There is a
warmth and easy understanding between them that is very touching. Seeing
Legolas prepare himself for what he will experience as he approaches the
damaged land puts a twist on his decision to dwell in Ithilien. This is
a land that desperately needs what the elves can offer. And, having seen
the torment of the land, it isn't in Thranduil to leave it without
trying to bring relief to the suffering of the remaining trees. I can
see why his son might be concerned about his father spending so much of
himself in the aftermath of beginning the healing of Lasgalen  although
there must be a particular joy to dismissing the corruption left by
Sauron. Legolas working to augment his fathers power is an awesome
indication of the power of the elves. Elrond is right when he describes
Thranduil as a powerful healer  and I enjoyed Thranduils dry response
to the reported comment!

I loved the humming of the earth and the whispering of the trees  but
absolutely best the part is when he raised his hand and there was green
grass sprouting in his hand print and spreading from his touch. The
comparison to the exhaustion of battle was very apt  and what a battle
this one was for them to win!

And I reckon that Thranduil only had to see Ithilien to know why Legolas
could not resist the land's need. Regardless of Aragorn, regardless of
the sea-longing, this is something that would call to a Wood Elf  and
it is the best possible use of Legolass energies.

This is a delightful story, Dot and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

-----------------------------------
Title: Once · Author: Noldo · · ID: 239
Reviewer: Meril · 2006-05-07 00:53:05 Score: 9

This story was so unique in Faramir's comparison between himself and
Turin (I've never seen anyone desire to be Turin!), and that is what
made it stick in my mind.

Noldo's writing has this lovely lyrical quality that I do not see
anywhere else: her prose is long and meandering, beautifully
descriptive, and the endings leave me surprised and thoughtful.

This piece is very nicely organized. It is divided into sections that
are like little snapshot memories, and just fit together so beautifully
in the end. At the end of each section there is Faramir's wish to be
Turin, and that rationale in itself is always surprising.

It is the ending that always takes my breath away. Of course there has
been all this buildup with Faramir thinking how Turin (of all people!)
had his tragedies right: Turin had a mother that died but he could
remember, Turin had a Finduilas who didn't die slow and lingering, and
Turin had escaped by suicide after all the terrible things in his life.
It's a heart-stopping turnaround when Faramir realizes that ["Túrin had
never had Éowyn, lovely golden-haired fierce injured Éowyn in blue with
silver stars on top of the City"] and that there is much to rejoice in.

And then there are the final lines:

[(He had never really wanted to be Túrin.)

<i>Túrin had only had a mother who sent him away and a Finduilas who
loved him and who he did not love, a Finduilas who died, and Túrin had
lived out a doom, and Túrin had killed himself.

Túrin had never really loved.

He did not want to be Túrin. He wanted only this.

Sing now ye people.</i>]

It is that last line, with such quiet hope and joy that directly
contrasts with the bleakness of the previous sections, that brings a
smile to my face every time.
-----------------------------------
Title: Gandalf's No Good, Rotten, Really Bad Day · Author: Gandalfs
apprentice · Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 146
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-05-08 05:02:29 Score: 9

This story is hysterical and consummately well-written. It is certainly
AU, but uses hard-core canon knowledge in the most effective way
imaginable to make its points. There are layers and layers to the humor,
digging out weaknesses of the logic of the original, as well as taking
its pokes at movie verse. There were many points in this where I was
laughing until my sides hurtI cannot tell you why Arwens snuffling at
the thought of poor dead Aragorn is so funny, but it is. Manwë gets the
last lineas, of course, he shouldand it is a winner! This is no
lightly tossed off piece of slapstick or simple comedic relief at the
end of a long day of writers block, but an erudite, witty and carefully
crafted work and oh so funny. It compiles a long list of errors,
mistakes of judgment, negligence and just plain stupidities committed by
the oh-so-well-meaning Gandalf, until all of Middle Earth is crumbling
under the collective weight of them and poor Gandalf is left trying to
explain to a less than pleased Manwë what he might have been thinking! I
have a secret file on my computer of lines of fanfic that I wish I had
written and a good number of them come from this piece.

Oshun
-----------------------------------
Title: The White Tree · Author: Linda Hoyland · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 94
Reviewer: Timmy2222 · 2006-05-08 15:16:42 Score: 6

This is such a refreshing and nice story and the words which sum it up
are compassion and friendship. The relationship between Aragorn and his
Steward tends to be neglected as Tolkien wrote about it only shortly. So
this gives the reader a view into both hearts and minds: Aragorn seeks
Faramir's friendship and the Steward is too afraid to let it happen, but
envies the Hobbits for their easy-going with the King.
And there's more to this story: the fine humor that gives the character
a heart and that warm and fuzzy feeling, i.e. that Aragorn quitted
smoking pipeweed for Arwen. Now if that isn't love I don't know what
would be! (g)
Like the other stories by Linda, this is a heart-warming episode about a
king and his way of dealing with the small problems of day-to-day life.

Timmy

-----------------------------------
Title: Hair · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 321
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-05-10 23:41:15 Score: 7

This one contains really funny interspecies reflections. (Have you ever
dealt with "culture shock"--nothing to compare with what poor Legolas
has to adjust to here.) If you might think that you are only going to
have to listen to another one of those stories written from the
perspective of one of those arrogant, oh-so-superior elves complaining
about lesser beings, then you will be very wrong. The author quite
deftly develops the character of Legolas without ever leaving his point
of view. The writing is clear, compelling, well-crafted and polished.
The humor is layered. If you read this drabble a couple of times, there
are lines that get an extra laugh the second or third times around. The
writer never lets you gets what is coming in the next couple of lines
and ends with a wicked flourish.
-----------------------------------
Title: Fond Memory · Author: Isil Elensar · Genres: Drama: The Steward's
Family · ID: 331
Reviewer: juno_magic · 2006-05-11 10:00:31 Score: 8

The short story is a gapfiller of canon, set several years before "The
Lord of the Rings".

This ficlet shows an encounter of Boromir and Faramir in the library of
Minas Tirith. Faramir is 15 years old, Boromir is 20. After sword
practice - the Faramir of this story is true to fanon in preferring
reading to fighting - Faramir holes up in the library. Boromir comes to
find his brother, and they talk about just why Faramir has hidden in the
library that day.

Delicately written, the tale offers insights in the relationship of the
brothers and in how their different personalities were shaped. What is
especially striking about this story is how carefully and unobtrusively
the setting is devleoped, and how a deeply emotional scene evolves in a
very natural, realistic way. Tying together their everyday life with
their dreams and troubles, the story illuminates the affection between
the brothers and provides an interesting missing scene of the pre-LOTR
years.

A delightful read that leaves the reader with a warm feeling of contentment.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Walk · Author: Kelllie · Genres: Drama: Featuring Frodo or
Sam · ID: 618
Reviewer: Budgielover · 2006-05-15 04:39:16 Score: 6

This story reads like a balm to the Frodo-loving heart. Skillfully
written with lovingly-drawn characterizations, the reader experiences
with Frodo his slow healing in Minas Tirith, and the last task he
performs for his friend and King. The story has a sense of cycle,
beginnings and endings, seen in two time periods - the past through
young Frodo's time with his wise Uncle Bilbo and the present won through
pain and suffering and bravery. The author provides us great
hurt/comfort, angst, humor, and joy, and above all, celebrates with
great respect the gift the Ring-bearer gave to the world ... a future.
-----------------------------------
Title: On the Anduin · Author: Gentle Hobbit · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 619
Reviewer: Budgielover · 2006-05-15 04:57:16 Score: 6

"On the Anduin" is a tightly witten and well-thought out alternative
universe story, in which Frodo is wounded by an orc arrow on the River,
and does not have his mithril vest. The characterizations of the
Fellowship are outstanding, especially the interaction between Aragorn
and Boromir. The hobbits are written with love and understanding, and
the relationship between a very frightened Pippin and a wonderfully
brave Frodo is beautifully drawn. The hurt/comfort and angst strike just
the right note, and the medical detail is both fascinating and
realistic. Shining through, however, is the concern and care shown an
injured Ring-bearer, and the renewal of life.
-----------------------------------
Title: Desires Of The Hroa · Author: The Last Temptation of Homer ·
Genres: Drama: First Age Elves · ID: 623
Reviewer: Failivrin of The Rondothlim · 2006-05-15 18:44:44 Score: 1

A very well written, emotionally charged vignette starring an unnamed
elven character. Fits the canon perfectly.
-----------------------------------
Title: LifeWatch · Author: Lindelea · · ID: 653
Reviewer: Budgielover · 2006-05-18 03:40:44 Score: 6

"LifeWatch" is an emotionally satisfying story, written from Meriadoc
Brandybuck's point of view of his time in Cormallen, after the
destruction of the Ring. The author's 'voice' is perfect, and you find
yourself nodding your head through the story, thinking, 'yes, that's
what Merry would say and that's how Merry would act.' Merry's
relationship with Pippin is wonderfully drawn, slightly overbearing as
an elder cousin can be at times, but so full of love that you feel
included in the tightly knit circle of hobbits. The other members of the
Fellowship make appearances and contribute to the story, but the hobbits
shine. If you aren't particularly a Merry fan, you will be by the end of
this story.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Gift of Gold · Author: pippinfan88 · · ID: 654
Reviewer: Budgielover · 2006-05-18 03:50:04 Score: 6

"The Gift of Gold" is a gentle, emotionally moving story that celebrates
the continuance of life and the passing of traditions from one
generation to the next. Written entirely as a 'hobbity' story, it
nevertheless resonates with all of us, and would with the other races of
Middle-earth. The author cleverly uses something dear to hobbit-hearts
to show how new memories can brighten old, and sorrow can be turned to
joy. Of especial note is her handling of Gaffer Gamgee - his grief at
his wife's death is so immediate and wretching the reader grieves with
him. The story ends by circling back to the happy event opening it,
reminding us of the undying power of love.
-----------------------------------
Title: Dear Diary · Author: Lily · · ID: 655
Reviewer: Budgielover · 2006-05-18 04:01:05 Score: 6

I told the author of "Dear Diary" that this story will stand as one of
the best in the genre, and I believe that now more than ever. Told from
Primula Baggins' viewpoint, each diary entry details some event in the
carrying and birth and growth of Primula's long-awaited child Frodo. Joy
and pride shines through in each entry, hope and happiness, even during
the less-happy events. Tying all the entries together is a sweet, joyful
humor that makes you long to have known Primula. To see through her
eyes, to feel her fears and hopes and fierce love, is to be drawn into
her family. Outstandingly thought-out and written, this story will
capture the heart of anyone who reads it.
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Title: The Early Adventures of Fwo and Unga Bee · Author: cpsings4him ·
· ID: 656
Reviewer: Budgielover · 2006-05-18 04:10:55 Score: 6

The author describes this story as 'fluff' - to which I reply, 'yes, and
what wonderful, heart-warming, joyful, endearing' fluff it is. There are
times when we NEED happy, loving stories, when our tired hearts need to
be reminded of the sweetness of babies and doting uncles. The
relationship the author draws between Bilbo and Frodo is darling without
being cloying, and the visual imagery is so strong and enveloping that
the reader feels as if she is standing there watching. Little Frodo's
earnest babytalk would melt the sternest heart, and the shifting of
viewpoint between Bilbo and Frodo lets us in our their thoughts and
growing love for each other. This is the story to pick up at the end of
a long day and read again and again, enjoying it more each time.
-----------------------------------
Title: Passing Regrets · Author: Ariel · Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest · ID: 657
Reviewer: Budgielover · 2006-05-18 04:24:41 Score: 6

In fanfiction, we are blessed with so many alternative events - but
"Passing Regrets" has to be the definitive version of Bilbo and Frodo's
first meeting. Written from Bilbo's point of view, we are first charmed
and intrigued by Bilbo, then are treated to his thoughts as he meets the
newest little Baggins. Bilbo's observations of little Frodo give the
reader the feeling of rare confidence, of being privileged to share in
something momentous. Through Bilbo's eyes, the author shows us what a
special child Frodo is, and how his birth continues something greater
than the achievements of a single lifetime. More charming yet is Frodo's
reaction to Bilbo. Infused with humor, love, and affection, this story
would draw praise from Professor Tolkien himself.
-----------------------------------