Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: The White Tree · Author: Linda Hoyland · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 94
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-11-05 20:39:10
This is a very well written story, I think it was good to read that even
though we know Faramir will help Aragorn to restore Gondor completely in
her valour and might, I havent read that many stories who actually
tackle the problems the characters might have encountered. So yes, why
not let them experience difficulties and letting them overcome the
necessary hurdles? Well done Linda!

To me it feels a clash of two Dunedain cultures combined with an
upbringing and ghosts from the past that influences the characters
still. I think that Linda gave us a troubled, but yet a very muchly in
character Faramir here: fully unleashed when pushed to far and Aragorn,
used to being a loner still has to adjust to governing so many while he
is so uncertain if everything he went through is worth it. Linda picks
the parts of the books to form a solid background for this story and
fills in the small gaps in the story. One thought that crossed my mind
suddenly and made me smile was that Aragorn comes across like a manual
physiotherapist with his healing, since these specialists in modern
medicine do exactly what Linda is writing: elvish healing indeed. The
writing is smooth and elegant: Gandalf feels normal, but yet the moment
he sounds to me as he should be: hes passing on a lot to Aragorn.
Thanks for sharing Linda, this was a great read!
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Title: Merry's Magnificent Yule · Author: Marigold · Genres: Humor: The
Shire · ID: 211
Reviewer: SlightlyTookish · 2006-11-05 20:56:38
This is simply wonderful and hilarious as poor Pippin copes with a
drunken Merry. I am so happy that Marigold expanded this particular
scene, in which Merry is shocked to find that he is naked and in bed
with an equally naked Pippin, from her other story Merry Yules. The
explanation given here is perfect, and the appearance of Uncle Dinodas
and his reaction made me laugh myself silly. This is one of my favorite
stories by this author.
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Title: Elemental Spirits · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits:
Fixed-Length Ficlet series · ID: 693
Reviewer: SlightlyTookish · 2006-11-05 21:03:15
These are four lovely drabbles, each one describing Frodo, Sam, Merry
and Pippin so well as they are compared to the four elements. My
favorite is Pippin's, in which he is likened to a chattering, singing
brook that cheers and refreshes those around him. That is a perfect
description of Pippin and why I love him so much!
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Title: A Change In The Weather · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits:
Fixed-Length Ficlet series · ID: 692
Reviewer: SlightlyTookish · 2006-11-05 21:05:06
I love how the past cheerfeulness and joy that the hobbits find in
nature is transformed into serious and sometimes frightening events and
images they confront during the Quest. A nice look at the hobbits and
the difficult situations they encountered.
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Title: Treasures And Momentos · Author: Marigold · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Pippin or Merry · ID: 220
Reviewer: SlightlyTookish · 2006-11-05 21:07:32
This is a very difficult story for me to read and review because I do
not like stories about character death, especially when they involve my
two favorite hobbits. That said, Marigold does a beautiful job with this
delicate topic, treating the hobbits with care and respect, not that I
would expect anything less from her. Telling this from Aragorn's POV is
at once sensible and poignant, as is how he divides Merry and Pippin's
belongings. A lovely, gentle tale.
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Title: Making Merry · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits · ID: 663
Reviewer: SlightlyTookish · 2006-11-05 21:09:47
This is a very interesting, fantastical tale! I love the idea that Merry
and Pippin have gone to visit Legolas, and that they encounter the same
sort of magick that Bilbo did in Mirkwood. I love Merry here, at once
enjoying himself and yet worried that everyone, even Pippin, will
disappear. His understanding and joy at the end is perfect.
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Title: With Bow and Blade · Author: Lady Aranel · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 282
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-11-05 21:28:12
This is such an amazing piece where Lady Aranel gives us a brief glimpse
about what both father and son were thinking while they fought. They
almost feel alike and yet do they differ greatly. The sudden connection
both felt gave me the chills and it felt very fitting here. This is a
smoothly written series that is cleverly crafted: beautiful writing!
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Title: Preparing The Way · Author: Lady Aranel · Genres: Drama: Elves in
Later Ages · ID: 284
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-11-05 21:34:28
I have read this story in a rougher version and I love the additions and
the great work Lady Aranel has done with this piece ever since. Ai, poor
Legolas, he addresses the uncertainty of the fate of such loyal
companions as Arod, where do they go when the end is there. It feels
good that Legolas finds comfort in his friends, who help him to let go
of such a dear friend. Deeply moving and a good exploration of Legolas
thoughts and emotions. Horses simply should not die, but even our animal
friends have to go. This is a great work!
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Title: The Salt-Rose · Author: Lady Aranel · Genres: Romance: Incomplete
· ID: 283
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-11-05 21:46:43
This is such a promising story of which I hope to see more of it. Lady
Aranel only needs a few words to draw my attention to the Haradrim
ladies who enter, just as Legolas' eyes find them. And what a scene is
presented to us! The author makes good use of words to keep the
attention fully with cleverly crafted descriptions, which are a pleasure
to behold: not to heavy, but yet very sensual. It is a true spectacle
that is shown to crowd present in the room and to us the reader. Legolas
determination at the end to find out more about this culture has my
curiosity peaked and I hope that there will be much more of this!
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Title: Fear and Loathing in Middle Earth · Author: vladazhael · Genres:
Humor: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 407
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-05 21:56:33
This really should come with a beverage warning - it had me laughing out
loud! Great crossover between two very different works, very nicely
done! Bravo!
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Title: Hidden Wonders · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 420
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-05 21:58:41
A sweet vignette of the early days of married life between Faramir and
Eowyn. I like Eowyn's curiosity and her interest in her husband's interests.
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Title: To Labour and to Wait · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 838
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-11-05 23:22:22
This is one of the best plotted canon-centered Aragorn fics I have read.
Taking a few words from Tolkien about the Three Hunters, Gwynnyd weaves
a tale of the night, alternating between the present and the past very
effectively. She thereby gives a depth to Aragorn's dilemma--the man who
would be king to win a loved one's hand--missing from a lot of stories
that deal with that moving story.

I really like the portrait of Legolas here. He is described as
recognizably Elvish--that is, not human--and at the same time not some
godlike super-hunky creature. I liked that he recognized that he did not
understand Aragorn, and the story about the wood that did not want to be
arrows.

Arwen is well-described as a lady very much in love with her Man.

That the tale is used to explore some of the unknown aspects of
Aragorn's life--his travels in the East, for example, adds yet another
dimension.

There are some characterization points that don't jive with my own, but
that's to be expected! One of the things I enjoy about fanfic is the
variety of tales told about and interpretations of the same characters.
It underlines the mythical aspect of Tolkien's universe.
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Title: And all in evil ended be · Author: Werecat · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 122
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-11-06 01:02:13
This is too funny! Ioreth doesn't know how right she is when she calle
them [spawn of Mordor.] If she is lucky, that herb master can mix up a
batch of something nicely toxic. Hopefully they have boric acid in
MiddleEarth. Another amusing ficlet from Werecat.
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Title: Roots and Branches · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 611
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-11-06 02:47:01
Though used to being a public figure, Faramir must have felt more than a
little self-conscious after the deaths of his father and brother, when
he and his family would have been the subject of endless talk and
speculation. In this fic, Faramir overhears the four hobbits discussing
him and his family.

It would have been natural for him to wonder if the madness of Denethor
and Boromir was due to external stress or due to heredity and, if the
sickness was familial, to wonder whether he had inherited the tendency.
Despite his worries, he does not indulge in self-pity; instead, Raksha
has him feel a characteristically unselfish concern that he may not be
fit to be Steward of the realm.

I love Samwise's use of the gardening simile to explain Lord Denethor's
decline and fall--even a tree from good stock can be blighted by disease
or the lack of proper growing conditions. [A tree is more than its
roots, you know.] he tells the other hobbits. Samwise adds that young
trees will recover if they are replanted in disease-free, new soil. As
an example, he points to the new White Tree that has been transplanted
and is flourishing in its new home. His homely simile and good
hobbit-sense are perfectly in character. This gentle fic comes to a
hopeful end, for Faramir can take comfort in Samwise's words. Very
nicely done!
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Title: Here You Cannot Leave Me · Author: Alassante · Genres: Drama:
Poetry · ID: 356
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-11-06 06:27:20
A beautiful, sad and touching poem that expresses Arwen's thoughts and
feelings after the death of Aragorn, as she finally must face the burden
of being mortal. Very evocative, packed with emotions and nicely done!
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Title: Raven Hair and Silver Eyes · Author: Ellie · Times: First Age and
Prior · ID: 174
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-11-06 06:57:48
This is one of the most touching stories I have ever read. It provides a
greatly developed portrayal of Anaire, a wife, a queen and a mother, as
a strong character, who has to make the most difficult choice in her
life. It is also a very well rounded characterization of Fingolfin. A
bittersweet and poetic tale of love. Excellently done!
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Title: Inheritance · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 524
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-06 07:18:03
Mind you - you can hardly blame Faramir for wanting to know what no-one
will tell him. But yes, Faramir has a lot of Denethor's best qualities -
but he includes others he has inherited from Finduilas. An he is a
wizard's pupil!
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Title: Elven Braids · Author: viggomaniac · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 808
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-06 07:22:38
See, orcs? That's what you get for playing with your food!

I'm glad the elves turned up when they did!
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Title: Pink Oliphaunts · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Post-Sauron's
Fall · ID: 49
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-06 07:27:33
So sweet. I love Elboron's smiling pink oliphaunts - and Beregond's
additions. I just hope Eowyn doesn't get really cross when she sees just
where Elboron has been working on battle strategy! (Not to mention the
presence of Uncle Eomer, but the absence of the Slayer of the Witch King!)
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Title: Paradox of the Fourth Age · Author: Alassante · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Incomplete · ID: 106
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-11-06 07:29:51
This story is captivating on so many levels that I find it hard to
express how much I like it. Needless to say, I have been hooked since I
read the first chapter, and this tale has remained one of my favorites
since then. In this complex premise the reader can find everything that
builds a thrilling story. I am particularly drawn to Alassante's
portrayal of Glorfindel, but the other characters are equally well
developed. The story begins with such a powerful chapter that brings one
word to my mind: earthquake. Then, the suspense grows...

This is a wonderfully written, believable and simply fantastic 'what if'
story. Bravo! I cannot wait to read more.
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Title: Luck from the Ashes · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 142
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-06 07:32:27
I like the idea of changing traditions - and that the inhabitants have
now seen too much to dread cats. Lucky cat and kittens, to encounter
Faramir and Aragorn, too, rather than those who might have been less kind.
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Title: Soldier's Luck · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 309
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-06 07:33:59
Yes - the kind of luck that gets better the harder he works. Good for
Faramir.
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Title: Forlorn Hope · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 301
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-06 07:35:59
A bad time for poor Faramir - and only the certainty of insuperable
odds. He must have been rather surprised to find himself alive after all
this was over.
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Title: Prison · Author: Radbooks · Races: Men: Vignette · ID: 794
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-06 07:39:23
H'mm. I don't think that head guard has got much longer in his job.

This is one of those always-darkest-before-dawn moments for Eomer - and
it's probably just as well Aragorn turned up when he did.
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Title: Boats To Build · Author: Nancy Brooke · Times: Late Third Age ·
ID: 300
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-06 08:07:41
I admit the "incorrect math" did take me aback in the beginning, as I'm
seldom an AU fan. However, I do love sailing (what little I have done of
it) so I kept reading and was very glad I did. Full, evocative
descriptions immersed me in the story. The characterizations were great
- Boromir the self-righteous teen; his wise, patient grandfather; the
taciturn fishermen. Plausible set-up and carry-through, and I loved the
lesson about valuing the ability to create something useful and
beautiful. (And your dad was right on about boats...)
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