Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: And all in evil ended be · Author: Werecat · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 122
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-01 12:13:03
Argh! Yuck. I totally agree with you. They say that parts of him are
still in the world today and this would be proof.
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Title: The Prince and the Pea · Author: Karri · Genres: Humor: Children
· ID: 158
Reviewer: elliska · 2006-11-01 15:16:58
Hehehe! This is hilarious! Legolas is getting too old for the pea! I
about l laughed myself sick! Poor Estel. That is the sort of thing that
he would have trouble living down falling for. I'd love to see Legolas
bring that up casually on the way to Mordor (or perhaps Legolas would be
too embarassed to admit to being part of such a farce). Great story, Karri!
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Title: Whispers of the Dragon · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great
Years: The Fellowship · ID: 916
Reviewer: lovethosehobbits · 2006-11-01 15:50:47
The depiction of the characters with Shirebound's usual wonderful love
to attention is wonderfully done. She weaves a story that has you
captivated with the first sentence. The loving attention to Frodo and
Pippin by the other members of the fellowship is heartwarming and easy
to believe. I loved this story for the slight angst and h/c themes.
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Title: The Three Towers · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 113
Reviewer: lovethosehobbits · 2006-11-01 15:56:50
A wonderful take on how it must have been for Frodo and his memories of
his captivity in the Tower of the Moon. Having him confront his fears in
order to find some semblance of healing was genius. I highly recommend
this fic as a "what if" story for any who have wondered about the state
of mind of the Ringbearer after the war of the ring.
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Title: An Elf · Author: laiquendi · Races: Elves: Poetry · ID: 725
Reviewer: elliska · 2006-11-01 15:57:32
I love this poem it itty-bitty pieces! Legolas, as you know, is one of
my favorite characters and I absolutely love seeing poems or drabbles
that focus on aspects of him/his personality/his role in life as this
poem does. I am really impressed how you conveyed so much about him as
an elf, son, prince, warrior and friend in such simple verse. And I love
how the poem starts and ends with him being an elf and all that that
means. I gives the poem a real sense of unity that it wouldn't have
without that last stanza. And as usual, you poetry flows so smoothly to
my ear and has such a fitting rhythm. And the imagery is lovely,
especially the first stanza. Such a melancholy progression in this poem,
from beauty to inevitable end. I really love this poem! Great job!
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Title: The Sea Calls Us Home · Author: laiquendi · Races: Elves: Poetry
· ID: 724
Reviewer: elliska · 2006-11-01 15:59:53
Like movieverse Sam, seeing the elves sail makes me sad, so I find this
poem moving. I guess it is the idea of Men ruling the lands after all
the elves have contributed to them. But this is a lovely poem with a
beautiful flow. Loved it!
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Title: Remember This Day Little Brother · Author: laiquendi · Genres:
Drama: Poetry · ID: 923
Reviewer: elliska · 2006-11-01 16:02:50
This is a very nice peom using that title line from the movie but
expanding on it to show how Boromir/Faramir feel. I enjoyed seeing their
closeness in this (I always enjoy seeing well portrayed
Boromir/Faramir). I like the longer/more formal verse and stanzas in
this poem--appropriate to the solem topic and the voice of the people
speaking. Great job!
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Title: Lothlorien · Author: laiquendi · Genres: Drama: Poetry · ID: 925
Reviewer: elliska · 2006-11-01 16:08:28
Oh wow! I've never read this poem of yours before reading for the MEFAs.
This totally gave me chills! The progression of the stanzas, beginning
with the imagery of young, Spring Lothlorien and ending with faded
winter Lothlorien is very powerful--emotionally evocative. But then you
hit that couplet! Very powerful and incredibly sad. Again, I like the
longer stanzas and verse here--it really contirbutes to the solemn tone.
In the beginning, it surprised me because the poem seemed so light, but
when I got to the end, I saw why you had chosen it. I really felt the
decline of the forest and the elves reading this. Very powerfully done!
I loved it! Great job!
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Title: Home At Last · Author: Dreamflower · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 883
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-11-01 18:01:56
An interesting question! thoroughly and believably answered.
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Title: Revenge is a dish best served cold · Author: Lialathuveril ·
Genres: Humor · ID: 297
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-01 18:13:53
Lol! Amrothos had that coming. It seems like he overstepped himself
quite thoroughly when Eomer got even Legolas and Gimli to help with his
revenge. I loved the description of the sea creature. The rubbery
feeling... the strange color...
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Title: Planning Ahead · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Men · ID: 84
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-01 18:15:05
This is the delightful, quite funny tale of the first encounter of
Arathorn with Gilraen. Unfortunately, Arathorn is in no mood for riddles
-- he fell off a horse and is coping with the aftereffects of too much
pain medication in form of liquor -- and Gilraen is only a little girl.
I love the moment when she tells him matter-of-factly with all of her
wisdom of 5 years that he will give her a ring. Luckily, a decidedly
grumpy Arathorn is rescued from doing any damage by the arrival of a
more reasonable adult.
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Title: Oasis · Author: Radbooks · Times: Late Third Age · ID: 259
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-01 18:16:59
A nice little glimpse into the travels of Thorongil and the dangers of
the desert of Harad. I like the vivid description of the desert with the
burning sun.
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Title: First Night · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits: War of the
Ring · ID: 400
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-11-01 18:17:46
This was a good idea but I thought the writing too formal and stiff -
more like Tolkien than Pippin, or what I imagine goes on in his head.
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Title: The Return of the Shadow · Author: juno_magic · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Incomplete · ID: 330
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-01 18:26:25
Juno said in her summary that this story is mainly based on her
Junoverse, but I don't think you need to know her other stories to enjoy
this one. Sure, if you don't know the other stories, you will miss some
of the clues as to who Elentar is early on, but all is explained in due
time.

The two main characters, Elentar and Mina, are very well drawn and
strong, distinct characters. From chapter to chapter you want to see
where they are going, and the story has some surprising twists. I did a
double take when Mozart showed up...

The story starts on a dreary November day in Berlin and I think the
description is spot on. I was on just such a day in Berlin in November.
This description very effectively sets the mood for the early chapters.
A melancholy is weaving through these chapters which in the latest
chapters playing in the modern time starts to brighten. It is spring and
everything looks better, outside and for the main characters. And then
they find the way to ME and everything is turned upside down again.

So far the story is firmly centered on OCs with mostly some names of
canon characters thrown in. Only in the latest published chapters the
first canon character, and of all people it is Celebrian, shows up. But
the story is written in the spirit of Tolkien's writings and I know from
Juno's other stories that when this story turns back to ME it will fit
in seamlessly with Tolkien's world. The first glimpse of is seen in the
last two chapters which show a surprising twist to what I expected.
-----------------------------------
Title: Arwen's Heart · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance · ID: 139
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-01 18:27:29
This is a great story about Arwen. She gets real in a way I haven't seen
before. Although, I admit I haven't read that many stories about Arwen.
The elves in this story are more down-to-earth than I have seen in most
stories. They are missing a bit of the ethereal, but in a good way. They
and their motives are easier to understand, and I feel more connected to
them than in other stories. I was touched by Arwen's end. That in the
end it was something beautiful for her even if she experienced a lot of
pain before she could let go. It was harder for the elves she left
behind, since they cannot really understand the Gift of Men.
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Title: The Circle · Author: Karenator · Races: Men · ID: 778
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-01 18:28:11
This is a nice little story about the life of the Rangers. Halbarad
takes his young son on his first patrol. I love the way the relationship
between father and son is portrayed. Halbarad doesn't really know what
to make of this son who is so different from his other children. But in
the course of this patrol, he gets to know this child better and can see
the dreamer knows when it is time to be grounded in reality.
-----------------------------------
Title: Respite · Author: Nesta · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 750
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-01 18:29:37
This was a beautiful little scene between Faramir and Eowyn. With a few
words you conjured up a lazy afternoon with perfect weather. It was nice
to see that Faramir and Eowyn were able to be so relaxed with each
other. I liked the hint to different customs they had to adjust to from
both sides. And that was a great extension to the typical fairytale
ending: [And they lived together through the years, and loved and
quarrelled and hurt and forgave each other and were as happy as they
well could be]

Well done.
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Title: Four Conversations and A Dream · Author: Forodwaith · Times: The
Great Years: Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 90
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-01 18:30:30
This is a nice little story set after Arwen's wedding and before the
hobbits leave for the shire. Arwen gradually becomes aware of how her
choice affects her. She catalogues the changes in her she can feel, but
she still can't understand them.
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Title: [untitled] He: Gimli fic prompt #84 · Author: Thevina Finduilas ·
Races: Dwarves · ID: 718
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-11-01 18:36:26
I continue to to find joy and wonder in the hidden world of Dwarves you
create through your words. Gimli's interior monologue is nonetheless
inimitably Gimli, and his reasoning and self-reflexive arguing
will-thought out and true.
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Title: The Princess and the Horse Lord · Author: Oshun · Genres:
Romance: Incomplete · ID: 425
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-11-01 20:01:52
Oshun writes a highly enjoyable tale. She takes her canon very
seriously, does heavy research, and it shows. All the same, her story is
not in the least derivative. She does not make the mistake that plagues
many fanfic writers: trying to imitate Tolkien. Nor does she commit the
opposite sin: Middle-earth is there only in name. Instead, her story is
the best of fanfic: recognizably Middle-earth, and something wholly new.

She excels at showing imaginative, but canon-based, cultural differences
between north and south Gondor and the Belfalas coastal area and between
the different races--as well as between peredhil and true Elves;
Imladris compared to Mirkwood and the Silvan elven influence.

Lothiriel is a living, breathing young woman here: motivated, principled
and committed (particularly on her desire to help in the reconstruction
of Arda) but often low on judgment--which provides a lot of the fun of
the tale. Like real life, it is serious and funny all at once.

Characterization is oshun's strength. She especially likes to people her
tale with handsome and fascinating men. Faramir is gorgeous and has a
lighter side--young by Numenorean standards and in love--not all
angst-ridden and insecure. Legolas is "Elven" all the way--whimsical,
arty and dead-serious with his bow. Aragorn (always my favorite) is
in-character also, wise and funny.

Oshun has a lot of fun with her story, and the reader will too. It's
different and unexpected--a Middle-earth soap opera of sorts, but never
making light of the important things. And the sex is really, really fun,
and done with just the right touch of erotic but not raunchy.

-----------------------------------
Title: The Summons · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Times: The Great
Years: The Fellowship · ID: 254
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-11-01 21:27:38
I thought this a very true and insightful portrait of Aragorn, but
perhaps what moved me most was the brief, yet tender portrait of
Denethor that appears at the end, as seen through Aragorn's eyes.
-----------------------------------
Title: Until the King Returns · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Vignette ·
ID: 540
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-01 23:49:49
This was a fascinating viewpoint that I would have never thought of on
my own. By the end I could see how the specter of the Kinstrife drove
Mardil to the choice he made. I think the fact that he does not rest
easy in his decision justifies the "Good Steward" designation he
received. In the end, he did it not for his own gain but for the good of
his beloved Gondor. His reflections comparing his actions to those of
Sauron's and the downfall of Numenor were especially telling.

I found the characterizations solid and consistent with the very little
we do know. Tidbits of canon are smoothly worked in and bring up both
past and future events. The political maneuverings were believable and
presented clearly.

I also appreciated the author's notes highlighting the references made
within the story itself - they were indeed appropriate and added even
more depth for me.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Standard-Bearer · Author: Thevina Finduilas · Races: Men:
Vignette · ID: 716
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-01 23:53:08
Very nice. I thought the language of the piece was formal without being
stilted, and Halbarad being mentored by Aragorn (as opposed to the other
way around) was a refreshing angle. Halbarad's internal reflections are
well done, and I especially liked, ["...he has experienced and seen so
much that he now appears to carry some of each race within himself. The
price paid for that wealth is that he now belongs utterly to none of
us."] I thought it was a perceptive and poignant observation.
-----------------------------------
Title: Ships Passing · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Vignette · ID: 302
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-01 23:54:29
A unique encounter that should have occurred. The characterizations are
nicely handled, with Faramir filling in Halbarad's for us based on
overheard conversations. His internal reflections are at turns moving
and a bit chilling (as when he thinks on his father), and perceptive as
well (Halbarad as Steward of the North).
-----------------------------------
Title: In the Shadow of Hope · Author: Thevina Finduilas · Races: Men:
Vignette · ID: 715
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-01 23:55:22
I enjoyed this glimpse into Eowyn's mind so much because Thevina doesn't
just tell us about her feelings, but shows it through Eowyn's restless
actions and thoughts (listing herbs, watching insects, etc.). By melding
the two together, Eowyn's boredom and frustration are intimately understood.

Eowyn's inner voice and characterization are very close to what my inner
imaginings have held. Her reflections on Merry were wonderful -
insightful without being overly sentimental. And of course I loved that
in the midst of this, in answer to her "prayer," up steps Faramir in a
nice bit of foreshadowing.
-----------------------------------