Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Hewing Naught But Wood · Author: Thundera Tiger · Genres: Humor:
Parody · ID: 825
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-22 17:38:41
I had wondered about Gimli's claim myself, and you deliver an extremely
funny, but, in light of the fact that Tolkien was a philologist,
particularly appropriate and enlightening answer. Well-handled dialogues
and relationships. Good use of PoV - Éomer's befuddlement as the
argument goes on and on echoes that of many readers, I would imagine.
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Title: Diplomatic Relations · Author: annmarwalk/EdorasLass CoAuthors ·
Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 189
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-22 20:09:43
Annmarwalk and EdorasLass have been producing quite the set of stories
depicting the long relationship of Boromir and Théodred. This would be
the one that gets everything started--their first meeting, when Théoden
comes to Gondor to negotiate with Denethor. The two heirs are expecting
a rather dull, formal visit--perhaps pleasant enough, but ultimately
unsatisfying. It quickly turns out to be as far from their initial
expectations as possible.

It's a plausible set-up, and Théodred certainly benefits by becoming a
character, rather than a name in the list of honored dead mentioned
briefly in TTT and slightly more substantially in [Unfinished Tales].
Different customs and the need for diplomatic caution and reserve hold
the relationship back for a time, but given the look they initially give
each other, all roads lead to romance in the end.

It's nice, too, that Boromir and Théodred are not alone in their
universe--there are fathers who watch, one approving, one disapproving,
soldiers and guardsmen and discreet old friends who conspire to help the
two find time to meet and to break them apart when things threaten to
become unable to be ignored. We get a sense of the difference between
Rohan and Gondor, between the father-son relationships that show in this
story. Sensual, hopeful, and warm, those who like their slash to have a
bright side and also a tincture of cultural difference as a setting
should enjoy this story, as well as many others written by Ann and EL.

Well done, both of you!
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Title: A stranger Among us, or, Here and Back Again. · Author: Ottis413
· Times: Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 296
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-22 21:09:05
This was marvelous! The author perfectly imitated the pedantic and
academic tone of the era. I find myself wishing there had been more of it.
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Title: The Still Point · Author: stultiloquentia · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor · ID: 87
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-22 21:19:59
An incredibly beautiful and poetic Aragorn/Arwen. I love Arwen's POV,
and the way in which she feels the loss of her Elvishness, and takes on
her mortality.
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Title: Four Conversations and A Dream · Author: Forodwaith · Times: The
Great Years: Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 90
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-08-23 14:34:50
This lovely story contains emotional, heart-felt dialogue and beautiful
descriptions. It presents a good explanation of what must have been in
Arwens mind when she asked permission for Frodo to go to Valinor in her
place. It is a good gap-filler, using good characterizations and
realistic dialogue, along with exquisite, sensitive description to
emphasize Arwens emotions when she makes her choice and afterwards.
This was a very enjoyable read.
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Title: The Summons · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Times: The Great
Years: The Fellowship · ID: 254
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-08-23 14:40:10
This is a beautifully-written story. The author has imbued it with a
pathos that envelops Aragorn like a shroud. The characterizations of
Aragorn and Boromir are sensitive and sympathetically drawn. Their
conversation is riveting, each being faced with his own dilemma. This
captivating story clearly shows the difficult choices that Aragorn is
faced with without knowing the right decision to make.

Besides being very well-written, moody and thoughtful, this story was an
intriguing gap-filler. It gives the reader a realistic glimpse into the
workings of Aragorns mind, a man faced with an awful dilemma.
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Title: On Frozen shores · Author: ann_arien · Times: First Age and
Prior: Incomplete · ID: 490
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-08-23 15:15:09
I think this story excels in three areas: atmosphere, characterizations
and drama. The author has created a chilling atmosphere of an
unrelentingly cold, cheerless place at the edge of a tempestuous sea,
with the atmosphere invading the characters' psyches, and permeating the
story with a foreboding atmosphere. There is good use of imagery and
illustrative words to effect this atmosphere.

The story involves three characters, each individually strongly drawn,
with a separate, distinct personality. The complicated relationship
between the brothers is well-realized, without at all reiterating
Tolkien's own words. Their characters are fleshed out by the author in a
unique way, by having them discuss a subject that is original to the
author. There is good contrast between the characters of the brothers,
one displaying reluctance and hesitation, the other forthright, showing
his strength of resolution and his inability to let go of this resolve.
The son is well-drawn too, as he is shown struggling with his fears and
emotions and appears much younger in his mannerisms than his father and
uncle. The author has a keen sense of reality when writing dialogue
between characters. This dialogue flows naturally and is very strikingly
accurate.

There is a good sense of drama in this short work. It is driven by the
characters' reactions to the events that have occurred before the story
begins, and news is brought of what has taken place by the character who
returns and discusses it with the protagonist. There is a good element
of surprise in this story as well, when one of the events turns out
differently than what we had expected. I was very favourably impressed
by this story.
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Title: Strange meeting · Author: Nesta · Races: Men: Post-Sauron's Fall
· ID: 93
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-23 17:13:23
The brief sketch of the necessary burials going on is evocative without
the need to resort to more graphic descriptions; it also serves to set
the tone for the slightly tense mood of Faramir at the beginning.

I appreciate your portrayal of both Faramir and Aragorn as perceptive,
strong-willed men who are yet willing to take counsel with others and
seek common ground.

The laconic tone of their conversation suits the urgency and importance
of what both have to know from and to say to one another. Farmir's offer
to renounce Ithilien in exchange for Beregond's life is moving and
plausible, as is Aragorn's reaction.

It seems clear that this important discussion can form a firm foundation
for a good relationship, both public and personal, for them.
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Title: Seabird's Cry · Author: Primsong · Genres: Drama: Poetry · ID: 898
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-23 17:17:46
The form of the poem supports its content. Beautiful images that capture
the sea-longing very well, as well as Legolas' determination to fight it
yet awhile.
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Title: Conversational, of Cousins · Author: Vana Tuivana · Genres:
Drama: Poetry · ID: 642
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-23 17:18:54
Shows vividly the differing emotions of Maedhros and Fingon in this
specific situation, even if the subject is a morbid one: Maedhros is
cynical, seemingly disinterested and detached, but his thoughts seem to
circle around his hand despite himself, while Fingon tries to hearten
him by reminding him of positive memories.
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Title: Black Hour · Author: Nesta · Times: The Great Years: Gondor · ID: 92
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-23 17:20:52
An intriguing look at the politicking and pondering before Gondor's
acceptance of the King "with one voice". This momentuous change in her
history and status gets short shrift in the books, but you show a
plausible possibility.
Faramir's honesty, thoughtfulness, cunning, hope, and above all, his
devotion to the wellfare of Gondor, are portrayed very vividly through
excellent handling of introspection. His wariness is balanced
appropriately with his determination to keep an open mind.
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Title: Such a Little Thing · Author: Ribby · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 206
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-08-23 20:12:52
A bold AU by Ribby. The Ring of power takes over Boromir's mind and
forces him to break every rule of canon.
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Title: Hewing Naught But Wood · Author: Thundera Tiger · Genres: Humor:
Parody · ID: 825
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-23 20:27:05
This inanity was hilarious. Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn are sharply
drawn and I found the contrast of the academic descriptikon of hewing
versus cleaving to the war to only add to that humor. But what really
makes this vignette work is Eomer. He's trying to stay out of this tale
that's going way too over his head but keeps getting pulled in -- just
like us members of fandom listservs that really think we're above these
"trivialities", yet they have an amazing ability to engage us more than
we think they should. Very fun read!
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Title: Just a Little Shove · Author: Inglor · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 798
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-23 20:28:00
You know, Glorfindel is evil and conniving, but amazingly convincing...
nice little drabble, here.
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Title: Gaiety in Gondor · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 563
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-23 20:28:43
Pongohil is quite possibly my favourite original character in all of
Tolkien fanfic. He has some good competition, of course, and we only see
him for a few lines in a drabble. But there's just something about the
way the character is written that always makes me laugh. I enjoy reading
serious slash but very rarely enjoy slash parody because it seems
cliched - this is the exception. It pokes fun not only at the
effeminatizing nature of a lot of slash that makes me groan, but also at
some fanons that have taken over certain canonical (or not-so) pairings.
And Faramir as the wise and tolerant steward, indeed! Whenever I need a
laugh, this can give it if anything can.
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Title: Fellowship of the Conkers · Author: Llinos · Genres: Humor · ID: 880
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-08-23 20:42:42
The title of this whimsical piece caught my curiousity. Not only did the
story enlighten me on the obscure game of conkers but also amused and
delighted me, as a fluff tale should. Now I know the origins of the
American slang expression, "conked out." Well done, Llinos.
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Title: Ignorance Is Bliss · Author: Eggo Waffles · Genres: Humor: Parody
· ID: 754
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-23 21:17:49
Cute! And nice original topic for a metafic of this sort. Of all the
fanfic topics they could have been researching, Faramir had much bigger
things to get upset over. Still, his anxiety and irritation is shared by
many book followers. Nicely portrayed.
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Title: Lord of Werewolves · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Parody · ID: 255
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-23 21:21:21
This story deserves props for the use of the term "Wolfiekins" is
nothing else. But there's much more than that: the horrors of
housetraining a pet crossed into the Silm? It shouldn't work, but with
Raksha's light and slightly irreverent humor it does. I'll never think
of Morgoth quite the same.
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Title: Untrodden Path · Author: Timmy2222 · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 308
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-08-23 21:21:44
This is a fascinating and well written story about Aragorn's hunt for
Gollum.The poor ranger is nearly drowned and saved by some villagers who
nurse him back to health. Aragorn then sets off again,accompanied by a
very believable and likeable young man. Many adventures ensure
including, Orcs and an unexpexted encounter with some crotechty dwarfs.
Lots of action and angst contribute towards this very enjoyable story.
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Title: Legend · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 933
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-08-23 21:47:29
This is a unique look at a familiar story as the elderly Eowyn,together
with her young grandson, Barahir look at a tapestry depicting the
slaying of the witch king. Eowyn now wonders however she acheived the
great deed and recalls she felt terrified rather than heroic and sought
only to try to protect her uncle, Theodren.

Eowyn recalls how different things were for her then,when she was young
and desparate and unhappy.One thing remains the same,though, she would
still fight to protect those she loved.

A very well written and thought provoking story.
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Title: Fire and Flowering · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Romance:
Incomplete · ID: 58
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:10:06
Sweet and sensual, Raksha. I liked Eowyn's indignation over the
"ripened" comment, and her way of giving her husband his comeuppance.
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Title: Seeker of Shadow · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Romance:
Fixed-length ficlet · ID: 63
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:10:44
Well, I liked Eol's poetry, particularly the last couple of lines--at
once exultant and foreboding, it's tense, which seems right for these two.
-----------------------------------
Title: Remembrance · Author: Acacea · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 73
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:11:01
Poignant depiction of the courtship and life of Denethor and Finduilas.
The calmness of a political match is interrupted by the occasional pulse
of something deeper than that, though it's a quiet thing, love, for both
of them.

The constrained affection Denethor evinces, the sense of so much bottled
inside that even he forgets how much and then can weep for the loss of
that knowledge strikes me as right for his personality. Particularly in
this time frame, when he is losing Faramir, too, or so he thinks, that
sense of failure to face what was before him comes back to haunt him.
Unfortunately, he draws the wrong lesson from it in his grief and despair.

Well done!
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Title: Distant Lands · Author: Acacea · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 76
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:11:16
Portents of things to come, clearly!
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Title: Hands of Healing · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Romance: Rohan ·
ID: 102
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:11:31
A filling out of the early movieverse relationship of Aragorn and Éowyn.
Nice characterization of Eowyn. Some grammatical difficulties.
-----------------------------------