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Msg# 8509
MEFA Reviews for December 23, 2007 (Part 1) Posted by Ann December 23, 2007 - 4:32:18 Topic ID# 8509Title: Honor Unabated · Author: Linaewen · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 570
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:47:28
[spoilers]
This is a touching piece. I love the way Denethor slowly comes to the
realization that he is dead and the father/son relationship is
beautifully expanded on. Boromir had his revelation earlier, and he is
the perfect guide to help Denethor make his peace before passing on. I
love the way how layer for layer Sauron's lies and Denthor's own
failings are peeled off and put to rest. Very well done.
Title: Seven Year Itch · Author: Trianne · Genres: Romance: Gondor ·
ID: 603
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:49:09
I can so understand Frodo's home sickness. He is the stranger in a
strange land far from home. I loved the idea of having a little Shire
garden in Minas Tirith.
Title: The River's Gavotte · Author: shirelinghpc · Genres: Drama:
Minas Tirith · ID: 532
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:50:04
This is so sad. I could feel with Faramir the despair and the gray
cloud of grief shrouding him. That picture of Faramir and Boromir
floating on the water with the eddies was beautiful.
Title: In The Shadows I Wait · Author: Pentangle · Genres: Drama:
Youth · ID: 248
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:51:53
This story is told from an unusual pov that works very well,
interspersed as it is into the action. I love the epic language which
gives this story a mythic quality. Talk about famous swords and their
bearers, and in the middle Estel who gets his First Sword. The arguing
among the elves which sword would be best for the young boy was
sometimes funny and sometimes more serious. You got a feel for the
long history of all the weapons in the room. I especially love the
interaction between the sword and Estel and Elrond. In the world of
Tolkien with all the magic it seemed quite natural.
Title: Black Eyes · Author: Lialathuveril · Genres: Romance: With
Rohirrim · ID: 177
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:53:06
This is a lovely Eomer/Lothiriel romance. I like the title since there
are several black eyes involved in this story. I love the romance and
humor in this tale which to me find the perfect balance. I especially
like the quotations at the beginning of each chapter, which set the
tone for the following scene. Poor Eomer. It seems like none of the
female population in Dol Amroth he wants to impress has a good opinion
of him or Rohirrim in general. Usually, I get easily bored by
descriptions of dresses and finery, but the description of Lothiriel's
choice of dress for her first meeting with Eomer gave me a vivid
picture of the impact that would have on Eomer ;-). Maybe because I
don't like that color myself.
Title: The Tragedye of Leaflet, Prince of Mirkwood · Author: Jael ·
Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 243
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2007-12-22 02:57:57
This is absolutely wicked! I loved the intermixing of Tolkien (whom I
love) and Shakespeare (whom I hate) and while I’m not particularly
fond of slash I found the sexual references amusing:
[LEGOLAS: Dost not recognise me, Goodman Delver?
FIRST ELF: Nay. But 'tis said that when an ellon lose the ripe flow'r
of his vyrginity, his countenance becometh much changed. Should I know
thee, sirrah?
LEGOLAS and ARAGORN exchaynge a nervouse look]
A truly insane crossover and very well done.
Title: No Escape · Author: Aranel Took · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 324
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:05:33
This was written from a marvellous though grim perspective. I was
really pleased to find this drabble as the theme is one that I have
been interested in for a long time; I too believe that there were
dwarven women and children in Moria and wrote something from Pippin's
pov in The East Gate group story that touched on the aftermath of
their deaths but don't remember seeing anything else on the subject;
so finding this was a pleasure despite the necessary sadness.
This drabble is so much more effective being in the first person as it
is. The hopelessness and terrible reality is tangible and packs a
powerful punch. There really is no escape for these poor innocents and
the sense of inevitability takes the reader's breath away. Knowing
what the mothers' will have to do out of mercy for their children and
themselves is heartbreakingly sad.
A most excellent drabble, capturing the resolve of the dwarven race
perfectly.
Title: Blackest Fate · Author: Branwyn · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 476
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:11:10
I loved the unexpected twist in this drabble and was taken by complete
surprise! The author captures the thoughts of the two slaves perfectly
and it was so sad to think of them held captive in stony, bleak Mordor
instead of free in green and growing Rohan where they belonged.
Title: Mistaken Identities · Author: Greywing · Races: Elves · ID: 201
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2007-12-22 03:15:18
[spoilers]
Oh my Celeborn as Aphrodite? When Galadriel finds out she’ll probably
end up in Mandos, having died laughing. And poor Haldir, all that
beautiful long hair did him in. (snicker) I loved the image of
Thranduil as Dionysius and of course Glorfindel would be Helios. I
think these fellas have definitely been hanging around way too long. I
wonder if the elves fared any better among the Norsemen?
Title: The Wink of an Eye · Author: Linda hoyland · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 664
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:18:30
What an unexpected ending! I could just imagine Sauron in Barad-dur,
chuckling over this evil manipulation of Denthor and plotting his next
assault!
Title: Renewal · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 - 3017
TA: Drabble · ID: 692
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:26:49
The descriptions in this drabble are just lovely! I could almost smell
the fresh air and growing things as I read it and I shared Bilbo's
wonder at the change from what had once been desolation. I wonder if
he will ever realise that he had a part in bringing about such beauty,
or at least in helping to remove that which had prevented nature from
following her true design. The accompanying photograph looks like a
painting!
Title: Night Terrors · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 752
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:31:39
This was really sweet and I couldn't help contrasting the freshly
scrubbed little Estel with the very grubby Strider! I loved the
reference to the {Last King and the Snowmen} - a very fitting bedtime
story!
Title: Spring after Winter · Author: annmarwalk · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 462
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:35:21
I love the progression of this drabble, as Sam moves from his dreams
to the reality of waking. The descriptions of the gentleness of the
falling rain is just lovely.
Title: And We Will Travel North · Author: bewize · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 39
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:40:21
I have long been curious as to just why Elladan and Elrohir rode with
the Dunadain and this drabble answers the question perfectly. It seems
very fitting that their kinship and brotherhood with Aragorn would
lead them to follow him during his greatest endeavour.
Title: Truly Tested · Author: Súlriel · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 257
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:45:42
An excellent drabble - the contrasts between learning to kill and
actually having to kill are described very realistically. This line:
{evil eyes piecing his, turning soft as they lose their glow} was just
chilling, as was the way the memory of the eyes was imprinted on
Aragorn's mind. I had the sense that no matter how often he might have
to kill that he would never forget the dying eyes of his first victim.
Title: Twice blessed is help unlooked for · Author: Tanaqui · Times:
Late Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 631
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 04:00:52
I loved Imrahil's thoughts here and could just imagine what he must
have felt and said later on, after discovering Thorongil's true
identity. A very clever choice of subject matter!
Title: Green · Author: annmarwalk · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 461
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 04:04:22
A beautiful and evocative description of the scent of athelas. The
contrast with Faramir's memory of the smell of burning is very well done.
Title: Mastering Men · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 623
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 04:10:07
I love the sense of imperativeness in this drabble and the commanding
tone of Faramir. I don't think that I have ever read him sounding so
stern and assured as he does here and it really suits the crucial need
for quick action at this moment.
Title: Gold Rings and Sam · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Poetry · ID: 501
Reviewer: Inkling · 2007-12-22 05:14:16
A truly inspired bit of foolery! I can just picture the Seussian
illustrations to go with it: a frowning Sam pacing about, an
exasperated Faramir rolling his eyes...
For more fun with Tolkien and Seuss, don't miss Branwyn's "One Son,
Two Son" at the same site.
Title: Don't Be Deceived · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 351
Reviewer: Inkling · 2007-12-22 05:16:59
[spoilers]
Despite the title of this piece, I think Imhiriel fooled most of her
readers with this one! A clever use of the similarity between Bard and
Strider. I especially like young Estel's questions...he reminds me of
a certain young Took!
Title: Free and Gay · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 81
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-22 05:27:39
*giggles*
Delightful little moment for the brothers 'Mir - away from court and
its intrigues and women!
*giggles*
I most enjoyed this - and especially the ending with the one scent
that was most important - missing from the list.
*giggles*
Title: The Young Knights · Author: Soledad · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 98
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-22 05:30:00
A very nice, gentle tale of a time that the sons of the Steward might
definitely want to hold onto. A time not yet claimed by blood but by
glory on the tournament field.
The tournaments were very well thought out and entertaining.
Title: The Last Leaf to Fall · Author: Robinka · Genres: Romance:
Second Age or Earlier · ID: 546
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-22 05:58:16
Very nice little tale. I don't read too much about the Elves, but have
been fond of Beleg. Glad I did a search for stories about him. This
was very nice indeed.
Title: Bitter Springs · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Mid Third Age:
2851 - 3017 TA · ID: 634
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-22 06:04:40
A very chilling moment between these two men. Very well written. The
ending, with Theodred mussing himself, really told all. The Worm
definitely ruled Rohan. Very nicely done.
Title: Lost in Translation · Author: sophinisba solis · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 31
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-22 07:37:19
Poor Pippin--dealing with new folk and new languages and new
ways--what's a Hobbit to do? But he eventually finds ways to understand.
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:47:28
[spoilers]
This is a touching piece. I love the way Denethor slowly comes to the
realization that he is dead and the father/son relationship is
beautifully expanded on. Boromir had his revelation earlier, and he is
the perfect guide to help Denethor make his peace before passing on. I
love the way how layer for layer Sauron's lies and Denthor's own
failings are peeled off and put to rest. Very well done.
Title: Seven Year Itch · Author: Trianne · Genres: Romance: Gondor ·
ID: 603
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:49:09
I can so understand Frodo's home sickness. He is the stranger in a
strange land far from home. I loved the idea of having a little Shire
garden in Minas Tirith.
Title: The River's Gavotte · Author: shirelinghpc · Genres: Drama:
Minas Tirith · ID: 532
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:50:04
This is so sad. I could feel with Faramir the despair and the gray
cloud of grief shrouding him. That picture of Faramir and Boromir
floating on the water with the eddies was beautiful.
Title: In The Shadows I Wait · Author: Pentangle · Genres: Drama:
Youth · ID: 248
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:51:53
This story is told from an unusual pov that works very well,
interspersed as it is into the action. I love the epic language which
gives this story a mythic quality. Talk about famous swords and their
bearers, and in the middle Estel who gets his First Sword. The arguing
among the elves which sword would be best for the young boy was
sometimes funny and sometimes more serious. You got a feel for the
long history of all the weapons in the room. I especially love the
interaction between the sword and Estel and Elrond. In the world of
Tolkien with all the magic it seemed quite natural.
Title: Black Eyes · Author: Lialathuveril · Genres: Romance: With
Rohirrim · ID: 177
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:53:06
This is a lovely Eomer/Lothiriel romance. I like the title since there
are several black eyes involved in this story. I love the romance and
humor in this tale which to me find the perfect balance. I especially
like the quotations at the beginning of each chapter, which set the
tone for the following scene. Poor Eomer. It seems like none of the
female population in Dol Amroth he wants to impress has a good opinion
of him or Rohirrim in general. Usually, I get easily bored by
descriptions of dresses and finery, but the description of Lothiriel's
choice of dress for her first meeting with Eomer gave me a vivid
picture of the impact that would have on Eomer ;-). Maybe because I
don't like that color myself.
Title: The Tragedye of Leaflet, Prince of Mirkwood · Author: Jael ·
Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 243
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2007-12-22 02:57:57
This is absolutely wicked! I loved the intermixing of Tolkien (whom I
love) and Shakespeare (whom I hate) and while I’m not particularly
fond of slash I found the sexual references amusing:
[LEGOLAS: Dost not recognise me, Goodman Delver?
FIRST ELF: Nay. But 'tis said that when an ellon lose the ripe flow'r
of his vyrginity, his countenance becometh much changed. Should I know
thee, sirrah?
LEGOLAS and ARAGORN exchaynge a nervouse look]
A truly insane crossover and very well done.
Title: No Escape · Author: Aranel Took · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 324
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:05:33
This was written from a marvellous though grim perspective. I was
really pleased to find this drabble as the theme is one that I have
been interested in for a long time; I too believe that there were
dwarven women and children in Moria and wrote something from Pippin's
pov in The East Gate group story that touched on the aftermath of
their deaths but don't remember seeing anything else on the subject;
so finding this was a pleasure despite the necessary sadness.
This drabble is so much more effective being in the first person as it
is. The hopelessness and terrible reality is tangible and packs a
powerful punch. There really is no escape for these poor innocents and
the sense of inevitability takes the reader's breath away. Knowing
what the mothers' will have to do out of mercy for their children and
themselves is heartbreakingly sad.
A most excellent drabble, capturing the resolve of the dwarven race
perfectly.
Title: Blackest Fate · Author: Branwyn · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 476
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:11:10
I loved the unexpected twist in this drabble and was taken by complete
surprise! The author captures the thoughts of the two slaves perfectly
and it was so sad to think of them held captive in stony, bleak Mordor
instead of free in green and growing Rohan where they belonged.
Title: Mistaken Identities · Author: Greywing · Races: Elves · ID: 201
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2007-12-22 03:15:18
[spoilers]
Oh my Celeborn as Aphrodite? When Galadriel finds out she’ll probably
end up in Mandos, having died laughing. And poor Haldir, all that
beautiful long hair did him in. (snicker) I loved the image of
Thranduil as Dionysius and of course Glorfindel would be Helios. I
think these fellas have definitely been hanging around way too long. I
wonder if the elves fared any better among the Norsemen?
Title: The Wink of an Eye · Author: Linda hoyland · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 664
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:18:30
What an unexpected ending! I could just imagine Sauron in Barad-dur,
chuckling over this evil manipulation of Denthor and plotting his next
assault!
Title: Renewal · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 - 3017
TA: Drabble · ID: 692
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:26:49
The descriptions in this drabble are just lovely! I could almost smell
the fresh air and growing things as I read it and I shared Bilbo's
wonder at the change from what had once been desolation. I wonder if
he will ever realise that he had a part in bringing about such beauty,
or at least in helping to remove that which had prevented nature from
following her true design. The accompanying photograph looks like a
painting!
Title: Night Terrors · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 752
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:31:39
This was really sweet and I couldn't help contrasting the freshly
scrubbed little Estel with the very grubby Strider! I loved the
reference to the {Last King and the Snowmen} - a very fitting bedtime
story!
Title: Spring after Winter · Author: annmarwalk · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 462
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:35:21
I love the progression of this drabble, as Sam moves from his dreams
to the reality of waking. The descriptions of the gentleness of the
falling rain is just lovely.
Title: And We Will Travel North · Author: bewize · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 39
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:40:21
I have long been curious as to just why Elladan and Elrohir rode with
the Dunadain and this drabble answers the question perfectly. It seems
very fitting that their kinship and brotherhood with Aragorn would
lead them to follow him during his greatest endeavour.
Title: Truly Tested · Author: Súlriel · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 257
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 03:45:42
An excellent drabble - the contrasts between learning to kill and
actually having to kill are described very realistically. This line:
{evil eyes piecing his, turning soft as they lose their glow} was just
chilling, as was the way the memory of the eyes was imprinted on
Aragorn's mind. I had the sense that no matter how often he might have
to kill that he would never forget the dying eyes of his first victim.
Title: Twice blessed is help unlooked for · Author: Tanaqui · Times:
Late Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 631
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 04:00:52
I loved Imrahil's thoughts here and could just imagine what he must
have felt and said later on, after discovering Thorongil's true
identity. A very clever choice of subject matter!
Title: Green · Author: annmarwalk · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 461
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 04:04:22
A beautiful and evocative description of the scent of athelas. The
contrast with Faramir's memory of the smell of burning is very well done.
Title: Mastering Men · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 623
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 04:10:07
I love the sense of imperativeness in this drabble and the commanding
tone of Faramir. I don't think that I have ever read him sounding so
stern and assured as he does here and it really suits the crucial need
for quick action at this moment.
Title: Gold Rings and Sam · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Poetry · ID: 501
Reviewer: Inkling · 2007-12-22 05:14:16
A truly inspired bit of foolery! I can just picture the Seussian
illustrations to go with it: a frowning Sam pacing about, an
exasperated Faramir rolling his eyes...
For more fun with Tolkien and Seuss, don't miss Branwyn's "One Son,
Two Son" at the same site.
Title: Don't Be Deceived · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 351
Reviewer: Inkling · 2007-12-22 05:16:59
[spoilers]
Despite the title of this piece, I think Imhiriel fooled most of her
readers with this one! A clever use of the similarity between Bard and
Strider. I especially like young Estel's questions...he reminds me of
a certain young Took!
Title: Free and Gay · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 81
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-22 05:27:39
*giggles*
Delightful little moment for the brothers 'Mir - away from court and
its intrigues and women!
*giggles*
I most enjoyed this - and especially the ending with the one scent
that was most important - missing from the list.
*giggles*
Title: The Young Knights · Author: Soledad · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 98
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-22 05:30:00
A very nice, gentle tale of a time that the sons of the Steward might
definitely want to hold onto. A time not yet claimed by blood but by
glory on the tournament field.
The tournaments were very well thought out and entertaining.
Title: The Last Leaf to Fall · Author: Robinka · Genres: Romance:
Second Age or Earlier · ID: 546
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-22 05:58:16
Very nice little tale. I don't read too much about the Elves, but have
been fond of Beleg. Glad I did a search for stories about him. This
was very nice indeed.
Title: Bitter Springs · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Mid Third Age:
2851 - 3017 TA · ID: 634
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-22 06:04:40
A very chilling moment between these two men. Very well written. The
ending, with Theodred mussing himself, really told all. The Worm
definitely ruled Rohan. Very nicely done.
Title: Lost in Translation · Author: sophinisba solis · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 31
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-22 07:37:19
Poor Pippin--dealing with new folk and new languages and new
ways--what's a Hobbit to do? But he eventually finds ways to understand.
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..