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Msg# 8561
MEFA Reviews, Evening, January 1, 2008 (Part 2) Posted by Ann January 01, 2008 - 20:22:46 Topic ID# 8561Title: Stay With Me · Author: pippinfan88 · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 518
Reviewer: Cathleen · 2007-12-30 13:56:01 Score: 3
This is such a beautiful story relfecting the love and caring between
Pippin and his favorite auntie! I love the way Esmeralda is there for
him, and that she got him to talk about some of the happier memories
of that long journey. Pippinfan has an awesome way with words and I
enjoy all her stories so much, and this one in particular!
Title: A Special Kind of Lore · Author: Astara · Genres: Romance:
Drabble · ID: 748
Reviewer: Illwynd · 2007-12-30 14:08:14 Score: 4
Even in such a short piece, Astara paints a wonderful, lighthearted
picture of Denethor and Finduilas' characters, through Finduilas' sly
playfulness and Denethor's reaction to her reading material, as well
as his final sigh. The references to the book's origins and its
current condition only make this little glimpse more amusing. A clever
drabble that won't disappoint!
Title: A...Like An Antagonistic Arwen · Author: Linda Hoyland/Raksha
the Demon CoAuthors · Genres: Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 758
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-30 14:50:55 Score: 1
It would take one hundred rampaging orcs to say it better.
Title: No Pain, No Gain · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 435
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-30 14:52:44 Score: 1
Clever and funny. Is Merry's tatoo of a baby prince?
Title: Don't Be Deceived · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 351
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-30 14:54:57 Score: 2
Ha ha! Yes, all Tolkien's Man heroes bear a certain resemblance. Turin
is described just the same.
Title: Letter to Frodo · Author: AmandaK · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Gondor or Rohan · ID: 540
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-30 14:57:11 Score: 3
What emerges from this story for me is not so the forgiveness Boromir
seeks from Frodo, as the compassion that Boromir receives from his
younger brother. Faramir seems to have extensive experience in this
area and the reader cannot help but wonder where he got it.
Title: A Mother's Touch · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 44
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-30 15:00:09 Score: 1
Ah yes, no one's a monster in his fond mother's eyes.
Title: Mettarë · Author: Galadriel · Races: Men · ID: 34
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-30 15:01:23 Score: 2
This is what will make Aragorn a good king: his ability to understand,
sympathise, and redirect gently but firmly.
Title: A Million Little Stars To Light Their Way · Author: Cathleen ·
Genres: Drama: The Shire · ID: 387
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-30 15:14:10 Score: 3
This story flows most gently from present narrative to memory, showing
how present memory can be on such momentous occasions. I am glad their
reflections brought Merry and Pippin some release and understanding.
Title: A Game of Chess · Author: Marta · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble
· ID: 605
Reviewer: Oshun · 2007-12-30 15:14:40 Score: 3
This is one is hilarious: a bad Thorongil drabble. What a treat. It
doesn't matter with he wins or loses. (At first my imagination took
off and I presumed he would win.) He is going to do well enough to
leave Denethor scratching his head and annoyed.
Title: Summer Daze · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Pre-Ring War ·
ID: 471
Reviewer: Oshun · 2007-12-30 15:30:39 Score: 8
The writer gives a charming and believable young Faramir in this short
story. A sexual coming-of-age story that is neither silly nor
sentimental nor distastefully explicit, but just exactly right. I
think the idea that Faramir is not just needy and frustrated about his
situation, but pro-active about taking control and finding the right
resolution for himself. The atmoshere that the writer creates around
the weather is of course is a great metaphor for the condition of the
young man the writer is describing here, without overstraining the
conceit. It was written in response to challenge and meets it (and
then some--like finding a prize in a cracker jack box). It is a lovely
story and worthy of its main character. (If I could change anything at
all about it, I would either skip the author's note or put it in a
separate chapter. Anyone who really needed the note, probably wasn't
going to let loose and enjoy the story anyway. On the other hand, as
writers we do have a compulsion to share why we conceive various
scenarios in the way that we do.)
Title: The Land of Gift · Author: Maeve Riannon · Times: First Age and
Prior: House of Fingolfin · ID: 108
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-30 15:32:54 Score: 10
This is what fanfiction should be: Maeve delves deep into the truths
of Tolkien's story--truths he wanted to deny himself, waffling back
and forth over the ghastly Valar. But for those who want to see, the
Valar are as capricious and cruel as all gods, changing the rules to
suit them, making up unconvincing tales and self-justifying excuses
for their godlike ineffectiveness. Maeve gives us something better
instead: two brave people, a Man and an Elf-woman, who decide to make
a difference.
I really, really like it that the creation of Numenor was spurred by
their leap, and imagine this story as the one the Numenoreans told
their children of their beginnings. Here it truly is the land of gift
indeed, and it's a bitter-sweet gift--basking in the winds of
paradise, and never there, by decree--for that ultimate of all
ultimate bad reasons--your own good.
I can imagine that Tolkien himself might have gotten rather indignant
about this particular story, as it gets to the heart of the flaw in
his legendarium. On the other hand, even he admitted some
contradictions: thus we have the doubting Vala Ulmo, surely the best
of the bunch. That Numenor rose from the sea floor is no mere accident!
This is a story that sticks with you.
Title: Future Imperfect · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851
- 3017 TA · ID: 749
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-30 15:41:09 Score: 4
I'm a little surprised that (SPOILER) Faramir would be drawn into
eavesdropping so easily. I would have thought his honor might have
kept him from it.
However, I'm very glad he did. It is an interesting moment between two
strong men. And who could doubt that Denethor would, in the end, not
win this debate.
I particularly liked that the author's Denethor is not abhorrent.
Title: The Return · Author: mistycracraft · Races: Men: Eriador or
Rivendell · ID: 90
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 15:43:25 Score: 3
I cant believe I missed this story earlier. I love your original
character and would like to see more of him. Felt sorry for the poor
man when the Queen surprised him, but I imagine she has that effect on
alot of people. Great fiction!
Title: The Long Winter · Author: Baranduin · Races: Hobbits · ID: 159
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:45:52 Score: 4
I love the wonderful way this story mingles RL mythology with
Middle-earth legend and history, to come up with what might have
become the Shire Fairy-tale version of the Long Winter. I especially
liked the way Gandalf was used in this--very much his mysterious,
cryptic self. And the personification of Spring rather reminded me of
Goldberry. Framing it around young Elanor was a lovely stroke as well!
Title: The Days of the King · Author: Randomrattle · Genres: Drama:
With Aragorn · ID: 399
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:46:08 Score: 2
A long and fascinating take on post-war Gondor. The take on the
relationship of Legolas to Aragorn and Arwen is rather unique, but I
think what I really like in this story is Gimli.
Title: Fell Wisdom · Author: Marta · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: General Drabble · ID: 323
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:46:24 Score: 2
Yes, I can imagine Theoden having these doubts. In the book, once he
is in Helm's Deep, he misses having an adviser. It must have been very
hard for him.
Title: Senses · Author: mistycracraft · Genres: Drama: With Aragorn ·
ID: 367
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 15:46:25 Score: 3
This is one of those stories that it hurts me to read, but I cant seem
to quit because I just have to know what happens. So lets have no more
torturing me or the Ranger for awhile, alright?
Title: February Bride · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Romance · ID: 678
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:46:44 Score: 2
A beautiful sensuous and tender wedding night for Pippin and
Diamond--with a weight of hinted-at backstory behind it that gives it
depth.
Title: The Stranger · Author: mistycracraft · Races: Men: Eriador or
Rivendell · ID: 89
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 15:46:51 Score: 4
This story struck be as being different when I originally read it. I
like how the OC's view of the sword changes as he considers Aragorn.
It's also nice to see a fic where the mother gets credit for teaching
someone manners and the father supporting the decision. I saw that
mentioned more than once about Legolas when he escorted Gandalf into
Theoden's Hall, and I think this has the same tone.
Title: Dangerous Place · Author: Ushmushmeifa · Genres: Drama: Minas
Tirith · ID: 590
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:46:59 Score: 2
Beautiful, sad and touching--and all too possible. Boromir was a
natural champion and guardian. He would have sought any hope that
would help him in his task.
Title: The Blessing · Author: Golden/Pearl Took CoAuthors · Genres:
Alternate Universe: Incomplete · ID: 235
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:47:35 Score: 4
This is an AU story that asks some startling questions: what if Pippin
had suffered a debilitating injury when he was wounded at the Black
Gate? What if his disability came with a stigma attached? How would he
cope? And how would those who loved him cope? The authors team up to
find some very plausible answers to those difficult questions. I hope
they soon continue--for even as they answer some questions, they raise
others--just like in real life.
Title: The Dryad · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: General Drabble · ID: 71
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:48:05 Score: 4
It has often struck me how marvellous it was that Ithilien managed to
be a haven of loveliness right on the very doorstep of Mordor. I like
the way Imhiriel picked up on that single word of JRRT's ["dryad"] and
brought it in. And it occurred to me on reading, that perhaps the
Entwives might have been dryads. At any rate, it was so clear that
Faramir was *meant* to protect that lonely land.
Title: Aragorn's Moment · Author: docmon · Races: Men: Eriador or
Rivendell · ID: 509
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:48:27 Score: 3
These are indeed, just the sorts of thoughts that *could* and *should*
have been going through Aragorn's mind. Yes, I can just see him taking
that metaphorical deep breath, and giving the future over to whatever
might come--still, he would do what was right. Beautiful!
Title: Waste Not, Want Not · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Villains:
Drabble · ID: 722
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:48:43 Score: 2
*Ugh!* But I mean that in a good way--it has to be the visceral
reaction the author was hoping for in this drabble from the Orcs' POV!
*shudder*
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 518
Reviewer: Cathleen · 2007-12-30 13:56:01 Score: 3
This is such a beautiful story relfecting the love and caring between
Pippin and his favorite auntie! I love the way Esmeralda is there for
him, and that she got him to talk about some of the happier memories
of that long journey. Pippinfan has an awesome way with words and I
enjoy all her stories so much, and this one in particular!
Title: A Special Kind of Lore · Author: Astara · Genres: Romance:
Drabble · ID: 748
Reviewer: Illwynd · 2007-12-30 14:08:14 Score: 4
Even in such a short piece, Astara paints a wonderful, lighthearted
picture of Denethor and Finduilas' characters, through Finduilas' sly
playfulness and Denethor's reaction to her reading material, as well
as his final sigh. The references to the book's origins and its
current condition only make this little glimpse more amusing. A clever
drabble that won't disappoint!
Title: A...Like An Antagonistic Arwen · Author: Linda Hoyland/Raksha
the Demon CoAuthors · Genres: Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 758
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-30 14:50:55 Score: 1
It would take one hundred rampaging orcs to say it better.
Title: No Pain, No Gain · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 435
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-30 14:52:44 Score: 1
Clever and funny. Is Merry's tatoo of a baby prince?
Title: Don't Be Deceived · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 351
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-30 14:54:57 Score: 2
Ha ha! Yes, all Tolkien's Man heroes bear a certain resemblance. Turin
is described just the same.
Title: Letter to Frodo · Author: AmandaK · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Gondor or Rohan · ID: 540
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-30 14:57:11 Score: 3
What emerges from this story for me is not so the forgiveness Boromir
seeks from Frodo, as the compassion that Boromir receives from his
younger brother. Faramir seems to have extensive experience in this
area and the reader cannot help but wonder where he got it.
Title: A Mother's Touch · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 44
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-30 15:00:09 Score: 1
Ah yes, no one's a monster in his fond mother's eyes.
Title: Mettarë · Author: Galadriel · Races: Men · ID: 34
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-30 15:01:23 Score: 2
This is what will make Aragorn a good king: his ability to understand,
sympathise, and redirect gently but firmly.
Title: A Million Little Stars To Light Their Way · Author: Cathleen ·
Genres: Drama: The Shire · ID: 387
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-30 15:14:10 Score: 3
This story flows most gently from present narrative to memory, showing
how present memory can be on such momentous occasions. I am glad their
reflections brought Merry and Pippin some release and understanding.
Title: A Game of Chess · Author: Marta · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble
· ID: 605
Reviewer: Oshun · 2007-12-30 15:14:40 Score: 3
This is one is hilarious: a bad Thorongil drabble. What a treat. It
doesn't matter with he wins or loses. (At first my imagination took
off and I presumed he would win.) He is going to do well enough to
leave Denethor scratching his head and annoyed.
Title: Summer Daze · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Pre-Ring War ·
ID: 471
Reviewer: Oshun · 2007-12-30 15:30:39 Score: 8
The writer gives a charming and believable young Faramir in this short
story. A sexual coming-of-age story that is neither silly nor
sentimental nor distastefully explicit, but just exactly right. I
think the idea that Faramir is not just needy and frustrated about his
situation, but pro-active about taking control and finding the right
resolution for himself. The atmoshere that the writer creates around
the weather is of course is a great metaphor for the condition of the
young man the writer is describing here, without overstraining the
conceit. It was written in response to challenge and meets it (and
then some--like finding a prize in a cracker jack box). It is a lovely
story and worthy of its main character. (If I could change anything at
all about it, I would either skip the author's note or put it in a
separate chapter. Anyone who really needed the note, probably wasn't
going to let loose and enjoy the story anyway. On the other hand, as
writers we do have a compulsion to share why we conceive various
scenarios in the way that we do.)
Title: The Land of Gift · Author: Maeve Riannon · Times: First Age and
Prior: House of Fingolfin · ID: 108
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-30 15:32:54 Score: 10
This is what fanfiction should be: Maeve delves deep into the truths
of Tolkien's story--truths he wanted to deny himself, waffling back
and forth over the ghastly Valar. But for those who want to see, the
Valar are as capricious and cruel as all gods, changing the rules to
suit them, making up unconvincing tales and self-justifying excuses
for their godlike ineffectiveness. Maeve gives us something better
instead: two brave people, a Man and an Elf-woman, who decide to make
a difference.
I really, really like it that the creation of Numenor was spurred by
their leap, and imagine this story as the one the Numenoreans told
their children of their beginnings. Here it truly is the land of gift
indeed, and it's a bitter-sweet gift--basking in the winds of
paradise, and never there, by decree--for that ultimate of all
ultimate bad reasons--your own good.
I can imagine that Tolkien himself might have gotten rather indignant
about this particular story, as it gets to the heart of the flaw in
his legendarium. On the other hand, even he admitted some
contradictions: thus we have the doubting Vala Ulmo, surely the best
of the bunch. That Numenor rose from the sea floor is no mere accident!
This is a story that sticks with you.
Title: Future Imperfect · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851
- 3017 TA · ID: 749
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-30 15:41:09 Score: 4
I'm a little surprised that (SPOILER) Faramir would be drawn into
eavesdropping so easily. I would have thought his honor might have
kept him from it.
However, I'm very glad he did. It is an interesting moment between two
strong men. And who could doubt that Denethor would, in the end, not
win this debate.
I particularly liked that the author's Denethor is not abhorrent.
Title: The Return · Author: mistycracraft · Races: Men: Eriador or
Rivendell · ID: 90
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 15:43:25 Score: 3
I cant believe I missed this story earlier. I love your original
character and would like to see more of him. Felt sorry for the poor
man when the Queen surprised him, but I imagine she has that effect on
alot of people. Great fiction!
Title: The Long Winter · Author: Baranduin · Races: Hobbits · ID: 159
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:45:52 Score: 4
I love the wonderful way this story mingles RL mythology with
Middle-earth legend and history, to come up with what might have
become the Shire Fairy-tale version of the Long Winter. I especially
liked the way Gandalf was used in this--very much his mysterious,
cryptic self. And the personification of Spring rather reminded me of
Goldberry. Framing it around young Elanor was a lovely stroke as well!
Title: The Days of the King · Author: Randomrattle · Genres: Drama:
With Aragorn · ID: 399
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:46:08 Score: 2
A long and fascinating take on post-war Gondor. The take on the
relationship of Legolas to Aragorn and Arwen is rather unique, but I
think what I really like in this story is Gimli.
Title: Fell Wisdom · Author: Marta · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: General Drabble · ID: 323
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:46:24 Score: 2
Yes, I can imagine Theoden having these doubts. In the book, once he
is in Helm's Deep, he misses having an adviser. It must have been very
hard for him.
Title: Senses · Author: mistycracraft · Genres: Drama: With Aragorn ·
ID: 367
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 15:46:25 Score: 3
This is one of those stories that it hurts me to read, but I cant seem
to quit because I just have to know what happens. So lets have no more
torturing me or the Ranger for awhile, alright?
Title: February Bride · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Romance · ID: 678
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:46:44 Score: 2
A beautiful sensuous and tender wedding night for Pippin and
Diamond--with a weight of hinted-at backstory behind it that gives it
depth.
Title: The Stranger · Author: mistycracraft · Races: Men: Eriador or
Rivendell · ID: 89
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 15:46:51 Score: 4
This story struck be as being different when I originally read it. I
like how the OC's view of the sword changes as he considers Aragorn.
It's also nice to see a fic where the mother gets credit for teaching
someone manners and the father supporting the decision. I saw that
mentioned more than once about Legolas when he escorted Gandalf into
Theoden's Hall, and I think this has the same tone.
Title: Dangerous Place · Author: Ushmushmeifa · Genres: Drama: Minas
Tirith · ID: 590
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:46:59 Score: 2
Beautiful, sad and touching--and all too possible. Boromir was a
natural champion and guardian. He would have sought any hope that
would help him in his task.
Title: The Blessing · Author: Golden/Pearl Took CoAuthors · Genres:
Alternate Universe: Incomplete · ID: 235
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:47:35 Score: 4
This is an AU story that asks some startling questions: what if Pippin
had suffered a debilitating injury when he was wounded at the Black
Gate? What if his disability came with a stigma attached? How would he
cope? And how would those who loved him cope? The authors team up to
find some very plausible answers to those difficult questions. I hope
they soon continue--for even as they answer some questions, they raise
others--just like in real life.
Title: The Dryad · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: General Drabble · ID: 71
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:48:05 Score: 4
It has often struck me how marvellous it was that Ithilien managed to
be a haven of loveliness right on the very doorstep of Mordor. I like
the way Imhiriel picked up on that single word of JRRT's ["dryad"] and
brought it in. And it occurred to me on reading, that perhaps the
Entwives might have been dryads. At any rate, it was so clear that
Faramir was *meant* to protect that lonely land.
Title: Aragorn's Moment · Author: docmon · Races: Men: Eriador or
Rivendell · ID: 509
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:48:27 Score: 3
These are indeed, just the sorts of thoughts that *could* and *should*
have been going through Aragorn's mind. Yes, I can just see him taking
that metaphorical deep breath, and giving the future over to whatever
might come--still, he would do what was right. Beautiful!
Title: Waste Not, Want Not · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Villains:
Drabble · ID: 722
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 15:48:43 Score: 2
*Ugh!* But I mean that in a good way--it has to be the visceral
reaction the author was hoping for in this drabble from the Orcs' POV!
*shudder*
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..