Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Reaping · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Post-Sauron's
Fall · ID: 169
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-22 05:05:52
Ted Sandyman was never a pleasant fellow; and during the Time of
Troubles he certainly did his best to earn further enmity from his
neighbors by collaborating with Lotho and his Big Men. But now that the
ruffians have been thrown out of the Shire Ted decides to flee, also,
making the mistake of believing that he will retain the authority he
thought he exercised over the Big Men when he was merely Lotho's stooge.
However, he now learns better, most bitterly.

A most intense writing, and superbly done.
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Title: Tolkien's Use of Expletives · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 147
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-22 05:14:23
A very thoughtful study and discussion of how the Master avoided using
expletives in his writing, making it more accessible and pleasant in so
doing.
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Title: In a Tent Somewhere Near Whitwell or The Truth About Merry ·
Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor: The Shire · ID: 472
Reviewer: Budgielover · 2006-11-22 05:19:53
This author has such a way of demonstrating the exasperation, fondness,
irritation, and love between the three cousins that each foray into
their awkward moments is an absolute delight for the reader. Each hobbit
is perfectly portrayed, with all the human (hobbit?) follies that makes
them unique. Merry with his complaining, Frodo with his forebearance,
Pippin with his gleeful assumptions - quite incorrect as he well knows -
gives the reader a laugh and yet a wistful longing to be part of this
circle of hobbits. The dialogue is delightful, perfect in tone and usage
for each hobbit. The reader starts with a grin, which turns into a
chuckle, and finally ends in a full-blown bellow of laughter. This is a
heart-warming, thoroughly delightful story.
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Title: The Smallest Hands · Author: Dreamflower · Times: The Great
Years: Poetry · ID: 884
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-22 05:20:45
One of the best original poems written using Tolkien's own meters and
rhyme schemes I've read, and certainly a beautiful tribute to the heroes
of Arda, both great and small--especially the small ones. And to realize
that my own vision of Frodo inspired it is humbling.

I thank you very much for this one, Dreamflower.
-----------------------------------
Title: Chance Encounter · Author: Dreamflower · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 187
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-22 05:23:27
While in Minas Tirith Pippin meets an acquaintance from the past, and
the story goes on from there. The bard with whom Pippin traveled for a
time as a youngster recognizes our four lads, and ends up becoming
attached to Aragorn's court.

Marvelous looks at the four Travellers, and a wonderful adventure for
them to become caught in.
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Title: The Age of Men · Author: Marta · Races: Cross-Cultural: With
Hobbits · ID: 401
Reviewer: Budgielover · 2006-11-22 05:26:51
Upon reading this story, I was immediately struck by how the author must
have studied every mention of the Ents, of Treebeard, and studied his
speech. The internalized dialogue is perfect. I confess that I have
found canon Treebeard a little dull (as Professor Tolkien designed, I
believe) but this thoughtful, perhaps slightly sorrowful soliloquy
reminds us of how long this being has lived and all the changes he has
seen. His affection for the hobbits is endearing and befuddled both, for
they trip past him at a speed he can scarcely comprehend. One could well
imagine him watching the hobbits dart about, so busy, and feel his
amazement at them and the changes they bring, both.
-----------------------------------
Title: Cousin Calla · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest ·
ID: 767
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-22 05:27:16
Here we meet Cousin Calla, a Brandybuck relation to whom Frodo is
greatly indebted for the comfort he found in Brandy Hall after his
parents' deaths and for the instruction he received in artwork.

A lovely study of characters and relationships.
-----------------------------------
Title: Consequences of a Fall · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 221
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-22 05:33:02
Lalia the Great wasn't the only unpleasant character dwelling in the
Great Smials. After Lalia's death, we see the family of Paladin Took
facing scandalmongering, whisper campaigns, and resentment by Hyacinth
Took, long-suffering Reggie's foolish and overly ambitious wife.

When Hyacinth's resentment of Pippin would appear to lead her to take
advantage of his illness to perhaps see him dead and the way opened for
her husband to perhaps one day become Thain we find ourselves biting our
nails to see just how far she might go.
-----------------------------------
Title: You Watch To Dissociate · Author: Ghettoelleth · Genres: Drama:
General Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 195
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-11-22 05:40:57
This short piece is really different--dark, chilling, erotic,
beautifully done and frightening believable. Beren claims Lúthien as his
own and simultaneously drives Daeron completely over the edge. The
reader will either really love this story, or on the other hand it could
very possibly drive them crazy. I absolutely loved it. Wow! It is so
precise and economical and tells an old familiar story in an entirely
alternative light. Congratulations on imagining and brilliantly
executing such a stunningly original piece of work. I usually like my
romance to be considerably less sinister and gloomy, but you completely
drew me and captivated me with this one.
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Title: Voices on the Wind · Author: Phyncke · Times: First Age and Prior
· ID: 112
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-11-22 07:15:32
A powerful rendition of one of the most dramatic moments in "The
Silmarillion": the battle between Fingolfin and Morgoth. Rage is the
overriding emotion throughout most of this short piece, and the use of
first-person POV gives it a gripping immediacy.

The transition from raging violence to utter peace is swift, but not
abrupt. I especially like that in her choice of title, Phyncke put the
story's emphasis on the gentle, wistful conclusion.

An impressive fanfiction debut!

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Title: Whispers of the Dragon · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great
Years: The Fellowship · ID: 916
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-22 15:46:51
This is a wonderful, thoughtful and exciting variation on the trip down
the Anduin. I loved this story, and there's a lot to love about it, from
dialogue to descriptives to emotional content. All of the
charactrizations are wonderful, and not a one of the Fellowship is
shorted, each one being written as a fully round and multi-faceted
character. I particularly like the inner dialogues. Head hopping is hard
to do without it coming off as somewhat schizophrenic, but this writer
has handled the varying viewpoints flawlessly enough to not interrupt
the flow of the story. The glimpses into the minds of both Boromir and
Frodo made such perfect sense. The writer has thought this through from
top to bottom. She has captured the insidious and subtle whisperings
that could wear away at the very root of the soul. This writer has a
full toolbox and enough talent in sufficient quantities to wield each
tool well. The denoument was spot on. Her Boromir did not fail at the
last, as has been the case with too much fan fiction in which Boromir
winds up as a hollow mockery of the Boromir found in the source
material. Pippin, too, was handled well and not written as an annoyingly
immature-for-his-age hobbit as is the case far and away too often. I
loved the dialogue in this tale as well. Action was well done as was the
descriptives. All in all, this is a well balanced peek into the inner
workings of the Fellowship.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Falcon's Watch · Author: pippinfan88 · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Pippin or Merry · ID: 227
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-22 15:48:23
This story amazed me the first time I read it and amazed me further
still upon the second reading. This is a story rich in subtextual
meaning, woven with a masterful hand. The story arcs beautifully, full
of decriptives as bright and as clear as light broken by a prism, yet
the narrative never suffers for the deftness of the descriptives. Point
of view was tightly focused as was stream of consciousness.
Verisimilitude anchored the fantasy firmly to reality, which is what
makes good fantasy good. Meaning, of course, that this is a very honest
story, a thing required to make a good writer a good writer. Denoument
was turned out beautifully. This is the kind of story that has the
ability to raise the bar on fan fiction. It touches my heart and
underlines my belief in a strong and ever-expanding consciousness, the
kind which threads its way throughout the human experience. It beats
like a heart, a real blessing of a tale. There is a strength in its
spiritual context which gave the story arc a real spine, a backbone
sturdy enough to carry this reader into the realm of the spiritual world
I love so well. Bittersweet and reflective, it echoes in my heart and
raises my spirit. All around, a sound and good read!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Unexpected Guest · Author: pippinfan88 · Genres: Humor: The
Shire · ID: 635
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-22 16:05:58
This story was an absolute delight. The setting is perfect for this
misheivous romp, and Pippin is the perfect hobbit to do the job. One
does not usually relate the words "tension" with "humor", but in this
tale these terms capture the essence and spirit of the story perfectly.
I loved all her characterizations, and the old spinster was an absolute
delight. The writers deft touch with humor was an absolute delight,
tickling the funny bone with a touch sure and deft. Characterization was
simply delightful, the stream of consciousness was flawless, use of
action finely honed and grammer was exellent. The tale has a good spine
to it and a gentle arc. this is a writer who knows how to deliver the
goods. This writer has a way with my favorite hobbit, and she
consistently turns out a well thought out character in this regard. This
author dealt with the scenario with a gentle humor which is nonetheless
very amusing, and the light-hearted tone was evident throughout. As
funny a tale as this is, it has a kind of honesty to it which shines.
The love of source material is well demonstrated, and her knowlege of
hobbits in general and Pippin in particular are both strong points and
very well handled. All in all, a lovely little jewel of a story.
-----------------------------------
Title: Years After and a Sea Between · Author: Dana · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 39
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-11-22 20:18:00
What a special story. It starts so calmly while Merry & Pippin prepare
for their journey to Valinor. All goes well with bittersweet
leave-takings and both hobbits feel strengthened by each other  of
which I have to say it feels so gentle and so fitting: simply wonderful.
But halfway the story, just when I am curious if the Valar will allow
them, I am plunged into the past& or so it seems, but halfway I find
myself with Pippin in a nightmare. My goodness Dana, I didnt see that
coming. The confusion of both Hobbits after they finally made it to Tol
Eressëa is heart warming and I love the way how Dana tenderly touched
upon Pippins worry of his sundering from his Diamond, wherever the
beyond Arda that might have been. But oh, the ending should have come
with a tissue warning: Pippins observation of Frodo and Sam simply
gives me the shivers.

This story sparkles in the quiet tone in which it is told from Pippins
perspective. It feels as if Dana remained close to Pippin himself, which
gives it a very natural feeling when reading it. Nothing feels forced,
not even the unusual (and yet not) pairing it has. It comes with a
well-balanced portion of hurt/comfort, which kept me on the edge of my
seat all the time. What a fantastic story Dana! Well told!
-----------------------------------
Title: Forlorn Hope · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 301
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-11-22 21:40:00
Nancy, this is one of your best drabbles which is just filled with
symbolism and it gives the reader such a great insight in Faramirs
character. I think you captured Faramirs state of mind extremely well
with these words as he races to leave Osgiliath behind: a city of which
he fought so hard for to conquer with his brother. Whereas Boromir
always symbolised bold pride for me, Faramir here just gives you the
naked truth and from where can he draw strength these days? His father?
The White, but oh so dead tree? Or his brothers horn? What does the
race of Men to hope for? And yet, in this drabble you show Faramirs
resolve: his leadership and realism. He simply rides and leaves behind
his dreams and the symbol of heroism of his men:
[Hope runs behind us  arms, palms, hands outstretched  crying like a
child.

We are determined to leave her behind. Where we go she cannot follow,
and would only slow us down.]

In a way, Faramir rides to the future, maybe it is dark and maybe it
first has to become much darker before he, his men and the Gondorians
hit rock bottom, because with Hope alone one will not give up. I love
the lyrical words and the flow of this piece: the pacing fits the moment
incredibly well. For me this is simply a drabble where every words
carries its significance and depth, and yet it does not read forced.
This is a superb drabble from your hand Nancy: you should drabble
Faramir more often!
-----------------------------------
Title: What Better Companion? · Author: Space Weavil · Races: Elves ·
ID: 175
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-23 01:20:19
Lovely and enchanting descriptions, especially of the difference between
life in Valinor from that of Middle-earth. ["It was a land where mystery
hid beneath every leaf, where he had the constant impression that there
were clues to the thoughts of Eru written into every flower and stone,
if only he could decipher them."] The pace and tone of story seem to
reflect its setting extremely well - unhurried, taking just the right
amount of time needed to reach its conclusion.

Glorfindel's thoughts as he tries to make sense of his being granted a
second life are very well done, just the right amount of restlessness
and curiosity. Olorin's characterization is delightful and rendered
perfectly, giving a glimpse of the future wizard form we'll know in M-e
(his joy in innocence, his curiosity, etc.).

My favorite part, however, is Olorin's description of life as music, as
individual sections of Eru's divine score, and how Glorfindel can know
when he is in harmony with his own path.
-----------------------------------
Title: House of Reeds · Author: The Bookbinder's Daughter · Races: Elves
· ID: 660
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-23 01:20:29
Beautiful, truly poetic prose - incredibly graceful and expressive,
whether it is dealing with descriptions of the surroundings, or the
lovers, or the dialogue. The pairing is so odd, but the time and place
and personal issues of both individuals ground it perfectly and render
it plausible. Both the newly reborn Glorfindel and Goldberry are
exceptionally well characterized; I felt I'd been granted deep insights
to them with so few descriptions and allusions.

The concise nature of the story works very well, as everything important
is given to us and all extraneous matter left out and/or to our
imaginations; if any additional details were provided, I think I would
actually start to question the plausibility more. As it is, it stands
perfectly.

I can't even pick out only one scene to be my favorite, as it is
marvelous from beginning to end, from their first meeting to their
parting. Really, really well done!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Spy · Author: daw the minstrel · Races: Elves · ID: 268
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-23 01:20:52
This story almost deserves the "humor" designation for all the comedic
elements, but Beliond would most certainly not appreciate that! He is
one of the most interesting and appealing characters from Daw's
well-populated legion of OCs, and that is saying a a lot. As always, her
characters are well-drawn, even the briefly-mentioned men and women of
the town. Really enjoyed Beliond's multi-faceted talents and how the low
cap/short coat played a bit of havoc with his dignity, and his wonderful
observations about the people and situations around him.
-----------------------------------
Title: In The Pits Of Utumno · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves ·
ID: 164
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-23 01:21:07
What a charming story. The fantastical beginning transforms into a
lovely glimpse of the playacting twins. And Elrond as Melkor -
priceless! I laughed as hard as Erestor did.
-----------------------------------
Title: Grey Havens · Author: Space Weavil · Races: Elves · ID: 708
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-23 01:21:18
Well-written, with beautiful descriptions and good characterizations. I
struggled with the Elros-overboard scene (I felt everyone should have
been WAY more terrified - Elros, in particular); and Ereinion's quick
marriage felt rather startling. But the interactions were interesting
and the resolution was clever and bittersweet.
-----------------------------------
Title: Chivalry · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 374
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-23 02:46:08
This is a fantastic drabble,. very visual and emotional. the writing is
pointed, very tight and concise, very specific word choices.

While I've read a lot of drabbles that do quite well to provide an
emotional image, or provoke some thought, I do think this one is
superior in that it stays true to the ideal of a drabble, that is, that
it is 'complete' - it has a character/plot arc. a beginning a middle and
an end, which most drabbles lack.

The 'horsey bits' are very nicely done. Perfectly in character and
balanced with the natural curiosity and desire to serve that (I think)
all great horses have.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Fords of Isen · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Adventure · ID: 41
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-23 05:28:55
A most fascinating ghost story this one, as a Rider of Rohan tells his
grandson of an encounter with Boromir and Theodred and Theodred's men--a
year after they fell at the Fords of Isen. A small troupe of Riders is
aided by a warrior from Gondor, and then the injured Rider was saved by
Theodred's men when those orcs who'd not taken part in the earlier
attack came out of hiding in the woods.

There is humor here as well as horror, and the finding of an oyster
shell when the Rider's fellows return to his side adds to their
befuddlement.

If there is indeed a proper ghost story to be told about the fires of
the Mark, this is definitely the one.
-----------------------------------
Title: Elfwine · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Fixed-Length Ficlet
· ID: 70
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-23 06:07:02
And so the land of Gondor rejoices with its young king at the birth of
his heir.
-----------------------------------
Title: Lobelia's List · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 201
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-23 06:09:06
Yes, I can certainly see Lobelia Sackville-Baggins writing this list as
she prepares to sell off Bilbo's possessions. And she wonders if a few
spoons might be missed? Well, apparently they were!

A wonderful look at one of our favorite characters to shake our heads at.
-----------------------------------
Title: Diplomatic Relations · Author: annmarwalk/EdorasLass CoAuthors ·
Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 189
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-23 07:08:54
I am not a big fan of homosexual relationship stories in Middle Earth;
but if there is a possibility of any of the characters we know having
such, certainly Boromir and Theodred are a logical enough pair.

Well done, and realistic feel.
-----------------------------------