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Msg# 7558

Reviews for 7 November - part 1 Posted by Rhapsody November 07, 2006 - 13:54:31 Topic ID# 7558
Title: For the Moon to Lead, and All the Stars to Follow · Author:
annmarwalk · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 200
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-10-26 08:46:12
A sweet, wistful vignette with a poignant intersection of three lives in
a few words. I like it that the old woman, who has vainly loved Denethor
and apparently lost her own sons, is the only woman who moves Boromir
emotionally. His act of tenderness is convincing and moving. Lovely last
line, too!
-----------------------------------
Title: A stranger Among us, or, Here and Back Again. · Author: Ottis413
· Times: Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 296
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-26 09:02:13
What a lovely and insightful story. There are many things to be praised
about this story written by OSA's couple Shelly and Ottis, but first of
all the very striking and fitting language that is so typical for a
linguistic professor at Cambridge. At first I thought, this is Tolkien,
but as the story slowly rolls on and I suppressed all associations to Dr
Who, I remembered who Peter Tennant was.

The manner how his thoughts on Elrond are described is just spot on. I
especially love the reason why Elrond decided to step into this world
with all those oh so curious Noldor elves on the island who will need
knowledge about the sciences to keep themselves occupied. After all, it
might take some time before the end of Arda is there.

Once Elrond reveals himself to Sir Tennant, I love the discussion (and
of course foreshadowing of the professor Tennants later life) in this work:

[Life is truly a wheel as some describe it even today. I see a time
approaching once more when the power to destroy all will again be in the
hands of a few men, who may or may not have the wisdom to understand the
consequences of their decisions.]

Or

[Tolkien's is somehow linked to a glorious past, and shines with a light
I thought gone from this world, and your mind is open to the future,
great deeds await you.]

This insight will be of his benefit when he plays his role as double
agent in WWII (and of course later on during other successful
negotiation of importancy). This story has spot on characterisation and
is written in elegant prose fitting for that time period. The last line
of the work is a fitting way to finish the work, when Professor Tennant
says: [I wish he would hurry up!]

This is such a great work!
-----------------------------------
Title: One Summer's Day · Author: Bodkin · Races: Men · ID: 765
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-26 09:20:23
This is a terrific story! Éowyn is so well portrayed, a very realistic
depiction of a child that has suffered such terrible losses at such a
young age. The descriptions of her violent outbursts and silent rocking
are so vivid and well written!

The characterisation of Éomer, who steadfastly sticks to her and tries
to be her support, is equally well done. It cant have been easy for
him, just a child himself, to bear such a responsibility, but he does an
admirable job and we can clearly see in this boy what a great King that
the adult Éomer will become. It seemed perfectly plausible to me that
the main thing to get Éowyns attention at last was finally
understanding just a little of what she was doing to her beloved older
brother. I doubt that anyone had pointed that out to her before, instead
simply being relieved that the brother at least had some little control
over his sister. Never mind what that burden was doing to him.

Théodred is a good-hearted elder cousin, and wise too, to see that Éowyn
needed a constructive outlet for her great anger. Obviously she excelled
at her training, and I wish that Théodred had been alive to learn of her
great deeds and to finally see her happy with Faramir. I wonder if
grownup Éowyn ever mused upon just how much her cousin did for her that
day, and through her, for Middle-earth. Its a lovely example of how all
things are connected, how one event can affect things for good or ill
even many years in the future. If Théodred had simply fetched them both
back to the city what might have befallen in later years?

I am normally a reader of just hobbity fics, and yet this story has
really struck a chord with me. I would really like to read more fics
like this by this author!

-----------------------------------
Title: The Unbidden Stranger · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 886
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-26 09:32:54
This is a great little scene; Aragorn as Thorongil labouring at the
inglorious mundane task of cleaning tack, being watched with suspicion
by young Théoden and Théodwyn, for I am certain that this must be them.
The author cleverly makes this clear by reference to their mothers own
dark hair, like that of Thorongil, and I like very much that we are able
to know who these children are by this simple reference and not by being
given their names outright.

The line about the children tailing him conjured up all sorts of
wonderful images of little Théoden and his sister skulking around about
the resigned Ranger.

A wonderful drabble!

-----------------------------------
Title: Rejection · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Aragorn Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 903
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-26 09:35:08
Poor Aragorn! Perhaps in lieu of references he should try having a bath...
-----------------------------------
Title: Too Many Names · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 866
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-26 09:46:22
Oh, these are all great, every last one of them! Each one is perfect for
the name it was written for. I really enjoyed the appearances by the
various characters instrumental in bestowing all of those names upon
Aragorn, or making reference to them. I liked them all, but in
particular the ones with Gandalf, Bilbo, and Merry and Faramir. Even in
such small snippits of 100 words the characterisations are just right.
Bilbo doesnt even have any dialogue in his, and yet he was so clearly
Bilbo. And the one with Arwen was terrific  I really enjoyed the gentle
teasing here.

Really well done drabbles!

-----------------------------------
Title: Treasures And Momentos · Author: Marigold · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Pippin or Merry · ID: 220
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-26 10:03:22
After reading [Merry Yules], I knew I simply had to read this story too
and I did not come out of it without using tissues or blinking away
tears. I love the manner how Marigold describes King Elessar filling the
crates with the final personal belongings of Merry and Pip and shows us
what is going through Strider's mind. Even though Legolas is not
speaking there, the author writes his grief so touching that his
appearance is simply not needed. The simple touch upon Merry and Pips
Yule tradition is just so fitting, dancing and celebrating life to the
last as I could have imagined doing so. The note to Gimli is just
priceless with the shades of Bilbo himself.

Marigold, this is just a gem of a story, deeply moving and you write
such an evocative setting where I can imagine how Aragorn takes care of
the final things for his friends. I have to say that I am looking
forward to your complete story regarding these two.
-----------------------------------
Title: Man of the North · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 684
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-26 10:03:35
This is a marvellous portrayal of Thengel, someone who isnt written
about much in fanfiction. His wisdom and tolerance is clear to see, and
he reminds me very much of his son, the kindly King Théoden. It is easy
to see from this glimpse at Thengel where Théoden learned to be so
fair-spoken. I liked very much that Thengel has learned tolerance for
someone who is different to his own people because of his own years in
Gondor. That Thengel shares the thought that Frodo will later have 
[Yet he does not feel foul.] was very well done.

Excellent drabble Marta!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Groomsman · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Dwarves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 44
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-10-26 10:18:56
This is a beautiful drabble in which Elen Kortirion makes us feel both
Gimli's appreciation of craftsmanship and his own skill and care. It
also involves some good subtle misdirection that gives the final line
added intensity and poignancy, and makes us re-evaluate Gimli's
irritation at the start. The language is vivid, and provides wonderful
echoes of the passage in the book. Excellent work!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Tracks of Time · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 60
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-10-26 10:35:14
There is a strong lyrical strain to this ficlet. Raksha has chosen some
powerful language and imagery to encapsulate Legolas's reflections on
the mortality of those he has come to love. I particularly love the line
[hurtle towards the winter of their lives]. A sobering and moving piece.
-----------------------------------
Title: Elfwine · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Fixed-Length Ficlet
· ID: 70
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-10-26 10:45:55
annmarwalk has perfectly captured Eomer's character in this drabble
about his exuberance at the birth of his son. Well done!
-----------------------------------
Title: It's the Thought · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Men: Fixed-Length
Ficlets With Children · ID: 71
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-10-26 11:03:16
A sweet drabble about Theodred finding a way to comfort his bereaved
cousins, with a nice character moment for Eowyn.
-----------------------------------
Title: Servant of the Tower · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 95
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-10-26 19:18:29
Branwyn gives us the justification of one of the Tower servants who
prepared the pyre  and draws a vivid picture of a man who is
unapologetic in tone, citing the notion of loyalty, oathbreaking and
service that are central in Tolkien's work. Yet Branwyn equally vividly
shows us, in a masterful last line, the uneasiness that lies behind the
servant's defiance. A perceptive drabble, extremely well executed.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Tale of Feanor: A Light in the Darkness · Author: digdigil ·
Races: Elves: Feanorians · ID: 262
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-26 20:58:50
An interesting take on possible psychological reasons for Feanor's behavior.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Painting · Author: LuthienTinuviel · Times: Multi-Age:
Incomplete · ID: 771
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-26 21:14:14
This is an interesting view into another culture. The author admits it's
a "Mary Sue", but it's rather a unique one.
-----------------------------------
Title: Discretion · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Humor · ID: 286
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-10-26 23:11:19
This story, which I read as it was posted, gave me many moments of
delight. The inventiveness of the Dwarven--ahem--phrases is splendid,
and had me giggling every time. The first scene, with the description of
Legolas's reaction when first hearing the words in question, is
priceless. Thanks, Bodkin!
-----------------------------------
Title: Shattered Twilight · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama: First Age
Elves · ID: 247
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-27 03:05:46
A very angsty interior monologue by Maeglin. I am not so familiar with
his story as I should be, yet from what I *can* remember, this seems
very appropriate!
-----------------------------------
Title: Crickhollow March 1420 · Author: Anso the Hobbit · Races:
Hobbits: Incomplete · ID: 194
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-27 13:44:44
The first year after all the events regarding the Ringwar must have been
very hard on all involved. Everyone involved bears the scars and tries
to deal with the day when the event was merely a year ago. In this
story, we follow Merrys slow fall into darkness where he tries to hide
his own pain from others, but as events take an unexpected turn, he
tumbles down in to the dark with a crash. But how can Merry come out of
this and learn to deal with this grim anniversary?

What I like so much about this story is the way in which Anso writes the
minor hobbit characters of Tolkien. Merimac, Merimas, Merrys parents:
all get a chance to shine and she portrays them as fantastic characters
with strong voices. Pippin suddenly realises that it is time to share
the grim results of their adventures with their loved ones, and sounding
so grown up all of a sudden almost feels as a rites of passage.

Anso deals fantastically with the hurt/comfort she is writing here and
does not shy the darkness of the illness that her beloved Merry has to
suffer. The story has a very hobbity feel to it, the filling of corners
and second breakfast slowly meandering into elevenses. This story feels
like a testimony of true friendship and the love of family and
relatives: through thick and thin. I am looking forward to more future
chapters (especially with the line you are leaving us with Anso!!).
-----------------------------------
Title: Strength of a River · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 513
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-27 13:54:34
A gentle and reflective story. I like the emphasis given to Finduilas,
especially in the brief epilogue where a twist is given to Faramir's
gaze upon Mithrandir's face.
-----------------------------------
Title: Do Not Think Me A Dream · Author: EdorasLass · Races: Men: Gondor
· ID: 40
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-27 13:55:48
Finduilas' depression and sense of oppression from the evil to the east
are well-portrayed and believable as contributing to her slow decline.
The title and her reflections at the end point forward to her death; the
sadness I felt was eased a little, however, knowing how much of her
would go on to live in her sons.
-----------------------------------
Title: Consolation · Author: EdorasLass · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 47
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-27 13:56:09
A very sweet, lovely story. The author has managed to capture so much of
Boromir's character that manifests during the war.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Choices of Spirits · Author: Dawn Felagund · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 927
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-27 14:13:02
This story is a celebration of love, a love that did not pay heed to
races or cultural differences. Dawn pulls us into the world of Caranthir
who so falls for Haleth, the leader of the Haladin. Both feel the
constraint of their cultures and of what they might say of them once
they find out of their love. Caranthir: wanting to settle down, Haleth:
placing her how people first before her own happiness. Until death comes
and she waits, wills her spirit to wait for Caranthir. Caranthir in his
turn struggles not to fall into the claws of madness and grief brought
upon him the day Haleth dies. What I find so very striking in how this
follows the events of the Fëanorians, the separation of their parents
(Nerdanels reasoning lays the base for Caranthir to choose his own lot)
the utter loss of the Nirnaeth or the second kinslaying where he muses
about why they actually felt driven to reclaim the jewel.

[Mad&and vengeful. With nothing to lose. Much of our family gone, lost
to war, only we remained: seven brothers who were unworthy of a
dignified death in battle but must instead die fulfilling our heretics
oath.]

But at the end of all, love remains strongly standing and Caranthir
refuses the call to come to Mandos, just as Haleth did. Bound to the
lands they once walked upon, this is brought to you with a fantastic
written epilogue; they remain united until the end of Arda. This is a
stunning story which kept my eyes glued to the paper as I read along.
-----------------------------------
Title: Drabbles for Lord of the Rings · Author: Llinos · Races: Hobbits:
Fixed-Length Ficlet series · ID: 758
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-27 14:27:13
The drabbles or poems almost feels to me like the LotR but then
condensed. Yet, they all serve their striking purpose on many levels.
One can see them as summaries of a chapter, but there is growth in the
style the author has used. From the gently pacing of the first chapter,
the slow build up in the next two, the third feels like a wild ride,
just as Merry and Pippin could have experienced it. Victory at last,
brought to you by the two heroes!

What I find so amazing is that drabbling alone is a hard task, but so is
writing poetry: to take on the challenge to combine both in this
flawless execution is simply stunning! This is a great work!
-----------------------------------
Title: I'm Writing This With My Left Hand · Author: Vana Tuivana ·
Genres: Drama: Poetry · ID: 641
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-27 14:34:50
This poem is very unusual at the very least, but so incredibly well
crafted with a haunting touch and the feeling of modern day graffiti. It
somehow gives me the image that Maedhros slowly wrote this as every day
passed, clinging onto the sanity that still might be left in him but
obviously considering that he would die there. The last stanza is
chilling because it has so much foreshadowing in it for what will pass.
This piece is cleverly crafted, very evocative and feels somehow very
much in character!
-----------------------------------
Title: Bilbo's Nursery Rhyme for Merry and Pippin · Author: Llinos ·
Races: Hobbits: Poetry · ID: 882
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-27 14:43:50
Oh Bilbo drafting a rhyme on his own and how very fitting for two little
faunts. This poem brings forth a cosy image where Bilbo sits there with
the two youngsters giving the little Pippin enough to do to feel that he
contributes a lot (which is very important to them). The stanzas in
itself are incredibly funny and comes across as a mixture of mischief
(Bilbo style) and a lesson to learn.

This poem is cute, fuzzy, very hobbity and for all ages  from parent to
a wee!one. I found it very enjoyable and inspiring. Technically this
poem is outstanding in its useful repetitions and the rhyming scheme is
well executed. This is a great work Llinos!
-----------------------------------