Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes · Author: juno_magic · Races: Men · ID: 698
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-07-31 05:07:33
An unusual and touching storybased on Psalm 121,exploring religion in
Middle- eatrth. A Beacon keeper reflects on the One, whom he is
forbidden to name.One wonders how this man's life might cahange as the
thrird age draws to its conclusion.

-----------------------------------
Title: Those Who Challenge the Dead · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Men:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 858
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-07-31 17:05:27
Powerful and creepy. You capture the foolishness, bravado and genuine
courage of these men, as well as their individuality. It's effective to
show Earnur before his defeat and Baldor after it. Good job
-----------------------------------
Title: Pink Oliphaunts · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Post-Sauron's
Fall · ID: 49
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-07-31 17:29:42
This was a nice moment between father and son. Elboron with all the
wisdom of his young years feels more for the oliphants than for the rest
of the battle ;-).
-----------------------------------
Title: Evensong · Author: aranda_nz · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 191
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-07-31 17:32:43
This is a bittersweet tale. It plays in the last years of the life of
Gimli and Aragorn. Our heroes have to learn to live with the fact that
they are not as young as they were years ago, and especially Gimli has a
hard time with it. The way Gimli denies his frailties reminds me of some
real life persons I know. Very realistic. Aragorn seems to bear it a bit
better, but he is not immune to the knowledge that he is nearing his
end. Legolas is not growing old, but his sealonging grows harder to
ignore by the day.

The characterization of the main Tolkien characters is very good and the
orginal characters also come to life. The only thing I missed was more
of an interaction between Gimli, Aragorn, Legolas and Celebrimbor,
Narvi. It seemed like their two stories were mostly unrelated. Gimli's
only role in the tale seemed to be to get the ring from Narvi. I was
expecting more of an interaction between Gimli and friends, and
Celebrimbor and Narvi after Gimli got the task by the Valar. But that
was may be just my expectation.

All in all a very enjoyable tale, which made me long for more.
-----------------------------------
Title: I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes · Author: juno_magic · Races: Men · ID: 698
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-07-31 17:42:00
In this story the reader follows a mountain-man who brings supplies up
to one of the beacon hills of Gondor. This story of the mountain-man has
a beautifully flowing rythm to it. While reading, it felt as if I was
hiking up the steep mountain trail with the main character. The words of
the prayer interspersed into the musings of the mountain-man worked very
well.
-----------------------------------
Title: Frodo: The Next Generation · Author: Gentle Hobbit · Races:
Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort · ID: 272
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-07-31 17:42:45
In this crossover Dr. Beverly Crusher tries to heal Frodo. Shouldn't be
an issue for the crew of the Enterprise, right? Wrong. Beverly can deal
with the physical injuries but the most healing comes from a different
place. I like the way Picard and Frodo explore the common ground between
them, although Picard does most of the talking. And I love how the
technologically unspoiled hobbits figure out so much about the
Enterprise just by being good observers.
-----------------------------------
Title: Both Beholden · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 180
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-07-31 18:04:34
I had a hard time reading this at first; the descriptions here are
highly detailed, and somewhat ponderous though very rich simultaneously.
But within I found a very interesting and thoughtful consideration of
character. The parallel's drawn in portraying Halbarad's position as
'steward' and Boromir's vision of Corsairs sailing up the Anduin under
the King's banner - past or future - were truly original to my mind.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Silent Street · Author: Sophinisba Solis · Races: Hobbits:
Merry & Pippin · ID: 65
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:05:56
Well-handled emotions (and I usually wouldn't like the explicit slash
aspect), good feeling for atmosphere.
It's not clear if the AU-aspect of the House of the Stewards still
standing was a deliberate decision, but it's skillfully explored.
-----------------------------------
Title: Earth, Water, Fire and Air · Author: Fileg · Genres: Drama:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Series · ID: 469
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:09:05
Creative, well-executed premise. The parallels drawn between symbols of
the tarot and canonical facts are inventive and fitting. I find
Aragorn's and Faramir's last lines to be particularly poignant.
-----------------------------------
Title: Strength of a River · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 513
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-07-31 18:11:25
This is a sweet and very understated story, no less profound for its
gentleness. In that its style echoes its subject.
-----------------------------------
Title: Call yourself Thorongil · Author: Nilmandra · Times: Late Third
Age · ID: 731
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:17:01
The story nicely and vividly shows the beginning of a friendship, in a
stage were Aragorn is still young and inexperienced, and not yet
entirely self-possessed and able to mask his feelings.
-----------------------------------
Title: Both Beholden · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 180
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:17:46
Very vivid and evocative setting and atmosphere. As ever, your
characterisations are completely canonical, three-dimensional and
realistic. Despite the many inner reflections and extensive stretches of
exposition, the story doesn't feel static, non-progressing; just the
opposite: it fleshes out the plot, and makes it that much richer. The
little details of movements, gestures and sensations deftly make the
story play in the imagination.

The history of the Chieftain as Wanderer and the Rangers as the former
royal guards is very well-devised, and very plausible.

I like the contrast you show between Boromir and the others, the
exploring of the differences between the Northern and Southern Realm
despite their common origin, and how those differences affect the people
and their thinking/philosophy/way of living. Your notion of Arnor is as
ever very plausibly extrapolated from canon, and very well realised.

And I appreciate the fact that the tension between Boromir and Aragorn
is not truly resolved at the end, Halbarad acting so to speak on behalf
of his Chieftain. That it is made clear that this uncertainty and
wariness will still inform their relations in future, even if the hope
of a future understanding has been put on a more firm base because of
more knowledge about the other's point of view.
-----------------------------------
Title: You Watch To Dissociate · Author: Ghettoelleth · Genres: Drama:
General Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 195
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-07-31 18:18:45
A powerfully erotic and emotionally intense drabble. In so few words you
capture all three characters--Luthien's love, Beren's possessiveness (in
a good sense), and Daeron's futile jealousy. No word is wasted in this
perfect example of the art of the drabble.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Tracks of Time · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 60
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:21:22
Lovely and moving, with a lyrical, nearly dreamlike quality. I like
Legolas employing images of nature, especially of trees, to relate to
his friends - very fitting for him.
-----------------------------------
Title: Red River · Author: Altariel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 82
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:22:35
Precisely drawn descriptions of the setting and characters; exactly the
right measure between showing details and not overburden a scene with
too much information. As ever, your little hints of movements and
gestures are a well-employed and well-executed means to make the story
come alive.

Very interesting, thought-provoking subject. It shows how war forms and
informs future generations, and how difficult it is to hold to justice
in the face of victory. How both sides of a war must build - and must be
allowed to build - new foundations, new connections, to lessen the
danger of future unrest.
-----------------------------------
Title: Inheritance · Author: Primsong · Times: Late Third Age: The Shire
· ID: 310
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:23:05
Nice AU-twist! And a truly brilliant ending.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Creature Of Fire · Author: daw the minstrel · Races: Elves:
Featuring Mirkwood Elves · ID: 956
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:24:34
Fascinating picture of the Greenwood, its inhabitants and their society
and everyday life. Vivid, well-described details, good pacing, good
characterisations, in particular of the original characters.

I find Legolas' complicated relationship towards Galelas especially
well-handled, as well as the budding romance with Tuilinn. Her death
came as a terrible shock, and his grief was wonderfully presented in its
various aspects and stages (it had me in tears more than once).

I also very much enjoyed Eilian's letters.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Tea Party · Author: AngieT · Races: Hobbits: Children · ID: 633
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-07-31 18:26:10
Charming, and while Pippin is in many ways the centerpiece of this
story, Eglantine is the fulcrum about which everything turns, as she
must be in her household. I particularly liked how seriously and
straightforwardly she spoke to Pippin, never condescending and stepping
effortlessly into his world where KnittedMerry is real.
-----------------------------------
Title: In Darkness Burried Deep · Author: GamgeeFest · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 954
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:26:32
An engaging read. Well-told, all in all, despite some technical flaws.
The Old Forest and its eeriness is described very vividly.
-----------------------------------
Title: Shadow of Himself · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 853
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:31:41
Original premise, well-told. It's a pity the story is so fast-paced and
so short. But also appropriate somehow, in keeping with Boromir's
request. His character is true to canon, despite all the changes he has
undergone. A very comforting AU-story, to have him find a new, peaceful,
happy life for himself (even if Gimli & Legolas rightly feel ambiguous).
-----------------------------------
Title: A Memorial in Four Parts · Author: Illwynd · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 702
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:35:38
The last part is my favourite, in particular the very last line, because
of its lyrical quality.

-----------------------------------
Title: A Woodland Prince · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Drama: Fixed-Length
Ficlet Series · ID: 303
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:36:15
A lovely kaleidoscope of impressions and facets (canon and original) of
Legolas, by friends, acquaintances and foes alike. The drabbles manage
to create clear images with just a few well-chosen words, not only of
Legolas, but also of the respective PoV-characters.
-----------------------------------
Title: Dragons and Sailboats · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama:
Remembering · ID: 74
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:39:38
Bittersweet story, good dialogue and introspection. I like how the talk
takes up and comes back to previous subjects.
-----------------------------------
Title: Stones · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits: Friendship · ID: 571
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:40:13
Once Pippin has found his hidden treasure, the story picks up pace and
becomes a wistful recollection of ["a time that had been difficult and
frightening, but was also a time shared with friends old and new in
which they had laughed and learned and become a Fellowship."] with a
very poignant ending.
The "story" of the ["pinkish stone"] was a hoot.
-----------------------------------
Title: That Which Remains Us · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama:
Remembering · ID: 749
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:43:12
Precise, intense characterisation and introspection. Detailed
descriptions. I like the fact that not all questions are answered, that
there are little details thrown in without explanation (for example
Faramir carrying wrist-knifes even inside the Citadel, or why Húrin
would appreciate Denethor's chess board).

The awkwardness of Denethor's poems and the evidence of his persistent
trying are heartbreaking.