Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: City of Trees · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Elves: With Mirkwood
Elves · ID: 641
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 18:45:59
So, this is how it was (or might well have been). The beauty of
Laurelindorenan came from a mixture of Galadriel's desire to build a
great city AND Celeborn's love of trees having come to this
compromise? Wonderful!

Well told, and with wonderful images.


Title: Seen in the Halls of Dwarrowdelf · Author: Aruthir · Races:
Dwarves · ID: 73
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 18:53:03
As they dug in search of mitrhil, they came upon a wall of black
stone. They ought to have realized such an obstacle was purposely
erected--they realize it now.

Such powerful imagery through use of language. Excellent evocation of
mood.

Title: A Little Closer to the Edge, My Love … · Author: Súlriel ·
Races: Elves: Incomplete · ID: 247
Reviewer: Oshun · 2007-12-27 18:55:26
Extremely interesting concept. I really do hope that you will finish
this story. I have always been intrigued with two questions: 1) what
exactly marred Míriel that bearing this son made her want to give up
her life; 2) where did Feanor get that famous fire (from his mother or
his father). I must admit that you will have to work hard to convince
me that Finwe is a villain of any sort. I am such a shameless fan of
the Finweans (not matter which woman is their mother or grandmother,
or great grandmother, actually) that I cannot but believe that there
is something astounding that begins with Finwe himself.

Title: Lift the Wings · Author: Imbecamiel · Genres: Romance: Pre-Ring
War · ID: 376
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 19:15:32
Almost I didn't read this story--another Elrond/Celebrian separation?
But I'm glad I did.

A marvelous tale as we see Celebrian's last prophecy to her husband
come true, and hope indeed comes to Imladris, although she has left it.

Only slightly AU.

Voice is clear and gently grieving, then delighted once the meaning of
the prophecy is made clear; and the relief for the twins is indeed
marvelous.

Title: I Bid You Stand · Author: storyfish · Genres: Adventure · ID: 225
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 19:58:36
A wonderful bringing of Movie-verse out of Book-verse. To see Merry
saving Pippin from the troll only to almost lose him to the Nazgul's
fell beast was marvelous, as well as the realization that the presence
already of the Black Breath would possibly draw the rest of the
Ring-wraiths to Merry to avenge themselves.

And such a wonderful testiment to the love between these two cousins.

Title: To Light the Way · Author: Dot · Races: Elves: With Mirkwood
Elves · ID: 12
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 20:16:25
At first the invitation to join Thranduil's Elves in an evening of
feasting and dancing appeared frivolous; but as they join in the
apparent celebration Elladan and Elrohir recognize there is something
more at work here as the Wood Elves defy the darkness about them.

Excellent reminder we need balance and purpose in our lives.

Title: For Eyes to See That Can · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races:
Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort · ID: 770
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 20:19:57
Perhaps it's not often enough that Pippin is encouraged to use his
Tookish sight; but when Merry has become separated from those carrying
the body of Theoden and those carrying Eowyn into the city, it takes
just this facility to see to it that Merry also isn't lost.

Wonderful look at the love between these cousins.

Title: All in a Day's Work · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Adventure:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 421
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 20:27:29
When a slaver ship rapes a village, Imrahil sets out to free the
captives, exact revenge, and take a worthy prize.

Shown from the POVs of several of those who are involved in the
enterprise, this series of vignettes tells a wonderful story of the
wisdom of our beloved Prince of Dol Amroth and the means he uses to
reach his aims.

A gem of a series.

Title: Capturing the Moonlight · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Romance:
Second Age or Earlier · ID: 279
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 21:15:29
A most sensual if AU story, set just after the rising of Tilion.

Title: Dream A Bitter Style · Author: Claudio · Times: First Age and
Prior: House of Fingolfin · ID: 131
Reviewer: Oshun · 2007-12-27 21:20:14
I hardly know where to start there are so many things to say about a
story like this. I guess the beginning is as good a place as any. ["It
was a cold fall morning on the brink of winter when Ninnan the kitchen
girl finally agreed to take her dress off for Oropher."] How can one
not love a story with a first line like that? This is the second in
Claudio's ongoing story cycle involving principally Glorfindel and
Fingon. (Although, as you might guess, from reading this first line,
Oropher has a supporting role in the earlier stories of the series,
which definitely add something special.) If you want to read Tolkien
fanfiction that follows book canon slavishly and will not threaten any
preconceptions of plot or character that you want hold dear, these are
not the stories for you. But if you are open to challenges and would
like to explore a writer who is, in my opinion, better than most
writers who makes a living at fiction, then you absolutely must read
Claudio.

[Dream a Bitter Style] is one of the darker of the stories in this
series, which the author himself characterizes as dark, but even so it
is never without its comic relief. The characters of the youthful
Oropher and Glorfindel are study in cultural contrasts based solidly
in canon: Glorfindel has the arrogance that only a born-in-Aman Vanyar
could project, while Oropher has his roots solidly planted in
Middle-earth, as the down-to-earth Sinda, with his own particular
brand of pride, self-respect and earthy disdain for the self-important
newcomers to his world. That is just for starters: the reader will
never encounter another Fingon or Fingolfin who is anything like the
ones that Claudio has created. I suppose that Claudio is at heart a
linguist, but his use of that knowledge is never overbearing or
interferes with, but only enriches and enhances, his unique form of
storytelling (which for me is what writing fanfiction or any kind of
fiction is all about).

Not only does he have a profound knowledge of the canon, but is able
to take, twist and bend it in order to make the stories he creates
total new and fresh. This is in my opinion the highest tribute one can
make to the original which has inspired him. He stands alone and this
story is a fine example of his style and his unique characteristics as
a writer.

Title: Bilbo's Dark Psyche · Author: Curious · Genres: Non-Fiction ·
ID: 519
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 21:24:31
I really need to start hanging out at TORn again as once I did. Here
Curious compares and contrasts Bilbo and Gollum--and obliquely Frodo
and Gollum--pointing out precisely the one difference that causes
Bilbo--and Frodo--to become heroes--the courage to act out against the
darkness in which they find themselves.

Most thought-provoking indeed! And I find I pity Gollum the more for
having read this.

Title: A Thankless Task · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Drama: Youth ·
ID: 49
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 21:33:27
We truly see the differences between the two sons of Denethor in this
tale of trying to teach them to mend their own clothing. Well contrasted!

Title: Fire and Ice · Author: NeumeIndil · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA · ID: 318
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-27 22:22:25
[This review has spoilers]

This was yet another brilliant instalment in Neumeindil’s [Nights in
Rohan] series and I do think this story can be read quite well without
knowing the previous instalments (however, it comes highly
recommended). What the author does here is actually writing a some
sort of gap filler (long) before the three hunters in Edoras arrive
and she gives us a fabulous back story to go with it. It feels so
genuine, original, combine this with a great skill for the narrative
and a set of characters that just feels so tangible that you nearly
want to reach out and either hug or talk to them (whether or not you
want to tell them to get over things or that things will be alright).
Neume discusses ethics and morality that just fits for that time
period, small details that makes the story even more richer. Oh the
cast, I just love what Neumeindil does with the characters in this
series. Even the minor characters feel so well written, their parts in
the chapters fits so fine, not too much or overpowering, Neumeindil
does such a fantastic job to just fit everything together. Let’s take
for example Haleth, Hama’s son. In one of the chapters he has his
first kiss, but even in appearances before that, you can see to what
Neume is building up to, without that it distracts from the main plot.
That is such a feat and shows great storytelling how she can write
characters ranging from different ages and backgrounds so lively in a
story. Then there are the twins, women born into their profession and
others forced into it, the build up to Gríma taking over power and the
royal Guard trying to prevent from matters spinning out of control. I
found myself captivated and moved often while reading this story and
found myself wanting more after I read the final sentence.


Title: The Last Temptation · Author: Maeve Riannon · Genres: Drama:
Second Age or Earlier · ID: 264
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-27 22:49:49
[This review has spoilers]

This is such a magnificent piece and it makes Galadriel's temptation
by the ring a walk in the park. Melian, who no longer feels the need
for a corporal body, follows her two grandsons Eluréd and Elurín after
they flee from the menace and bloodshed caused by the Fëanorians. The
children flee, fearing what might become of them, and what Maeve does
so well here is to frame that moment of their death, but also the wide
range of emotions Melian is experiencing. Her temptation is different
than Galadriel, more intense because to her she feels that she has the
final hand in their death. When she realises this, she knows something
has to happen. This is where Maeve’s excellent writing kicks in, she
draws you in, just as Melian is drawn into this [last temptation] and
it just makes it feel to you that it is for a good cause. After all,
she will safe the children, right? Moreover, all shall be restored,
those seven sons shown their rightful place. Until the thought of the
Silmaril takes over and from there Maeve skilfully lets it spiral out
of control, in small steps so that at a certain point, just as Melian,
you realise that this only will bring destruction and fall to all. At
that point Melian knows she cannot do this and the agony just hits you
as a reader hard, knowing that this all came at such cost. I do
however think Melian would be a worthy opponent of Morgoth, but in the
end, she will still loose all that she cares for. Maeve has a knack
for writing horror and mystery, and this piece is a fine example of
that. The tension build up is so great in this piece, it is gradually
and so human that she clearly illustrates that everyone would be
tempted at a chance like this, thusly exploring a side of the human
psyche. Just brilliantly written, don't miss it!

Title: Left Behind · Author: Elanor · Genres: Drama: With Merry · ID: 28
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 22:53:54
Mostly Merry's story as he recovers from the Black Breath, and as he
and Faramir together realize how the Shadow took Faramir's mother and
seeks now new victims. But Hope sees them through; and in the end
Merry finds himself back with his Pippin, and then greeting Sam and
Frodo once more, even though he knows Frodo is not and will not heal
properly as long as he lingers within Middle Earth.

A frightening and yet hopeful tale as we see Merry fight valorously
against an implacable enemy that deals more with despair than with
conventional weapons. Well wrought indeed.

Title: Between Friends · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Poetry · ID: 396
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-27 23:01:08
Ah I like this poem a lot, simply because I can see Gollum sitting
there remembering the day that he killed his brother. It fits his
voice in how he seemed to recited things. What is so nicely done is
that it feels that the poem is existing from two parts: the one sounds
light and loving, until the final sentence. Then there are two lines
that is about the antagonist in this piece, before the second stanza
brings a darker spin to it. This simply adds to the image of a
paranoid Gollum who always seemed to exists of two persona: Gollum and
Smeagol. This is craftily written, I am not sure where this bunny came
from, but this is well done Agape!

Title: Requesting Mercy · Author: Larner · Genres: Drama: The
Fellowship · ID: 681
Reviewer: White Wolf · 2007-12-27 23:11:32
It's while reading stories like this that we realize just how much
Sam, in particular, suffered when he chose to follow Frodo. Aragorn's
sympathy is also apparent. Nicely done.

Title: Unstrung · Author: Tehta · Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 161
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-27 23:28:56
[this review contains spoilers, I think, I am erring on the side of
caution here]

Ah, this story or vignette series is just a typical story told from a
Bard’s perspective. Even when I read this story, it felt as if he
would spin a tale to amuse his audience, leaving it up to them to
decide whether he is lying or not. After all it is up to your audience
to like it or not or to interpreted as they seem fit. What the artists
think himself does not truly matter and this is well conveyed here. As
a Silm geek that I am, I loved the allusions woven into the separate
pieces, all stand so well on their own and as I read it, I immediately
could tell what Tehta was writing (or what Maglor was telling her to
write), this added immensely to the enjoyment of this piece. The
subtlety in the allusions is so brilliantly found: the instrument with
the seven strings and how well he knew them. The replacements or how
about Celegorm even sneaking into this piece, the first time they spot
the star of Earendil… I shall stop here. Tehta plays with words like
an artist. She brings the characters to us: making no excuses for
them, but neither making evil characters out of them. You can feel
pity or not, it is up to you to decide. It did leave me to wonder how
instrumental Maglor has been from the beginning, even before the
swearing of that Oath. This just adds even more to this piece because
even after you read it again after a while, you still can come up with
different insights. This is just masterfully written.


Title: Charcoal, Stone and Cloud · Author: shadow975 · Races: Men ·
ID: 610
Reviewer: Linaewen · 2007-12-27 23:39:18
Reading this tale was like finding an old friend -- I had read it
before some time ago and didn't remember until I opened it and began
reading. What a joy to discover it again!

This is a lovely gapfiller, featuring Boromir and Aragorn. The two Men
are sitting together during a quiet moment in Hollin, and Boromir
begins reminiscing about Faramir. One thing leads to another, and they
find themselves sharing on a deeper level -- and in the process,
discover that they are two friends who trust one another.

The secret that Aragorn reveals to Boromir is one that I have always
wished to have told to him; that, and the beautiful way the author
writes the two Men -- and in the process, how the characters of
Faramir and Denethor are revealed -- makes this one of my all time
favorite stories!

Title: The Days of the King · Author: Randomrattle · Genres: Drama:
With Aragorn · ID: 399
Reviewer: namarie120 · 2007-12-27 23:46:21
This is a rich and detailed tapestry of a story, by an author whose
depth and language rivals that of Tolkien himself. Continuing the
story of "Lord of the RIngs" after the events of 'Return of the King',
the author tells of the restoration of Minas Tirith and the healing of
her people. The plot is secondary, however, to the characterizations -
this is a story of how Aragorn settles into becoming Elessar, and the
self-doubts he must still continue to deal with following his
coronation. This Aragorn is no one-dimensional puppet - through the
events of the story, we see his flaws and weaknesses, but equally
clearly see the nobility and greatness of spirit that prove him to be
worthy of the crown of the Reunited Kingdoms.

The author's skill in seeing into and painting the heart and soul of
her characters is not limited to Aragorn. Her Gandalf is a wonder -
full of the love of life and of all living beings, conveying both the
humour of the old man who set off fireworks for the hobbits, and the
power and majesty of the Maiar, when he chooses to reveal it. Arwen,
so often dismissed or diminished even in fanfic, may have given up her
immortality but has lost none of her Elven wisdom or strength. Legolas
is a marvel, strong and stubborn and noble and fiercely loyal to those
he loves. Elrond, Gimli, Faramir and Eowyn, all are lovingly depicted
in scenes that add new dimensions to their characters. Even 'minor'
characters in the trilogy, such as Ioreth, the healing woman who first
recognizes that 'the hands of the king are the hands of a healer', are
fleshed out into fully realized beings with all their strengths and
weaknesses combining to make them characters we believe in and care about.

Just as Tolkien did, the author sees and respects the power each of
the races brings to Middle Earth. Her vision of the Dwarves, who were
relegated to low humor in the films, is especially strong and much
more in line with the original novels - these are beings of power and
dignity, steadfast in their determination and as unyielding as the
stones they give life to - we can believe these Dwarves carved the
foundations of Minas Tirith and have the craft and the love of the
earth itself to heal its damage. The Elves' intimate connection to all
the growing things of the earth is demonstrated just as lovingly. Even
the Mearas come to life as intelligent and self-aware beings who chose
to partner themselves with Men (or Wizards!)

If you haven't already, give yourself a holiday treat and immerse
yourself in this marvelous story. You'll quickly lose yourself in her
Middle Earth, and despite the length of the Road you'll travel, you'll
find it comes to an end all too soon.

Title: Deadly Fate · Author: TrekQueen · Times: First Age and Prior:
House of Fingolfin · ID: 282
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-27 23:53:47
[this review contains spoilers]

I have always wondered, that besides it makes a very tragic scene in a
book or that he was very angered, why Fingolfin rode out all alone to
the gates of Angband during times when his people needed him.
Trekqueen came up with a very plausible explanation for all of this
and turned this short scene into a great vignette. In this short
piece, she shows us the grim aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach and a
High King that you don’t want to cross or make very angry. The author
writes Fingolfin as if he wanted to bring the light of Aman to the
gates, as if he wanted to show that none could destroy the light
forever, something Oromë or Tulkas would have done if both would have
given the chance. Only when he faces his foe, he knows he cannot get
away from this alive and decisions are made. This is just one
sacrifice to buy others more time, to humiliate this fallen Valar with
his blade makes me actually want to root for him. The themes of light
and darkness are well used here as metaphors and adds to the epic feel
of this moment. This ficlet is elegantly written and yet very
powerful: it calls the attention to the main character quite well and
it feels as if you are watching this wrathful King with his mind set
on making a difference. Well done!

Title: All in a Day's Work · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Adventure:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 421
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-28 00:16:33
How marvellous! I love the way in which the author captures the
reader's interest after what? Two sentences? From that point onward, I
wanted to know how this would end. From drabble to drabble we hop from
a perspective in action packed scenes and Gwynnyd gives us a very
capable Prince who knows how to fight those Corsairs as he encourages
his own men or councils them with wisdom. Even at the end of the day,
he's very economical or practical about the result of a day of
planning, fighting, and returning home. I really liked how Gwynnyd
executed this drabble series.

Title: Charcoal, Stone and Cloud · Author: shadow975 · Races: Men ·
ID: 610
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-28 00:31:37
I have always loved this story and am so pleased to see it here. To
experience again the gradually unfolding understanding and comradeship
between Aragorn and such a noble and, for a time, carefree Boromir is
a joy. Their conversation comes about so naturally, and yet the author
hits so many important wickets, drawing out salient plot points and
giving us overshadowings and history. All of the characterizations are
even-handed and circumspect, but warm and developing.

Title: Deadly Fate · Author: TrekQueen · Times: First Age and Prior:
House of Fingolfin · ID: 282
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-28 01:13:42
This is such a perfect moment for a drabble - a crossroads in action,
a momentary decision yeilding lifetimes of consequences, and TQ has
captured it perfectly. Her focus is exacting and tight, elaborating a
range of feeling, of doubt and resolve all of which take place in but
a moment.

Title: Tea and Seedcake and the Influence of Hobbits · Author: Baggins
Babe · Races: Cross-Cultural: Gondor · ID: 492
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-28 01:27:32
This is an enjoyable vision of the fellowship members and the city in
a time of peace.