Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Last Defence of the City · Author: Branwyn · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 96
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:16:16
I like "happy-ever-after" AUs, but this is one I'd really like built
upon. What does Pippin (or whomever) do to get Denethor to change his
mind? It's certainly got my mind going. What I like most about this is
how you've kept Denethor stern, which I have a hard time imagine him
being in-character without. Not insane, but not cheery or light either.
All in all very well done.
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Title: With Bow and Blade · Author: Lady Aranel · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 282
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:16:29
Nice glimpse into the War of the Ring and how it might have manifested
in Mirkwood. This connection between Thranduil and Legolas is one that
deserves to be fleshed out, and your portrayal was convincing.
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Title: Lembas, Shmembas · Author: Rabidsamfan · Genres: Non-Fiction ·
ID: 850
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:16:46
This has some really interesting speculation. There were a few points
where what you're suggesting disagreed with what I had thought up over
the years, but what I love about this is it's all so canonical. Which is
much more fun than reading something where I agree on every point. It
leads me to explore new possibilities beyond what I personally had
considered. On the consistency, you might be interested in what
etymonline.com has to say about that word. Specifically ["a flat, round
loaf of bread."] is supposed to be its original meaning, from circa
1420. Tolkien as an etymologist would have known this.

Oh, and on how lembas affected men, are you aware of the note in the
Unfinished Tales passage dealing with Isildur's death? There's a
reference to each of the men with him carrying a pouch designed to hold
both lembas (or possibly a lembas-like bread) and miruvor. Something
like that. Anyway, given how men of the Last ALliance were fighting
side-by-side with elves, your Elf might have some firsthand or at least
anecdotal evidence of those men eating lembas. Food for thought. ;-)
(And no, no pun intended.)

Anyway - very nice essay. I really enjoyed reading it.
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Title: Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit · Author: Altariel · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 91
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:16:55
Mmm, very nice. I don't think I've ever seen a drabble incorporate so
many non-canonical details, and still make sense, but this weaves them
in seamlessly. I imagine the author has spent a lot of time working out
Haradri culture, and it really shows here. But I think what I like most
is the subtlety Altariel infuses into the soldiers of Harad. They really
aren't that different from the Gondorian rangers, when it comes right
down to it.
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Title: Counterpoint, Interfolio - Scherzo · Author: Daffodil Bolger ·
Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest · ID: 617
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:17:08
I think what I love most about this is the way you have captured
Pippin's childish way of approaching a problem. It really fleshes out
Merry's statement in the Houses of Healing that hobbits can be at a loss
when faced with weighty things like this. This one-shot was well worth
the read.
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Title: Elves Do Skate · Author: Caporal · Genres: Humor · ID: 135
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:17:28
This is a neat little piece, with light and warmth and wonderfully
descriptive writing. I felt like I was there, and it was nice thinking
of the Feanorians having a light moment before so much dark came.
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Title: A Darkened Heart · Author: Beethoven's 7th · Genres: Drama:
General Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 774
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:17:39
Nice examination of just how the Ring might have affected Boromir.
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Title: Tolkien's Use of Expletives · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 147
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:17:56
What a neat little resource! There are times when I want to come up with
something shocking or even funny, but other times when I just want a
little bit of mild swearing that own't jump out unduly at the reader.
This article gives me some of the Professor's own, and I know I'll be
using it in the future. Thanks for all the time you put into this.
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Title: Legacy · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 299
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:18:08
Ooh, very nice moment! Nice to see both of them remember Boromir so well.
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Title: Following Orders · Author: EdorasLass · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 54
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:18:29
Poor Faramir indeed. I had never thought about this side of thing? The
"just following orders" felt ever-so-slightly modern, but even with that
this piece was really well done. So tied to Tolkien's world, but with so
much to say to our own age, too.
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Title: Pride Before The Fall · Author: AmandaK · Genres: Alternate
Universe · ID: 742
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:19:35
I think what I like most about this story is the way that the violence
and the perverseness of Boromir's thoughts evolves throughout the story.
First he takes the Ring from Frodo, an action which is just one step
removed from self-defence: defence of his community. It's not excusable,
but it's certainly understandable. Killing his horse in his urge to get
home -- well, that's just an animal. On through the frightening of the
guards, the killing of the doorwarden, up to the very graphic murder of
his family? It was all so disturbing, but no one step seems that much
worse than anything else. That makes me wonder about Boromir's last act,
whether seizing the crown is the worst of all. That's what really got me
about this story, the fact that the plot seemed so natural. Thanks, Amanda!
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Title: The Recall · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Gondor · ID: 738
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:25:03
This is a rather interesting follow-up, and all of the categories are
really neatly drawn. The tie-in with Andrahar's backstory really filled
out Altariel's piece; I can see all of this happening very nicely, and
Imrahil's actions seemed a convincing way to achieve the desired result.
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Title: Heirlooms · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Drama: Remembering · ID: 72
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:25:17
This is really neat, Ann. Here you give us how women out of their native
cultures might perceive their sons' Rohirric heritage, but it doesn't
come across at all staid. The child's tool was an interesting way of
getting itno the backstories of the two families, and it was a touching
glimpse into all the characters involved.
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Title: A Precious Gift · Author: Isil Elensar · Genres: Drama: First Age
Elves · ID: 250
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:25:28
This was told really sweetly - it's nice to see them have some happiness
before everything gets so dark.
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Title: Just a Little Shove · Author: Inglor · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 798
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-07-18 15:38:06
Yes, you've got the point here. What might have been if Elrond had given
Isildur that little shove? This plot hole could be a beginning of an
excellent "what if" story.

I love this little tale. It is witty, funny, thought provoking and well
written. I love your portrayal of Glorfindel. Being a strategist and the
practical one here, he posed an exact statement having already many
probable consequences listed. But Elrond and he could ask this same
question countless times, still wondering, why...

Splendid work!
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Title: Immortality · Author: LydiaB · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 494
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-07-18 16:03:38
Your story is a gem of a drabble. This little tale is sweet, emotional,
romantic and touching, it also flows nicely and is very beautifully
written. This is also a tale of the love that is immortal and able to
cross all boundaries, despite obvious obstacles.

I really love your choice of characters; they are often
underrepresented, but their relationship is perfectly portrayed, which
is in my opinion a great thing to achieve in so few words. Brava!
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Title: My Eyes! My Eyes! · Author: Alassante · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 358
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-07-18 17:12:48
I couldn't stop laughing after reading this drabble for the first time
and I can say that I'm still giggling now, after I read it again. What a
way to present Glorfindel's masculinity and Arwen's curiosity and
confusion. This story was utterly funny. I really marveled at your
portrayal of Glorfindel; it was very sensuous and beautifully
descriptive. Wonderful imagery!

But the last line! I love it. It was delightfully impish and very
meaningful. A great read!
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Title: A Bad Day Gone Good · Author: MysteriousWays · Genres: Humor: The
Shire · ID: 229
Reviewer: Beethoven's 7th · 2006-07-18 17:43:56
Amazingly enough, this is a story of yours which I had not yet read !
Although I knew it was a Nibs had been pecking at you for some time. His
day to shine however seems rather bleak. I think we can all empathize
with the wee little guy and remember a day when all we touched went
wrong. Of course, none of MY rotten days never ended with being awarded
a gynormous sapphire, but hey. I was kinda hoping that he would give
Nibs a wee knife now that Nibs was not going to be able to buy one owing
to paying for the dishes.

As you know, I"m a huge fan of detail. This has got to be one of my fave
in this story. ["The pinecone didnt appear to mind . . . "] heehee!! I
picture a goofy pinecone face on it humming a little song as it bounces
along the lane.! Giggle snort!

Looking back now at the story, I am reminded what your assignment was.
And am now even more so impressed! What an Odd bunch of things to
include! And all very cleverly done. The casket of jewels would
definately be a tough one. But what more likely sourse to have it than a
Dwarf! I don't remember a deer in the story though. . Ah yes, there it
is escaping the coming storm. Do you think Nibs and Tawlin will meet
again? Perhaps Tawlin will offer to make nibs a dagger, setting the
sapphire in its pommel? (sp?) What will become of our unlucky Nibs as an
adult? Plot Chickens abound, and I do HATE to write a review without
throwing one in. Lovely job. Keep those stories coming.
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Title: Ships Passing · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Vignette · ID: 302
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 21:07:12
An interesting encounter probably never before seen in fanfiction -
Faramir speaks to the dead Halbarad. While I'm not completely sure that
Faramir would bare his soul in front of guards and attendants, the
monologue works well as a literary device. And of course, the notion of
Faramir addressing the most notable of the Northerners killed in the
battle to save his own city is too good not to address. This story
addresses it well.

Faramir's thoughts of his own father are particularly compelling, as is
the kinship he believes he has found with the slain Dunedain. And if
[Halbarad uin-Dunedain] isn't proper Sindarin, it should be.
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Title: A Lesser and Alien Race · Author: Marta · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 683
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 21:08:59
An interesting reminder that Faramir was not the only high lord of
Gondor who chose a Northwoman as his wife - and that he and Eowyn could
face some of the same mutterings and prejudices as did Valacar and Vidumavi.
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Title: Do Not Think Me A Dream · Author: EdorasLass · Races: Men: Gondor
· ID: 40
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 21:11:57
A haunting portrait of a woman fighting a losing battle with internal
and external stresses - the homesickness, the desire to spend more time
with her sons, and the overwhelming awareness of Sauron's oppressive
presence.

Finduilas' predicament is well-sketched; she can't get escape Sauron's
influence, and though it may not drive her mad, since she is depicted
here as a strong woman fighting to remain with the family she loves, it
is exhausting her.

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Title: Heirlooms · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Drama: Remembering · ID: 72
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 21:12:56
A lovely vignette showing the passage of love through three generations
in the small and homely form of two stuffed animal toys.

Wonderful synchronicity here in the giving of the toys, as well as the
new mothers' joy in their perfect little boys.


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Title: Hunting Orcs · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Villains: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 723
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 21:16:07
An evilly funny drabble, from the viewpoint of a luckless Orc,
chronicling an attack on him and his fellows by the sons of Elrond. The
Orc's attempt at self-justification [we wuz only havin' a bit o' fun] is
credible as well as amusing. The author catches the power of the
Elf-twins, the almost supernatural fear they inspire in their prey.
Interesting that the Orc indignantly claimed that the two Peredhel acted
as if these particular Orcs had merely [insulted] the Elves' mother -
well, we all know what drives the Elf-twins to track and kill Orcs,
don't we?!

Sly, nasty and well-written.
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Title: Music Lessons · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 55
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 21:23:03
A lovely story of the start of the friendship between Gandalf and
Faramir. The child Faramir is well-written; somewhat shy but more
intrigued than intimidated by the old wizard, especially when Gandalf
mentions oliphaunts, which of course draws Faramir's excited curiosity.
They connect easily and naturally.

The story's only flaw is its format; the print is rather small and light
and I had to strain to read it on the light background of the LJ.
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Title: History Lessons: The Third Age · Author: Nilmandra · Times:
Multi-Age: Incomplete · ID: 167
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 21:24:32
Dramatic, yet realistic retrospective from Elrond's POV of various
events in the Third Age, and the culmination of Aragorn and Arwen's long
waiting.

Good characterisations all round, and excellent work on the relationship
of Elrond and Aragorn, and Elrond and Arwen.
-----------------------------------