Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Fire and Flowering · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Romance:
Incomplete · ID: 58
Reviewer: Raihon · 2006-10-03 20:49:14
The writing was lovely and compelling, drawing out both laughter and
frissons of desire along my spine. The thing I liked best about it was
that it was undeniably an adult (as in grown up) eroticism that pervaded
the pieces. These were moments I recognized not from my risque youth but
from last week and last year. The writing was just a little rough in a
few places, though I wouldn't have even noticed if it hadn't been so
stellar in other places.
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Title: Before Thangorodrim: The Last Fall of Himring Hill · Author:
AWing · Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 78
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-03 23:38:59
AWing creates a vivid and compelling setting for her story. It is gritty
and realistic, and I could see and feel the bitter cold and despair that
permeated the land. The scene is well-set for the difficult emotions and
events that follow. The Great Battle gets such brief mention in the Silm
that there is plenty of interpretative freedom concerning the events
that took place. AWing takes great advantage of this and weaves a very
believable and canon-wise story using references both obvious and subtle.

I appreciated how the noblewomen Amarië, Eärwen and Findis were shown
doing their part for the battle, as well as other female elves; and that
Finrod was assumed to have been reborn in time to take part, accompanied
by the unending loyalty of his ten companions.

The appearance of Maedhros and Maglor was as chilling for me as it was
for the Noldor host, and I grieved at the unrelieved hostility between
the two groups. The interactions that follow were extremely well done,
outlining how great was downfall of two one-time princes of the Noldor.
Much irony and insight into Maedhros breaking his own work, as his
father was not able to do; yet he and Maglor still could not release
their Oath despite their kins assurances.

The Easterling herald was actually one of my favorite characters. She is
an inspired villain, a reminder that honor wears different faces in
different cultures. If the Easterlings were fighting on the wrong side
it was due to pride and ignorance rather than being truly evil.
"Grandmother's" near-successful luring of Finarfin to her level was
fascinating, and Finrod the reborn was the appropriate anchor to bring
his father back.

The ambiguous and rather bitter ending was fitting considering some of
the events to come. An extremely well-written and creatively imagined
story with many subtle undercurrents, I gained more insight with each
rereading.
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Title: By Any Other Name · Author: GamgeeFest · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Grey Havens · ID: 960
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-03 23:40:08
This is a really interesting point. Of course Frodo Gamgee would grow up
with a cloud over his head -- not something I'd considered, but it's
very well portrayed here.
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Title: A New Age · Author: Marta · Races: Elves: Fixed-Length Ficlet
Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 685
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-04 01:09:55
Very insightful! Yes, Thranduil would be far more concerned with the new
life in the trees.
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Title: The question of being fair · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 796
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-04 01:12:39
I'm sure I missed something by not being familiar with the other Elves
named, yet I found myself amused anyway, at the maidens' embarrassment
in being caught by the object of their gossip. LOL!
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Title: Aglarond · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Dwarves: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 68
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-04 01:14:47
Very nicely done! I was always moved in the books by Gimli's poetic
streak--as when he made his courtly reply to Galadriel, or when he
described Aglarond to Legolas. This makes use of both in a very elegant way.
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Title: Stewardship · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 920
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-04 01:17:34
I always liked Gandalf's rejoinder to Denethor that he was also a
Steward--and I like very much that he is already taking thought for the
future, when he will leave that Stewardship in other hands--and Faramir,
Legolas and Sam are excellent choices, whether they realize it or not.
-----------------------------------
Title: Keeping an eye on the enemy · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men:
Fixed-Length Ficlets With Children · ID: 871
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-04 01:19:40
How cute! I could just see the brothers playing in this way! And little
Faramir already determined as to what he wanted to be! Adorable!
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Title: The Lesson · Author: Lady Aranel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Incomplete · ID: 298
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-10-04 19:26:24
You know how much I have always loved this and I see now that it has had
some rewrites since I've last re-read it.

I laugh and cry with Dana's frustration and confusion. I think she's
very well done and realistic in trying to balance the 'hawtness' of
what's walked into her office with duty and responsibility and
acceptability.

I laughed out loud at her trying to be polite and accommodating to her
boss' guest as she tries to meet his unusual demands -and I feel her
anger along with wondering if he's teasing her or what he means with
some of his odd habits and ways.

Your 'Professor Lasgalen' is wonderfully, delightfully, deliciously
Elven, from his endless patience in waiting to his subtle humor to the
speed with which he moves across the room to block the door.

I find this to be, overall, a delightful and enchanting read and am
looking forward to seeing chapters added (soon!)
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Title: Fairy Tales of Middle-Earth · Author: DrummerWench · Genres:
Drama · ID: 261
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-10-04 20:42:08
Inventive, charming idea. The blend of traditional fairy-tale
conventions and Middle-earth history works well, especially in
conjunction with Elves (with reminiscences of Fairies and their magic
and mischief). ["The Swans"] and ["The Wooden Boy"] are my favourites.
-----------------------------------
Title: History Lessons: The Third Age · Author: Nilmandra · Times:
Multi-Age: Incomplete · ID: 167
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-10-04 20:43:02
The characters are well-portrayed, their emotions and relations towards
one another ring true and are very moving, particularly the closeness of
Elrond's family (including Glorfindel).
You give life to many events of the Third Age that are only briefly
sketched in LotR, or mentioned only in the Tale of Years or the Appendices.
To see the War of the Ring from the PoV of those in Rivendell is
intriguing, and fits very well into what we know from canon.
-----------------------------------
Title: Was It For This? · Author: Alawa · Genres: Drama: Remembering ·
ID: 88
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-10-04 20:44:40
The feeling of loss, of lost memories, missed opportunities, of distance
towards this unknown father, comes through very clearly. The ending,
Aragorn reconciled to things and at the same time having "found" his
father through gained maturity and shared experiences, is a graceful touch.
-----------------------------------
Title: Pearl of Great Price · Author: Lindelea · Races: Hobbits:
Pre-Quest · ID: 804
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-10-04 20:45:32
The portrayal of the Shire and its society neatly and comfortably fits
into what whe know from canon and Tolkien's further writings: peaceful
for the most part, but with its own problems and troublemakers and
malicious gossip. The customs and traditions you added are believably
"hobbity", and the story ties in well with your other stories.
Good pacing, vivid descriptions (your descriptions of food always makes
me hungry *g*), excellent characterisations, intricate plotting. Lalia's
iron rule (and how it is accomodated - or not) is depicted plausibly and
vividly.
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Title: One Summer's Day · Author: Bodkin · Races: Men · ID: 765
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2006-10-04 23:12:58
What a great story! I really like how youve portrayed Eowyns fury and
despair at the loss of her parents and the life she was accustomed to.
Her responses are so realistic: anger, rebelliousness, withdrawl,
violence. How fortunate for her that she has a loving brother, who
senses what she needs to heal, and a wise and compassionate cousin, a
skilled leader who knows how to handle wayward young troops.
-----------------------------------
Title: An Empty Saddle to Fill · Author: Anoriath · Races: Men: Vignette
· ID: 752
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2006-10-04 23:32:33
First of all, I love the way youve given Théodred a bards voice, all
rich and rolling and singing with poetry, even in his own mind as he
ponders his future. [Keen is the edge of my knife and sharp is the song
the steel sings for me as I skim the stone along its length].

I particularly like the way youve demonstrated his relationship with
Éowyn. At first, it seems like the typical, courtly behavior as he
ponders her loveliness and grace; that changes for us very abruptly with
the mock attack and defense, and Théodreds shocked and sobering
realization that Eowyn not only has remained diligent in practicing what
she has been taught, but also feels herself in need of self-defense skills.

This story makes me realize that, in my own writing, I have neglected to
explore the relationship between Théodred and Éowyn: Im afraid my
Théodred comes across as quite self-absorbed compared to yours! But your
story illustrates well the depth of devotion between them; Théodreds
determination to raise and train her and trust her to be Théodens
defense when Théodred is absent.

Your last lines give me the shivers every time I read them : that even
if Grima somehow manages to capture Eowyn as his own, he will never rest
securely  she will ever be waiting her opportunity to avenge the House
of Éorl.
-----------------------------------
Title: Of All the Pretty Little Horses · Author: Oshun · Genres: Humor:
Gondor · ID: 736
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-05 03:22:16
*grin* That was cute! And an understandable mistake on Faramir's
part--he probably thought that the King of Rohan would primarily be
interested in the horse! LOL!
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Title: Elves Do Skate · Author: Caporal · Genres: Humor · ID: 135
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-05 11:44:45
I am afraid I simply don't have the background knowledge to understand
this ficlet. It's cute, but confusing if you don't know the Elves.
-----------------------------------
Title: Thranduil's begetting day · Author: daw the minstrel · Genres:
Humor · ID: 287
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-05 12:08:45
This was a hilarious romp! While there were a lot of the author's OCs,
it was not hard to follow the plot, even if one had been unfamiliar with
most of them! Poor Legolas, beset with matchmaking, and his brothers
trying to be "diplomatic" with the Men, and the gift Thranduil's
grandson had planned! I'm so glad Thranduil had an unforgetable
begetting day after all!
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Title: Raven Hair and Silver Eyes · Author: Ellie · Times: First Age and
Prior · ID: 174
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-10-05 12:18:58
What a wonderful tale of love and heartbreak. I can't remember seeing
many stories about Anaire and I was glad to find this one, I think she's
an interesting character and under-used in fanfiction. You do a lovely
job of portraying her love, their love and the ragged agony of
heartbreak. I can't imagine what it did to her to see the slaughter at
Aqualonde, but I can agree it must have been enough for her to turn her
back on her husband and children.
-----------------------------------
Title: Until Light Returns · Author: elliska · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 707
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-10-05 12:24:12
This is an enchanting portrayal of Thranduil. It's amazing to me, and
I'm always delighted to find so much thought, meaning and emotion packed
into one hundred words. You've encompassed an incredible amount in this
drabble, from the beauty of the Light of the Trees and the wonderful
stubborn strength of our often understated Elven King.
-----------------------------------
Title: Jewels · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Romance:
Fixed-length ficlet · ID: 790
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-10-05 12:30:10
This is a fun little ficlet. I certainly like how Faramir and Aragorn
are watching their wives, appreciating their beauty, not just in the
physical sense, but though their joy. I like the analogy of the jewel as
it shows a deeper beauty through an inner light. very well done.
-----------------------------------
Title: Alas, for the dying of the trees · Author: Gandalfs apprentice ·
Races: Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 788
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-10-05 12:34:59
HAHAHA! Yes, I imagine poor Gimli has heard that verse repeated every
fall for how many years.

but even through the humor you touch on a deeper truth, aging and dying.
The trees will grow again green in the spring, Gimli, once he's gone,
will not. Could it be that Legolas is redirecting his grief at Gimli's
aging, and soon to be going, onto the trees?
-----------------------------------
Title: The Last Yule in Halabor · Author: Soledad · Races: Men: Vignette
· ID: 166
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-06 01:44:24
Writing about the various low- to highborn, but mostly average, citizens
in a small Gondorian fishing town might not seem very exciting, but
Soledad has produced an awe-inspiring series of vignettes doing just
that. The short tales about different inhabitants of the town, their
families and their ways of life are very powerful and moving. Aside from
Soledad's engaging writing and OCs, I think there are three reasons
these short snapshots affected me so much.

For one, her attention to detail makes you feel as though you have been
working and living alongside these people. The amount of research and
care she put into constructing each person's tale was phenomenal. I felt
many times I was learning things I could only have gotten from a "life
in the Middle Ages" history text, except that Soledad's writing was much
more riveting.

Second, Soledad never shrinks from showing us the bleak, bitter stories
as well as the happy ones. The contrast between the type of lives lived
in this one small town, and their many perspectives, were heightened by
their juxtaposition against each other. They very believably make up a
realistic and complex population.

Third, the little epilogues at the end of each vignette were
heartrending. Not only were they sad simply because I had come to care
for so many of these people, but they left me with a renewed awareness
of the fragility of all of our lives. No one knows when or how the end
comes. We all live each day as best we can - and hopefully never let a
moment go by that someone you appreciate or love doesn't know it.

The concept of doing this in the style of a [German Adventskalender]
was inspired - I really did feel that each small glimpse into these
people's lives was a gift. Thank you, Soledad.
-----------------------------------
Title: Last Rites · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Genres: Drama · ID: 80
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-06 01:56:23
This is one of my favorite stories in fanfiction. Everything is
seamless: characterizations, dialogue, pace. It is an interlude in a
story arc written by Isabeau, Altariel and Dwimordene. As such, many of
the allusions and layers will go uncaught by a reader unfamiliar with
those background pieces, although the story should be easy enough to
follow as a stand-alone.

Many different confessions happen within the story; many souls are being
unburdened. There are the obvious ones (Aragorn, Andrahar, Pippin) but
also the subtle (Elphir's love letter to his toddler son Alphros). The
setting and timing are perfect: Right outside the horror of the Black
Gates, where on the morrow every soldier in Gondor's army will probably
be wiped out. The immediacy and likelihood of death believably spur all
the revelations we see as the story unfolds. Isabeau deftly shows that
even an experienced campaigner like Imrahil can feel the sickening
awareness that he might die tomorrow. She writes in several different
PoVs, but all of them feel distinct and very much in character.

There are many little touches that connect this with other stories in
the series: Andrahars special soap; all the shirt references; the
oath-taking between Imrahil and Andrahar; Imrahils illness and healing
by Aragorn; and so on. All of them add to the continuity of the
over-arcing storyline and the familiarity a long-time reader feels for
these characters.

I love Imrahil's stubborn holding on to hope, despite all the odds.
This, and Andrahar's contrasting practicality, fit both characters
perfectly. I also really enjoyed seeing more of Elphir and the deep
affection between he and his father. Isabeau also touches on facets of
Aragorn that are not often looked at: His faint claim to Gondor's throne
and how much he might have needed Imrahils support, and the fact that
he was not a very good leader of the Fellowship at Parth Galen.

We see some very painful moments that I had not thought much about
before, such as Andrahars guilt over his relationship with Boromir and
how it might have weakened Boromir to the Ring's call; and how Boromir
seemed barely remembered in the aftermath of the siege and Aragorns
arrival, despite having spent a lifetime defending his beloved Gondor.
These made the brief foreshadowing of another Isabeau OC, Brand, all the
more poignant for me.

I thought it appropriate that Imrahil was finally able to help his
brother let go and truly grieve, and I loved the kiss of the west wind
at the end. It was the perfect foreshadowing of the victory to come.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Mud Summer Night's Dream · Author: SueB · Genres: Humor: Gondor
· ID: 712
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-06 02:18:03
A cute little adventure/romp with *all* the male hunks of the
Fellowship, and enough mud to ensure their remaining shirtless. Very
amusing.
-----------------------------------