Yahoo Forum Archive

This is an archive of the MEFA Yahoo Group, which was shut down by Yahoo in 2019. The archive can be sorted by month and by topic ID. You can use your browser to search by keyword within the month or topic you have open.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2004---18210426558925263362316285
20051895610753834744697276194358565136
200623166277611713912756676615979
200720257-297299143318583103
2008561335424014127477516090106
2009283-39194101722722153624
201067-14103138129321316330
20111-172625906132758
201230---812276-----
2013------------
2014---------1-2
2015------------
2016------------
2017------------
2018------------
2019---------1--

Msg# 9439

MEFA Reviews for Monday, September 15, 2008 (Part Two) Posted by annmarwalk September 15, 2008 - 20:09:12 Topic ID# 9439
Title: Hidden Watcher · Author: kitt_otter · Genres: Drama · ID: 702
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 06:37:16
it was said that they hunted long and hard for him; guess they needed
better bait.

Title: Orc Talk! · Author: kitt_otter · Genres: Humor: Elven Lands ·
ID: 703
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 06:38:42
sounds so cute until an adult hears it, ohh boy....cute real cute and
even a little snicker-y

Title: In Search of Stillness · Author: Bodkin · Races: Elves:
Mirkwood Elves · ID: 704
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 06:53:18
now if you can only multiply the good feelings this leaves we could
all bask in friendship forever

Title: The Water's Song · Author: Nieriel Raina · Races: Elves: Family
· ID: 707
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 06:56:36
another sorrow thrandriul could only live with, very poignant

Title: Whatever Harm Encroached · Author: Nieriel Raina · Times:
Second and Early Third Age · ID: 708
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 06:58:22
taing care of ada, so sweet.

Title: Hold To Hope · Author: Nieriel Raina · Times: Late Third Age ·
ID: 709
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 07:00:52
if you raise them up with good moral character, why does it hurt to
set back and let them use that character? guess it's "only human".
nice story line.

Title: Tying Notes · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Late Third Age: Gondor
Drabbles · ID: 378
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2008-09-14 07:16:14
It's rather difficult to imagine that a true drabble, with its
significant wordcount limit, could boast a lushly descriptive
atmosphere. However, Imhiriel not only manages a deeply evocative
multisensory scene-setting, but we get a superb and spot-on
characterization of a dearly-loved character as well.

The contrast of the heart-pounding music and the [languorous] dancing
is very well done; Faramir's intent study is not on swaying hips but
graceful fingers crafting the magnificent sounds. And the time he
devotes afterwards to teasing out the expertise - absolutely time
well-spent!

I think what I love most, actually, is that while I imagine this is
probably soon after the end of the War, I can also see it happening at
just about any point during Faramir's years as Steward. (I have to say
post-Denethor, since that Steward would probably be hostile to any
Haradric overtures.) But truly, the particular facet of his
personality highlighted in this drabble is something I can definitely
believe resonates throughout his life.

A close second in the "what I love most" list is the title itself, and
the lovely, lovely connotation that connects it to this drabble:
["played or sung as one"], indeed. Music links hearts and minds like
few things can, and the implication that two formerly warring
countries can come closer to unity is just *beautiful*. Marvelous
work, Imhiriel.

Title: Dreams or Reality · Author: Eleon Gamgee · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Frodo or Sam · ID: 716
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 07:24:14
powerful.

Title: Circle of Silver · Author: Keiliss · Races: Elves: House of
Finwe · ID: 717
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 07:32:22
sadly the best part for me was erestor, wonderful introduction.

Title: The World Is Changing · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Late Third
Age: General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 719
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 07:34:33
Spoilers!
you just can't let up on the scruffy ranger can you?

Title: Merry on the Pelennor Fields · Author: Primsong · Genres:
Poetry: Drama · ID: 720
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 07:37:18
may we each have such a friend at the end.

Title: Loving a Book Lover · Author: Avon · Genres: Romance: Drabbles
· ID: 721
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 07:39:16
Spoilers!
someone else earned a review saying i find that there is always
something else to enjoy in a library, and it wasn't THAT!

Title: A Dainty Dish · Author: Linda Hoyland · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Friendship · ID: 722
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 07:40:20
trust hobbits to find a dainty dish to set before their kings.

Title: A Warm Sun Shining · Author: shirebound · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Ring War · ID: 727
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 07:46:30
kittens, puppies, piglets just give us babies to cuddle and nurture we
loves them all.

Title: Trouble at Bag End · Author: Angiet · Races: Hobbits: Childhood
· ID: 728
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 07:52:41
thats a story of friendship i want to follow.

Title: Frodo's Pointed Ears · Author: sophinisba solis · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Post-Ring War · ID: 729
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 08:03:54
so much self denial, let's have one were he wallows in letting faramir
care for him,,,,pretty please?

Title: At Cormallen · Author: Mews1945 · Genres: Drama: Hurt/Comfort ·
ID: 730
Reviewer: nancylea · 2008-09-14 08:22:27
such a lovely look at the cousins and their bond. wonderful, touching
and very enjoyable.

Title: The Skills That Keep You Alive · Author: Gwynnyd · Times: Mid
Third Age · ID: 434
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-09-14 16:25:06
Spoilers!
Tolkien presented Aragorn as one of the most skilled men ever to walk
Middle-earth. Here, Gwynnyd delves into the training that enabled
Aragorn to not only survive, but carry out his purposes in many
different lands.

Gwynnyd cleverly shows, not tells, of a strong-willed child chafing
under what he considers the enforcement of a meaningless task, then
understanding, through his Elven mentors' tutelage, the necessity of
learning diverse skills. In the second part of the story, Gwynnydd
shows Aragorn putting his mentors' lessons into a surprising but
realistic (and brilliantly written) action.

The story is a wonderful response to a very difficult challenge prompt.

Title: The Best Sword Ever · Author: Linaewen · Times: Mid Third Age ·
ID: 290
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-09-14 16:47:18
Spoilers!
A lovely character piece centered upon two interactions between
Aragorn and Boromir and their discussions of a certain legendary
broken sword. Linaewen writes a delightful meeting between the
two-year-old Boromir and Thorongil; with good characterisation of
Boromir as a fearless and confident child who loves the outlander
captain. Then they meet again, in the Council of Elrond, and though
Boromir fails to remember either Aragorn or the trust he once had in
him, Aragorn recalls the conversation, and the child, very well. It is
a beautiful and bittersweet moment that shows the essence of Aragorn -
he will keep faith even when that faith is not remembered or returned.

Title: Dance of the Deer and Mūmak · Author: Nieriel Raina · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Post-Ring War · ID: 559
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-09-14 17:42:22
In an odd way, this story is similar to the character of dwarves in
general. It starts out a bit gruff and prideful (but, as is the case
of Durin's folk, in a good and entirely appropriate way); but when
friendship with another race opens Gimli up, we outsiders are able to
see the grace and nimble spirits possessed of these people. That
seemed entirely fitting for this story, and I heartily enjoyed it.
It's a fun romp giving a rare glimpse of dwarves that seemed both
in-character and was understandable for this non-dwarf.

Title: Wind of Change · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 47
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-09-14 17:47:54
Spoilers!
Nice job of capturing how the birth of Eowyn might be experienced in
different lands - it does a good job of capturing her destiny without
seeming too heavy-handed.

Title: Recognition · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
Gondor Drabbles · ID: 481
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2008-09-14 18:16:12
Spoilers!
The prejudices and idiosyncrasies of the male-dominated society
receive an airing in ["Recognition"], where it's plain that lack of
understanding and cruel judgements prevail when a woman doesn't fit
within the established roles. (Although Ioreth notes differently, I've
always found it ridiculous that some of the worst behaviour can come
from other *women*, irrational as it is.)

I agree that Eowyn must have seen this: not only a stranger to Gondor,
but one of the Twilight People and... and... a *warrior*? What
femininity is inherent in a destroyer of Nazgul? (Good heavens! She's
not going to give Gondorian women any fanciful ideas, is she?) It
takes someone older and wiser, someone who doesn't get a particularly
favorable portrayal in LotR but whom Dwimordene has always handled
masterfully and to great effect: Ioreth can see beyond Eowyn's
coldness to know that it springs from a wounded soul, and that a
woman's strength manifests in many ways.

The structure and language of this drabble is just awesome - so much
emotion and tone conveyed in so few words - but I think one of my
favorite parts is what is barely, briefly mentioned: what Faramir's
character must have been, he who could see into the hearts of Men. He
looked within Eowyn's heart and saw ["every beat a woman's"], and
loved woman and warrior both. Few, I think, could have made Eowyn feel
as whole as Faramir evidently did.

Title: Flickers · Author: Meril · Times: Multi-Age: Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 390
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-09-14 19:01:47
Spoilers!
A collection of outstanding ficlets on various aspects of the lives of
Feanor and Nerdanel. Meril brings the relationship of this passionate
pair vividly to life; and shows us both the power of their love and
the depth of their bitterness when one took a course that the other
could neither sanction nor follow.

And the vignette where Sam meets the long-widowed Nerdanel, the moment
of communion between them, is original (for fanfiction), sharp and
poignant at once.

A must for not only Silmarillion aficionados, but all those who savor
quality Tolkien fanfiction.

Title: Nightfall · Author: Jael · Times: Second and Early Third Age ·
ID: 87
Reviewer: pandemonium_213 · 2008-09-14 19:04:29
I was first introduced to Jael's expansive and wondrous vision of the
King of Eryn Galen last year when I read [Not Fade Away] and [Rose in
the Fisted Glove], both of which pulled me into gravity of Jael's
green sun and never let me go. [Nightfall] adds yet more gravitational
pull through the force of nature that is Jael's Thranduil.

In [Nightfall], Jael writes of a period in Middle-earth's history that
is of particular interest to me: the Last Alliance. We know from the
Disaster of the Gladden Fields in Unfinished Tales that the Silvan
forces lost a horrifically large number of men. JRRTnotes that this
was due to an ill-timed charge on Oropher's part. Jael greatly expands
on this and casts into stark relief the cultural and political divides
of the Silvans, the Sindar and the Noldor. Through Jael's storytelling
and from her Thranduil's perspective, Oropher's decision, even if it
is not the primary focus of this story becomes understandable. We then
sympathize with him and his people.

Thranduil, the newly minted king of the woodland realm, is a shrewd
survivor and strategist. He redeems the losses of the Silvans and then
some the leader of in a risky maneuveur which turns the tide for the
Alliance. Jael describes Thranduil's strategy masterfully, and not
just through action, but also by the relationship among the characters
involved.

The complex relationship of Thranduil and Galion is wonderfully
executed here: cradle brothers, master and servant, comrades in arms
and close friends. The haughty pride of the Noldor is equally well
drawn, and I especially relished Erestor's comeuppance from Thranduil.

A fabulous story, and one that appealed to me so much that I extend a
form of fan ficcish flattery: this story and its events have become a
part of the Pan!verse mythos.

Title: Footsteps in Time · Author: Keiliss · Races: Elves · ID: 76
Reviewer: pandemonium_213 · 2008-09-14 19:05:56
My first introduction to Galadriel occurred back in the Years of the
Trees when I was about 14 years old. At that time, I viewed her as a
remote and almost saintly being although not above the temptation of
the Ring. That Galadriel left me a bit cold, and even as an
adolescent, I was disappointed by the lack of well-realized women in
Tolkien's work.

Many years later -- and I do mean *many* years -- the kind of
Galadriel I seek in fan fiction is a woman-in-full. I first found that
complex portrait in Keiliss' vision of Galadriel in [Even Quicker Than
Doubt] -- also highly recommended. In [Footsteps in Time] Keiliss
takes her interpretation of Galadriel and explores the character further
The author's characterization melted any frost I might have once felt
for the Lady of the Wood. It must be emphasized that the Galadriel of
The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales is a headstrong, intellectually
keen, and driven individual, and less the cool remote queen of the
Golden Wood that we see in the LotR. Keiliss takes JRRT's vision of
First & Second Age Galadriel and runs with it.

Galadriel's woodland visits to the children of Men, her concern and
care for her adopted people, her love for her mate, and her profound
connections to her brothers all contribute to a woman of rich emotion
and intellect.

Keiliss also writes Melian in a most satisfying way: incarnated as a
human yet still very much The Other, even to the Elves. In fact, the
overall feel in Doriath is that of a strange otherworldliness due to
Melian. I get the impression that even Thingol finds her scary! The
author also addresses cultural variants among the Elven tribes,
something that always intrigues me. And Celeborn! I have always had a
soft spot of this fellow, and he get his due here as well-realized
man: smart, sexy and confident.

Overall, a well-written, enchanting story about Galadriel: gifted,
headstrong, empathetic and vulnerable, and a surprisingly modern woman.