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Msg# 9427

MEFA Reviews for Tuesday, September 9, 2008 (Part One) Posted by annmarwalk September 09, 2008 - 20:33:27 Topic ID# 9427
Title: Out of Memory and Time · Author: Shireling · Genres: Drama:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 136
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-08 23:17:25
this seemed so dark and then i realized some of it was the outlook and
some was the plot, but there was always a shimmer in the fabric of the
story.

Title: Meant to Be · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Other Beings · ID: 137
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-08 23:19:12
some projects have their destiny in their stitches and refuse to
compromise themselves.

Title: Philosophia to Philomythus and Misomythus · Author:
pandemonium_213 · Genres: Poetry · ID: 50
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-09-08 23:37:08
An incisive, thought-provoking, uplifting answer to Tolkien's premise.
Pandemonium contends that myth and science don't cancel each other
out, that each has much to give, much to rejoice and wonder at, that
both are a celebration of the world.

And as her answer herself, her poem proves it with imagery taken out
of both realms - out of myth like Shiva, and out of science like the
cells we can study under a microscope. These two realms are happily,
seamlessly united, and together they form a poem that is all the
stronger, more important, and more resonating for this union.

Title: And Then There Was Cake, or Begetting Day Horrors · Author:
Klose · Races: Elves: Family · ID: 540
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2008-09-09 02:45:11
This story has a suspicious voice-of-experience ring to it. And while
reading it, I was drawn back to a few of my own birthday horrors.
There's probably some karmic balance that insists on leveling the
celebratory score with some truly remarkable disasters. In this story,
I particularly liked the thought of embarrassing relatives, and I can
easily imagine Feanor being among the worst of the bunch.

Title: The Water's Song · Author: Nieriel Raina · Races: Elves: Family
· ID: 707
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2008-09-09 02:45:45
Spoilers!
This is a lovely bit of foreboding. The way NiRi goes about describing
the Sea's song is truly enchanting. I like the idea that Thranduil
might not understand the song itself, but he does understand his son.
As for the song, I was quite taken with the description given by
Legolas's mother. It seemed to be a gradual thing, starting with the
brooks and streams, working toward the rivers, and ultimately going
out to the gulls and the Sea. And it's a ["merry tune"] in the forest,
which is an interesting way of looking at it especially when one
considers just how much heartache it has rendered and will render.
Excellent foundational work for one of my favorite LotR characters!

Title: A Cat in King Elessar's Court · Author: agape4gondor · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Friendship · ID: 66
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-09 02:45:45
i am a cat lover but this on stretched me just a little to fine.
better luck and keep taping those keys. please?

Title: The Ritual Disturbed · Author: Larner · Genres: Horror · ID: 68
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-09 02:46:25
spooky

Title: Essecarmë · Author: Dawn Felagund · Races: Elves: Family · ID: 247
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2008-09-09 02:47:03
Spoilers!
For as dramatic and gut-wrenching an impact as the conclusion of this
story has, I think my favorite part was the wry humor in the first
part of the story. In particular, I loved Maglor's running commentary
on the inventiveness (or lack thereof) of his father when it came to
giving his sons names. In particular, I liked his opinions on
Maedhros's father name: ['"third Finwë," proof that Atar can count and
little else.'] It's a great way to set a wry tone that contrasts
perfectly with the more sobering second half of the story, and it also
gives some fantastic characterization to a young Maglor. I can easily
see him taking a cynical approach to all this. As a bonus, the naming
traditions provide an insightful characterization for Caranthir, who
calls the unnamed Curufin ["it"] just to annoy Feanor. That was a
stroke of brilliance.

But the brilliance doesn't end there, because Feanor still has to give
a name to little Curufin, and when he does, even the readers have to
hold their breath. Maglor's observational skills give the narrative
exactly what it needs to really drive home both the images and the
emotions of a stricken Maedhros and a resolute Feanor. Nothing is ever
easy in this family, and this story makes the most of it for some
amazing humor and some equally amazing drama.

Title: The Librarian · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves: Family
· ID: 700
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2008-09-09 02:47:45
Spoilers!
I love the idea for this story. The thought that Legolas has an ally
in the library who seems to be encouraging (albeit inadvertently) most
of his adventures is brilliant. Poor Thranduil. He really came alive
in this piece, and his exasperation was easy to feel. I have to give
him kudos for a lot of patience, because I'm not sure I would have
been that understanding with a wolf in the house. Of course, knowing
that Thranduil had tried something similar explains a lot. Legolas is
characterized nicely, too, filled with a child's innocence and
curiosity that can lead to lots and lots of trouble. None of his acts
are done out of malice but rather out of mimicry and a mischievous
sense of fun. I wonder what will happen when/if Thranduil learns about
Tionel's role in all this. I imagine Tionel might find himself
permanently glued to the side of stuffy old Lanatus, an elf who never
enters the story but whose character is very clearly defined. Well
done, Jay!

Title: Shadows · Author: Bodkin · Races: Elves: Family · ID: 698
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2008-09-09 02:49:13
Spoilers!
The power of Bodkin's story is that it leaves you guessing. There's a
hint of myth and legend buried beneath the ash and soot of the burned
forest, and Legolas's attempts to understand it seem to be constantly
rebuffed. He truly does not know what he feels in the forest, and that
lack of knowledge translates into a haunting journey for the reader.
The backstory is effectively told, interspersed through Legolas's
segments of mourning and doubt, but what really makes this story shine
is Legolas himself. His characterization is layered and complex,
depicted by halting words and flashes of memory. He begins as a strong
but grieving figure, hale enough to convince the patrol leader that he
doesn't need a minder but burdened by enough weight that the patrol
leader is reluctant to leave him alone. Then the downward spiral
beings, and we see Legolas unravel an inner torment. The narrative is
subtle and profound, letting us feel everything he feels without ever
overplaying the situation. Thranduil's appearance by the end of the
story was both expected and welcomed. He's a stabilizing force that
helps wrap the story up, and though there's still a haunting air in
the end, there's just enough resolution to satisfy. Fantastic tale!

Title: Elflings · Author: Jael · Races: Elves: Family · ID: 348
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2008-09-09 02:50:48
Spoilers!
This story seemed to start innocently enough as a tale of a young
Thranduil and a young Galion, and then it quickly proved just how
wrong that impression was with a hilarious and frank discussion about
what the word ["huitho"] meant. I was laughing helplessly by the time
Galion finished his explanation. There were so many little quirks and
quips tied up in his seemingly innocent speech, and afterwards, there
was no going back. Oropher's discovery of the frog was a thing of
beauty, and I must say that he handled it much better than I ever
would have. Prestawen was a fiesty addition to the cast, contrasting
nicely with Oropher, and Amdir's background antics provided a
hilarious subplot. I completely lost it when Oropher asked Galion to
["to identify the contents of a chamber pot"]. I can just imagine the
look on poor Galion's face. After that, though, there were was a
definite settling of the mood, and which made for a nice contrast to
the hilarity of the previous night. Oropher's words to Thranduil about
leadership and duty were insightful, and his handling of the entire
affair (pun only partially intended) was sheer genius. It appears as
though the lesson was learned, too. Great story!

Title: Of Old It Was Not Darksome · Author: EdorasLass · Races:
Dwarves · ID: 70
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-09 02:51:02
a duty done with love and compassion is rewarded with a surprise
rememberance. beautiful

Title: A White Coverlet to Cool a Hobbit's Toes · Author: Claudia ·
Races: Cross-Cultural: Friendship · ID: 73
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-09 02:53:38
no matter how close the friendship there are times you go seperate
ways for a time. how well you handle them tells much about how
smother-ed (or -ing) you are. fun read

Title: Frogdom · Author: Neilia · Genres: Humor: Elven Lands · ID: 192
Reviewer: Antane · 2008-09-09 03:11:31
Spoilers!
I love Pippin-frog! I love his and Elrond's first look at each other
and especially that Sam showed him so much concern and tried to
comfort the terrified lad/frog/whatever :) And Merry's care for him
and Sam's concern for his master's aching head. This is what hobbits
are best at - taking care of each other.

Title: Footsteps in Time · Author: Keiliss · Races: Elves · ID: 76
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-09 03:21:23
a bit to rich in academia for me but a very informative look at
celeborn and the ellon who becomes galadriel.

Title: Elanor of Westmarch: The Return · Author: Baranduin · Races:
Hobbits: Family · ID: 78
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-09 03:26:09
the idea of sam dying with frodo a year after lossing rosie has been
well engrained in first place. but if it wasn't so this how it should
be. good work.

Title: Duty, Honour, Country · Author: Rhapsody · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 81
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-09 03:32:39
my personal goal was to write a tenpoint review on one story in most
every category and this came incredible close to being the drabble i
need to babble about. it wasn't in the end but i feel that the
subjects you chose and the skill you used covering them deserved at
least an ovation. bravo, maestro!

Title: There and Back · Author: Dana · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 89
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-09 03:40:11
in so many ways we can only be a poor reflection of how great a heart
is in so small a wrapper

Title: Tolkien's Parish: The Canonical Middle-earth · Author: Steuard
Jensen · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 91
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-09 03:41:59
or how about the simple truth no two witnesses tell the exact same
story and no story teller tells it exactly the same to different
audiences.

Title: Pulling the Wool · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Men: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 95
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-09 03:45:06
wonderfully thought out and presented to give us new details while
echos ring in our ears.

Title: A Sea Visit · Author: Elen Kortirion · Genres: Humor: Drabbles
· ID: 96
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-09 03:46:57
that's one way to tell the man to lighten up

Title: Child of Hope · Author: Galadriel · Races: Men: Steward's
Family · ID: 97
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-09 03:51:49
Spoilers!
for not having his fathers farsight, out of the mouths (minds) of
youth, truth.

Title: DISGUISE: Emissaries · Author: Fiondil · Genres: Humor: Valar &
Maiar · ID: 56
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2008-09-09 09:28:21
Great story, which gives much more flesh to the spare notes we have
from HoME about the choosing of the Istari. I liked the way how the
appearance and actions of the future Istari got foreshadowed by their
appearances and actions. I especially liked the different forms
pondered by them.

Only part of nitpick: Namo, the grim lord of Mandos, smiling? Wasn't
he supposed to be always stern? But all in all, this is a great little
story. Thank you for writing and sharing.

Title: BRIDGE: Pá Valaraucar ar Námier · Author: Fiondil · Races:
Other Beings · ID: 415
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2008-09-09 09:46:24
An interesting look at Gandalf's time in Mandos before he was sent
back. I especially like the confusion of one who was never meant to
truly being an incarnate at suddenly experiencing what the incarnates
do, and the question Namo gave him to ponder. Intriguing!
Thank you for writing and sharing!

Title: For What I Wait · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Angst/Tragedy · ID: 125
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2008-09-09 10:19:52
Spoilers!
Oh, Dawn, this is such a powerful story, intense, sad, and
gut-wrenching in its despair. And yet, even through that despair comes
the beauty of it. Watching a loved one fade away without the
possibility to halt it, is something very hard to do, and you capture
it perfectly. However, the effect of Macalaure's song on his father,
and the way said father reflect about his sons, is also powerful,
indeed. And then the end!

This story will stay for me for quite some time.