Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: A Merry Old Inn · Author: Dreamflower · Times: Late Third Age ·
ID: 881
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-06 08:08:44
Entertaining story! The tone and language were convincingly
Hobbit-style. Great descriptions of Bree and the Pony. Loved the tie-in
to Frodo's future adventure in the same inn.
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Title: Butterflies and Caterpillars · Author: Radbooks · Times: Late
Third Age · ID: 258
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-06 08:09:02
A very gentle and sweet story - the butterfly transformation is
enduringly magical, and appropriate as a metaphor of any being's
transformation. Estel is believably childlike in manner and speech,
Glorfindel gentle and wise.
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Title: Birthday Kisses · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late Third
Age · ID: 59
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-06 08:09:22
Bittersweet and moving with good characterizations. It was heart-rending
to see Denethor unable to do more than lightly touch his son. Very
powerful allusion here: ["Denethor came to his son, and bent down, his
shadow partially engulfing both boys."]
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Title: Shoot the Moon · Author: mistycracraft · Times: Late Third Age ·
ID: 233
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-06 08:09:37
A very sweet story, with a very well thought-out background. Estel is
convincingly written as a young child, Elrond as the loving father.
Enchanting dialogue.
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Title: Lost · Author: Radbooks · Times: Late Third Age · ID: 260
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-06 08:09:59
I took this story as a reminder that most evil people are not born such,
but made. Being picked-on and bullied as a child could very well have
been a significant part of the adult Bill's choices. Perhaps he hoped
for more Ranger interventions, which never came? Good characterization
of Aragorn - cautious and kind.
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Title: Oasis · Author: Radbooks · Times: Late Third Age · ID: 259
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-06 08:10:20
Good description of the desert and what it took to stay alive while
travelling in it, and Aragorn/Thorongil's reaction to discovery in the town.
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Title: Gaiety in Gondor · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 563
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-11-06 09:11:22
This is such a hoot! Poor Aragorn, who only wanted a little gaiety
(reminding me of Eeyore's gloomy wish for gaiety, song and dance on his
birthday).

I especially like Faramir's gallant offer to stand in front of Aragorn
and protect him from the unwanted attentions of Pongohil, and Aragorn's
stalwart reply: ["No. I will not hide."]

The all-dialogue format gives the piece the snappy timing of a good
comedy routine, and seeing the action entirely though the comments of
the two men somehow makes it all the funnier. Nicely done!

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Title: House of Finwë · Author: Ghettoelleth · Times: First Age and
Prior: Incomplete · ID: 100
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-11-06 09:12:58
It is so easy to get immediately hooked by this set of amazing drabbles.
I fully agree with the opinion that Ghettoelleth crawls under the skin
of the characters, and she writes their raw emotions very powerfully.
This series proves the highest quality, and I'm thoroughly impressed by
the authoress' ability to present the final moments of the members of
the House of Finwe with the impact that simply brings chills on my neck.
I can only say this is a magnificent job, and sweep a deep bow before
her talent.
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Title: Rest and Recreation · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 700
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-11-06 09:14:36
Raksha packs a lot into this short tale: a well-drawn character study, a
rousing sparring match, and a wryly humorous look at cultural
misperceptions--Boromir believes (rightly or wrongly) that the Elves see
him as a clumsy child, while he mistakes Glorfindel first for a lady,
then a useless pretty-boy.

Idleness weighs heavily on Boromir, and I love that the visit to the
Imladris library is a desperate last resort for this man of action. The
ending is a nice take on that time-honored tradition of male bonding:
first you brawl, then you get drunk and swear undying friendship. If
John Ford had filmed LOTR, there would have been scenes like this.

Very enjoyable!

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Title: Call To Arms · Author: Space Weavil · Genres: Humor: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 857
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-11-06 09:30:22
Well, this is a perfect example of a humorous drabble with a twist that
actually made me fall down to the floor from laughter. Thank you Space
for a most needed dose of humor. Thank you :D
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Title: Of Flustering and Blustering · Author: Rhapsody · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Hobbits · ID: 811
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-11-06 11:36:22
This is a cute, well written tale that presents the meeting of Bilbo,
Gandalf, Gloin and his son Gimli. A very nice glimpse at Bilbo's
predicament, with the shadow, spread by the Ring, hovering in the
background. Great job!
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Title: Requiem · Author: Rhapsody · Times: First Age and Prior:
Incomplete · ID: 218
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-11-06 12:31:28
An interesting take on the story of Celegorm and Huan. I especially like
a remarkable way in which Rhapsody slips into the characters' minds and
portrays them with a deep knowledge and great care. She let them reflect
on their lives and what happened to them and to the bond of their
friendship. But if I were to decide which one I thought the most moving,
I would point out the latest addition, in which Rhapsody gives the voice
to Orome and makes him feel responsible for both Celegorm and Huan.

This is a series of very emotive, thought-provoking and heart-wrenching
vignettes, and I hope to see the next part soon. Amazingly done!
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Title: The Steward and the Wizard · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 522
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-06 13:24:18
Poor Denethor! Children simply can't hide their feelings easily. A
nicely drawn moment in how Denethor's simmering resentment of Mithrandir
may have developed.
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Title: Childhood Dreams · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 523
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-06 13:26:56
Nicely turned in the last line, as the brothers reflect on qualities to
aspire to! Well done.
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Title: Gaiety in Gondor · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 563
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-06 13:32:36
A very amusing take on the prompt. Well done!
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Title: Holding the Line · Author: Marta · Times: The Great Years: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 581
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-06 13:39:32
I love this explanation for why movieverse Legolas decided to have a go
at this particular mumak after Aragorn called out to him. Yet the
drabble does much more than provide a credible thought process for
Legolas in this scene. Marta has created a rich tableau of campfire
comradeship and the sharing of experiences. And, almost as an aside to
the main thrust of the drabble, she outlines the histories of both
Legolas and Aragorn in a few deft words. More than an extremely
well-executed drabble: a tour-de-force! Well done!
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Title: A Letter Unwritten · Author: Bill The Pony · Races: Hobbits: War
of the Ring · ID: 855
Reviewer: GamgeeFest · 2006-11-06 15:00:29
The author has Sam's voice down perfectly. This is very much what he
would be thinking near the end of his Quest. His love and devotion to
Frodo are obvious, and his self-deprication is sadly accurate.
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Title: Oaths Foresworn · Author: Rhapsody · Times: First Age and Prior ·
ID: 315
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-11-06 16:03:32
At the hour of his younger brother's death, Maglor finds himself
swearing another oath, as Amrod asks him to look after his wife and
children. Rhapsody gives us a glimpse at this moment and describes the
tragedy of the Feanorian brothers in a marvelously written vignette. She
steps into Maglor's feelings and shows us the cruel duality of a
Feanorian's fate: with the blood of their kinsmen on their hands, they
held true to their father's terrible oath and paid the heaviest price
for their deeds and faithfulness.

The story provides a truly great portrayal of a warrior and brother, who
has to deal with the consequences of his and his brothers' choice. This
is a masterpiece, packed with emotions, and I'm yet again amazed at how
Rhapsody has conveyed so much in so few words. Wonderfully done!
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Title: Roots and Branches · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 611
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-06 16:59:18
In this ficlet, Raksha has perfectly captured the simple 'everyhobbit'
wisdom of Sam. I love his insight into trees and people, and the
comparisons he draws between them, as well as his reassurance to the
listening Faramir. (Does Sam know he's there? I think he does!) As
usual, lovely language from this writer. A charming moment, very well
portrayed. Well done!
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Title: After the End · Author: Ottis413 · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Post-Grey Havens · ID: 781
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-06 17:14:58
A very dark AU, dark-fic in its strictest form, so that even in the
positive action of the protagonist, there is still no hope at the end.
Chilling, and well-plotted.
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Title: Eternal · Author: Trekqueen · Genres: Romance: Incomplete · ID: 706
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-11-06 17:20:50
I am halfway through this story, and I can honestly admit that I really
love it. It pulls me every time I open another chapter, and I feel as if
embarking on a fantastic voyage. Trekqueen is a magnificent storyteller
and I am stunned by the size of the task she has taken on.

This is a tale of the First Age, which I can highly recommend, featuring
such Tolkien's greats as Glorfindel, Ecthelion, Turgon, Idril, and many
more, featuring a finely developed OFC. What more can a devoted
Silmarillion fan ask for? The characters come to life in a beautifully
described world painted by Trekqueen's words so vividly that I find it
very easy to imagine. This is a wonderful, truly captivating tribute to
Tolkien's work, written with knowledge, love and respect, and in
fabulous style that shows a great talent. Bravo!
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Title: I can only manage One · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 766
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-06 17:30:27
Another of this author's adorable Eomer/Lothiriel romances. What I
really enjoyed in this one was the fact that Lothiriel might have been
upset with her father over the arrangement, but not with Eomer. I like
this author's take on Imrahil and his sons.
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Title: Legend · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 933
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-06 17:33:33
This is wonderful, this older Eowyn, able to look back on her choices,
clear-eyed, and know them for what they were! And yet to also see how
different is the legend that others see. And the last line was perfect.
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Title: THE DAWNING · Author: digdigil · Genres: Drama: First Age Elves ·
ID: 938
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-06 17:36:12
Maedhros awakens after his rescue, to find a beautiful nurse looking out
for him. A great deal is left to the imagination.
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Title: Gundabad · Author: Salsify · Races: Dwarves · ID: 79
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-06 18:21:21
This is a fascinating bit of speculation about the Dwarves, their
culture, and their history that expertly weaves in the tiny hints left
in canon. I especially love the idea of a stone being the "heart" of a
Dwarven city--a wonderful concept, and very much in keeping with what we
do know of Dwarves!
-----------------------------------