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Msg# 7459
Reviews for 23 Sept - Part 2 Posted by Rhapsody September 23, 2006 - 14:29:15 Topic ID# 7459Title: Tinúviel, Tinúviel · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Romance: Rohan ·
ID: 103
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:11:44
This time Cuthalion sets her sights on that little dip into the
movieverse river Aragorn takes. I like this fleshing out, which draws
Arwen in much more fully, fills out Aragorn's feeling for Eowyn, his
devotion to Arwen. Nice touch of humor, amidst the pain, when he
realizes Brego has somehow come for him, and I like the way Arwen is
woven into his resolution to stay alive and continue to fight for Frodo,
to be the man he is supposed to be for others.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Healer and the Warrior · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 140
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:11:59
A very interesting portrayal of the first meeting of Lothiriel and
Eomer. Lothiriel gets a mention in the Appendices, but we know
absolutely nothing else about her, other than her lineage and her
husband. I like her incarnation as a competent, sharp-tongued and
sharp-witted young healer, though one unaccustomed to love despite her
social standing. Eomer's stubborn young Rider routine, though softened
here and there by manners Lothiriel wouldn't expect him to possess given
his rather humble and filthy appearance from the battlefields, is also
well played. Then again, I've always liked Hugh Beringar, and Hildegard
isn't bad either.
The banter back and forth, the veiled hints of burgeoning romantic
interest (well, in Eomer's case, at least sexual interest), is amusing
and makes the story read very quickly. One or two persistently awkward
turns of phrase, but on the whole, very well written. Fans of Eomer will
enjoy this, as will those who like to see the neglected ladies of
Middle-earth get a voice worthy of them, and it's just a lovely post-War
fic altogether.
-----------------------------------
Title: To Become A Queen · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 157
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:15:29
An excellent finish to this series. As usual, nothing is simple for
Eomer and Lothiriel, who go from excitement after a long absence to
quarreling over why the other did not write for nine months in something
like an hour, maybe less. And Lothiriel's brothers, as usual, continue
to make life difficult, appearing at just the wrong time to interrupt
conversations just when both of them are on the cusp of answering each
other's questions and so providing some reassurance that this isn't just
a political match. Much as Amrothos can be entertaining, I was certainly
in sympathy with Lothiriel's desire to kill him half the time. I
definitely was with her on the desire to kill Elphir.
Rohan is refreshingly open and straightforward after life in Gondor,
which helps greatly, but Lothiriel doesn't quite put it all together
until Eomer finally is able to draw her aside and assure her that in
Rohan, a woman doesn't need her husband's permission to do anything. Or
her male relatives' permission, and that he himself has no intention of
forcing her to give up her career as a healer, just as he would expect
she would have no intention of making him hang his sword and spear
up--they each have a calling in life that means too much to them to wed
a partner who wouldn't respect that.
Gandalf showing up to administer vows was a nice touch, and Eomer's
efforts to redo the ceremony to make it clear and obvious, not just to
Lothiriel but to everyone, what he feels for his bride was very sweet. I
liked the Fellowship interaction, Aragorn's particularly--he and Eomer
clearly have a close friendship that thrives on verbal sparring. Good
advice to the groom on his wedding night, and also nice work with
supporting Eomer's 'technique' for bringing recalcitrant Riders like
Eothain to the operating table in a compliant position for Lothiriel to
operate on. As painful as that was, it was also illuminating. And
amusing. It was good that Eomer got to actually see her mettle rather
than simply hearing report of her ability to stuff bowels back into
people's bodies and amputate limbs at need. And he's clearly got a
strong stomach, too--good thing, if he's living with Lothiriel.
And while I still don't think Lothiriel would be quite so sheltered when
it comes to sex and love, the giant tortoise conversation and its
consequent 'learning experiences' were priceless. I loved Eomer's sense
of good humor throughout, his desire to be gentle with her, to show he
really does love her, and that there's a difference between simply
having sex and making love. Nice curtain call at the end, there.
-----------------------------------
Title: Imrahil's Daughter · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 183
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:15:45
And it just keeps getting better! An excellent sequel to [The Healer and
the Warrior]. It would seem that Lothiriel and Eomer together in one
room, or just in the vicinity of each other, have the unerring ability
to do precisely the most outrageous things, without half trying. This is
a cause for much concern, not only to them, but to poor Elfhelm, who
finds himself in the unenviable position of attempting to talk sense
into his suddenly lovestruck young king--a king who hasn't given a
single thought to marriage, and who is firmly convinced now isn't the
time, no matter how hard he finds himself falling for Lothiriel.
Lothiriel continues to be a wonderful mixture of innocence and witty
competence. Although I do think she'd be a little less naive than she
is--if she *was* bred for this, as claimed, she must have learned
something about the missteps of courtship and how to avoid
them--nevertheless, the dialogue is good and the interactions between
her and Eomer are very sharply written. Her concern for Eomer's wounded
men, and her ability to communicate with them and get them to trust her
(and to obey her when her healer's judgment determines they need
something), even without speaking their language, is impressive,
suggesting that Eomer ought to think twice about his fears that she'd be
helpless in Edoras were he to marry her.
Elfhelm is also becoming a presence in this story, and I hope to see him
develop further--he's delightful.
Highly recommended, particularly to fans of Eomer and those who wish
they had a personality to pin on the name "Lothiriel."
-----------------------------------
Title: Spirit of Fire · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 196
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:15:59
I like Nerdanel's determination to outdo her husband's artistry,
becoming the bearer of light (well, seven of them, eventually) in a way
that the cold, artificial Silmarils never could be.
-----------------------------------
Title: For the Moon to Lead, and All the Stars to Follow · Author:
annmarwalk · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 200
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:16:12
Interesting little vignette. Denethor's unperturbed performance of this
particular duty, and her longing for him to look her way just once,
neatly sets up the balance between them. I like that her refusal to
dance with him over the years has become a kind of joke, if one with a
certain, painful point. The last scene with Boromir taking his father's
place is sweet, though sad--for in fact, he's as sterile when it comes
to love's flowering as his father is now and nothing can come of this
one dance, for all its beauty.
-----------------------------------
Title: Kissing is Different · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 280
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:16:27
An amusing case of courtship without names, although I do wonder if that
last bit with Lothiriel can really be reconciled with the conversation
at dinner--if it really was an act the whole time, why continue the
facade instead of turning the tables of ignorance immediately? Or was
she uncertain that he might not be playing her until she had his
official assurance that he was interested in her, and not simply in an
alliance? Nevertheless, an enjoyable tale.
-----------------------------------
Title: Counting the Days · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 281
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:16:38
Another amusing scenario for the first meeting and eventual marriage of
Eomer and Lothiriel. Betrothed already, and never having even seen
Lothiriel, the King of Rohan and his boon companion, Eothain, set out to
meet the Dol Amroth contingent on the road. And to do a little
reconnaissance, to see if they can catch a glimpse of the Princess to
whom Eomer is to be wed. Entertaining banter throughout, with the
obligatory twist and embarrassing encounter with one of Lothiriel's
brothers. Fortunately, he's too much a gentleman, and apparently has too
good an eye for the ridiculous to torment Eomer too greatly, although
that closing remark of his is priceless.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Salt-Rose · Author: Lady Aranel · Genres: Romance: Incomplete
· ID: 283
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:16:50
There aren't many romances that occur between the west and the east, and
I certainly wasn't expecting Legolas to fall for a Haradric
belly-dancer. It could be an interesting courtship when it continues!
-----------------------------------
Title: Hidden Wonders · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 420
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:17:04
Library love! My kind of romance! It seems very fitting, this encounter.
Rohan, with its oral tradition, where only the most elevated on the
social ladder might own books, would hardly have anything to compare
with the library of the scholarly Steward of Gondor. And in the 'love
me, love my books' way of bookworm courtship, it'll be up to Faramir to
show her that books contain a thousand different keys to heart and mind.
-----------------------------------
Title: Immortality · Author: LydiaB · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 494
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:17:24
Tragic love has a faint whiff of Narcissus and Echo here. Nicely done.
-----------------------------------
Title: Kindly Winter's Gift · Author: Thevina Finduilas · Genres:
Romance: Rohan · ID: 717
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:17:41
Not to everyone's taste: a sweet, slashy PWPish interlude.
-----------------------------------
Title: Respite · Author: Nesta · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 750
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:17:54
A welcome change from the angst, I agree (though I still love the angst
to be sure). Faramir's lazy, mischievous romantic side gets a rare day
out with Eowyn. They make a lovely image, with him lying in her lap, and
she just watching him. Lovely!
-----------------------------------
Title: A Bride for a King · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 777
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:18:08
Continuing my way through the betrothal series. Lots of familial
interaction here--Amrothos and Erchirion had already been fleshed out a
bit in the previous story, but here they become characters in their own
right as they attempt to broach the news of their sister's betrothal...
to their sister. Dealing with the aftermath of that news provides the
opportunity for Amrothos to show himself something other than simply a
devil-may-care hedonist with a talent for convoluted sentences. And at
long last, Imrahil gets a lengthy conversation with his daughter about
his motives, and we find that in fact, there are no secrets that can be
concealed in the upper levels of Minas Tirith.
Poor Lothiriel, with her theoretical bent, struggles with the question
of whether to accept Eomer's proposal (inspired, she believes, by her
father's rhetoric), and with the question of whether or not she is in
love with Eomer... or he with her. At the same time, the appalling
marriage market conditions make themselves felt, and although she does
end up doing what she believes she wants, which happens to coincide with
Imrahil's wishes and apparently Eomer's as well, still, it's impossible
not to feel for her.
Another well done story, Madeleine!
-----------------------------------
Title: Jewels · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Romance:
Fixed-length ficlet · ID: 790
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:18:24
Fourth Age optimism here - I like the image of Eowyn and Arwen flying
over the fields on their horses. Neat reversal of the Faramir-Eowyn on
the tower image--now from the heights, Aragorn and Faramir look down to
see raven and gold tresses flying in the wind that comes of racing horses.
-----------------------------------
Title: Spring Rites · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Romance: Rohan · ID: 842
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:18:39
Great imagery, and I love the conspiracy to get Lothiriel out from under
her father's protection to go and see the spring rites. The Rohirrim,
enacting a blend of Samhain ritual and masked dancing. Naturally it ends
up being Eomer who 'wins' the battle, and who approaches to ask
Lothiriel to do a little bonfire leaping with him--not exactly the tame
evening Imrahil imagined it would be. This was great fun, Gwynnyd!
-----------------------------------
Title: Ddraigspelt An Orc Love Poem · Author: Llinos · Genres:
Romance: Poetry · ID: 879
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:19:19
How very orcish! Love is war, indeed, and a battle for conquest that
never fades. In fact, it's impossible for the lovers to settle with each
other, such is the fierce, harsh way of the Uruk-hai. Orcs writing
poetry always spells trouble--one wonders what becomes of this orc later on.
-----------------------------------
Title: Book Learning · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Romance: Incomplete ·
ID: 910
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:19:33
Oh dear, both of them each thinking the other must find him or her
wanting as a lover. We'll have to see whether the discursive explantion
of books on anatomy or the demonstration-by-vegetable-analogy is the
more effective, though I doubt either one would manage to banish all
concern. Amusing tale, Branwyn!
-----------------------------------
Title: Arwen's Heart · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance · ID: 139
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:20:10
Large, sprawling story that tries to pull together Arwen's story, from
before Aragorn ever arrived in Rivendell, to death and beyond. Some nice
character moments, though with so much time covered, the jumps between
episodes can be jarring. Nevertheless, good to see an effort to tell so
large a part of Arwen's tale.
-----------------------------------
Title: Shin to Toe to Thigh to Mind · Author: Talasi · Genres: Romance ·
ID: 369
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-23 23:38:37
Nice job comparing the OFC's feelings to Haldir's warrior side. It works
well.
-----------------------------------
Title: Another Man's Cage · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres: Drama · ID: 136
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-08-24 13:16:32
This is an epic story of over 350,000 words. I have read every one of
them and would recommend this book to everyone, even people who are not
familiar with Tolkien. It is the saga of one year in the life of a
complicated family. It takes the reader through the ins and outs of
their daily lives and their interactions with each other, while tying in
with the story of Feanor and his sons that Tolkien had laid out in The
Silmarillion.
The characterizations are wonderful. Each person in this story is a
unique and fully-realized individual. The characters live, love, cry and
celebrate the happenings in their lives realistically and with great
enthusiasm. The author creates the people and situations with great
skill, involving the reader fully in their lives and making him or her
care deeply for these characters.
The story is full of beautiful descriptions. It does not stay in one
geographical place, but moves over several areas, going from city to
town to countrysideand each place is lovingly and vividly described so
that the reader is given a good sense of where the action is taking place.
The structure of the story is very well laid out, with each chapter told
from the point of view of a different character, appropriate to the
place and the situation of each episode, as the story moves along to its
inevitable conclusion.
There is so much more to the story that I havent touched on: wonderful
peripheral characters, great depth of knowledge of different
occupations: metal-working and other arts of craft, medicine, music,
sword-play, horseback-riding, hiking, exploring, cooking, inn-keeping,
and it goes on and on. This story is truly awe-inspiring and ambitious
and is among the best I have ever read in fan fiction.
-----------------------------------
Title: Rivendell 9 to 5 · Author: Claudio · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Incomplete · ID: 562
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-08-24 13:36:02
Rivendell 9 to 5, as its predecessor, The Elladan Show, brings
Tolkiens Elves into the modern era, but as themselves they are strange
and archaic social outcastsmisfits in a wayyet fully functioning
within their own communities of Rivendell and Mirkwood.
The author uses a great deal of ironic humor in the story, which helps
to make the reader see how odd the Elves and the whole situation is.
We are drawn to these loveable misfits and their adventures in the
modern world in a way that makes them seem like family. It makes us
want to read on and learn more about their adventures and relationships.
The characterizations are clever and while encapsulating each character
into his own niche, the author never turns a character into a
caricature. Yet we have, for example, Legolas, who was so mindlessly
vacuous in The Elladan Show, evolving into a character with a lot more
depth than we had previously seen, within the confines of his own home
and familiar situations. We see him as a very capable, helpful sort of
person who may or may not have his own agenda where Elladan is concerned.
Elladan, the protagonist, is more capable a leader than he thinks he is,
but it is fascinating to see how he worries about and grapples with
everyday sorts of problems. Even his incompetent slacker brother Elrohir
of The Elladan Show is not what he seems, becoming more fully
developed as a character in this story as it progresses.
This wonderfully humorous work-in-progress is character-driven, but the
author also provides some vivid images and description. The ski-race at
the end of the last chapter is so well described that the reader feels
he/she has actually taken part in it. Plot-wise, it looks as if there is
one developing, but it cleverly does not get in the way of the Elves
daily adventures.
All in all, this story is a delightful read, and makes the reader
anxious for the author to continue it.
-----------------------------------
Title: Rejection · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Aragorn Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 903
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-24 14:32:03
Poor Aragorn. City life is not always easy. I never thought of how
Aragorn would get some coin when he came to a new place, unless he had
some recommendation.
-----------------------------------
Title: To Labour and to Wait · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 838
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-24 14:32:25
An interesting tale of Aragorn's musings during the long nights when
they were chasing the orcs across Rohan. I liked the intercutting of the
present with Aragorn's rememberances of the past at several different
stages of his life, from Rohan through Gondor and the countries to the
far east and then back to Arwen and Rivendell.
-----------------------------------
Title: Curious Mind, Noble Heart · Author: Nilmandra · Genres: Adventure
· ID: 270
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-24 14:34:16
This was a nice glimpse into Estel's childhood at Imladries. I love the
way Estel, in typical children's fashion, ignores the little voice in
his head telling him his behavior is wrong<g> and does it anyway... with
uninteded consequences. Elrond is great here as a father. He is not just
telling Estel off for using the pop-gun, but he guides Estel in
recognizing his real failures and what followed out of those. Compared
to Estel's ideas about proper punishment (what did they let him read
anyway?) his real punishment is less painful but probably lets him think
about his misbehaviour much more.
-----------------------------------
ID: 103
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:11:44
This time Cuthalion sets her sights on that little dip into the
movieverse river Aragorn takes. I like this fleshing out, which draws
Arwen in much more fully, fills out Aragorn's feeling for Eowyn, his
devotion to Arwen. Nice touch of humor, amidst the pain, when he
realizes Brego has somehow come for him, and I like the way Arwen is
woven into his resolution to stay alive and continue to fight for Frodo,
to be the man he is supposed to be for others.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Healer and the Warrior · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 140
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:11:59
A very interesting portrayal of the first meeting of Lothiriel and
Eomer. Lothiriel gets a mention in the Appendices, but we know
absolutely nothing else about her, other than her lineage and her
husband. I like her incarnation as a competent, sharp-tongued and
sharp-witted young healer, though one unaccustomed to love despite her
social standing. Eomer's stubborn young Rider routine, though softened
here and there by manners Lothiriel wouldn't expect him to possess given
his rather humble and filthy appearance from the battlefields, is also
well played. Then again, I've always liked Hugh Beringar, and Hildegard
isn't bad either.
The banter back and forth, the veiled hints of burgeoning romantic
interest (well, in Eomer's case, at least sexual interest), is amusing
and makes the story read very quickly. One or two persistently awkward
turns of phrase, but on the whole, very well written. Fans of Eomer will
enjoy this, as will those who like to see the neglected ladies of
Middle-earth get a voice worthy of them, and it's just a lovely post-War
fic altogether.
-----------------------------------
Title: To Become A Queen · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 157
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:15:29
An excellent finish to this series. As usual, nothing is simple for
Eomer and Lothiriel, who go from excitement after a long absence to
quarreling over why the other did not write for nine months in something
like an hour, maybe less. And Lothiriel's brothers, as usual, continue
to make life difficult, appearing at just the wrong time to interrupt
conversations just when both of them are on the cusp of answering each
other's questions and so providing some reassurance that this isn't just
a political match. Much as Amrothos can be entertaining, I was certainly
in sympathy with Lothiriel's desire to kill him half the time. I
definitely was with her on the desire to kill Elphir.
Rohan is refreshingly open and straightforward after life in Gondor,
which helps greatly, but Lothiriel doesn't quite put it all together
until Eomer finally is able to draw her aside and assure her that in
Rohan, a woman doesn't need her husband's permission to do anything. Or
her male relatives' permission, and that he himself has no intention of
forcing her to give up her career as a healer, just as he would expect
she would have no intention of making him hang his sword and spear
up--they each have a calling in life that means too much to them to wed
a partner who wouldn't respect that.
Gandalf showing up to administer vows was a nice touch, and Eomer's
efforts to redo the ceremony to make it clear and obvious, not just to
Lothiriel but to everyone, what he feels for his bride was very sweet. I
liked the Fellowship interaction, Aragorn's particularly--he and Eomer
clearly have a close friendship that thrives on verbal sparring. Good
advice to the groom on his wedding night, and also nice work with
supporting Eomer's 'technique' for bringing recalcitrant Riders like
Eothain to the operating table in a compliant position for Lothiriel to
operate on. As painful as that was, it was also illuminating. And
amusing. It was good that Eomer got to actually see her mettle rather
than simply hearing report of her ability to stuff bowels back into
people's bodies and amputate limbs at need. And he's clearly got a
strong stomach, too--good thing, if he's living with Lothiriel.
And while I still don't think Lothiriel would be quite so sheltered when
it comes to sex and love, the giant tortoise conversation and its
consequent 'learning experiences' were priceless. I loved Eomer's sense
of good humor throughout, his desire to be gentle with her, to show he
really does love her, and that there's a difference between simply
having sex and making love. Nice curtain call at the end, there.
-----------------------------------
Title: Imrahil's Daughter · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 183
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:15:45
And it just keeps getting better! An excellent sequel to [The Healer and
the Warrior]. It would seem that Lothiriel and Eomer together in one
room, or just in the vicinity of each other, have the unerring ability
to do precisely the most outrageous things, without half trying. This is
a cause for much concern, not only to them, but to poor Elfhelm, who
finds himself in the unenviable position of attempting to talk sense
into his suddenly lovestruck young king--a king who hasn't given a
single thought to marriage, and who is firmly convinced now isn't the
time, no matter how hard he finds himself falling for Lothiriel.
Lothiriel continues to be a wonderful mixture of innocence and witty
competence. Although I do think she'd be a little less naive than she
is--if she *was* bred for this, as claimed, she must have learned
something about the missteps of courtship and how to avoid
them--nevertheless, the dialogue is good and the interactions between
her and Eomer are very sharply written. Her concern for Eomer's wounded
men, and her ability to communicate with them and get them to trust her
(and to obey her when her healer's judgment determines they need
something), even without speaking their language, is impressive,
suggesting that Eomer ought to think twice about his fears that she'd be
helpless in Edoras were he to marry her.
Elfhelm is also becoming a presence in this story, and I hope to see him
develop further--he's delightful.
Highly recommended, particularly to fans of Eomer and those who wish
they had a personality to pin on the name "Lothiriel."
-----------------------------------
Title: Spirit of Fire · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 196
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:15:59
I like Nerdanel's determination to outdo her husband's artistry,
becoming the bearer of light (well, seven of them, eventually) in a way
that the cold, artificial Silmarils never could be.
-----------------------------------
Title: For the Moon to Lead, and All the Stars to Follow · Author:
annmarwalk · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 200
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:16:12
Interesting little vignette. Denethor's unperturbed performance of this
particular duty, and her longing for him to look her way just once,
neatly sets up the balance between them. I like that her refusal to
dance with him over the years has become a kind of joke, if one with a
certain, painful point. The last scene with Boromir taking his father's
place is sweet, though sad--for in fact, he's as sterile when it comes
to love's flowering as his father is now and nothing can come of this
one dance, for all its beauty.
-----------------------------------
Title: Kissing is Different · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 280
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:16:27
An amusing case of courtship without names, although I do wonder if that
last bit with Lothiriel can really be reconciled with the conversation
at dinner--if it really was an act the whole time, why continue the
facade instead of turning the tables of ignorance immediately? Or was
she uncertain that he might not be playing her until she had his
official assurance that he was interested in her, and not simply in an
alliance? Nevertheless, an enjoyable tale.
-----------------------------------
Title: Counting the Days · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 281
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:16:38
Another amusing scenario for the first meeting and eventual marriage of
Eomer and Lothiriel. Betrothed already, and never having even seen
Lothiriel, the King of Rohan and his boon companion, Eothain, set out to
meet the Dol Amroth contingent on the road. And to do a little
reconnaissance, to see if they can catch a glimpse of the Princess to
whom Eomer is to be wed. Entertaining banter throughout, with the
obligatory twist and embarrassing encounter with one of Lothiriel's
brothers. Fortunately, he's too much a gentleman, and apparently has too
good an eye for the ridiculous to torment Eomer too greatly, although
that closing remark of his is priceless.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Salt-Rose · Author: Lady Aranel · Genres: Romance: Incomplete
· ID: 283
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:16:50
There aren't many romances that occur between the west and the east, and
I certainly wasn't expecting Legolas to fall for a Haradric
belly-dancer. It could be an interesting courtship when it continues!
-----------------------------------
Title: Hidden Wonders · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 420
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:17:04
Library love! My kind of romance! It seems very fitting, this encounter.
Rohan, with its oral tradition, where only the most elevated on the
social ladder might own books, would hardly have anything to compare
with the library of the scholarly Steward of Gondor. And in the 'love
me, love my books' way of bookworm courtship, it'll be up to Faramir to
show her that books contain a thousand different keys to heart and mind.
-----------------------------------
Title: Immortality · Author: LydiaB · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 494
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:17:24
Tragic love has a faint whiff of Narcissus and Echo here. Nicely done.
-----------------------------------
Title: Kindly Winter's Gift · Author: Thevina Finduilas · Genres:
Romance: Rohan · ID: 717
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:17:41
Not to everyone's taste: a sweet, slashy PWPish interlude.
-----------------------------------
Title: Respite · Author: Nesta · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 750
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:17:54
A welcome change from the angst, I agree (though I still love the angst
to be sure). Faramir's lazy, mischievous romantic side gets a rare day
out with Eowyn. They make a lovely image, with him lying in her lap, and
she just watching him. Lovely!
-----------------------------------
Title: A Bride for a King · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 777
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:18:08
Continuing my way through the betrothal series. Lots of familial
interaction here--Amrothos and Erchirion had already been fleshed out a
bit in the previous story, but here they become characters in their own
right as they attempt to broach the news of their sister's betrothal...
to their sister. Dealing with the aftermath of that news provides the
opportunity for Amrothos to show himself something other than simply a
devil-may-care hedonist with a talent for convoluted sentences. And at
long last, Imrahil gets a lengthy conversation with his daughter about
his motives, and we find that in fact, there are no secrets that can be
concealed in the upper levels of Minas Tirith.
Poor Lothiriel, with her theoretical bent, struggles with the question
of whether to accept Eomer's proposal (inspired, she believes, by her
father's rhetoric), and with the question of whether or not she is in
love with Eomer... or he with her. At the same time, the appalling
marriage market conditions make themselves felt, and although she does
end up doing what she believes she wants, which happens to coincide with
Imrahil's wishes and apparently Eomer's as well, still, it's impossible
not to feel for her.
Another well done story, Madeleine!
-----------------------------------
Title: Jewels · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Romance:
Fixed-length ficlet · ID: 790
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:18:24
Fourth Age optimism here - I like the image of Eowyn and Arwen flying
over the fields on their horses. Neat reversal of the Faramir-Eowyn on
the tower image--now from the heights, Aragorn and Faramir look down to
see raven and gold tresses flying in the wind that comes of racing horses.
-----------------------------------
Title: Spring Rites · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Romance: Rohan · ID: 842
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:18:39
Great imagery, and I love the conspiracy to get Lothiriel out from under
her father's protection to go and see the spring rites. The Rohirrim,
enacting a blend of Samhain ritual and masked dancing. Naturally it ends
up being Eomer who 'wins' the battle, and who approaches to ask
Lothiriel to do a little bonfire leaping with him--not exactly the tame
evening Imrahil imagined it would be. This was great fun, Gwynnyd!
-----------------------------------
Title: Ddraigspelt An Orc Love Poem · Author: Llinos · Genres:
Romance: Poetry · ID: 879
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:19:19
How very orcish! Love is war, indeed, and a battle for conquest that
never fades. In fact, it's impossible for the lovers to settle with each
other, such is the fierce, harsh way of the Uruk-hai. Orcs writing
poetry always spells trouble--one wonders what becomes of this orc later on.
-----------------------------------
Title: Book Learning · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Romance: Incomplete ·
ID: 910
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:19:33
Oh dear, both of them each thinking the other must find him or her
wanting as a lover. We'll have to see whether the discursive explantion
of books on anatomy or the demonstration-by-vegetable-analogy is the
more effective, though I doubt either one would manage to banish all
concern. Amusing tale, Branwyn!
-----------------------------------
Title: Arwen's Heart · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance · ID: 139
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-23 23:20:10
Large, sprawling story that tries to pull together Arwen's story, from
before Aragorn ever arrived in Rivendell, to death and beyond. Some nice
character moments, though with so much time covered, the jumps between
episodes can be jarring. Nevertheless, good to see an effort to tell so
large a part of Arwen's tale.
-----------------------------------
Title: Shin to Toe to Thigh to Mind · Author: Talasi · Genres: Romance ·
ID: 369
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-23 23:38:37
Nice job comparing the OFC's feelings to Haldir's warrior side. It works
well.
-----------------------------------
Title: Another Man's Cage · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres: Drama · ID: 136
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-08-24 13:16:32
This is an epic story of over 350,000 words. I have read every one of
them and would recommend this book to everyone, even people who are not
familiar with Tolkien. It is the saga of one year in the life of a
complicated family. It takes the reader through the ins and outs of
their daily lives and their interactions with each other, while tying in
with the story of Feanor and his sons that Tolkien had laid out in The
Silmarillion.
The characterizations are wonderful. Each person in this story is a
unique and fully-realized individual. The characters live, love, cry and
celebrate the happenings in their lives realistically and with great
enthusiasm. The author creates the people and situations with great
skill, involving the reader fully in their lives and making him or her
care deeply for these characters.
The story is full of beautiful descriptions. It does not stay in one
geographical place, but moves over several areas, going from city to
town to countrysideand each place is lovingly and vividly described so
that the reader is given a good sense of where the action is taking place.
The structure of the story is very well laid out, with each chapter told
from the point of view of a different character, appropriate to the
place and the situation of each episode, as the story moves along to its
inevitable conclusion.
There is so much more to the story that I havent touched on: wonderful
peripheral characters, great depth of knowledge of different
occupations: metal-working and other arts of craft, medicine, music,
sword-play, horseback-riding, hiking, exploring, cooking, inn-keeping,
and it goes on and on. This story is truly awe-inspiring and ambitious
and is among the best I have ever read in fan fiction.
-----------------------------------
Title: Rivendell 9 to 5 · Author: Claudio · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Incomplete · ID: 562
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-08-24 13:36:02
Rivendell 9 to 5, as its predecessor, The Elladan Show, brings
Tolkiens Elves into the modern era, but as themselves they are strange
and archaic social outcastsmisfits in a wayyet fully functioning
within their own communities of Rivendell and Mirkwood.
The author uses a great deal of ironic humor in the story, which helps
to make the reader see how odd the Elves and the whole situation is.
We are drawn to these loveable misfits and their adventures in the
modern world in a way that makes them seem like family. It makes us
want to read on and learn more about their adventures and relationships.
The characterizations are clever and while encapsulating each character
into his own niche, the author never turns a character into a
caricature. Yet we have, for example, Legolas, who was so mindlessly
vacuous in The Elladan Show, evolving into a character with a lot more
depth than we had previously seen, within the confines of his own home
and familiar situations. We see him as a very capable, helpful sort of
person who may or may not have his own agenda where Elladan is concerned.
Elladan, the protagonist, is more capable a leader than he thinks he is,
but it is fascinating to see how he worries about and grapples with
everyday sorts of problems. Even his incompetent slacker brother Elrohir
of The Elladan Show is not what he seems, becoming more fully
developed as a character in this story as it progresses.
This wonderfully humorous work-in-progress is character-driven, but the
author also provides some vivid images and description. The ski-race at
the end of the last chapter is so well described that the reader feels
he/she has actually taken part in it. Plot-wise, it looks as if there is
one developing, but it cleverly does not get in the way of the Elves
daily adventures.
All in all, this story is a delightful read, and makes the reader
anxious for the author to continue it.
-----------------------------------
Title: Rejection · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Aragorn Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 903
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-24 14:32:03
Poor Aragorn. City life is not always easy. I never thought of how
Aragorn would get some coin when he came to a new place, unless he had
some recommendation.
-----------------------------------
Title: To Labour and to Wait · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 838
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-24 14:32:25
An interesting tale of Aragorn's musings during the long nights when
they were chasing the orcs across Rohan. I liked the intercutting of the
present with Aragorn's rememberances of the past at several different
stages of his life, from Rohan through Gondor and the countries to the
far east and then back to Arwen and Rivendell.
-----------------------------------
Title: Curious Mind, Noble Heart · Author: Nilmandra · Genres: Adventure
· ID: 270
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-24 14:34:16
This was a nice glimpse into Estel's childhood at Imladries. I love the
way Estel, in typical children's fashion, ignores the little voice in
his head telling him his behavior is wrong<g> and does it anyway... with
uninteded consequences. Elrond is great here as a father. He is not just
telling Estel off for using the pop-gun, but he guides Estel in
recognizing his real failures and what followed out of those. Compared
to Estel's ideas about proper punishment (what did they let him read
anyway?) his real punishment is less painful but probably lets him think
about his misbehaviour much more.
-----------------------------------
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