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Title: The Princess and the Horse Lord · Author: Oshun · Genres:
Romance: Incomplete · ID: 425
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 11:06:41 Score: 3
Admin Edit Review
A sweet, deftly written Eomer/Lothiriel romance.

Good description of Faramir as a handsome man with a hint of Elven
beauty. And Imrahil had very intriguing memories of the relationship of
Denethor and Finduilas.

I'm unsure that Elladan's interest in Lothiriel is thoroughly
believable, but I loved the use of the song "After the Ball Is Over".

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Title: Wizardry · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 179
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 11:10:33
A fascinating peek into a day in the life of MIddle-earth's most dogged
and determined hunters. Unfortunately, the Grey Pilgrim and Isildur's
Heir are stymied by scrawny little Gollum - the irony is deftly
sketched, and attention is well-paid to Gandalf and Aragorn's shared
sense of humor.

The ficlet's beginning and ending with the same word is a very nice touch.
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Title: The Grey at the End of the World · Author: jodancingtree · Times:
Fourth Age and Beyond: The Shire · ID: 288
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 11:20:34
Very few Tolkien fanfiction writers can hold my attention with such a
long and complex tale featuring almost all OC's. But this one does.

I was intrigued by the character of Canohando the redeemed Orc back in
the predecessor to this story, and this story, which tells of his
ultimate fate, does not disappoint. There is a great sense of poignancy
in the brutal passage of time and the loss of the things we loved in
LOTR - the fading of Elessar's kingdom, and finally the loss of the
Shire, though the hobbits survive - but it is realistic to expect that
they would not last forever, since this story takes place so long after
LOTR.

The tale of Logi and Haldar and Freiga is darkly, painfully brilliant -
I would suspect that the names were deliberately chosen to reflect Loki,
Baldur and Freya (or Frigga) in Norse myth.

And, as always, Radagast's appearance is welcome. His role in the story
is not to work a total miracle, but to save that which can be saved, and
help the hobbits find a place, however diminished, in a rougher and more
brutal world.
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Title: Home At Last · Author: Dreamflower · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 883
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 11:24:40
Excellent vignette in which Bilbo, returned from his adventure, finds
that in leaving the Shire, he may have gained wisdom, but he has lost a
certain reputation among his more sensible and hidebound friends and
relations. One can see Bilbo start to realize that nothing, even travel
and great deeds, come without a price; and that he will not ever be
treated quite the same way again by his peers. But there are
compensations, as Bilbo discovers...

Quietly effective. I especially liked the characterisation of young
Drogo, who may have had no Took in him, but reminded me very much of Frodo.
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Title: Unfolded · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Fixed-Length Ficlets
With Children · ID: 906
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 11:26:47
A perfect little snapshot of Faramir and Aragorn rejoicing in the
sunlight by the new White Tree, as seen through Bergil's eyes. The use
of the verb 'bloom' is particularly apt.

An excellent drabble that paints a complete picture in only a few words.
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Title: Trivial Matters · Author: Thundera Tiger · Genres: Humor: Gondor
· ID: 839
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 11:28:00
Amusing vignette! Faramir shows his sense of humor as well as his
cleverness; and gets the better not only of Legolas, but Aragorn too. I
loved it that Faramir also seems to get the last laugh.

Well written, with a dry wit appropriate to the story.
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Title: For a cause, a friend, a loved one · Author: Werecat · Genres:
Humor · ID: 120
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 13:33:02
A fascinating perspective on the tension building in Rohan, and then the
final decision to ride to Gondor's aid, from the point of view of
barnyard critters. I loved it that the horse, Thunderclap, was regarded
by the others as their protector - definitely appropriate for the
four-legged hierarchy in the Mark.
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Title: Of Stone and Fire · Author: Werecat · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 124
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 13:38:04
Outstandingly original, this drabble is short, powerful, and has
unexpected depth - just like Gimli. His quiet strength against Feanor's
bombast makes for a fascinating conflict.

And Feanor's rage is somehow very funny - after all this time in Mandos,
he's still the spoiled Noldor prince fixated on (among other things)
Galadriel's hair.

I would have liked to see a real face-to-face meeting between Gimli and
dear ol' Spirit-of-Fire, but considering how long Feanor's been really,
truly dead, and how it's uncertain where Gimli's soul will go after his
death, this is possibly the closest we'll get.

Well done.
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Title: To The King! · Author: Ithil-Valon · Times: Multi-Age: Incomplete
· ID: 848
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-17 13:39:36
An engrossing and well-plotted story. Well-paced also, with emotion,
romance, drama, and then a spurt of escalating action.

Good characterisation of Eomer. Some funny moments with Faramir - though
he is much softer than Tolkien's character, it is to be expected of the
movie version.


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Title: Legend · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 933
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 01:22:45
I like how you have changed Eowyn's priorities - from personal glory and
a touch of despair, to a fierce protectiveness of her family. I think
that really captures her growth, and I like what it says about her.
Beyond that, you have drawn a charming family tableau with lots of
interesting details. Good job with this little scenelet.
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Title: Necessity and Desire · Author: Gwynnyd · Times: The Great Years ·
ID: 173
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-18 01:44:10
This is a lovely story which fills in some gaps in the book and shows
several facets of Aragorn,from his grim determination to his desire to
please his beloved Arwen. I just love the image the author conveys of
the KIng in waiting in an ill fitting suit of armour.I also enjoy the
characterisation of Arwen.
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Title: The Oathbreakers · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 42
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-18 03:19:49
A chilling and thought provoking piece. I could just imagine Boromir's
spirit still wanting to join in the fight against Sauron.
Aragorn must have found it heartbreaking not to be able to speak some
word to his dead comrade.It is frightening just what power he has, but
we know he would never abuse it.
-----------------------------------
Title: Imrahil's Daughter · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 183
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-18 03:28:11
This was a delightful story,a sequel to the Healer and The Warrior in
which Eomer, having no wish to marry yet, tries to fight his growing
attraction to Imrahil's daughter, but the harder he tries, the more he
is drawn towards Lothiriel.

Aragorn, who is very much a mentor to Eomer feels his young friend is
badly in need of a wife

Unlike its predecessor, this story is told mainly from Eomer's point of
view.There is a scene both hilarious and touching, I especoially
enjoyed,where he discusses the situation in Rohan with Aragorn,Faramir
and Imrahil, while they are all drinking hot tea.

Sparks fly whenever these two are together and attempts to apologise
only lead to increasingly complex and comprimising situations.

As well as being a delightful romance the story has two important
subplots, the shortage of food in Rohan and Aragorn's kindness towards
hiis friend and brother in arms,and the recuperation of the Rohirrim
wounded in the war.Lothiriel has been treating them and she is
determined that Eomer is going to pay his injured comrades a visit and
when lothriel is determined she is a force to be reckoned with.

A gem of a story,brimming with wonderful character moments.I defy anyone
to read this without laughing out loud as well as feeling for the
characters.
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Title: Ring Thoughts · Author: Nesta · Times: The Great Years · ID: 190
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-18 03:29:02
This is a most unusual story told from the point of view of the One
Ring. It studies all the members of the Fellowship in turn, looking to
see which of them is the most likely to be corrupted by its influence.It
is especially contemptous of such asAragorn who cannot be tempted and
Hobbits that it sees as of little worth.However, when it studies Boromir
and senses his desparation to save Gondor whatever the cost,the Ring
knows it has found its victim.
Amusing, enteraining and ulimately chilling,the writer makes the reader
believe in the Ring's mefistofilan personality.
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Title: Elfwine · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Fixed-Length Ficlet
· ID: 70
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 03:30:04
Ann, this is a really nice drabble. You cram so many cultural details
into the little bit of space we have (like the fact that Eomer wouldn't
leave the birthchamber, and that that was unusual, and the custom of
wetting the prince's head), but what I really like about this is what
you've done with Eomer's personality. It's too easy to make him a bit
mushy, but here he is so enthusiastic - in a different time I can
imagine him as a frat boy, very easily. And that raucous character is
right on. But even before that, he is sensitive and telling, which makes
for a very well-rounded personality.
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Title: Lord of Werewolves · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Parody · ID: 255
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-18 03:31:30
This is truly hilarious. I enjoyed it the first time I read it,but after
having read the original story it now seems funnier than ever.

Sauron is given the task of training a fearsome werewolf for Morgoth but
instead calls it a silly pet name and mollycoddles it.

Despite its fearsome size and form, the werewolf is like all other
puppies and given to leaving puddles on the floor.

Morgoth here is represented a fearsome dark lord while Sauron comes
across as somewhat of a lazy fop with a Vampire for a mistress, yet to
develop the fearsome persona which will terrify later generations.

There are some clever and amusing references to other characters and
stories included in this very funny story.
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Title: Roots and Branches · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 611
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-18 03:31:51
A charming glimpse of post war Minas Tirith as the Hobbits cluster round
the White tree, the symbol of hope and renewal,not only for Elendil's
line but for the whole of Gondor.

Frodo and Sam are curious about what happened to Denethor and ask Pippin
who was witness to the dreadful events of his last hours on Middle-earth.

Faramir overhears the conversation and is naturally distressed, fearing
that he too may be tainted like his father. In a stroke of sheer genius
by the author,Sam unwittingly starts to explain how a tree is more than
its roots, the best of branches may be blighted but that in the right
soil and under the right conditions a young tree will thrive and flourish.

These words could well apply to Faramir as well as to the tree, who can
now breath clean air free of the poison's of Mordor and bask in the
sunlight of Aragorn's reign.He is free of the blight that destoyed his
father.

Reassured, the young Steward goes to join his Hobbit friends.

This ficlet crams some profound ideas into a few words and is a true
treasure.
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Title: Respite · Author: Nesta · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 750
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-18 03:32:06
A charming little story about Faramir and Eowyn enjoying a private
moment in their marriage.The writer avoids the usual fanfiction cliches
by having Eowyn the more reserved and concerned about what people think
of the two.
I am never as convinced by Faramir and Eowyn as a couple as I am by
Aragorn and Arwen and Rosie and Sam, but this writer makes me feel
optomistic about their prospects together for the future.
My favourite moment in the story was when Faramir rescues a spider,which
I think captures the essence of this decent,merciful man. Eowyn is a
lucky woman indeed !
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Title: Summoned · Author: Agape4Gondor · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 840
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-18 03:32:37
THis is a haunting and moving story about what Faramir might feel if
summoned to Cormallen by the King.Everyone is rejoicing but Faramir is
haunted by the losses he has suffered and knows he will need time to
heal. A brighter future however is beckoning for the new Steward of
Gondor, now he has met Aragorn and Eowyn.
The writer beautifully evokes images of nature to fit with Faramir's
moods and showshis passionate love for Gondor and most especially
Ithilien where he will dwell with his bride.
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Title: Spring Rites · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Romance: Rohan · ID: 842
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-18 03:33:04
A delightful,evocative and atmospheric ficlet which makes me almost feel
I am witnessing this ritual together with Lothiriel.
The dance is lively an exhuberant with maybe a hint of hidden menace ,as
approriate to ancient rites,which no doubt in ancient days were linked
to fertility and even sacrifice.
Lothiriel feels this ambiguity, i believe and the ending shows that it
is indeed a fertily rite,she has just taken part in.
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Title: Whispers of the Dragon · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great
Years: The Fellowship · ID: 916
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-18 03:33:54
This is a somewhat darker story than usual from this talented writer but
none the less enjoyable.It contains all the elements that make her
stories so delightful, lovable Hobbits and kindly Aragorn,but a darker
brooding presence pervades the story, that of the one Ring.
The author brilliantly shows how it gradually unsettles the fellowship
and works its evil magic upon poor Boromir.
The story was full of lovely touches such as the different reactions to
the statues.I wonder if any of them came that way again once Aragorn was
King ?If this were a book,I'd say it was unputdownable !
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Title: Gandalf returned · Author: Rabidsamfan · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 990
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 08:25:53
Isn't this lovely! Beautiful, elegant prose conveying both mood and action.

I love the notion of Gandalf's returned soul's awareness of his new body
as it grows mature and then old. And the end, with Narya's familiar
gleam, is excellent.
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Title: Pink Oliphaunts · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Post-Sauron's
Fall · ID: 49
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 08:33:12
Absolutely delightful vignette! A bubbly, happy story of a pleasant day
with angst-free Faramir savoring the joys of fatherhood. The notion of
little Elboron drawing a smiling pink Oliphaunt is inspired and
irresistible; a horror of the Ring War transformed into a child's chalk
drawing. And there's attention paid to Faramir's essential kindness and
capacity for compassion even for war-beasts, in his discussion of the
oliphaunts' fate.

Beregond's dialogue is spot-on; it's obvious that he's experienced at
child-rearing, and his fondness for his Prince's son is subtly but
expertly detailed.


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Title: The Oathbreakers · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 42
Reviewer: Nesta · 2006-07-18 08:33:12
I think this is most unfair, certainly in bookverse terms! Boromir
didn't break his oath to fight against Sauron, or any other oath. And
none of the wise characters in the book - Gandalf, Galadriel, Argorn,
Faramir (though admittedly the latter might be seen as prejudiced) has a
word to say against Boromir after his redeeming death.

If this is AU, it predicates a very different Boromir from the Boromir I
know. But then anything's possible in an AU.
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Title: Soldier's Luck · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 309
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 08:35:46
Well-written drabble that paints a credible, accurate picture of Faramir
as a soldier so capably prepared that his luck is almost assured. The
writer knows well this milieu of pre-technological arms and the man, and
the description of Faramir's care of his bow seems spot-on in its
integrity. Good nod to Faramir's skill as a strategy, and his attitude
towards his men - as much as is in his power, he tries to guard their
lives from needless waste, as well as assure their success in dangerous
missions. And all that comes across in a mere 100 words!
-----------------------------------