Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Lord of Werewolves · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Parody · ID: 255
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-13 14:10:41
Oh, very funny! So many tidbits of canon are woven naturally into the
narrative and remorselessly twisted. The descriptions are wonderful,
especially Thuringwethil. Almost, I could feel sorry for poor,
beleaguered Melkor...
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Title: Hewing Naught But Wood · Author: Thundera Tiger · Genres: Humor:
Parody · ID: 825
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-13 14:15:44
That was a very funny and brilliant explanation of Gimli's comment! It's
one of the LotR moments that always leave me wondering what Tolkien
could have been thinking of. The wordplay and attention to detailed
meanings would certainly have earned the approval of a philologist.

Telling it from Eomer's point of view was perfect, since he is in the
dark as much as the reader. The dialogue and interactions between all
the characters were wonderful. My favorite part, however, had to be when
Gimli spoke of fighting in Moria and a ["strange and altogether
disturbing light came into the dwarfs eyes"] - followed by everyone's
reaction: ["An awkward silence fell during which the entire group seemed
to shuffle away from Gimli."] That was terrific - an excellent reminder
of Gimli's dwarf nature and personal ferocity, mixed in with a deft
touch that had me laughing out loud even as I appreciated it.
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Title: Necessity and Desire · Author: Gwynnyd · Times: The Great Years ·
ID: 173
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-13 16:17:17
A good gapfiller. I especially enjoyed Boromir's characterisation, noble
and friendly.
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Title: The Cloak · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 177
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-11-13 16:29:14
Elen Kortirion's amah character is one of the best original characters
I've ever read. She places her seamlessly in Middle-earth, and it's a
Middle-earth of bustle and noise and action. The amah's voice is unique
and full of personality, her love comes through!

This story is just one of many Elen has written in the saga. I couldn't
begin to guess my favorite, they are all not to be missed. In "The
Cloak," it's Boromir who stands out vividly and large as life.

The writing is muscular and rich, very individual.
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Title: Distant Lands · Author: Acacea · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 76
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-13 17:03:05
Well, of course! Where would Faramir rather rest in imagination than the
Golden Hall? (Although I am sure Aragorn will be given plenty of
opportunities to tell his Steward of more exotic locations on other
occasions.)
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Title: For a cause, a friend, a loved one · Author: Werecat · Genres:
Humor · ID: 120
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-13 17:06:41
I remember enjoying this - but when I went to read it again it was
missing in action!
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Title: The One · Author: Linda Hoyland/Raksha the Demon CoAuthors ·
Races: Men: Featuring Aragorn · ID: 852
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-13 19:30:42
Probably a good thing, that dream. I like the way it turned up at
intervals over the years, whenever Aragorn was coming to doubt that he
would ever achieve his destiny. Heartening, but also something that made
the king-in-waiting go that extra yard to haul Faramir back from the
gates of death. And the heir of Isildur needed Faramir - just as much as
Faramir needed him!
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Title: Roots and Branches · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 611
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-13 20:02:58
Good for Sam. A hobbit with a kind heart and clear sight - and a lot of
Gafferish gardening analogies at his fingertips! (I wouldn't mind
betting he knew Faramir was hovering - and suffering - too.)
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Title: Safe? · Author: Ainu Laire · Genres: Drama: Featuring Frodo or
Sam · ID: 271
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-13 20:13:40
Poor Frodo - it's tempting to say that if he's not safe in Lothlorien,
then he's safe nowhere. But then ... he's safe nowhere, really. If
Aragorn is haunted by nightmares and thoughts of the Wave even there -
well. Then, Aragorn understands that there is a big difference between
'if' and 'when'. Aragorn is a good man - showing his - I hate to say it
- quality.
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Title: Too Many Names · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 866
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-13 21:31:01
Aragorn really has many names. I like the way the little glimpses to the
meaning of his names, and how or why he got them, shape the character of
Aragorn. It is surprising how well rounded the picture gets in the end.
I think he needed all the names to be who he is meant to be.
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Title: The White Tree · Author: Linda Hoyland · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 94
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-13 21:31:51
This is a nice story about an event which is not widely used in fanfic,
the removal of the White Tree. I like the interaction between Aragorn
and Faramir, although Faramir is a bit too unsure of himself for my taste.
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Title: An Exaltation of Larks · Author: Ibilover · Times: The Great
Years · ID: 178
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-13 21:33:34
This little scene brought a smile to my face. A lot of words I have
never heard before in this context. But I really like the easy
interaction between Aragorn and Boromir and their friendly competition.
Leave it to Gandalf to have given this particular book to Faramir. I
could really see the campsite before my eyes and imagine Aragorn and
Boromir on watch.
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Title: A Spring Day At Cormallen · Author: Marigold · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Hobbits · ID: 746
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-13 21:34:03
In this little ficlet Aragorn muses about the miraculous recovery of
Pippin after the battle at the Black Gate. In a few words the author
paints the picture of the scenery at Cormallen. I can see the hobbits
sitting there oblivious to anything around and flying the kite. Aragorn
is right to wonder at their resilience.
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Title: Dance Lessons · Author: Tanaqui · Genres: Drama: Fixed-Length
Ficlet Series · ID: 888
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-13 21:34:56
Aragorn did a lot of dancing (or not) during his life. Dancing of the
ordinary sort and in the political arena. I love the way the different
types of dance mingle and part in these drabbles until at last he can
dance with Arwen.
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Title: Consolation · Author: EdorasLass · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 47
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-11-14 01:40:53
This ficlet is set in Edoraslass and Annmarwalk's Pony!verse which
follows the fortunes of two toy ponies made by Morwen Steelsheen.

After their mother's death, Boromir tries to console his younger brother
by giving him his favorite toy. I love Boromir's attitude of "don't
touch my stuff!" and also how, when he relents and lets Faramir hold the
pony, he isn't entirely sure why he is sharing! It can't be because he
loves his younger brother. *grin* Boromir gets credit for being very
diplomatic when Faramir offers to give him the toy rabbit in return. (As
if a ten-year-old would ever need to sleep with a toy.) Boromir takes a
rather parental tone toward Faramir which seems very realistic. After
the death of a parent, older siblings often try to assume the role of
the missing mother or father, and Tolkien says that Boromir was always
protective of his younger brother. His sense of responsibility for
others is so evident, even at this young age. Faramir referring to
Morwen as "that queen" made me laugh; he clearly has no idea who she is.

The story is bittersweet, mixing sad and funny moments, but it never
becomes sentimental or maudlin. Very well done!
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Title: Do Not Think Me A Dream · Author: EdorasLass · Races: Men: Gondor
· ID: 40
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-11-14 03:11:23
A beautifully-written story that explores the premise that Finduilas'
depression and decline in health were caused by the direct influence of
Sauron. Certainly, due to Denethor's great love for her, she would be a
logical target, and her death would leave the Steward even more isolated
(and easier prey for Sauron).

In this fic, Finduilas is troubled by disturbing dreams, presumably sent
by the Enemy. I like how she keeps the visions secret, partly to protect
Denethor and partly out of pride (there are rumors in the City that she
is mad). Her jealousy and sorrow that (due to her state duties and her
failing health) her children must be raised by another woman are
understandable, and her stolen moments with the sleeping children are
very touching. She is convinced that they will die in battle (which
isn't an unreasonable assumption in that time and place), and when she
looks at them, she tries to imagine the warriors they will one day
become. Sleeping Boromir reminds her of a fallen soldier--[Boromir
sleeps in a sprawl, bedclothes kicked off, arms and legs thrown about as
if he collapsed fighting some enemy]--which shows how obsessed she is
with fear for her children.

I know this is Tolkien's sandbox, but I never bought his vague
explanation of Finduilas' death, especially since she had two small
children who needed her. However, this fic neatly sidesteps that problem
by making the children the cause of her anxiety. All around, a very
effective, plausible, and moving fic.


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Title: Threshold · Author: Mechtild · Genres: Romance: Incomplete · ID: 823
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-14 04:35:59
While this is not the sort of pairing I care for--I fear the idea of
Frodo being the lover of one of his best friend's mothers is somewhat
appalling-- and a bit more explicit than I can thoroughly read, it is
skillfully written. There is some interesting psychology at work here,
and the social issues as well. And I do like this version of Bilbo.
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Title: Nothing but Dreams · Author: Unsung Heroine · Genres: Drama:
First Age Elves · ID: 659
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-14 04:41:38
Very angsty telling of Caranthir's unstable state of mind. It's
interesting that the ghost of Haleth haunts him.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Usurper · Author: Elena Tiriel · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 834
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-14 10:58:47
A truly chilling glimpse of Castamir.
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Title: Until the King Returns · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Vignette ·
ID: 540
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-14 11:12:59
A very well written glimpse of what have might have been going through
Mardil's mind as Earnur rode away.The writer depicts Mardil's inner
turmoil brilliantly and the nature of loyalty and treason.
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Title: ... and hear the song of salt and sea · Author: Cuthalion ·
Genres: Drama: The Steward's Family · ID: 98
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-14 11:51:36
I verymoving tale about the Steward's family, and a plausible
explanation as to why the brothers are so different.
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Title: After The Storm · Author: chibi_kaz · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor · ID: 773
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-14 12:11:04
I am not, in general, overly addicted to movie-verse Eowyn and Faramir -
but I really enjoyed reading this story. Not just because Eowyn and
Faramir's relationships grows delightfully - and tentatively enough that
it is really endearing - but because of the very developed look at the
sort of things - where do clothes come from, who decides on the
organisation of the banquets, who galvanised the clearing of the
Pelennor, who found the horse and scrubbed the King's house - that are
normally just assumed to have happened magically. I like Eowyn - King's
niece and King's sister - taking over the running of the household, and
finding worth in doing it, whilst also managing the Rohirrim and looking
after the horses. I like Faramir being overburdened with the mechanics
of bringing about the re-establishment of a thousand year dead monarchy,
whilst at the same time yearning for the Shieldmaiden of Rohan. And I
like Lothiriel and Amrothos and the flicker of interest in Eomer's eyes!

All in all, a recommended read. Good stuff.
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Title: Dragons and Sailboats · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama:
Remembering · ID: 74
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-14 12:27:56
Now, I KNOW I reviewed this yesterday. Because I included the words a la
recherche du temps perdu. Every now and then I do begin to wonder about
my sanity.

To repeat myself - I really enjoyed this. There's Aragorn - off in
search of his past seeking those familiar parts of a past life and
finding - Faramir. Who is clearly aware of the link between his beloved
brother as a small child and the mysterious Thorongil.

I love the fact that Boromir, having rejected both Thorongil and any
wonder in the unknown in early youth - to the extent where he refused to
show Faramir how to make the boats - managed to recover some of his
belief as he grew older. And that he was able to make boats with Merry
and Pippin.
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Title: Rejection · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Aragorn Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 903
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-14 13:51:42
Poor Aragorn. Not much call for knights-errant in that town. He must
have the widest experience of the world of any king ever!
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Title: Remembrance · Author: Acacea · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 73
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-14 14:01:37
Poor Denethor. He's just not really very good with people. OK at
statecraft, but lacking in an instinct for getting below the surface. He
is remarkably awkward with Finduilas - but I think she rather
appreciated that. And thereafter everything is just buried beneath the
surface. Now - he isn't going to walk away, but he is just about to make
bad worse. You have to pity him.
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