Yahoo Forum Archive

Author: SlightlyTookish · ID: 205 · Genres: Adventure [10]: General
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-11-21 15:17:10
This author really "gets" hobbits -- the same homey qualities informs
them in the Shire and the sense of loyalty the adventurers show abroad.
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Author: AmandaK · ID: 321 · Genres: Alternate Universe [22]: General
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-11-21 15:55:29
The two stories AmandaK has entered this year really showcase the
breadth of situations a Boromir!Lives AU tale can encompass. In her epic
"The Long Road Home" she shows us Boromir slowly but surely working
toward redemption for what he has done. It's a grand adventure on its
own, but also quietly hopeful. Her other piece, "Pride Before the Fall",
is a bone-chilling short look at just how quickly Boromir could have
fallen. What these pieces have in common is that they showcase this
author's skill for plotting. In both stories Boromir's redemption or
fall makes perfect sense given the events portrayed. It's what makes the
second so nerve-racking and the first so encouraging -- you can really
see it happening this way. Good job, Amanda!
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Author: EdorasLass · ID: 299 · Genres: Alternate Universe [22]: General
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-11-21 16:25:20
Edoras Lass is another one of those authors that has developed a
compelling subworld around the canonical facts we know about Gondor and
Rohan. There are customs and cultural expectations that seem reasonable
even though Tolkien never specified them, and they enrich the
characters' lives and the corners of canon that Tolkien never filled in.
Her original character Nanny is a good example. In "Mine" we see her
patience and unfaltering commonsensical wisdom when it comes to dealing
with a child as difficult as Boromir must have been. And in "Quality
Time" there's a glimpse of her dealing with the equally difficult man
Denethor. She's a compelling character and provides a unique window into
Denethor's world.

But then there are the canonical characters. Her characterizations are
always convincing but feel fresh. She adds to and builds on what Tolkien
told us, but in a way that feels true to Middle-earth. Nowhere is this
better illustrated than in the way Faramir reacts to his father's
infirmity in "Come When You Are Ready". The nauseating physical details
are only too clearly told, but the way Faramir deals with them is so
in-character! He does not flinch, does not shy away, but he is not
untouched by the gore. And Denethor as well is touchingly portrayed:
bound by duty to his family and to Gondor, cunning in the way he tries
to piece together the mystery.

EL is a great author if you like one-shots and shorts that develop the
canon in a convincing way but aren't afraid to add on. Her stories are
refreshingly fresh yet still feel Tolkienesque.
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Author: juno_magic · ID: 358 · Genres: Alternate Universe [22]: General
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-11-21 16:39:52
Juno is not an author that I have read much of simply because her work
is usually longer than I like to read. Imagine my joy at finding that a
friend had written some shorter pieces on topics I enjoyed. And these
are very *deep* pieces. I think that's what gets me so much. "I Will
Lift Up Mine Eyes" not only develops a religion of Gondor and regional
differences, but it gives us a hero who dares to go against the norm.
That evoked a *squee* from me, but of a somber and academic sort (so
much as a *squee* can be) -- she has taken many of my favourite ideas
and built them into a fascinating story that hints at a whole world in a
piece that didn't take a great effort to read. But thinking effort was
another question. I found I couldn't get it out of my head for days.
"About Legends or Whisperings of Ghosts" stands out similarly, but this
time the question isn't rebelling against the religious norm, but about
the trustworthiness of history. Both of these take a situation or
premise that is far from common and turn it on its head, but never do so
unconvincingly. That's not an easy feat, and I admire Juno for her success.
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Author: Jay of Lasgalen · ID: 134 · Races: Elves [38]: General
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-21 20:25:53
Jay's appreciation of her characters is so delightful, and reading her
stories is always a joy. I certainly thank her for her stories about the
twins, and hope to read more over the coming years.

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Author: Lindelea · ID: 27 · Races: Cross-Cultural [28]: General
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-21 20:40:46
Oh, how Lindelea can get to the heart of her characters, even the heart
of a worn pony who finds himself glad to be on the quest--for the most
part. She has made Bill's story come alive here, and has added to the
images we have of the honor given our beloved Ringbearer.

Characterizations are wonderful, and her weave of canon with original
material is masterful.
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Author: Dawn Felagund · ID: 602 · Races: Cross-Cultural [28]: General
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-11-21 22:55:48
As far as I know, Dawn has only written a story featuring another race
before. This was with the story Feanor's Mistake where she wrote a
light-hearted piece featuring Orome and one of the Feanorians. But with
Choices of spirits, she compares the fates of two kindreds and
explores the consequences of a romance with the emphasis on the
experience of an immortal. Besides writing a good romance and mystery
here, I can see how much effort she has taken in researching the race of
Men and the time period they lived in. Dawns writing is simply
beautiful, thought provoking and moving at the same time. Often you hear
how good writers can paint a picture with their words for their readers:
Dawn has a natural talent for it, but in this piece, she showed us the
view of a character and stuck with it throughout the stories. This same
feat is used in AMC as well, which gives us character pieces just as the
story of Haleth and Caranthir gives us. What I often see in her works,
is also repeated in this genre: she makes a daring choice for both her
characters and forms a bridge between two creatures by creating a tale
of legend at the same time. Dawns skill in world building in every work
she writes is shining through in different gradations: she simply knows
how to find a good balance with that. Dawn is a great all-round writer
and with every work she shares with us, comes a new bit of insight in
Tolkiens world.
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Author: Meril · ID: 293 · Genres: Alternate Universe [22]: General
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-11-21 23:24:34
I associate Meril with high-quality silmfic where she makes my favourite
characters more approachable. I most emphatically *don't* associate her
with stuff this dark, so it surprised me how well it turned out. This
one sent shivers down my spine.
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Author: Lindelea · ID: 27 · Times: The Great Years [56]: General
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-22 02:24:01
I apologize for reviewing "Just Desserts" under this fic, Lindelea.

The judgment given Beregond of the Guard by Aragorn must have been one
that took a great deal of thought and undoubtedly caused him a great
deal of anxiety. Yet in the end, although Beregond learned he must leave
the city of Minas Tirith as a result of leaving his post and shedding
blood in the Hallows, yet he found the way to temper strict justice with
a deeper one that looked not just at what he did but why, and how what
he did served the needs of Gondor best.

In writing her idea of how the considerations went, Lindelea has herself
shown a great deal of thought and heart. Her writing leads us through so
many moods--fear, comfort, reassurance, and in the end exultance as the
King Elessar realizes the proper consequence for the Guard's actions,
punishing the wrongdoing while at the same time rewarding the love that
compelled Beregond to abandon his assigned duty to meet the deeper one
of protecting his beloved lord and captain.

And so it is that the story fulfills the purpose of sacred
drama--increasing our empathy and giving us an emotional workout.
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Author: pippinfan88 · ID: 331 · Genres: Romance [51]: General
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-11-22 02:26:48
Pippinfan88 is one of my favorite hobbit authors. She deals with
interesting topics and plot ideas with a deft touch. She is equally good
at humor and at drama. Her hobbits have a true to Tolkien and genuine
feel to them.
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Author: Anso the Hobbit/Beruthiel/Bodkin/Dreamflower/Elendiari22/Jay of
Lasgalen/Lindelea/Pearl Took/pipkinsweetgrass/Rabidsamfan/Shirebound
CoAuthors · ID: 705 · Races: Cross-Cultural [28]: General
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-22 02:27:12
Hooray to all who took part in writing this collection of stories. All
are to be commended.
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Author: pipkinsweetgrass · ID: 157 · Races: Cross-Cultural [28]: General
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-11-22 02:31:42
I deeply enjoy PipkinSweetgrass' insights into Boromir and Pippin, both
as individuals and in the relationship between the two of them. She has
a strong love of Tolkien's writings and respect for his characters. She
has a fun, wicked, and hobbity sense of humor.
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Author: Bodkin · ID: 411 · Races: Cross-Cultural [28]: General
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-22 03:10:55
One thing that Bodkin shines particularly at is in presenting us with
conversations that keep us interested and spark thought. Certainly she
has managed to do so in this story.
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Author: Marta · ID: 16 · Times: The Great Years [56]: Poetry
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-22 03:13:34
Marta is one of the most sophisticated writers, in addition to having a
wide range of writing skills, in Tolkien fanfiction. She easily handles
political drama, family drama, romance both bitter and sweet, and the
subtleties of illuminating characters of which Tolkien did not tell the
readers as much as we would have liked.

But I never knew her capable of composing Rohirric war-poetry until this
year's competition - another feather in Marta's cap.
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Author: Gandalfs apprentice · ID: 175 · Genres: Drama [107]:
Fixed-Length Ficlet
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-22 03:57:56
Gandalf's Apprentice's forte is humor, in shades ranging from sly to
full-out funny. Yet she can also write intense stories that sting with
understated pathos, such as the wonderful vignette [King's Man]. She has
an excellent range for characterisation, such as Gandalf as seen through
the eyes of a proud, wary Mearh, Gimli's fond but exasperated POV of
Legolas, and the quiet interplay of old friends Aragorn and Halbarad.
And she also handles sensuality and sexuality with an easy charm that is
pleasant and convincing.
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Author: Gandalfs apprentice · ID: 175 · Times: The Great Years [56]: General
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-22 03:59:52
Gandalf's Apprentice's forte is humor, in shades ranging from sly to
full-out funny. Yet she can also write intense stories that sting with
understated pathos, such as the wonderful vignette [King's Man]. She has
an excellent range for characterisation, such as Gandalf as seen through
the eyes of a proud, wary Mearh, Gimli's fond but exasperated POV of
Legolas, and the quiet interplay of old friends Aragorn and Halbarad.
And she also handles sensuality and sexuality with an easy charm that is
pleasant and convincing.

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Author: Gandalfs apprentice · ID: 175 · Genres: Romance [51]:
Fixed-Length Ficlet
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-22 04:00:29
Gandalf's Apprentice's forte is humor, in shades ranging from sly to
full-out funny. Yet she can also write intense stories that sting with
understated pathos, such as the wonderful vignette [King's Man]. She has
an excellent range for characterisation, such as Gandalf as seen through
the eyes of a proud, wary Mearh, Gimli's fond but exasperated POV of
Legolas, and the quiet interplay of old friends Aragorn and Halbarad.
And she also handles sensuality and sexuality with an easy charm that is
pleasant and convincing.

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Author: Gandalfs apprentice · ID: 175 · Genres: Humor [50]: General
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-22 04:01:08
Gandalf's Apprentice's forte is humor, in shades ranging from sly to
full-out funny. Yet she can also write intense stories that sting with
understated pathos, such as the wonderful vignette [King's Man]. She has
an excellent range for characterisation, such as Gandalf as seen through
the eyes of a proud, wary Mearh, Gimli's fond but exasperated POV of
Legolas, and the quiet interplay of old friends Aragorn and Halbarad.
And she also handles sensuality and sexuality with an easy charm that is
pleasant and convincing.

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Author: Gandalfs apprentice · ID: 175 · Races: Cross-Cultural [28]:
Fixed-Length Ficlet
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-22 04:02:23
Gandalf's Apprentice's forte is humor, in shades ranging from sly to
full-out funny. Yet she can also write intense stories that sting with
understated pathos, such as the wonderful vignette [King's Man]. She has
an excellent range for characterisation, such as Gandalf as seen through
the eyes of a proud, wary Mearh, Gimli's fond but exasperated POV of
Legolas, and the quiet interplay of old friends Aragorn and Halbarad.
And she also handles sensuality and sexuality with an easy charm that is
pleasant and convincing.

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Author: Dreamflower · ID: 115 · Genres: Drama [107]: Poetry
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-22 04:57:16
I am so grateful to Dreamflower for introducing us to dribble poetry. A
lovely piece.
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Author: Kenaz · ID: 244 · Races: Men [73]: General
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-11-22 05:00:52
Kenaz does men as well as she does Elves! She writes the greatest Elves
ever--complex, mysterious, and emotional. (Not to mention never
nancy-prancy little creatures--but the men are men (Men or Elves) in her
fics.) So I should not have been surprised what she could do with
Aragorn and Halbarad. [Until the Stars Are All Alight] is one of my all
time favorites and certainly one of the ones that I love the most of
newer Aragorn stories (and there are some very fine writers who
specialize in this). This one-chapter story could by some be
characterized as slash, but it is in fact less than that and much more.
There are several layers to this one short piece. It could be
characterized an exploration of comradeship, loyalty and one of the most
moving and sensitive expositions of the relationship often referred to
as the kings man that I have read in any work of fiction. The
characterization of the very young, green Aragorn here is completely
recognizable as the same man we love so much in the book at the height
of his maturity and power. The pairing of Aragorn and Halbarad could
become routine, formulaic, or derivative, but it certainly is not here.
It is authentic, real, believable, profoundly human and humane. Other
issues taken on in the story, such as: initiation in battle, the first
time Aragorn actually kills, his transformation from rather isolated and
protected Elvish young man to a ranger and leader of men are all taken
on and developed with sensitivity. The attention to canon and insightful
usage of the same enrich the story. The pacing, organization and
evocative, poetic language have led me to return and re-read this story
multiple timesfor me the greatest recommendation for any fic.
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Author: Dreamflower · ID: 115 · Races: Hobbits [106]: General
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-22 05:08:45
Usually Dreamflower's short stories are quite humorous, or just plain
pleasant to read. But in "Reaping" she shows she is also able to
effectively write angst and action, and do it very, very well indeed.
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Author: Súlriel · ID: 7 · Genres: Non-Fiction [5]: General
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-11-22 21:39:11
Sulriel is a unique, amazingly talented voice in the fandom. Her
excellent writing and sense of high drama produce a tale always worth
reading, be it an epic saga or a drabble. Her current WIP, Sinde
Envinyanta, stands alone in its inventive use of the Tolkien mythology.

With this wonderful piece on horses, Sulriel makes her very special and
profound knowledge of horses available for all of us. It is a very
generous and unique thing to do, and I for one have benefited enormously
as both a writer and a reader because of it. In fact, the piece is so
good that it is worth reading apart from the fandom, just for the sheer
joy of horses and their personalities. I learned things I didnt know
before, and that is truly one of the best things any writer can give. I
know I will return to this piece for information and inspiration many times.

For those who are not interested in portraying horses in their stories:
don't miss this piece anyway! It is extremely interesting, the horses
are astonishingly gorgeous, and you will probably want to create a story
just to use one of them in it! And there are many to pick from: not just
noble steeds of the Shadowfax type, but comical ones who belong in
Farmer Maggots stable. (The donkey is a story by himself.)
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Races: Dwarves [12]: General
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-23 07:30:20
Ann is always one of the best at showing us the folk of Middle Earth in
short stories and drabbles; and in her look at the one Dwarf woman who
had once wished to draw the eye of Gimli son of Gloin she shows the
regret expressed in concern for her own comfort and worry about the
welfare of her cat as she turns down his invitation to accompany those
who will go to Minas Tirith and Aglarond.

She is able to capture the character so well and make us feel the
regret, reminding us of the notation from the appendices indicating that
many Dwarf women never married, despairing of having the one Dwarf male
that had managed to capture their hearts. She certainly made this OC
real for me.
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Author: annmarwalk · ID: 177 · Races: Dwarves [12]: Fixed-Length Ficlet
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-23 07:33:17
Ann remains one who best can express the feelings of her characters so
well in so few words. Her drabbles are always a joy to read, I've found.
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