Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Fellowship of the Conkers · Author: Llinos · Genres: Humor · ID: 880
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-07-16 19:24:37 Score: 3

This is a wonderful exploration of the growing group dynamic developing
in the Companions. Each character is clearly drawn, and seemingly with
little or no effort. I do get tired of seeing Boromir the butt of the
jokes all the time, however.
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Title: The Hobbit and the Man: "All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter" ·
Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Cross-Cultural · ID: 351
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-07-16 19:33:42 Score: 3

This was an intriguing little vignette. I enjoyed, in retrospect, both
the foreshadowing of Bilbo's later encounter with Aragorn as related in
"The Fellowship ... " and his apparent rejection of that idea. When it
was over, however, I wanted more.
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Title: The Healer and the Warrior · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 140
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2006-07-16 21:06:41 Score: 7

There are so many feisty-Lothiriel-meets- masterful-Eomer stories out
there! What makes this one different from the rest is the depth of
maturity youve given Lothiriel. No flighty, spoiled marriage-fodder
princess, your Lothiriel, but an experienced and insightful healer. She
thinks shes quite used to dealing with mens bodies in a professional
and dispassionate manner, until one particularly splendid Rohir falls
asleep in her bathtub. I love the way you showed her becoming
increasingly rattled as she continued to, ah, examine him as he slept.
Hubba hubba! Seriously, though, the quicksilver change in their moods,
from lighthearted flirtation to a sharing their views of war and its
effects, was quite moving. Its quite understandable that they ended up
in each others arms, even for a moment; and quite a pity that they ever
had to move.

I know that youve written more in this series; its been recommended
very enthusiastically but I havent had time to read it yet. I will most
definitely make the time!
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Title: The Oathbreakers · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 42
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2006-07-17 02:37:19 Score: 8

What an extraordinary image  the oathbreakers, the [faithless dead]
watching silently as the flag of the sovereign whom they had betrayed
and abandoned is finally raised. Though the man for whom they waited,
foresworn, is long deceased, his heir and Isildurs finally came with
strength of will to call them forth and demand their fealty and service.

One, though, bears particular guilt for his sin of despair; his king
would grant him mercy, concealing the humiliation of his pity, but
Boromir would not have it so; lonely, anguished, he stands silently with
his fellow oathbreakers. too heartbroken to risk a special farewell, he
drifts away with the others. Alas for Boromir! That his own sense of
guilt caused him to number himself among the faithless. And poor
Aragorn, noticing his presence too late to offer forgiveness and
reconciliation.

What a fabulously intense depiction of a brief, frequently-overlooked
scene. Youve given the scene itself such desperate, fleeting life; your
addition of Boromir adds such poignant, emotional intensity.
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Title: Was It For This? · Author: aervir · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 204
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2006-07-17 02:41:09 Score: 4

What an extraordinarily cool and lovely elegy, with a well-concealed
sharp edge. All the pain and despair over the loss of the twin heroes,
Boromir and Théodred, is perfectly contained. No graphic description of
blood, battle, and fear, no romantic salute to patriotism or heroism,
just the carefully restrained bitterness of the question.
Thought-provoking and timeless; perfectly appropriate for the Late
Fourth Age as well as the Third.
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Title: Both Beholden · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 180
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-17 04:16:30 Score: 3

An interesting and unique what if story in which Boromir meets Halabarad
on his way to Rivendell and tries to gain some answers from the
suspicious ranger.The author conveys the mutual unease of the two men
well as well as their mutual fear of the Wraiths.A vivid portrayal of
the sounds and scents of a dark night in the woods.
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Title: Hidden Wonders · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 420
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-17 04:20:08 Score: 3

A sweet little glimpse of Faramir and Eowyn's life together.I love the
way that Eowyn shows an interest in Faramir's books and the way he
surprises her with his ranger stealth.This was a vivid image conveyed in
a few words.
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Title: Gondor Needs No King · Author: Ribby · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 207
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-17 04:22:22 Score: 2

A very chilling ficlet exploring what if Boromir had brought daddy the
ring and most likely disposed of Aragorn in so doing.This truly made my
flesh creep !
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Title: Music Lessons · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 55
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-17 04:30:04 Score: 4

A very sweet and sharming ficlet about Faramir and Gandalf.One often
wonders what their early encounters would have been like and this
provides a valid answer to the question. I like the way that Faramir is
eager to be musical and imitate the birds and so proud and loyal to his
elder brother.I like the image of Boromir charming birds too,as it is
not what one usually thinks about Boromir.
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Title: Castle · Author: Timmy2222 · Races: Men: Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 256
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-17 05:03:56 Score: 10

This story has become a classic of fanfiction and is considered maybe
the ultimate Aragorn angst story,as the poor king suffersa great deal
when he is kidnaaped by a former mistress of Denethor's and her son, who
she is aiming to replace Aragorn as ruler with,once he and Faramir are
dispposed of.

Poor Aragorn is beaten, chained in a dungeon and made to work in the
mines, his only friend a delightful eight year old boy called Vhiori,
one of the most endearing original characters, I have ever encountered,
who together with the mysterious healer, Lomac,aid our hero.Lomac seems
able to ultilise athelas which makes the reader wonder just exactly who
he might be.

Faramir and Eomer also play quite a large part in this story as both
face danger and possible death in their bid to find Aragorn.

I especially enjoyed the scene where awounded and exhausted Aragorn
insists on tending Eomer's wounds himself and refuses to leave him.Other
memorable scenes were Vlhori's growiung friendship with Aragorn which
progresses from fear to affection and the little boy's desparate efforts
to help his badly injured friend.

This is a gripping and moving story,all the more remarkable as English
is not the writers first language and I believe this was her first fanfic.
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Title: First Night · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits: War of the
Ring · ID: 400
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 07:30:16 Score: 5

Interesting story. The contrast between the sort of life Pippin was used
to, and the reality of his first night in Minas Tirith, is very well
written here. I liked the attention paid to the lack of soft, round,
cozy things in Pippin's surroundings; Minas Tirith is indeed as unused
to hobbits as he is unused to the White City. And Pippin's observation
that Merry is his cheerful heart is wonderful.

We also see Pippin growing and stretching his mind and adaptive powers;
the effect that his journey has had on him.

Pippin has always been my favorite hobbit, and this story does well by him.
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Title: Antiphon to Light · Author: Thevina Finduilas · Races: Dwarves ·
ID: 155
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 07:31:57 Score: 6

A moving short story focussing on Gimli's reaction to Galadriel, and the
feelings she stirs within him, and his recognition of change.

Dwarves seem to me to be the most difficult humanoid race in
Middle-earth to get to know, but this story elucidates Gimli's mind
honestly and credibly. He is not a coarse or greedy being caring only
for gold or delving, but a complex individual, caught in the forces of
tremendous change as are all the members of the Fellowship. Gimli's
simultaneous recognition of the changes in himself, and resistance,
seems quite real.

The dialogue between Gimli and Pippin is well-done.

My one quibble is Gimli's use of the word [internalise], which seems a
bit too modern for a Tolkien fanfic story set in Middle-earth.

This sentence is particularly beautiful:
[She knew his kind, the determined naugrim that made the stones sing]


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Title: The White Tree · Author: Linda Hoyland · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 94
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 07:44:01 Score: 10

This story enlarges upon Aragorn's discovery of the new White Tree.
Here, Aragorn is feeling rather lost and lonely after his coronation,
overwhelmed by the change in his life, as he transitions from wanderer
and warrior to King. Faramir is also learning his new role as Steward,
but is unsure of how to deal with a King returned out of legend. The
White Tree serves as a catalyst to bring them closer together.

The writer spins a warm, sympathetic tale of two lonely men coping with
tremendous change in both their lives and the world they knew. Aragorn's
physical isolation is well described, as is his discomfort in dealing
with a life of luxury.

Canon purists may find fault with the characterization of Faramir, who
appears somewhat more vulnerable and nervous of authority than Tolkien
depicted him. The writer does have an explanation, though it may or may
not satisfy all readers. The characterizations work within the context
of the story, and attention is paid to Faramir's visionary abilities.

Best of all is the scene that Tolkien did not, but should have, written
- Faramir's passionate reaction to the removal of the old, dead Tree,
before he knows of the finding of its young and healthy successor.
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Title: Those Who Challenge the Dead · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Men:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 858
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 07:46:43 Score: 3

A very original subject for a drabble! Alas, poor Earnur, you wrote him
well - not exactly a man of subtle mind or even common sense. (what was
he - crazy?!)

The drabble captures Earnur's pride (not to mention impatience), which,
as we all know, is just begging for a big fall.
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Title: The Long Road Home · Author: AmandaK · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 743
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 07:47:52 Score: 4

An engrossing BoromirLives! AU tale, taking its time and taking us on a
dramatic, action-filled journey from Rauros to Gondor and back to
Eriador where it all began.

Of course, my favorite part was Boromir's adoption of the young dog he
finds.

Minor quibble in that I didn't find Boromir's hesitation to show himself
to Denethor as the 26th Steward rants on the pyre quite as convincing as
it could have been.

Boromir is very credible in the role of orc-slaying vigilante that he
embraces in his quest for penance.
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Title: The Recall · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Gondor · ID: 738
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 07:53:17 Score: 6

An intriguing, skillfully written political parable with lessons for our
own and all ages.

The story, taking place some 25 years after ROTK ends, concerns the
efforts of Aragorn, Faramir, and Imrahil to mitigate unreasonably high
tariffs against the Haradrim.

Attention is paid to the dangers of self-importance and desire for
revenge at the expense of the right of other lands to survive above the
subsistence level. Faramir's wonderful speech to Frodo about Gondor not
being a mistress of even williing slaves comes well into play here.

The story might suffer if the reader does not first read Altariel's 'Red
River', to which this is the sequel. There are also many references to
earlier stories by the author.

Nice to see that Imrahil still knows how to make a dramatic entrance!


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Title: The Usurper · Author: Elena Tiriel · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 834
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 07:56:07 Score: 3

Ouch! Poor Ornendil, not to mention the people of Osgiliath. You've
captured Castamir's haughtiness and utter lack of mercy to the fallen
very well. Excellent work of turning a thrilling, complex story, into a
haunting drabble.
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Title: The Road Not Taken · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Vignette · ID: 104
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 08:00:40 Score: 6

J.R.R. Tolkien, meet Robert Frost. Well, sort of. Frost's lovely lines
about taking the road less travelled by, and that choice making all the
difference, weaves seamlessly into this vignette.

Boromir's final leaving of the lands he knows, as he faces the road that
will take him from Rohan and the young Rider who has escorted him there,
is both splendid and sad. The use of the swan, ancestral sigil of
Boromir's mother's line, as herald and harbinger, is a lovely touch.
Indeed, the connection between the trumpeter swan, Boromir's own
horn-call and his eventual fate, is almost magical, the writer's use of
the Old English word for swan is just perfect.

Good and evocative descriptions heighten the power of this quiet but
significant moment in the life of Denethor's heir.
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Title: Beleg and Túrin · Author: Raihon · Genres: Romance · ID: 755
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 10:00:21 Score: 4

Yikes, poor Beleg. All things considered, he would have done far better
off befriending someone less doomed and less self-absorbed.

I am generally not a fan of Tolkien slash stories, but this one reads
well, is not overly graphic, and conveys Beleg's tragedy with a mixture
of fire and grace. The ending is powerful; and sad, and very typical Turin.

Good use of Nellas, too.
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Title: A Hallowed Place of Both Peoples · Author: Imhiriel · Times:
Early Third Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 944
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 10:19:34 Score: 3

A worthy spotlight on the lesser aftermath of a Great Moment in Gondor
History. Good characterisation of Eorl, one can sense his strength,
pride, and generosity of spirit through the author's well-chosen words.
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Title: Shadow of Himself · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 853
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 10:31:20 Score: 4

One of the best stories of this type. I love the twist that the author
employs, which I don't remember seeing in other stories with the same
premise.

The female original character is well and credibly written.

A haunting story, with no easy solutions to a discovery that perhaps it
would have had been better not to make.

Good characterisations all around, particularly Legolas and Gimli.
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Title: Earth, Water, Fire and Air · Author: Fileg · Genres: Drama:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Series · ID: 469
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 10:45:37 Score: 5

Don't miss this one!

A marvelous collection of four vignettes, each incarnating a different
character as one of the Aces of the four Tarot suits - Eowyn for
Shields, Arwen for Cups, Aragorn for Swords, and Faramir for Wands (Staffs).

Arwen's piece and Faramir's are particularly striking, though all the
vignettes are good. Arwen has an interesting and very appropriate twist
on the Grail theme; and Faramir's chapter is haunting and poignant, with
a particularly lovely last line.

An unusual and original set of thematically linked vignettes, simply but
beautifully written. They're a joy to read, and I can't recommend the
four pieces highly enough.
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Title: Letters in the sand · Author: Rhapsody · Races: Elves: Feanorians
· ID: 176
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 10:51:50 Score: 3

Though I do not understand the differences in, or the subtleties of,
Tolkien's writing systems for Middle-earth, this is an elegant vignette
that expresses Maglor's turmoil in vivid fashion.

One slight quibble - toward the end, I could not tell whether Maglor
pinpointed the Silmaril in the sky or the sea.
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Title: History Becomes Legend · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Men:
Steward's Sons Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 737
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 10:53:36 Score: 4

Boromir was just the sort of man to inspire legends, wasn't he! And the
similarity between him and the Rohirrim was noted by Tolkien (through
Eomer, I think), so this drabble works perfectly, as some anonymous
Riders honor the man they viewed as a brother warrior and possibly a
soulmate. The difficulty of communication between the Rohir boy and
Faramir gives way to the universal power of song, a beautiful and
well-expressed idea.

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Title: Alas, for the dying of the trees · Author: Gandalfs apprentice ·
Races: Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 788
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 10:55:05 Score: 2

Cute and funny, in a grumpy dwarvish way. Good and believable stories
about Gimli are few and far between, but this is one of them. Nicely done.
-----------------------------------