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Title: Daybreak · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 705
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-10-02 02:42:27
What a lovely awakening it must have been, to come from such frightful
dark and realize how much good was still in the world and that they
would have a chance to live those brighter days.

Title: A Mother's Touch · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 44
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-10-02 02:53:07
This is delightful, even through the detailed author's notes. We have
so few stories of Smaug and while I don't usually put baby-days or
childhoods of the characters as my first choice, I found this to be
engaging, unusual enough and well-written to pull me deep enough into
the story, I stumbled at the much too short ending. I love your mother
dragon's voice and the deep, intimate point of view. Readfah's
scolding is priceless. I'd love to see more of this one.

Title: A Life Between II · Author: Elen Kortirion · Genres: Romance:
Drabble · ID: 445
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-10-02 03:24:26
This gave me the shivers reading it. You draw a picture with your
words that is difficult to NOT see. And difficult to read without
pleasure. LOL

The last line, of course, brings it all home. Their love so fervent,
so deep, so strong. Like two great mountains - and yet, even great
mountains, can be worn away by a little water.... or a little blood.

Thank you. *goes off to weap*

Title: Where There's Life, There's Hope (and in need of vittles) ·
Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble · ID: 463
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-10-02 03:40:04
Oh! I like this one very much. One of the poignant pieces of the
pre-battle preparations that disturbed me - was where Pip receives so
little food for his poor Hobbit stomach. How long, I wondered, had the
people been put on rations? What affect did this have on them? It was
heartening to read that Aragorn was heartened by the simple smell of
bread. NOTHING is better than the smell of fresh baked bread - and to
have it at the beginning of a day that still portends grave deeds to
discuss and plan - very, very nice!

Title: With No Pity · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Villains:
Drabble · ID: 391
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-10-02 03:43:22
Great twist! Bravo! I was definitely 'fooled' by the antagonist in
this tale. Although one expects to 'see' the Enemy's servants doing
such things - but no, 'twas not the Enemy.... 'twas the friend. I
always knew one should not entirely trust Elves. Again, great twist
and totally unexpected. Well written.

Title: Stone of the King · Author: Rowan · Races: Hobbits: Drabble ·
ID: 309
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-10-02 03:46:53
Yikes! Great sentiments. I can see Frodo thinking this. The dear lad
is depicted shamelessly sometimes as so full of melancholy that he can
barely think. I very much like the fact that he contemplates the
history of what he now bears. I wonder if he ever considered that he
might suffer the same fate as the one depicted in that cold statue.

Title: Three Cups of Kindness · Author: Elen Kortirion · Times:
Multi-Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 448
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-10-02 03:55:43
I hope to never really know what it means to kill another... even a
terrible one, or one such as an Orc. Estel definitely wishes now that
he had not had to do the act... though necessary. And I loved the play
on words of the last line of the first drabble... Bitter indeed.

Oh good grief. You undue me with the second one. Again, war causes
such pain. To know he cannot save everyone. As King, he should be able
to. Bitter indeed!

And then the last one - unkind is death for mere mortals. It took me a
moment or two to realize the who, why, what and where of this... but
after I re-read it and realized it was Aragorn's own impending death
that he drank to... beautiful and bitter indeed for the both of them.

The use of the same two words at the beginning of each drabble is
perfect... sets a mood and a profoundness. And that the word 'bitter'
returns again and again... very nice.

Title: The Tolkienian War on Science · Author: Doc Bushwell · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 444
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-10-02 03:56:10
I thoroughly enjoyed this essay - not only was it well though-out and
well-argued, but it was told at a fast enough clip that I enjoyed
reading it all the way through. That's not always the case with
essays, even fannish ones. (Would that professional summarisers like
Cliffs' notes writers would do as good a job, actually.) I had not
noticed just how deep Tolkien's anti-science sentiment went at times,
but having read this it seems so obvious.

The comment that science was neither moral or immoral did make me
think. While science itself may be amoral, it seems less clear that
*scientists* are amoral. Doc. B, how do the ideas you developed in
your Los Alamos story fit into this, I wonder? And now you have me
wondering how Tolkien would feel about science if Feanor had in fact
given the Silmarils to the Valar - would the science that had allowed
the Trees to be reborn still be viewed so critically.

In any event - a great look at an undertreated topic. Thanks for
looking at this.

Title: Reconcilation · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama · ID: 86
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-10-02 03:56:22
This story really has a lot to recommend it. I have not read the other
stories in the Best Loved Sons arc the author refers to in her first
chapter, but I did not found myself lost. I'm sure there were some
things I would have appreciated more with more knowledge of the
backstory, but the fact that I enjoyed it on its own merits is praise
in itself. Then there are the references to Andrahar's deeds in Harad
which are perhaps not strictly necessary but do such a great job of
developing a more intricate world. And I loved Aldan and his wife. I
liked the idea that Dol Amroth was a meritocracy to an extent, but
loved how Dwim captures the stresses this later knighthood would bring
with it.

Really, there are lots of little details that just make this story
zing. It's a great portrait of coming of age and learning to live with
(and past) what you've done that you wish you could change.

Title: A Very Rain of Sparrows · Author: Dwimordene · Races: Men · ID: 440
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-10-02 03:56:31
In the summary of this story, Dwim calls "A Very Rain of Sparrows" a
parable, which for me really sets the tone for the whole story. That
really set the tone for me as I reread this story for these awards. I
don't mean to suggest that "A Very Rain of Sparrows" is preachy, or
that the characters and plot was two-dimensional (something I often
associate with parables). The plot is involved with each incident
meaningful, and each of the characters has their own humiliations. But
the story's pathos is not about certain canonical fictional
characters. It's certainly rooted in Middle-earth by details and makes
a poignant commentary on the period and Gondor's racial attitudes, but
the meat of the story says just as much about very real situations in
our own world. It got this reader thinking about inequalities and just
how many ways there are to wear down the human spirit -- which is
hardly a light or "happy" topic, but it is executed masterfully here,
in a story that left me feeling drained but also in some sense
fulfilled, and certainly contemplative. I'm not sure I'd recommend
this for a quick read on a Saturday night, but for people who enjoy
stories with a bit of meat to them, I wouldn't miss this one.

Title: End Times · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble
· ID: 702
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-02 04:25:52
As readers of ROTK, we could turn the pages and know all the events
surrounding the Siege of Gondor. But the people of Minas Tirith would
have no certainty of the Rohirrim's coming, and could only form an
incomplete picture of events, particularly the non-combatants such as
those who worked in the Houses of Healing. Ann brings the uncertainty
and fear, the horror at the fires of Rath Dinen and Faramir's arrival
at the Houses. The last line is absolutely wonderful, as if Tolkien
himself had written it.

Title: The Smile That Wins · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 258
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-02 04:35:09
This is a well-written ficlet that deals with Faramir's observations
of Eowyn in the Houses of Healing.

Faramir's skill at observing and understanding people is brought to
light here, without being over-obvious; just as Tolkien did in The Two
Towers. I really like his vision of Eowyn being different from the way
the Rohirrim view their White Lady; he is seeing her spirit, not the
bruised, cool outer layer that she is showing to the world.

Wonderful fire-and-ice imagery, very apt. And I like the Byron snippet
at the end; from which the title is taken - very appropriate.

Title: Leaf Subsides to Leaf · Author: Ignoble Bard · Genres: Drama:
Elves in Later Ages · ID: 105
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-10-02 04:42:53
This is a nice take on this sub-genre story of Legolas's and
Thranduil's final parting. What I especially like is the subtlety of
gestures--the two aren't all tearful at raging at each other, and the
way they are portrayed was especially moving.

Title: Coda · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Second Age: Drabble · ID: 627
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-10-02 05:16:21
Oh, this caught me quite by surprise! As a writer and musician, the
concept of the Noldolante is something I've thought about a great
deal, and I like the idea that a copy of it travelled (and indeed,
through) Numenor very much. It's moving, but also tragic that history
really does repeat itself. And I loved the little hints like the fact
that Elros is called "Earendilion" - the son of Earendil, not the son
of his Feanorian foster-fathers. So much packed into 100 words! It
really is a nice slice of Middle-earth.

Title: Justice · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 633
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-10-02 05:16:41
Oh, this was nice! It's a mark of Aragorn's high character that he
feels compassion even for a people so alien, and you captured that well.

Title: Of Echoes of Bruinen · Author: Berzerker Prime · Races: Elves ·
ID: 345
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-02 05:57:11
Intriguing vignette based on the scene from the movie of FOTR where
Arwen flees the Nazgul with Frodo and raises the waters against her
pursuers - the writer restores the balance of power where it belongs,
without doing a disservice to Arwen.

LOTR Movie-buffs and bookaphiles should both enjoy the piece.

Title: Separation · Author: dancingkatz · Races: Elves · ID: 757
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-02 06:20:19
There's something almost magical in the appeal of Elrond's twin sons
to Tolkien fanfiction writers. Tolkien sketched the outlines of
Elladan and Elrohir, and seems to have left the rest to his readers'
imaginations.

In this story, we meet not the grim warriors of LOTR, but the twins as
two young children, separated for the first time in their lives, and
feeling bereft. One of the twins gets into trouble, and both are
imperilled. The idea that one twin feels the other's pain works well
in the story. The twins' vulnerability and mutual love is sensitively
written here.

Fans of angst and Valar lore should enjoy the tale.

Title: Burning Your Bridges · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Poetry · ID: 125
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-02 06:27:22

Ooh, I just love this beautiful poem! I have no idea how it conforms
to the conventions of poetry; but the narrative just sings (and roars,
by turns), and pulls me with it all the way. It's like a battle-song,
or a very short saga.

The dark-light-flame motif is well-written; [trail of sparks], thrown
torch, [light flares], [the river's black surface], etc. And the bit
about the [dome of stars] is a great play on words with the meaning of
Osgiliath's name itself.

The poem manages to be both elegant and compelling; bringing the
reader straight into the end of the battle for Osgiliath at Faramir's
side. And Faramir's role in the battle is very credible; the poem
easily conveys his physical effort and technical expertise.

Branwyn's skill with all narrative forms continues to amaze and
delight me. Lesser writers might take two thousand words to pack in so
much punch along with the lovely language; but she manages to tie it
all into a small but mighty package. (mixing metaphors here)


Title: Gold Rings and Sam · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Poetry · ID: 501
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-02 06:28:02
In this ficlet, Branwyn sets the late Dr. Seuss and J.R.R. Tolkien
spinning in their graves; but they would be spinning with laughter at
this maniacal fusion.

The piece is like something I'd expect if Dr. Seuss and Prof. Tolkien
went out and had a few too many at the Eagle and Child - totally
wacky, but making a strange kind of sense, mixing the words of Faramir
and Sam from the Ithilien chapters of TTT with the Dr. Seuss poem. I
began to feel very, very sorry for Faramir - he probably would have
preferred to go out and fight more Haradrim than keep up the verbal
fencing with the annoyingly persistant halfling.

Now I'm wondering where Branwyn got the Ent-draughts - something's got
her writing on a whole new wavelength here; fresh and zany all at once.

Good fun all around.


Title: A Twist of Fate · Author: LydiaB · Times: First Age and Prior ·
ID: 478
Reviewer: Robinka · 2007-10-02 07:45:13
This is a lovely and bittersweet story. In so few words, Lydia
conveyed a wide range of emotions and gave us a glimpse at the city
under siege. In the time of terror and fear, Glorfidel sought a moment
of peace and privacy in the arms of his beloved. Around them, the
world was on fire, but despite the tragedy, exhaustion and death, they
tried to find a bit of comfort in the love they shared. Lydia captured
that moment in a very subtle way.

I've always admired those authors who can present a complex and
emotional scene working with the limitation of words. And I think that
Lydia's story, even though it is not a true drabble, is a splendid
example of a short and very touching story that can move a reader to
the point of tears. The last line is very powerful and heart-wrenching.

On a more personal note, this story is special to me because it was
written as a gift. Thank you, Lydia. Wonderfully done!

Title: The Inner Light · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama: Elves in
Later Ages · ID: 236
Reviewer: Robinka · 2007-10-02 11:51:34
Now, where to start? I'm thoroughly impressed at how Rhapsody conveyed
the span of Erestor's adult life in a one-chapter story. She did an
amazing job of developing his character and adding an entirely new
dimension to the image of him I've had. She created such a magnificent
portrayal of an elf who is a popular character in fanfiction, yet we
don't know much about him. Her story brought a fully rounded,
well-developed characterization presented in Erestor's thoughts, the
images of his past, the memories he shared and in the descriptions of
those who were dear to him. We could see a noble, loyal, valiant and
caring person, who was wrapped in grief and the loss of those he once
loved. She conveyed such a wide range of his emotions, from sadness to
anger, from happiness to despair in a one-shot, which is a great task
to accomplish.

Then, Maglor -- one of Rhapsody's favorite characters. She simply did
him justice, in my opinion. I'm always amazed at how easily she can
crawl under his skin. Her stories shine with love for the second son
of Feanor and it is not different in this one. Maglor is always
fleshed out wonderfully. His important role is magnified by very
powerful and evocative lines, just as in this story: [The everlasting
darkness is my fate and my burden to carry alone.]. The writing style
is superb.

All in all, this was and absolutely awesome, touching, heart-warming
and beautifully done piece of fanfiction.

Title: Wings · Author: ErinRua · Genres: Romance: With Rohirrim · ID: 9
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2007-10-02 12:26:53
Your Eomer is always lovely, Erin, but I did like this take on Imrahil
as well. I've always thought the two of them got on well together,
perhaps because of their mutual love of horses, but this shared
introspective moment proves that there is more to the relationship
than that. Imrahil comes away from this moment realizing that there is
more to his future son-in-law than a bold, brash, courageous warrior,
and that the jewel of his house is in safe hands. Lovely description
of the sea and its effect on Eomer and of Imrahil as a father of
strong sons. I don't know how I missed this one first time around, I
usually leap on anything with Imrahil in it, but I'm glad I found it
at last!

Title: Duty Bound · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance: Pre-Ring War ·
ID: 212
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-10-02 12:56:54
Framed as a Fellowship story, Pippin asks Boromir an innocently
personal question: is he married?

Boromir's answer is a surprise to the reader, and as we follow his
memories back to the occasion of his brief and tragic marriage, we
begin to see that this is an all too plausible scenario--that Denethor
would have made an arranged marriage for his son in order to secure
the line of the Stewards, and that Boromir would have acceded to it.

We see Boromir's efforts to please his bride, though he is quite
unsure of how to go about it, and her efforts to be a good wife, in
spite of her own problems. I really loved Imrahil and his family in
this, the way they helped the young couple begin to appreciate one
another.

But of course, just as the relationship begun out of duty begins to
bloom into the possiblity of mutual love, tragedy strikes.

This is a very striking and thought-provoking story, very believable
in all its circumstances, and adds a lot of depth to the reader's
perception of Boromir.

Title: Irreverence · Author: Aratlithiel · Genres: Humor · ID: 619
Reviewer: White Gull · 2007-10-02 13:15:14
I've loved this ficlet since I first read it. To me, it's perfect
post-quest Frodo and Pippin. The banter is witty, the sentiment is
true and the result is sweet and comforting, in the long run. There's
just enough angst to keep it from being too light in tone. I'd love to
read more stories like this one.

Title: Shadows of a Nameless Fear · Author: Budgielover · Genres:
Adventure: Minas Tirith · ID: 766
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-10-02 13:42:35
Budgie specializes in adventurous cliff-hanging gap-fillers. In this
one, set in post-Quest Minas Tirith, an attempted abduction of the
Ringbearer turns into a life-and-death situation: Pippin manages to
sacrifice himself in a seriously injured Frodo's place.

The pace is thrilling, with one peril succeeding another, but what I
like best of this is the way all four of the hobbits are allowed to
shine. Frodo does not meekily submit, but fights back against his
captors; Pippin very nearly rescues his cousin single-handedly, though
Frodo's injuries prevent him from succeeding; Merry takes one of the
villains down with a ferocity to be expected from a Rider of Rohan;
and Sam, in spite of injuries to himself, manages to keep at Frodo's
side with the same stubbornness that took him to Mount Doom.

And in the end, the one who rescues Pippin is completely unexpected.