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Title: Pirates Ye Be Warned · Author: Imhiriel · Races: Men: Gondor
Drabbles · ID: 353
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2008-07-15 23:37:54
A good depiction of one of Imrahil's sterner moments. I tend to write
him myself in his more cheerful moods, so it's always nice to see
depictions of him otherwise. I always figured he had the right of
high, middle and low justice and that he would have to make life and
death judgments. Very nice!

Title: Giving Gifts · Author: Marta · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 426
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2008-07-15 23:45:33
Heh heh! I like this depiction of a different, less serious
Denethor/Imrahil rivalry than the one I usually depict. Denethor's
sense of humor in this drabble is both subtle and sublime, but Imrahil
is up to the challenge. And since my own 12-year-old boy is a
fledgling flautist himself, I can really, REALLY empathize! Thanks, Marta!

Title: On Far Fields · Author: Dwimordene · Races: Cross-Cultural ·
ID: 106
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2008-07-16 00:11:27
Spoilers!
When I first started reading/writing fanfiction, Dwimordene was one of
the authors I admired most. When she wanted to jump into the sandbox
that is called the Unabeauverse and play with Altariel and myself, I
was very flattered and pleased. And when I saw the results, I was
absolutely blown away by the surety with which she handled my
characters. This particular story is a good example. Over several of
her stories, Dwim has in particular expanded the Haradric culture and
language and poetry and Andrahar's relation to same in a way that I
know I could not. The song in this story is poignant and seems
authentically Haradric, a real feat when Tolkien said so little about
the actual culture.

And I like it for another reason. In my story Last Rites, Imrahil
tells Andrahar that he feels he neglected him in the aftermath of
finding out about Boromir's death. This story proves that was not
entirely true. Given Andrahar's current position as a captain of
reknown serving his birth nation's greatest enemy, he is of course
very conflicted when confronted with Haradric prisoners of war.
Knowing this, Imrahil makes sure to seek him out after the Battle of
the Pelennor Fields, to provide the love and emotional support that
his oath-brother requires. And it's a very good thing he does, for
Andrahar is obviously very troubled and is working towards the
fatalistic despair he later displays in Last Rites. Imrahil is
ultimately forced to draw upon the bonds of Andrahar's oaths to bring
Andrahar around. Their decades-long relationship is beautifully and
accurately depicted.

Title: Tree of Knowledge · Author: Nancy Brooke · Times: Late Third
Age: Gondor Drabbles · ID: 172
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-16 02:15:58
A powerful drabble, with beautiful language; one of my favorite pieces
by Nancy. I can just see Denethor thinking these thoughts; and the
last line drives home the theme in a poetic but very definite fashion.
I especially liked the contrast between trees and stone...



Title: Early Winter at Himring Hill · Author: Oshun · Genres: Romance:
Elven Lands · ID: 79
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-07-16 02:23:43
Spoilers!
Oshun's fiction makes me smile to see a happy Fingon. She did so
without making him seem silly which is perfect. Sometimes people write
a little too happy where it borders on goofy and I cannot stand goofy
Silmarillion First Age elves! I also like to see a shared bond between
these two that is not completely stated that they are a couple but it
does not rule out the possibility. Its up to the reader to decide if
its a romantic/sexual flirty thing or just two cousins having fun
teasing each other about what they will do if stuck together for the
winter. Leaving things to the imagination can sometimes be very good ;)~

Title: Tying Notes · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Late Third Age: Gondor
Drabbles · ID: 378
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-16 02:29:42
Spoilers!
A delightful snapshot of Fourth Age Faramir enjoying one of the
privileges of being Steward of Gondor - diplomatic interaction with
outland cultures. Faramir is written as the intellectually curious man
that Tolkien created; and one can almost feel how much happier he
would have been pursuing the intricacies of Haradraic music than he
was killing invading Haradrim during the Ring War.

The details are lovely too, especially the image of Faramir sitting
cross-legged on that rug, attentive not to the sensuous dancers but to
the music...

Title: Five Hair Care Tips for Rohirrim · Author: EdorasLass · Genres:
Humor · ID: 71
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-07-16 02:31:01
This was a cute little story! I found it by chance as the featured
story when I logged in and I really liked it. The part about the
braids in 'Nancy Countries to the South' and the fact that washing was
actually overrated really made me giggle. But the best line was the
one that was crossed out about wearing the mane on his helmet.
*snicker* Hint Hint Eomer. Good job and very original!

Title: Recognition · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
Gondor Drabbles · ID: 481
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-16 02:47:55
Spoilers!
Dwimordene presents an unusual snapshot of the fabled Faramir/Eowyn
courtship - that of one woman recognizing another woman's greatness,
and the loneliness that great deeds and great valour can bring a woman
in the male-dominated kingdoms of the West. That Ioreth can credibly
recognize such distinctions, and also equate a woman's perception with
that of [the right man] is a novel and worthy approach to Tolkien's
world, which, though not devoid of strong women, usually views them
through a male viewpoint.

Title: The Language of Waves · Author: Claudia · Races: Hobbits · ID: 193
Reviewer: Baranduin · 2008-07-16 02:56:43
This is a heartfelt beautifully written vignette of Frodo's life on
Tol Eressea. Specifically Frodo explores the ocean with Gildor at his
side. There's something so peaceful about this story in the way it
evokes the shore and the ocean. Claudia's attention to sensory details
is what makes the piece sing to me--the texture of the sand and how
the foam breaks on the shore ... the exotic and brightly colored
fishes when Frodo explores a cove and the smoothness of the water
compared to the waves. I can just about smell the sea smell when I
read this fic.

Title: Harmony · Author: Elwen · Races: Hobbits · ID: 195
Reviewer: Baranduin · 2008-07-16 03:04:07
This is a thoughtfully worked out story about how Elrond views his
role in the Ringbearer's life ... whether what he did was worth the
pain caused to Frodo.

No one writes Elrond as well as Elwen does and this story is no
exception. She ties intricate descriptions to states of mind and
emotion that make the story so memorable and evocative. Really it
gives it its heart ... and poignancy for this story is deeply poignant.

The section of this multi chaptered story in which Elrond and Arwen
and Aragorn discuss the pendant that Arwen is going to give Frodo has
such a delicacy of emotion and beauty. Arwen's gift to Frodo has
always moved me so much and to see a discussion about it played out
between Arwen and her father ... knowing what it is going to mean to
them both forever ... it's amazing.

Great fic!

Title: Seven Stones and Seven Stars and One White Tree · Author:
shirebound · Races: Other Beings · ID: 121
Reviewer: Baranduin · 2008-07-16 03:08:24
One of the things that I love about Tolkien's writing is his ability
to give voices to things like trees and stones ... well to everything.
Middle-earth lives that way.

Shirebound has done just that with this vignette ... using the seven
stars and seven stones and one white tree. I remember reading this for
the first time and it taking my breath away with its unusual points of
view. It is really a magical read and very natural and fitting given
that it's Tolkien's world she is writing about. this is probably my
favorite Shirebound story and that's saying a lot!

Title: Some Seasons · Author: sophinisba solis · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Ring War · ID: 199
Reviewer: Baranduin · 2008-07-16 03:12:08
I love this simple story so much. I suppose because it's simple and
not simple. Sophie writes of Frodo and Sam and Rose post Quest and
uses the metaphors of food and seasons to give us a poignant story
that is sad and true and comforting at the same time.

I think in this story Sophie is giving us life as it is lived whether
or not it's in a fantastical setting or our own back yard. Really well
done this is a story I have read several times and plan to do that again.

Title: The Stolen Child · Author: SurgicalSteel · Races: Men · ID: 197
Reviewer: Baranduin · 2008-07-16 03:17:40
Spoilers!
Surgical Steel has written a gut-wrenching story of losing a baby ...
while it's happening and then some of the aftermath. This is the kind
of story that is so very hard to do without overdoing it and slipping
into bathos but Surgical Steel never does that. Her Halbarad and
Serinde are real characters. I can feel their fear and pain and
sadness especially Halbarad's. When he is standing there and watching
the tiny newborn struggling to breathe and his wife lying in her blood
I just want to wrap them all up in a blanket. And then after the baby
dies and Serinde is so ill with fever and wandering in her mind and
Halbard is taking care of her ... oh that is so sad and so real.







Title: The Westering Fire · Author: Aprilkat · Races: Hobbits · ID: 200
Reviewer: Baranduin · 2008-07-16 03:20:59
I love love love this story of Rosie just before Sam returns home and
routs the ruffians. Rosie is so full of good sense and courage and
steadfastness it absolutely shines from her in this story.

And I really love the ending ... the way the story is so grim and you
feel so much for Rosie having to endure it ... and then she goes out
to meet more trouble only to discover that it's her Sam come home to
her. Really love how Aprilkat uses the bit of dialogue from the book
to end the story. it's seamless and utterly fitting.

Title: Hidden Watcher · Author: kitt_otter · Genres: Drama · ID: 702
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-16 03:31:47
We know Frodo heard the quiet slap of footsteps following behind the
fellowship as they made their way through Moria, and that others
became aware also of the one who shadowed them. Here we see two more
recognizing the threat, and how it was recognized. A well-told
description of the scene and hos it unfolded. The ponderous feeling of
the Mines is particularly well conveyed along with the vindictiveness
of the one who followed them.

Title: The Stranger · Author: Nieriel Raina · Genres: Drama: Featuring
the Noldor · ID: 560
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-16 03:36:02
Ah, a marvelous meeting between one of our favorite First-age
wanderers and a child on the beach, and the inspiration needed to help
the wanderer at last find his way home! A marevelous juxtaposition
between our world and Tolkien's Middle Earth. It is easy to imagine
the meeting and the decision taken.

Title: Loudwater · Author: Adaneth · Times: Late Third Age: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 63
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-16 03:43:59
The challenge was to write a story from the POV of a normally mute
subject, and Jael has managed to do so in a masterful manner. Ah, the
pride the river knows to have helped turn back great foe!

A wonderful short read.

Title: Another Prometheus · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 85
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-16 03:47:30
Ah--not all blame Feanor for all the ill that befell Middle
Earth--some see him as a leader in innovation!

Title: Cuts Gone Wrong · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Mid Third Age:
Eriador · ID: 156
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-16 04:33:06
It's only the end of his first year of training with the Rangers of
Eriador for this young Man, and he was chased by dogs into a ditch in
the early part of the day, for Breeland farmers don't take well to
trespassers. But he learns the lessons taught well--perhaps too well,
his current captain comes to realize in time.

A fascinating look at the organization of the Rangers of Eriador and
the way in which they learn their craft, and the relationships between
themselves and those they protect. And a nice introduction into this
particular character as a youth.

Title: Forsaken · Author: Imhiriel · Races: Elves: Drabbles · ID: 369
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-16 04:40:19
Long ago he'd given an oath, and now intends to fulfill it. But not
all gathered to hear his intentions are pleased with his intentions;
and the one he'd hoped most would support him, or at least provide
guardianship to that which he left behind, remains quiet.

Imhiriel and AnnMarwalk have ever been two of my favorite writers of
drabbles, for both can say so much with such an economy of words; and
this is no exception. I rarely read stories set so early in Middle
Earth's history, but this is well worth it.

Title: Kin-Strife · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 92
Reviewer: Oshun · 2008-07-16 05:33:05
Really like this story so much. The author has created two characters
that I find fascinating and well-drawn—Imrahil of Dol Amroth as a
completely likeable, spirited, rather entitled, reckless and
adventurous youth is wonderful and her original character Andrahar of
Umbar is one of the memorable OMCs of Tolkien fanfiction. Her young
Imrahil (and his older version written much earlier in her novel
[Captain My Captain]) has become canon Imrahil for me.

The misadventures of Imrahil in this coming-of-age story are funny,
poignant, sad, suspensful and a delight to follow. Andrahar is a study
in cultural differences, loyalty, trust-worthiness and a perfect foil
for Imrahil.

How Imrahil meets Andrahar and what they experience and suffer
together as young men on the cusp of adulthood and in the process of
becoming the men they will be in her stories set later in their lives
is such an inventive, original and convincing story.

I love her exploration of the special gift/hardship that Imrahil is
forced to bear. His encounter with Thorongil is a fascinating
inventive extension of canon. If I have any complaint about this story
at all it is that she has been working on it for quite a long while.
(When she posts new chapters, I find myself having to go back and
re-read previous ones to re-orient myself to where I am in the
storyline. Fortunately, this is never a problem, because the
re-reading is always compelling and entertaining. A lesser writer,
however, might loose readers this way. But I have been writing one
novel for well over two years, so I would be quite hypocritical to
complain about that. And I am always thrilled when there is an update.)


Title: The Apprentice · Author: pandemonium_213 · Races: Villains · ID: 52
Reviewer: Oshun · 2008-07-16 06:00:26
Spoilers!
This author's story "The Apprentice" is one of the most brilliant
fanfics I have read. In fact, in my opinion, it would stand very well
against any published original novel I have read in that same period.
(Too bad about that thing having to do with copyright!) Of course, I
am extremely jealous of her skills because she has been writing
fiction for a very short time. Her ability to imagine a entire world
of complex characters and place them securely within canon, despite
what she often calls her heretical views of Tolkien's world is
fascinating and satisfying.

Her Annatar and Celebrimbor are totally convincing and each in their
own ways extremely attractive characters. Annatar's assumption of the
human form affects his behavior and ability to react to the other
characters. He is fascinatingly capable of affection and softer
impulses (which he, of course, is aware of and consciously resists and
tempers). He is simultaneously fighting his worse side in order to
carry out his plans in Ost-in-Edhel, no small feat given the fact that
he must struggle to keep his better side under control as well. Talk
about writing the complex villain: he is the epitome of one. She makes
me want to hang out with Annatar (and I am a real softie, not given to
over-fondness for dark fics.) The entire novella is a believable look
at how Annatar is able to win the trust of the elves of Eriador, and,
particularly, Celebrimbor who is no fool and powerful in his own
right, but unlike Annatar, fully human and one's heart is broken
thinking about their relationship and where it will lead.

The entire setting of the Elven community and its habitués in
Ost-in-Edhel is carefully constructed and has become for me "the" way
it must have looked and felt. The crown jewel of this whole story for
me is her attractive original character Sámaril (who, luckily for her
readers, appears again in a current WIP novel!). Often callow and
arrogant (he is young), Sámaril is ultimately so appealing that the
reader finds himself rooting for him, especially in his triumphs of
gaining the attention of Annatar. I love the use of science facts (I
could almost call it magic turned into science), the scientific
method, and the analysis of the creative personality and process, and
the compulsion to seek knowledge for itself that is detailed in the
story. It is well written, lively and never a slow read. I also adore
the way she can tell an ultimately tragic tale with a devastating end
that is always in the reader's mind with such humor and compassion.
This story definitely gets my highest recommendation.


Title: The Least of Rings · Author: Marta · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Drabbles · ID: 621
Reviewer: Oshun · 2008-07-16 06:09:53
You are a naughty, naughty girl! (And I thought you were such a nice
person!) Poor Boromir is so utterly and completely taken in within
this scenario that you have designed here. This is a perfectly
beautiful use of the drabble format. I would not want a single extra
word here. This is a great look at the capacity of evil to present
itself as a higher good and the power of the ring, and, therefore,
Sauron. Beautifully done.

Title: Wild Swan · Author: Tanaqui · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 328
Reviewer: Oshun · 2008-07-16 06:28:21
This is an excellent collection of drabbles for events in the life of
Imrahil which paint a vivid picture of his character and motivations.
However, I think I like equally as much the pictures that the author
has drawn of the supporting characters in this series. Denethor
relating to Thorongil is a convincing and chilling study and Imrahl's
observation of it tells us a lot about him as well. Faramir, in my
opinion, comes across very clearly in this series. It includes a great
line about Faramir which I cannot resist quoting: ["Oh, Faramir! You
were never a simple anything!"] I also very much like the scene
between Aragorn and Imrahil which includes the observation of Eomer
and the little exchange which turns a discussion of horsebreeding into
a bit of matchmaking.

Very nice collection. They each stand well on their own, but together
are terrific.


Title: Shadows · Author: Bodkin · Races: Elves: Family · ID: 698
Reviewer: Neilia · 2008-07-16 06:28:34
Bodkin; This is so true to life...is it a real story for you? I wept.
I know grief as well...it is hard to let go. Legolas' dear Nana would
not have felt free to go until he could let her. *sigh* No wonder this
is a nominated piece. Hugs, Neilia