Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Safe and Sound · Author: Anso the Hobbit · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 664
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-11-16 12:34:52
This is a very insightful piece where Anso gives us insight in how
Éowyn. Legolas and Gimli all developed a relationship with Merry.
Gimlis voice in this piece is simply wonderful. His observations are
astute and his logic honest. He wants the best for Merry and turns to
his friend Legolas for advise. Legolas tries to sooth Merrys nightmare
with a song, but Éowyns contribution to this was equally touching. The
visual that Anso gives us, shows the reader three characters who deeply
care for Merry who feels all alone now that Pippin is gone. Éowyn
cradles Merry and her reasoning of Merrys character gives me as a
reader a very good reason why she later on in the story lets Merry ride
with her as Dernhelm. This is a great story where Anso brings these
three character to life and sheds a life on Merrys misery during that
first night and I so feel for the little hobbit. This story is written
with love for Ansos characters, which shines through in this piece:
half asleep or not!
-----------------------------------
Title: Such loveliness in living thing · Author: Tanaqui · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 904
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-16 12:37:42
I love Bilbo's sight here - his sharpness about the twins, his
perception regarding Elrond, his discounting of Aragorn's bias - and his
final recognition of Arwen's many incomparable qualities.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Princess and the Horse Lord · Author: Oshun · Genres:
Romance: Incomplete · ID: 425
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-16 12:41:14
I haven't typically been an Eomer/Lothíriel romance fan but have been
following this work and find it surprising and delightful. It has a
range of elements, and I'm intriqued to find that in many ways, it's
overall light-hearted tone tends to cover the bones of a deeper, darker
story.

Oshun writes of a post-war Middle-earth with a depth of cultural
understanding that I find quite refreshing - especially how she reflects
the changing world through her characterizations of the young, new upper
class.

Many people may find some of her plot elements shocking and difficult to
deal with, but again, I (very much) appreciate the depth of her research
in both canon and real-life history and how she's woven serious issues
and conflict into what so many see as a light-hearted romance.

Well done, oshun, I'm anxious to see this through to the end.
-----------------------------------
Title: Inspirare · Author: Ariel · Races: Hobbits: Friendship · ID: 622
Reviewer: Cuthalion · 2006-11-16 12:46:38
"Inspirare" is one of the tales on fanfiction that really surprised me
when I found them for the very first time. Rosie, pregnant with Elanor
and overly sensitive, feels that something is amiss with the beloved
master of Bag End. One day he receives a package from his relatives in
Buckland, and he asks her to join him when he unpacks it - and so Rosie
receives a very special gift...

Wonderfully written, deeply moving and utterly convincing to boot. This
tale is the reason why I always love to read a new tale by this author.
-----------------------------------
Title: That Which Remains Us · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama:
Remembering · ID: 749
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-16 12:47:47
A task I can see Faramir putting off for as long as he possibly could -
but one he would never be able to delegate to another. (I long to know
what the key is supposed to open - since Faramir was reduced to breaking
and entering.) He is seeing a different Denethor from the father he knew
- cultured, more sentimental than he suspected and a poet! I think his
new understanding will help Faramir heal. I hope so anyway.
-----------------------------------
Title: Drift · Author: Ribby · Times: The Great Years: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 203
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-16 12:52:37
A very different perspective! I enjoyed the unexpectedness of this. Very
good piece.
-----------------------------------
Title: Oaths Foresworn · Author: Rhapsody · Times: First Age and Prior ·
ID: 315
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-11-16 12:55:19
This is such a sad final parting. The idea of another oath horrifying
the brothers was especially effective, and I love the idea that it was
mercy for Elrond and Elros that pulled Maglor back to reality. And the
song was haunting, and very in-character for maglor. Really, an
all-around nice piece.
-----------------------------------
Title: Starlight at Eventide · Author: Ariel · Races: Hobbits: Post-Grey
Havens · ID: 821
Reviewer: Cuthalion · 2006-11-16 12:58:26
First and foremost, this is an amazing, wonderful lovestory... between
two lovers who have already been married for years, which makes the
whole thing even more precious. After a serious illness of Estella
Brandybuck Merry is reluctant to treat his wife as he has done before,
and she feels lost and neglected by the hobbit she loves most...

Ariel writes with deep understanding or a woman's heart, and to follow
the conspiracy that is cooked up to help Estella to get her husband and
lover back (with the help of Queen Arwen and a luxurious coach) is a
pure delight. I never get tired of her insightful. clever and (in this
case) delightfully erotic tales!
-----------------------------------
Title: How the Eorlings Ride · Author: NeumeIndil · Genres: Humor · ID: 213
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-16 13:36:01
oh yes, marked as humor, and has it's humours spot, but is oh so true to
your usual romantic style. I love seeing Morwen at her best,
-----------------------------------
Title: The King's Surgeon · Author: SurgicalSteel · Races: Men:
Incomplete · ID: 845
Reviewer: Cuthalion · 2006-11-16 14:21:30
I stumbled over this story several times before I finally gave in and
started to read. It took me four days to eat the more than 60 chapters
that were already written then, and since then I have discovered
countless spin-off's and a remarkable AU.

Surgicalsteel has created a fully credible OFC, a woman much after my
heart, strong-willed, clever, with the skills of a surgeon (like the
author) and a language as strong and colorful as any sailor after three
years away from the shore. Her background is detailed and fully
believable, and the reader is allowed to follow the course of her life
for more than sixty years now. Her friendship with many hobbits (among
them the main characters of LOTR), her close relationship with Aragorn
(who is scolded for his disability as a "proper" surgeon and for his
dirty socks...) and her delightful marriage with Halbarad are perfectly
fleshed out and utterly credible.And - above all else - it is a deep,
fulfilling joy to read. I'm eagerly awaiting each new installment, and
I'm very happy that I discovered Serindë and her story!
-----------------------------------
Title: Earth, Water, Fire and Air · Author: Fileg · Genres: Drama:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Series · ID: 469
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-16 16:08:35
I found this to be an extraordinary series, deeply rooted in all things
elemental. I find myself thinking about it, the analogies and
comparisions, as I go through my day.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Grey at the End of the World · Author: jodancingtree · Times:
Fourth Age and Beyond: The Shire · ID: 288
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-16 16:09:22
This is a very sorrowful story, for all the hope at the end. The author
continues the saga of Canohando, the Orc whom Frodo befriended in
"Following the Other Wizard" and whose story continued in "The Queen's
Orc". Many generations later find him still defending the Hobbits of the
Shire. This is the story of his last stand against the tide of Men, and
of his grandson Logi, who was a throwback to the Orcs. There is
something almost Feanorian about Logi, in his desperation and his fate.
But it does end on a hopeful note. A very difficult story to read, but
worth the heartache.
-----------------------------------
Title: On Being the Youngest · Author: Bodkin · Races: Cross-Cultural:
With Hobbits · ID: 45
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-16 16:28:33
What a great little vignette!

The image of Pippin and Legolas sharing a tree-branch and a conversation
in Rivendell is endearing enough, but their conversation, and the
differences and kinships it reveals between the two future Walkers, is
delightful.

The writer characterizes Pippin beautifully, as a very young, buoyant,
hobbit, but not an utter nitwit, frightened of the horrors that would
await him if he is chosen for the Fellowship but also wanting to go to
support Frodo, and also showing considerable native cunning in his
assessment of the most desirable qualities for the dangerous adventure.
Legolas is friendly, yet distant from the hobbit because of the gulfs
that lie between hobbit and elf as well as the difference between the
beloved heir of a provincial squire in a sunny, peaceful land and a
warrior-prince raised in a land besieged by darkness and monsters. Yet
there is respect and liking between the two future comrades.

The speech patterns are perfectly appropriate to hobbit and elf, which
is not an easy thing to write, let alone bring off so well.

I loved Legolas' line:
[And when you are talking to elves who remember the War of Wrath, you
know you will never have a hope of being considered truly adult.]

It really brings home the otherness of the Elves, by noting that there
are those among them who recall battles fought 6000 years before! Yet
the sentiment of mild frustration by a person looked upon as youthful by
older ones who have seen war a long time ago, is universal.

A marvelous look at two beloved LOTR characters.

-----------------------------------
Title: A Secret Gate · Author: Elanor · Genres: Drama: Incomplete · ID: 56
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-11-16 18:15:56
Gentle, moving style, carefully detailed (if sometimes overly ornate and
with occasionally erratic structure). I liked your take on the children
and the Bolger siblings.
-----------------------------------
Title: An Exaltation of Larks · Author: Ibilover · Times: The Great
Years · ID: 178
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-11-16 18:24:26
A delightful tribute to Lipton's book, which is a favorite of mine too!
There's just something so irresistibly quirky about the terms of venery.
They were required lore for noble huntsmen, so it seems logical that
Aragorn and Boromir would know them. And Gandalf, of course, knows
everything, as he is always pleased to demonstrate! Very nice
characterizations and interaction among these three members of the
Fellowship.
-----------------------------------
Title: Cousin Calla · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest ·
ID: 767
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-16 18:29:08
What I like the most about this story is the love and support that Frodo
and Pippin provide grieving Merry. Even though it is hard for Frodo to
deal with this loss as well, and even though it is a strain for young
Pippin to be as strong and supportive as Merry needs him to be, neither
relaxes even a moment from their self imposed task. Wonderful
characterisations of every hobbit in this story.

Cousin Calla is a great OC, and the foreshadowing of her work as they
pertain to Frodo is really intriguing.
-----------------------------------
Title: Book Learning · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 910
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-11-16 18:49:57
A naughty and wonderful story that brings up the question, just what was
in that Gondorian edition of "Joy of Sex that Faramir perused eagerly,
like a modern college boy before his first date with the hot babe?"

For her story, Branwyn has done the research on Medieval notions of sex,
aphrodisiacs, and other related topics that very possibly would have
made Tolkien himself blush. I didn't blush at the tale. I laughed.
Branwyn has lovingly taken the heroic archtypes that Faramir and Eowyn
sometimes become in fanon and put them in a situation that is just so
human. I half expected the last chapter to end with a food fight. But
instead, well, you have to read it--if you are over 18, of course.
-----------------------------------
Title: Too Few Words · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Dwarves · ID: 311
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-11-16 20:24:23
This is a marvelous story for a number of reasons. First of all, we get
too little fanfiction about dwarves and even less about the elusive
female dwarves. Zei is exactly what I would imagine a dwarven woman to
be likeshe is self-sufficient, focused on her craft, and does not need
a husband or children to complete her sense of identity.

But if only she had been more outspoken before Gimli left for Imladris!
When she again has an opportunity to speak with him, she quickly
realizes that it is too late. This is probably the first time that Gimli
has ever been passed over in favor of an apartment and a cat! *grin* Her
refusal could be read more than one way. Perhaps she is afraid that
Gimli has outgrown their people and would not be content with her, or
maybe she sees the great love between Gimli and Legolas and knows she
cannot compete with the elf (and that doesnt necessarily mean that
anything slashy is going on here; though could be&).

Another wonderful aspect of this story is the focus on Zei's artistic
output and the tools of her craft. I loved that she had designed
something so handsome and practicala brazier for making tea--that the
design was widely copied. The little cups lined with pewter, possibly
her own work, provide further evidence of her artistic sensibility. Not
surprisingly, she confronts her loss through art, capturing the
friendship of Gimli and Legolas in a sketch. Their future happiness will
have to be her consolation.

A highly original and beautifully-crafted story!

-----------------------------------
Title: Pearl of Great Price · Author: Lindelea · Races: Hobbits:
Pre-Quest · ID: 804
Reviewer: Nienor Niniel · 2006-11-16 20:24:30
This fic details the story of the death of Lalia the Great, about whom
Tolkien only hints, but is in fact centered around Pearl, Pippin's
sister, who is involved somewhat unfortunately in said death.

As in all of Lindelea's stories, the inner workings of the Took family
are incredibly well thought of and detailed. We see them through Pearl's
eyes, and as she has not grown up in the Smials, her perspective is
quite different from that of the Smial-Tooks, making the differences
between Hobbit lifestyles clear to the reader. The original characters
Lindelea creates as well as those of whom Tolkien gave us little more
than the names are three-dimensional and fit into the canon world. The
reader can truly relate to them and feel their conflicts.

A part of the storyline shows how Rosemary and Hally, two other
characters that frequently appear in Lindelea's stories, came together,
and also shows us Ferdi, who is a hero in many of her stories, in a
particular difficult time of his life.

All in all, this is a very good story, which is best read in the correct
chronological order of Lindelea's other stories, as this way one can
best understand the characters and their motivations.
-----------------------------------
Title: Sword Play · Author: Lindelea · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond: The
Shire · ID: 782
Reviewer: Nienor Niniel · 2006-11-16 20:30:52
This oneshot shows us Faramir Took and Goldilocks Gamgee quite a few
years before they become a couple. It is quite humourous, and gives a
quite accurate image of how children behave towards a member of the
opposite sex in the phase where a such specimen is eyed mostly with
distrust.

But what I actually like most about this story is the twist at the end:
Sam reacts to the happenings in a way that is quite different from what
the reader might expect, but very much Sam-like (and quite sweet, if one
may say this about the Mayor).
-----------------------------------
Title: To See Justice Done · Author: Lindelea · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 306
Reviewer: Nienor Niniel · 2006-11-16 20:46:46
A fantastic, very emotional fic - so emotional that it brought me to tears.

While the fic deals with Beregond's trial, especially the waiting time
before the verdict, and his family's dealing with the situation, the
story is centered on the Hobbits' perception of Beregond's dilemma and
their attempts to save him, which are hindered quite a lot by the
rigidness of Gondorian laws and the fact that Aragorn has to follow
them. We get a glimpse at Aragorn's character and his view of the
decision he has to make, which is not easy to deal with for him either.
But luckily some of the protagonists have enough Hobbit-sense to prod
the King into the right direction.

It is great to see some detail on Pippin's friendship to Beregond and
his son, and I also like the small insights in Gondorian law-culture we get.

The canon characters are portrayed very well, Hobbits and humans alike,
and the language and detail leave nothing to be desired.

Definitely recommended!
-----------------------------------
Title: Assume, Confuse, Consume, Amuse · Author: pipkinsweetgrass ·
Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 648
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-11-16 20:49:06
Oh me, oh my! This is the most delightful mix of nonsense, humour and
drama. Pipkin is confronted by *her* Merry, Pippin and Boromir and,
along with badgering her something fierce, they lead her through stories
both jolly and tear-jearking. We find Aragorn suspecting Boromir of
being a hobbit molester, we learn how Faramir got his name and of a
special friendship Boromir had as a three year old, and we see Halfling
and Man helping each other deal with special burdens they are carrying
in Lorien.

Charming throughout . . . and I would not condem you to writting Mary
Sue Legomances, Pipkin! Maybe Mary Sue Gimlimances . . .

And oh my! Now I want some Jimbo's Shrimp Fried Rice so badly!!
-----------------------------------
Title: To Climb a Tree · Author: Lindelea · Races: Hobbits: Children ·
ID: 646
Reviewer: Nienor Niniel · 2006-11-16 20:56:11
One of quite a few fics of Lindelea that show us Merry and Pippin
together, and not surprisingly, they get into an adventure that almost
ends bad. It is nice to see the younger cousin save the older, and we
get a very good feeling of how well those two complement each other,
something that will become important on the quest of the Fellowship.
Well-written and recommendable!
-----------------------------------
Title: Benison · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Drama: Remembering · ID: 67
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-11-16 21:02:21
After Finduilas death, an old housekeeper had saved her work basket,
putting it aside in a storeroom for safekeeping. Years later, the
housekeeper presents the basket to the newly-wed Eowyn. Among the silk
threads and embroidery tools, Eowyn finds Finduilas daybook, and this
collection of drawings, poems, and notes opens a window into her
mother-in-laws life.

Annmarwalks descriptions of the work basket and daybook are gorgeous,
appealing to touch, scent, and sight. [silken floss, gleaming like
sunlight on water; dozens of skeins of linen floss in unimagined colors]
The writer chooses her words with great care, down to the use of the
name gillyflower for the more modern-sounding carnation.

Eowyn easily recognizes her husband in the sweet drawings of a baby in
the daybook--
[A sleeping infant, dark silken hair curled softly against his cheek,
his lovely mouth curving just so  Eowyn too had seen that hair, that
cheek, that beloved mouth curved in peaceful dreams.]

I like that Eowyn looks forward to being a wife and mother and enjoying
[quiet evenings by the fire]. Tolkien states very clearly that she was a
soldier only by necessity and was not by nature an Amazon, and there is
no reason (at least in canon) to doubt that she will eventually settle
into a happy, new life with Faramir. However, initially she must have
felt like a stranger in this household, so I love the idea that she gets
to meet her mother-in-law through the pages of the daybook. She is also
reminded of the love they share for Faramir.

A gentle and lovely fic, one of my favorites.
-----------------------------------
Title: SpiderWebs · Author: Lindelea · Races: Hobbits: Children · ID: 783
Reviewer: Nienor Niniel · 2006-11-16 21:02:42
Oh, when I first read this, I became so furious on Cellie's (the main
character's) behalf! The world really isn't fair, especially when you
are a child. Also, boys are nasty creatures when seen from a little
girl's perspective. But Cellie gets quite a good revenge on those nasty
creature, and finds a way to handle the injustice that life offers.

Telling much more about the plot would spoil readers' enjoyment of the
fic, so I will only say that it has quite a lot of humour and at the
same time teaches us a lesson about life, while also showing up how the
deeds of one particular Hobbit became a legend for his fellow hobbits
and inspire them to do... shall we say foolish... things.
-----------------------------------

Title: A Rabbits Tale · Author: grey_wonderer · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: The Shire · ID: 982
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-17 09:45:34
I love this story, told by Errol, Pippins very dear friend and stuffed
rabbit. He is also a very talented author, and I am so glad that Grey
Wonderer posted this tale of his!

Pippin has returned from his travels, changed and yet the same, and has
moved into Crickhollow with Merry, secretly bringing Errol along. Errol
is very insightful and loves Pippin very much, and he is quite concerned
when nightmares strike and Merry is not at home to come to Pippins aid.

The part where Errol tries to *talk* to Pippin, to comfort him, and
Pippin is startled into the memory of the Dark Lord probing his mind was
very well done - I liked Errol's reaction here especially.

Errol's thoughts, descriptions and observations, particularly in regard
to Merry himself, and also Pippins relationship with Merry, are
particularly perceptive. I can clearly see everything as it happens
here, and I very much liked the glimpses of what it was like back at the
Great Smials when Pippin was away; we can see so clearly how loved
Pippin is and much his family missed him. Errol is very observant and
doesn't miss a thing that happens near him.

The descriptions are great, and Errol's *voice* is captured perfectly.

Pippin and Merry are very well written. This is a really enjoyable story!

-----------------------------------
Title: Sword Play · Author: Lindelea · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond: The
Shire · ID: 782
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-17 09:51:29
This is a farourite story of mine by Lindelea. I really enjoy the
interplay between young Faramir and Goldi. The dialogue and actions of
these two are perfectly suited to their ages. This will be a fun memory
for the two of them in later years, especially to share with their own
children.

The accuracy of the swordplay was well done, and I liked very much that
Pippin is ensuring that his son knows how to wield a blade. It's
marvellous that Sam feels the same way about his daughter. I think that
Goldi and Sam are kindred spirits.
-----------------------------------
Title: Those Also Serve Who Stand and Wait · Author: Haleth · Times:
First Age and Prior · ID: 293
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-17 10:50:06
This was wonderful, if only for bringing to my attention a character I
did not even know existed. The author brings her vividly to life--the
sorrow of pain and guilt that reach back and taint all previously happy
memories with the color of regret. A wonderful character sketch.
-----------------------------------
Title: Cousin Calla · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest ·
ID: 767
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-17 11:03:34
This is a sensitively written story of Frodo, several years before FOTR,
and his relationship with a cousin of his who is a precognitive artist.
The story has a lovely hobbity feel to it, with good characterisation of
Merry, Pippin, their fathers, and of course Frodo, with a great cameo by
Sam.
-----------------------------------
Title: Written in the Starlight · Author: Rhapsody/Robinka CoAuthors ·
Times: First Age and Prior: Incomplete · ID: 402
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-17 11:15:54
This is a very interesting AU--the way in which Beleg's life was spared
was completely plausible. Very well-written for a collaboration--I could
not tell where one writer left off and the other began.
-----------------------------------
Title: A song on the air · Author: digdigil · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 317
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-11-17 16:14:52
When Jenni first told me of her idea for "A Song on the Air," I will
admit that I was skeptical. It seemed wildly AU: Melian, in grief over
her husband's death, turns to a night of passion with Celegorm and
begets a child the existence of whom she denies and who ends up fostered
to Galadriel in Doriath. The premise seems typical of the sort of
capering, silly story that is quickly read and easily forgotten...but it
is not. Jenni has taken her time with this story to make the AU details
plausible and, beyond that, to make the characters shine. Much of her
cast are OCs, and I'll admit that I fell in love with them. Her OMC
Laurerusca remains one of my favorite OCs of any story that I have ever
read, and her careful handling of the characterizations led me to allow
them into my heart...only to have it broken by story's end.

I've always praised Jenni's style: simple yet highly effective. While
many authors try ambitious and convoluted storytelling techniques, Jenni
never seems lose sight of the fact that a story must first tell a good
story with a loveable cast. "A Song on the Air" does just that, and that
is why she had created success with an AU that in other hands would
likely be easily dismissed.

I first read "A Song on the Air" about a year ago, and the emotions that
I took from it remain with me even now, many months and many stories
later. Jenni is simply a wonderful storyteller whose contributions to
Silmfic will be sorely missed, and "A Song on the Air" is an
entertaining and heartbreaking example of why.
-----------------------------------
Title: Strange Fortunes · Author: Tehta · Times: First Age and Prior:
Incomplete · ID: 81
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-11-17 16:41:08
I discovered "Strange Fortunes" as a relative newby to Tolkien fanfic.
I'd made the rounds of all of the Feanorian tales, and then I was out of
things to read. I cared not a whit for Gondolin at the time, but--bored
at work one day--decided to take a chance on a Gondolin-based
Silmarillion story just in on ff.net.

Within one chapter, I was riveted and quickly read the rest of the
stories, followed by everything else that Tehta had posted. Tehta has
the rare mastery of comedy that is not based on absurdity or naughtiness
but is driven by her characters and the situations in which they find
themselves. It's the sorts of humor that comes among old friends, the
sort that you later try to recapture to an outsider and are left saying,
"Guess you had to be there...."

At the same time, "Strange Fortunes" also counts as drama at its best.
The suspense was such that at one point, I found myself at the end of a
chapter (and what she had posted so far of the story) and actually
shouted "No!" at the computer screen. Luckily, I was alone in the office
that day.

SF is a slash story but Tehta integrates the Ecthelion/Glorfindel
pairing into the story in such a way that one can easily believe that
homosexuality in Middle-earth might be dealt with in this way. There is
not the footloose and fancy-free bed-hopping of many slash stories but
the relationship between the characters is much more profound, and the
drama is built around this.

But for me, the highlight of this story (and of much of Tehta's work) is
the characters. Tehta made me love and know Gondolin, and I'm afraid
that I will never see the characters other than how she paints them.
Their flaws and idiosyncracies make the real people come through the
legends.

"Strange Fortunes" remains one of my favorite Silmarillion stories of
all time, and I scarcely can meet a newby to Silmfic with a penchant for
comedy or slash without recommending this story.
-----------------------------------
Title: Fëanorian Fates Drabble Series · Author: Alassante · Times: First
Age and Prior: Incomplete · ID: 214
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-11-17 16:54:03
I've always believed that one of the toughest tasks in fanfiction is
instilling some sort of meaning in just 100 or 200 words, in the
ever-popular drabble.

Alassante's series of drabbles is simply astounding in this regard. Her
style is poetic and evokes a mood suitable to the tragedy about which
she writes. But what impresses me most about this series is the fact
that the drabbles have meaning and make connections that would take me a
full-length story!

Celegorm's drabble portays his ardor for his father's quest. Celegorm is
perhaps the most interesting of the brothers: striving hardest of all
yet always falling short, and the last line of this drabble made me
shiver. The cruelty is not his deeds nor his death but that he has
failed yet again--and at the task that meant the most to him.

In Nerdanel's drabble, the connections drawn between Feanor's
creations--his Silmarils and his sons--and his regard for each relative
to the other is wonderful. This is an impressive series: each word
chosen so carefully, so beautifully and poignantly wrought.

A profound and poetic series, this work comes with my highest
recommendations.
-----------------------------------
Title: Tolkien's Use of Expletives · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 147
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-11-17 17:01:15
This was an ingenious idea and is a wonderful resource for fanfiction
writers. It is common to see modern expletives used in fanfic, and this
reference makes a compelling case against it, at the same time offering
alternatives that allow writers to express their characters' wonderment
or frustration in a canonical fashion.

Thank you for compiling this!
-----------------------------------
Title: Voices on the Wind · Author: Phyncke · Times: First Age and Prior
· ID: 112
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-11-17 18:35:08
This is one of my favorite stories of the last year, and I was amazed to
learn that it was Phyncke's first Silmfic! The story takes one of the
most important moments in First Age history--Fingolfin's fight with
Morgoth and his subsequent death--that is nonetheless often overlooked
in fanfic. Phyncke writes a tale well worthy of such a heavy and
important moment, making her audience see the profundity of this event.

The story is simply beautiful. Some of her images--most notably when
Fingolfin watches his horse running home as he lifts from his body on
the way to Mandos--remain with me even months after reading this story.
I believe that this is an ambitious moment to capture in a story,
especially for a first-time author, but Phyncke has more than risen to
the challenge. The impact of this tragic event on the Eldar--on all of
Middle-earth, really--is realized in this piece. Her mood and style
contribute to a deeply moving story and her Fingolfin made me love a
character who--as a Feanatic--has always been difficult for me to like.

Do you know the feeling when you read a story, and when it's over, you
don't quite want to lift yourself from the story? Not yet...let it
linger just a moment more! That story had this effect on me; the
emotions were so tangible that I felt that I had lived it, right
alongside Fingolfin.

Thank you for this beautiful tale, Phyncke, and I hope to see more from
you in the times to come!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Lost Hunter · Author: tuxedo_elf · Times: First Age and Prior
· ID: 721
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-11-17 18:51:41
The sad mood of this story is pervasive and consistent, underscoring the
two of the tragedies of The Silmarillion: the corruption of Feanor and
his family and the failure of the Valar to protect the Eldar from
Melkor. Celegorm gets a lovely--albeit sad--portrayal in all of his
conflicted glory. He is at once perhaps the most perilous of the
Feanorions, yet there is also something special enough about him to earn
the regard (or in this story, outright love) of one of the Valar. I
think that Tux shows this quite well, and so the marring of the
Feanorians is all the more poignant as a result.
-----------------------------------
Title: Thus We Part · Author: Tinni · Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 251
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-11-17 18:57:06
The connection between Feanor and his grandson Celebrimbor in terms of
flaws and fate are not hard to see, but this story takes it a step
further and endeavors to explain *why* this came to be. As Celebrimbor
speaks to Curufin, this slow realization comes over him--and me, as a
reader, as well--and I know by the end, given his love for creations
over all else, that he will share Feanor's fate. An intriguing look at a
canon fact that is often cited but rarely explained.
-----------------------------------
Title: Rivendell 9 to 5 · Author: Claudio · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Incomplete · ID: 562
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-11-17 19:12:07
Many are the humor stories that use absurdity to garner a few chuckles
from the audience, but Claudio's Elladan stories--culminated by
"Rivendell 9 to 5"--take it a step beyond. The antics of Elrond's twin
sons--particularly Elrohir--and their various associates at times have
me laughing so hard that I earn some pretty worried looks from my husband.

This story, as Claudio's others in this series, are set in Tolkien's
universe if it had been modernized. This clever blending of Middle-earth
and Modern-earth brings up some serious issues, despite the overall
humorous nature of the story. As a recent university graduate myself and
current State employee, I relate to Elladan's dilemmas: managing
finances, demystifying income tax, and putting together Ikea furniture.
Scattered across the story are moments that are quite sad--for example,
Elladan's last sight of his father as he gets on the plane to Aman and
his musing that they might never meet again. But just when the story is
in danger of losing its levity, Elladan comes up with some quirky
observation to lighten the mood. In this case, Elrond leans over to hike
up his socks, a perfect moment for lightening the mood and perfectly
exemplifying Claudio's character of Elrond.

When "The Elladan Show" ended, I was forlorn. Alas, the antics of
Elladan and Elrohir are far from over, and I am so pleased to see
"Rivendell 9 to 5," which Claudio manages to keep just as hilarious and
quirky as the original stories.
-----------------------------------
Title: The question of being fair · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 796
Reviewer: Alassante · 2006-11-17 19:50:27
This is a classic piece because of the number of debates and long
running jokes concerning the color of Celegorms hair. I, like Rhapsody,
am firmly in the dark haired Celegorm corner and Fair means good
looking, not blonde. I find it hysterical that some people can get so
adament over his hair color. I love the way that Rhapsody handled this.
Not only bringing an end to the debate of his hair color but showing us
a glimpse of his character as well. The two elf maidens confusing him
with his cousins was an insult to his pride and he handled it as such.
He mischievously easedropped on the two elves but when the time came he
revealed himself boldly. But the smile showed that no matter what he
will charm them into never again confusing him with Finrod or Fingon.
Using the fathers names of the elves was accurate in my mind because in
Valinor, most likely the elves would be called that not their more well
known names. Rhapsodys knowledge of the Silmarillion has always amazed
me as well as her intensive, mindblowing grasp of the HoME. I know that
if I have a question about almost any character and I cant find the
answer  Rhapsody will know. This piece also shows her love for her
subject with beautifully written, impish view of Celegorm.
-----------------------------------
Title: Fear and Loathing in Middle Earth · Author: vladazhael · Genres:
Humor: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 407
Reviewer: Alassante · 2006-11-17 20:01:00
Vladazhaels drabble is simply priceless. Using Fear and Loathing as a
basis for the drabble was unique and original. Its playful and fun 
the thoughts of Legolas being a little high on pipeweed was
hysterical. And the whole Capital Obvious comment  Crebain! From
Dunland!"  too funny. It almost explains the reason why he was so
matter of fact about things. He was stoned! The last part where he is
kind of watching and thinking to himself about the hobbits
eating&again&and the fact that no one even seemed to care about the bats
was amusing. Yet the last line cracked me up. The poor bastards will
see them soon enough. Hes sitting there, stoned on pipeweed feeling
sorry for the fact that the idiot hobbits are too focused on food to
even realize they were in danger. I imagine that to an age old elf, the
hobbits would seem very childish and clueless. Perhaps Captain Obvious
thought he was just dumbing down everything to their level. And here we
thought he was just being a dumb blonde. Pfft! Just proof that the elves
will always be the superior race. Bravo Vlad. All this in 100 words.

*runs to avoid any rabid Hobbit fanciers*
-----------------------------------
Title: Just a Little Shove · Author: Inglor · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 798
Reviewer: Alassante · 2006-11-17 20:11:25
Inglor has become one of my favorite writers of subtle yet hillarious
comedy. I get excited when I see hes posted a new story and I know its
going to make me laugh. And this drabble was absolutely 100% true Inglor
style comedy. Who else would think of the perfect ending to the ring
with such humor? And choosing the most revered hero of the fanfiction
world, the Balrog slayer Glorfindel as the one to point out to Elrond,
hey you could have ended this with just one shove is a scream. Im
sure many of the readers who think of Glorfindel as the most honorable
elf were thinking, Oh not MY Glorfindel. He would never suggest that.
But as a big fan of the Golden haired elf, I personally thought it was
perfectly fitting that it was him to point out the simpliest end to the
biggest problem. Not at all dishonorable  just matter of fact
intelligent thinking. One shove would have saved so many lives and so
much misery. Of course, it would have also ended the big adventure for
us all so I am glad that Elrond did not shove Isildur in to Mt. Doom.
Way to go Inglor  once again you proved you rock with the comedy drabbles.

-----------------------------------
Title: Boats To Build · Author: Nancy Brooke · Times: Late Third Age ·
ID: 300
Reviewer: Alassante · 2006-11-17 20:20:42
Wow, I dont know where to begin with the review of this story. I
remember when I first read it, it touched me very deeply for personal
reasons. Nancy has always blown me away with her descriptive writing.
She makes everything so richly realistic, I truly envy her style. Shes
one of those writers that you think, When I grow up, I want to write
like her. I think my review of this story on OSA will reveal how much I
was blown away by this whole story.

I agree with Inglor about the atmosphere of the story being very well
written. Very rich details set the scene without dragging down the
story. I particularly liked your close attention to details such as when
he first closed his eyes in the sun and saw a mass of color before
black. Thats something we all see but most people wouldn't think about
it that much to include it in a story.

Boromir was, as always, very true to what I imagine Boromir to have
been. Arrogant at first, yet once he understood, more willing to accept
that he may not know everything. I particularly liked his grandfather.
Very wise.

This touched me on a more personal level because I never knew my
grandfather or my greatfather on my dad's side who both grew up in a
fishing village in New England. Plus my father used to work the summers
down at the docks. Growing up middle class suburbia with my father being
a business man who traveled and wore a suit, it was kind of hard for me
to imagine him living the lifestyle in which he grew up. It would have
been nice to get a glimpse into that world before he died but I didn't
actually get to until we took his ashes to be scattered in the ocean
there. Too late I developed an appreciation for his childhood home by
the sea and regret I was not able to ask him more questions about life
there.

Thanks for sharing this.

And I truly meant it when I said thanks for sharing this because
reading this was like a gift. Very rarely do you find yourself so awed
by a story that you have to wait to write the review until you feel like
you can put your thoughts into words. That is what this story did for
me. I had to struggle to write the review because my thoughts were so
focused on the world she had created that I had to wait until they
returned to the real world before I could properly review it. Now THAT
is the mark of an incredible writer.

-----------------------------------
Title: In This Silence I Am Sinking · Author: Ghettoelleth · Genres:
Drama: General Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 222
Reviewer: Alassante · 2006-11-17 20:31:07
This is a great drabble showing how Tulkas must have felt not being
allowed to deal with Melkor the way he thought he should. Knowing the
depth of Morgoth's hatred yet being forced to stand idly by and do as he
was bid rather than doing what he truly felt he needed to do. Then Namo
reminds him that it is not his place to question or judge but to do as
he is asked. It also reminds us that even the evil deeds done by all of
Middle Earth are known by Eru before they happen. Reminds me that like
God in real life when people question, how could he allow this to
happen? It is all part of the plan that we do not know yet we must just
do the best we can under the circumstances. Namo's reminding Tulkas this
was much like a gentle nudge to realize that they are all part of Eru's
plan even though I'm certain that Namo felt much like Tulkas about Melkor.

GhettoElleth's knowledge of the Valar and her understanding of the scope
of Eru has always impressed me. Her writing is beautiful, full of life.
Once again, she does this all in 100 words and you sit back and wonder
how in the world she does it. Perhaps Eru is channeling her.
-----------------------------------
Title: ...and I will follow you, my Captain · Author: Robinka · Times:
The Great Years · ID: 248
Reviewer: Alassante · 2006-11-17 20:45:51
I remember a long time ago when RobinKa (affectionately known as Binka)
wrote this and posted it on OSA. She was so nervous and we were all
telling her that she could do it. When she finally posted it I was so
amazed and impressed. It was one of her first pieces that she posted,
her second I believe, and she was still in the mindset of a lot of new
writers: doubting her talent and skills. This story has since gone on to
be nominated for My Precious Awards (MPAs), Mithril, and now a MEFA
award. The reason  this story rocks! It was a definate kick in the
pants to the fan fiction world that RobinKa was here and she was ready
to wow and amaze us. As a beginning piece, this story blows you away.
The fact that she was also an ESL (English as a Second Language) writer
has always astounded me. To write this well in your own language is
impressive but to write so skillfully in a second language is
astounding. Like I said  as a beginning piece this story was
incredible, but even if you didnt know this was one of her first pieces
of work or that she was ESL, this story would impress you with its
lyrical writing style. It flows gracefully and touches your heart as you
ache for this unnamed warrior. She didnt choose the easy route of
picking a well-known, beloved character but a completely unknown
original character and in a short story made you feel something for him.
By the end I had tears running down my face. I think that Binka will
continue to touch our heart with her stories for as long as she write them.
-----------------------------------
Title: House of Finwë · Author: Ghettoelleth · Times: First Age and
Prior: Incomplete · ID: 100
Reviewer: Alassante · 2006-11-17 21:24:59
Many times I hate to review GhettoElleths work because I simply feel
like I cannot put into words a review fitting enough to suit the story.
This is one of those stories. I feel like I am being asked to review a
masterpiece or classic and I stumble around for words. When Ghetto read
my drabble Blood Spilt and wanted to help write a series of drabbles
about each Feanorians fate, I leapt at the chance. I knew that she
could write certain Feanorians in a way that I could barely even touch
the surface of. She has gotten under the skin of Caranthir and Amrod
like no other writer Ive seen so far. She tackled Finwe, a character
that intimidates the hell out of me to even consider writing. Despite
the fact that I know some excellent writers of Feanor, Maedhros, and
Maglor, her take on them was unique and beautiful: truly her own style.
She gives life to character that you rarely read about (Carathir, Finwe)
and makes you look at much loved characters (Maglor, Maedhros, Feanor)
in a new light without trying to go against what you have firmly set in
your mind as who and what they are like.

Finwe vs. Melkor  a story much loved but rarely expanded on in the
fanfiction world. All in 300 words she shows you something similar to
what you already had in mind when you read it in the Silmarillion. It
was like turning the story from black and white to technicolor. Truly
vivid and rich, sad yet exciting.

Feanor  oh Feanor. How can someone so evil and so arrogant be so sexy?
Her drabble makes you drawn to the bad guy and you actually wish he HAD
gotten the Simarils! I, Curufinwë, am High King, firstborn son of
Finwë, and mightiest amongst the Noldor. Broken but not humbled, my fire
yet burns bright, consuming me as I lie dying upon the tainted land.
Even as he is dying it is arrogantly thinking how great he is  even the
land is not good enough for him. Truly a in your face version of Feanor
that is very much like I imagine him to be.

Caranthir  To say that Ghetto loves the dark Feanorian would be an
understatement as anyone who knows her realizes. She truly does him
justice in this drabble. You know hes bad, hes a kinslayer, a killer,
but somehow you still feel sorry for him that he knows that his life was
all squandered away for a jewel that is now being held, still out of his
reach, by a child.

Maedhros  a unique look at this character. I like the fact that she
doesnt make him out to be the innocent victim that many writers do. He
was just as flawed as his brothers and his father. Yes, he suffered a
lot at the hand of Morgoth but that does not wash away his crimes. It
was very haunting the crazed thinking going through his mind in his
last moments. He has won. He is embracing the simaril like a mistress 
his most beloved. And he takes her with him when he jumps to his death.
This is truly beautiful, yet horrifying.

Maglor  Once again, she shows a different view of Maglor that doesnt
diminish anything I love about the character. He is tragic yet he knows
in his heart why he suffers. Maglor has perhaps the worst punishment of
them all because he lost everything but had to live through it, and
continue to live through it for ages and ages.

Amrod  Chooing the HoME version of his death was true Ghetto style. She
realized it was a diamond in the rough and polished it up to make a
heartwrenching tale, even more wretched.

One word I find myself using continually in everything I review by
Ghetto is haunting. This drabble series shows WHY I use that word so
often with her reviews. There is no other word that touches the death of
these Feanorians other than haunting. Throw in her beautiful writing,
mindblowing vocabulary, and amazing knowledge of the characters and you
have an one of a kind classic.

-----------------------------------
Title: A Gift of Tears · Author: vladazhael · Genres: Drama: Elves in
Later Ages · ID: 615
Reviewer: Alassante · 2006-11-18 00:29:37
A Gift of Tears is a short tale that is very touching in its simplicity.
Knowing Vladazhael the way I do, I was not surprised by the fact that
she wrote a story about an elleth that wants to fight rather than wallow
in self pity at the loss of all her kin, her brother most recently. Its
very fitting that she would write this because that it how she herself
would be and I rather like the fact that ellith and women of Middle
Earth were sometimes the biggest heroines. The weaker sex is proven
wrong a lot in fan fiction but its a close call between writing a
strong female and writing the dreaded Mary Sue of original characters.
Im glad to see that Vlad never crossed this line with her OFC. In fact,
she leaves us hanging, never knowing if Haldir trained her or not. And
she cried without appearing weak which is another task often hard to
accomplish in writing. Cry too much and youre a wimp, cry too little
and its cold and wont reach out to people. This story manages to show a
strong female that was still touching in her sorrow. And just a glimpse
of the softer more sensitive side of Haldir without going overboard.
Excellent writing.
-----------------------------------
Title: Stigmas · Author: Robinka · Genres: Drama: Fixed-Length Ficlet
Series · ID: 105
Reviewer: Alassante · 2006-11-18 00:39:10
Binka accomplished a lot with this series of drabbles. She made me feel
sorry for Turin which I thought was impossible. He was one of my least
liked character in all of Tolkien fiction and I thought he was the most
whiny man alive. I was actually glad when he died in the Silmarillion.
To say I didnt like him was an understatement I guess. And using him
for a seven sins challenge made sense to me because he was probably one
of the most sinful good guy in the book. But as I said, she made me
feel sympathy for him with this wonderfully written series of drabbles
because she didn't write him as the whiny "Oh my life is so dreadful I
must change my name again" man who accidentally kills his best friend
and marries his sister. She made him human, a victim who realizes he is
at fault for a lot of his circumstances.
-----------------------------------
Title: Oaths Foresworn · Author: Rhapsody · Times: First Age and Prior ·
ID: 315
Reviewer: Alassante · 2006-11-18 01:09:40
I am not certain but I am fairly sure that Oaths Foresworn was my first
exposure to Rhapsodys Maglor. And wow  she blew me away with this
short story. I reread this before review and once again, tears filled my
eyes. This is a rip your heart out fiction to me. For those who say
that all of the Feanorians were just cold blooded kinslaying madmen, I
would tell them to read this story. Seeing these four, Amrod, Amras,
Maedhros, and Maglor through her eyes and you see how multi-dimentional
these characters were. Amras and Amrod, who are often times either
ignored in fanfiction for the more popular brothers or written like
drunken frat boys, are shown as fallen warriors in their last moments;
so tragic, so real. It reminds me of how I felt the first time I saw The
Fellowship of the Ring during the scene of Boromirs death when Aragorn
was kneeling by his side. Even worse since it was an elf not a man. The
devasting reality that an elf, a being that could live forever, is
mortally wounded is tragic enough but add to it the sense of failure
that not only did they fall short in their oath to their father and
brothers to regain the Silmarils but also they failed their own kind,
their family, and themselves. Questioning in their last moment if the
oath was a mistake. It is probably something that had tormented them
throughout their lives but in their final moment but they put a voice to
the question,

We held true, did we not Kano? But was it all worth it? What world am I
leaving my family? Who will look after them?

Then Maglor thoughts about another oath  The words almost choked him,
how could he, Maglor, take on another Oath?

This dreadful oath came at such cost and pain.

Rhapsody is truly deserving of every praise this tale has received and I
hope it continues to touch people the way it touched me.

-----------------------------------
Title: Great Heart · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: First Age and
Prior: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 64
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-11-18 01:19:03
Of the few companion animals appearing in Tolkien's work, I think that
Huan the Hound is by far the most appealing. In this ficlet, Raksha the
Demon tells how his future greatness could be foreseen even in his
puppyhood.

Her real life experience with and great love for dogs is evident in the
affectionate yet realistic descriptions of his behavior and of his
interaction with his siblings. Raksha makes him the runt of the litter,
who has to compete with his larger brothers and sisters for nursing
space on their mother, which makes his subsequent bravery even more
impressive (and has the reader rooting for the little pup). Though he is
a supernatural creature, he happily wags his tail at his master, the
Huntsman of the Valar, and he twitches his paws in his sleep, lol, just
like an ordinary canine.

But unlike other dogs, Huan has a sense of his own destiny. I like how
he realizes that Celegorm is not his true master, because it neatly
explains why he later changes his allegiance to Luthien. He is also a
highly perceptive dog of good taste who instinctively dislikes the
treacherous Celegorm, willing to tolerate him only until he finds his
true master.

Raksha is to be commended for this loving tribute to the Hound of the Valar.
-----------------------------------
Title: To The Abyss · Author: Minuialeth · Times: The Great Years:
Poetry · ID: 403
Reviewer: Alassante · 2006-11-18 01:22:33

I have always been a fan of Minuialeths poetry. She weaves meaning and
beauty into lyrical verse with flows effortlessly. This poem was like
reading a great poets work  she truly is a master of poetry. I think
J. R. R. Tolkien himelf would be greatly pleased with this piece of art
 it is similar to his style but not as heavy. Some people, myself
included, skip over some of his poems in the book *hangs head in shame*
just because they are so heavy that my brain couldnt comprehend them.
The words just hung in the air and never really sank in. I never have
that problem with Minuialeths poems, this one being no exception yet
her language was very Tolkienish so that it seemed very polished. I
love her description of the Balrog 
Strange creature of the dark

With destruction, it doth sate

A hunger for darkness forgotten

Black devil from fire begotten

She covers the moment in the story with Gandalf and the Balrog so well 
showing Gandalfs bravery and sacrifice for his friends, the battle
between good and evil, the evolution of Gandalf the Gray to The White
Wizard.

Till night with death waned

And day with light waxed

When once I was, Gandalf the grey.

White, I emerged, from the fray.


Beautiful, lyrical, a job well done.


-----------------------------------