Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: A Lesser and Alien Race · Author: Marta · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 683
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-10 14:34:50
Beautifully written. Nice comparing and contrasting of characters and
historical periods. I am always on the lookout for new looks at the
legends, myths and/or history of Middle-earth. This is a good one.
Thanks for sharing.
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Title: The One · Author: Linda Hoyland/Raksha the Demon CoAuthors ·
Races: Men: Featuring Aragorn · ID: 852
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-10 14:47:51
A perfect flip/reversal of the oft told tale of how the Steward finally
sees and recognizes his king. Beautifully conceived and written. The
characterizations of both Aragorn and Faramir are greatly appreciated. I
liked the physical description as well. I was drawn into the story
strongly early on by the line: [I had not known that any such Men still
lived in the South.] Great short piece.
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Title: Bedtime Story · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Humor:
Children · ID: 355
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-10 14:56:11
Completely believable nonsense. I am pretty sure that if I were Aragorn,
I would not trust either Arwen or Legolas to recount my history to this
energetic and imaginative creature. Just generally too dangerous and too
likely to get out of control! I think Elves have a higher tolerance for
this kind of thing. What's a mere Mortal to do in the face of such peril?
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Title: A Matter of Honor · Author: meckinock · Races: Cross-Cultural ·
ID: 208
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-10 15:11:25
Impressive piece of work. Loved the characters of Aragorn and Halbarad.
Like the picture of the Angle and interactions among the people there.
The relationship between Halbarad and his wife is believeable and
particularly well-drawn. The affection between Halbarad and Aragorn is
also quite appealing. I personally find it very hard to imagine that
they could have gotten through all the years and hard times without
having this kind of strong emotional attachment, so I liked very much
your picture of the two of them.

However, I felt that the mystery and all of the complex details of this
piece were built up and layered rather densely to be resolved so quickly
and cleanly. I usually find myself complaining in relation to fanfic
novels that they need a heavy-handed editor to cut them down to size. In
this case, I really feel that the author has loaded too much detail into
too small of a space. The work is 15 chapters long and probably needs at
least half again as many to tell the story comfortably--especially the
last half. Still, all in all, its a remarkable piece of work.
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Title: Inheritance · Author: Primsong · Times: Late Third Age: The Shire
· ID: 310
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-10 15:29:54
I think Lotho deserves whatever he gets with the Ring. It's sad for
Frodo but in the end it's better this way. Though I do wonder what
Gandalf would have had to say about that aspect if he had been around.
This is all in all a very interesting piece and like a good AU it tells
us more about canon by illustrating just how easily everything could
have fallen apart. Having read this, I can't help thinking there was
some divine guidance in Frodo's keeping of the ring. The beginning was a
bit sentimental in places for my taste, but besides that, this is a
really well-executed and thought-provoking little piece.
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Title: Lossarnach Yule · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Races: Men:
Gondor · ID: 677
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-10 16:19:57
Now this was a lovely story that gave me a smile and a very pleasant
feeling. The plot was an old one--how to save the family farm from a
greedy creditor. But it was dealt with in a interesting, original and
amusing way--all of it very plausible. Even though Faramir and Boromir
do not make an appearance, their characters shine through their
representatives. Mablung and Forlong come to life, and the OCs are
delightfully real. I quite liked young Idren, and wouldn't mind knowing
what happens with him some day.
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Title: Thus We Part · Author: Tinni · Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 251
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-10 16:28:53
A very angsty bit of monologue, as Celebrimbor renounces the heritage of
the oath of Feanor and parts from his father. And yet, ironic also, as
we know what he will eventually make the Rings that enable Sauron to
come to power.
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Title: Butterflies and Caterpillars · Author: Radbooks · Times: Late
Third Age · ID: 258
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-10 16:33:49
A lovely little vignette, as Glorfindel explains cocoons and butterflies
to wee!Estel. A very appropriate metaphor for the future King to learn.
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Title: Beleg and Túrin · Author: Raihon · Genres: Romance · ID: 755
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-10 16:44:36
Very angsty, and a bit slashier than my taste.
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Title: Elven Braids · Author: viggomaniac · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 808
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-10 19:10:07
Very nice short story that ended right--I couldn't stand the thought it
would get any worse than it did! Good creative choice there--just enough
angst and no more! I love the idea that he wore elven braids when he was
young and going home to visit family. Awww! However, I am now completely
besotted with the idea of the "sound of an elven war cry"--would love to
hear that. Please let me know if you write anything that tries to
describe it!

Oshun
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Title: Elfstone · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 252
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-10 19:24:10
What a tease. I am hooked on fics that deal with legend, myth and
history of Middle-earth. I am, however, an utter philistine when it
comes to appreciating the art of the drabble. As the dratted form goes
this is a good one. Too bad there isn't more of it. Now I have to go
back and scramble around in books to try to refresh my memory on how
Galadriel happened to get her hands on the green stone in the first
place, etc., etc.!
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Title: 'Til we meet again · Author: Dot · Races: Elves: Featuring
Mirkwood Elves · ID: 817
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-10 20:50:59
What a sad and gentle farewell between Legolas and his father, as
Legolas prepares to finally give in to the sea-longing, and depart from
Middle-earth. I really like the show of love and support here, and the
deep relationship depicted between the two.
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Title: Consolation · Author: EdorasLass · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 47
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-10 20:56:12
Such a sweet, sad and tender moment between the two young brothers, so
recently bereft of their mother. This is indeed Boromir the Brave, whom
Faramir rightly grew up adoring--no wonder, for this big brother is
insightful and caring. And very willing to sacrifice for his brother's
sake. Lovely!
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Title: Fallen Leaves · Author: laiquendi · Genres: Drama: Elves in Later
Ages · ID: 735
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-10 21:05:33
A movie-verse fic, dealing with the aftermath of Helm's Deep, and the
death of the Elves who fought there. Legolas' grief is touchingly shown,
but it is Gimli, in his quiet sturdy support, who makes a real
impression here.
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Title: In the Houses of Healing · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Men ·
ID: 877
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-10 21:43:40
As stated, this is definitely AU. I feel as though there is a good deal
of backstory I am missing. Nevertheless, I am very intrigued with the OC
of the "amah" or nanny/bodyguard of Faramir. And I wonder where the
elf-maiden comes from. And with no Eowyn, who disposed of the W-K?
I find this an interesting premise.
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Title: Lost · Author: Radbooks · Times: Late Third Age · ID: 260
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-10 21:45:38
A very unexpected and ironic early encounter. Aragorn was very much in
character here.
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Title: Little Brothers · Author: DinaLori · Races: Men · ID: 686
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-10 21:49:12
Observing Merry and Pippin together as they journey, Boromir is reminded
of himself and Faramir. A bittersweet moment.
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Title: Distant Lands · Author: Acacea · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 76
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-10 22:20:47
Faramir in love: the lover wins out over the scholar, emotion over
curiosity. Great little piece. Love the set up for it.
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Title: Don't Panic! · Author: Boz4PM · Times: The Great Years · ID: 908
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-10-10 22:21:43
Some technical flaws (e.g. with PoV), and inappropriate language for the
M-e characters, especially at the beginnning, but an entertaining read
nonetheless. Good grasp of historical everyday-living and of canonical
details.

Penny's situation is explored skilfully, showing both the funny and
thrilling aspects of her adventure, as well as the drawbacks that come
from her ignorance of a more primitive lifestyle and particularly from
her knowledge of the books and the moral dilemma this means (even if she
is overly melodramatic at times). The language issue is handled very well.

I also liked how many of the hot-debated topics of the fandom are
brought up and then elegantly NOT answered *g*.
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Title: Okay, NOW Panic! · Author: Boz4PM · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Incomplete · ID: 907
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-10-10 22:23:04
Some intriguing sub-plots (social systems in M-e; post-war circumstances
and issues, especially veterans), and enjoyable all-in-all, but
slow/long in places. I also seriously doubt that the 31 of the Grey
Company were all the Dúnedain had in terms of warriors in fighting shape
(["We left men behind us, it is true, but a mere handful and many of
them elderly, sick or young. Most of the strongest and best amongst us
all rode south."]).
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Title: Notes and Observations by Frodo of the Shire · Author: Lurea ·
Genres: Drama: Featuring Frodo or Sam · ID: 971
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-10-10 22:23:27
Careful, detailed descriptions and the quiet tone of the story vividly
evoke the surroundings and Frodo's moods.
Frodo's journal entries neatly fit into the surrounding narrative and
into the corresponding gaps of LotR. How the Ring slowly insinuated
itself into Frodo's mind is depicted hauntingly (especially in ch. 10);
the use of poetry is particularly effective and affecting.
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Title: Book Learning · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Romance: Incomplete ·
ID: 910
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-10-10 22:24:52
Excellent style. Some wonderfully succinct yet subtle turns of phrase
and details of plot that fit perfectly into the culture of M-e: the
wording of the deed, Éowyn's loom, sentences like ["She had turned away
from their lively gossip about the weaponed sex; such churlish talk did
not befit a daughter of the House of Eorl."] etc.
Faramir constantly being distracted by erotic fantasies about his
newly-wedded wife is sooo endearing, as is the nervousness of both at
doing things right for each other. Master Eradan is a true treasure (and
quite sneaky *g*).
I was chuckling repeatedly about their trials and tribulations; the
farmer with his turnips was a hoot, as was the "vegetable lesson".
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Title: A Tale of Feanor: A Light in the Darkness · Author: digdigil ·
Races: Elves: Feanorians · ID: 262
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-10 22:37:19
Carefully thought out and well-written. You definitely drew me into the
world of your story and held me there. I especially liked the first
chapter with Feanor as a child. But, I just couldn't make the leap to
actually seeing Feanor as in any way pitable. I will be the first to
admit that I tend to have a rather overblown and hero-worshiping view of
Feanor. Very nice piece though. You absolutely seized my attention and
didn't let me go with the scenes between him and Galadriel. Feanor and
Galadriel--now there's a scary couple.
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Title: Spirit of Fire · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 196
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-10 22:51:14
Super lovely romantic ficlet you have written here. But what a topic:
Nothing could conceivably be hotter, badder, more fascinating than my
own favorite bad boy, greatest of them all, Feanor. That is quite a
fantastic little love scene that you set up. He is just her husband
after all. Yet, you manage to make it so very romantic and sweet, while
giving us just a peek at the danger and the darkness just below the surface.
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Title: Until After · Author: Dana · Races: Hobbits: War of the Ring ·
ID: 897
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2006-10-10 23:08:55
Oh, this was very lovely. I loved Pippin's innocent charm, and his
patience in waiting for just the right time for the right kind of kisses.
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