Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Dark Appetites · Author: Elena Tiriel · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 833
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-20 17:37:39
Brrr... I wouldn't say I'm arachnophobic normally, but this drabble
might make me reconsider ;). Bravo! Your very well-chosen vocabulary
paints a realistic, repulsive picture of Shelob, a truly dark creature
outside as well as inside.
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Title: A Lesser and Alien Race · Author: Marta · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 683
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-20 17:54:21
Neat twist to have the drabble fit into both periods of time. It shows
how history repeats itself, or, at least, how long-lasting prejudices
are. I like how you portrayed the narrator - even in so short a space,
she appears as a very perceptive woman with a mind and a quiet strength
of her own.
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Title: Of All the Pretty Little Horses · Author: Oshun · Genres: Humor:
Gondor · ID: 736
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-07-20 18:33:12
A fun little piece, building up erotic suspense by the most innocent of
misunderstandings. Hard to tell which man is the most confused. The
scene is well painted, the characters clearly having fun and comfortable
enough with each other to enjoy the joke!
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Title: Tolkien's Use of Expletives · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 147
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 03:06:39
An excellent examination of the usage of expletives in "The Hobbit" and
"Lord of the Rings", as a reaction towards the over-usage of swearing
by/in the name of the Valar and other modern uses of expletives in
Tolkien fanfiction. The writer carefully examines both works for
specific examples of expletives as a guide to the careful fanficker.

An invaluable reference tool for Tolkien fanfiction writers, and an
interesting essay.
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Title: Planning Ahead · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Men · ID: 84
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 03:08:10
Not the usual Guy Meets Girl story - in this case, Arathorn is a cranky
39-year-old injured warrior, and his future wife is a little, and very
persistant, girl. I loved the bit where five-year-old Gilraen thinks
Arathorn is plainly older than the hills.

Good slant on the first meeting of this fabled pair, and the oddness of
foresight.
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Title: Making the Legends of Our Times · Author: Gwynnyd · Times: Fourth
Age and Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 860
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 03:18:05
Interesting twist on the legend of Eowyn. As usual, a lot of emotional
punch packed into a mere hundred words. And excellent delivery of the
punchline at the end.

History becomes legend, indeed.




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Title: By The Light of Earendil's Star · Author: Branwyn · Genres:
Adventure · ID: 83
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 03:26:29
I've loved this story ever since I first read it, long before it was
finished. It's probably my all-time favorite Tolkien fanfiction
action/adventure story; and the author also writes one of the best
versions of Faramir. Not to mention Boromir. And especially Denethor.

[By The Light of Earendil's Star] presents a gripping adventure, with
plenty of well-realized and exciting action, and marvelous
characterization of not only Denethor and his sons, but three very
memorable Original Characters - something I rarely see in Tolkien
fanfic. And the Orcs, though ghastly, evil in their intent and actions,
are credibly written, as intelligent beings rather than totally stupid
brutes.

The military action is extremely well-written; from Orc encounters and
forays to Ranger battles and Boromir's desperate, and inspired, gambits.

But it's more than a simple action/adventure story.

The medicine and herblore is convincing. And the description of terrain
and structures is particularly elegant.

There's an understated quality to the expression of emotions that makes
that expression all the more effective. When I read the quieter parts of
the tale, (and there are many) I am reminded of Ursula K. LeGuin's style
in the Earthsea trilogy.

And there are so many good bits in the story: Denethor's memories of his
sons in their childhood while he knows they are both in terrible danger
and possibly dead, and, later, Boromir's surprise at his father's
physical strength, Faramir's brave attempts to preserve his men's lives,
the scary scene when an Orc stalks a defenseless and wounded Ranger in
the night, and the lovely epilogue. The usage of the myth of Beren as a
sort of archetypal and thematic reference is wonderfully done, and very apt.

Not to be missed.

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Title: Brothers at Heart · Author: Radbooks · Races: Men: Incomplete ·
ID: 451
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 05:25:09
Radbooks' story of the young Aragorn returning to the Dunedain to
reclaim his leadership and heritage offers a few hours of reading
pleasure. The story is long, and a huge cast of major and minor
characters including Aragorn's Dunedain relatives, Elladan and Elrohir,
various Dunedain villagers and Rangers, bandits, etc., and most
important, Halbarad, is handled quite effectively.

Halbarad's relationship with Aragorn is written convincingly, as is
Estel's uneasiness in returning to a people, and a culture, he does not
remember, as their Chieftain.

The details of daily life among the Dunedain are also well-written.
Battle scenes and medical activity are right on target, as is essential
in a story of this nature.

There are at least a couple of modern terms I thought need not have
appeared. But as faults, they are almost too small to notice, and do not
really lessen the story's impact.

I look forward to seeing the eventual conclusion.


-----------------------------------
Title: The Tide · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: Gondor Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 77
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-07-21 05:31:30
Talk about economy of prose! This ficlet pulls no punches in showing
Imrahil's opinion of his brother-in-law.
-----------------------------------
Title: Home Again · Author: Súlriel · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 863
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-07-21 05:32:21
Bravo. Thank you for portraying cats as loyal creatures who always
return to their homes. The preference for a warm comfortable home over
passion and adventure is so true of the real feline nature. I'm sure my
skittish old cat would agree.
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Title: Red River · Author: Altariel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 82
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-07-21 05:33:35
This is a fine examination of the War of the Ring from the point of view
of the humans who allied themselves with the Dark Lord. Rakshandar's
story of this father's experience at the hands of Aragorn and the Dead
was quite an eye-opener to Gondor's king, and to the readers. We are
accustomed to thinking of Tolkien's heroes as all good. Yet Altariel's
story shows us that "goodness" can be relative.
-----------------------------------
Title: In the Service of the King · Author: grey_wonderer · Times: The
Great Years: Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 138
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-07-21 05:34:38
I enjoyed how this story dealt with two underlying, very grave issues
for the people of Gondor: how well they felt they will be served by this
new king and how the end of the war affected the youth of Minas Tirith,
who are running about with little supervision. Aragorn's punishment for
Pippin is really clever. I also appreciated what for me is the message
of this story: that mischievousness can have good results
-----------------------------------
Title: A Taste of Diplomacy · Author: Thevina Finduilas · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 939
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-07-21 05:35:21
I enjoyed this story for its portrayal of Denethor as a normal, growing
teen, not a tyrant or a villian as he is sometimes depicted. Thevina
Finduilas held my interest particularly with her descriptions of
Denethor's surroundings and by embellishing her minor characters beyond
a generic prince of Rohan or woman of Dol Amroth, for example.
Especially effective was her portrayal of the dwarf Vrain, as seen
through Denethor's eyes.
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Title: Drift · Author: Ribby · Times: The Great Years: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 203
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-07-21 05:37:26
What a beautiful, poignant drabble. Thanks.
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Title: First Impressions · Author: Bodkin · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 806
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 05:47:45
Credible and smoothly written vignette.

Aragorn's culture shock, as a boy raised in a life of ease by the
beautiful Elves, when he sees the hardship of those he must live among
and lead, is well delineated.

Halbarad is portrayed excellently, as a likeable and proud young man
whose untutored eloquence helps Aragorn see the strength of his own people.
-----------------------------------
Title: Work Detail · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Romance:
Fixed-length ficlet · ID: 789
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 05:54:13
A clever, sexy drabble that immediately engages the reader.

Arwen is written particularly well here, as a quite resolute, and
physical female, though the difference between her and other mortals is
alluded to in a skillful fashion.
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Title: And all in evil ended be · Author: Werecat · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 122
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-07-21 05:55:55
Could Morgoth's minions possibly live among us to this day? The answers
to this question are in "And All in Evil Ended Be," a very clever drabble.
-----------------------------------
Title: Finding the Right Words · Author: Nienor Niniel · Races: Men:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 785
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-21 06:19:47
This was a truly delightful story about poor Faramir wondering whatever
can he say as he surrenders the White Rod to Aragorn. What an awesome
responsibility to be the Steward who welcomes back and surrenders his
office to the King,after almost a thousand years of Gondor having waited
for this moment !
Faramir is so troubled that he falls aleep and has a vision of his
father,finally smiling at him and showing him approval.He also sees his
mother and Boromir.
Knowing at last he is truly worthy of the task that has fallen to him,
Faramir awakens ,knowing what to say.
This was just lovely and how I imagine Faramir might have felt.I loved
his vision and that Aragorn's return was a dream come true for him.You
are a talented writer and I hope you will write more.You captured the
preparations and air of extectancty brilliantly.I hope the vision also
helps Faramir come to terms with his father's death.

-----------------------------------
Title: Come When You Are Ready · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate
Universe · ID: 795
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 08:16:55
Brutal in its honesty, but ultimately rather beautiful.

This is a tragic "Denethor Lives" AU, where the Steward's mind is
wandering, unaware of the Pyre, even as his burned body is losing the
fight for life.

Denethor's voice is well-written, the atmosphere of his dream filled
with foreboding, fell omens, and yet with beloved voices. His obsession
with Faramir's safety, with seeing his younger son to ascertain that he
is well, is quite moving.

The other part of the narrative shows Faramir's reaction to his father's
physical state, his attempt to give his father the only help he can, one
last conversation. Faramir is written as well as Denethor, braving
horror and sorrow to speak with his father and offer his love.

A tragic, horrific, and quite touching story.
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Title: Thus Are Legends Born · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Men:
Fixed-Length Ficlets With Children · ID: 732
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 08:20:25
Interesting and original drabble, with the child Faramir creating a new
twist in the lore of dragons.

I loved the air of solemnity and mystery in the piece, with little
Faramir very sure of his knowledge. I supposed he eventually realized he
had much to learn, but his certainty is charming rather than arrogant.

Well done.
-----------------------------------
Title: King's Man · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Times: The Great
Years: Vignette · ID: 197
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 08:27:15
A sparely drawn but very evocative vignette about the Grey Company, and
Halbarad's reunion with Aragorn.

The writer manages to present a spectrum from epic wonder, as Aragorn
begins to take on the mantle of the future King in the greatest and most
harrowing quest of his storied life, to the quiet and intimate talk of
two long-sundered friends who know they will soon draw swords together
and may not both survive. And it all works well; the mood of epic glory
transforming easily into the weary camaraderie over a campfire after a
hard and long day's ride.

Aragorn and Halbarad's relationship of comrades and friends is simply
and beautifully drawn here.

And the last line is simply beautiful.

This is one of the best Aragorn/Halbarad stories I've read.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Steward and the Wizard · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 522
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 08:29:35
There aren't enough Mithrandir-and-Faramir stories for my taste; and
this one is only a brief slice of the daily lives of Gondor's first, and
possibly most dysfunctional family. But the drabble works, conveying, in
a mere hundred words, the distance already existing in the relationship
of child-Faramir and his father, and the trust that the boy already has
in Mithrandir. And of course, Denethor already resents that friendship;
while not realizing that his own disapproval of Faramir only strengthens
the bond between child and wizard.
-----------------------------------
Title: Consolation · Author: EdorasLass · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 47
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 08:32:29
EdorasLass knows how to elicit the warm 'n' fuzzies, as well as
heartache, from, her readers, and this vignette is no exception, and
deserves a definite "Awwwww."

Wonderful characterisation of the young sons of Denethor, just a few
months after their mother's death, still trying to cope with her loss.
Boromir is definitely the magnanimous older brother to sad little
Faramir, every bit the "protector" that Tolkien described. Faramir's
offer of the use of his own stuffed toy to nobly repay his brother is a
nice touch.


-----------------------------------
Title: Last Rites · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Genres: Drama · ID: 80
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 08:33:45
One of my favorite stories in the complex series Isabeau has written
about Prince Imrahil and his sworn brother Andrahar, her most
interesting original character.

The story concerns Imrahil and Andrahar's learning, from Aragorn and
Pippin, on the eve of the battle at the Black Gate, of Boromir's tragic
fall and redemption. Since, in the timeline into which this story fits,
Andrahar and Boromir were lovers, there is more at stake than kindred
and friends seeking news of Boromir's last days, which lends the story a
useful urgency.

I'm not sure I believe Andrahar's contention that Faramir would have
been corrupted by the Ring had he gone in Boromir's place, but it makes
sense that Andrahar, who abhors the concept of treachery, seeks to
believe that Boromir is not the only son of Denethor who could have fallen.

The interaction between the characters is beautifully written. Pippin's
part in the story had the strongest impact for me, his telling of
Boromir's last moments is quietly heartbreaking, and his conversation
with Andrahar especially well-done.


-----------------------------------
Title: Lossarnach Yule · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Races: Men:
Gondor · ID: 677
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-21 08:50:43
One of the more innovative fanfiction stories from a very talented
writer: three of Faramir's Rangers visit the family of a slain member of
their company, and end up staying longer, and exerting a far greater
influence, than they had planned.

The story is told from the viewpoint of young Idren, the slain Ranger's
son, struggling with the rest of his bereft family to hold onto their
home, threatened by a greedy creditor.

This is a well-paced 'Save the farm' story set for the most part quite
credibly in MIddle-earth. Worth reading alone for the small appearance
of good old Forlong of Lossarnach.
-----------------------------------