Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Escape · Author: Bodkin · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 - 3017 TA
· ID: 24
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-03 04:28:23
A fairly simple story: an unnamed injured Dunadan falls in with a
patrol of Elves in Mirkwood, as he takes a mysterious message from
Mithrandir to Rhadagast. Yet it is not really all that simple--there
are all sorts of lovely cross-currents and hints for the astute reader
to make guesses scattered delightfully through the narrative, like
Easter Eggs.

We never actually learn who the Ranger is, nor the Elves for that
matter. But we get to see them interacting, and it is a study in
cross-cultural relations. The Ranger is able to appreciate *these*
Elves in a way he has not appreciated Elves he has known before. And
the leader of the Elven party learns to have a bit more respect for Men.

Very skillfully written, and very enjoyable to read!

Title: Falling Into Shadow · Author: Marigold · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Incomplete · ID: 205
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-03 04:28:49
[spoiler]
Merry was exposed to the Black Breath three times before he ever
reached Rivendell with the others: Bree, Weathertop, and at the Ford.
In this story, Marigold deals with the consequences of that exposure--
as Pippin frantically seeks help for his cousin.

I really like this take on the idea that the Black Breath is
cumulative, and that Merry has taken on more than he knew in his
encounters with the Nazgul.

Marigold has indicated that there is still more to come in this story,
and I certainly hope there is--I would like to see more of it very much!

Title: First Flight · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 513
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-03 04:29:19
A very nice vignette, invigorating, amusing and insightful! There
really are not enough Eagle stories out there!

Title: "Dumpling" · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor: The Shire
or Buckland · ID: 777
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-03 04:30:06
Dumpling the sheep is in a fair way to becoming as famous as Errol the
rabbit. This is her first story, in which she gets the better of a
rather rattled young Brandybuck.

While Merry's insults to the sheep are hilarious, the best dialogue
comes from the exchanges with Merry's cousin Pearl, as a worried young
Pippin has several interjections.

Poor Merry. When it comes to farm animals, he just can't win.

Title: Lost in Translation · Author: sophinisba solis · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 31
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-03 04:30:36
This is such an insightful story, and deals with what would have been
a major problem for Merry and Pippin those first few days in
Rivendell, as Frodo hovered between life and death, and those whom
they knew--Gandalf, Strider, Sam--were all pre-occupied with Frodo
himself. Who would be willing to answer their anxious questions?
Imagine having a loved on in critical condition in a foreign hospital,
where almost no one spoke your language? Sophi captures the
frightening anxiety beautifully in a very tight POV, focussed on Pippin.

And when Frodo is better, he is able to help Pippin deal with all
those feelings of being small and inconsequential among big and
strange folks who could not be bothered to give him an answer. The
love and admiration Pippin has for Frodo is so clear, as is Frodo's
own love for his youngest cousin.

The prose is beautiful, the characterizations are spot on.

And the ending is gorgeous!

Title: The Oarsman · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 357
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-12-03 05:36:27
[spoilers]

These highly atmospheric drabbles vividly convey the plight of the
Corsair's captavies and their joy when released by Aragorn. I love the
contrast between the living dead and the Army of the Dead.
Aragorn knows how to win the deserved love of his people.

Title: Safe In My Arms · Author: Fiondil · Genres: Drama · ID: 470
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-12-03 05:47:22
[spoilers]

A touching story concerning Faramir's reunion with his brother and
father in the afterlife.. Only the wronged younger son can free his
father and even then self realisation only slowly comes to Denethor.

I loved it that Faramir greeted a Valar with the same words as he
greeted Aragorn.

This story poignantly remined me that Faramir was the only one of his
family to die aged and honoured.

Title: Drawing Straight With Crooked Lines · Author: Fiondil · Genres:
Drama · ID: 76
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-12-03 05:50:35
I enjoyed this well written and touching story very much.You clearly
show how everything happened as it was meant to and Higher Powers were
at work, which is a key factor in Tolkien's universe..


Title: Debbie Does The Two Towers · Author: GypsieRose · Genres:
Alternate Universe · ID: 747
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-12-03 06:19:54
What a pleasure it was to revisit the world of Debbie, the Mary Sue to
end all Mary Sues, who tumbles into Middle Earth again, after her
adventures in "Debbie Does the Fellowship." This second installment of
the parody trilogy was completed during the initial rush of fan
adulation and resultant fanfic that accompanied the release of the
LOTR films.

Our wonderful heroine is based on the inimitable star of the notorious
1970s porno flick, "Debbie Does Dallas," who can't say no to the
Dallas Cowboys. As the perfect self insertion, Gypsy Rose's Debbie is
gorgeous and willing, and, in obligatory Mary Sue fashion, has the
preternatural ability to kick butt. She firmly believes in sexual
healing, and the authors regale us with tons of innuendo in this
regard. However, Debbie's exploits are not described with words, only
with winks, letting us instead imagine what Debbie might be doing with
Aragorn, Pippin, Legolas, Gandalf, Elrond, Arwen (!)...the list is
endless.

Though the parody follows the Two Towers film for the most part,
characters that are book-only, like Glorfindel and Elrond's sons pop
up to be skewered by the authors' wit. Other victims include
Victoria's Secret, laptop computers, LOTR and other fan fiction
cliches, and bad poets. My favorite moment was Treebeard's ode in
honor of Debbie, a perfect satire on the awful poem "Trees" that many
in the English-speaking world had to learn in school.

I love good comedy and particularly enjoy parodies of my favorite
books, films, songs, and so on. Debbie Does the Two Towers is a
shining example of the parody form. I laughed consistantly through all
18 chapters.

Title: Crossing · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Gondor Drabble · ID: 693
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-03 08:33:29
Very atmopheric writing. The mood of the scene is captured with a
great depth of detail, focussing on the small things, the things that
are there and gone in the blink of an eye: the ferryman's eyes
catching the light for a moment, the dark ripples flowing by, the
occasional splash.

The scenery is captured equally well; I particularly admired how you
brought out the different "textures" that form this natural environment.

I thought the beginning, the ["dark ripples"], this slightly eerie
feel of the journey, very appropriate for this for Faramir unknown
land held mostly by the Enemy - like a journey into the "heart of
darkness".

Title: Free and Gay · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 81
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-03 08:34:00
Vivid setting, and good characterisation.

The feast the soldiers are celebrating in the field is painted with
clear, lively language, especially the dancing.

The interaction between the brothers was very natural, conveying the
deep bond between them, and I very much liked the dialogue.

Boromir's reason about why he eschews all the maidens trying to
capture a prize is stated in a delightfully subtle way, that yet
leaves room for more than one interpretation.

Title: Promises to Keep · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Times: Early Third
Age: 1-2850 TA · ID: 321
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-03 08:34:22
Very atmospheric description of the still, mist-enshrouded forest.

Thranduil's thoughts and feelings are captured well, and they paint a
clear picture of Oropher and the bond between father and son.

I like how initally the reader are lead to believe the ghostly
apparition might be one of the malignant Houseless Spirits - all the
more then to feel relieved and moved when it turns out be quite
another, much more benign and comforting manifestation.

Title: Standards · Author: Marta · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: General Drabble · ID: 541
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-03 08:36:07
The formal style of the dialogue fits well with the slightly hightened
tone of the narrative of the drabble, just as if it could be joined
neatly to the corresponding passage in the books.

And although it *is* so formal, the emotions and the poignancy of this
moment is conveyed very tangibly.

Halbarad's pride and steadfast faith in the success of their
endeavour, and his complete surety that Arwen will become his queen is
beautiful to behold, regardless of whether he already knew at that
time that he would not live to see it (or even *because* of it).

I also very much liked the unspoken but very noticeable trust between
Arwen and her beloved's kinsman.

Title: Charcoal, Stone and Cloud · Author: shadow975 · Races: Men ·
ID: 610
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-03 08:36:42
Lovely descriptions, and fine characterisations. The interaction
between Aragorn and Boromir is close and intimate, yet still with a
touch of awkwardness that feels very right at this point in time, and
considering their personalities (and Aragorn's secrets).

I like how Aragorn's memories are interwoven into the narrative even
before he reveals himself to Boromir - it gives the story the
opportunity to show some episodes of Boromir as a little child without
the "interruption" of some present reaction.

The memories themselves are told in a very warm, beautifully nostalgic
tone.

The conversation about Faramir reveals Boromir's deep love for his
brother, and also Aragorn's interest in the House of Húrin, not only
out of political considerations, but also for themselves. This was a
most insightful passage: ["My brother has as strong a will as
Denethor, for all he may bend as a willow before the wind. Still, it
leaves him standing upright when it passes, strong as ever. I fear
sometimes my father may break before the storm that comes."]

Title: Droplets · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: Multi-Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 566
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-03 08:37:43
Beautiful, resonating imagery and a rich, lyrical style.

The overall theme of ["Droplets"], of water in all its many
manifestations - literally and symbolically - is interwoven poignantly
into the narrative. The symbolism never feels forced, it is just as
much a part of the "normal" description of the scenery or how the
protagonists "act" with it, as meaningful on a deeper level of
interpretation.

There is often the sense that Elrond is semi-aware of what the water
might symbolise in their specific situation, be it complementing his
own current mood, or providing a contrast to it that might even hurt
in its bitter irony. This tension is even carried beyond the final
snippet, when it shows the reunion of Elrond with Celebrían - which,
one migh suppose, is cause for joy - and closes with her ["displayed
against the grieving sky"].

The characterisations are excellent, the emotions are movingly and
poignantly conveyed (I appreciate that you show Elrond as not always
calm and perfect).

I love the way the double-drabbles enable the readers to look into
Elrond mind and heart at many different stations of his long life,
often crucial turning points in his fate or those close to him.

Title: Dawning Hope: A Day Out · Author: Radbooks · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA · ID: 659
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-03 08:38:10
Very visual writing - I could clearly picture the environments and the
way people moved or gestured.

Lovingly rendered characterisations (even those of the horses *g*); I
especially liked how you captured the children in general, and in
particular the way you have realised Éowyn. Her fears and her bravery,
her wariness and her determination were conveyed very evocatively and
movingly.

And you gave me just one more reason for regretting Théodred's
untimely death - what a wonderful father he would have been!

Points of criticism would be the some unclear attributions; and the
use of PoV, which jumps around a lot, sometimes even within a paragraph.

Title: There and Back · Author: Lindelea · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor · ID: 801
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-03 08:38:33
Clear prose; the vivid descriptions in the first part, and later the
dreamlike narrative from Pippin's PoVpaint a nuanced picture of the story.

This is a carefully crafted gapfiller for the days after the battle at
the Morannon and in Cormallen, with a judicious pinch of movie-verse
lines mixed in.

The characterisations are well-done; I particularly liked the portrait
of Gimli.

It was suspenseful how Pippin's recollections of happy incidences
interwoven into the narrative suddenly changed to nightmares of much
less pleasant memories, which distorted even his awareness of what's
happening around him.

Title: Taking Leave · Author: Soubrettina · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 326
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-03 08:39:17
Well-written and moving. Vivid dialogue, and the sense of the
immediacy and intimacy of words and thoughts carries over even into
the narrative.

It was heartbreaking to witness Éowyn's slow fading, her determination
to face the end with courage and grace, to accept the inevitability,
but not bend or break, even when she sometimes tries to ignore it or
frets over temporary failings.

The relationship portrayed between Aragorn and Éowyn was particularly
touching; I loved the bond of deep friendship between them that yet
acknowledges the more formal bond of liege-lord and liege - recalling
their conversation after her betrothal in ["Many Partings", RotK].

Faramir's grief, though only seen indirectly through Aragorn's eyes,
was captured in very haunting images.

It was a sensitive exploration of aging and death, especially under
the aspect of the various life expectancies of the different races and
cultures of Middle-earth.

It's a pity that a number of spelling errors mar this otherwise very
poignant reading experience.

Title: Longing · Author: Larner · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 468
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-03 08:40:15
This is a very moving story, which weaves the information to be found
in the HoMe series about Tolkien's extended thoughts about lembas and
sea-longing smoothly into the narrative.

It's a very creative but plausible approach to the question why Pippin
& Merry would want to spend their last years so far away from their
beloved home and families.

Pippin's restlessness is conveyed very well, and his frustration that
he can't really explain it to his own son because Faramir just
couldn't possibly understand. I also liked how you inferred his
interest in history and lore described in the Prologue.