Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: On Starless Waters Far Astray · Author: Empy · Genres:
Crossover · ID: 557
Reviewer: TrekQueen · 2007-08-06 19:01:17
Recently becoming a slash writer myself as well as having a love for
Imrahil and crossovers, I just had to read this fic. I loved the
imagery and descriptions depicted in the story, right down to the
frigid mist of the sea and the rough, creaky planks of the decks on
the ship. I also was quite happy to see some knowledge of sailing/ship
terminology that gave it a true "feel" of knowing the environment and
placement being presented. I also liked the switching POV since it
gave an insight as to how both Imrahil and Norrington were trying to
figure out what to do with one another without the ability to truly
communicate. Cute and a touch of anxiety getting me going saying "ACK!
what is going to happen next with these two?!?" Poor Norrington,
hopefully his dreams and wants will come true one day.

Title: Shadow and Thought · Author: Linda hoyland · Genres: Drama:
With Aragorn · ID: 122
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2007-08-07 00:27:08
Imo, this story needs a good line and content beta. An interesting
idea poorly presented: not a good representation of the author's
abilities.

Title: Under the Ring · Author: Holdur · Races: Hobbits: Vignette ·
ID: 215
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2007-08-07 02:08:33
This is a wonderfully unique story, to me at least. I don't know that
I've seen many stories where Frodo gets so beautifully angry. It is
something that doesn't happen much in the books, some in the movies,
but that makes an interesting study.

Also, Merry's anger is out of character. Intentionally out of character.

We are getting to see the Ring affecting more than just Boromir and
Frodo, which is all the books show. It is logical that it would have
affected the others as well. It was getting stronger and stronger -
why should it only affect the one wearing it and the one who so
strongly desired it?

The best way for it to divide the Fellowship would have been to get
them bickering. This seemed to be the preferred method of Its maker as
the Orcs were constantly arguing amongst themselves. Quite
appropriately, near the very beginning of the story, Frodo feels that
Merry's cruelty towards Pippin feels familiar, that it is like the
weight he bears around his neck. Later, Merry thinks he sees a golden
glint in Frodo's eyes and at the same moment, thinks he hears a
hissing laugh. These are wonderful allusions to what is really causing
the caustic behavior of the hobbits. Both hobbits push the clues aside.

The characters in this are well written and believable. A wonderful
look at what might have happened.

Title: Seeing Red · Author: Linda hoyland · Genres: Humor: Drabble ·
ID: 121
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-08-08 21:35:45
As someone who proudly writes stories inspired by the Jackson films as
well as Tolkien's writings, this story made me scream! With laughter.

Linda Hoyland's reputation as the Queen of Angst is well-deserved, but
she also has a humorous side that she indulges every so often. "Seeing
Red" is a perfect example. It's funny in of itself, but it also has a
deeper meaning, to me, than perhaps Linda even intended. In a few
words, Linda summarizes and satirizes the more outrageous
Faramir/Denethor fanons that have arisen out of the Jackson films. I
have my own opinions as to why these fanons have arisen, but they are
outside the scope of a review. Before I make this review longer than
Linda's ficlet, I just want to encourage her to write more humorous
pieces.

Title: The Turn of the Tide · Author: Altariel · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 72
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-08-08 21:36:49
In this story, Altariel spins a "wish-fulfillment" AU for all of us
who love Denethor and his sons. Altarial uses Tolkien's style well,
without "trying too hard" or using overly stilted language. She
presents a ferociously chilly Eowyn at the Houses of Healing,
interacting with characters who in canon are dead before her maiming
on the Pelennor Fields.

Altariel's story unfolds its AU aspects at a leisurely pace, which
leaves you wondering why Boromir is alive, how was it that Faramir and
Eowyn met and fell in love in Rohan, and what the heck was Denethor
doing at Eowyn's side when Sauron fell?

This story works as a unit. However, to me it suggests a jumping off
point for a story that Altariel might spin in greater detail in the
future. At least, I hope she will. For starters, I want to know how
incipient king Aragorn and ruling Steward Denethor form their new
government?

Title: Green Magic · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Crossover ·
ID: 312
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-08-08 21:38:06
This tale could have been predictable--modern woman, hiking with her
child in the Northern California redwoods, meets a peculiar forest
ranger. Any Tolkien fan will immediately recognize the ranger as none
other than Tom Bombadil, still alive after all these millenia, and
well-suited to his 21st century occupation. Yes, such a story could be
formulaic. In fact, the woman's adventures are familiar indeed, as is
Tom's warning to her.

I took particular pleasure in the description of the tall redwood
forests, which I, too, have hiked, and know how deep and dark some of
these woods can be (Humboldt Redwoods State Park, for instance). The
story's tension ratchets up as you wonder if the woman will experience
the same horrors as the hobbits in the Old Forest, across the sea and
the ages. And then, just when you think matters have become too
predictable, Gandalf's Apprentice throws you a twist.

A highly recommended, short read.

Title: Soap · Author: Aliana · Genres: Alternate Universe: Gondor or
Rohan · ID: 552
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-08-08 21:38:38
"Soap" might be how Tolkien would have portrayed the siege of Minas
Tirith, had he set Lord of the Rings in the time during which it was
written (World War II and its aftermath). The relation between the
wounded and grieving soldier Beren and the nurse who cared for his
now-dead friend is touching.

Title: Hossis · Author: Fawsley · Genres: Drama: Youth · ID: 520
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-08-08 21:39:59
I reviewed this story before the author filled out the form to
categorize it. I had no idea what era the story belonged to or what
characters and races to expect. Therefore, I had an enjoyable time
trying to figure out the identity of the powerful brothers and the
woman's elderly husband. Turns out I was many, many decades off the
mark. What a shock when Fawsley reveals that what I thought was a
"common person's tale of grief during wartime" is instead a
significant moment in Third Age history.

Title: The Tragedye of Leaflet, Prince of Mirkwood · Author: Jael ·
Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 243
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-08-08 21:42:59
This story is laugh-out-loud priceless. It works if you have a good
knowledge of slash fanon, and works better if you have some knowledge
of Shakespeare. And if you know the 5th act of Hamlet, you are
guaranteed to be rolling in the virtual aisles. Jael has a good grasp
of the Bard and throws in wonderful barbs at Shakespeare as well as
Tolkien slash fanon.

Like a Middle Earth Hamlet and Horatio, Aragorn and Legolas come upon
a group of grave diggers making merry as they prepare a grave for an
elleth named Orofiriel. (Ophelia, anyone?) Seems the unfortunate
she-elf has thrown herself in the river and drowned, all for the lack
of attention from the elf her parents would have her wed: Legolas. The
story commences to explain the reason for the unfortunate elleth's
feelings of neglect. Digs are made at slash fanon, even sly hints at
mpreg, but Jael goes after Shakespeare as well. I really enjoyed how
she handled Shakespeare's stage directions, for example:

[LEGOLAS and ARAGORN exchaynge a nervouse look]

and better yet:

[ARAGORN receiveth ye dirtye look]

Some seminal scenes from Hamlet's fifth act are given a Middle Earth
spin. Legolas contemplates the skull of his servant. The grave diggers
sing rollicking songs, but this time the tune is "Earendil was a
mariner." Best of all, when Orofiliel's father throws himself into
grave, in the style of Polonius, Legolas must do so as well. We are
then treated to a melee in the grave, where everyone tries to one up
the other in how much they love the departed.

"The Tragedye of Leaflet" is not to be missed, especially for those
who enjoy Middle Earth parody.

Title: Burden of Guilt · Author: Linda hoyland · Races: Men · ID: 123
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-08-08 23:43:18
Linda Hoyland lets her angst thing fly in this compelling,
over-the-top tale of a misunderstanding between Faramir and Eomer that
leads to a ring of bizarre consequences. Ya want torture? Ya got
torture. Ya want Faramir weeping buckets? Ya got poor abused Faramir
weeping buckets, and later joined by a hugely pregnant Eowyn weeping
buckets, and a host of other characters riddled by angst for various
reasons. Meantime, poor Aragorn staggers about in exhaustion and
torments himself with guilt and feelings of inadequacy as he tries to
heal them all. Whew. That last sentence will give you an idea of the
pace Linda sets up and barely lets go of throughout a 60 chapter novel.

"Burden of Guilt" required me to suspend my own notions of some major
characters in the Tolkien canon. For example, weepy, defenseless
Faramir and loutish, pig-headed Eomer took some work for me to accept.
Still, I quickly surrendered to the power of Linda's lightning fast
narrative. These somewhat AU characterizations work so well in Linda's
story. If you can accept, and even delight in, Aragorn's Elven
mind-meld healing technique two thirds of the way through, then you
are assured a wonderful time through the remainder of "Burden of Guilt."

Title: In The Shadows I Wait · Author: Pentangle · Genres: Drama:
Youth · ID: 248
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-08-09 03:18:57
What if a sword were sentinent and could chose its owner?In the
mything world this is not quite such a silly question as it might
seem, when we remember tales of swords that only one person could draw
from a scabbard or a tree.
This is the story of how young Aragorn obtains his first sword,or
rather how the sword chooses him.It turns out that the sword and its
owner are well matched given whom it once belonged to.
I liked the idea that it was the least showy of swords which proved
best for Aragorn.
A very unusual ,enjoyable and well written story with some nice
moments for all the major characters.

Title: A Little Knowledge Can Be A Dangerous Thing · Author: Tanaqui ·
Races: Men: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 352
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-08-09 03:19:18
This drabbles are beautifully written and a pure joy to read. They
deal with Arwen's dowery and Faramir's delight in seing the books she
has brought from her father Elrond's library at Rivendell.
Aragorn is all too eager to divert some of the funds otherwise
intended for the Royal Wardrobe towards having the books copied for
Faramir,which provides a delightful thread of humour throughout.

Title: Rage · Author: Deandra · Genres: Drama: Minas Tirith · ID: 353
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-08-09 03:19:38
This is a touching story about the courtship of Eomer and Lothiriel
with an added twist as the writer has roughly based it on the old
fairy tale of the monster transformed by the love of the princess.

Lothiriel has come to Rohan to spend the winter with Eomer and Eowyn
and as a prospective bride. However, Eomer's withdrawn and drunken
behaviour soon makes Lothiriel plan to leave but has not bargained for
the climate of Rohan.

Gradually after an accident Eomer begins to thaw and love blossoms.

I love the way the writer uses the seasons to reflect Eomer's troubled
emotions.

We gradually come to learn what troubles Eomer through the eyes of
Lothiriel.

This is a realiistic portrayal of the horrors of having lived through
war and loss as well as being an enjoyable read.

Title: In the Bloody Cottage · Author: Soubrettina · Races: Men:
Eriador or Rivendell · ID: 581
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-08-09 03:19:54


How bleak the future of Middle Earth would have been, had Aragorn not
survived as the Elves who saved him in this story knew and I believe
Ivorwen did too.

I love Gilraen here, her courage shines through as a brave girl
willing to sacrifice herself for her child. I liked Ivorwen and her
stoicism too and Arathorn's love for his young bride.

My only minor crititicism is the over modern use [he's fine]

A friend recommended this gem to be and I am glad she did as I would
otherwise have overlooked it.

Title: Comes Now The Plaintiff, Frodo Baggins · Author: EdorasLass ·
Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 17
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-08-09 07:05:16
A novel and completely delightful 'real life' interpretation of
certain aspects of the plot of LORD OF THE RINGS, in the form of a
legal complaint, on Frodo's behalf, against Gandalf, Aragorn, and Faramir.

EdorasLass knows her legal forms and this is straight-on accurate. Not
only is the legalese perfect, but there actually is cause for action,
if one applies American law, here. Gandalf's habit of being cryptic
and not telling the whole truth can be used in a suit for the
infliction of emotional distress via magical coercion; Aragorn did put
Frodo in harm's way at Weathertop, and Faramir did take the hobbit
from his appointed path to Henneth Annun and subject him to
interrogation and (more) distress. And when one considers all the
other cross-jurisdictional factors, all sorts of legal hijinks can
ensue. I could almost visualize some shady ambulance-chasing lawyer,
catching up to a weary Frodo after the Ring War and persuading him to
bring suit against all sorts of folks.

I loved the slyness of the "a.k.a."s - Gandalf as "Magneto"
(referencing one of Sir Ian's other movie roles) and "Stoned Old Guy
In the Hat"; poor Faramir as "The Spare", and Aragorn as "Frankie 'The
Hammer' of Pelargir" (which I could actually visualize, don't ask me why).

Chock-full of reasons to chuckle. I personally could not stop laughing
while I read this.

Title: The princess from the sea : a Gondorian fairy-tale · Author:
Fawsley · Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 652
Reviewer: phyloxena · 2007-08-09 10:17:50
I loved it a lot. It is all wrong ;), but fitting. It could be a
fairy-tale of late FA, when the long line of ruling Stewards collapsed
to two or three names.

Title: Thyme is a great healer · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond: Drabble · ID: 723
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-08-10 06:50:16
I love Faramir's tucking the sprig of rosemary into the clasp in
remembrance of Boromir. Faramir has a good life, but he will never
forget his brother. Sam of course, remembers the smells of cooking,
the stewed rabbit, and thinks of traveling through wild Ithilien with
Frodo and Gollum.

Excellent blend of joy, prosperity, and wistful but no longer sad
remembrance.

Title: Harvest Bonfire · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Romance · ID: 667
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-08-10 06:51:02
Good to see Rosie Cotton not written as Super-Mom, or at least as
Super-Mom with Kryptonite in the form of exhaustion from attending to
so many children. The solution, while a temporary one, emphasizes the
strength and close-knit relationships of friend and family.

Credible and touching story.

Title: Behind Every Great Man... · Author: annmarwalk · Times: Mid
Third Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 52
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-08-10 06:56:18
Oh, I love this! Perfect characterisation of Denethor, the
perfectionist bridegroom! The last line is perfect - hey, I have
something in common with the future 26th Steward of Gondor!

Mormegil is a delightful addition to the OC's of Gondor - a quietly
competent, gracious but not obsequious valet to Denethor.

Title: Oliphaunt am I · Author: Elemmire · Races: Hobbits · ID: 768
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-08-10 07:18:36
Fascinating history of how hobbitkind came to know oliphaunt-kind,
through actual sight, lore and legend, and fearful glimpses on
desperate battlefields. I loved the section with Isengar Took, the
original writer of the oliphaunt poem, and his un-hobbitlike travels
farther south than any of his kin (that we know of) - nice use of
canon. I enjoyed the mix of family history, lore, legend and big scary
walking facts.

Title: Through Daeron's Eyes · Author: dancingkatz · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 187
Reviewer: phyloxena · 2007-08-10 08:28:19
I liked both honorable Daeron and pranking Hal, as well as Boromir as
seen through Daeron's adoring eyes. The glimpses of Faramir were few,
but a real treat: it never yet occurred to me that he could have been
a prankster himself, and it makes lots of sense, minding nature of the
ranger warfare and Robin Hood overtones of his ITB appearance. And I'm
certainly grateful for the likable, competent and noble Denethor.
Council scene seems a bit of a parody, probably, intentional. I hope
there will be some development for Daleth and his uncle: so far they
both are generic petty annoyances with disproportional airtime. With
the way they beg for attention, they must either redeem themselves or
turn into real villains. Framing Daeron as Boromir's bastard son is a
nasty idea, but not a productive one, since people who matter know the
truth.
I'm looking forward for the next installment (and it's a relief to
guess from the summary that at least one of the beautiful OCs will
survive the war). Definitely going to follow the updates.

Title: The Turn of the Tide · Author: Altariel · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 72
Reviewer: phyloxena · 2007-08-10 08:54:22
The only successful attempt to show that "if Faramir went to Rivendell
it was better thing" I can recall, and I looked really hard. This
short story is breathtaking, it is true to its pace as a poem should
be, and as precise in tone. From Boromir's "My brother!" to Denethor
staying on the path to kingly gifts, everything is in place. I love
realist!Eowyn who doesn't care for Numenorian mystics (and realist
Denethor who has no use to it), and I wish Altariel had written it
all, or even few more episodes in between... But guess it's to much to
ask for.

Title: Between Crown and Mantle · Author: Marastar · Times: Late Third
Age: 3018-3022 TA · ID: 701
Reviewer: phyloxena · 2007-08-10 09:53:13
A lovely ficlet! There is no analogy between that Faramir and her
Faramir, but a parallel, a recurring theme. I liked the stalling,
chilled quality of Eowyn's introspection.

Title: Lamentable Tidings · Author: rhyselle · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Incomplete · ID: 742
Reviewer: phyloxena · 2007-08-11 07:47:01
Lamentable tidings, indeed. I'm very impatient for the next chapter.
I cannot say I like this story, there is not much to like in it,
really, besides Baramir being alive so far and Denethor being
reasonable (but Gandalf appearing not so, which is sad). But it is
enticing reading, and I hope Farmir will emerge out of his ordeal
alive, even if one-handed. Will Aragorn restore Faramir and so prove
himself acceptable for Denethor?
The parallel between the horn and the bow was very powerful, as well
as glimpses of Sauron; I believe Denethor is too mild at this point,
but he didn't brood upon the cloven horn for three days. Faramir's
misery is beyond belief -- it probably takes supernatural powers to
keep the prisoner out of shock with such manner of interrogation.

Title: On Starless Waters Far Astray · Author: Empy · Genres:
Crossover · ID: 557
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2007-08-11 19:04:45
What an odd, disturbing, and entralling story, at the same time
dreamlike and nightmarish. Telling the tale from Norrington's point of
view draws us in masterfully so that we are share his anger,
frustration, and confusion. Middle-earth is not familiar to us,
neither language nor dress nor even climate. We feel those pinpicks of
unease, just as he does, as his situation becomes increasingly bizarre.

And Imrahil! At first, he reminds me here as nothing so much as a
great cat, toying with his prey. There's no need to treat Norrington
in this manner; he's obviously injured, exhausted, not a threat in the
slightest. Imrahil's air of decadence, his ennui, is quite intriguing
- that he would treat a stranger so, purely for his own entertainment,
without any intimation of lust or anger or even a need to prove
dominance. But at the same time, he seems to be drawn, despite
himself, to the mystifying and mysterious Norrington, as if desire is
the only language in which they might be able to communicate. Yet he
makes no use of Norrington's surrender. Perhaps he had reconsidered,
found these actions to be without honor, and abandoned his dispirited,
not-entirely-willing partner?

The surprising ending adds another surreal element to the tale - that
poor Norrington is doomed to repeat this experience, over and over,
until -- what? Empy gives us no hint at all; we can only each try to
imagine a fitting end. [Review partially cannibalized from the
anonymous one I left at the original post. Did you guess that it was
mine?]