Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Some Dark Place · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Adventure:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 226
Reviewer: Dot · 2007-12-30 23:02:12 Score: 4
Wow. This is amazing. I love how you write Aragorn as someone so human
and as vulnerable to evil as anyone else â€" yet we still see his
strength and determination shine through. The horror and terror are
tangible enough to be unsettling and disturbing to the reader, but the
unspoken friendship between the two men anchors it. It’s a perfect
gapfiller and is incredibly powerful and well-written.

Title: Last Light · Author: Ignoble Bard · Genres: Drama · ID: 194
Reviewer: Inkling · 2007-12-30 23:02:53 Score: 4
Gorgeously written and heartwrenchingly painful, "Last Light" is a
tragic reminder that the salvation of Middle-earth came too late for
many. One hopes desperately that [the group of quick ones] upon whom
the crows have been spying will liberate Isengard before the death of
this lone survivor, but the despairing final lines don't suggest a
happy outcome.

The Caspar David Friedrich painting wonderfully enhances the mood of
the tale.


Title: Marking Fours · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Multi-Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 1
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2007-12-30 23:03:17 Score: 4
I had to re-read this before reviewing it again because it is so
moving. I just love the way the four drabbles fit so neatly together
in a perfect square, but mostly I love the four glimpses of Faramir's
life. It was such a difficult time for him and yet there is hope bound
up in each little section. You write Faramir so well in everything
you've written and this story is no exception.

Very well done and thanks so much for sharing this with us!

Title: Two Yuletide Carols of the Shire · Author: Dreamflower ·
Genres: Poetry: With Hobbits · ID: 736
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-12-30 23:03:44 Score: 2
Here are two hobbit Yuletide carols; very well-written and, even
better, reading as if they were actually written by halflings. A fine
seasonal treat!

Title: Keepsake · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits: Vignette · ID: 256
Reviewer: Inkling · 2007-12-30 23:05:24 Score: 2
There was a special bond between Pippin and Gandalf, in both book and
film, and Marigold does a lovely job here of imagining their farewells
at the Grey Havens.



Title: Helping Hands · Author: Llinos · Races: Hobbits: Drabble · ID: 615
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-30 23:06:22 Score: 10
[Spoilers]

These four drabbles are wonderful vignettes of minute incidents in the
hobbits recovery from the trials and injuries they all suffered during
the Quest and after. The love and concern that shines through each one
is delightful and heartwarming from Merry giving Pippin a hand up when
he knows that his cousin has been less than straight with Aragorn as
to his health being up to the ceremony in which he becomes a Knight,
to Pippin spotting Merry's discomfort with his injured sword arm. And
the way that he does it is just wonderful, so attuned to his cousin
that he can spot Merry trying to hide the problems he is having simply
turning the pages of a book, hoping to spare Pippin any worry over him.

In each case the hobbit receiving the help has not asked for
assistance, showing the resilient and stoic nature of their race, but
every time their problem is identified and resolved by those that love
them.

I loved the way Sam berates himself for not spotting sooner that Frodo
is having difficulty with his cutlery and just silently takes over â€"
that is just so perfectly Sam. But especially lovely was the scene in
Sam's smial on the anniversary of Frodo's departure. The noisy arrival
of Merry and Pippin contrasts beautifully with Sam's silent greeting
and with not a spoken word said about what the problem is, although
they all three know it well. Merry slamming down the bottle of
emergency Rohirric whiskey brought a lump to my throat. How often must
they have had to comfort themselves after they came home from the
Quest, especially after Frodo sailed.

These are just beautiful and convey so very much in just a few
perfectly chosen words!



Title: The Tides of the World · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late
Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Gondor · ID: 101
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2007-12-30 23:08:53 Score: 4
This is wonderful... truly moving and I highly recommend it for any
Aragorn fans (like me!). I could just feel Aragorn's utter weariness
after the battle on the Pelennor and a night spent in the Houses of
Healing and yet there was also a sense of hope as the sun rose. He
grieved and yet he was not so overcome that he gave into despair
because he could see that a new day was dawning. Very nicely done.

Title: Beginnings · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Romance: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 503
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 23:09:01 Score: 3
It's hard for me to warm up to Eowyn in most fics, but I really like
this one, especially since I sympathize with her weighing which is
worse the pain or the cure. The reference to medicine of Rohan being
different seems perfect to me, too.

Title: Justice · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 633
Reviewer: Dot · 2007-12-30 23:09:05 Score: 3
I really like this. Justice, indeed. I thought the man flinching at
the harsh sound of metal was a very moving touch and I love how
steadfast Aragorn seems and how genuine too, especially in his closing
wish. You’ve really given substance to the gesture of giving the land
to the slaves. Very well done.

Title: Elements: Dreams of the Dead, Visions of the Living · Author:
pipkinsweetgrass · Genres: Alternate Universe: The Shire or Buckland ·
ID: 202
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2007-12-30 23:09:46 Score: 10
Once again I am in awe of this author's writing talents. I suppose I
should say...

*Spoiler Alert*'

here, as I will have difficulty conveying my deepest admiration for
this wonderful story without giving away a few tidbits of the tale. As
I was saying, now that I've read this story two times, I am in
complete awe of Pipkin's unfathomable imagination.

Like many other authors, Pipkinsweetgrass takes the statement the
Professor said about a Took taking a faerie wife in explanation of
their inherently wandering and adventurous ways, and tranforms it into
a fantastc story of epic porportion. And with this author, that is not
a bad thing! Pipkin puts a fresh and different spin on the "faerie
blood" in that she gives the faeries a name, a history, and a place in
Middle-earth, not to mention an indirect relationship with Pippin, and
in some respects, Merry. I liked that bit; some authors who write
about Pippin's foresight sometimes forget about Merry being half Took.

In this tale of tales, this author takes Pippin on a strange and
wondrous adventure through learning about the Sidh and also in
rediscovering his love for Boromir and what that relationship meant to
him. It's a very spiritual journey for Pippin, whose detailed carvings
are full of haunted memories of his days with the Fellowship. I highly
recommend this story and this author, whose works have never
disappointed me.

Title: Tom Cotton · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Post-Grey
Havens · ID: 774
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-12-30 23:11:09 Score: 6
[Spoilers]


This is a vivid and unusual gapfiller from a hobbit we usually don't
hear much from in fanfiction - Rosie Cotton's brother Tom. As he
considers his brother-in-law and friend Sam, Tom's thoughts provide a
fascinating look at hobbit nature and the nature of friendship itself.
Tom is beautifully characterised as a steadfast and generous soul,
limited by standard Cotton (and hobbit) provincialism, but also
someone with the imagination to think beyond the borders of what he
has known before. And I though I felt sorry for him, in that Sam has
left his best friend Tom behind; I wasn't too sorry; because a hobbit
of Tom's caliber would be able to make new friends while cherishing
the old.

Excellently and credibly written.

Title: The Heir of the Hill · Author: Lothithil · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA · ID: 675
Reviewer: Inkling · 2007-12-30 23:13:27 Score: 3
Lothithil has added some creative twists and unusual creatures to this
rambling tale of young Frodo's life with Bilbo. I especially liked
Frodo's first hazy, sleep-fogged view of the Elves as he travels from
Buckland to his new home.

An impressive effort, containing easily enough material for several
stories.


Title: The Eagle's Gift · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama:
Minas Tirith · ID: 591
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2007-12-30 23:14:27 Score: 6
This is a most enjoyable story by someone who writes Aragorn very
well. I haven't seen her write Denethor often, but she did a masterful
job of him here on his wedding night as he waits for his bride to show up.

I loved the nervousness of Denethor as he waited and then when
Thorongil showed up with the fertility charms... wow! How and why
Ecthelion could do that to his son is beyond me! But the verbal
sparring between the two men was very well done, you captured the
tension perfectly. This is one of my favorite lines:

[Finally Thorongil lifted his chin, a slight but prideful motion.
Anger left his face, and his eyes shone with that fey light Denethor
had seen once or twice before. The Steward had noticed his favorite’s
occasional revelation of sudden, hidden power too, and called it "the
air of Númenor." Captain Thorongil looked more like a challenged king
than a landless warrior.]

I'm sure that Aragorn had a hard time 'cloaking' himself at all times,
his true nature had to come out at times and this describes it very well.

A most enjoyable read and highly recommended. Thanks so much for
sharing this!

Title: To Light the Way · Author: Dot · Races: Elves: With Mirkwood
Elves · ID: 12
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-12-30 23:18:46 Score: 3
Intriguing story about the Peredhil twins' visit to Mirkwood and
Thranduil's halls. I really liked the comparisons of Elves and men,
and the wood-elves' lively spirits during times that some would call
very bleak. Thranduil is well-written.

Title: Brothers at Heart · Author: Radbooks · Times: Mid Third Age:
2851 - 3017 TA · ID: 330
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 23:22:20 Score: 3
I was fairly new to Halbarad when I read this fiction. It was a good
expansion on him. I really liked all of these characters. I wish I'd
done more reviewing earlier because I could say alot more about this
story if I had time.

Title: Stopping by Woods · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: Vignette ·
ID: 19
Reviewer: Anoriath · 2007-12-30 23:26:23 Score: 10
Lady Branwyn has a talent for capturing seemingly simple moments,
deceptive in that for all the quietness of the narrative voice, what
is revealed beneath surface is the deepest of emotions: longing, love,
and a tenacity of will and hope born of the connections we have with
others.

What goes unsaid is often more important that what is said in Lady B's
writing, the silence framing the deeper meaning of the pieces she
writes. So it is true of this piece as well.

The sensory details are carefully presented so that a scene of peace
is what is most noticeable. But this contrasts with the echoes of
loss, presenting the reader with an unanswered question: how does one
survive the long weary journey of bereavement? It was both fate and
choice joined that lead to this moment, just as both Faramir and his
brother visited this very crossroads, one gone and the other left
behind to continue on. There are of echoes of pain glimpsed in the
corners of this piece, but Lady B does not allow us to wallow in
despair. Instead we are shown the path by which we might overcome such
a loss, in that Faramir chooses to take a longer view, see himself in
the perspective of time. He visits the road that Boromir once
traveled. He celebrates the present and joys it has to offer, and he
anticipates and accepts his eventual death, knowing that it will allow
him to rejoin those he has lost. And so, honor but do not dwell on the
past. Honor and open yourself fully to what the present has to offer
you. Do not take it for granted, for it is but transient and quickly gone.

Title: Dawning Hope · Author: Radbooks · Genres: Drama: Youth · ID: 498
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-12-30 23:27:15 Score: 4
A vivid portrait of the early days of the orphaned Eomer and Eowyn in
Meduseld. I really like the interaction of the kids with their cousin
Theodred, and his kindness toward them; the writer shows, rather than
tells, what a good father he would have made if he had survived the
Ring War. Good characterisation of the children as well; they are
written very credibly and naturally during a period of their lives
that changes from sad to hopeful.

Title: Are You Going to Leave Me? · Author: Llinos · Genres: Drama:
With Merry · ID: 142
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-30 23:28:45 Score: 10
I think that this is a most excellent gapfiller from the film! It's
exciting, angsty and full of hobbity interaction with a good bit of
Fellowship thrown into the bargain. I absolutely hated that Merry was
found on the battlefield and then suddenly there he was on the back of
Eomer's horse riding to the Black Gate!

Pippin's spotting Merry's foot on the battlefield was wonderful - I
hadn't even noticed that detail myself until Llinos pointed it out to
me and I loved that she put it in the story. I loved Pippin's care of
Merry, his cleverness and desperation as he tried to get help and the
scenes in the Houses of Healing were just stunning. Pippin's
desperation to see Merry cared for and his impatience was wonderfully
in character.

The scene in the council was superb! The way that Merry asserted
himself in the council and defended his right to go to the Black Gate
for love of Frodo was so in character and I loved the way that the
others were worried over his going. That it was Eomer that came to his
rescue (in allowing him to put himself in deadly danger!) was
excellent and really solidified for me the affection between the two
of them in the future.

As always, the dialogue was spot on, the interactions between the
characters was perfect and the descriptions just right without
overpowering the action. I'd love it if Llinos just had time to write
more nowadays!





Title: Despair · Author: Silivren Tinu · Genres: Drama: The Fellowship
· ID: 171
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 23:29:48 Score: 3
Good story. I think I read it when you first posted it and I still
hold it as one of the stories that taught me something. I never
considered what Legolas and Boromir had in common until I read it. I
find your final paragraph very chilling. Nicely done!

Title: Blooded · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama: Youth · ID: 3
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-30 23:29:53 Score: 6
This is a beautiful coming of age piece where Faramir, claims his
rightful place above the others. Many of the new men are brash and try
to overrule their own fears and shaking with brash words, but not
Faramir. I can see in this piece the man who he will become many years
later when he stumbles upon Frodo and Sam. The language of this piece
just fits this character, there is wisdom in his words and a lesson
that he learnt. Still it makes me sad that he could not become what he
wanted, but Raksha writes the basis of the captain he will be. You can
simply sense the emotional growth in this short story. Raksha handles
the internal conflict and emotions quite well, it never feels too
jumbled, and it just flows as her character’s thoughts come to a
conclusion.

Title: Erestor and Estel: Hidden · Author: Pentangle · Genres: Drama:
Youth · ID: 167
Reviewer: Firya · 2007-12-30 23:31:20 Score: 5
I just love this whole series and the deep friendship and love between
Pentangle’s Erestor and Estel. Their banter here was quite amusing and
this ficlet showed us how Erestor cared Estel despite his reluctance
to admission, and a glimpse of the friendship between Erestor and
Glorfindel as a bonus. I can’t help grinning when Erestor pictured ‘a
starving orphan’ vividly in his head, and I must say that Elrond’s
counsellor might had great potential of a painter as well as an
adviser. And what a perceptive boy Estel was! All of these make this
series great piece to reread during the New Year vacation.

Title: Farewell · Author: Vilwarin · Genres: Drama: With Aragorn · ID: 706
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 23:32:06 Score: 1
An aptly named fiction, with a very nice ending.

Title: Good Rest Ye Merry · Author: Llinos · Genres: Poetry · ID: 798
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-30 23:34:46 Score: 10
I'm glad I left this to review until Christmas time, as it is very
seasonal as well as being highly amusing.

I suppose Merry's name is a natural to make into a spoof at Christmas
and this is the starting point for this filk of the famous carol God
Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. But all of the fellowship characters get a
mention, although sadly not each in their own verse.

But each verse tells a part of the story or at least refers to
something about the character with which everyone is familiar and they
are all dealt with very kindly, merely poking fun at actual events
from the story.

This is a very inventive piece of work and fit well with the original
tune. I was actually singing it out loud before I finished and then
had to go back to the beginning to sing it all through again. Other
people in my house were not as amused as I was, since I don't sing
that well or often and, of course you need to be a Lord of the Rings
fan to get the jokes!

That said, if you are a Rings fan this is definitely one not to miss.
It is very witty and, as is often the case, only poor old Gimli does
not get too much attention, just popping his head up in Legolas's verse.

Everyone else is parodied to good advantage and while it is a joke
song, quite a lot of attention is given to real events from the story.


Title: Missing · Author: conniemarie · Races: Hobbits: Vignette · ID: 731
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 23:35:29 Score: 4
This is filled with beautiful characterizations. Even though the
events as described are movie-verse, the characters are solidly
book-verse, with all the depth and subtlety that implies. I especially
love the description of Pippin as being so intuitive and wise, in
spite of his reputation for foolishness--that's how I've always
thought of him myself.

And I love that we see that all are not only "missing" but "missed". A
wonderful double use of the title.

Title: Still Round the Corner · Author: lbilover · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Grey Havens · ID: 515
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 23:35:47 Score: 3
This is such a lovely leave-taking between father and son; I love
young Frodo's realization that it's necessary that his father go, but
his concern is still filled with love, and quite understandable. And
Sam is perfect in this, determined, as always, and wise.