Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Lesser Ring · Author: Larner · Genres: Adventure · ID: 184
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-08-17 15:51:08
I enjoyed the complications of this story - so often it seems as if
there is nothing in Middle-earth beyond Gondor and the elven realms and
it is good to see Elessar attempting to build up a positive relationship
with other nations as well. And you have a very developed idea of the
different cultures and their complications which makes reading this very
interesting.

It is good to see that we ended up with a group of people whose minds
have been thoroughly opened to other cultures.
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Title: The Three Towers · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 113
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-08-17 15:55:37
It's good to think of Mordor recovering and becoming green again. It's
about time!

This turned out to be a very healing visit, one way or another, for all
those who followed the our heroes to the tower.

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Title: To Learn His Letters · Author: GamgeeFest · Races: Hobbits:
Children · ID: 977
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-08-17 15:57:28
Good for Halfred. He did a good job here and he found the right argument
in the end. The Gaffer couldn't argue with it - not and remain honest
with himself.

Sam is such a sweetie - I loved him holding onto his brother at the
beginning. And his pride in his slate. Bilbo will find him a
delightfully enthusiastic student, to whom the chance to learn means so
much.

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Title: Earth's Daughter · Author: Aramel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 170
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 17:39:46
The evocative descriptions of nature and how the protagonist experiences
the meeting with the Elves have a certain beautiful but wistful glow
about them. You have fleshed out the poem believably and given it a
lovely, engaging context.
Ceveniel's rejection of the invitation seems more understandable because
you have given it more context than there was in the poem.
I like the suggestions of who the three Elves were in the Last Ship,
although I personally hope that Galadriel didn't have to wait that long
for her husband.

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Title: Breeze · Author: illyria-pffyffin · Races: Hobbits: War of the
Ring · ID: 974
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 17:42:13
Unique perspective, brought to life by an evocative, meaningful style,
an engaging, intense narrative voice, and lovely details of description
and "characterisation".
The breeze's sympathy and compassion, it's persistent tries to help the
weary, suffering Hobbits in the little ways that it is able are
endearing and very moving; and expressed suitable to its nature.
I liked how you gave the breeze a background that stretches back in
place to Aman, and in time to the First Age.
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Title: A New Year · Author: Bodkin · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 704
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 17:46:12
An important subject, embedded in an entertaining story.
The big cast of characters helps to presents the different attitudes
towards the reason for the celebration (although I had the feeling that
a few of the characters suffered from lack of "stage-time").
I particularly liked the transformation of Olórin to his persona as
grumpy old Gandalf
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Title: Birthdays · Author: Rabidsamfan · Genres: Drama: Remembering ·
ID: 988
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 17:48:03
Wonderfully told, sad and funny and comforting at the same time.
Excellent use of PoV - the childish voice is marvellously handled,
especially because you took Elanor's maturing into consideration.
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Title: Until the King Returns · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Vignette ·
ID: 540
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 17:53:02
Very intriguing premise, skillfully and plausibly presented. Good
characterisations of both Mardil and Eärnur. The allusions to events in
Gondor's history are cleverly woven into the narrative, giving the story
depth and background without distracting from the main plot.

I like how you have slighty changed the wording of the oath of fealty -
it feels right to use this specific variant for the time when Gondor
still had her kings. And I like how you subtly used some specific quotes
from canon, for example ["...Mordor where the shadows lie."]

As to the probable "AU-ness" of the story - it seems to me Mardil is
less jaded but rather desperate, employing the only means he can think
of, perhaps the last means he has tried.
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Title: Divinity · Author: illyria-pffyffin · Races: Hobbits · ID: 824
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 17:53:56
Beautifully realised, original idea. I'm usually rather critical of the
Valar, but this story somehow feels very... comforting, to know they did
care, and aided in small ways. The emotions of the Valar, their
compassion and helplessness are well-presented.
The part about Manwë is my favourite: it's poignant, and moving, and
lyrical. It resonated long after I had finished reading the story.
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Title: Merry Yules · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits: Fixed-Length
Ficlet series · ID: 114
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 17:55:58
The maturing of both Merry and Pippin is presented very realistically.
Good, lively dialogue, touching relationship (I especially liked how it
evolves and sometimes changes, depending on the circumstances). The
progression of the years is well-handled.
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Title: The Still Point · Author: stultiloquentia · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor · ID: 87
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 18:01:14
Sensuous, in a tasteful, touching, lovely and loving way. Wonderfully
evocative descriptions that bring the mood, the ambience of the night
and the morning to life. Intimate, but with little touches that keep the
connection to the outside world.

True and vivid characterisations, and their interactions is just
perfect, almost painfully so. Despite the dreamlike, symbolical/mystical
quality of the narrative, of the meaning of this night for both of the
protanists personally and for Middle-earth in general, I particularly
like the little details that show them as real people, not only icons
out of legend: Their glowing happiness on the way to the wedding bed,
Aragorn's red nose and frizz of hair, the picture of him as the ["the
interminable drinker"], Arwen curling on the settee, their banter about
the servants...

Arwen especially is beautifully realised, as a strong woman despite her
own brief doubts and uncertainties; aware and curious of the realities
of Mortality she is going to experience now, too; valiant, passionate.

A very interesting and plausible theory of exactly when and HOW Arwen's
choice manifested itself.

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Title: Midwinter Rites · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 868
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 18:02:02
You have managed to pack many different traditions and vignettes into
this little story. They don't seem as mere enumeration, each one is
fresh and evocative. And Aragorn's appreciation for each of them,
diverse as they are, is palpable, and speaks favourably to his
character, I find.
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Title: Lossarnach Yule · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Races: Men:
Gondor · ID: 677
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 18:09:26
A story of ordinary Gondorians and their everyday life and concerns.
Very well-explored, seamlessly combining canon, plausible
extrapolations, and noticeably diligent research, as shown in the deftly
interwoven details (contracts, or enlistment requirements, for instance).
The original characters are believable, three-dimensional and clearly drawn.

I especially liked Idren and Lord Forlong, this further view of Lorend
(which shows his mischievous side as well as the good heart and
generosity beneath); and as always, I enjoyed this outside look on
Hethlin. The summary in the epilogue gives teasing and satisfying
glimpes of a bright future for the protagonists.

The passage starting with ["I looked about, at all who were with us, a
bit of everything that made Gondor strong..."] was a lovely summary of
the essence of the story.
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Title: The Gift · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: First Age and Prior ·
ID: 131
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 18:12:16
Oh, this is absolutely hearbreaking! Extraordinarily intense,
wonderfully-handled emotions, beautiful, rich language.
Very good characterisations that manage to be vivid and descriptive with
just a few well-chosen words and images.
And the hints of stories just beyond the narrative add to the rich
texture of the story.
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Title: The Long Road Home · Author: AmandaK · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 743
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 18:17:45
I find the premise rather improbable (Boromir "The Bold" wanting his
secret kept from anyone, even his grieving father and the Fellowship &
being so inordinately afraid of Denethor's reaction), and have some
quibbles about how canon characters are portrayed now and then.
BUT the story is very well-written: with a rich, gripping plot; clear,
vivid descriptions, especially of nature; a very good feeling for
atmosphere; and interesting, convincing original characters (although
the episode told from the PoV of the female orc seems oddly out of place).
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Title: Memorabilia and Other Useful Things · Author: Illwynd · Times:
The Great Years: The Fellowship · ID: 714
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 19:15:02
I liked the collection and how it is described, but I missed interaction
with the other characters during Pippin's explanation. Surely they would
have had questions or comments?
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Title: A Little Thing · Author: Acacea · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 75
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 19:16:11
Very good realisation of the prompt for the drabble: ["Life Aquatic"].
It combines the innocence but instinctive perceptiveness of animals and
plants in the Anduin with the malevolence of the Ring. Understated and
restrained, yet evocative.
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Title: Those Who Challenge the Dead · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Men:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 858
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 19:17:38
Very dynamic characterisations that bring the two protagonists instantly
to life. Poignant use of descriptions. I especially liked the respective
endings.
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Title: Music Lessons · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 55
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 19:18:52
Lovely story, with wonderful characterisations, and a believable,
nicely-handled first meeting between the Wizard and his "pupil". I like
the quiet humour that pervades the story. And I like the beginning: it's
as if the reader's mind is slowly drawn into the scene, being given the
time to appreciate the idyllic setting.
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Title: Cacophony · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 929
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 19:19:45
Absolutely hilarious. Eru's despair is palpable; and very understandable
given the images you put into the reader's mind (and ear).
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Title: Farewell Lullaby · Author: Armariel · Races: Hobbits: Poetry ·
ID: 719
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 19:23:48
Beautiful, lyrical, inventive imagery; enchanting, deeply-affecting
voice. Frodo's regret and sadness, his concern for Sam, but also his
acceptance of the fact that he will have to leave and thus will not
being able to watch Elanor grow up are tangible.
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Title: Appearances Can Be Deceiving · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Adventure · ID: 760
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 19:26:42
An answer to the question of how Bilbo and Aragorn first met - with a
nice twist.
Lovely descriptions of the valley of Imladris. I liked Bilbo's attention
to details, regarding his environment and Aragorn both.
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Title: An Army of Tooks · Author: Mariole · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 831
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 19:28:38
Believable gapfiller; gives a real feeling for sense of place, and of
the tactics for the fight against the ruffians. I especially liked
Paladin's characterisation. The rallying speech was perhaps a bit
melodramatic, especially for Hobbits.
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Title: Heirlooms · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Drama: Remembering · ID: 72
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 19:29:32
Very moving. A nice way to link the future of Rohan and Gondor through
Théodred and Boromir, and, further back, to their common ancestress Morwen.
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Title: Flotsam · Author: Salsify · Times: The Great Years: Vignette · ID: 85
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-17 19:31:58
This story grips the heart, as reluctantly but inevitably as it is for
Merry when seeing and thinking about the baby in his dreams, perhaps.
Resonating and disturbing images; a haunting narrative voice, telling of
the cost of war - in destruction, in lives, in hardened hearts.
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