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Title: Songs of Innocence and Experience · Author: Tanaqui · Races:
Men: General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 440
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-09-26 04:16:08
Spoilers!
Tanaqui presents a Faramir who is young, vulnerable to the wiles of a
scheming woman, and ties up the series brilliantly with the
hard-taught wisdom of his older self, as he meets a different and
better sort of woman.

Well written as usual. I certainly wouldn't mind if Tanaqui chose to
flesh this series out a bit more, but it's a fine drabble series as it is.

Title: Hearts of Stone · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Men: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 12
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-09-26 04:22:59
Spoilers!
I love the notion of Aragorn collecting stones from his travels; and
the descriptions of the stones are marvelous indeed. Elen Kortirion
invests this series with a lyrical, poetic qualitly - elegant and
poignant all at once.

Title: Summer's Lease · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Romance:
Gondor · ID: 650
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-09-26 06:23:49
Spoilers!
The title certainly fits this gem of a story. To see Legolas and
Faramir, who've been busy working on the gardens for the Prince's
abode in Emyn Arnen, take a well-deserved break and play in the
fountain to cool off is a wonderful image, which becomes even more
delightful in short order. Love the comparison and contrast between
the two of them, and the reasons Eowyn finds for her choices.

The pleasure of the experience is certainly well done. I only wish I
could have joined the party! Heh!

Title: Seeing Stars · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond · ID: 360
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-09-26 06:51:25
Spoilers!
He may have had too much to drink, but Gondor's Steward has reason
indeed to celebrate, for a faithful star shines now in his life, a
balance for the faithful jewel lost to it. And the blossoms of the
White Tree are as bright as the stars overhead as Elves and Men (and
hopefully Dwarves as well) dance in the courts before the Citadel to
share in Faramir's own joy. It is a renewed world his son shall know,
one with a King full worthy of the honor and a strong and growing
White Tree.

I found myself wishing again to be there to dance with the rest, to
smell the blossoms of the Tree, to behold the dancing of the Elves, to
share in the joy--it is so well described!

Title: Generations · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Drama: Featuring Aragorn
· ID: 508
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-09-26 07:09:01
Spoilers!
Such a wonderful look at the difficulties known so often between
fathers and their adolescent sons! The conversation between Eldarion
and his companion on the shortcomings of their current situation is
revealing, as is the parallel one between Aragorn and his cousin
Baras. Ceniril is an advantage-seeking fop out for a good time in all
ways, yet he manages to give his friend at least one gem of good
advice--to try actually speaking with his father; and Aragorn finds
himself anticipating the days of the parents' revenge, watching his
son dealing with his own child's adolescence.

Quite a different life father and son have known from one another; but
we do see the seeds of his father's breeding in the son as the evening
progresses.

As usual, the conversations are a particular joy to follow, as is
usual with Bodkin's work.

Title: Dragons In The Trollshaws · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Adventure
· ID: 170
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-09-26 07:50:33
Spoilers!
Ah, I finally got this one read, and what a delight! The conversations
between the twins is, as usual, brilliant, particularly as the two of
them agree that perhaps they've been particularly more reckless than
is perhaps wise. As for the reactions of their father and their
mentor--absolutely perfect! And then the actual strategies used to
kill the two remaining dragons that had managed to survive of all the
original clutch--that the two of them managed to realize the perfect
material from which to derive the points to be used on the surviving
young dragons--it was again brilliant!

A perfect balance between Bodkin's usual delightful dialogue and
action. As for Elrond--why his hair remains dark with these two as
sons.... Mine would be totally white by this time!

Title: Supporting Acts · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 436
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-09-26 08:19:50
Spoilers!
Now, this series of drabbles was indeed a delight to read. The new
catapults aren't exactly performing as well as they ought; and the
master who made them, not understanding the failure in one place when
the devices work perfectly elsewhere, sends his apprentice to examine
the situation rather than going himself. Oh, it proves a golden
opportunity for the young man as he recognizes just what the problem is!

Nice to see Faramir is wise enough to allow this one's accomplishments
convince him to recruit the apprentice to the needs of Ithilien!

Well done!

Title: The Waker · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 287
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2008-09-26 14:07:42
Spoilers!
Nancy Brooke has produced a quite brilliant drabble within the
constraints of her chosen challenge: to give expression to a character
who has no words. Indeed, this piece is more expressive than many of
those written about the most garrulous of characters, and demonstrates
the author's own superb facility with language.

Nancy Brooke only resorts to onomatopoeia in a few places in this
piece with well-chosen epithets such as [plink] and [splish]. Instead,
she provides form to the formless by careful choice of words – and
thereby allows us, the readers who do have language, to understand
exactly what is happening while still making the extent of her
protagonist's dumbness clear.

As the drabble evolves, we realise that this silent, near instinctual
creature is the Watcher in the Water, responding only to the most
basic of stimuli: hunger, light, scent and taste -- and the call of
the One Ring borne by one of those who disturbs its slumber. The last
line, showing us the Watcher's response to that call, is both poignant
and disturbing, evoking a shudder from the reader.

In short, Nancy Brooke has created a truly powerful drabble that
builds slowly and carefully to deliver enormous impact to any reader
who cares about words.

Title: My Legacy · Author: spookystoy · Genres: Drama: General
Drabbles · ID: 407
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2008-09-26 14:07:55
Spoilers!
Spooksytoy has produced a powerful drabble concerning reconciliation –
or lack of it – between a father and son. Curufin offers fatherly love
and pride before turning Celebrimbor's disdain back on him in a final
line that resonates with the whole history of the Noldor over First
and Second ages.

The language is crisp and compact, conveying a great deal in such a
short space about the relationship between these two characters. In
this drabble, spookystoy has created a true gem – although one rather
less troublesome than those created by the Feanorians. Well done!

Title: Your Father Loves You · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men:
Pre-Ring War Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 424
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2008-09-26 14:08:11
Spoilers!
Raksha the Demon captures effectively the shifting and multifaceted
nature of Denethor's thoughts in this drabble. In Raksha's version of
events, Faramir is clearly both a source of joy and grief to his
father, a foreshadowing of the ambivalent feelings Denethor will
demonstrate some thirty five years later during the War of the Ring.

Raksha does a fine job of capturing Denethor's manner of speech,
moving from the impersonal form of address to his son ['you'] as he
dispassionately evaluates the negatives regarding Faramir's arrival to
the more personal pronouns ['thou'] and ['thee'] as he tenderly
expresses his love for the son who has been gifted to him. Yet there
is nothing mawkish about this Denethor: Raksha has caught his caustic
wit as he compares the baby's gaze with his own and is amused by
Faramir's grasping of his thumb.

In short, this drabble is affecting without ever becoming saccharine,
and a beautiful portrait of one of Tolkien's most complex, conflicted
and tragic characters. Well done, Raksha!

Title: Vengeance's Folly · Author: Rhapsody · Races: Elves: Noldor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 718
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2008-09-26 14:08:25
Spoilers!
In this drabble of the sons of Feanor after the Battle of Unnumbered
Tears, Rhapsody has gifted us with a fascinating study of humbled and
defeated pride, and how leadership passes from one brother to another.
Her pen portraits of the gathered Elves are vivid, giving us a clear
picture of them licking their wounds and nursing the hurts to their
spirits. The contempt that they had to be rescued by Dwarves -- of all
races! -- comes through clearly, along with the weariness of the
eldest of the brothers. Very nicely written.


Title: The Fire of Hope · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men:
Pre-Ring War Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 625
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2008-09-26 14:08:39
Spoilers!
Raksha the Demon offers us some handsome descriptions of the
countryside around Bree and its inhabitants in this vignette of a
youthful Aragorn contemplating his current state and future hopes.
There are many delightful turns of phrase as she explores his feelings
about the people he must guard and the woman he hopes to win. Both may
be equally unthankful for his devotion at present, but his hopeful
nature shines through like Gil-Estel at the end of the tale. Raksha
once again demonstrates her skill as a writer of short pieces in this
lovely lyrical ficlet. Well done!

Title: Pirates Ye Be Warned · Author: Imhiriel · Races: Men: Gondor
Drabbles · ID: 353
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-09-26 15:35:15
Spoilers!
You do not want to be a pirate and run into Imrahil, that's for sure!

Excellent portrait of Imrahil as warrior-prince and dispenser of
justice on the high seas. He would not be one to grant mercy to
Corsairs, not as the lord of a land whose ships would have been preyed
upon by such sea-scum.

Title: Dreamscape · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Dwarves: Drabbles · ID: 442
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-09-26 15:47:39
A gorgeous drabble that really gets into Gimli's head and shows, not
tells, the reader, how a dwarf thinks, what a dwarf notices, what is
most important to a dwarf. And the language is beautiful, though
appropriate to a dwarf; they can be poetic in their own way, theirs is
the love of minerals and stone and craft - as this drabble so
wonderfully conveys.


Title: Last Stroke · Author: Elena Tiriel · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Drabbles · ID: 465
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-09-26 19:16:45
A truly chilling drabble.

Title: The Weight of Power · Author: Nefhiriel · Times: Mid Third Age
· ID: 325
Reviewer: Yeade · 2008-09-27 01:33:04
Spoilers!
I'm an unabashed fan of Thorongil fics and, indeed, any stories of
Aragorn's great journeys. Many of the War of the Ring's key players
are very busy during this period, alongside a charming mix of OCs and
minor canon characters. There's no lack of action, drama, romance,
mystery, or humor either--often all together and at length. Tolkien
provides *just* enough detail to really spur the imagination without
overly restricting what stories can be told or being obscure to the
point that folks aren't sure how to do so, IMO.

"The Weight of Power" is one of the best such fics I've read recently.
It's a fully realized and self-contained adventure that nonetheless
harmonizes well with Tolkien's universe.

The plot's a spreading thing that reminds me of the fear and confusion
in Rohan prior to the big reveal of Wormtongue and Saruman's ill will;
the characters are stricken by disturbing events the reader knows are
connected--the work of one man (plus minions). There's even a parallel
to Wormtongue's leechcraft in Heolstor's herb lore! It's painful to
see Aragorn et al. struggle to uncover the truth amidst all the
conspiracy theories without losing life or limb, yet I can't fault
their reasoning given their limited knowledge. The way trouble
snowballs from one attempted murder to a small war in the halls of
Meduseld, drawing in Ecthelion and Gondor, keeps momentum rolling
throughout the story. Kudos especially for the clever use of Aragorn's
ties to the North* and Théoden's innocent birthday wishes in
Thorongil's trial. I'm also impressed by the depth and breadth of
Heolstor's poisons--subtle and creative, clearly well conceived and
executed. Likewise the attention to geography, specifically who's
where when, and medicine, to a lesser degree.

Regarding characterization, Aragorn's much like his older self, IMO.
Or, rather, core qualities like his unshakable loyalty to people and
ideals, faith and perseverance despite seemingly insurmountable odds
are readily apparent, but he has a certain lightness of spirit I
associate with Aragorn before his solitary wanderings to dark places.
He indulges in his homesickness, he challenges Araedhelm to a horse
race, and he's eager, almost impatient, for new tasks and
experiences.* Of the other canon characters, I think Théoden's most
excellent. It's difficult writing from the eyes of a child (pun
intended), but Théoden both acts his age--chattering and playing with
Rynan and Wynn, quickly forgetting all else--and as befits a son of
kings. It's this hint of dignity beyond his years that grounds
Théoden's portrayal, I believe. Ecthelion won my admiration as well by
his deft and compassionate handling of the servant girl-cum-spy, an
enterprising, jovial man despite his grave responsibilities.

Araedhelm is, of course, a darling--overprotective of his captain,
fatally stubborn, and hotheaded but brave and true.* Following
Araedhelm, I took a shine to Mannalic. He's introduced as a paranoid
curmudgeon who's humored, ridiculed, and pitied. Yet he's shrewd,
knowing well what his fellows think of him, and a true patriot. I
admit I crowed in triumph when he was proven right in his suspicions.
Neylor (Naylor?) has an air common to all skilled healers burdened
with reckless, argumentative patients. Stolan's cute as a button in
his short parts, and I'm amused by Aeron, his eccentric family, and
his gossipy hometown. Of the villains, Rador's a brute and not worth
consideration.* Ceryn probably should've died. Sorry, Mehdal, but
them's the breaks for token capable lieutenants to evil with an
angst-filled past who have a change of heart. Heolstor comes across as
quite intelligent and efficient, practiced at strategy and deception,
cruel because everyone's a pawn to him. I laughed and laughed at his
obsession with Thorongil's secrets; if the resulting distraction can
hurt Sauron, it won't avail you. Where I feel his character goes awry
is that I can't determine any motivation for his treason besides power
for power's sake. This, in a way, makes him as mean and base as Rador.
Not the mark of a sophisticated evil. Still, he's very good at
muddling the waters. Though I've no idea what he planned to do with
Rohan after his coup.* Are the crebain intended to suggest a
connection to Saruman?

My only other criticisms are stylistic: 1) The use of Aragorn's true
name by Araedhelm, who should and does not know it, in Chapter 2 is
sufficiently confusing to throw me out of the story. Generally, I
would've liked a bit more consideration of how character perception
changes the narration. 2) The experimental POV ping pong in Chapter 5
doesn't work for me at all. Switching between viewpoints makes my head
spin without gentle transitions, preferably padded with third person
omniscient à la Tolkien.

Lastly, I must compliment the fight scenes. I appreciate dialogue and
introspection as much as the next reader, but LOTR always stirs in me
a sort of love for the fell beauty of war, even when the conflict is
grim, and I like stories that reflect this. The best written battles
are tactics, energy, motion, and vivid imagery, IMO. Araedhelm
charging to the rescue of a Thorongil backed against stone by a
closing ring of assassins, sword in hand, horse and rider suddenly
sweeping out of gray sheets of rain is but one example of the fine
action in this story. Also? The squirrel caper's hilarious.

I look forward to your Thorongil-in-Gondor fic, Nefhiriel. Though I
suspect you're questioning my sanity in posting this monster review...


Footnotes(!)

1* Arwen, [your future queen] just isn't discreet no matter how true
it is. Thank goodness Denethor isn't around yet! XD Out of curiosity,
how is Aragorn receiving these letters? The Rangers?

2* Aragorn probably did simply decide one day to be a soldier of
Rohan, lol. Thengel's musings about Aragorn's precipitous arrival in
Rohan and how he may leave in the same unlooked-for manner struck a
chord in me. I imagine many sought to keep Aragorn, but he refused to
be held, driven as he was by youthful wanderlust and a purpose he
likely didn't fully understand.

3* Halbarad's right: Aragorn attracts these types. Must be a king
thing. Eru knows Aragorn needs a few devoted minders sometimes!

4* I say, good for Araedhelm for killing Rador without ceremony:
[Whoever the man was, he was a dead man now.] Guy's got his priorities
straight.

5* Replace the uncomfortable wooden chairs in the Meduseld council
room, IIRC. Seriously, Ceryn refers to Heolstor's [beautiful, flawless
schedule] and a bunch of Rohirrim are willing to die for him, but
there's no real explanation of what his cause is. Or did I miss it? ^^;;