Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Nightfall · Author: Jael · Times: Second and Early Third Age ·
ID: 87
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-30 02:30:47
this is a story that needed telling. it is so easy to find stories on
elrond take or how elendil was killed but rarely is the story told
from s silvan point of view. you tell an amazing tale of how thranduil
shoulders his loss and tries to salvage as many of his followers as he
can. you make it delightful to watch how much of his personal dignity
he will surrender to his poeple; but pity to the outsider who laughs
at his plight. i generally prefer galion as an older more experienced
elf but this galion fits so very well in the niche you have carved for
him.i wish you were just a little clearer on who the blonde was with
your noldo friend. i don't see where using his name would alter the
story but it might give just a little nudge to some of us in
appreciating the almost humor that could be in this scene.of course
making it the other blonde would let you play off the question of
which kingdom has the better archers.this is also one of those stories
that touch on potential magic in our king of greenwood.i think that
too often people suppose that magic must have flash and dash to be
spectacular, you remind us the earth was sung into being, each of us
is a part of amelody that we may not hear but we definitely dance to
the piper.

Title: Recognition · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
Gondor Drabbles · ID: 481
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-30 02:51:37
Spoilers!
drabbles make it very hard to babble one thousand characters of
review. since this is not truly a drabble shall i try? yes she is an
easily misread person but so much of that comes from the fact is is
not your average damsel in distress, she was never told that as a
victim of emotional abuse she is supposed to suffer oh so tragically
so that the hero can swoop in and save her, she has found herself to
be a survivor and not even a delicate little flower of a girl she is a
full blown heroine and has no desire to be saved. and then we get to
your main character, the blonde from rohan... twin sisters seperated
by forty or so years of age? at this point i hit the spoilers button i
don't know how else to stretch this out but to get right to the
story.there are those who say that tolkien short-changed woman by not
writing more females into his stories, i don't see that that is true,
he wrote very few women into the tale but those that he did were all
very strong, very admirable leaders of our sex. most anywhere in the
world you can find women tending their men, children and houses; in
very few societies even in these years are women valued as highly as
leaders as the are in other roles. we tell ourselves that women have
made great strides to equlity but have we really. how often do we see
women actually in charge and in control of high pressure situations.
including my rant i made it hope you win.

Title: Renewal · Author: Elena Tiriel · Times: Late Third Age: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 208
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-30 03:14:23
the only drabble i every succeeded in writing happened because i ran
out of thing to say at one hundred and ten words and so i decided to
go in and cut ten words. drabbling is a lot harder then most people
may think and i really like how you start most lines almost
poetry-wise with an action and then expand the thought just a
hair.this method of writing would show a great deal of skill in
planning and execution. i think it was in the fifth line that i was
certain who you were writing, and i settled in to enjoy the reforge. i
found it interesting that you touch on the blood that has already been
split but don't mention that most sword-making calls for either the
makers or wielders blood to strenthen the blade. with only one hundred
words to use you have painted a fairly complex diagram of how to
regenerate a used weapon into a stunning work of art. the only thing
you don't deliver is the blistering heat that you allude to. it almost
seems that we could be standing on some cool shaded spot some distance
from the actual forge. i am impressed with your ability to keep your
story short and to the point, but it is getting harder and harder to
try to give you a full ten point vote.if i manage to get this to a
full vote do you think i could get a tall glass of something soothing.

Title: They Also Serve · Author: Marta · Times: Late Third Age · ID: 365
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-30 03:34:58
this is a short, well paced story that lets us look at the agony the
wait. so often in fanfiction we are presented with the swashbuckling
heroics that make for thrilling film stories, but what about those who
stand for days waiting for any word from the front lines, no, this
stories are often relegated to the heaps. here is one that takes just
a few minutes of time and tells of millions and millions of moments in
history you can easily place your favorite non-HERO in the leading
role and the emotions and anguish is theirs. it works for dwarfs,
elfes, hobbits, humans fictional and otherwise. it would work with
most HEROES except theirs would be even worse because they know all
the things they have not told us happened when things were not going
well. it might be interesting to note if the quite played a role in
making the story or if it is one of those things that just happen to
match too well to resist.i think that this is one story that it pays
to reads the note, the little side bar about glorfindel makes a nifty
potential story on its own. or is it already and i've missed it until now?
in trying to write what i think of as a review, i begin to have some
sympathy for the professionals. to not re-tell the story that you have
wrote but to write a blurp that would encourage others to read the
story is not always easy.

Title: The Prisoner of Time · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Alternate Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 313
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2008-08-30 09:21:31
Spoilers!
What a chilling, and at the same time, believable AU! Denethor
surviving is a great idea, but the consequences are chilling, indeed.
And the way you show us that embittered man, facing the return of
"Isildur's upstart", enclosed in his own home and refusing to deal
with the changes, is a compelling vision, indeed. Well done!

Title: With Many "Fond" Acknowledgments · Author: Thundera Tiger ·
Genres: Humor · ID: 472
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2008-08-30 09:41:21
Spoilers!
A very funny story, which gives more insight in the circumstances on
hos the tale of the Lord of the Rings was compiled... by an very
unlucky Sam, who has the ungrateful task of defending his narration
against the people appearing in it. Humor abound, and I really, really
like poor Sam finally thinking he found an understanding listener...
only to discover that his trials are far from over. A wonderful little
humorous story, and a delight to read!

Title: A Great Evil Unmade · Author: Linaewen · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 267
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2008-08-30 10:01:00
A compelling AU with vivid descriptions, and we learn just how
honorable and wise Boromir could have been, had he lived. The
description of his toil while he works to accomplish his
self-appointed task is very intense, too. Great stuff! Thank you for
writing and sharing!

Title: A Taste of Home · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits:
Friendship · ID: 138
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2008-08-30 17:17:27
There aren't as many stories about the hobbits living in Minas Tirith
in their later years as there should be, so it is a joy to find this
story.

Merry as a stubborn old fellow and Pippin still as eager to please as
he ever was is great.

This story actually has me wanting to try a piece of "Shire-style"
fruitcake.

Title: There and Back · Author: Dana · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 89
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2008-08-30 17:23:33
Beregond certainly had to have a great admiration for Pippin, and this
story shows that so clearly. Very nice.

Title: A Time to Hope · Author: PipMer · Races: Hobbits: Incomplete ·
ID: 302
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2008-08-30 19:36:29
This story is off to a very nice start. The day to day events of
recovery as covered in this tale are quite interesting. It is nice to
get a look at the "humanity" of many of the characters that we don't
see that much of, except in things like battes.

For some reason, I find Pippin particularly sweet in this story, and
that is a good thing. I also like Merry very much. He cares so deeply
and is such a planner that it only makes sense that he'd be a worrier.

I'll be interested to see what happens as this story continues.

Title: Before the Black Gate · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late
Third Age · ID: 45
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2008-08-30 20:10:23
Pippin without hope is such a sad thing. Those moments when he finally
gives in to despair in the book are some of the hardest to read. To
see this moment just before that hopeless battle is heart-wrenching.

Title: Lock Out · Author: pippinfan88 · Races: Hobbits · ID: 307
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2008-08-30 20:54:22
This would be something that would happen to Pippin. What a way to
spend part of your honeymoon. Hope he was able to make the most of
that time spent in the garden swing.

Title: Fennas Haradren · Author: Linaewen · Genres: Adventure · ID: 280
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-30 22:38:10
As I read your story, I was hit with the thought "ah, that's why the
line- in the movie seemed so important to Boromir. I found this to be
a great unique story. You found an area that many people have
overlooked and made a magnificent filler for the gap. I have read many
stories set in Ithelin but noone else has taken the time to build
their own set in the story, You make the caves plausible and give us a
realistic chance to believe that the area could have been not only
important to gondor but a much beloved home to some. You write a
factual story that lets people live in the plot and carries us each
step of the way with your characters. You give us the slow march into
desolation and destruction in a compassionate way so that we can feel
regret over the destruction and hope for future chance to repair the
damages. While you give me pause over the wisdom of a leader who sends
"a few" to do the job of a battlion, you also leave me the feeling
that some safety measures are better then no chance in hell. Boromir
shows real leadership in his handling of his men and how they feel
able to explain why they did or did not do some things. I'm glad his
first meeting was as successful in the long run as his second one
was--no losses on our side. congradulations and good luck.

Title: Eucatastrophe: The Return · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Alternate Universe · ID: 617
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-30 22:53:55
hi dreamflower, as often as i've commented on this landscape i hope
you knew i would get back to you for this occasion, you have made one
truly enjoyable alternative to the masters work. this series and
expecially this section of the story have so much to recommend it to
any reader at most levels of reading. i have read so many times how
the ending of the books just doesn't seem to fit the masterpeice of
the sections before it. you have writen something that i think Tolkien
might have enjoyed reading as a sequel to lord of the rings. i mean he
separates hobbit from the trilogy, so might he not have thought about
a follow up to the lord. yes i understand that in letters he said he
was running out of things to say but he staill found a way to go on;
maybe after a decade of two he might have picked the story back up.
the only thing i would change about your series is to find someway to
make them all appear at the same place listed in the proper reading
order with no delays while you finish writing them; could you maybe
invest in some technology that lets you just think them onto the web
no waiting for real life to allow the luxury of writing them. you have
gained such prominence in my regard i can't wait to read even more of
your works; more importantly you have shown me and hopeful others
several places where we can learn and expand our own craft in the
hopes of personal if not monetary reward. thank you for being such a
guide and role model. may your god smile on you every day.









Title: Clear Conscience (The Clear Shot Remix) · Author: Dreamflower ·
Genres: Alternate Universe: Angst/Tragedy · ID: 680
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-30 23:11:36
Spoilers!
hey dreamflower, who would have geussed that we would be having a
conversation on alternative universes and frodo, boromir,and faramir.
didn't we just do this on lord of the rings community general fiction.
now you will know that this vote means something because you have
already gotten the idea that it wasn't my favored plot; not for the
reasons it may have sounded like. you label it clearly alternative so
i can relax my belief in middle earth and let things build on their
own. the reason i dislike the plot is i'm anti- careless hunters. as a
person who can't hit a barn with a softball i feel people who take up
arms have an obligation to see what they shoot BEFORE they fire.other
than that one little spot... this is a dramatic and attention riveting
story that holds the reader at the computer hoping and maybe praying
that things will be other then envitable. when you offer your
characters redemption you offer it to them at their own level of
comfort, you don't insist that they throw away the weapons of war but
you give them the chance to grow and improve as much or as little as
they care to. i had read this story before coming to the mefa site and
was happy to see that you had been nominated for this one. everything
you write that i've read so far has been top of the line its nice to
know that someone knew how to reward you. good luck and write more SOON.

Title: And all was made ready · Author: Dreamflower · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Friendship · ID: 427
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2008-08-30 23:17:35
It is so nice to see the coronation of the king through the eyes of
the hobbits. This story so wonderfully expands on a rather short seen
in the book. We get to see the hobbits at their best. Frodo with his
angst and his denial of his deeds, Sam's humility and deprecation,
Merry and hs sense of responsiblilty and order and Pippin and his joy
in life despite everything that has happened to him.

That last scene was just so precious: the four together as it should be.

Title: Alter/native · Author: Tanaqui · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Drabbles · ID: 478
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-30 23:31:06
This is one of those that is going to be tough. i really would like to
aviod the spoilers button but this is so short and so too the point i
may have to break my goal. wait if i read the summary correctly i can
use a little more than i thought possible. you have left the major
thread of the masterpeice in play you just changed the color and the
annoucements. i found this idea strangely appealling, i have issues
with people who wee GAY in every touch, i think that anyone who lives
in tight quarters in hard times should either learn to cherish each
other or never be in the same room ever again. so your story while
leaving that door entirely wide open leaves me laughing and laughing
and laughing. in one universe this is oh so elf-y and in another this
is so no-no--NO. but you have kept it in the just a small glitch in
the coding area. could you maybe take a moment and let us in on the
name you choose, is there a particular reason or just a play on the
other characters handle? i realize as i write this that i'm going to
have to make use of that reference to what started your mind running.
i just hope that you keep a "pencil" handy and keep letting us
easedrop on the process. i have to admit that i read a lot of your
works for mefa and that most of it got passed on but it wasn't that
you weren't good its just so many great stories and i set out to vote
on one in each catagory that i felt any attachment to, i enjoyed your
writing and am looking forwrd to giving you feedback on a lot of
future reading. thank you for sharing so well.

Title: Homecoming · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 706
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-30 23:55:58
Isabeau, i have ejnoyed reading you for about six monthes, and have
recently been enlightened to feedback and then to mefawards. i hope
that you have may more stories to bring to the world because you have
a great alternative universe waiting fullfillment. i am glad you have
taken the step of reaching out to Andra and Bori, these are becoming
such a pair in my mind i really wouldn't mind finding out that theirs
is going to be a major novel length process for you. i was devasted
when denethor pulled his little trick but i have enjoyed this side
step of the original outcome. this is one of the times i might buy
into male pregnancy because i believe that a love this deep and this
pure deserves a chance to see itself as a joint cumulation. i am not
advacating that every couple needs a child to be complete, but
somethings deserve a chance to be rewarded with a tangable symbol of
their unity. you make the joy jump and reach out for our hearts, we
cannot help but feel that this is the way life should happen. i hope
to be back in this mode in a year voting for the next step in this
wonderful hopeful world. i know that most of my favorite writers think
they have a real life but would you consicer just throwing it all away
and staying at the computer, giving us such high quality reading
forever? no, oh well i geuss i'll try to be patient.

Title: Parth Galen · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 705
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-31 00:12:56
Isabeau, as an avid reader i beg you please please please find a
better archive site {ff}. it is so impossibly hard to enjoy reading
stories when every time you change pages you run the chance of
pop-ups, i do not want advertising or i would be watch tv, i want to
read stories and enjoy the anticapation of the next surprise that the
author wrote not that the web site decides i need to see. your stories
are some of the more original because you have taken the time to build
your own cast and give them their own backdrops to perform in front
of. i am glad you have expanded on your andra/bori line and wish that
i could read more but i will not volunteeraly subject myself to ff. i
will have to go to the other sites i do use and see if any of them
have more of your work posted than the last time i was at them, i have
been less then dilegent in my backtracking because i was invited to
play at the mefa site. but now that i have read the stories here, all
i have to do is finish writing the reviews on the stories i wanted to
vote on before i got a password only sixty or so to go. then more
independent reading. please consider posting somewhere decent and keep
up the good work. i want to give each of my choices the best vote
possible and sometimes that means i have to babble better.

Title: The Last Throw · Author: nau_tika · Genres: Drama · ID: 556
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-31 00:32:19
Nau tika, i must warn you I'm only writing this review because this
was one of the most original stories i have ever found in fanfiction.
i love your premise, you write the story well, you do not get side
tracked trying to give us dialog, you keep to one voice and one voice
only in a way that i can only admire my stories so often look like a
tennis match gone haywire. you never actually introduce us to your
character or his audience yet you make the wole thing seem entirely
factual. i can hear someone wondering if it is not too scary, i can
feel a little one moving closer to a protective older person, and i
can almost see the room around them as the story goes on and on. the
candles are fighting harder and harder to keep the darkness at bay,
the corners of the room are leaning in to hear all the little details.
you never leave the monologe but you give us so much more than just
the facts as they occurred. my only concern is that the site you
choose may limit the amount of reading you will get. as an avid reader
i find it hard to imagine what reason i would have to try to use that
site, ff, in the future. i think that from now on if its at ff it will
just not be one of the ones i vote for in award granting. you have a
great talent if this is a reasonable example of your work, i should
probably regret the fact that i may not read more of your work if this
is your only posting site. good luck as a writer you have something
worth saying and you say it well.

Title: Turning Points · Author: Cathleen · Races: Hobbits: Incomplete
· ID: 357
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2008-08-31 00:32:34
This tale is off to a great start. I look forward to see where
Cathleen take this one. This would be an interesting story if it just
dealt with Pippin and his passage from childhood to maturity, but you
add in the element of the Took Sight and its being intensified by
pubirty and it makes it just that bit more interesting.

I find Pippin to be a very simpathic tween. Yes, he's moody and
sometimes rude, but what tween isn't; but he's also conflicted and
feels bad when he does give in to his emotions.

All in all this has the makings of one of the better Took Sight stories.

Title: The Keys of the Realm · Author: Larner · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Aragorn · ID: 477
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-31 00:55:49
Larner, if you are not a master of your craft you have definitely
entered the end stages of your journeymanship. this is one of the
highlights of my year of reading. you take that time from denethor's
death to aragorn's coronation and with out replaying each already well
written moment, you give us a story that was missing even if we were
not aware that it could be told. you take a high level servant of his
country in a time when so much is pushing on him and make him into a
believable and admireable person. he does what he needs to, he does
not make it seem unwillingly performed just part of his regular
events. he never shows nerves or doubts, he does each step as it comes
to him, he realizes that the fate of the world is not his concern,
there are others better able to handle that task, thank you, he has
his job to do. when he needs to be a prop, he does it with as much
dignity as he gives any other duty. he is no longer a young man and as
such he has seen and been entrusted with many things not in the common
knowledge pool, he knows when to shut his mouth, when to offer
suggestions and when exercise discretion. you took a mainstay positon
and told us how and why he was one of the great good guys. bravo.
looking for more of your writings as fast as i can.

Title: My Sword Weeps · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Boromir or Faramir · ID: 316
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-08-31 01:14:44
Agape4gondor, i am going to have to go back and find the rest of this
series once i finish my reviews for all the ones i intend to vote for.
i think that the plot you have choosen is one of very unique and maybe
even sinister design, i wonder just how far you will carry this thread
out. you have the beginnings of a very elaborate alternative universe
and i hope i get to walk along these paths you are forging for quite a
while longer. i think that every fan fiction is truthfully off canon,
just because it was written. i find that most authors have little
interest in sustaining a story for longer than necessary before trying
to turn back to tolkiens tale. you have really burnt your bridges big
time. please keep this story up at least a while longer, let us see
how and to what degree this changes our young fellow. he has already
faced so much trials isn't it time to have him take on the easier role
of an at home in charge of it all person,cause you kinow that there
are still lots of problems and troubles in that direction too. i got a
kick out of how you handle the part where all the players are trying
to figure out who's who, who's where, and which side is really which.
i like the fact that you let an established pair take the if you can't
take care of yourself why are we here position. it lightened a truly
dire situation to only catastrophic not total doom.