Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Home Again · Author: Súlriel · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 863
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-30 09:29:03
This is a treat for every cat-lover! I surely enjoyed the feline touch
of the piece, her majesty's haughtiness regarding Tom and her catty
needs - milk of course, and a luxurious pillow! Very nicely drabbled!
-----------------------------------
Title: A Hallowed Place of Both Peoples · Author: Imhiriel · Times:
Early Third Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 944
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-30 09:35:52
This drabble is a great work. I love the opening line: it immediately
gets the readers interest and wonders& what is going on here? The
author has done a superb job in capturing this moment which feels very
significant to me, once I read the authors notes I see that that
feeling is well founded. But when drabbling it is sometimes very
difficult to frame an historical moment in just hundred words, but the
author did very well regarding this! Great language and an effective
style which gives the reader a good insight in Eorls character.
-----------------------------------
Title: To Labour and to Wait · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 838
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-30 09:44:02
I had not actually wondered about the moment which served as the
germination point for this back-history (Aragorn revealing himself to
Eomer), but this is one believable explanation and an intriguing concept
with which to explore the development of Aragorn's character. Detailed
descriptions of the travellers' actions, the surroundings, and the
various types of people that Aragorn encountered were realistic and
added a lot to my feeling of being a part of the story, without
distracting me from the unfolding of the tale itself. Gwynnyd handles
both shifting PoVs and shifting periods in time very cleanly, and the
story flows along smoothly without ever making me feel either hurried or
impatient.

I thought the characterizations were excellent and completely in line
with canon. Little things like the complicated fletching, the difficulty
in understanding his mortal companions, and the communion with wood all
help show Legolas' Elvishness and keep him from being too "humanized."
Aragorn embodies the strong, faithful and just king that he will one day
become, and felt exactly like my impressions from the books. His
revulsion at the destruction of Umbar (even knowing of its necessity)
and the dismay he felt at being considered the enemy were handled
particularly well. Even brief shots of the rest of the Fellowship,
little-knowns (Thengel) and OCs left each individual feeling distinct in
my mind.

Gwynnyd did a nice, tight job of interweaving her story with what little
is known from canon of Aragorn's long work and travels in the south. His
trials of starting out with the Rohirrim as an untested warrior were
well-portrayed; and his experiences in the small desert town were an
interesting plot device for him to absorb a lot of information about a
huge and diverse area and population, in what was really a short amount
of time. That in both situations he was offered a position of power
relatively quickly seemed testimony to his inner quality and ability to
be king over all one day. Arwen's reassurance and dreams of their future
were simply lovely, and a good lead-in to Aragorn's resolve to be what
he was meant to be, when he sets off for that future meeting with Eomer.
-----------------------------------
Title: Hope Eternal · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Men: Featuring Aragorn ·
ID: 930
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-30 09:44:39
Aragorn's 4th Age policy towards orcs seemed quite believable to me: A
man of justice must extend it to all sentient beings, not just those he
feels kinship or liking towards. Several touches bring out the orcs'
barbarism and inability to be rehabilitated (at least, these orcs),
leaving the reader aware of the inevitability of their end. However,
Aragorn's willingness to keep trying inserts a sense of hope into a
bleak vignette. Nicely balanced and well done.
-----------------------------------
Title: The One · Author: Linda Hoyland/Raksha the Demon CoAuthors ·
Races: Men: Featuring Aragorn · ID: 852
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-30 09:49:38
Well-written and hope-filled story. Aragorn's progression through
knowing three generations of the House of Hurin was ably portrayed, and
Faramir's response to him in the Houses of Healing was nicely explained.
-----------------------------------
Title: First Impressions · Author: Bodkin · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 806
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-30 09:51:28
Bodkin does a very nice job of showing an unbalanced Aragorn newly
arrived among the Dunedain, through beautifully detailed descriptions of
both the setting and the people. There is no easy answer or quick
acceptance of his situation for Aragorn, but the dialogue between he and
Halbarad is well done and I could easily follow how he comes to see
things more from Hal's PoV. A nice use of humor and frankness to balance
what could have been a rather whiny Aragorn, and who instead comes
across as simply very young and very human.
-----------------------------------
Title: Wishing On The Stars · Author: Marigold · Times: The Great Years:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 116
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-10-30 14:24:01
A moving exploration of a mother's fears and hopes. I loved the
resolution of the final drabble.
-----------------------------------
Title: Heirs of the Oath · Author: Elana · Races: Men: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 151
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-10-30 14:46:33
Elana has matched the first and second parts of this pair of drabbles
well to provide a satisfying reflection on the shifting and intertwined
fortunes of Gondor and Rohan. The first drabble paints a vivid picture
of Boromir's expansive personality, Theodred's wisdom, and Eomer's
growing understanding of what it takes to be a king. In the second
drabble, Elana gives added depth to the renewal of the Oath between
Aragorn and Eomer in Eomer's reflections. Good work!
-----------------------------------
Title: Pity · Author: Elana · Times: The Great Years: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 152
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-10-30 14:57:41
Oh, what a wonderful notion Elana presents in this drabble for why Frodo
might have been persuaded to claim the Ring! She does a marvellous job
of showing the way the Ring works through different temptations until it
at last finds the one that will be effective. The reader is left with a
tremendous sense of malice, heightened by the way evil has exploited and
perverted a good impulse (perhaps the best). A terrific (and terrifying)
drabble.
-----------------------------------
Title: Lobelia's List · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 201
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-10-30 18:15:02
This drabble perfectly captures Lobelia's character, both in its form as
a to-do list and the order and nature of the items (and notes). Very clever.
-----------------------------------
Title: Was It For This? · Author: aervir · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 204
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-10-30 20:19:57
Aervir strikes an appropriately elegaic tone in this drabble about the
parallels between the deaths of Boromir and Theodred. The language is
well chosen: beautiful and lyrical, with a strong poetic rhythm. The
drabble wears the inspiration of both Owen's poetry and Tolkien's tales
lightly but recognisably. A lovely tribute to both sources, and a fine
piece of work by this author.
-----------------------------------
Title: Drift · Author: Ribby · Times: The Great Years: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 203
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-10-30 20:22:00
An unusual and powerful perspective on Faramir's encounter with
Boromir's funeral boat, which makes effective use of the relationship
between the sons of Gondor and the river of Gondor to give us new
insight into both. Excellent writing!
-----------------------------------
Title: A Spring Day At Cormallen · Author: Marigold · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Hobbits · ID: 746
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-10-30 20:36:21
A nice tribute to the hopefulness of the New Age.
-----------------------------------
Title: Do Not Think Me A Dream · Author: EdorasLass · Races: Men: Gondor
· ID: 40
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-10-30 20:39:13
A glimpse into Finduilas's life towards its end, bitter-sweet.
-----------------------------------
Title: Teatime in Rivendell · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 373
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-30 21:18:45
Very funny piece. That rascal Bilbo sure knows how to hold a grudge.
Poor Legolas--I doubt if he is even old enough to remember the events
that set him up to be the recipient of Bilbo's long-awaited revenge.
However, it probably is a nice little bit preparation for spending so
much time in the company of the Hobbits. Takes me back to my childhood
in a large family where everyone always remembered who got the one
remaining cookie last time around. At least now, when the Fellowship
sets out, Legolas will make very sure that he never inadvertently takes
the last cookie out of turn. (Did they have cookies on their quest?
Doubt it. But you get the drift.)
-----------------------------------
Title: Necessity and Desire · Author: Gwynnyd · Times: The Great Years ·
ID: 173
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-30 21:45:20
A charming, sweet and funny storythat is a great combination. I love
seeing Aragorn and Arwen together here. The inclusion of Boromir,
Elladan, Elrohir, and Elrond were all just icing on the cake for me. I
like seeing Tolkiens character interact with real life humor and
intimacy. It just had to be part of life, especially given the hints one
can pick up here and there in canon. The stuff about Aragorn wearing
Elladans mail was very funny (especially the way that it came up again
and again). I never really questioned why Aragorn didnt show up at the
feast, but assumed it was something of high importance.
-----------------------------------
Title: Cacophony · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 929
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-10-30 22:03:52
This piece goes way beyond funny--it is utterly hilarious. I can't stop
thinking about how it is just so unfair the way some people dare to
whine and complain about how disrespectful Feanor was to the Valar.
Ouch! They clearly haven't read this piece. It is nearly impossible for
me to review this little fic without using a string of quotes, because
there are just too many great lines here. I always have wondered about
that "Music" and couldn't help but notice the fact that, despite all the
highfaluting theorizing, everything really did not turn out to be all
that perfect afterall did it? But then who was I to question it? Now I
know the answer.

I so loved Nienna singing a la Edith Piaf and wishing for the creation
of absinthe. That was just too perfect. All righty now, I do have to
quote at least one of my favorites: ["But the worst, the absolute worst,
was Melkor, whod been created with a strong voice but a limited
range."] You that nail right on the head there, honey!

Talk about atonality.

And, finally, the blessed sounds of silence. Amen.

-----------------------------------
Title: Thirsty · Author: Elfhild · Times: First Age and Prior:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 319
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-10-30 22:26:54
Fanfiction drabbles are tiny little things, some no more than a hundred
words, while others are up five hundred. While some might have the
opinion that, because of the relatively few words, that writing drabbles
is a simple thing. Really, it is not all that easy. The author who
enters a drabble contest or simply enjoys writing drabbles must often
condense one of Tolkien's characters, a situation, a story fragment, or
even one of Tolkien's books into a few words. The talent and skill of
the author is dependent upon his or her skill in capturing a certain
mood or feeling that Tolkien was attempting to convey to his readers.

The author of this selection has taken a relatively unknown character,
about whom Tolkien gives very little information, and makes her become
real. Thuringwethil, one of Sauron's vampire colleagues on the Island of
Tol Sirion, was only a foil in a small section of the Lay of Luthien,
but in this drabble, she becomes a personality all her own, albeit a
wicked and murderous one. The piece is evocative of the vampire genre in
classic works. One cannot help but be sorry for the vampire's victims,
in this case a young man, and even for the vampire herself, who is
cursed by Eru and the Valar for her duplicity in following the dark
leadings of Sauron.

Thuringwethil can be compared to the literary prototype of the succubus,
ie, a female demon who prowls the night, looking for victims, finding
lonely people and either destroying them or leading them into ruin. The
succubus is a dark fantasy of males, and appeals to their sense of
dangerous love. The beautiful woman temptress who will break their
hearts, leaving them with a memory that will last them the rest of their
lives, is an appealing concept, primarily for those men who have secret
fantasies of a strong, controlling woman.

Is this dark creature, a maia, a creation of Eru, capable of feelings of
love and affection for her victim? While that is not explicitly stated
in the drabble, there is a hint she feels a deeper emotion that the mere
satisfaction of her physical hungers. Does she feel remorse for
murdering the poor, unfortunate victim? Some, she became a little
greedy, but still she justifies the deed in that she needed to satiate
her need for blood.

A deliciously spooky little drabble, fun for Halloween, or for any time.
I enjoyed it and I hope to see more things written in this vein. In
Tolkien fanfic, there are plenty of stories for the ladies, but few for
the men. Maybe that will change someday. I can hope.
-----------------------------------
Title: Summer Call · Author: mitasova · Races: Men: Post-Sauron's Fall ·
ID: 772
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-30 23:54:54
I found this to be a beautiful and moving tribute to Faramir and his
family. His desire to leave the house and be outside in his fair
Ithilien felt completely right to me. Although I didn't feel that he
consciously knew his death was near (despite all the reflections on his
long-missed loved ones and the Gift of Men), I think sometimes our
subconscious guides us to where we most want to be when our bodies sense
death coming. This was something I personally witnessed in my
stepfather's death, anyway.

The dialogue between Barahir and his grandfather was excellent, allowing
us to learn of recent history and tidbits about the family in a smooth
and natural way. Faramir's voice was perfect for me, although one
quibble only: I would hope that he knew how critical his family was both
to preserving Gondor until the King could come again, and how helpful
they undoubtedly were to maintaining it after his arrival.

Boromir's horn calling and the vision of Eowyn beckoning Faramir home
was a poignant and tearful touch at the end, and so hopeful and full of
joy even in the sadness of a great man's death. I hope poor Barahir
comes to understand this!
-----------------------------------
Title: Strange meeting · Author: Nesta · Races: Men: Post-Sauron's Fall
· ID: 93
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-30 23:55:04
Very interesting and unique take on the prelude to Aragorn's coronation.
Aragorn's remarks concerning the ultimate value of Faramir's desperate
effort to hold the fords were especially appreciated. Great dialogue and
interaction between the two men, and the introduction was very well
conceived - a part of war that is seldom explored, but it was done with
notable care and attention, and set the tone for what followed.
-----------------------------------
Title: Finding the Right Words · Author: Nienor Niniel · Races: Men:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 785
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-30 23:55:18
This story is thoughtful and reflective. I liked the calm, introspective
Faramir here, and his voice seemed very consistent with the books. His
efforts to find the proper words were well conceived, and the visions -
especially the lingering one of his entire family at the end - were very
moving. It felt appropriate that this led to both healing and the
perfect speech for the next morning.
-----------------------------------
Title: Here You Cannot Leave Me · Author: Alassante · Genres: Drama:
Poetry · ID: 356
Reviewer: elliska · 2006-10-31 13:19:14
This is a very sad and touching poem of Arwen's thoughts and emotions as
she faces Aragorn's mortality and her own. I particularly liked the last
line--it is an image that captures the fading of an elf (even if she is
now mortal) very well.

-----------------------------------
Title: Fëanorian Fates Drabble Series · Author: Alassante · Times: First
Age and Prior: Incomplete · ID: 214
Reviewer: elliska · 2006-10-31 13:20:14
The idea of writing the fates of the Feanorians is very clever, I think.
And you have some really powerful images in here. I think though my
favorite is Eru's Lament. I like the rhythm of it and the imagery.

-----------------------------------
Title: In a Pig's Eye · Author: Lindelea · Genres: Humor · ID: 747
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-10-31 14:30:46
To write Hobbits well, I think, you must have them firmly rooted in the
physical world and this story does that very well. It has a great
physicality to it - from the beds and pillows to the sun and mud.

I wish more had been made of Pippin's joy, however, or, rather, Merry's
understanding that it might be coming mostly from homesickness. I miss
Merry's true compassion here.
-----------------------------------
Title: Gondor Needs No King · Author: Ribby · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 207
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-10-31 15:45:58
This AU drabble does a fine job of hinting at the horrors that followed
from Boromir taking the Ring. Nice work.
-----------------------------------