Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Shadows of a Nameless Fear · Author: Budgielover · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 640
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-09 00:21:28
This story is many things; graphic hurt/comfort, angst, drama,
action/adventure. But most of all it is a story that vividly conveys
just how beloved the Ringbearer is to all those in the City of Minas
Tirith  or rather almost everyone.

Pippins self-sacrifice as he attempts to protect Frodo is very well
done and so true to his character. He willingly faces his worst
nightmare rather than have Frodo come to harm. Merry is wonderfully
depicted, as is Aragorn and so too are the rest of the characters.

The villains in this story are unexpected and satisfyingly evil. The
chapters alternate between various characters, which enables Budgielover
to focus on each characters plot in great detail. Every chapter ends in
a cliff-hanger that has me eagerly awaiting an update.

-----------------------------------
Title: Gandalf returned · Author: Rabidsamfan · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 990
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-09 00:22:37
Lovely imagery here and I liked Gandalf's initial confusion.
-----------------------------------
Title: A New Kind of Courage · Author: Auntiemeesh · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Pippin or Merry · ID: 959
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-09 00:23:16
Nice portrayal of Merry and Pippin. I particularly enjoyed the different
take this author has of Pippin's injuries. She conveys his fear and
confusion very well.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Night in the Woods · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 511
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-09 03:18:18
Exactly what the title says! I love many things about this: that it is
*Boromir* the practical, who sees (or thinks he sees) Elves; that
*Faramir* the dreamer, is the one that is skeptical; that they can
banter sharp enough to cut one moment, yet clearly the affection never
wavers. I loved Faramir's silly dream, and Boromir's hidden romantic
side. And I loved that the brothers had this chance at talking during a
night in the woods.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Lesson · Author: Lady Aranel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Incomplete · ID: 298
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-09 03:28:57
A very intriguing beginning, making one wonder what will happen next. I
do like the OC very much, and hope to see more of this interesting
situation.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Prince and the Librarian · Author: Sazziel · Times: Fourth
Age and Beyond: Incomplete · ID: 878
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-09 03:56:31
I do not believe I have ever read a fic before featuring a romance for
Prince Eldarion. I very much like the personality the author has given
him--it's easily believable that he is the son of Strider, with his
self-deprecating and wry humor, his disregard for pomp, and his
seriousness about things that truly matter. As for the OFC Eleniel, she
is intriguing and intelligent, and I look forward to seeing where this goes.
-----------------------------------
Title: To Follow an Elf · Author: etharei · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Incomplete · ID: 816
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-09 04:16:00
This is a favorite of mine--the story of Legolas and Gimli, as they have
returned from the Quest and the War of the Ring firm friends. Together
they brave the disapproval of their respective peoples in both the
Greenwood and the Lonely Mountain.

I loved Gimli's fierce defense of his friend upon a rather cold
reception by a certain member of the court, and Legolas' returning of
the favor. I very much like the OC of Legolas' sister, and the brilliant
characterization of Thranduil.

One of my favorite bits was this wonderful exchange:

["Legolas, s not even dawn yet, he grumbled as he buried his head
under his pillow and instinctively shuffled away from the finger that
was prodding him incessantly on the ribs. Leave me in peace, or I shall
tell Frodo on you. "] I loved it! And I could just imagine it a more
effective threat than telling Gandalf, LOL!

There is a good deal of suspense and intrigue and action in this, and a
bit of Gimli h/c as well. I really hope it is soon continued!


-----------------------------------
Title: Four Conversations and A Dream · Author: Forodwaith · Times: The
Great Years: Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 90
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-09 04:24:43
Absolutely beautiful, as we see Arwen making the decision to offer Frodo
the chance to go West for his healing. I really like this Arwen, brave
and unflinching, facing the many consequences of her choice to take the
Gift of Men and remain in Middle-earth. Her concern for Frodo is more
than just pity, and she recognizes something in him that she hope she
may help to assuage. I also like the ambiguous ending, as she is still
puzzled by her new fate.
-----------------------------------
Title: Drabbles for Lord of the Rings · Author: Llinos · Races: Hobbits:
Fixed-Length Ficlet series · ID: 758
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-09 12:00:50
These are charmingly done. I very much admire the ability to write
poetry under the constraints of the 100-word length. My favourite is the
one on [The Ordering of the Shire]. A very well put together series.
-----------------------------------
Title: Alas, for the dying of the trees · Author: Gandalfs apprentice ·
Races: Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 788
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-09 12:06:29
A very in-character portrait of Gimli in old age. I would thoroughly
expect him to be that cantakerous, not least out of frustration. Nicely
done!
-----------------------------------
Title: Along the Morgai · Author: Rabidsamfan · Times: The Great Years:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 849
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-09 15:31:33
Oh, what a beautiful little drabble with Frodo thinking about Sam. I
love the way this is both completely "hobbity"  drawing a vivid picture
of the gaffer as well as Sam and Frodo - and yet captures that most
unhobbitlike part of Sam that longed for Mr Bilbo's tales and to learn
his letters. Rabidsamfan has done a wonderful job of showing us Frodo's
admiration and appreciation for Sam's friendship and support, and his
desire that Sam's deeds should be known, remembered and honoured. Bravo
- very well done!
-----------------------------------
Title: Call To Arms · Author: Space Weavil · Genres: Humor: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 857
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-09 15:37:31
I love the kind of drabbles that imagine what *really* happened when the
minstrels weren't looking and the characters were being a little more
ordinary and unheroic in nature. SpaceWeavil offers a wonderful contrast
between the heroic opening and the snappish ending as the Witch-King
deals with his less-that-perfect troops. Very funny.
-----------------------------------
Title: Little Stars · Author: Space Weavil · Races: Elves: Feanorians ·
ID: 107
Reviewer: LuthienTinuviel · 2006-11-09 15:43:39
I agree with the author, the image of twins playing tend to stick to
one's mind. The concept I liked about SW's work is the imagery and
conflict of emotions on each character portrayed in the fic. The
elleth's fear, the brothers' mindless pursuit of an oath with flashes of
humanity (urm, maybe elfity is more suitable) paints a rather thoughtful
reflection on how sometimes hardened criminals have a tiny spot of
goodness in them, somehow. Elves, how fallen, still has a spark of
nobleness deep within them.
-----------------------------------
Title: Cierre, Min Heorte (Turn, My Heart) · Author: SilverMoonLady ·
Races: Hobbits: Fixed-Length Ficlet series · ID: 108
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-09 16:33:09
My favourite part of this was Gandalf, so early in his friendship with
the hobbits, and the ties between the Oldbucks and the Tuks.
-----------------------------------
Title: Redemption of Meriadoc · Author: aelfgifuemma · Races: Hobbits:
Incomplete · ID: 915
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-09 16:37:56
This AU is a bit dark for my taste, but I do admire the author's grasp
of the psychologial aspects of the subject matter.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Pippin · Author: GamgeeFest · Races: Hobbits: Poetry · ID: 937
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-09 16:39:19
This made me laugh!
-----------------------------------
Title: Those Who Challenge the Dead · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Men:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 858
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-09 17:43:39
A well-matched pair of powerfful drabbles about two of the more prideful
and foolish members of the Gondorian and Rohirric nobility. Nancy Brooke
uses some lovely language in showing us the tragic ends of these two men.
-----------------------------------
Title: Making the Legends of Our Times · Author: Gwynnyd · Times: Fourth
Age and Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 860
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-09 17:50:57
A very cleverly done alternative viewpoint on the events of the Ring
War. Gwynnyd captures the essence of being a small child dragged off to
meet strange and scary relatives perfectly, as well as nailing the way
past events can seem to a child like not just ancient history but like a
fairy tale. I'm sure the "princess" was very amused by her
granddaughter's remark. (Poor child was probably teased about it for
years to come.)
-----------------------------------
Title: But the Scent Still Lingers · Author: Imhiriel · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 947
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-09 20:33:37
This is a melancholy yet thought-provoking drabble on the passage of
time and on ageing from the perspective of one of those who might
remember Thorongil on his return. More than any other drabble I've seen,
this piece by Imhiriel gives a sense of Aragorn's long lifespan compared
to other men  or women such as Ioreth who might have danced with him as
young women (and no doubt received a strong lasting impression). A
wonderful spinning of backstory from a single line in the book. Bravo 
very well done!
-----------------------------------
Title: For Love of the Lord of the White Tree · Author: Legolass ·
Genres: Drama · ID: 202
Reviewer: hstbtx · 2006-11-09 20:35:44
If you treasure stories which explore the deep friendship between
Legolas and Aragorn, you will appreciate "For the Love of the Lord of
the White Tree." This is really two stories in one, and both are well
done. I appreciate the amplification of the line from the book, "How did
the elves come to fail in their trust?" The author takes this one line
and expands it into how that line affects history ten years later. Also,
the parallel between Turin and Beleg is wonderful -- having never waded
through the entire Silmarillion, I like it when authors can take a Sil.
story and relate it to the 3rd/4th age.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Healer and the Warrior · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 140
Reviewer: hstbtx · 2006-11-09 21:26:08
The first in a delightful series of Lothiriel/Eomer stories. The
background is that the intelligent but innocent Lothiriel has been
secreted away in the Houses of Healing, not only to learning the healing
arts but also to keep her away from the eyes of potential suitors until
she is older. Late one night, an unnamed Rohirrim soldier comes for some
bandages, only to be bullied into having his wound properly treated by
Lothiriel. Of course, the unnamed Rohir is Eomer! The sparks fly, and
the beginnings of sexual tension are there, which Eomer understands but
Lothiriel does not. Full of biting dialogue and insightful narrative,
the author has drawn two believable and entertaining characters.
-----------------------------------
Title: The gift · Author: Jael · Genres: Drama: Elves in Later Ages ·
ID: 807
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-11-09 22:03:45
This is an interesting and curious wrinkle on the Legolas-Aragorn
relationship--that Legolas loved Gilraen. Well done and moving story of
her death.
-----------------------------------
Title: Gandalf returned · Author: Rabidsamfan · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 990
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-09 22:20:08
A wonderfully poetic drabble. Rabidsamfan uses language with immense
skill to build a strong picture both visually and emotionally of
Gandalf's return. Very well done.
-----------------------------------
Title: Last Goodbyes Series · Author: Perelleth · Genres: Drama:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Series · ID: 814
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2006-11-09 22:29:48
Perelleth uses language beautifully in this series of drabbles. Very
evocative and very moving.
-----------------------------------
Title: Water and Stone · Author: Erynhith · Races: Elves · ID: 673
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-09 23:32:13
Very mystical and lyrical, well-written in lovely language, but I am
afraid I didn't get very far.
-----------------------------------