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Msg# 9355
MEFA Reviews for Thursday, August 7, 2008 (Part One) Posted by Ann August 07, 2008 - 20:36:16 Topic ID# 9355Title: The Rescue of Celebrian · Author: NeumeIndil · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 382
Reviewer: SurgicalSteel · 2008-07-29 00:20:42
This is a really intriguing start to what looks as if it could be a
great story about the time between Celebrian's rescue from the Orcs
and her departure over the sea. Her near-madness during one combat
scene really feels genuine. I look forward to more of this!
Title: On Amon Sûl · Author: Dreamflower · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Frodo or Sam · ID: 299
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 01:11:26
Spoilers!
This is so much as I myself have envisioned the same scene, the bits
the Master left out. From the fading and resurgence of awareness and
sound to the wondering as to who might be dying--this is something
Tolkien himself might have written (or intended to write). A fantastic
gapfiller, and all too likely to have been true. Writing it from
Frodo's own point of view was brilliant; and I, too, have envisioned
him slamming down walls against the Ring and Its murmurings.
Excellent.
Title: Bibliophile · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Romance: Drabbles ·
ID: 370
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 01:15:58
Ah, yes, people would very likely gift Faramir's mother with that
tale! Love what Eowyn likes better!
A wonderful expression of the love between the two of them.
Title: Birthday Present · Author: Aranel Took · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 441
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 01:19:24
Spoilers!
Ah, how I love how easily Bilbo's birthday presents to Pippin are to
take with him! And Pippin is right there to claim it, of course. And
he'll fit in Thain one day with that stance of his? Heh!
Title: Least Expected · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Drabbles · ID: 512
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 01:25:31
Imhiriel is such a master at the genre of drabble-writing. And in this
one she has surpassed herself. Of course, Dwimordene's request for AU
ficlets probably sparked more such tales than any other single
person's birthday wishes this year. But to see Halbarad find such a
welcome to Rohan--oh, how too likely it would have been had this one
been riding abroad with his own sycophants.
Quite a tale.
Title: A Race, To Be Like Me · Author: Imhiriel · Races: Elves:
Drabbles · ID: 375
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-29 03:57:39
Spoilers!
For my money, Feanor is one of the most difficult characters in the
Silmarillion to deal with as a reader. He is neither a hero nor a
villain, but something in between - a magnetic, charismatic and
totally self-willed artist. What he is not, in my opinion, is a worthy
King.
Feanor believes that he is doing the right and proper thing in calling
all his people to cross the Sea in pursuit of the pretty much
invincible Evil who has murdered Feanor's beloved father and stolen
Feanor's beloved Jewels. While both deeds cry for vengeance, I am not
sure that a good and thoughtful king would have bound all his sons and
people to the rather risky pursuit of so dire a course.
Imhiriel conveys the passion, the power, of Feanor's belief, his own
ferocity of desire infecting him even from the eye of the hurricane
that he has unleashed (which is a gorgeous metaphor). Feanor does not
foresee or even consider the horrific losses that will shatter the
Noldor who follow him, he is caught up in his own fire here.
To me, Feanor comes off here as both heroic, in terms of
warrior-ethic, and Hitlerian, in modern sensibility as a leader who
blindly and callously enflames his people to a course that will
destroy them (the difference from Hitler being that Feanor asks
nothing of his people that he will not personally do himself). And
yet, this course will prove the path that eventually defeats Morgoth
and saves Middle-earth, at the price of thousands of Noldor lives,
including those of Feanor's own spellbound sons. This drabble made me
wonder what Feanor would have thought of the fate to which he has
sacrificed his sons and people; especially since it is the Valar's
intervention, summoned by a Silmaril, which ultimately saves what is
left of the Noldor as well as the rest of suffering Middle-earth.
A wonderful and powerful drabble that shows, rather than tells, so
much about the Spirit of Fire and his effect upon the world.
Title: The Lowest Circle · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Elves: Drabbles ·
ID: 449
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-29 04:03:57
Spoilers!
One of the most sad and scary pieces in this year's MEFA competition;
this drabble addresses the horrific situation of an elf being slowly
transformed into an orc in Angband. Tanaqui does a wonderful job;
focussing on the prisoner's memory of stars, and how his ordeal has
caused him to hate, then forget it - surely a greater indication of
the being's fundamental change than any physiological transformation.
Not an easy read, but one that is hard to forget.
Title: The Prisoner of Time · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Alternate Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 313
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 04:30:16
Spoilers!
Often, the question of "what if Denethor had turned back from the
pyre" follow a positive way: Denethor repents his ways, reconciles
with Aragorn etc.
But here, Raksha shows us a Denethor unchanged from his last demeanor
in canon, presenting his immense pride as an intrinsic character
fault, not merely caused by despair and false insinuations via
palantír. We see that just chosing to live does not automatically mean
changing his attitude in other ways.
The closed windows symbolise perfectly, I find, the closed mind and
heart of Denethor in this situation. He is sooo sure he knows best,
refuses any advice or help from outside; and so his son dies, and for
what? For his own damnable pride!
And the worst is, he never even entertains the idea that it may be him
that is at fault. No, all the other persons must be guilty of
something or another, they are ["faithless"], ["recreants"], ["seduced
by fancies or Elvish glamour"], etc.
Denethor's PoV is captured brillantly: his resentment and still-high
righteousness and arrogance almost saturates the story.
Title: The King's Colors · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 482
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 04:31:07
This short story explores the premise of Boromir and Faramir
exchanging places in the search for Imladris in terse, poignant
dialogue and evocative introspection. The exchange itself is not the
focus (not even the question of how Faramir, too, lost his life),
rather, it is the ramifications when the Fellowship reaches Minas
Tirith: how the House of Húrin might have handled Aragorn's claim for
Gondor when push came to shove, an issue Tolkien sidestepped by having
Denethor and Boromir die before - and Dwimordene fully acknowledges
and explores the complexities of this issue (and creates a good
companion piece to her story ["Both Beholden"]).
I love the serious tone of the narrative and the dialogues, it seems
very down-to-earth and direct, and at the same time a little remote
and cast in a slight mythological light (and I hope I'm making sense
here *g*).
It is coveyed clearly yet subtly that Boromir and Aragorn are wary of
each other, their dialogue circles around like fencers testing each
other's mettle.
Title: The Edge of the Knife · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 274
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 04:32:24
The title of this drabble series is perfect for what Dwimordene
presents us here of alternate scenarios. It reminds us of the
precarious balance, of the many lucky incidents and fateful chances
that had to come to pass to vanquish Sauron.
There is also a weight to the drabbles that force us to contemplate
ramifications and choices and free will, and juxtaposed or set
side-by-side with the above, makes for a very thought-provoking offering.
I appreciate that some version offer a (slightly more) positive
alternative, and also some show that other turns might have been as
dire as the canonical realities.
My favourite may be "Riven": Amandil successfully reaches Aman to
plead before the Valar, but what then?
Title: Parth Galen · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 705
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 04:33:07
Just a few degrees of shift, and we see the familiar scene at Parth
Galen in a slightly different light.
It's creepy how the external happenings, the calm discussion between
Boromir and Frodo, is juxtaposed with the increasingly insistent
demands of the Ring, who comes ever closer to hitting Boromir's
greatest desire. The one closest to his heart.
And it is an example, yet again, how utterly evil fails because it
doesn't understand good, and turns its greatest bet to its downfall.
And in addition, neatly inverting Denethor's maxime Boromir remembers
that ["those he loves the most can cause him the most harm"], by
having the memories of the people he loves the most become his
greatest strength in turning back temptation.
Title: Return · Author: Elleth · Genres: Alternate Universe: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 399
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 04:33:41
Stirring writing, like the breathless excitement that moves Nerdanel
and her son. I wish this scenario had been played out, for both of
them. And perhaps it would even have changed the course of those
Fëanorians who had gone on in Middle-earth.
Title: Galadriel Remembers · Author: Savageseraph · Genres: Poetry:
Drama · ID: 583
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 04:44:15
Spoilers!
A lovely poem; and wonderful to think that at least one Elf returned
to the Undying Lands finds herself wishing to be back in the mortal
lands, undiminished, taking fire from the spirits of mortal Men once
more. I've always pictured her as the one Elf who truly appreciates
the advantages to mortality.
Title: The Blessing · Author: Mews1945 · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Frodo or Sam · ID: 228
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 04:57:56
Spoilers!
I find Mews shares my own vision of Frodo as one who brings his own
share of healing to those who recover, there in the camp at Cormallen,
from their own hurts. A gentle story.
Title: For Our Friends · Author: Pearl Took · Genres: Drama · ID: 654
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 05:04:48
Spoilers!
This expansion of the movie moment is one of the most stirring I've
yet read--Merry and Eowyn together realizing there is a job to be
done; and Merry's use of a farmer's metaphor in thinking of the battle
ahead is so proper to him as a Hobbit! Yes--Merry and Eowyn will do
their part as called upon by the restored King of Rohan!
Title: The Prisoner of Dol Guldur · Author: Soledad · Genres: Drama:
Final Partings · ID: 102
Reviewer: pen_iaur · 2008-07-29 05:09:22
A very powerful story - The interplay between Elrond and Thranduil was
especially well written.
Title: The Tower Hills · Author: DrummerWench · Genres: Drama: Final
Partings · ID: 608
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 05:15:09
Sam accompanies Frodo up into another tower, and knows the peace of
it. A melancholy yet lovely piece.
Title: 25 Rethe, S.R. 1422: The Three Travellers Remember · Author:
Dreamflower · Genres: Poetry: Drama · ID: 679
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 05:19:11
It was Dreamflower who introduced me to "dribble" poetry, and I will
ever thank her for it. In this pair of inverted dribbles we see what
Merry, Pippin, and Sam think of the twenty-fifth of Rethe, and how
they regret it has no further meaning within the Shire. Sad, but
proud, even as was the one honored in the lines.
Title: The Last Words · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama: Featuring
the Noldor · ID: 409
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 06:48:08
Spoilers!
I found I needed to review this story again before commenting on it.
In many ways this is a hard story to read--the confrontation between
the abandoned wife and her husband's three mistresses. She is
strident, somewhat giddy, and yet it is plain she still loves him,
even as she begs them not to destroy him. So true to those friends
I've had who have found themselves in broken marriages. The first true
letting-go.
Title: There Was A Hobbit · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Humor:
Drabbles · ID: 111
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 06:54:02
Spoilers!
Agape has managed to slip a bit of our culture into Middle Earth, with
a wink and nod to Christopher Tolkien's examination of how his father
came to write LOTR as evidenced in "The Return of the Shadow." A nice
giggle.
Title: The Wedding Gift · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Romance: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 40
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 06:57:06
Spoilers!
Ah, such a glorious act of love, to craft this love token for the one
who would be the mother of his children. That such romantic urges lie
in the hearts of Dwarves. Delightfully sensuous.
Title: A Great Evil Unmade · Author: Linaewen · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 267
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 17:13:42
Spoilers!
Boromir as the Ring-bearer at the end... What seems an unlikely choice
is here presented very persuasively.
I prefer AUs like this here that skirt as close as possible to canon,
especially with regards to characterisation. The story reminds us of
Boromir's capabilities: his feeling of responsibility tenacity,
endurance (which he exhibited on his arduous way to Imladris, as well
as back east with the Fellowship). Even his pride is shown here from
its positive sight, boosting his will when physical and mental
strength threatens to falter.
I find it very intriguing to see how the Ring and its nearness to
Mount Doom works on Boromir, both for the differences and the
similarities to its working on Frodo.
The story's (maddeningly *g*) open end unsettles, but I think it
managed beforehand to convince the reader that Boromir will indeed
succeed (but will he survive...?).
Title: Hidden Watcher · Author: kitt_otter · Genres: Drama · ID: 702
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 17:49:28
Atmospheric writing, which makes us feel the hushed silence in the
darkness of the depth of Moria. Legolas' attentiveness as guard is
conveyed well. I like the description of how he concentrates on his
sense of smell.
Title: The Journey · Author: foxrafer (csevans8) · Times: Late Third
Age: General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 604
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 20:26:58
For the Hobbits this journey outside their Shire was all a new,
remarkable experience--but it was also terrifying. To see this and the
continuation through a Hobbit's perspective is delightful.
Title: Frodo's Pointed Ears · Author: sophinisba solis · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Post-Ring War · ID: 729
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 20:28:31
Ookay--methinks poor Frodo has been deprived of sensual companionship
too long! Heh!
Incomplete · ID: 382
Reviewer: SurgicalSteel · 2008-07-29 00:20:42
This is a really intriguing start to what looks as if it could be a
great story about the time between Celebrian's rescue from the Orcs
and her departure over the sea. Her near-madness during one combat
scene really feels genuine. I look forward to more of this!
Title: On Amon Sûl · Author: Dreamflower · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Frodo or Sam · ID: 299
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 01:11:26
Spoilers!
This is so much as I myself have envisioned the same scene, the bits
the Master left out. From the fading and resurgence of awareness and
sound to the wondering as to who might be dying--this is something
Tolkien himself might have written (or intended to write). A fantastic
gapfiller, and all too likely to have been true. Writing it from
Frodo's own point of view was brilliant; and I, too, have envisioned
him slamming down walls against the Ring and Its murmurings.
Excellent.
Title: Bibliophile · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Romance: Drabbles ·
ID: 370
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 01:15:58
Ah, yes, people would very likely gift Faramir's mother with that
tale! Love what Eowyn likes better!
A wonderful expression of the love between the two of them.
Title: Birthday Present · Author: Aranel Took · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 441
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 01:19:24
Spoilers!
Ah, how I love how easily Bilbo's birthday presents to Pippin are to
take with him! And Pippin is right there to claim it, of course. And
he'll fit in Thain one day with that stance of his? Heh!
Title: Least Expected · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Drabbles · ID: 512
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 01:25:31
Imhiriel is such a master at the genre of drabble-writing. And in this
one she has surpassed herself. Of course, Dwimordene's request for AU
ficlets probably sparked more such tales than any other single
person's birthday wishes this year. But to see Halbarad find such a
welcome to Rohan--oh, how too likely it would have been had this one
been riding abroad with his own sycophants.
Quite a tale.
Title: A Race, To Be Like Me · Author: Imhiriel · Races: Elves:
Drabbles · ID: 375
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-29 03:57:39
Spoilers!
For my money, Feanor is one of the most difficult characters in the
Silmarillion to deal with as a reader. He is neither a hero nor a
villain, but something in between - a magnetic, charismatic and
totally self-willed artist. What he is not, in my opinion, is a worthy
King.
Feanor believes that he is doing the right and proper thing in calling
all his people to cross the Sea in pursuit of the pretty much
invincible Evil who has murdered Feanor's beloved father and stolen
Feanor's beloved Jewels. While both deeds cry for vengeance, I am not
sure that a good and thoughtful king would have bound all his sons and
people to the rather risky pursuit of so dire a course.
Imhiriel conveys the passion, the power, of Feanor's belief, his own
ferocity of desire infecting him even from the eye of the hurricane
that he has unleashed (which is a gorgeous metaphor). Feanor does not
foresee or even consider the horrific losses that will shatter the
Noldor who follow him, he is caught up in his own fire here.
To me, Feanor comes off here as both heroic, in terms of
warrior-ethic, and Hitlerian, in modern sensibility as a leader who
blindly and callously enflames his people to a course that will
destroy them (the difference from Hitler being that Feanor asks
nothing of his people that he will not personally do himself). And
yet, this course will prove the path that eventually defeats Morgoth
and saves Middle-earth, at the price of thousands of Noldor lives,
including those of Feanor's own spellbound sons. This drabble made me
wonder what Feanor would have thought of the fate to which he has
sacrificed his sons and people; especially since it is the Valar's
intervention, summoned by a Silmaril, which ultimately saves what is
left of the Noldor as well as the rest of suffering Middle-earth.
A wonderful and powerful drabble that shows, rather than tells, so
much about the Spirit of Fire and his effect upon the world.
Title: The Lowest Circle · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Elves: Drabbles ·
ID: 449
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-29 04:03:57
Spoilers!
One of the most sad and scary pieces in this year's MEFA competition;
this drabble addresses the horrific situation of an elf being slowly
transformed into an orc in Angband. Tanaqui does a wonderful job;
focussing on the prisoner's memory of stars, and how his ordeal has
caused him to hate, then forget it - surely a greater indication of
the being's fundamental change than any physiological transformation.
Not an easy read, but one that is hard to forget.
Title: The Prisoner of Time · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Alternate Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 313
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 04:30:16
Spoilers!
Often, the question of "what if Denethor had turned back from the
pyre" follow a positive way: Denethor repents his ways, reconciles
with Aragorn etc.
But here, Raksha shows us a Denethor unchanged from his last demeanor
in canon, presenting his immense pride as an intrinsic character
fault, not merely caused by despair and false insinuations via
palantír. We see that just chosing to live does not automatically mean
changing his attitude in other ways.
The closed windows symbolise perfectly, I find, the closed mind and
heart of Denethor in this situation. He is sooo sure he knows best,
refuses any advice or help from outside; and so his son dies, and for
what? For his own damnable pride!
And the worst is, he never even entertains the idea that it may be him
that is at fault. No, all the other persons must be guilty of
something or another, they are ["faithless"], ["recreants"], ["seduced
by fancies or Elvish glamour"], etc.
Denethor's PoV is captured brillantly: his resentment and still-high
righteousness and arrogance almost saturates the story.
Title: The King's Colors · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 482
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 04:31:07
This short story explores the premise of Boromir and Faramir
exchanging places in the search for Imladris in terse, poignant
dialogue and evocative introspection. The exchange itself is not the
focus (not even the question of how Faramir, too, lost his life),
rather, it is the ramifications when the Fellowship reaches Minas
Tirith: how the House of Húrin might have handled Aragorn's claim for
Gondor when push came to shove, an issue Tolkien sidestepped by having
Denethor and Boromir die before - and Dwimordene fully acknowledges
and explores the complexities of this issue (and creates a good
companion piece to her story ["Both Beholden"]).
I love the serious tone of the narrative and the dialogues, it seems
very down-to-earth and direct, and at the same time a little remote
and cast in a slight mythological light (and I hope I'm making sense
here *g*).
It is coveyed clearly yet subtly that Boromir and Aragorn are wary of
each other, their dialogue circles around like fencers testing each
other's mettle.
Title: The Edge of the Knife · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 274
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 04:32:24
The title of this drabble series is perfect for what Dwimordene
presents us here of alternate scenarios. It reminds us of the
precarious balance, of the many lucky incidents and fateful chances
that had to come to pass to vanquish Sauron.
There is also a weight to the drabbles that force us to contemplate
ramifications and choices and free will, and juxtaposed or set
side-by-side with the above, makes for a very thought-provoking offering.
I appreciate that some version offer a (slightly more) positive
alternative, and also some show that other turns might have been as
dire as the canonical realities.
My favourite may be "Riven": Amandil successfully reaches Aman to
plead before the Valar, but what then?
Title: Parth Galen · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 705
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 04:33:07
Just a few degrees of shift, and we see the familiar scene at Parth
Galen in a slightly different light.
It's creepy how the external happenings, the calm discussion between
Boromir and Frodo, is juxtaposed with the increasingly insistent
demands of the Ring, who comes ever closer to hitting Boromir's
greatest desire. The one closest to his heart.
And it is an example, yet again, how utterly evil fails because it
doesn't understand good, and turns its greatest bet to its downfall.
And in addition, neatly inverting Denethor's maxime Boromir remembers
that ["those he loves the most can cause him the most harm"], by
having the memories of the people he loves the most become his
greatest strength in turning back temptation.
Title: Return · Author: Elleth · Genres: Alternate Universe: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 399
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 04:33:41
Stirring writing, like the breathless excitement that moves Nerdanel
and her son. I wish this scenario had been played out, for both of
them. And perhaps it would even have changed the course of those
Fëanorians who had gone on in Middle-earth.
Title: Galadriel Remembers · Author: Savageseraph · Genres: Poetry:
Drama · ID: 583
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 04:44:15
Spoilers!
A lovely poem; and wonderful to think that at least one Elf returned
to the Undying Lands finds herself wishing to be back in the mortal
lands, undiminished, taking fire from the spirits of mortal Men once
more. I've always pictured her as the one Elf who truly appreciates
the advantages to mortality.
Title: The Blessing · Author: Mews1945 · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Frodo or Sam · ID: 228
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 04:57:56
Spoilers!
I find Mews shares my own vision of Frodo as one who brings his own
share of healing to those who recover, there in the camp at Cormallen,
from their own hurts. A gentle story.
Title: For Our Friends · Author: Pearl Took · Genres: Drama · ID: 654
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 05:04:48
Spoilers!
This expansion of the movie moment is one of the most stirring I've
yet read--Merry and Eowyn together realizing there is a job to be
done; and Merry's use of a farmer's metaphor in thinking of the battle
ahead is so proper to him as a Hobbit! Yes--Merry and Eowyn will do
their part as called upon by the restored King of Rohan!
Title: The Prisoner of Dol Guldur · Author: Soledad · Genres: Drama:
Final Partings · ID: 102
Reviewer: pen_iaur · 2008-07-29 05:09:22
A very powerful story - The interplay between Elrond and Thranduil was
especially well written.
Title: The Tower Hills · Author: DrummerWench · Genres: Drama: Final
Partings · ID: 608
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 05:15:09
Sam accompanies Frodo up into another tower, and knows the peace of
it. A melancholy yet lovely piece.
Title: 25 Rethe, S.R. 1422: The Three Travellers Remember · Author:
Dreamflower · Genres: Poetry: Drama · ID: 679
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 05:19:11
It was Dreamflower who introduced me to "dribble" poetry, and I will
ever thank her for it. In this pair of inverted dribbles we see what
Merry, Pippin, and Sam think of the twenty-fifth of Rethe, and how
they regret it has no further meaning within the Shire. Sad, but
proud, even as was the one honored in the lines.
Title: The Last Words · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama: Featuring
the Noldor · ID: 409
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 06:48:08
Spoilers!
I found I needed to review this story again before commenting on it.
In many ways this is a hard story to read--the confrontation between
the abandoned wife and her husband's three mistresses. She is
strident, somewhat giddy, and yet it is plain she still loves him,
even as she begs them not to destroy him. So true to those friends
I've had who have found themselves in broken marriages. The first true
letting-go.
Title: There Was A Hobbit · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Humor:
Drabbles · ID: 111
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 06:54:02
Spoilers!
Agape has managed to slip a bit of our culture into Middle Earth, with
a wink and nod to Christopher Tolkien's examination of how his father
came to write LOTR as evidenced in "The Return of the Shadow." A nice
giggle.
Title: The Wedding Gift · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Romance: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 40
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 06:57:06
Spoilers!
Ah, such a glorious act of love, to craft this love token for the one
who would be the mother of his children. That such romantic urges lie
in the hearts of Dwarves. Delightfully sensuous.
Title: A Great Evil Unmade · Author: Linaewen · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 267
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 17:13:42
Spoilers!
Boromir as the Ring-bearer at the end... What seems an unlikely choice
is here presented very persuasively.
I prefer AUs like this here that skirt as close as possible to canon,
especially with regards to characterisation. The story reminds us of
Boromir's capabilities: his feeling of responsibility tenacity,
endurance (which he exhibited on his arduous way to Imladris, as well
as back east with the Fellowship). Even his pride is shown here from
its positive sight, boosting his will when physical and mental
strength threatens to falter.
I find it very intriguing to see how the Ring and its nearness to
Mount Doom works on Boromir, both for the differences and the
similarities to its working on Frodo.
The story's (maddeningly *g*) open end unsettles, but I think it
managed beforehand to convince the reader that Boromir will indeed
succeed (but will he survive...?).
Title: Hidden Watcher · Author: kitt_otter · Genres: Drama · ID: 702
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-29 17:49:28
Atmospheric writing, which makes us feel the hushed silence in the
darkness of the depth of Moria. Legolas' attentiveness as guard is
conveyed well. I like the description of how he concentrates on his
sense of smell.
Title: The Journey · Author: foxrafer (csevans8) · Times: Late Third
Age: General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 604
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 20:26:58
For the Hobbits this journey outside their Shire was all a new,
remarkable experience--but it was also terrifying. To see this and the
continuation through a Hobbit's perspective is delightful.
Title: Frodo's Pointed Ears · Author: sophinisba solis · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Post-Ring War · ID: 729
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-29 20:28:31
Ookay--methinks poor Frodo has been deprived of sensual companionship
too long! Heh!
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