Yahoo Forum Archive

This is an archive of the MEFA Yahoo Group, which was shut down by Yahoo in 2019. The archive can be sorted by month and by topic ID. You can use your browser to search by keyword within the month or topic you have open.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2004---18210426558925263362316285
20051895610753834744697276194358565136
200623166277611713912756676615979
200720257-297299143318583103
2008561335424014127477516090106
2009283-39194101722722153624
201067-14103138129321316330
20111-172625906132758
201230---812276-----
2013------------
2014---------1-2
2015------------
2016------------
2017------------
2018------------
2019---------1--

Msg# 9345

MEFA Reviews for Sunday, August 3, 2008 (Part Two) Posted by Ann August 03, 2008 - 20:49:26 Topic ID# 9345
Title: FAULT: The Doctor Is In ˇ Author: Fiondil ˇ Genres: Humor:
Valar & Maiar ˇ ID: 545
Reviewer: mbumpus_99 ˇ 2008-07-26 03:00:16
I started laughing at the end of the first paragraph and essentially
chortled the rest of the way through this positively delightful little
piece. I enjoy Fiondil's portrayal of the Valar in all of his works
anyway, but this is the first one that would have had me needing to
replace my keyboard had I not taken note of the warning at the very
top of the entry. The drama between the First Age characters here is
beyond any possible description - and the final twist is so outrageous
as to be stunning.

There is a touch of absolute manaical genius to the way this little
story was put together - I can just imagine Fiondil sitting at the
computer having to wipe the tears away just to make certain there were
no typos.

I think of all the humorous entries in this year's competition, this
is by far the best. I would heartily recommend this to anybody with
even a passing acquaintance with the Silmarillian - and even to those
who might just plain enjoy a very good laugh at Lord Námo's expense.

My hat's off to you, Fiondil. This is beyond priceless!




Title: Before You Go ˇ Author: Nancy Brooke ˇ Races: Men: Minas Tirith
ˇ ID: 506
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon ˇ 2008-07-26 03:11:25
Spoilers!
A well-written gapfiller with Denethor struggling to accept the
imminent leavetaking of his beloved heir. I like the way Nancy Brooke
writes the relationship between father and favored son; Boromir seems
to exert some conscious and unconscious control over his father; and
Denethor is torn between his fear for his son and his deep love for him.

Title: Now the Green Blade Riseth ˇ Author: annmarwalk ˇ Genres:
Drama: Ring War Drabbles ˇ ID: 37
Reviewer: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) ˇ 2008-07-26 03:12:20
Spoilers!
This joyous drabble was written for the Renewal challenge at
Tolkien_weekly, and the title refers to a church hymn of the
Resurrection--

"Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain."

After the destruction of the Party Tree and of so much else that was
good and beautiful, the Gaffer witnesses a small miracle. Ann captures
the personality and speech patterns of the old gardener perfectly. The
Gaffer uses diminutive words to describe the young tree, conveying his
own tender feelings for all that grows and his wonder at this special
plant, unlike any other he has ever seen. He calls the mallorn seed a
[silver nubbin], and he says that Samwise fusses over the seed like [a
hen with one chick.] Ann's touch with his dialect and homely sayings
is light and skillful, adding color without allowing the language to
become comical or a distraction. It is all too easy for him to be
reduced to comic relief.

This drabble is a lovely tribute to Samwise's father. Though less
educated and less sophisticated than his son, these two are one at
heart. It is clear where Samwise learned to cherish the green blade
that riseth. The Gaffer is often overlooked among the characters of
the Lord of the Rings, so thank you for sharing this glimpse into his
thoughts.


Title: Music hath Charms ˇ Author: Linda hoyland ˇ Races: Men: Minas
Tirith ˇ ID: 361
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon ˇ 2008-07-26 03:36:30
Spoilers!

The Ring War is over for at least a few years, the land seems at
peace, but discord rears its ugly head in the households of King and
Steward in this delightful short story.

Both Arwen and Eowyn take exception to their husbands having
frequently put statecraft before the fulfillment of their promises and
close ranks against Aragorn and Faramir.

How the King and the Steward manage to return to their wives' good
graces makes for an entertaining tale as well as a well-plotted one.
Angst queen Linda Hoyland employs a light touch with elegance, and
does it here. And her consonance with Tolkien, in the importance of
music and songs, is a welcome theme.

I enjoyed the plot twist of Aragorn and Faramir, rejected by their
angry wives, visiting a Minas Tirith tavern incognito. And of course,
who could resist the King of Arnor and Gondor and the Prince-Steward
singing their manly hearts out to their wives with songs of ardent love?

Linda employs her knowledge of opera to good purpose here; Wagner fans
will enjoy the tip of the hat to "Tannhauser".

And Faramir's allusion to the origins of Arda itself in the magic of
song makes for a perfect ending. I am always amazed by Lindahoyland's
facility in coming up with sparkling responses to challenge prompts,
and this one is no exception.



Title: The Weaving Cow ˇ Author: cactuskim ˇ Genres: Humor ˇ ID: 675
Reviewer: nau_tika ˇ 2008-07-26 03:45:24
Spoilers!
I read this fic long ago, but only remembered the pre-Fellowship part
of the story. It was wonderful to see Ranien and Trelan in a 'new'
story. The relationships among the Mirkwood elves, the twins and
Aragorn was perfect. I have a picture in my mind of our heroes with
callouts that say 'Not me'. One thing I would like to see more on is
the questions that came to Legolas' mind while traveling as a human
without Aragorn. Great fic!

Title: As Was Dwarven Tradition ˇ Author: Nieriel Raina ˇ Races:
Dwarves ˇ ID: 553
Reviewer: nau_tika ˇ 2008-07-26 04:02:12
This fic is one of my favorite stories that this author has written.
It has some wonderful lines and surprises in it, all are wonderfully
presented. The things that [lightened Gimli's heart] were surprising
and endearing! And the general acceptance from the group was very
impressive! This demonstrates how much people can change if they open
themselves to new experiences and new friendships. Thanks for the
great story!

Title: A Perfect World ˇ Author: mistycracraft ˇ Genres: Romance:
Elven Lands ˇ ID: 248
Reviewer: nau_tika ˇ 2008-07-26 04:12:49
This was a sweet piece, one that reminds us of the quote about every
great man having a great woman beside him. If every couple could [hold
to us], no doubt things would turn out better for them as well. I
especially liked the comparison of fireflies to stars. Well done!

Title: A Fitting Occupation ˇ Author: Radbooks ˇ Races: Men: Pre-Ring
War Fixed-Length Ficlets ˇ ID: 601
Reviewer: nau_tika ˇ 2008-07-26 04:21:56
This story was both entertaining and educational. The relationship
between father and son was realistically presented, as well as Baird's
reaction to his father's words. Parents just cant always predict how
their children will interpert what they say to them, and this was well
handled. Well done!

Title: The Dance ˇ Author: Dawn Felagund ˇ Genres: Romance: Elven
Lands ˇ ID: 128
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:31:49
This is very sweet, and a little sad, both because of Nerdanel's
family's obvious feelings about the situation and because we know,
ultimately, what will happen to them both. I like the idea of her as
an "ugly duckling" in a way, which is counter to much of what I've
read about her within the fandom. Nicely done.

Title: Some Seasons ˇ Author: sophinisba solis ˇ Races: Hobbits:
Post-Ring War ˇ ID: 199
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:32:02
Spoilers!
This is a very sweet look into what life in Bag End might have been
like in those early years after Sam and Frodo returned. I loved the
details of Rosie's cravings. Nicely done.

Title: In The Midst Of Summer ˇ Author: Cuthalion ˇ Genres: Drama:
Final Partings ˇ ID: 270
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:32:30
Oh, you've made me cry! I always love your Sam and how normal and down
to earth he is, though he never loses that touch of sadness earned
when his Mr. Frodo left, and it only makes sense that those old
feelings of loss would creep up now, even amid the comfort of his
garden. Having gone through my share of possessions and houses after
funerals, the way he saw the details of the place as though for the
first time, and in a way, truly for the first time as a new person,
rang very true. What makes this story, like your others, so poignant
is the sort of details you include, specifics of a type of cloth or
tangents of thought about someone's reactions; they read much more
like thinking than a story, and that's very much a good thing in my
estimation!

Title: Consolation ˇ Author: Isabeau of Greenlea ˇ Races: Men:
Steward's Family ˇ ID: 341
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:32:49
Spoilers!
I very much like the relationship between the brothers in this piece,
and I think Boromir realizing his brother needed companionship after
the battle is exactly the sort of character Tolkien wrote him to be.
Also, BRAVO for a Female Ranger! It is a step that, I'm sure, few
would think of, and yet I would hope theirs was a world in which
talent meant somewhat more than the sex of the body. A very nice piece.

Title: Labour Pains ˇ Author: Aratlithiel ˇ Genres: Humor: Shire ˇ ID: 483
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:33:02
This was *hilarious*, even though I've not had the dubious honor of
assisting in any way with a pregnancy.

Title: The Myth of the One Ring's Power ˇ Author: Dreamflower ˇ
Genres: Non-Fiction ˇ ID: 532
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:33:14
A well-reasoned argument. It could use a going through for typos, but
I think the author has won this point. The Ring does not seem to be
the all powerful thing so many people feared.

Title: Home ˇ Author: alex_quine ˇ Genres: Drama: Featuring Aragorn ˇ
ID: 647
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:33:32
Spoilers!
A touching and sweet product of the ever fruitful "what if",
particularly since the years of Aragorn's wandering are a big blank in
many ways. Your characterization of the children is excellent, and I
very much like that with the children and Theodred all, we can see the
hints of the adults they will become beneath the youngsters that they are.

Title: Vengeance's Folly ˇ Author: Rhapsody ˇ Races: Elves: Noldor
Fixed-Length Ficlets ˇ ID: 718
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:33:43
I like that you started with him chafing under limitations, and ended
with him seeking leadership, which of course implies limitations.

Title: In absentia ˇ Author: Robinka ˇ Races: Elves: House of Finwe ˇ
ID: 84
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:33:59
This is such a powerful dip into what his tortured body and mind could
have been like once he was released. You do a good job of walking the
knife edge between restoration and hopelessness with him.

Title: The Onion Riddle ˇ Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) ˇ Races:
Cross-Cultural: Post-Ring War ˇ ID: 13
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:34:13
Oh my goodness this is *hilarious*! The surprise twist at the end is
only trumped by the Gondorian's chagrin at his breech of etiquette.
I'm always so pleased to read something about dwarves, for it seems
few enough writers tackle the task, and you've done quite well here.
Thank you for it.

Title: Tree of Knowledge ˇ Author: Nancy Brooke ˇ Times: Late Third
Age: Gondor Drabbles ˇ ID: 172
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:34:29
Spoilers!
What a great metaphor, and even more interesting in that we get a less
than happy feeling about Estel, which is rare in fan fic in general.
You did it so well in 100 words.

Title: Dance of the Deer and Műmak ˇ Author: Nieriel Raina ˇ Races:
Cross-Cultural: Post-Ring War ˇ ID: 559
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:34:39
It's nice to see more people writing about dwarves and how they fit in
after the War.

Title: Here's To The King! ˇ Author: Jael ˇ Genres: Humor: Elven Lands
ˇ ID: 204
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:34:56
I think it says something about this story that I read it well over a
year ago and, once I read the description, the memory of it hit so
hard I laughed out loud yet again. The author's notes make the story,
of course, since curiosity drives us through the bulk of the reading.
Very nicely done.

Title: Bitter May ˇ Author: Cuthalion ˇ Genres: Alternate Universe:
Angst/Tragedy ˇ ID: 265
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:35:22
Spoilers!
As always your Lily/Frodo stories tug at the heart, but never moreso
for me than this one at this time. The poor girl, and yet I find
myself glad that she knew what to do and how, and who to call that
would not betray her for her choice when the one who should have been
at her side was gone. It is such a hard thing, this choice Lily never
had to make, and handled with gentleness and grace, but also honesty.
You have a knack for that in your tales. Thank you for sharing them,
and in this, at least, in giving me a moment to reflect.

Title: Dawn Twilight ˇ Author: viv ˇ Times: Modern Times ˇ ID: 182
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:36:14
Oh holy wow. I needed to sleep on this one to get coherence, and when
I woke, I'd dreamt of elves. That does *NOT* happen to me. You've done
such a great job of working the lingering elves into modern society
that I could almost see it happening in life. They have all, for the
most part at least, grown accustomed to the human way of things,
unlike humans that, as we age, reject newfangled things like debit
card machines and computers with wireless Internet connections for the
safe familiarity of a rotary dial telephone. Moira reminds me very
much of how I thought her nth great grandmother would be from reading
the books, and while by no means a perfect "Mary Sue", is still quite
the gutsy girl. Working Tolkien's history into Elvin history was
another stroke of brilliance, but what kept me reading most was the
humor, though to be honest, I'm so weak on the Silmarillion, I'm still
not sure who everyone is. I'll be going back to reread some soon.

Title: The Wedding Gift ˇ Author: annmarwalk ˇ Genres: Romance: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets ˇ ID: 40
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:36:29
Aww! How sweet. Thanks for this peek into the private lives of Dwarves.

Title: The Waker ˇ Author: Nancy Brooke ˇ Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlets ˇ ID: 287
Reviewer: NeumeIndil ˇ 2008-07-26 04:36:47
This, exactly, was the sort of thing I had in mind when I thought of
using sound words in a story. The way you managed to convey
his/her/its desire for so much is of course entirely the author's
talent showing. :) It gave me the shivers and at the same time made me
feel sorry for the ignorant beast lurking in the water.