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Msg# 7492

Reviews for 12 October Posted by Rhapsody October 12, 2006 - 13:59:32 Topic ID# 7492
Title: Merry's Magnificent Yule · Author: Marigold · Genres: Humor: The
Shire · ID: 211
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-09-17 17:28:11
Poor Pippin! The things you do to support your - er - intoxicated
friends through a bad evening apart from their beloveds. Even to being
mistaken for said Stelly. It's a good job Merry is unlikely to remember
this in the morning - although Pippin is likely to make him pay for the
embarrassment for a long time! This night must have seemed very, very
long. Even for a younger cousin doing his best to return the care Merry
had always lavished on him!
-----------------------------------
Title: Concerning Hobbit's Feet · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor:
The Shire · ID: 828
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-09-17 17:38:57
That Sancho! I can just see Pippin getting worked up about this. It is
such a very - er - male obsession. And with a highly entertaining
conclusion!

You do humour so brilliantly.
-----------------------------------
Title: Fėanorian Fates Drabble Series · Author: Alassante · Times: First
Age and Prior: Incomplete · ID: 214
Reviewer: couchbroccoli · 2006-09-17 18:35:20
I have never been very sympathetic to the Feanorians, deeming them to be
evil and the cause of their own, and the rest of the Noldorin exiles
misery. I have always preferred the houses of Finarfin and Fingolfin,
but these drabbles capture the complex emotions and motivations of these
doomed characters beautifully.

Erus Lament is a poem illustrating the sorrow, pain, anger, and
eventual forgiveness of the creator following the events of the
Kinslaying at Flight of the Noldor. This touching work is rendered in
rhyming couplets which progress through the range of emotions felt by
Iluvatar in brilliant fashion.


Chapter two finds Feanor struggling with the voices of his compulsion as
they force him down the path to tragedy. I find this view into Feanors
motivations to be insightful. His desire made him a slave to his
creations as his lust grew into an uncontrollable obsession. Even as he
lost all that was dear to him he was drawn deeper under their spell and
was consumed by the fires of lust.

In chapter three Celegorm seeks to redeem himself for the atrocities
committed by himself and his brothers, by committing even worse
atrocities. I enjoyed the circular logic employed by the author very
much. Nobody views himself or herself as evil, always finding some way
to justify themself. This is shown to perfection with this view inside
Celegorms head, as well as the fact that the curse against the Brethren
causes their prize to slip further from their grasp the closer they come
to regaining it.

Curufins cruel fate further illustrates this point as surrounded by his
slain brothers; Curufin attempts to reach the Silmaril as he sees the
Spirit fade from Caranthirs eyes. He is helpless to do anything other
than watch as he is rebuked and the jewel is wrested from his grasp
forever as it is claimed as wergild by Elwing.

The concluding chapter shows the heart-rending anguish and loss of a
mother who was sundered from her children and yet feels the pain of
their near simultaneous passing. Her sorrow compounded by the fact that
her children should have been eternal, but are now lost forever.

The powerful and rare glimpse into the thoughts of these complex
characters with the sorrow and anguish of their doomed lives has made me
change my view of Feanor and his sons.

-----------------------------------
Title: The Fords of Isen · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Adventure · ID: 41
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 20:12:00
I love this! The grandfather's voice is perfect, as are the
grandmother's interjections, and the little boy listening with rapt
attention.

The story itself flows so well - I can imagine it being told round
campfires years from now with all sorts of embellishments having been
added. And the dynamic between Boromir and Theodred is wonderful - they
sound like two old friends who haven't let death bother them (much) or
get in the way of their friendship. The oyster shells and this :[I
should not complain to you of all people, but this river dampness
settles in my bones] are particularly nice touches.

-----------------------------------
Title: The Road Not Taken · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Vignette · ID: 104
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-17 20:21:15
Wonderfully evocative scene, full of beautiful imagery and descriptions.
The inclusion of the swan, with all its symbolic allusions and
forebodings, gives this short scene rich layers of meaning.
-----------------------------------
Title: Drift · Author: Ribby · Times: The Great Years: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 203
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-17 20:21:44
A beautiful, lyrical perspective of Boromir's passage down the Anduin.
The quiet, melancholy tone fits well with the stillness of the
underwater world.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Length of Haradric Silk · Author: annmarwalk · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor · ID: 69
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-17 20:22:41
Wonderfully descriptive. The different shades of the silk evoking
memories of the Shire are a subtle yet poignant way to show Sam's
homesickness. His denial of the merchant's suggestion, only to bring in
the name of Mrs. Cotton instead, is amusing and touching considering
future events.
-----------------------------------
Title: Master of Shadows · Author: Space Weavil · Genres: Drama · ID: 245
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-17 20:23:43
Good use of the motif of the Seven Deadly Sins: fitting comparisons and
imagery for each of them. Evocative language and descriptions,
well-handled emotions. Shows plausibly how the the process of being
turned into a Nazgūl might have worked.
-----------------------------------
Title: Reaping · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Post-Sauron's
Fall · ID: 169
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 20:30:44
Ok, first - WOW. Just...WOW. I've never seen anything quite like this
before, and it's wonderful! Wonderful in a brutal, frightening way, of
course.

I LOVE the idea of following the fate of Ted Sandyman, after our four
wanderers returned and kicked all the rubbish to the curb. This is such
a stark depiction of what might have happened to him - indeed, a
portrait of what might happen to any person who decided to align with
the enemy rather than fight. The shunning of Sandyman by the other
hobbits, his smirking arrogance that everything will be fine once he's
found Men, the desperation of his flight from Hobbiton - all come across
very realistic. His over-inflated sense of self-importance is very in
character to me, and this: [Sharkeys orders was to let some of you
*think* you was in charge] was just chilling in its glee. The torture,
while horrifying, seemed very logical, if that makes sense.

I like very much that Sandyman didn't repent or feel regret for his
actions, and that he couldn't understand why Frodo would feel pity for
him. Truly excellent characterization of one of Tolkien's minor villians.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Groomsman · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Dwarves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 44
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 20:50:35
Somehow I feel certain that the Dwarves had very elaborate burial
rituals, and it is a wonderful sign of Gimli's respect for Boromir that
he takes over the preparations. This is a lovely image of Gimli, making
certain that Boromir gets treated with the proper dignity, seeing that
every detail is right, so that the Man of Gondor will embark on his last
journey looking his best. And the equating of Boromir with a bridesgroom
is simply heartbreaking. Lovely.
-----------------------------------
Title: Old Man Willow · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 859
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 20:59:27
I'm sneakingly fond of Old Man Willow, and I like this view of him, for
of course in canon, we only see him roused to anger. I very much like
Legolas purposely setting about "talking" Old Man Willow, as it were,
with the intent of soothing his loneliness in song. It's likely been
centuries since the tree had such contact - no wonder he's angry when
disturbed. Gently poignant and lovely - also, I think it's put ideas in
my head.
-----------------------------------
Title: Hearth and Home · Author: Molly Littlefoot · Races: Hobbits · ID: 730
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 21:26:45
This is a very sweet and homey story -- I always forget about the Shire
and how most Hobbits probably continued on with their normal lives until
Sharkey came along. There are a lot of great details about day-to-day
Hobbity life and the idea that a family besides the Bagginses might have
had "odd" friends is lovely. I like Molly's thoughtfulness in asking her
husband to bring Man-sized dishes for Ranger Vis to use, and the way she
comes to look at Vis as one of her own. She's a lovely, warm and open
hobbit, and I would greatly enjoy spending time in her kitchen.

I'm sure that Vis is very grateful to have a place to go where he can
go, be coddled and scolded and fed well and treated like family. Leading
the often hard life of a Ranger, these little comforts must feel like a
world of riches and give him many lovely memories to keep his spirits up
on cold nights in the wild.

I like Molly's wifely worries, and her very realistic reactions to
hearing about the incidents at the Prancing Pony, and overhearing only
vague things about the impending War. I think hearing only rumours and
third-hand information might be scarier than actually being there -
rumours would only feed uncertainty and you would have no way to
actually prepare properly for whatever bad times might be coming.

And now you've made me very hungry for ginger biscuits.
-----------------------------------
Title: Of All the Pretty Little Horses · Author: Oshun · Genres: Humor:
Gondor · ID: 736
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 21:31:35
Ha! What else would a man of Rohan be looking at with such intensity but
a horse? And when Faramir says [I have no doubt that fully grown she
could take on any but the stoutest of warriors], I can just imagine what
unbelievably confused thoughts Eomer must have been having! Thank
goodness Faramir realized what Eomer was actually asking - who knows
what other misunderstandings might have occurred!
-----------------------------------
Title: Roots and Branches · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 611
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 21:39:35
This has a nice feeling of relief to it - all of Faramir's worries are
very realistic, and have clearly been preying on his mind for some time.
I love Sam's metaphor - so Hobbity and more specifically, so very Sam.
It's got a lovely symbolism and connection with the newly-planted White
Tree, which is likely something which Faramir has his own personal
connection to, and the way Sam's words steady him is wonderful. I can
easily imagine Faramir remembering this overheard conversation, if he
has self-doubts in the future.
-----------------------------------
Title: Birthday Kisses · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late Third
Age · ID: 59
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 22:08:49
I very much like seeing this from Imrahil's POV - he's not objective, by
any means, but it's interesting to see his view of Steward and sons,
combined with his own memories of his sister. Faramir and the puppy are
terribly cute in their equal excitement at meeting, and it's very
touching that Denethor sent Finduilas' dog away, yet went to the effort
to have Imrahil bring one of Mousie's pups for Faramir's birthday. It's
also poignant that the pup is basically a surrogate recipient of
Faramir's affections for his father, since Denethor can't easily show
affection for his youngest.
-----------------------------------
Title: Gaiety in Gondor · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 563
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 22:16:58
This makes me giggle like a crazy girl. Faramir's interpretation of
Aragorn's request, and Aragorn's intial confusion are wonderful. I like
Aragorn fretting at the consequences if Pongohil starts flirting with
Eomer - that could be tragic indeed! The whole dynamic between Faramir
and Aragorn is very nicely done - they seem like they're very
comfortable with each other at this point.

And this: [Make him stop! Gimli will kill him! Faramir, go dance with
the man, or something! ] made me laugh so hard I snorted. Sacrifice
Faramir to the flirty cousin!

And of course the ending:[I meant that they understood the spirit of
revelry, Faramir.] also another snort-laugh and gentle poke at the very
common fic portrayal of Legolas and Gimli.



-----------------------------------
Title: Legend · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 933
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 22:26:04
This is a lovely, thoughful view of Eowyn in her later years, reflecting
on the actions that made her legendary. She seems to be standing a bit
outside of her memories, even while recalling the fear and terror she
experienced on the battlefield, and that strikes me as very realistic. I
like that she admits to herself that now she has trouble lifting weapons
(and I also like the implication that she's kept up with her
Shieldmaiden training for all these years) as she catalogues the
limitations which age has brought.
This: [They say he is like me; I know not. He is very young and
impudent.] made me laugh out loud. Oh, certainly Eowyn was never young
and impudent!
And I love the ending. It's so very Eowyn - fierce and ready to do what
she must to defend those she loves.

-----------------------------------
Title: Such a Little Thing · Author: Ribby · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 206
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 22:34:24
This is just.....awesome. In a really really bad way. Which is good.
Holy crap, Boromir killing Aragorn, stealing horses, giving himself
wholly to the Ring and its will - boy, when you do evil, you don't mess
around, do you?

[Faramir died in the flames, screaming his brother's name]
This scene always freaked me out SO badly in the book, and now you've
just upped the freak-out factor. I don't even want to dwell it for too
long, because it's making my spine creep. Honestly, just this one line
would be horrifying enough to do that.

[Alas for Boromir the Fair-they will look for him from the White Tower,
but he will not return.]
I love this line. It's such an vicious knife-twist, contrasting canon
with this perfectly terrifying AU vision in a way that's just like a
punch to the gut.

-----------------------------------
Title: Gondor Needs No King · Author: Ribby · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 207
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 22:41:09
And here is the sequel! I love Denethor's rather smug and cruel view of
what's happened. Honestly, he doesn't sound too broken up about poor
Faramir's fate - his mind is wholly focused on the "victory" he's
achieved, and Boromir's role in the taking of the Ring. Actually, his
pride in Boromir is rather creepy, and I'm not quite sure why. But it
is, very much so.
And the succinct portrayal of Boromir is equally creepy: [Boromir
glanced up, his smile wolfish and predatory]. Talk about cause a shudder
It's a bleakly chilling continuation, and I enjoy re-reading both of
these pieces. Well, perhaps "enjoy" isn't the right word -- but you know
what I mean.
-----------------------------------
Title: Drift · Author: Ribby · Times: The Great Years: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 203
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 22:47:34
This is such a lovely, unusual POV. The image of the fishes living their
fishy lives having become used to boats that they're taken for granted
until something different comes along is nicely done. And when something
different does come along, of course they want it far away from their
home. I really like the idea that Boromir's boat holds the scent of his
travelling companions' tears and grief , as well as the darkness that
was the cause of his death.
And oh, the fishes delivering the boat to the shore, for a Man to find.
That's just heartbreaking.
Very nicely understated in its melancholy and sorrow.
-----------------------------------
Title: Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit · Author: Altariel · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 91
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-09-17 23:02:57
It is difficult to believe now, but the first time I read this drabble I
did not even "get" the brilliant and unusual crossover. I took it as
simply yet another unique and well-imagined perspective from this
particular author. (It had been an embarrassingly long time since I had
devoured Watership Down, although I loved the book deeply when I had
read it. Nothing else Richard Adams wrote ever quite measured up for me.
And I have never again looked at rabbits in quite the same way...) I was
doubly flabbergasted when I finally clued in on a later re-reading.

Altariel is masterful at the art of making every single word count in
any length story, but it is especially evident in her drabbles. The
history and current state of Ithilien, Gollum's hunt, the battle with
the Haradrim, and Sauron's influence are all portrayed - from the point
of view of one of the humblest dwellers in the land. Before I clued in
to the crossover, I thought it was a very believable perspective from a
"canon character" that I had never considered before. Once I realized
the connection to WD, however, I couldn't believe how many elements from
the book were oh-so-smoothly worked in. It is beautifully wrought and
believably portrayed - one of my favorite true drabbles! And now I will
never look at that chapter in [The Two Towers] in the same way again,
either - there will always be this furry little narrator in the
background...
-----------------------------------
Title: The Long Road Home · Author: AmandaK · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 743
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-17 23:04:08
Your supporting characters are very real, and Boromir's relationship
with each seems completely natural. I'm so glad you didn't make Nineth
his redemption - I find it mildly to extremely irritating when
redemption comes through a romantic relationship. Yet it's very true to
Boromir's personality that he made sure she and her son were taken care
of. It's also a logical progression that he'd fall into defending the
lands from stray Orcs - of course he would. That's what he was taught to
do his entire life. And yay, now he's a folk hero!

And poor Faramir, having to keep his brother's well-being a secret! What
stress that secret must have given him! But it makes sense, whether or
not Aragorn agrees.

I particularly like that Boromir is full of regrets and guilt, yet not
crippled by those things. He's haunted by the past, but doesn't dwell on
it so much that you want to smack him for being self-indulgent. He just
takes each of his doubts as they come, deals with them, and doesn't fall
into self-loathing for any amount of time. Very nicely done!
-----------------------------------
Title: But the Scent Still Lingers · Author: Imhiriel · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 947
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-09-17 23:15:35
This is a wonderfully done contrast between youth and old age via
Ioreth's recollections - and there is not a single mention of her
garrulousness! She feels more complete and whole to me in this small
drabble than she does in Tolkien's canon, where I've always looked on
her as somewhat ridiculously and unfairly portrayed.

I thought the shifts between the girl versus the matron was particularly
well done using just a few very well-chosen images: the changes in her
hands, feet and hair. Those descriptions gave me a very clear picture of
"then" and "now" in the drabble. Having Thorongil/Aragorn as the link
between the two times was excellent and unexpected, although I found the
premise for her past connection to him to be very believable. Her memory
of the roses twined in her hair also drew a nice link to her comments in
the Houses of Healing when she sees Aragorn again after so many years.
Naturally, his Dunedain heritage would mean that he aged much more
slowly than less pure-blooded mortals, and he would be instantly
recognizable to her.

I really enjoyed the idea that Ioreth had known Aragorn as Thorongil.
This would be a very special memory for her, something to be treasured
in her heart; enough that I doubt she would share it, lest doing so
somehow diminishes it.
-----------------------------------
Title: Lossarnach Yule · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Races: Men:
Gondor · ID: 677
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-09-17 23:29:54
This story focuses almost entirely on OCs - some established by the
author in other stories, but most of them completely new to this writing
- along with a couple of very minor Tolkien characters. All of it takes
place either on a small family farm or in a nearby town in Lossarnach,
and Isabeau uses the setting to great advantage. Many details of daily
life and circumstances for the working and merchant classes are tucked
into the flow of events, and they add richness, depth and believability
to the people in the story. I was particularly interested in the brief
exploration of the cheese-maker and the weaver, as middle-class women
who apparently hold positions of some respect within the community.

I loved the focus on Lorend and his family. He is mostly a minor OC in
other tales, but the additions to his back story and the development of
his character were very enjoyable. I would love to read "The Further
Tales of Lorend and Silivren" some day. Will the irrepressible flirt
finally be tamed?

Although I dearly love the stories Isabeau has written from the POV of
her OFC Hethlin, I am always happy to indulge in an opportunity to see
Heth from someone elses perspective. I laughed aloud at the thought of
her dealing with Silivrens flirting, and Mablung and Lorends quiet
enjoyment of her whole predicament. We got subtle hints at the end about
some of her stories to come, and I was very happy to read that her deeds
on the Pelennor were spread beyond just Minas Tirith.

Perhaps my favorite part, and one that added a tremendous amount to the
story, was the weaving of the old religious beliefs into the plot. The
tradition of the Lord, the Hunter and the Trickster and the sacrifices
made to them seemed quite believable to me. And in fine
Yuletide/Christmastime story style, [Lossarnach Yule] has an uplifting
and timeless ending, with a reminder for us that  should it take
decades, generations or an Age: [all darkness passes, and the light
does return.]

All this said, though, the one regret I had at the end of the story is
that we will eventually see the death of Arcag the Unsung Horse Hero!
Between the boar, the Mumaks and handling the wraiths in [Captain, My
Captain] (at least as well as Faramirs fancy Dol Amroth-bred mare),
Im very sorry that he had to go. I know that hes not as pretty or as
well-trained as Fortune, but: Arcag, you were one of a kind.

Fortunately&
-----------------------------------
Title: Mellyn · Author: Pentangle · Genres: Drama · ID: 322
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-18 18:37:18
Rather cute little story of the first meeting of Legolas and little Estel.
-----------------------------------