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Title: The Apprentice · Author: pandemonium_213 · Races: Villains · ID: 52
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-08-24 04:39:54
Spoilers!
Tolkien knew what he was doing when he made Sauron, the Lord of the
Rings and great villain of the story that bears his name, a shadowy
presence physically bound to Barad-dur but reaching out with his evil
agenda to just about everyplace in Middle-earth. To have made Sauron a
more physical presence who would descend to debate and gloat and
posture would have been a diminishment of the vastly powerful creature
who controls so much misery and evil in LOTR.

But we know from other sources, such as The Silmarillion, that Sauron
was Melkor's lieutenant, fell before Luthien, defeated Finrod, and
later disguised himself in fair forms to work with the Noldor colony
of Ost-en-Edhil to make some famous jewelry. Very few fanfiction
writers depict Sauron during these times, when he put on a very good
and reasonable appearance and seemed altogether different from the
shadow in Barad-dur or the glowing evil eye in the palantir.

In this fascinating story, pandemonium brings Sauron to vivid life as
he sets out to bamboozle the Jewel-Smiths into helping him create
various controlling Rings. Rather than have Sauron live a complete
lie, cackling to himself as he hoodwinks the Noldor (who were not
foolish and indeed would have been a rather savvy bunch), Pandemonium
comes up with the ingenious plot device of having Sauron mentally
compartmentalize various aspects of his personality, bringing the
charismatic, kindly and creative "Aulendil" to the forefront so that
the Jewel-Smiths will not only trust him, but embrace him as an
emissary from the Valar and work for him. Sauron carries it off, not
just because he is a very powerful Maia, but because part of him, the
part of him who was once Aule's apprentice, yearns for intelligent
company. There are layers of deception here that work very well
indeed, without negating or excusing the horror that is Sauron's evil,
and the evil he does.

The title [The Apprentice] ostensibly refers to the author's OMC
Samaril, a brilliant young craftsman who becomes apprenticed to
"Aulendil", but I think it can also apply to Aulendil-Annatar himself,
as the former apprentice to not one but two Valar (counting Melkor)
becomes a teacher, for good and evil.

The author does a wonderful job creating a believable, sophisticated
civilisation, the Noldor reaching towards greatness in a Second Age
renaissance that is horribly ended. Celebrimbor and Glorfindel and
various OC's are all well-written. And the last chapter is sad and
poignant, with a rather astonishing twist in terms of the relationship
of Samaril and Aulendil/Sauron (no, thank whatever gods you like, it
is not slash!).

A very original work, as far as any fanfiction work can be original. I
would love to see Pandemonium write more about Feanor, and
Sauron/Mairon in Valinor, the Numenoreans, and Sauron in the Ring War.
I also think that Pandemonium should think of writing her own original
fiction, professionally.

Title: Star's End · Author: Keiliss · Races: Elves: House of Elrond ·
ID: 283
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-08-24 05:32:23
Spoilers!
I am slightly ambivalent about the ending; but most of this story is
incredibly lovely, infused with beauty overlaid with bitterness and
sorrow. And yet there is great generosity of spirit here, as Maglor
does his best to salvage what remains of his foster-son's daughter.
Arwen's terrible loneliness comes through credibly, and the reader is
glad that she has a kinsman with her at the sad end of her storied days.



Title: The Last Throw · Author: nau_tika · Genres: Drama · ID: 556
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-08-24 05:36:47
Spoilers!
Nau_tika strays from her usual type of entertaining fanfiction to
write a somewhat different story, that of an OC who has lived through
the march to the Black Gate and the terrible battle there and, in the
new days of peace, sits down to tell his wife and young children about
the things he saw.

The readers never learn the OC narrator's name, but all the same, he
is unforgettable in his plain-spoken determination that his family
hears the story of these great events while he can still remember
every detail.

I love the way Nau_tika has her narrator tell the story, with
admiration not only for the hero king Elessar but for all the people
who helped in that victory. She shows, not tells, that the narrator is
a man who cares deeply for his family, in the asides, offering to stop
if the violence distresses the kids and voicing his pride when they
don't need the respite. And the narrator's caution to his son about
the gravity of killing shows his essential goodness - he may not be
Numenorean, but he does share some of that ancient race's wiser ideals.

Title: The Visitor · Author: Rowan · Genres: Drama · ID: 174
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-08-24 05:48:24
Spoilers!
A Fourth Age vignette that is dreamy but substantial, like a
soap-bubble made out of mithril. Elanor Gamgee, a young wife and
mother, meets Frodo, who has come for a one-time visit, apparently
courtesy of the Valar. The resulting conversation is poignant, and
funny, and very typical of Frodo. I found the characterisation of
Elanor to be perfect, she is a loving, perceptive and practical young
hobbit, bound to the earth, Sam's daughter in many mannerisms and
speech patterns, and yet there is something finer and more curious
about her, almost elf-touched, as there would be about Sam and Rosie's
rather elfin/Elven firstborn.

The last lines are perfect, too, and make a lot of sense.

Title: Hidden Watcher · Author: kitt_otter · Genres: Drama · ID: 702
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-08-24 05:56:54
Spoilers!
This vignette which makes excellent use of Legolas' more-than-mortal
senses. I love the slow game of cat-and-mouse he plays to find the
mysterious presence he senses; the patience and cleverness that he
exhibited in the books is apparent in this story. And the atmosphere
of Moria, dread, dark and haunted, is conveyed very well here.

Title: Leaving Home · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Men: Steward's
Family · ID: 39
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-24 07:11:10
Spoilers!
It can be hard, being six--too big for some things, too small for
most. Jealous because the Hobbits get to go out hiking with his father
and he can't go. But then--a surprise! And, when he comes home again,
he learns, there will be someone new to meet!

A lovely tale of a few days' experiences told from Elboron's POV.

Title: When Trouble Came · Author: Lily · Races: Hobbits: Incomplete ·
ID: 109
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-24 07:18:16
Spoilers!
The Time of Troubles was anticipated by no one within the Shire; and
when it hit, folk all through the four Farthings and Buckland were all
taken by grim surprise. Saradoc and Merimac Brandybuck first realized
how bad it was likely to become when Berilac was injured; and to find
themselves unable to access some of their own fields due to the Big
Men's interference and threats must have been unbelievable.

But Hobbits can be a determined breed, and Saradoc and his family were
intent on seeing to it those who lived in Buckland and particularly in
Brandy Hall survived.

One can feel the distress and disbelief, the anxiety and fear, the
anger and the determination of Saradoc and Berilac, and we rejoice
with them when at last the wanderers return and see to the renewal of
their land.

Superbly done.

Title: Care to Ride My Hot-Rod Fell Beast? · Author: viv · Genres:
Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 180
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-24 07:22:55
Okay--I finally broke down and read it. Cute--very cute! And Merry
being described as a [teddy bear] got me chuckling--one with a sword,
at least!

Fun!

Title: The Sky Is Over · Author: Robinka · Races: Elves: Drabbles · ID: 83
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-24 07:30:59
A flash of foresight, and Finrod realises that things will all change
for him and his people. A moment of grief and loss well described. One
can feel the shock that glimpse of the future brought him.

Title: Temptation · Author: Princess Artemis · Genres: Poetry · ID: 416
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-24 07:41:20
Spoilers!
Just who IS the master? According to the Ring it isn't Sauron himself!

A marvelous look at the manner in which the Ring has historically
taken control of others, but then finds it harder and harder to do so.

Marvelous POV, and fascinating to see the Ring misjudging those It
would take.

Title: Unwilling · Author: Elena Tiriel · Races: Elves: Drabbles · ID: 64
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2008-08-24 13:36:53
This is a perfect example of the beauty that can be wrought within the
small confines of a drabble. This piece is heart-wrenching and
beautifully executed. The idea of "unwilling" versus "faithful" give
Tolkien's history a much-needed look from the perspective of those
whose outlook is not represented in his works.

Title: My Legacy · Author: spookystoy · Genres: Drama: General
Drabbles · ID: 407
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2008-08-24 13:40:08
Spoilers!
This drabble considers the works of Curufin. Ironically, when
Celebrimbor dismisses him as [Your only legacy was treachery], he
fails to account for himself in Curufin's repertoire. Nicely done!

Title: Galadriel Remembers · Author: Savageseraph · Genres: Poetry:
Drama · ID: 583
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2008-08-24 13:47:18
Spoilers!
"Galadriel Remembers" gives the perspective of Galadriel looking east
again after she has sailed. She laments not only the places and
objects she has left behind but the importance that she wielded in
Middle-earth that is now diminished in Valinor. Given what we see of
Galadriel's character throughout Tolkien's works, this is an
intriguing idea and very much in keeping with her character. I think
it underscores the importance to so many of the Eldar--especially the
Noldor--that their presence in Arda bring about positive change in the
world in which they live.

Title: All these hands · Author: Elitihien · Races: Elves: Noldor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 534
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2008-08-24 13:57:53
Spoilers!
This series looks at many of the major events of the First Age through
Idril's eyes, an oft-neglected woman from The Silmarillion. In few
words, Elithien paints compelling pictures of each character involved
in these events--Tuor as the reluctant hero, Aredhel as the warm
surrogate, and, most poignantly, Maeglin as one deserving of
forgiveness--and begins to create characters one wants to care about.
She effectively brings them beyond their larger-than-life portrayal in
The Silmarillion. This is an admirable series that puts forth many
compelling ideas that I would gladly see written into longer stories.

Title: Vengeance's Folly · Author: Rhapsody · Races: Elves: Noldor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 718
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2008-08-24 14:03:09
Spoilers!
The character of Celegorm is much-maligned by Tolkien fans, and
Rhapsody has taken it upon herself to show how many of his more
lamentable deeds came out of a heart that was not black with evil.
This double-drabble is no exception, showing the desperation in defeat
that may have lead Celegorm to propose regaining a Silmaril from Doriath.

I also love that the famous line about [leaves before the wind] is
attributed to Maglor--very fitting!

Title: Early Winter at Himring Hill · Author: Oshun · Genres: Romance:
Elven Lands · ID: 79
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2008-08-24 15:40:37
Oshun's stories are unique in that they take that most-famous of
Silmarillion pairings--Maedhros and Fingon--and rather than exploiting
the tragedy and angst, tease out the joyful moments that must have
inspired the courage for which both were famed. "Early Winter at
Himring Hill" is one such moment, one that doesn't have the weight to
make the final histories in The Silmarillion but that shows the love
and friendship between these characters (whether the reader chooses to
interpret it as romantic love or not) that underlie their greatest
deeds and nearly lead the Noldor to triumph. As always, Oshun's
writing is full or humor and excellent dialogue, and the extent of her
work with these two characters allows her to characterize them in her
stories so that--even in vignette form, as this--her work is
effortless and a joy to read.

Title: WOUNDS: Invisible Scars · Author: Fiondil · Races: Elves: House
of Finwe · ID: 57
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2008-08-24 15:49:55
Spoilers!
I share Fiondil's interest in what it must have been like for an Elf
like Finrod, having just returned from Middle-earth to a new life in a
repaired body. This story does an admirable job of conveying the idea
that one embodied--such as an Elf--might have actually felt dismay at
the loss of the signs of his triumphs and good deeds that existed in
the form of scars. It is also nice to see a comfortable moment between
Finrod and Arafinwe and to see the Noldoin king depicted as strong and
dignified, in a way that defies the unfairness he is often dealt in fanon.

Title: Tales from Tol Eressëa · Author: shirebound · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond · ID: 214
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-08-24 17:37:09
Spoilers!
A pleasing quartet of ficlets, composed of scenes from Frodo's life in
Tol Eressea. There's an appealing lack of angst and sense of timeless
joy and relaxation in the scenes. My favorite moments were those of
Sam enjoying the white sands, and Frodo encountering the culinary
delights of lobster...

Title: Black Memory · Author: mrkinch · Races: Villains: Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 603
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2008-08-25 00:57:59
Spoilers!
The dense descriptions of this drabble are very effective in helping
to build the tension toward that final moment of revelation. And those
final lines,

[the tortured angle of his neck, the graceless cant of his head
beneath its burden of terrible brightness]

convey so much: the terrible weight and pain upon Melkor, brought upon
himself, and the Silmarils made terrible in his possession. This is an
excellent piece and highly recommended.