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Msg# 8444
MEFA Reviews for November 26, 2007 (Part 2) Posted by Ann November 26, 2007 - 4:04:35 Topic ID# 8444itle: She Watches · Author: Larner · Races: Hobbits: Gapfiller · ID: 640
Reviewer: White Wolf · 2007-11-25 08:38:10
It was a delight to read this wonderful little piece about Rosie
watching Sam and marveling that she could be the one to hold this hero
of Middle-earth to home and hearth. The tale is told simply but with
touching emotion that is very satisfying. It made me smile.
Title: Crossroads of Time · Author: Ellie · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 382
Reviewer: Nieriel Raina · 2007-11-25 08:56:02
First, I need to say that I do NOT read elf/mortal romances. I just
don't. And I do NOT read modern girl in Middle-earth! Nope, can't
abide them! So, I'm a little perplexed to say thoroughly enjoyed this
story! I would not have read it if not referred by someone else, but I
am glad I did! It takes a lot to impress me when it comes to this kind
of a tale. I actually could not sleep for needing to finish the story
But I was very glad I did so! A most unusual and well done tale! I
applaud Ellie for such a feat.
Title: Frodo's Thoughts - Aragorn · Author: trikywun · Genres: Drama:
General Drabble · ID: 785
Reviewer: White Wolf · 2007-11-25 09:02:08
The questions Frodo has regarding Aragorn are very thought-provoking.
I believe he would wonder about those things concerning the man who
vowed to protect him with his life.
Title: Great Oaks · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance · ID: 319
Reviewer: Nieriel Raina · 2007-11-25 09:03:31
An absolutely beautiful tale. I loved this look into Oropher and his
family. Thranduil's lady was charming. Thranduil himself was adorable
in that dashing way of his. I really liked how you showed the
difference between the Silvan elves and the Sindar coming to the
Greenwood. The differences are very realistically done.
Title: The Rose in the Fisted Glove · Author: Jael · Genres: Drama:
Second Age or Earlier · ID: 240
Reviewer: Nieriel Raina · 2007-11-25 09:09:26
I think this story was the one that started my coming out of the
closet as far as reading slash. I was very hesitant to read one with
Thranduil, but this tale was so much more than a PWP. The characters
were handled with love and the story line went far beyond any bedroom
activities. I really enjoyed it.
Title: Web of Treason · Author: Linda hoyland · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 124
Reviewer: Michelle · 2007-11-25 12:07:24
And the King returned and everyone lived happily ever after... That's
what most fanfiction authors write when they think about Gondor in the
4th Age and maybe that's even what Tolkien envisioned, but if you look
at it realistically it's very unlikely. In history, there are a lot
less kings who died of old age than there are kings who were
assassinated, poisoned, overthrown or otherwise done away with. Add to
that the fact that Aragorn's return as a king is a huge political
change that will most likely cause dissatisfaction amongst certain
groups and you have all the ingredients for Linda's "Web of Treason".
She sends Faramir on a mission to save his king and friend from a
group of conspirators who want back "the good old days". And they
don't fear treason or killing or torturing their king. Of course
Faramir manages to snatch Aragorn from the grasp of those men, but the
reader will soon realize that this is only the beginning of another
kind of torture. Because Faramir had to gain the trust of the
traitors, he now lost the trust of his friend and king. And it seems,
that's the more painful experience for them both.
I always like immersing myself in Linda's stories, because she masters
a wide range of characters with absolute ease. And even though I see
Aragorn differently in some aspects, she makes him believable for me
in her world - and that's the fun of fanfiction! Of course the
relationship between Aragorn and Faramir is at the heart of this
story, but there are also a lot of supporting characters I enjoyed a
lot. I like Linda's view of the Rohirrim, who are stout, realistic and
matter-of-fact. Eowyn (and later Eomer) work as a wonderful contrast
to Aragorn and Faramir, who tend to be so wound up in their honour and
their upbringing that they don't see what's in front of their noses.
All in all, a wonderful tale that had me engrossed from beginning to
end. It ended on a sad and uncertain note, something that will cause
it to reverberate in my mind even longer. The morale is: There are
some things that cannot be undone, cannot be healed. Let's hope Linda
will find a way to give Aragorn and Faramir some hope of closure!
Title: Riders to the Sea · Author: claudia6032000 · Genres: Alternate
Universe: The Shire or Buckland · ID: 158
Reviewer: Michelle · 2007-11-25 12:08:26
Being a fan of AU stories I always like ideas where characters meet
not where they're supposed to meet in canon. I like seeing how they
react to each other under these different circumstances. This story
worked pretty well as an exmple of how a meeting between Aragorn and
Frodo might have happened. We have the adventurous hobbit and the
wounded ranger (cookie points for adding a bit h/c to the mix) and
while Frodo is a bit apprehensive in the beginning, he sure opens up
in the end!
Title: And Not To Yield · Author: Lady Marshy · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 117
Reviewer: Michelle · 2007-11-25 12:09:32
[this review contains spoilers]
This is exactly what fanfiction is for in my opinion. The story very
effectively tests the limits of the universe and explores the
characters by throwing them into a very dark and desperate version of
"The Return of the King". In only 3000 words the author manages to
rearrange canon profoundly: The ring has been taken and the throne of
Gondor has been reclaimed. And now darkness seems to descend upon
Middle Earth.
The story is told from Faramir's POV, who is imprisoned in the hopes
that he will eventually swear allegance to the new king. But he does
not - he witnessed the death of his rangers, witnessed Eomer's death
and in the end he must face his own death proudly. He is not more of a
hero than he has to be. Faramir surely is afraid and he wavers, but it
is exactly that momend of doubt that makes his decision to stand firm
even more admirable. He dies by the sword and nothing more is spoken
of it. There is no timely rescue, no lament. Instead, the author moves
to the one who bears the ring and you can't help but shudder at his
cold indifference.
In a lot of aspects, the story is very subtle - which somehow only
adds to its brutality. The vast backstory is barely sketched out, a
lot of it is left for the reader to imagine (very good, that, since I
dislike everything being spelled out to the last). The fact that the
story is actually slash (Faramir/Eomer) is also woven in quite subtly.
It almost feels like an afterthought in the wake of grander things.
A very powerful story, which definitely got the wheels in my brains
turning. It's a very convincing "what if..."!
Title: Lord Námo's Yule Gift · Author: Fiondil · Genres: Humor · ID: 335
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-11-25 15:03:35
Why isn't it surprising that Merry and Pippin would instigate a
rebellion in the afterlife? ;-) A very cute and funny story. It was
also very touching in Námo's treatment of the souls in his care.
Title: Seen in the Halls of Dwarrowdelf · Author: Aruthir · Races:
Dwarves · ID: 73
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-11-25 15:27:07
Very powerful! I like the warning at the beginning: ["Read my words,
traveller, and despair."]. I could feel the lust for mithril and the
desperation to break through the obsidian wall driving the dwarves in
the rhythm of the lines and the repetition of words. The ending was
very poignant -- you can't help but feel sorry for the dwarves even
though it was their own greed that brought about their destruction.
Title: Romancing the Smut · Author: Llinos · Genres: Poetry: With
Hobbits · ID: 797
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-11-25 15:40:06
I love this! Poor Merry, trying to pour his heart out in a poem to
Éowyn, and Pippin just has to try to be ... helpful? And I like that
Pippin seems to have a talent for making naughty rhymes. ;-)
Title: Comes Now The Plaintiff, Frodo Baggins · Author: EdorasLass ·
Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 17
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-11-25 16:30:28
This is one of the funniest things I've ever read. The legal language
is perfect, which makes it all the more funny because legal language
can be very funny on its own just from the ridiculousness of how
things are worded. A lawsuit makes perfect sense for what poor Frodo
has gone through, because this complaint makes perfectly clear that
the actions of Gandalf, Aragron and Faramir really were that bad! They
abused him, abandoned him and used him! Poor hobbit! I also like the
reference to a similar lawsuit Bilbo brought against Gandalf and
Thorin's Company.
The aliases are hilarious: ["Frankie 'The Hammer' of Pelargir",
"Magneto", "Stoned Old Guy in the Hat"]. There is also insightful
analysis of certain characters -- ["an individual of questionable
mental health called "Tom Bombadil""]. I always suspected that one.
;-) And regarding Faramir -- ["Defendant Faramir took to speaking in a
disjointed, rambling manner, quoting lengthy passages from poems,
while continuing to interrogate Plaintiff Baggins in an unlawful
manner. Exposure to such obvious mania constitutes yet another form of
harassment."], which is hilarious to me because my husband always
complains about that scene in the books, for those very reasons. So
the complaint is spot on! Even Faramir's entrapment of poor Sméagol is
brought up, as the pool of Henneth Annûn was not clearly marked as a
restricted area.
What makes this especially good is that the humor is not forced or
overdone, it just fits together perfectly. I could probably spend all
day quoting out the funny bits, so I'll just say that it's a brilliant
and very funny look at Frodo's point of view of the events.
Title: A Queen Among Farmers' Wives · Author: Imhiriel · Genres:
Humor: Drabble · ID: 635
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-11-25 16:37:34
Funny and sweet. I like the off-key ["ring a dong dillo"] immediately
followed by the swinging rolling pin. Maybe Farmer Maggot has finally
learned to listen to his wife? Probably not. ;-)
Title: Field of Dreams · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Drama · ID: 374
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-11-25 19:09:08
There is a real bittersweet poignancy to this vignette. The
first-person narrative style makes it all seem more immediate, yet the
pace is anything but urgent. The OFC shows us her world slowly,
matter-of-factly, which makes the pain all the worse. And when I think
that this OFC is not extraordinary and that her plight is quite likely
shared by many, I was truly moved. This vignette does a fine job of
bringing home the loss of the Ring War, while at the same time showing
a very developed economic system of Gondor without letting that
override the emotional content. I enjoyed it, so much as one can enjoy
such a sad piece.
Title: Fruition · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Gondor or Rohan · ID: 7
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-11-25 21:55:24
I found this a horrible alternate version of events, but well and
chillingly told, the style clear and consise without ever being
bloodless or perfunctory, but gripping, in fact.
Title: Thirst · Author: sophinisba solis · Races: Hobbits: Vignette ·
ID: 32
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-11-26 00:46:01
Ah, a wonderful series looking at Merry and drinks of water, whether
he's urging them on everyone or thinking of them, or avoiding them for
the moment as he deals with a woman's grief and shock, or feeding them
to Frodo and Sam and Pippin, drop by drop, interspersed with words of
love and caring.
Very poignant.
Title: Justice · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 633
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2007-11-26 02:13:22
Imhiriel has created a fine drabble about Aragorn's freeing of the
slaves of Núrnen. I love the details showing the former slave's
nervousness, and Aragorn's sensitive treatment of him. A very
effective look at a difficult subject. Well done.
Title: A Moment Lost · Author: Fawsley · Races: Men: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 491
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2007-11-26 02:20:50
This is a terrific drabble about Aragorn's assumption of the mantle of
Kingship. I love the way Fawsley shows how it is both no single
defining moment that makes him a king, but a series of events in which
he grows towards kingship - and yet a single moment that demonstrates
he *has* become the King of Gondor: [the shadows of the Dead could
have told him]. The language and structure is clear and powerful, with
a final, satisfying line. Very well put together!
Title: Dragons! · Author: Aranel Took · Races: Hobbits: Drabble · ID: 327
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2007-11-26 02:29:03
Oh, this is a delightful drabble, with wonderful characterisations of
Bilbo, Frodo, Merry and especially Pippin. Aranel Took has perfectly
captured the happy pleasure of telling scary tales in the security of
home, and managed to pull off the difficult trick of being charming
without stooping to sentimentality. The dialogue sparkles, and the
descriptions are vivid. I especially liked the touch of a sleepy Merry
tweaking Pippin's toes! Well done.
Title: Moira · Author: illyria-pffyffin · Races: Hobbits · ID: 676
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2007-11-26 03:56:30
This was a very interesting story, with just a bit of sweetiness to
it. It is fun to see the different ideas that people have about the
how, why and wherefore of the creation of hobbits. I enjoyed this
story very much.
Title: Temptation · Author: Linda hoyland · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851
- 3017 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 419
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2007-11-26 04:40:37
I always figured that Aragorn was fair game for romances before he
plighted his troth to Arwen, but not after. Here it is after, and poor
Aragorn, who must have suffered many such moments over the years,
rises to the challenge of resistance. Nicely done!
Title: Freddy and the Thain's Rabbit · Author: grey_wonderer · Races:
Hobbits · ID: 251
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2007-11-26 05:02:45
I love this story. Errol is such a wonderful character, and Grey
Wonderer tells his stories with such joy and love.
There are some very humorous moments in this, but it is the ending
that gets me. It is sweet but a little sad. It is good to know that
Errol ended up in the care of just the right person.
I really think this is absolutely one of the best stories Grey
Wonderer has written.
Title: Heirloom · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits · ID: 778
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2007-11-26 05:23:25
If family heirlooms could talk, oh the stories they might tell. That's
just what this story does. We get such interesting glimpses of a few
of the personalities of the Took clan, and it's doubly intersting
because most of them in this case are female.
Pearl has done a very good job of tracing a path through then
generations for her heirloom, and she manages to may this little item
a character in itself.
Very nicely done.
Title: Dear · Author: Febobe (Frodo Baggins of Bag End) · Genres:
Drama: The Fellowship · ID: 811
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-11-26 06:00:44
Here's a wonderful vignette that goes beyond Frodo/Sam hurt/comfort to
really get inside Sam's head. I felt I was actually reading the
thoughts of Tolkien's Sam.
Great descriptions of food; which is one of Sam's priorities, as well
as the state of Frodo (emotionally and physically) - another of Sam's
priorities. I loved Sam's recognition of Faramir's help, and Sam's
remarks about the portrait of Finduilas.
Title: Taters and Thyme · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Romance · ID: 499
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-11-26 07:28:53
This was really nice, mixing both interesting descriptions of the
preparation of the meal as well as believable contemplation by Samwise
as he waits for his child's birth. Nice work.
Reviewer: White Wolf · 2007-11-25 08:38:10
It was a delight to read this wonderful little piece about Rosie
watching Sam and marveling that she could be the one to hold this hero
of Middle-earth to home and hearth. The tale is told simply but with
touching emotion that is very satisfying. It made me smile.
Title: Crossroads of Time · Author: Ellie · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 382
Reviewer: Nieriel Raina · 2007-11-25 08:56:02
First, I need to say that I do NOT read elf/mortal romances. I just
don't. And I do NOT read modern girl in Middle-earth! Nope, can't
abide them! So, I'm a little perplexed to say thoroughly enjoyed this
story! I would not have read it if not referred by someone else, but I
am glad I did! It takes a lot to impress me when it comes to this kind
of a tale. I actually could not sleep for needing to finish the story
But I was very glad I did so! A most unusual and well done tale! I
applaud Ellie for such a feat.
Title: Frodo's Thoughts - Aragorn · Author: trikywun · Genres: Drama:
General Drabble · ID: 785
Reviewer: White Wolf · 2007-11-25 09:02:08
The questions Frodo has regarding Aragorn are very thought-provoking.
I believe he would wonder about those things concerning the man who
vowed to protect him with his life.
Title: Great Oaks · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance · ID: 319
Reviewer: Nieriel Raina · 2007-11-25 09:03:31
An absolutely beautiful tale. I loved this look into Oropher and his
family. Thranduil's lady was charming. Thranduil himself was adorable
in that dashing way of his. I really liked how you showed the
difference between the Silvan elves and the Sindar coming to the
Greenwood. The differences are very realistically done.
Title: The Rose in the Fisted Glove · Author: Jael · Genres: Drama:
Second Age or Earlier · ID: 240
Reviewer: Nieriel Raina · 2007-11-25 09:09:26
I think this story was the one that started my coming out of the
closet as far as reading slash. I was very hesitant to read one with
Thranduil, but this tale was so much more than a PWP. The characters
were handled with love and the story line went far beyond any bedroom
activities. I really enjoyed it.
Title: Web of Treason · Author: Linda hoyland · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 124
Reviewer: Michelle · 2007-11-25 12:07:24
And the King returned and everyone lived happily ever after... That's
what most fanfiction authors write when they think about Gondor in the
4th Age and maybe that's even what Tolkien envisioned, but if you look
at it realistically it's very unlikely. In history, there are a lot
less kings who died of old age than there are kings who were
assassinated, poisoned, overthrown or otherwise done away with. Add to
that the fact that Aragorn's return as a king is a huge political
change that will most likely cause dissatisfaction amongst certain
groups and you have all the ingredients for Linda's "Web of Treason".
She sends Faramir on a mission to save his king and friend from a
group of conspirators who want back "the good old days". And they
don't fear treason or killing or torturing their king. Of course
Faramir manages to snatch Aragorn from the grasp of those men, but the
reader will soon realize that this is only the beginning of another
kind of torture. Because Faramir had to gain the trust of the
traitors, he now lost the trust of his friend and king. And it seems,
that's the more painful experience for them both.
I always like immersing myself in Linda's stories, because she masters
a wide range of characters with absolute ease. And even though I see
Aragorn differently in some aspects, she makes him believable for me
in her world - and that's the fun of fanfiction! Of course the
relationship between Aragorn and Faramir is at the heart of this
story, but there are also a lot of supporting characters I enjoyed a
lot. I like Linda's view of the Rohirrim, who are stout, realistic and
matter-of-fact. Eowyn (and later Eomer) work as a wonderful contrast
to Aragorn and Faramir, who tend to be so wound up in their honour and
their upbringing that they don't see what's in front of their noses.
All in all, a wonderful tale that had me engrossed from beginning to
end. It ended on a sad and uncertain note, something that will cause
it to reverberate in my mind even longer. The morale is: There are
some things that cannot be undone, cannot be healed. Let's hope Linda
will find a way to give Aragorn and Faramir some hope of closure!
Title: Riders to the Sea · Author: claudia6032000 · Genres: Alternate
Universe: The Shire or Buckland · ID: 158
Reviewer: Michelle · 2007-11-25 12:08:26
Being a fan of AU stories I always like ideas where characters meet
not where they're supposed to meet in canon. I like seeing how they
react to each other under these different circumstances. This story
worked pretty well as an exmple of how a meeting between Aragorn and
Frodo might have happened. We have the adventurous hobbit and the
wounded ranger (cookie points for adding a bit h/c to the mix) and
while Frodo is a bit apprehensive in the beginning, he sure opens up
in the end!
Title: And Not To Yield · Author: Lady Marshy · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 117
Reviewer: Michelle · 2007-11-25 12:09:32
[this review contains spoilers]
This is exactly what fanfiction is for in my opinion. The story very
effectively tests the limits of the universe and explores the
characters by throwing them into a very dark and desperate version of
"The Return of the King". In only 3000 words the author manages to
rearrange canon profoundly: The ring has been taken and the throne of
Gondor has been reclaimed. And now darkness seems to descend upon
Middle Earth.
The story is told from Faramir's POV, who is imprisoned in the hopes
that he will eventually swear allegance to the new king. But he does
not - he witnessed the death of his rangers, witnessed Eomer's death
and in the end he must face his own death proudly. He is not more of a
hero than he has to be. Faramir surely is afraid and he wavers, but it
is exactly that momend of doubt that makes his decision to stand firm
even more admirable. He dies by the sword and nothing more is spoken
of it. There is no timely rescue, no lament. Instead, the author moves
to the one who bears the ring and you can't help but shudder at his
cold indifference.
In a lot of aspects, the story is very subtle - which somehow only
adds to its brutality. The vast backstory is barely sketched out, a
lot of it is left for the reader to imagine (very good, that, since I
dislike everything being spelled out to the last). The fact that the
story is actually slash (Faramir/Eomer) is also woven in quite subtly.
It almost feels like an afterthought in the wake of grander things.
A very powerful story, which definitely got the wheels in my brains
turning. It's a very convincing "what if..."!
Title: Lord Námo's Yule Gift · Author: Fiondil · Genres: Humor · ID: 335
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-11-25 15:03:35
Why isn't it surprising that Merry and Pippin would instigate a
rebellion in the afterlife? ;-) A very cute and funny story. It was
also very touching in Námo's treatment of the souls in his care.
Title: Seen in the Halls of Dwarrowdelf · Author: Aruthir · Races:
Dwarves · ID: 73
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-11-25 15:27:07
Very powerful! I like the warning at the beginning: ["Read my words,
traveller, and despair."]. I could feel the lust for mithril and the
desperation to break through the obsidian wall driving the dwarves in
the rhythm of the lines and the repetition of words. The ending was
very poignant -- you can't help but feel sorry for the dwarves even
though it was their own greed that brought about their destruction.
Title: Romancing the Smut · Author: Llinos · Genres: Poetry: With
Hobbits · ID: 797
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-11-25 15:40:06
I love this! Poor Merry, trying to pour his heart out in a poem to
Éowyn, and Pippin just has to try to be ... helpful? And I like that
Pippin seems to have a talent for making naughty rhymes. ;-)
Title: Comes Now The Plaintiff, Frodo Baggins · Author: EdorasLass ·
Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 17
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-11-25 16:30:28
This is one of the funniest things I've ever read. The legal language
is perfect, which makes it all the more funny because legal language
can be very funny on its own just from the ridiculousness of how
things are worded. A lawsuit makes perfect sense for what poor Frodo
has gone through, because this complaint makes perfectly clear that
the actions of Gandalf, Aragron and Faramir really were that bad! They
abused him, abandoned him and used him! Poor hobbit! I also like the
reference to a similar lawsuit Bilbo brought against Gandalf and
Thorin's Company.
The aliases are hilarious: ["Frankie 'The Hammer' of Pelargir",
"Magneto", "Stoned Old Guy in the Hat"]. There is also insightful
analysis of certain characters -- ["an individual of questionable
mental health called "Tom Bombadil""]. I always suspected that one.
;-) And regarding Faramir -- ["Defendant Faramir took to speaking in a
disjointed, rambling manner, quoting lengthy passages from poems,
while continuing to interrogate Plaintiff Baggins in an unlawful
manner. Exposure to such obvious mania constitutes yet another form of
harassment."], which is hilarious to me because my husband always
complains about that scene in the books, for those very reasons. So
the complaint is spot on! Even Faramir's entrapment of poor Sméagol is
brought up, as the pool of Henneth Annûn was not clearly marked as a
restricted area.
What makes this especially good is that the humor is not forced or
overdone, it just fits together perfectly. I could probably spend all
day quoting out the funny bits, so I'll just say that it's a brilliant
and very funny look at Frodo's point of view of the events.
Title: A Queen Among Farmers' Wives · Author: Imhiriel · Genres:
Humor: Drabble · ID: 635
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-11-25 16:37:34
Funny and sweet. I like the off-key ["ring a dong dillo"] immediately
followed by the swinging rolling pin. Maybe Farmer Maggot has finally
learned to listen to his wife? Probably not. ;-)
Title: Field of Dreams · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Drama · ID: 374
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-11-25 19:09:08
There is a real bittersweet poignancy to this vignette. The
first-person narrative style makes it all seem more immediate, yet the
pace is anything but urgent. The OFC shows us her world slowly,
matter-of-factly, which makes the pain all the worse. And when I think
that this OFC is not extraordinary and that her plight is quite likely
shared by many, I was truly moved. This vignette does a fine job of
bringing home the loss of the Ring War, while at the same time showing
a very developed economic system of Gondor without letting that
override the emotional content. I enjoyed it, so much as one can enjoy
such a sad piece.
Title: Fruition · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Gondor or Rohan · ID: 7
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-11-25 21:55:24
I found this a horrible alternate version of events, but well and
chillingly told, the style clear and consise without ever being
bloodless or perfunctory, but gripping, in fact.
Title: Thirst · Author: sophinisba solis · Races: Hobbits: Vignette ·
ID: 32
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-11-26 00:46:01
Ah, a wonderful series looking at Merry and drinks of water, whether
he's urging them on everyone or thinking of them, or avoiding them for
the moment as he deals with a woman's grief and shock, or feeding them
to Frodo and Sam and Pippin, drop by drop, interspersed with words of
love and caring.
Very poignant.
Title: Justice · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 633
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2007-11-26 02:13:22
Imhiriel has created a fine drabble about Aragorn's freeing of the
slaves of Núrnen. I love the details showing the former slave's
nervousness, and Aragorn's sensitive treatment of him. A very
effective look at a difficult subject. Well done.
Title: A Moment Lost · Author: Fawsley · Races: Men: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 491
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2007-11-26 02:20:50
This is a terrific drabble about Aragorn's assumption of the mantle of
Kingship. I love the way Fawsley shows how it is both no single
defining moment that makes him a king, but a series of events in which
he grows towards kingship - and yet a single moment that demonstrates
he *has* become the King of Gondor: [the shadows of the Dead could
have told him]. The language and structure is clear and powerful, with
a final, satisfying line. Very well put together!
Title: Dragons! · Author: Aranel Took · Races: Hobbits: Drabble · ID: 327
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2007-11-26 02:29:03
Oh, this is a delightful drabble, with wonderful characterisations of
Bilbo, Frodo, Merry and especially Pippin. Aranel Took has perfectly
captured the happy pleasure of telling scary tales in the security of
home, and managed to pull off the difficult trick of being charming
without stooping to sentimentality. The dialogue sparkles, and the
descriptions are vivid. I especially liked the touch of a sleepy Merry
tweaking Pippin's toes! Well done.
Title: Moira · Author: illyria-pffyffin · Races: Hobbits · ID: 676
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2007-11-26 03:56:30
This was a very interesting story, with just a bit of sweetiness to
it. It is fun to see the different ideas that people have about the
how, why and wherefore of the creation of hobbits. I enjoyed this
story very much.
Title: Temptation · Author: Linda hoyland · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851
- 3017 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 419
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2007-11-26 04:40:37
I always figured that Aragorn was fair game for romances before he
plighted his troth to Arwen, but not after. Here it is after, and poor
Aragorn, who must have suffered many such moments over the years,
rises to the challenge of resistance. Nicely done!
Title: Freddy and the Thain's Rabbit · Author: grey_wonderer · Races:
Hobbits · ID: 251
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2007-11-26 05:02:45
I love this story. Errol is such a wonderful character, and Grey
Wonderer tells his stories with such joy and love.
There are some very humorous moments in this, but it is the ending
that gets me. It is sweet but a little sad. It is good to know that
Errol ended up in the care of just the right person.
I really think this is absolutely one of the best stories Grey
Wonderer has written.
Title: Heirloom · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits · ID: 778
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2007-11-26 05:23:25
If family heirlooms could talk, oh the stories they might tell. That's
just what this story does. We get such interesting glimpses of a few
of the personalities of the Took clan, and it's doubly intersting
because most of them in this case are female.
Pearl has done a very good job of tracing a path through then
generations for her heirloom, and she manages to may this little item
a character in itself.
Very nicely done.
Title: Dear · Author: Febobe (Frodo Baggins of Bag End) · Genres:
Drama: The Fellowship · ID: 811
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-11-26 06:00:44
Here's a wonderful vignette that goes beyond Frodo/Sam hurt/comfort to
really get inside Sam's head. I felt I was actually reading the
thoughts of Tolkien's Sam.
Great descriptions of food; which is one of Sam's priorities, as well
as the state of Frodo (emotionally and physically) - another of Sam's
priorities. I loved Sam's recognition of Faramir's help, and Sam's
remarks about the portrait of Finduilas.
Title: Taters and Thyme · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Romance · ID: 499
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-11-26 07:28:53
This was really nice, mixing both interesting descriptions of the
preparation of the meal as well as believable contemplation by Samwise
as he waits for his child's birth. Nice work.
If you have any questions about the archive, or would like to report a technical problem, please contact Aranel (former MEFA Tech Support and current Keeper of the Archive) at araneltook@mefawards.org or at the MEFA Archive group..