Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: The Fords of Isen · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Adventure · ID: 41
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-14 14:12:59
What a terrific story. Boromir and Theodred are just as great dead.
Although being constantly dripping must be a bit of a trial. The touch
of oysters attaching themselves to Boromir's shield was delightful. I
really enjoyed seeing these two catch up with each other - they must
hope for regular orc attacks on the Fords of Isen, just to give them
something to occupy them.

Great background, too - the whole build-up of disapproving grandmother
getting drawn into the story, the loom, the cold floor, the blanket. And
the real horror of the times and the attack on the farm, that set off a
pair of ghosts who were the heroes of the day.

Loved it.

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Title: The Gift of Time · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 812
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-14 16:23:19
Some things you just can't say. Not even knowing that in a few years
time you will be expecting this lad to bear the same knowledge - and
keep it from those left behind.

And the irony - Arathorn thinks he has time. And he does, I suppose, but
it's numbered in days rather than years.

The Dunedain had a hard time of it - but they stuck it through to the
end. I hope their lives improved one Aragorn was king.
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Title: The Healer and the Warrior · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 140
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-11-14 16:36:16
As I almost always prefer to read about Aragorn, I was somewhat
surprised to find out how much I enjoy reading Madeleines stories. She
artfully blends humor and drama, and draws her characters vividly.

This first installment in her epic series about Eomer and Lothiriel is
just getting her warmed upthe later tales really come into their own. I
especially enjoy the comedy of manners side of the tale, which is
presented with humor and insight. Perhaps my favorite scene in the
series is the wedding night: a wonderful blend of the funny and the
erotic. It read very true to me, sexy and not overwrought nor encumbered
with purple prose. The tortoise was a masterful touch, although its
hard to choose when the competition is a snake named Denethor and the
onion riddle.

Dont miss Madeleine for Rohan and Lothiriel. Oh, and she writes a good
Aragorn, too.



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Title: A song on the air · Author: digdigil · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 317
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-11-14 17:25:20
This story is daring in its own way. Digidil does not go for the usual
heroes or a set up of relationships the normal way, no forms a firm base
with this story by letting a child born from the unusual pairing Melian
and Celegorm. I am just amazed how this author lets two people meet for
just a few days with such big and intriguing consequences. I just wanted
to keep on reading what would happen next, my eyes were stuck to the
screen. The union of these two characters have serious consequences
later on: Melian being trapped in her mental unstable condition,
Celegorm meeting his fate anyhow, but while I was reading this story, I
was struck by the manner how Jenni wove in the character traits of both
parents into the character of her main OFC Heneryn in their own setting
in Tolkiens world. Her actions do feel rash and suddenly made, but yet
it is understandable and well explored. I am still intrigued by the
whereabouts of her main OMC and where he came from, but his love for his
wife and child is simply remarkable. The story ends with a heartbreaking
cliffhanger, and I am very curious to see how Lindariel will find her
way to Melian as the Maiar predicts herself. Knowing that this is
covered in a sequel makes me happy. I know the author is currently
rewriting the story, as we often do that ourselves with our own
material. But what stands out in this story are the characters, their
development and the world Jenni has created for the reader without
leaning to heavily on Tolkiens characters. This makes this AU story for
me a special read.
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Title: Demand and You Shall Receive · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres:
Humor: Children · ID: 159
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-11-14 19:03:14
LOL! Pip Squeek the faunt rules! Anyone who has had such a charmer in
their midst can relate to this adorable story. You can see every
expression and each character's face, both when Pip is a wee one through
when he's a husband with a babe on the way. Merry's smirks, Frodo's
confusion the discovery of the truth, Diamond's love-sappy gaze. Wonderful!
-----------------------------------
Title: Of Squirrels and Stolen Pies · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres:
Humor: Children · ID: 305
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-11-14 19:30:26
Another wonderful humourous hobbit story from Grey Wonderer. A stolen
pie, a breathless chase, a bewildered Pippin and squirrels. What more
could one ask for! Grey Wonderer shines at her young hobbit stories and
this is yet another jewel in her crown!
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Title: Concerning Hobbit's Feet · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor:
The Shire · ID: 828
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-11-14 19:54:11
yes . . . well . . . ahem

A well done discussion of the nature of old wife's tales. This strongly
shows that ofttimes such bits of wisdom are not to be relied upon. Take,
for instance, that well known example of an old wife's tale of 'Big
feet, big . . ."

Fantastic as always, GW!!

Hey Pip! How's it hangin'?
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Title: Inside Out · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor: The Shire ·
ID: 636
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-11-14 20:04:46
Once again the wonderful humour of Grey Wonderer brings me a hearty
laugh!! Will Pippin fit in the box? Perhaps he will get stuck once he is
in it. Why should Freddy believe any of it anyway?

Read this wonderful story to find out the answers to these and other
questions!

Applause for Grey Wonderer!!
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Title: Sisters · Author: grey_wonderer · Races: Hobbits: Children · ID: 182
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-11-14 21:02:57
I laughed. I cried. This story is a marvelous blend of heart and humour.
Pippin thinking about what his life is like because he is the only lad
in the family. Pervinca makes a couple of rude statements that he
shouldn't be there at all, then quickly regrets them when Pippin slips
and falls.

A wonderful, wonderful story!!
-----------------------------------
Title: Concerning Hobbit's Feet · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor:
The Shire · ID: 828
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-11-14 21:24:47
[What is this Shire coming to?] Amen to that! I was thinking that at the
very same time! Pippin is just extremely worried and I love the way how
Frodo and Merry try to reason with him. I just love how GW writes from
Merry's perspective and how we witness everything through his eyes. But
actually, I simply cannot imagine that every boy or teen has discussed
this in rl. I just loved how Freddy solved the matter and I laughed so
hard when I heard Pippin's reaction to it. This is such a delightful
short story which gave me the giggles and was a pleasant read!
-----------------------------------
Title: A Rabbits Tale · Author: grey_wonderer · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: The Shire · ID: 982
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-11-14 21:33:58
I am in awe. This is an amazing and sensitive story. It has so much
insight into needs all of us have. The need to feel safe, loved, watched
over and cared for. I would quote a great deal from it, but I will
refrain from doing so as, understandably, quotes don't count.

Suffice it to say, I've always felt a well loved stuffed animal or doll
feels as Errol does. I feel it is a sad time when they are 'out-grown'
but their special child. Perhaps, just perhaps, many of us big grown up
adults would be better off if we still had our stuffed friend to hug.
Perhaps that is why I got a new one a few years back. If you'll excuse
me, BBB needs a hug.

As always, Grey Wonderer touches the hearts of her readers, whether with
a laugh or a tear. This is another shining example of her gift!
-----------------------------------
Title: Before Thangorodrim: The Last Fall of Himring Hill · Author:
AWing · Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 78
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-14 22:06:39
A fascinating account. I am intrigued by the author's description of the
Easterlings, and of the being who led them--I am not familiar enough
with the Silm to recall if this is canon or an OC, but it is deftly
used, either way. And I can feel with the Elves their own combination of
fear and revulsion for what is happening. And of course, any dealings
with the Feanorians are bitter--yet this encounter, at least, ended in
honor.
-----------------------------------
Title: Green and Golden · Author: Elentari2 · Times: Multi-Age:
Incomplete · ID: 671
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-14 22:15:50
A romance for Erestor. I find his personality here very well-done--he is
not so much the stereotypical bureaucrat he is often depicted as in fic.
And the OFC as his love-interest also has a very nicely developed
background.
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Title: Thus Are Legends Born · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Men:
Fixed-Length Ficlets With Children · ID: 732
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-11-14 23:29:38
One of the many, many things which I love about Annmarwalk's writing is
the care with which she handles Tolkien's world. The descriptions of
plants and animals are sensitive and vivid, showing a great love of
nature and a naturalist's eye for detail.

[Plop! Tiny wriggling legs disappeared under a moss-covered rock.]

In this drabble, Faramir's understanding of biology leaves something to
be desired, but he shows great imagination and his excitement and awe as
he explores the natural world are very much in character. Boromir's
prosaic remark that he thinks the creature is just an ordinary
salamander is also very much in character. He wouldn't waste time
daydreaming about where dragons came from, but he might be interested in
knowing if salamanders can be eaten in a pinch! I like how, though
Boromir is the elder, Faramir naturally assumes the role of teacher, and
his scholarly seriousness is quite funny in such a young child.

This charming woodland scene shows the striking difference in their
personalities, even as children. Well done!
-----------------------------------
Title: Sam's Voice · Author: illyria-pffyffin · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 964
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-11-15 01:56:52
A poignant post-quest portrait of Frodo, with Sam's voice as the
lifeline that connects him to reality. Especially nice was the thought
of Sam learning mayoral skills by sitting in on Frodo's meetings, and
his endearing talk to the plants in the garden.


-----------------------------------
Title: Perspectives · Author: illyria-pffyffin · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Grey Havens · ID: 991
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-11-15 02:10:32
In this lovely, creative trio of vignettes Illyria has imagined
encounters between Frodo and some of the renowned denizens of the
Undying Lands. Each section expresses very different moods and emotions:
anger, pain, and forgiveness in the first, humor in the second, and
joyful exhilaration in the third. I especially liked the idea of
Celebrimbor equipping the hobbits with all the modern conveniences of
Aman. The Noldo clearly had a lot of time on his hands over the ages!

-----------------------------------
Title: Mathom · Author: Perelleth · Genres: Humor · ID: 192
Reviewer: meckinock · 2006-11-15 03:08:28
I don't know what made me laugh the hardest, Perelleth - everyone
passing Estel around, or everyone passing Bilbo! The gag about the
hobbits at the Battle of Fornost had me howling. And then there was
Elrond's obsession with protecting his precious horde of Dorwinion, and
the revelation that the Dwarves actually preferred the murky brew made
by the Rangers. A delightful romp, and all the while with a tricksy
little bit of misdirection by the author leading us away from the real
subject of Elrond's concern. Brilliant! Erestor and Glorfindel really
shined here, as did Bilbo, Elrond, the twins, and every other character.
Gilraen had a very nice cameo, and Estel was as perky and curious as a
10-year-old should be. All in all, a thoroughly warm and enjoyable story.
-----------------------------------
Title: History Becomes Legend · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Men:
Steward's Sons Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 737
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-11-15 03:13:45
I love the scene in this drabble--after the end of the War, a tavern in
Gondor falls silent as a group of Riders sings a tribute to Boromir.
Even those who do not understand the Rohirric words are moved by the
music. The reflective mood of the writing is perfect for the subject.

The young Rohir's halting command of the Common Speech is a nice touch.
Westron would be a second language for the Riders, and those who had
little contact with outsiders (people who lived away from large towns,
the borders, or roads) would have little reason to learn or use it. In
the Appendices, Tolkien says, [They still spoke their ancestral
tongue...But the lords of that people used the Common Speech freely.]
The implication is that the majority of the Rohirrim were not fluent in
Westron.

It is very fitting that the Rohirrim compose a song to immortalize
Boromir--Tolkien makes their admiration for Denethor's heir very clear,
and in their society, fame is how a warrior lives on. A sad reminder for
Faramir, but certainly Boromir, with his love of honor and thirst for
glory, would have appreciated this tribute from their allies.

Very well done!




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Title: Ignorance Is Bliss · Author: Eggo Waffles · Genres: Humor: Parody
· ID: 754
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-15 06:14:51
This is an irreverent and quite funny parody; wherein Boromir and
Faramir search the archives of Minas Tirith and find, to their
befuddlement, fanfiction stories about them.

A great little read, especially the brothers' reaction to the
Faramir/Boromir slash stories.
-----------------------------------
Title: In The Pits Of Utumno · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves ·
ID: 164
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-15 06:24:53
Oh, too funny. Very clever; the 'escape' from the horrific pits of
Utumno is so dramatic, and then it turns out that things are really,
really, not at all what they seemed.

Original plot, cleverly executed.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Age of Men · Author: Marta · Races: Cross-Cultural: With
Hobbits · ID: 401
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-11-15 06:46:44
Marta does a nice job of capturing Treebeard's uneasy ruminations after
the War. He's right to be worried about Men: they may have better reason
to hack and burn than the orcs, but the end result is the same. And
sadly, he seems unlikely to go looking for Fimbrethil: [Perhaps someday,
but not today.] If only Sam had told him about the "walking tree" Cousin
Hal saw in the Northfarthing!


-----------------------------------
Title: That Which Remains Us · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama:
Remembering · ID: 749
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-11-15 07:46:38
Dwim captures Denethor's personality so perfectly here--first though the
physical description of his well-ordered chambers, then through the book
of verse. This is an obsessive perfectionist with no real poetry in his
soul, but who tries so very hard...

From the tortured form and content of Denethor's poems emerges the
tragic portrait of a man who does not learn how to love until it's too
late to make a difference. It's sad, and revealing, that these verses
clearly were meant for his eyes only; one wonders what might have
happened had he ever written, and given, poems to his wife. And yet he
most likely never would have felt that they were quite good enough for her.

There is something oddly endearing about his efforts to wrestle the
creative process into submission as he struggles through various poetic
forms, from sonnet to free verse and even haiku:

[Finduilas-silence.
You would be beautiful if
I could tell you so.]

I like that there is no easy sentimentality in this story...that Faramir
does not discover, for instance, any evidence that his father secretly
harbored tender feelings toward him. And I like that Faramir does not
need such a discovery, either, in order to finally make peace with Denethor.

A thoughtful, nuanced piece and an engrossing read. The coda about the
third key is excellent as well.


-----------------------------------
Title: Avoidance · Author: stefaniab · Genres: Romance: Incomplete · ID: 674
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-15 13:01:32
This is a cute little story set in the EE movie-verse, and accounting
for the romance of Faramir/Eowyn, as briefly depicted. What I enjoy most
is the little framing story, as Faramir and his pregnant wife reminisce
over how they came to fall in love. Clever!
-----------------------------------
Title: Good Neighbors · Author: daw the minstrel · Genres: Adventure ·
ID: 818
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-15 13:06:32
I loved all of the characterisations in this, especially Thranduil. The
elf magic was awesome, and I thought that it showed a deep connection
with Arda.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Roots of the Ivy · Author: Aranel Took · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 118
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-15 13:12:47
A really interesting premise and an enjoyable AU. I particularly liked
Merry in this.
-----------------------------------