Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Stolen · Author: Meril · Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 46
Reviewer: juno_magic · 2006-11-28 22:47:01 Score: 3
A dark AU that delineates the demise of Galadriel. With only a few
well-placed words Galadriel's world, her life and finally the lady
herself are ripped apart and broken. This is a chilling, horrifying tale
and very effectively written. And I'm very glad that it is only a dark
AU, and not how the story really went!
-----------------------------------
Title: Hearth and Home · Author: Molly Littlefoot · Races: Hobbits · ID: 730
Reviewer: juno_magic · 2006-11-28 23:01:53 Score: 4
A perfect Hobbit story.

The protagonist is a Hobbit wife with a happy, prosperous family. But
the darkness of the outer world is reaching for the Shire and friendship
with a ranger may be a dangerous thing in these days ...

The style is delicious. Descriptive, detailed, well-paced. We get a real
sense of the heroine, her life and her worries. And keep hoping with
her, all through the long, lonely, dark night.

I'd love to see a sequel!
-----------------------------------
Title: Too Many Names · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 866
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-28 23:06:30 Score: 2
An insightful and enjoyable look at Aragorns many names and what they
mean to him and others.
-----------------------------------
Title: Last Goodbyes Series · Author: Perelleth · Genres: Drama:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Series · ID: 814
Reviewer: juno_magic · 2006-11-28 23:16:30 Score: 4
This series of drabbles highlights the many different ways in which
goodbyes could have been said throughout the history of Arda and
Middle-earth. These ficlets are true treasures: clear, poignant prose
stirs the heart and illuminates Tolkien's world as well as the many
meanings of "goodbye". A series that can be read countless times, and
will always remain fresh and touching.
-----------------------------------
Title: Lost · Author: Radbooks · Times: Late Third Age · ID: 260
Reviewer: juno_magic · 2006-11-28 23:23:44 Score: 3
A surprising gapfiller about one of the minor characters of "The
Fellowship" and a strongly "in-character", friendly Aragorn. The main
strength of this little piece lies in the questions it poses for the
reader. What happened before that small scene? And what are its
implications for the future? Very interesting!
-----------------------------------
Title: Dust On My Saddle · Author: Rous · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 630
Reviewer: juno_magic · 2006-11-28 23:29:25 Score: 3
This is an AU drabble that crosses worlds the way few authors dare to
cross them. In a few well-chosen, poignant words it brings the scene
alive down to dusty details. Great sense of dark humour. Amusing and
surprising. Very unusual.
-----------------------------------
Title: I Yessë En Mentë · Author: Rous · Genres: Drama: Poetry · ID: 739
Reviewer: juno_magic · 2006-11-28 23:34:44 Score: 4
This is a long, heroic poem that feels as if it was written by a
Rohirric minstrel, or at the very least, by an Old English bard.

The traditional form of alliterative verse has been kept scrupulously as
far as I can tell. The rhythm is clear and carries the reader throughout
the poem without fail and unforced, which is a rare thing. The tale
itself is descriptive and touching, truly heroic, but never over the top.

This is a true gem among Tolkien fan fiction poetry.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Circle · Author: Karenator · Races: Men · ID: 778
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:37:08 Score: 2
Very nice father and son tale as Halbarad trains his son for a grim
life, albeit a necessary one. I loved the eerie glimpses of the children
in the wood and the haunting promise!
-----------------------------------
Title: Second Son · Author: Nesta · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond: Gondor
· ID: 843
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:37:52 Score: 4
A very original premise! Turin is a fascinating child and is clearly the
son of both his parents; he has qualities found in each of them. But it
is the way that these qualities manifest themselves that makes him such
an interesting character. It is not easy to be first in a field that
goes against convention and propriety. I wonder where this interest will
lead him and can just imagine him in later years teaching this skill of
observation and deduction to others.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Remains of Power · Author: Pearl Took · Times: The Great
Years: Vignette · ID: 228
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:39:16 Score: 2
Pearl has done a good job here capturing Saruman's humiliation. That he
considers it only to be a temporary setback adds nice foreshadowing to
what we know will occur later.
-----------------------------------
Title: Pennies for a Sunny Day · Author: Cathleen · Times: Late Third
Age: The Shire · ID: 728
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:40:53 Score: 2
My favourite part of this tale is when Merry is off playing alone in the
woods. We don't often see this side of him in fanfic and I thought that
Cathleen captured his personality well.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Little Thing · Author: Acacea · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 75
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:41:42 Score: 3
An excellent drabble, very evocative. I found it quite believable that
the Ring would extend long life to the fern in order to aid Its
concealment and that the water creatures would have the instinct to stay
far away.
-----------------------------------
Title: Board Games (Cinquain) · Author: Rous · Genres: Drama: Poetry ·
ID: 741
Reviewer: juno_magic · 2006-11-28 23:41:44 Score: 4
It never ceases to amaze me how much a truly gifted poet can say within
the strict confines of a form like the cinquain. This is a perfect
example. Concise, precise, with utter clarity of language this little
poem illuminates the situation of the kingdom of Rohan on the eve of the
Ring War. The few lines are honed to an incredibly sharp edge and leave
the reader with a sense of tension ready to snap. Truly admirable.
-----------------------------------
Title: Sword Play · Author: Lindelea · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond: The
Shire · ID: 782
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:42:48 Score: 2
Nice interaction between Faramir and Goldilocks. They are well matched,
even as children, though neither one knows it or would admit it if they did!
-----------------------------------
Title: King's Man · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Times: The Great
Years: Vignette · ID: 197
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:44:39 Score: 2
This piece is a wonderful character study of Halbarad and shows a
closeness between him and Aragorn very well.
-----------------------------------
Title: Inheritance · Author: Primsong · Times: Late Third Age: The Shire
· ID: 310
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:45:52 Score: 2
This is a chilling premise! Happy times with Merry and his family that
Frodo might anticipate after his forced move back to Buckland will be
very shortlived!
-----------------------------------
Title: Of Stone and Fire · Author: Werecat · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 124
Reviewer: juno_magic · 2006-11-28 23:47:12 Score: 3
This is a poignant drabble that builds a bridge between the First and
the Third Age. With just a few subtle lines the author illuminates the
characters of three heroes of Tolkien's writings - and shows a great
sense of humour at the same time. Not an easy feat! And the last line I
would like to call utterly brilliant. Five words that really say it all!
-----------------------------------
Title: Stronger Songs · Author: Marta · Times: First Age and Prior:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 688
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:48:05 Score: 2
An excellent drabble! It is conceivable that Treebeard might once have
dwelt in such a northerly part of the forest as we do know that at one
time Fangorn and the old Forest were one.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Way of a King · Author: Katzilla · Races: Men · ID: 847
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:48:25 Score: 1
Young Eomer is captured very well here.
-----------------------------------
Title: On the Fair Hill · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Late Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 946
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:48:48 Score: 3
The descriptions used to set up the last line are lovely. It gives even
the long years leading up to this moment a sense of timelessness and a
feeling that, to the ancient wood, even this is transitory.
-----------------------------------
Title: That Which Cannot Be Put Into Words · Author: Pearl Took · Times:
The Great Years: Vignette · ID: 230
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:49:12 Score: 2
The common ground that Pippin finds with this young elf is beautiful. I
found myself wondering if they ever met again after the Ring was destroyed.
-----------------------------------
Title: Incubus · Author: Werecat · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Incomplete · ID: 127
Reviewer: juno_magic · 2006-11-28 23:50:51 Score: 4
This is one of the very few AU-Crossover stories that really, really
work for me. The dark and deep places of Middle-earth have room for many
dark and deep secrets. This is not a story to be read when you are alone
at home and it is dark outside! Plotting and pacing are faultless, the
prose is clear and imaginative. Without doubt one of the most
imaginative pieces I have read.
-----------------------------------
Title: If I had a Hammer · Author: grey_wonderer · Times: Late Third
Age: The Shire · ID: 162
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:51:23 Score: 4
Merry, Pippin, Frodo and Sam are in wonderful character here. This story
does a very good job of bringing out their distinct personalities. I
liked the premise very much and the believable way that the author
builds upon events to the very satisfactory conclusion. All of the
hobbits in this story are excellent, the descriptions are good and the
dialogue spot-on. The humour of the story is nicely balanced with the
drama. Very enjoyable!
-----------------------------------
Title: Call yourself Thorongil · Author: Nilmandra · Times: Late Third
Age · ID: 731
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:51:59 Score: 3
An excellent description of the first meeting between Aragorn and
Gandalf. I found myself wondering if Gandalf set all of his many plans
into motion based on a schedule of sorts that he had set himself, in
just the way that he knows it is now time for Aragorn to go to Gondor.
-----------------------------------
Title: Shadow and flame · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 876
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:52:27 Score: 1
Beautiful and vivid language and a most interesting perspective.
-----------------------------------
Title: Planning Ahead · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Men · ID: 84
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:52:51 Score: 2
What a position for Arathorn to find himself in, not just now, but in
the years to come! Little Gilraen is written exactly right, innocent and
charming.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Tisket, A Tasket · Author: grey_wonderer · Times: Late Third
Age: The Shire · ID: 570
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:53:21 Score: 4
This is a very sweet story! Poor Errol! I really enjoyed the
characterisations here; Merry in particular is just right. The most
vocal against Pippin's little plan, he is of course the one that goes
out of his way to see that Pippin's experiment has a satisfying conclusion.

This is a very enjoyable tale, written with humour and very evident love
for the characters.
-----------------------------------
Title: Unchanged · Author: Marta · Times: Late Third Age: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 926
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:53:57 Score: 3
Rory's hobbit nature and his acceptance of the way things are meant to
be are captured wonderfully here. He knows in his bones that Bilbo's
lack of ageing is something he shouldn't envy.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Worst of All Evils · Author: Marta · Times: The Great Years:
Vignette · ID: 697
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:55:29 Score: 2
It is a credit to Éowyn's great deed that Éomer is not more angry here.
Still, I would not want to be Elfhelm!
-----------------------------------
Title: Shoot the Moon · Author: mistycracraft · Times: Late Third Age ·
ID: 233
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:55:56 Score: 3
This is a beautiful moment between Elrond and young Estel. I liked this
glimpse of him as a child, full of questions. A nice contrast to the
taciturn and often lonely man that he will become.
-----------------------------------
Title: In the Woods · Author: Werecat · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond ·
ID: 119
Reviewer: juno_magic · 2006-11-28 23:55:58 Score: 4
Effortlessly this story blends a vision of the far future of
Middle-earth with the myths and legends of our past. Elves or Sidhe, who
knows which creatures meet in the woods in the witching hour? The idea
that Radagast stays, is definitely credible. A very original idea,
beautifully written with a certain sense of wistfulness. We will always
long for mystical and mysterious moments in our lives, and as long as
this author writes her stories, we will not want for those moments.
-----------------------------------
Title: Merrys Present · Author: Mariole · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 639
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:57:21 Score: 2
This story is a nice example of why Frodo and Merry were so close, they
both respect one another.
-----------------------------------
Title: Home At Last · Author: Dreamflower · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 883
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:58:25 Score: 3
How sad for Bilbo that he was unable to find his place in the Shire
again. Interesting that in a way, the Bilbo that we know later must have
evolved largely from his treatment by the Shirefolk, rather than only by
the changes in himself.
-----------------------------------
Title: Fugitive · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Drama · ID: 366
Reviewer: DrummerWench · 2006-11-28 23:59:09 Score: 4
This is a wholly believable story of the oldest daughter of the greatest
traveller and huntsman of this age of the world. It's a tale that works
on different levels, with the eleven-year-old girl growing up a little
now, but also a sub-text of adult knowledge to come. Look elsewhere for
saccharine - this story mixes the bitter with the sweet. It's also a
nice portrait of Aragorn as father, husband and king.

-----------------------------------
Title: Wizardry · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 179
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-28 23:59:36 Score: 3
I really liked this! The characterisations were spot-on, as always with
Dwim, and both Gandalf and Aragorn were captured wonderfully.

Knowing that someday Frodo and Sam will be wandering this same path,
only then with Gollum pursuing them, added another layer of enjoyment.
-----------------------------------
Title: Just Us Lads · Author: pippinfan88 · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 291
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:02:39 Score: 2
This story leaves the reader with a very comfortable and snug feeling.
What a joy it must have been for Paladin and Pippin to share times like
this together.
-----------------------------------
Title: Birthday Kisses · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late Third
Age · ID: 59
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:03:36 Score: 3
I felt sorry for Denethor here; clearly he loves Faramir and wants only
his happiness, but he can't find it within himself to give the child the
affection that he craves. Perhaps he hopes that the puppy will give his
son what he cannot.
-----------------------------------
Title: Legend · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 933
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:04:37 Score: 2
Very descriptive. Éowyn has changed in many ways but in other ways she
has remained the same. Nice mention that Merry's first blow gave Éowyn
the heart to strike.
-----------------------------------
Title: Iridescence · Author: Larner · Times: The Great Years: Vignette ·
ID: 121
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:05:45 Score: 2
A lovely story that captures the innocence and wonder of the hobbits,
even after all they had endured. What a lovely treasure for them to
bring home!
-----------------------------------
Title: How Grima Lost His Eyebrows · Author: NeumeIndil · Times: Late
Third Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 800
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:07:34 Score: 2
A very funny drabble and it makes perfect sense! Saruman should remember
to put a "Danger!" sign on his door!
-----------------------------------
Title: Blood Brothers · Author: Elana · Races: Villains: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 149
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:08:15 Score: 3
The author manages to paint a very clear picture of an entire culture,
as well as the more intimate memories of an entire lifetime of one of
its people and his mumak - all in 100 words. Splendid!
-----------------------------------
Title: One Summer's Day · Author: Bodkin · Races: Men · ID: 765
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:10:55 Score: 4
This wonderful glimpse of newly bereaved Éowyn as a child is a haunting
one. Her fear and actions are understandable. I felt so very sorry for
Éomer; he is but a child himself, yet he is the one upon which the
burden of Éowyn's grief-stricken behaviour has been placed.

Fortunately Theodred comes to the rescue of both. I can see in these
depictions of the two as children how they grew into the adults they did.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Lost · Author: Altariel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 181
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:11:18 Score: 2
It is nice to think that Boromir might have had a son. The story fits
very well into this universe.
-----------------------------------
Title: Dark Appetites · Author: Elena Tiriel · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 833
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:11:53 Score: 2
Dark and creepy and filled with brooding evil; those words sum up both
this drabble and its subject. I find myself wondering about Shelob's
eventual fate. Very nice!
-----------------------------------
Title: Merry's Graduation · Author: pippinfan88 · Times: Late Third Age:
The Shire · ID: 125
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:12:30 Score: 2
Merry's characterisation is especially good in this tale. The loyalty of
the young hobbits is well written.
-----------------------------------
Title: Home Again · Author: Súlriel · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 863
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:12:53 Score: 1
Interesting perspective, and well executed.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship · Author: Elana · Times:
Early Third Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 150
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:13:07 Score: 2
The smoking of pipeweed is certainly not the last thing that Gandalf
will learn from hobbits! Nicely done!
-----------------------------------
Title: Claws · Author: Elena Tiriel · Races: Villains: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 835
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:13:24 Score: 2
I liked the way that the crow's pov builds in excitement and then ends
so suddenly. Smaug's boredom with the whole thing is a very good
counterpart to that.
-----------------------------------
Title: If I Had It All Again To Do · Author: Pearl Took · Times: Fourth
Age and Beyond: The Shire · ID: 226
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:17:17 Score: 2
It is very sad to think of the dwindling of the hobbits and the changes
transforming the Shire.

Progress is not always a good thing.
-----------------------------------
Title: All Is Well · Author: Gryffinjack · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 969
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:18:58 Score: 3
I really enjoyed the strong bond of family in this tale, taking simple
pleasure in being with each other, in food and in a good tale. The
foreshadowing was a nice contrast but even that fades easily back into a
comfortable sense of the present; it is something to be forgotten at
once and Pippin's mind turned back to more important things.
-----------------------------------