Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Make It One For Paladin · Author: Marta · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 48
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-21 13:50:51
Such sad reflections by Robin Smallburrow, as he tries to explain to
himself his actions during the troubles. I like the way he feels himself
to be isolated among others, and the way the "song" is woven through the
story.
-----------------------------------
Title: Stones · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits: Friendship · ID: 571
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-21 13:59:55
This story is just adorable. I love Merry's utter frustration with
Pippin's snail's pace, and his bumfuzzlement when, just as he brings up
the subject, Pippin finds what he's looking for. The ["luck of the
Tooks"] indeed! Pippin's actions and reasonings are so perfectly
logical, in a Pippish sort of way.

As one who likes to collect memories and souvenirs, I most certainly
understand Pippin's efforts, and I love the ending!
-----------------------------------
Title: House and Home · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races: Hobbits:
Friendship · ID: 637
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-21 14:05:48
This little tale has a delightful premise: in order to loosen Frodo's
tongue, and in the hopes that he will let something slip about his
leaving the Shire, Merry and Pippin take him house-hunting in Buckland.
Clever Merry has chosen all the most run-down fixer uppers he can find,
in the hopes that the frustrated Frodo will drop his guard. Of course,
he's saved the best for last. Very cute story!
-----------------------------------
Title: Hearth and Home · Author: Molly Littlefoot · Races: Hobbits · ID: 730
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-21 14:11:10
It's the year that the Travellers left, and this OFC is musing over how
things have begun to change in the Shire, and not all for the better.
Her thoughts are very hobbity and domestic beneath her concerns.
-----------------------------------
Title: Boats To Build · Author: Nancy Brooke · Times: Late Third Age ·
ID: 300
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-21 17:29:08
Beautiful, lush descriptions; flowing, lyrical prose. The activity and
at the same time peace of a seashore is evocatively described.
Boromir's inner turmoil is captured very well; I like how it's mirrowed
by outside details (["The fine, tight weave of his court clothes trapped
the sun and defied the wind. The white sand burned his eyes, so used to
cool stone."]).
Adrahil's decision clearly give him peace and calm and contentment, and
I think he gives valid reasons for his decisions, and explains them so
his grandson can also understand them.
-----------------------------------
Title: Seam of Stone · Author: hossgal · Times: The Great Years · ID: 129
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-21 17:30:08
The story itself is told very well. Vivid descriptions, beautiful
imagery, meditative, lyrical language. I could really see the sun on the
buildings and smell the dust and leaf mold. The prose truly evokes
Edoras in a time of taking breath between great turmoils. They mirror
Gimli's thoughts and present occupation: full of hidden meanings and
secrets, shadows and duplicity.
However, I have to say I find the relationship between A/L (and
especially how Aragorn is portrayed in it) rather unbelievable, even for
a (slash-) AU.
-----------------------------------
Title: Imrahil's Daughter · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 183
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-21 17:31:16
An enjoyable read, despite some canonical and grammatical errors. The
dialogues are particularly engaging, the witty repartee between Éomer
and other characters, especially of course between him and Lothíriel.
The portrayal of your two main protagonists and their so obvious
attraction towards one another is still as wonderful as in ["The Healer
and the Warrior"].
The problems Éomer reports of Rohan sound very plausible in all their
details.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Lost · Author: Altariel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 181
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-21 17:31:59
Faramir's conflicted state of mind in regard to Brandmir comes through
very clearly and believably: his reluctance, perhaps even fear, of
connecting with Brand, of being reminded of Boromir, and thus him taking
refuge in formalities and the focus more on the political aspects of it
until he is able to see the boy for himself and not only for what he stands.
I particularly liked the conversation with Amrothos, Faramir's vision of
the boat on its further path towards the West and following from that,
embracing Brand for the first time.
-----------------------------------
Title: Arwen's Heart · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance · ID: 139
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-21 17:33:06
Wonderfully realised relationships, complex and realistic. The emotions
ring true, are poignant and very affecting (especially the talk Faramir
had with Arwen in ch. 13 - and the scenes of the deaths of Aragorn and
Arwen had me in tears). Clear, evocative descriptions, lovely imagery.
I like the gradual development of the story, with its focus not merely
on Aragorn and Arwen, but also on the events of the world around them.
The characterisations are excellent, particularly Arwen: she is strong
of mind, intelligent, and loving. It's clear why Aragorn loves her, and
that she is more than just an award for him.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Secret of Dog Lake · Author: Karenator · Races: Elves · ID: 819
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-09-21 17:48:57
What a grim tale for children! I guess Haldir is the type who takes
tykes to scary movies? Somehow I thought he was nicer than that....

The tale itself is terrific and very sad. Good work.
-----------------------------------
Title: Dear Diary · Author: Lily · Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest · ID: 264
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-21 18:09:47
A very sweet and sentimental look at Primula Baggins, her hopes and
fears as she was pregnant with Frodo, and through his first year of
life. The last chapter, by Frodo himself is very bittersweet. Very touching.
-----------------------------------
Title: On the Anduin · Author: Gentle Hobbit · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 619
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-21 18:17:27
What if the orc arrow shot at Frodo on the River had found its target,
instead of bouncing off a mithril shirt? We get to see all the
Fellowship rally round the injured Frodo. Pippin's diistress is
especially angsty, as Frodo's surgery is so painful.
-----------------------------------
Title: In the Mind's Eye · Author: Garnet Took · Races: Hobbits:
Incomplete · ID: 144
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-21 18:20:15
A number of stories make mention of the Tookish fairy wife, and the
special insight she seems to have given her heirs--particularly Pippin.
But in this story it is the main theme, and we watch Pippin grow up with
a gift he does not seem to understand, nor even want. I hope it will be
updated soon.
-----------------------------------
Title: Tending · Author: Elemmire · Races: Hobbits: Post-Grey Havens ·
ID: 769
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-21 18:23:25
A very touching vignette: Merry is able to perform a special service for
his beloved cousin after he left--taking care of the graves of Frodo's
parents.
-----------------------------------
Title: By Any Other Name · Author: GamgeeFest · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Grey Havens · ID: 960
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-21 18:27:51
For years Sam called his oldest son "Fro" or "Frodo-lad", but never
"Frodo". Why? When his son confronts him on this, he has an unexpected
answer. This is a wonderful story, exploring something that I had never
thought about before.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Circle · Author: Karenator · Races: Men · ID: 778
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-09-21 22:16:59
What a lovely story! You've seamlessly woven a tale of many parts into a
whole: Hurin's first Orc hunt, Halbarad the father, the sameness and
differences of Elves and Men, and hope for the future. The image of
Arwen as the bridge between the old and the new is very powerful.

Your writing is clear and descriptive, not overly wrought, and well-crafted.

Halbarad is, of course, one of my favorite characters and I recognize
meckinock's incarnation of him here: the hard-headed, practical guy who
turns a skeptical eye on too many soft pleasures. It was lovely seeing
him assessing his son's growth.The glimpse of Aragorn and his earned
authority through Halbarad's eyes is also spot on., and Elrohir is
captured in a few deft strokes.
-----------------------------------
Title: Under the Ympe Tree · Author: Bill The Pony · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 914
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-21 23:05:53
This story has the Gaffer's voice down perfectly! And his point-of-view
is so rustic and yet practical, and yet fanciful all at the same time.
I'm wondering what *this* Gaffer thought when they came back. And I love
the characterization of Widow Rumble, even though she doesn't say one word.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Letter Unwritten · Author: Bill The Pony · Races: Hobbits: War
of the Ring · ID: 855
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-21 23:08:57
I would only know this for slash from the rating--it could just as well
be Sam musing on his deep friendship. But his words are perfect, and he
sums Frodo's character up perfectly. Very moving.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Yule Visit · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races: Hobbits:
Friendship · ID: 981
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-21 23:18:03
Such a sad and sweet little vignette, of Frodo spending what would be
his last Yule with his cousins. Pippin and Merry notice that all is not
right, but there is comfort here for them all. A very sweet and cozy fic.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Gift · Author: Dot · Races: Elves: Featuring Mirkwood Elves ·
ID: 160
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-09-21 23:33:03
This is a neat little interlude. I particularly liked the way you used
the song, it reminded me of how the Valar sang the original Two Trees to
life. Thranduil would have had some definite opinions on his son moving
to Ithilien, and it was nice to see those toyed out.
-----------------------------------
Title: Breeze · Author: illyria-pffyffin · Races: Hobbits: War of the
Ring · ID: 974
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-22 02:17:37
This lyrical piece is written from the POV of a breeze, a bit of wind
from the West which has circled Arda for millenia, and seen many ages of
the world. But its purpose here is simply to bring a brief instant of
comfort to the beleaguered Ringbearer. Beautiful and moving.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Short Cut · Author: Garnet Took · Races: Hobbits: Friendship
· ID: 827
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-22 02:21:59
A cute little pre-Quest story, in which Pippin gets a chance to prove
Merry wrong for once. I really like Pippin's thoughts in this one,
especially about telling Merry he's wrong.
-----------------------------------
Title: Legacy · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 299
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-22 02:24:09
Pippin and Merry take a few moments to remember one who gave his life
for them. A bittersweet vignette.
-----------------------------------
Title: Perspectives · Author: illyria-pffyffin · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Grey Havens · ID: 991
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-22 02:31:17
On Tol Eressea, Frodo has experiences with three mighty figures of old:
Finrod, Celebrimbor and Earendil. The first one is very interesting, and
the second one humorous. But I loved the third one, and could hope that
just such a thing could happen for Frodo.
-----------------------------------
Title: Hobbit Lessons · Author: Citrine · Races: Hobbits: Friendship ·
ID: 729
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-22 02:50:23
This was among the earliest of fics I ever read, and so I am very
grateful to the MEFAs for giving me the chance to read it again--it's
just wonderful, how Boromir is portrayed here--his pride, yet his
nobility and his honesty with himself. And I love Pippin and Sam in this
as well. This is just a beautiful story, and one that takes well to
re-reading!
-----------------------------------