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Msg# 9348
MEFA Reviews for Monday, August 4, 2008 (Part One) Posted by Ann August 04, 2008 - 20:47:04 Topic ID# 9348Title: House of Ransom · Author: Robinka · Races: Elves: Drabbles ·
ID: 657
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:37:01
As always, you write Beleg from such a deep perspective. Of course, I
always admire those who can craft a drabble well since it's a skill I
find so difficult myself. Another good one, Binks.
Title: The Return · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Drama · ID: 167
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:37:26
And to think, that same scene was replayed over and over again
throughout Middle-earth. Very nicely portrayed. Your details are
excellent, and I very much appreciate how important the animals are in
your tale. They help set the mood and move the action as much as the
human characters. They add a bit of reality, in my mind. Nicely done.
Title: Small Strengths · Author: Elwen · Races: Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort
· ID: 238
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:37:44
You've managed to find sweetness from something that, to most people
at least, is quite repulsive. Seems poor Frodo always finds the bad
end of things though! A nice little piece.
Title: MAGIC: The Password · Author: Fiondil · Genres: Humor: Elven
Lands · ID: 451
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:38:10
Spoilers!
LMAO! A new time clock system was installed at my work place. I've
been hearing grumbles about "modern technology" for *days* now, though
I'd much rather hear them from your Thranduil than any of my
coworkers! Thanks also for the beverage warning. His pride at
remembering his wedding anniversary would have bathed my keyboard in
grape juice, and that gets expensive. :) The only question that
remains is, does he remember his wife's Begetting Day? You've given me
a good laugh on a sleepless night. Thanks!
Title: A Taste of Home · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits:
Friendship · ID: 138
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:38:53
I *hate*, with a blinding passion, the Yule Treat in question... but I
love how passionate your hobbits are about it. Now, my grandmother's
krepfeul cookies are another matter. In this story, you have touched
on a universal love: traditional foods, especially those associated
with holidays, and that helps us as readers feel more a part of the
story. Very nicely done, with a great heaping spoonful of the humor I
so love to see when someone writes a hobbit.
Title: Wind of Change · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 47
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:39:09
Wow. Was not expecting that, but I love the wind imagery you've used,
and the way that breeze ties everything together. Limited word counts
usually trip me up when I write, so I am even more impressed that
you've done such a wonderful scene in so few words. Bravo.
Title: The Importance of Being Bilbo · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Non-Fiction: Character Studies · ID: 686
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:39:38
Spoilers!
I never really noticed the similarities in plot arc between "The
Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" before reading this, but now I
feel rather foolish for missing them. However, I would point out that
I don't think this narrative path is unique to Tolkien; if I remember
my legends properly, the now both famous and infamous "Beowulf" epic
follows a similar path. The feasting at the mead hall of Hrothgar (a
party) draws the wrath of the monster Grendel and causes the hero
Beowulf to embark on a dangerous quest to rid one part of the world of
a certain danger, part of which is dealt with in a set of caves and a
swamp. Tolkien being a professor of Olde English and Anglo Saxon, he
was of course familiar with the epic poem, and was apparently
influenced by it in some ways, at least.
I enjoyed this essay. Thanks for making me think.
Title: Yule at Great Smials · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits:
Family · ID: 566
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:39:54
The last line makes this story, though I love what you've done with
Gandalf and the relationship between the 3 cousins between the
beginning and the end. Great fun to read, with some nice hints about
what is to come in a few more dozen years. Bravo.
Title: Lock Out · Author: pippinfan88 · Races: Hobbits · ID: 307
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:40:31
I laughed out loud, being highly prone to leaving my keys at work or
some such and spending a lot of time on my front porch waiting for
rescue. How funny and delightfully fluffy.
Title: Lost and Found · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Times: Mid
Third Age · ID: 23
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:40:49
A very sweet scene. I like the tendency within the fandom of
portraying Gandalf as quite grandfatherly and kind with youngsters.
You've done quite well with that here. I'm also taken with your
Faramir as a confident little lad with a will to please.
Title: Rekindling · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond · ID: 255
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:41:07
I have very little to say except simply wow.
Title: One Equal Temper of Heroic Hearts · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres:
Romance: Gondor · ID: 334
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:41:20
Generally people don't like to think of the old enjoying intimacy. And
yet you've made me hopeful that I'll be as lucky as Arwen in my
advanced age. :) Well done.
Title: Elflings · Author: Jael · Races: Elves: Family · ID: 348
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:41:42
I'm laughing out loud, if for no other reason than the language your
distinguished king has been forced to use. How delightfully clever,
and so out of the norm of what is seen of Thranduil.
Title: The Dwarves Treasure · Author: eiranae · Races: Dwarves · ID: 312
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:42:33
Spoilers!
Every time I see this story (and I see more of it than others) I'm
reminded of the Dr. Seuss Book "Oh the Places You'll Go". I remember
worrying about how to tell a writer who admitted a lack of confidence
in her first story that, with some hard work, it could be great.
Thankfully you took the suggestions and critique with enthusiasm and
grace, rolled up your sleeves, and a year [(Yes, Eira, a year! I
couldn't quite believe it either,)] later, look at what you've got. A
look into the mines and minds of Dwarves, and images of them as a
people and a culture, not as a plot device rearing up before the Star
Character comes back on set; a companion set to the Gimli/Legolas
canon relationship that, to my thinking at least, is canon plausible,
and adorable besides; a trip through the late Third Age before the War
of the Ring, from the perspectives of three of the most overlooked
rulers (Dain, Thranduil and Elrond) in the alliance that sees us to
the end of evil in Middle-earth; a fun to read, young reader friendly
gap filler that has reminded me, at least, of what fun it can be to be
a child, and how open the hearts of the young can truly be. ["Oh, oh
the places you'll go"] So, where are we off to next?
Title: Wizards' Pupils · Author: Altariel · Races: Men: Minas Tirith ·
ID: 108
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:42:51
A very nicely put together 'what if' that seems to work with the
characterizations as laid down by Tolkien himself. Well done.
Title: The Road Trip · Author: Garnet Took · Times: Modern Times · ID: 410
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:43:09
LMAO. Muses on the attack.
Title: Trading Pledges · Author: Adaneth · Races: Dwarves · ID: 339
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:43:27
Wow. A deep delving into the murky realm of dwarf women and how they
contribute to the fighting and working of their men. I really, really
liked it, though I think there are related pieces I should read before
I know the whole story.
Title: Symbols of Love · Author: Larner · Genres: Adventure · ID: 130
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:43:39
How sweet.
Title: They Also Serve · Author: Marta · Times: Late Third Age · ID: 365
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:43:59
Finally! An Arwen that isn't entirely useless in a kitchen, though I
can't blame her for being a bit distracted. I like that you also
touched on her separation from her mother, and how family should help
one through difficult times. It must have been a difficult few hundred
years, to be the only woman in the family of Elrond Halfelvin. Well done.
Title: Somewhere I Have Never Traveled · Author: Fiondil · Times:
Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 578
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:44:31
Spoilers!
I found the slight taking down a peg that the Queen experiences here
quite refreshing. Within the fandom itself, I see and dislike the
tendency to venerate Arwen because she gave up her immortality, though
I greatly respect the courage of those who love. You've highlighted
that difference very well here. Bravo. (And the roses joke was a nice
touch too. Mixing humor with sadness is a great move, and you do it so
well every time. I'm very impressed.)
Title: Primum Non Nocere (First, Do No Harm) · Author: febobe ·
Genres: Drama: Hurt/Comfort · ID: 628
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:45:02
Spoilers!
Wow. Great detail on keeping Sam and Frodo in the former nursery. I've
never seen that in a fic before, but it's a "Hobbit sense" decision.
Sam's descriptions and impressions of Eowyn were touching too, and it
was an excellent choice on your part to include the scents and
comparisons to ["new mown hay"] and ["good taters and carrots and fine
tilled earth"]. They're just so... *Sam* ways of explaining things.
And then for Frodo's part: the food descriptions made me hungry, as
they tend to do in good Hobbit stories, but then to realize that I've
never read a story in which Frodo and the White Lady took comfort in
the other's experience with the Witch King was a pleasant shock. An
excellent idea that, in my experience at least, is rare. What a great
story! I'm so glad I found it.
Title: Twentynine White Horses · Author: Jael · Races: Elves: Mirkwood
Elves · ID: 557
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:45:22
Spoilers!
At first I cringed *A LOT* because dentistry is an art with which I am
far less than friendly. And then I laughed because, to be entirely
honest, within the fandom Legolas is always so infernally pretty, it
was nice to see him mussed for a change, though of course I felt bad
that he was so darned uncomfortable. Then I read ["But Father, I'm one
hundred and eighty-three."] and lost it! You worked a very sweet
ending onto it to. I really enjoyed reading it.
Title: Care to Ride My Hot-Rod Fell Beast? · Author: viv · Genres:
Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 180
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:45:42
I just woke up my Taller Half with laughing. What ever happened to
handing a girl a bouquet and telling her what a flattering outfit
she's wearing? Honestly!
Title: Nightfall · Author: Jael · Times: Second and Early Third Age ·
ID: 87
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:46:04
The mental image of Thranduil on that hill with his helmet off,
screaming at the sky, is going to stay with me for quite a while. You
have a nice way with words. Well done.
Title: Five Hair Care Tips for Rohirrim · Author: EdorasLass · Genres:
Humor · ID: 71
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:46:18
All right, that was funny. I'm generally not fond of parody and the
like, but that was great.
ID: 657
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:37:01
As always, you write Beleg from such a deep perspective. Of course, I
always admire those who can craft a drabble well since it's a skill I
find so difficult myself. Another good one, Binks.
Title: The Return · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Drama · ID: 167
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:37:26
And to think, that same scene was replayed over and over again
throughout Middle-earth. Very nicely portrayed. Your details are
excellent, and I very much appreciate how important the animals are in
your tale. They help set the mood and move the action as much as the
human characters. They add a bit of reality, in my mind. Nicely done.
Title: Small Strengths · Author: Elwen · Races: Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort
· ID: 238
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:37:44
You've managed to find sweetness from something that, to most people
at least, is quite repulsive. Seems poor Frodo always finds the bad
end of things though! A nice little piece.
Title: MAGIC: The Password · Author: Fiondil · Genres: Humor: Elven
Lands · ID: 451
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:38:10
Spoilers!
LMAO! A new time clock system was installed at my work place. I've
been hearing grumbles about "modern technology" for *days* now, though
I'd much rather hear them from your Thranduil than any of my
coworkers! Thanks also for the beverage warning. His pride at
remembering his wedding anniversary would have bathed my keyboard in
grape juice, and that gets expensive. :) The only question that
remains is, does he remember his wife's Begetting Day? You've given me
a good laugh on a sleepless night. Thanks!
Title: A Taste of Home · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits:
Friendship · ID: 138
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:38:53
I *hate*, with a blinding passion, the Yule Treat in question... but I
love how passionate your hobbits are about it. Now, my grandmother's
krepfeul cookies are another matter. In this story, you have touched
on a universal love: traditional foods, especially those associated
with holidays, and that helps us as readers feel more a part of the
story. Very nicely done, with a great heaping spoonful of the humor I
so love to see when someone writes a hobbit.
Title: Wind of Change · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 47
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:39:09
Wow. Was not expecting that, but I love the wind imagery you've used,
and the way that breeze ties everything together. Limited word counts
usually trip me up when I write, so I am even more impressed that
you've done such a wonderful scene in so few words. Bravo.
Title: The Importance of Being Bilbo · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Non-Fiction: Character Studies · ID: 686
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:39:38
Spoilers!
I never really noticed the similarities in plot arc between "The
Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" before reading this, but now I
feel rather foolish for missing them. However, I would point out that
I don't think this narrative path is unique to Tolkien; if I remember
my legends properly, the now both famous and infamous "Beowulf" epic
follows a similar path. The feasting at the mead hall of Hrothgar (a
party) draws the wrath of the monster Grendel and causes the hero
Beowulf to embark on a dangerous quest to rid one part of the world of
a certain danger, part of which is dealt with in a set of caves and a
swamp. Tolkien being a professor of Olde English and Anglo Saxon, he
was of course familiar with the epic poem, and was apparently
influenced by it in some ways, at least.
I enjoyed this essay. Thanks for making me think.
Title: Yule at Great Smials · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits:
Family · ID: 566
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:39:54
The last line makes this story, though I love what you've done with
Gandalf and the relationship between the 3 cousins between the
beginning and the end. Great fun to read, with some nice hints about
what is to come in a few more dozen years. Bravo.
Title: Lock Out · Author: pippinfan88 · Races: Hobbits · ID: 307
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:40:31
I laughed out loud, being highly prone to leaving my keys at work or
some such and spending a lot of time on my front porch waiting for
rescue. How funny and delightfully fluffy.
Title: Lost and Found · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Times: Mid
Third Age · ID: 23
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:40:49
A very sweet scene. I like the tendency within the fandom of
portraying Gandalf as quite grandfatherly and kind with youngsters.
You've done quite well with that here. I'm also taken with your
Faramir as a confident little lad with a will to please.
Title: Rekindling · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond · ID: 255
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:41:07
I have very little to say except simply wow.
Title: One Equal Temper of Heroic Hearts · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres:
Romance: Gondor · ID: 334
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:41:20
Generally people don't like to think of the old enjoying intimacy. And
yet you've made me hopeful that I'll be as lucky as Arwen in my
advanced age. :) Well done.
Title: Elflings · Author: Jael · Races: Elves: Family · ID: 348
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:41:42
I'm laughing out loud, if for no other reason than the language your
distinguished king has been forced to use. How delightfully clever,
and so out of the norm of what is seen of Thranduil.
Title: The Dwarves Treasure · Author: eiranae · Races: Dwarves · ID: 312
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:42:33
Spoilers!
Every time I see this story (and I see more of it than others) I'm
reminded of the Dr. Seuss Book "Oh the Places You'll Go". I remember
worrying about how to tell a writer who admitted a lack of confidence
in her first story that, with some hard work, it could be great.
Thankfully you took the suggestions and critique with enthusiasm and
grace, rolled up your sleeves, and a year [(Yes, Eira, a year! I
couldn't quite believe it either,)] later, look at what you've got. A
look into the mines and minds of Dwarves, and images of them as a
people and a culture, not as a plot device rearing up before the Star
Character comes back on set; a companion set to the Gimli/Legolas
canon relationship that, to my thinking at least, is canon plausible,
and adorable besides; a trip through the late Third Age before the War
of the Ring, from the perspectives of three of the most overlooked
rulers (Dain, Thranduil and Elrond) in the alliance that sees us to
the end of evil in Middle-earth; a fun to read, young reader friendly
gap filler that has reminded me, at least, of what fun it can be to be
a child, and how open the hearts of the young can truly be. ["Oh, oh
the places you'll go"] So, where are we off to next?
Title: Wizards' Pupils · Author: Altariel · Races: Men: Minas Tirith ·
ID: 108
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:42:51
A very nicely put together 'what if' that seems to work with the
characterizations as laid down by Tolkien himself. Well done.
Title: The Road Trip · Author: Garnet Took · Times: Modern Times · ID: 410
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:43:09
LMAO. Muses on the attack.
Title: Trading Pledges · Author: Adaneth · Races: Dwarves · ID: 339
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:43:27
Wow. A deep delving into the murky realm of dwarf women and how they
contribute to the fighting and working of their men. I really, really
liked it, though I think there are related pieces I should read before
I know the whole story.
Title: Symbols of Love · Author: Larner · Genres: Adventure · ID: 130
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:43:39
How sweet.
Title: They Also Serve · Author: Marta · Times: Late Third Age · ID: 365
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:43:59
Finally! An Arwen that isn't entirely useless in a kitchen, though I
can't blame her for being a bit distracted. I like that you also
touched on her separation from her mother, and how family should help
one through difficult times. It must have been a difficult few hundred
years, to be the only woman in the family of Elrond Halfelvin. Well done.
Title: Somewhere I Have Never Traveled · Author: Fiondil · Times:
Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 578
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:44:31
Spoilers!
I found the slight taking down a peg that the Queen experiences here
quite refreshing. Within the fandom itself, I see and dislike the
tendency to venerate Arwen because she gave up her immortality, though
I greatly respect the courage of those who love. You've highlighted
that difference very well here. Bravo. (And the roses joke was a nice
touch too. Mixing humor with sadness is a great move, and you do it so
well every time. I'm very impressed.)
Title: Primum Non Nocere (First, Do No Harm) · Author: febobe ·
Genres: Drama: Hurt/Comfort · ID: 628
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:45:02
Spoilers!
Wow. Great detail on keeping Sam and Frodo in the former nursery. I've
never seen that in a fic before, but it's a "Hobbit sense" decision.
Sam's descriptions and impressions of Eowyn were touching too, and it
was an excellent choice on your part to include the scents and
comparisons to ["new mown hay"] and ["good taters and carrots and fine
tilled earth"]. They're just so... *Sam* ways of explaining things.
And then for Frodo's part: the food descriptions made me hungry, as
they tend to do in good Hobbit stories, but then to realize that I've
never read a story in which Frodo and the White Lady took comfort in
the other's experience with the Witch King was a pleasant shock. An
excellent idea that, in my experience at least, is rare. What a great
story! I'm so glad I found it.
Title: Twentynine White Horses · Author: Jael · Races: Elves: Mirkwood
Elves · ID: 557
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:45:22
Spoilers!
At first I cringed *A LOT* because dentistry is an art with which I am
far less than friendly. And then I laughed because, to be entirely
honest, within the fandom Legolas is always so infernally pretty, it
was nice to see him mussed for a change, though of course I felt bad
that he was so darned uncomfortable. Then I read ["But Father, I'm one
hundred and eighty-three."] and lost it! You worked a very sweet
ending onto it to. I really enjoyed reading it.
Title: Care to Ride My Hot-Rod Fell Beast? · Author: viv · Genres:
Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 180
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:45:42
I just woke up my Taller Half with laughing. What ever happened to
handing a girl a bouquet and telling her what a flattering outfit
she's wearing? Honestly!
Title: Nightfall · Author: Jael · Times: Second and Early Third Age ·
ID: 87
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:46:04
The mental image of Thranduil on that hill with his helmet off,
screaming at the sky, is going to stay with me for quite a while. You
have a nice way with words. Well done.
Title: Five Hair Care Tips for Rohirrim · Author: EdorasLass · Genres:
Humor · ID: 71
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2008-07-26 04:46:18
All right, that was funny. I'm generally not fond of parody and the
like, but that was great.
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..