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Title: Awed in the Presence of Beauty · Author: Istarnie · Races:
Elves · ID: 517
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-29 14:47:48 Score: 6
Istarnie tenderly portrays the moment many first time mom's experience
when their baby is born. One simply cannot find anything faulty about
her baby trust me. Nerdanel is deeply enchanted by her child and ruled
by her emotions, the wee babe gets his mother name. As a mom reading
this I could connect to her and her train of thoughts is so
beautifully pictured: full of warmth and love, it is so hard to take
your eyes of your child. The sense of wonder about creation & beauty
for Elves, even in Valinor, is well conveyed in this piece. The little
touch upon Fëanor’s contribution to this all is well timed, although I
do think he would say that he contributed much more. This is such an
intimate scene beautifully written, its not to short but just
perfectly balanced.

Title: Droplets · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: Multi-Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 566
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2007-12-29 14:49:29 Score: 5
What a delightfully woven series of drabbles, each pin-pointing a
moment in Master Elrond's very long life with the metaphor of water -
waterfall, sea, fountain, rain... all contribute to the tangibility
evoked by the descriptions of his feelings, both emotional and
physical. So many delicately delineated moments... his brother's grief
turned to anger, his love for his new wife amid foreboding and their
heart-wrenching parting, his aching sorrow at Gil-Galad's death - all
are beautifully constructed, leading in just the right measure from
one to another. A very thought-provoking series of images. I like very
much.

Title: A New Reckoning · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Cross-Cultural ·
ID: 308
Reviewer: Dadgad · 2007-12-29 14:52:27 Score: 6
A 'masterpiece' of hobbit-based fiction, following the impact of the
war's end on the attitudes and customs of the Shire. Very redolent of
some 1920's novels showing how the First World War shook up the class
system in Britain. Isn't the Frodo/Sam relationship not unlike the way
Lord Peter Wimsey is a greater friend with Bunter (in the Dorothy
Sayers detective books) than any of the 'Lords and Ladies' from his
own class?

Dreamflower sustains high quality writing over 72 chapters, and keeps
you wanting to know 'what happens next' even though there are no
fights, battles, or usual fantasy cliche's. (As a male, I normally
dismiss character-driven fiction as 'a bit girly' and skip to the next
battle...not here). Very recommended!

Title: Better Days Ahead · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 51
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-29 14:57:22 Score: 5
Shagrat gives a peptalk and given the circumstances I can see many
cheering at that. The use of women for other means gave me the chills,
portraying how easy it can be for villians to put the reproductiveness
of women to other uses as we even see happening during our times.
Shadows of Morgoth were most certainly there. The line [Hah! They
didn't even win fair! ], made me think that if they had come up with a
better tactic, perhaps they would have been able to outsmart their
enemy of which I am glad they didn't. It looks like the free men will
have their hands full for a while. Very Orcish and chilling, a peptalk
short and to the point.

Title: Decorum · Author: Larner · Genres: Humor: The Shire or Buckland
· ID: 59
Reviewer: Dadgad · 2007-12-29 15:00:13 Score: 3
Another hobbit-based gem from Larner, which wittily builds on
Dreamflower's writing. I loved Frodo's confusion when Dora asks him
which bits he particularly likes and he can't think of any!

Title: The Bearing of Burdens · Author: Larner · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Gondor · ID: 792
Reviewer: Dadgad · 2007-12-29 15:15:58 Score: 2
This is very touching and poignant. I've never seen a fic where Sam
tells Faramir what there actually was in Cirith Ungol, but this was
very nicely done.

Title: No Harm Will Come of It · Author: Marigold · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 456
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 15:18:02 Score: 10
(Possible spoilers within:)

This drabble series is a fascinating gap-filler, tracing the imagined
evolution of Hamfast (Gaffer) Gamgee's opinion of the place of
literacy in his simple life and that of his family, after Bilbo's
offer to teach Sam how to read.

It is interesting because, in <i>The Lord of the Rings</i>, we never
see anything beyond the Gaffer's scoffing remark about brassicas and
spuds being most suitable for Sam. In this series, he consents to
Bilbo teaching Sam to read, despite his unease over the possibility
that the strange tastes of Bilbo and Frodo will give Sam airs above
his station, but is slowly taken in by the possibilities that learnin'
his letters opens. We see him being able to keep in touch with
scattered family, learning about Sam's departure from the Master of
Buckland because of the note Merry sent, and progressing to using the
books Sam left behind to help him endure through the Occupation of the
Shire. It is telling that, although he could have used the books for
fuel to warm himself, he refuses to do so because they are the last
reminders he has of his Sam.

The surprise at the end, though it may be foreshadowed throughout, is
a welcome and fitting development in his acquiescence to book learnin'.

I really like that the Gaffer's rustic voice is consistent with the
book, yet he expands his horizons slowly, step-by-step, throughout the
series. Very nicely done!

Title: The Tenant from Staddle · Author: Larner · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Incomplete · ID: 408
Reviewer: Dadgad · 2007-12-29 15:24:18 Score: 5
I'm enjoying this story hugely - more, more, more please! In the same
way that Dreamflower's 'New reckoning' deals with the impact of the
aftermath of war on the social traditions and structures of the Shire,
this is wonderful character-driven writing. I particularly like the
curmudgeonly Bartolo and the way he slowly gains insight into and
respect for Frodo. The way that the importance of Frodo's actions
leaks into the consciousness of the hobbits is most convincing. Again,
I find myself wanting to know what will happen next. Next update?

Title: For All Things a Cost · Author: Súlriel · Times: Second Age:
Drabble · ID: 268
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 15:37:07 Score: 5
(Possible spoilers within:)

If there is one thing that only Sulriel can write really well, it is
definitely Orcs.

Even - or especially? - subversive ones!

I so like the unexpected twist in the relationship between Shubrut and
her son, despite the unintended consequences of that relationship. Who
knew an Orc could be a good guy?

But, in the end, all that will be left is Shubrut's fierce pride for
her brave son.... No matter how different Orcs are from Men, or how
transgressive their children are by their own race's standards, it is
universal that mothers are always extremely proud of their children!

Nice work! *Shivers*

Title: A Rohan Tapestry · Author: shirebound · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 96
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-29 15:56:36 Score: 3
It must have been reallly difficult for Merry to have to deal with his
grief for so long before Theoden was finaly buried. That was a really
long time until he could find some closure. I loved the interaction
between all of the characters in this story and finding out that Eomer
is actually younger than Pippin, something that I didn't realise.

Title: Fun with Farm'n · Author: Súlriel · Races: Villains: Drabble ·
ID: 269
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 15:57:54 Score: 8
(Possible spoilers within:)

Bwahahahahahaha! I think I'd whimper, too!

This is absolutely delicious, in a darkly wicked sort of way. But you
do such wonderful things with your Orc characters....

I love how Ugbuz and Shaprat are so casually insulting towards one
another... they clearly have worked together a while at their
wholesome organic farm. *snerk* (By the way, have you worked out what
those names might mean? It could make for some amusement.... For
example, one of my Orc OCs is named Ufghash, which my muse swears
means 'fire-fart'....)

And of course, Shaprat tries to lord it over Ugbuz, threatening to
tell the boss if he doesn't comply... but the other is not having a
bit of it. Just like guys everywhere!

But my favorite part is the astute observation about the resilience of
farmers. You would think that this farmer would be proud of such an
extravagant compliment paid by those who do not normally indulge in
compliments.... LOLOL!

Nice job with this, Becky! I am extremely fond of your nassssssty
Orcses....

Title: For Eyes to See That Can · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races:
Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort · ID: 770
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-29 15:58:27 Score: 2
I find stories that use the Took sight to be really interesting and
this one was really good. I liked the imperativeness here.

Title: Maiden Voyage · Author: Fawsley · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Drabble · ID: 654
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2007-12-29 16:01:04 Score: 3
[The puzzling streams of Ethir Anduin] - such a wonderful phrase! The
whole drabble is so redolent of that estuarine voyage, the slow creep
away from the coast until the sailors come to open water... and then
onwards. I don't know if you sail, but you've caught leaving down
rivers on dawn tides pefectly!

Title: Tales From The Garden · Author: Elemmire · Races: Hobbits:
Incomplete · ID: 793
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-29 16:02:05 Score: 3
This is a wonderfully descriptive story and about a hobbit that I
haven't ever seen any fics about, which was really nice! I am looking
forward to more of this story, it's a really interesting idea.

Title: Yule · Author: rhyselle · Races: Hobbits: Merry and Pippin ·
ID: 764
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-29 16:05:17 Score: 1
A really sweet story and one very easy to visualise in my mind's eye.
I liked this a lot.

Title: Through the Eyes of Another · Author: grey_wonderer · Races:
Hobbits: Merry and Pippin · ID: 136
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-29 16:09:47 Score: 5
The way that this story misdirects the reader at first as to when
exactly this is happening is a really clever twist. It makes the fact
that Merry and Pippin are still just the same when it comes to their
closeness after all of these years even more special. It makes it easy
to imagine their friendship during the years in between the quest and
the present,

I thought that it was sweet and endearing that Pippin still looks to
Merry as his protector. I also liked that even at their age that they
were making the trip alone, that just seemed right somehow.

Excellent story, one that will go on my favourites list!

Title: Letting Go · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Ring War · ID: 230
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-29 16:14:40 Score: 4
The new and matured Pippin that returned from the quest must have come
as a great shock to his family - he hasn't changed completely of
course but he has changed *a lot*. This must have been really
difficult for Paladin to cope with but he does a really good job of
adapting to the situation in this story. It can't be easy for a parent
to realise that someone else is better able to help their youngest
child and only son with such a big issue but that Paladin does so
shows how much he loves his son and what a fine person and leader that
he is.

Title: My Dear Bandobras · Author: Le Rouret · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond · ID: 818
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-29 16:18:27 Score: 3
I am a big fan of this authors Green Knight stories and this one is
really interseting written the way it is in the form of letters. The
characterisations really show in the individual letters and the ending
is great.

Title: Helping Hands · Author: Llinos · Races: Hobbits: Drabble · ID: 615
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 16:25:05 Score: 5
(Possible spoilers within:)

This is a series of four drabbles, each with the theme of the Hobbits
of the Fellowship helping each other. Each one is marked by the date,
and each of the dates is significant.

The Hobbits sound like they do in Tolkien's writing, and they also act
in character. And, whether the aid is for a physical problem, as when
Merry helps Pippin up on the Field of Cormallen, or emotional, as when
Merry and Pippin cheer Sam up on the anniversary of Frodo's sailing,
each drabble displays a similar deep vein of caring that these dear
friends have for one another. Well done!

Title: A Mother's Touch · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 44
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-12-29 16:26:23 Score: 2
Haha! I love cute widdle Smaug. He had to have been a baby at some
point. And there's no reason why a dragon can't have a mother who
loves him. ;-)

Title: I Bid You Stand · Author: storyfish · Genres: Adventure · ID: 225
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-29 16:31:17 Score: 3
Really exciting story and I love that this has been fleshedout in so
much detail. The relationship between the cousins is great and I love
the way that their bravery is displayed here.

Title: What Was That Job Description? · Author: Larner · Genres:
Crossover · ID: 523
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-12-29 16:34:38 Score: 3
Oh no! Can Middle-Earth survive Gilderoy Lockhart? *heehee* I love his
comment about elves (and the reactions of Aragorn, Legolas and
Elrohir). That's a misunderstanding that will get him in trouble!

Title: The Green Knight and the Heir of Meduseld · Author: Le Rouret ·
Genres: Adventure · ID: 170
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-29 16:35:00 Score: 3
A toatally stunning and fun story filled with drama, angst, humour,
lots of hurt/comfort and every thing in between. This is a terrific
universe and I love every story in it. I liked rhe plot of this very
much and the way that Fastred eventually took the responsibility to
heart. Lots of great Legolas healing!

Title: The Three Hunters · Author: Dreamflower · Genres: Adventure ·
ID: 333
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-29 16:37:42 Score: 3
I liked the way that the feelings of the three were fleshedout and
given in such detail and the flashbacks were very good. I liked how
the hobbits seemed so present even though they weren't there in the
time of the setting of the story.

Title: And Not To Yield · Author: Lady Marshy · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 117
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2007-12-29 16:39:32 Score: 10
[spoilers a-plenty]

As many people are well (*very* well) aware, I'm a huge fan of the
Evil!AU, and oh, how I LOVE LOVE LOVE this one!

Eomer and Faramir are aboslute naturals as leaders of a resistence,
fighting against the new King of Gondor and his [whore of a consort]
(what a glorious phrase!) - Faramir knowing the lands of Ithilien like
the back of his hand as he does, Eomer with his seeming fearlessness
in battle (which sometimes is only seeming), and fierce sense of
honour, betrayal and determination to hold out that they both have.

The descriptions - of the Battle of Pelennor, the months of hiding and
fighting in Ithilien, the relationship that grew between Fararmir and
Eomer - are tantilizing concise, sketching broad outlines so that we
have a very good idea what was going on, yet leaving quite a lot up to
the reader's imagination, never filling in the entire picture, which,
frankly, is the way I like such things - I enjoy not being told every
little detail, particularly in a scenario such as this, where the
*not* knowing only heightens the sense of dread and horror. Although I
must admit, I'm dying to know what exactly happened to the members of
the Fellowship.

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Haradric commander. His
sympathy towards Faramir, even at the end, just gives this story an
extra twist of the knife, the hint that perhaps Faramir and Eomer had
some sort of allies even amongst their captors.

This fic is filled with such wonderful, brutal imagery, if those two
words can go togther. I love the overall feeling of despair,
helplessness, and utter lack of hope -- it really grabs you by the
throat and doesn't let go.

And I don't think I've ever seen a fic where Legolas takes the Ring! I
think I actually squealed out loud when that bit of information was
revealed -a fabulous choice of betrayer!