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Title: The Scribe and the Heir · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres:
Drama: Featuring the Noldor · ID: 256
Reviewer: Oshun · 2008-07-08 02:24:36
Title: The Scribe and the Heir · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres:
Drama: Featuring the Noldor · ID: 256
Reviewer: Oshun · 2008-07-08 02:24:3
Oh, Dawn, this is just such a thoughtful, lovely, and utterly
compelling--and incredibly frustrating and maddening--rendition of the
two of them (well, the four of them actually)—the relationship between
Fingolfin/Nolofinwë and Fëanaro AND Maitimo and Findekáno as well.

Love seeing Fingon shown as the rebellious son drawn to the
Fëanárians. Well, he just had to have been to have nurtured the
well-documented, life-long canon friendship between himself and
Fëanor's eldest son. I absolutely cracked up when I read the line of
dialogue referring to the entire House of Feanor as being ["locked
away with all those other nutters"]. I can so perfectly hear Nolofinwë
saying just exactly that kind of thing (and with some degree of
provocation I will admit, as much as I love the Fëanárians). The
really big bonus in the entire story is your characterization of
Finarfin/Arafinwë. He is wonderfully developed and absolutely
adorable--so charming and feckless on the surface, but with such
almost, but not quite, hidden depths of strength and character. (That
is canon to me.) We hear so little of him, until he turns back to
Valinor to take upon himself the responsibility that his elder
brothers have abandoned. I love him as you portray him and I've
probably told you at least a dozen times, that I did not really care
for him until I had seen your interpretation. I did notice that that
although this story is written from your long and careful
consideration of all the children and grandchildren of Finwe that
makes up your canon, but it fits so very neatly into my personal canon
for that family as well...not surprising, I suppose, since I have
stolen so much from your take on them.

Title: Arwen in the Afternoon · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres:
Romance: Elven Lands · ID: 244
Reviewer: Oshun · 2008-07-08 03:28:40
This is an interesting story that began as a simple romp of a story
and then was finally completely reworked to reach its current form.
The final version is a much more serious story that works to give a
true balance of romance, longing, and humor based upon both cultural
differences and the differences between men and women, with a solid
dose of angst and poignancy. I very much like the serious Halbarad who
is not without his own internal contradictions (which makes him a very
human and believable person). Aragorn is presented as a much more
relaxed personality, but not careless in any sense and willing to take
the risk of being honest. Arwen is her own person, sure within herself
about her own wants, needs, and personal belief system. She takes it
upon herself to right what she sees as a wrong that can be remedied to
a degree at least and will not leave it alone. The footnote is
interesting, where the author explains the inspiration and basis for
her AU take on Tolkien's elves.

Title: Bears With Honey · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Humor:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 243
Reviewer: Oshun · 2008-07-08 03:40:50
I always find talk about self-insertion in fiction of any sort a
rather odd discussion. Of course, there is the obvious form of writing
a simplified and immature girl-falls-into-Middle-earth and Legolas
cannot resist her. We are all familiar with that sort. The point,
however, of self-insertion in more mature writing is bringing one's
own life experiences into a story to give the reader a fresh
perspective and an interesting view of characters. I personally never
thought much about what it would be like to be married to Beorn. The
author takes a stab at it in this one, by comparing the man who turns
into a bear to her own spouse who she fondly refers to as the Beast
and uses it to give us a funny and interesting look at a canon couple.
I presume that the pony in the story is actually one of the author's
cats? And the honey-cakes could be her stories?

Title: Shadow King · Author: Claudia · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Angst/Tragedy · ID: 227
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-08 04:14:58
Spoilers!
A sad and scary tale featuring Aragorn as Lord of Gondor, Lord of the
Ring, and Lord of the Nazgul. All of those assembled at Minas Tirith
for the coronation are nervous, from Frodo to Faramir. I'd be nervous
too. Sheesh, there goes the neighborhood.

Seriously, a good AU tale with some beautiful, sinister imagery and
terrifying flashbacks.

Title: Sun · Author: Claudia · Races: Cross-Cultural: Frodo and
Faramir · ID: 223
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-08 04:28:11
Spoilers!
A sweet story about Faramir's reunion with Frodo in Minas Tirith,
under the sun and free of the Shadow. It could have been a little
longer, but it does work very well as a short story. Just enough for a
bit of hope to lighten the day of a tired Captain-Steward...

Title: Rebirth · Author: Aranel Took · Genres: Poetry: Late Third Age
· ID: 471
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-08 04:29:37
Spoilers!
A very pretty verse that says a lot in a brief and well-structured
batch of lines. I think Tolkien would have strongly approved of this
account of the rebirth of Isengard.

Title: Noldolantë · Author: Dawn Felagund · Races: Elves: House of
Finwe · ID: 253
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-08 04:37:14
Spoilers!
A very unusual and innovative take on the composion of Maglor's famous
opus. It does make sense, given the way that a musician's own life and
experiences can ibe woven into his work, that the Noldolante was
composed of various smaller themes, broadened and linked by Feanor's
second son. The device of separate chapters, each focussing on a
different member of Maglor's family, to show where each motif
originated, works quite well.

Title: Fatherhood · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Drabbles · ID: 547
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-08 04:40:13
A delightful drabble about Imrahil, fatherhood, and dynastic
sacrifices - and this one has a twist. Imrahil's tenderness for his
daughter, and determination to choose wisely for her future, comes
across clearly.

Great last line, too!

Title: Seven Stones and Seven Stars and One White Tree · Author:
shirebound · Races: Other Beings · ID: 121
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-08 04:43:10
Spoilers!
Shirebound finds a special and wonderful way of bringing seven stones
and seven stars and one white tree to life indeed!

Taking as her premise the idea of natural things having
self-awareness, Shirebound brings us the point of view of three such
things sensing the change in the world from the Third Age to the
Fourth: the stones of Hollin, the elanor flowers of Lorien, and the
new White Tree of Gondor.

The first chapter, which looks like it was the hardest to write, gives
the stones' reaction to the Fellowship as the group goes through their
lands. The second chapter reveals the bittersweet path of Galadriel -
change is coming, and she will leave the world where she, and her
flowers, have lingered so long. The third chapter is beautiful,
credible, and a sheer joy to read.

A fascinating and unusual story!

Title: Healing · Author: Bodkin · Races: Elves · ID: 419
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-08 04:46:54
Spoilers!
A compassionate and credible portrait of the last years of the Elves
in Middle-earth, which answers the question of why Celeborn waited to
leave it. Actually, Bodkin's explanation makes a lot of sense; and the
reader's sorrow at the seemingly inevitable loss of the magical Song
in the life of Middle-earth can be tempered by the Elves' final
journey to a place where they will always be able to hear it.

Title: Kin-Strife · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 92
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-08 04:48:58
Spoilers!
A rich, tapestried novel set in Isabeau's fascinating fanfictional
Gondor. This is a story of Prince Imrahil's somewhat dissolute youth,
and the first steps he takes from being a charming but feckless boy to
the stalwart and formidable lord we will come to know in her later
stories and in LOTR itself.

This is also a story of the youth of Isabeau's equally formidable
original male character - Andrahar, former street-rat and catamite of
Umbar, who became Imrahil's sworn brother and Swan Knight. We are
treated to a flashback of Imrahil's first meeting, where he saves
Andra from a terrible fate in Umbar and offers him friendship and a
new start. And we see their youthful friendship strained almost to the
breaking point by Imrahil's own folly, and the steps they each take to
reforge their bond into a lifetime's brotherhood.

Andrahar is a convincing character, and my absolute favorite among
Isabeau's original characters in Tolkien fanfiction. He is proud,
loyal, and honorable and tougher than tough - when Andra tells
Thorongil that he will kill him if he has the power to save Imrahil
and does not use it, Andra means it. Andra's usual control and quiet
manner makes a wonderful contrast to Imrahil's verbal sophistication
and charm.

One of my very favorite scenes takes place in an exclusive tailoring
establishment in Minas Tirith, where Imrahil has been coming since
childhood. We see the genesis of the very well-dressed warrior in
LOTR, as Imrahil happily explores a myriad of fabric samples in
anticipation of getting a new wardrobe; with Andrahar's frustration an
amusing counterpoint. And then - in what should be a pleasant
exposition of an indulged princeling's fondness for fine clothing
(which, considering Imrahil's station, is not entirely vanity, he
really can't go take tea with the Steward wearing the same shirt he
would use to hunt deer in), Thorongil enters, disaster strikes, and we
are off into quasi-Tolkien territory of visions and portents. It's
delightfully written. And the characterisation of Thorongil is marvelous.


Title: Arwen in the Afternoon · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres:
Romance: Elven Lands · ID: 244
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-08 04:52:17
Spoilers!
A quasi-AU and very frisky look at the relationships of Halbarad and
Aragorn and Arwen. The story veers away from what I believe Tolkien
intended, but is entertaining and enjoyable nonetheless. And brownie
points to G.A. for coming up with a new wrinkle on how Elves might
view the human need for sleep.

Title: Seeing Stars · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond · ID: 360
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-07-08 04:53:22
Spoilers!
This story is truly delightful and should warm the heart of any one
fortunate enough to read it.It is a story of fathers and sons and the
joys of being a new parent all mixed with a delightful touch of humour.

Faramir is the proud father of a new baby son.Faramir has been invited
to celebrate with various interested parties and now is somewhat
drunk.I don't imagine Faramir as a habitual drinker, but being a first
time father is a very special occasion for him.

Seeing support for his unsteady legs,Faramir grasps hold of a Tree and
finds it is the White Tree and is overwhelmed with joy that his child
will grow up with a living White Tree. There he is found by the King
.Aragorn acts towards him as a kindly father,listening to his dreams
for his son,pursuading him that Eowyn needs rest and finally seeing
him safely to bed.

The reader feels certain that Faramir will be a good father and not
make the same mistakes as Denethor made. i especially enjoyed the
warmth and affection that Aragorn obviously has for his Steward
here,like the love and concern a good father feels for his son.

this story is a masterful combination of past and present,humour and
pathos and joy and sorrow. An especially poignant moment is when
Aragorn supports the unsteady Faramir and the Steward recalls the same
arms held his dyling brother.
A truly outstanding and well written story ,which I highly reccomend.

Title: Shall We Dance? · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Races: Men:
Steward's Family · ID: 93
Reviewer: Oshun · 2008-07-08 05:08:49
The author warns of fluff in her summary. I suppose I must to concede
the warning, but only grudgingly and with qualifications. To the
degree there is fluff, it is couched in politics and humor, which is
guaranteed to sharpen the softer edges. Also, I must note that the
fact that sentiment does not have to equal sentimentality is something
that the writer recognized when she wrote this story. This is a very
nicely done workup of all my favorite characters created by this
writer in a satisfyingly recognizable form: Faramir, Boromir,
Andrahar, Imrahil, et al., being very much themselves as she
interprets them.

Denethor was a bonus. I have also always liked thinking about
Denethor. There was one part that I absolutely have to quote, that
should have come with one of those ubiquitous beverage warnings.
Luckily for me, I was not drinking at the time I read it: ["Captain
Andrahar looked impassive enough, but Denethor had known him for years
as well, and there was a dour cast to his countenance that indicated
he probably would rather have seen Dol Amroth's finest flower dancing
with a Khandian pimp than the Steward of Gondor."] Touché Denethor and
shame on you, but Andrahar does leave himself to open it!

Title: Miquan Melave · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance · ID: 319
Reviewer: Oshun · 2008-07-08 05:31:40
It's a lovely, human, believeable story in the context of the world
you have created, even without having to read any of the related
personal-canon stories you recommended. My favorite line: ["Tell me
that I did not ride all the way from Rohan to play that part. For I
know there are cheaper, more convenient men to be found here,
Gondorian morals be damned, and I would not be your whore."] This
contains so much decency, tenderness, hope, sadness, generosity,and
self-respect all in one utterance.

Because I like this story a lot, I am willing to give you points in
order to get up on a soap box here. Have the courage to own the story.
The footnotes are a distraction and make you sound insecure about it.
Don't see why one has to explain why one might write something that
Tolkien has not written or would not likely ever write. One would
presume that your readers are already quite aware of that. We love his
world and it inspires us to want to play with it and make it our own.
To my mind, there is no disrespect in that, and no need for defense.
Tolkien said explicitly that he wanted to create mythology. The nature
of that beast is that it is ever evolving and changes with the teller
of the tale. He succeeded. It is too late for him to take that back now.

Title: The Craft of the Elven Smith · Author: Larner · Times:
Multi-Age · ID: 1
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-07-08 05:40:37
Spoilers!
I cannot say that I usually care much for stories about the characters
in the Simarillion,but this outstanding story proved a notable
exception to me.
One of characters in the Simarrillion, who sparked my interest, apart
from those who were the ancesters of my favourite character, Aragorn,
was Nerdarnel, Feanor's estranged wife.I felt she must have been a
gifted woman in her own right and strong willed.I felt for a woman who
looses all her sons to an ill fated oath and always hoped she had
daughters too.

I always wondered what happened to Nerdarnel and Larner provides a
fascinating and convincing answer here.

The jewels that Feanor created caused strife and mysery and only one
ended up actually doing some good.Would it not be appropriate that the
creations of Feanor's wife could pay a part in healing some of the
pain and strife in Middle-earth?

I found Larner's vision of the Valar entrusting Nerdarel to craft some
of the most precious gems found in Tolkien's later works both touching
and fitting.

An outstanding story,beautifully told.

Title: Good King Elessar · Author: Dreamflower · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Friendship · ID: 2
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-07-08 06:06:35
Spoilers!
This is a truly delightful story based on a popular Christmas carol. I
loved the idea of Aragorn,with young Frodo Gamgee as his page ,taking
winter fuel to a poor man.Naturally things to not go exactly as
expected when the journey becomes quite hazardous.

I can just picture Aragorn eager for adventure during a visit to the
North.He shows himself a great King here in his compassion and care
for others.

I also enjoyed the hint of mystery in the story as we ponder why the
man gathering fuel is in such dire circumstances.

This is a most enjoyable story which should be required CHristmas
reading for devoted Tolkien fans!

Title: Light of the Westering Sun · Author: Dawn Felagund · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 126
Reviewer: Robinka · 2008-07-08 09:25:56
I have always admired those authors who possess the ability to tell a
whole story in as few words as for example a drabble contains. The
entirety of a tale must be filtered and the most important, turning
points must be emphasized. Here, Dawn has done a wondrous job bringing
such moments and she has written an excellent series that present the
life of Haleth of Brethil. The series touches upon her relationship
with Caranthir, and I one more time ponder the different fates of the
Firstborn and Secondborn (but well, it's just me ;)).

I admire the clever structure of this set of ficlets: we see Haleth's
life move backward, as she probably would have recalled it at the late
hour of her life. Very well thought out! And even more significant,
the drabbles are brought full circle – again, a very good idea. Each
time I read the series, I marvel at the elegant, poetic, beautiful
language of these pieces. And the inner romantic in me is utterly
satisfied even though Caranthir and Haleth could not have been
together for eternity.

Wonderful, touching, and poignant series! Greatly done!

Title: The Apprentice · Author: pandemonium_213 · Races: Villains · ID: 52
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2008-07-08 15:32:26
Pandemonium is a relatively new Tolkien fanfic author, and "The
Apprentice" was the first of her stories that I had the privilege of
reading. Quite simply put, this is an amazing story in every sense of
the word. Set during the Second Age, it follows the life of an
apprentice to Annatar, the "Noldo" who would later be revealed as Sauron.

One of Pandemonium's strengths as an author is her characterization,
and "The Apprentice" is a shining example of that. It has been close
to a year since I last read this piece, and her main players--Annatar,
Celebrimbor, and the apprentice Samaril--still remain large in my
mind. Samaril is at once obnoxious and endearing, in every way like
some of the brilliant-minded individuals I have known who should be
intolerable yet are loveable nonetheless, and he is certainly one of
the best-rendered OCs that I have read in Tolkien fanfic. Perhaps the
most brilliant character, though, is Annatar. A convenient (and
canonical) villain, Pandemonium nonetheless fleshes him out as a
fallible and empathetic character, making his inevitable fall all the
more painful to watch. At times, I hear people in the Tolkien fandom
wonder how various characters "fall" for the ploys of the villains,
and, for anyone who has ever wondered how Celebrimbor and the Noldor
of Eregion "fell" for Sauron's tricks, this story will explain that.

That Pandemonium is a scientist in real life is clear in how she views
Arda. "The Apprentice" is written through a scientist's eyes, taking
views of the events, players, and dominant philosophies of
Middle-earth in a new way. Some of the most spectacular passages in
this piece involve Annatar and Samaril's mental immersions into and
manipulations of the substances that they study, explaining how the
Rings of Power came to have the powers that they did without resorting
to the convenient explanation of "mere magic." These passages show
Pandemonium's knack not only for viewing Tolkien's canon in original
and provocative ways but also for having the skills as a wordsmith to
make these scenes come to life and leave the reader as breathless as
they do her protagonist.

"The Apprentice" is a story that had me laughing in places and
speechless in others and left me with tears in my eyes and a renewed
appreciation for the characters and events of this time in Arda's
history. It comes with the highest recommendation.

Title: A Smile · Author: Aria · Races: Elves: House of Finwe · ID: 321
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2008-07-08 16:11:37
"A Smile" is the story of a father letting go of a son: Curufin and
Celebrimbor after the Feanorians' betrayal of Finrod in Nargothrond.
It is a scene that has been done many times by many skilled authors,
but Aria brings to the scene a unique style that makes her version of
the event both bittersweet and heartbreaking.

While many authors write Curufin and Celebrimbor's relationship
strained to the point of dysfunction, Aria takes the opposite bent.
She shows clearly the love and regret that exists between them. Her
portrait of Celebrimbor, particularly, is excellent, as it shows the
man who will later bring about his ruin by creating the Rings of
Power. The style of the piece is extremely effective in achieving the
story's purpose, and, as I read it, I do not feel that it is too
saccharine or breaks from canon in any way. It is the work of a
skilled writer using subtleties of the language to convey an event
that must have been truly heartbreaking.

Title: A Race, To Be Like Me · Author: Imhiriel · Races: Elves:
Drabbles · ID: 375
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2008-07-08 21:03:00
Imhiriel's drabble captures well the passion and the madness that is
Feanor at the swearing of the oath. Considering his belief that he
seeks freedom--not death--his wishes for his sons to swear next are
all the more poignant and, yes, justified as well.

Title: The Other · Author: Dana/Lindelea CoAuthors · Genres: Horror ·
ID: 27
Reviewer: PipMer · 2008-07-08 21:10:09
I really enjoy the stories of both these authors, and this one was no
exception. This is very suspenseful and spooky! I didn't know what was
going to happen until the very end. The authors certainly know how to
weave an AU tale and make it seem like it comes from canon.

The angst that Pippin goes through as he tries to decide what he will
do about his best friend is very palpable, and believable. His agony
as he realizes what he must do is heart-rending.

Well done!

Title: Lily Took · Author: Cathleen · Races: Hobbits: Childhood · ID: 147
Reviewer: PipMer · 2008-07-08 22:12:12
Spoilers!
What a sweet little story! How like Pippin to give his kitten his good
blanket... he has such a generous heart.

Well done!

Title: Before the Black Gate · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late
Third Age · ID: 45
Reviewer: PipMer · 2008-07-08 22:16:00
This sweet little story highlights a conversation and meal shared by
Pippin and Beregond just before the Battle at the Black Gate. They
both know they are likely to die, and yet they are both careful that
their conversation does not reflect that.

Well done.

Title: There and Back · Author: Dana · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 89
Reviewer: PipMer · 2008-07-08 22:20:22
This is absolutely lovely. The first half of this ficlet is from
Pippin's point of view, and the second half from Beregond's. Before
the Battle at the Black Gate, and after. It captures well the
hopelessness Pippin must have felt, and also the awe with which
Beregond holds the Halflings.