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Title: House and Home · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races: Hobbits:
Friendship · ID: 637
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:46:39
Merry's plot is wonderfully devious and I am not at all surprised that
he came up with it! Or that it worked! A most enjoyable story.
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Title: defining a circle shape through points · Author: Dana · Races:
Hobbits: Merry & Pippin · ID: 569
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:47:15
It is so clear in this story that Merry and Pippin draw strength and
comfort from each other. Lovely writing!
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Title: In the Service of the King · Author: grey_wonderer · Times: The
Great Years: Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 138
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:50:33
This is a very enjoyable story by Grey Wonderer. I liked very much the
relationship between the hobbits and Aragorn, as well of the rest of the
Fellowship. The characterisations were very good as well, not just the
established characters but also the original characters. And, as is
usual with this author, the relationship and dialogue between the
hobbits is spot on. I particularly thought that Merry's inability to see
Pippin as an adult was very well done, as was his realisation later that
he needed to adjust that perception.

I very much liked the impression of Aragorn that Pippin gave the
suspicious citizens, that he would be a fair and great King who would
rule them wisely. It stands to reason that not everyone would welcome
such a change without some concern and I dont think that I have read
this elsewhere, at least not conveyed in such a personal way. A great
majority of fanfiction stories seem to have Aragorn accepted totally by
the people, which is not very realistic. Some people are very resistant
to change, even when that change is likely for the better.

I liked the young boys very much and the way that Pippin fit in with
them. How fitting that the youngest member of the Fellowship should
speak out for the children of Minas Tirith in what is to be Pippins new
second home.

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Title: Appearances Can Be Deceiving · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Adventure · ID: 760
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:52:13
This story is an entertaining example of how Bilbo and Aragorn may have
met. The elderly hobbit has lost none of his bravery, and I admired his
tenaciousness as he strives to reach Rivendell with his news. It turns
out that it is a good thing that he did so, but for another reason entirely.

A believable beginning to a long friendship!
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Title: To The Abyss · Author: Minuialeth · Times: The Great Years:
Poetry · ID: 403
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-27 16:52:49
Never before have I considered to try and capture a full-fledged action
part from the books in a poem. Minualeth brilliantly succeeds in this.
The poem starts out with a challenge, an invocation of power, the
defender of Manwe challenges the Balrog and how! In this poem we follow
Gandalfs thought while he battles the Balrog, his utter moment of
respite when he knows that he will plunge in the abyss, but knowing that
the others are shaped. In a high, but oh so fitting pace we dance the
battle to the death *with* Gandalf while he receives and hands out to
his foe. The fall feels as if you are truly tumbling down, it gives that
part of the poem a floating feeling. Just as we think we reached the
culmination, Minualeth summarizes his transformation so brilliantly,
with first the moment of calmness and rest:
[When once I was, Gandalf the grey.

White, I emerged, from the fray.]

Just stunning and so fitting for Tolkiens works. Besides the actual
content of this poem, the free verse construction of this poem is simply
outstanding. The pacing is never off, it truly feels as a work that a
bard would recite as inspiration to the troops to show that evil can be
overcome. The narrative is amazing and evocating: you simply feel as if
you are there. The words are carefully chosen and carry much importancy:
it feels very Gandalf like. This is just an awesome piece written by you
Minu, simply wow!
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Title: Such an Hour · Author: SlightlyTookish · Times: The Great Years:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 237
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:54:02
A very interesting perspective, explored wonderfully. The descriptions
are very well done. It is always nice to find a story that is cleverly
written from a rather different point of view, as this one is.
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Title: Hidden on the Mountain · Author: Imhiriel · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 945
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:54:38
An interesting idea, that Gandalf was the one to place the sapling there
against the day the King returned. Another example of his own long
Stewardship of Middle-earth.
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Title: All for the Best · Author: Dana · Races: Hobbits: Merry & Pippin
· ID: 572
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:54:56
I liked the role reversal here, that Pippin has this chance to care for
Merry. Frodo and Pippin's parents were wonderfully understanding of the
situation.
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Title: But the Scent Still Lingers · Author: Imhiriel · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 947
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:55:13
A nice glimpse from the pov of a character that knew Thorongil, and will
come to know Elessar.
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Title: At Crickhollow · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Merry &
Pippin · ID: 241
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:55:33
A nice glimpse of Merry and Pippin as they settle into their bachelor life.
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Title: The Falcon and the Star · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: The
Great Years: Gondor · ID: 57
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:55:48
An exceptional story, very well told. Aragorn is depicted so well in this.
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Title: Holding the Line · Author: Marta · Times: The Great Years: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 581
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:56:04
It's good to see the thoughts behind Legolas' attack on the Mumak!
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Title: The Short Cut · Author: Garnet Took · Races: Hobbits: Friendship
· ID: 827
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:56:24
Merry can be very stubborn! Good thing he has Pippin along to set him
straight. I really enjoyed this story.
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Title: Athelas · Author: Waltraute · Times: The Great Years: Gondor ·
ID: 243
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:56:52
Excellent descriptions here and a good sense of imperativeness.
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Title: The Silent Street · Author: Sophinisba Solis · Races: Hobbits:
Merry & Pippin · ID: 65
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:57:35
This is a superb story. The characterisations of Merry and Pippin could
not be improved upon here and it is clear that this author knows her
hobbits. Merry's mental anguish was well done as was Pippin's desire to
help and his understandable reluctance to put Merry through something he
might not be able to handle. Excellent and thoroughly enjoyable!
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Title: Once Upon a Memory · Author: pippinfan88 · Races: Hobbits:
Friendship · ID: 665
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:58:17
The best part of this story for me was when Hattie mistook the cousins
for brothers. That was a truly touching moment. I'd like to see more of
this well written OC.
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Title: A Yule Visit · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races: Hobbits:
Friendship · ID: 981
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:58:32
How poignant that this Yule visit has such a sad underlying purpose. The
cousins are wonderfully depicted here.
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Title: A Length of Haradric Silk · Author: annmarwalk · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor · ID: 69
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 16:58:58
Lovely imagery here; the cloth especially is beautifully described. I
liked that Frodo urged Sam to buy this as Sam deserves some beautiful
reminders of the Quest.
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Title: Elements · Author: Pearl Took · Times: The Great Years · ID: 667
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 17:00:20
The first part of this is a superb glimpse of the otherworldliness of
Gandalf and yet also of the close ties he has to Middle-earth. The
language is stunning in its simplicity and richness all at the same
time, not something easy to pull off yet this author has done so.

Best of all is the ending, in which Gandalf uses his great wisdom to
bring comfort to the youngest hobbit. There is no hint that he wishes
that he had not been instrumental in bringing Pippin to this moment of
danger and death and he does not speak to Pippin as if his is a child 
these things would diminish Pippins heroism.

Instead Gandalf speaks to him as an equal who has had his own valiant
part to play. He speaks to him as one deserving to know, who is able to
fully comprehend Gandalfs words and take comfort in them. I very much
liked that acceptance that Gandalf has of Pippins fate, not having any
idea that they might soon be saved.

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Title: An Exaltation of Larks · Author: Ibilover · Times: The Great
Years · ID: 178
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 17:00:40
A charming gapfiller, very entertaining. A nice look at the Fellowship
getting to know one another.
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Title: Along the Morgai · Author: Rabidsamfan · Times: The Great Years:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 849
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 17:01:07
Frodo's thoughts are wonderfully captured here! I liked that he ended
with a memory of young Sam, years before they realised exactly what
having an adventure truly meant.
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Title: The First Sip · Author: Glassadar · Races: Hobbits: Merry &
Pippin · ID: 985
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 17:01:21
Merry and Pippin do like their beer! Good job!
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Title: Flotsam · Author: Salsify · Times: The Great Years: Vignette · ID: 85
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 17:03:23
A grim and chilling vignette. Thoughtful and contemplative Merry will
never forget what he saw in the waters of Isengard and it is sad that he
has to find justification for that horror, for if things had been any
different, what might the outcome have been? A perfect title too, adding
to the grim reality of exactly what flotsam might be considered in war.
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Title: Champions: Out of the Past · Author: LadyDeb1970 · Times:
Multi-Age: Incomplete · ID: 687
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 17:04:07
Enthusiastically written story, wonderfully imaginative. This author
obviously has a great love for Boromir and it comes across so well in
this tale.
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Title: Lesser Ring · Author: Larner · Genres: Adventure · ID: 184
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-10-27 17:05:06
An epic story, with lush descriptions, excellent original characters and
plenty of folks from the Fellowship. That the author depicts Harad as
being a society based on ancient Egypt is a very interesting idea.

The story is divided into two visits. The first one is set some years
before the Quest and features Aragorn in some of his most interesting
earlier wanderings. The second, taking place after he has become King,
is full of intrigue. It is very interesting to see all of these cultures
come together.

An excellent tale and a nice long read.
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