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Msg# 9478

MEFA Reviews for Wednesday, October 8, 2008 Posted by annmarwalk October 08, 2008 - 20:47:07 Topic ID# 9478
Title: Lessons from the Mountain · Author: MithLuin · Races: Elves:
Incomplete · ID: 221
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-10-08 04:10:54
Spoilers!
A tortuous, intricate, and spellbinding story about the afterlife of
the sons of Feanor, as seen through the troubled eyes of Maedhros.
Mithluin captures the pride and sorrow of Feanor's heir; and his
determination to help his kindred even after the striving of their
mortal lives is accomplished rings very true. I am very much looking
forward to seeing how this epic, ambitious, tale, which boasts
appearances by the Valar, Miriel, Nerdanel, and other Elves, plays out.

Title: For What I Wait · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Angst/Tragedy · ID: 125
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-10-08 07:06:33
Spoilers!
Oh, how emotional a story--this AU of Feanor outliving the last of his
sons as Maglor finally leaves his life behind, his last spoken
thoughts of his brother Maedhros.

So poignant and painful as we watch the slow decline of Macalaure and
the maddened grief of his father at the end!

Superbly written!

Title: Broken Star · Author: pandemonium_213 · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 54
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-10-08 07:12:47
Spoilers!
Oh, so chilling, this look at two former colleagues and friends,
mentor and disciple, now with all the veils removed as Annatar is
proven to be Sauron the Deceiver. And when calls on former affections
and relationships fail to net the interrogator the information he
desires, he reaches for....

A most horrible and plausible and compelling look, told in brief yet
definitely fully enough, at the revelation of Sauron's true self to
Celebrimbor, there at the end. Well written.

Title: Lost and Found · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Times: Mid
Third Age · ID: 23
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-10-08 07:20:12
Spoilers!
Ah, the desire of children to please, and the wonderful, sometimes
illogical logic they can use. This look at child-Faramir helping
Gandalf find a missing scroll, perhaps during the visit in which he
found Isildur's own description of the Ring, is so delightful. My
favorite line is his description of a certain portion of the archives
when he says,[It smells like words]. How perfect a description!

Title: Call of the Wild · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Romance:
Drabbles · ID: 94
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-10-08 07:25:59
Spoilers!
Reading another of Ann's drabbles is like finding a jewel lying among
the pebbles on the beach--perhaps small, but brilliant, full of light
and fire, worth far more than its size might imply.

This response of Morwen to her first glimpse of Thengel is just
perfect, as is his estimation of her to which a link is given.

As always with Ann's stories, a joy and delight to read.

Title: Name Calling: Group Identity and the Other among First Age
Elves · Author: Angelica · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 322
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-10-08 16:20:04
This essay presents an interesting look at the way different group
names reflected the relationships between those varying groups. Given
Tolkien's interests in linguists, I can totally see this aspect
providing interesting clues to how he viewed the different groups of
elves. As someone who is not the best-versed in elvish lore, I found
it to be a good window into that world, and think that other readers
who like reading about the First Age but perhaps are also a bit
overwhelmed by it would find this essay to be an interesting read.

Title: The Wedding Gift · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Romance: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 40
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-10-08 16:47:09
Spoilers!
Ai, but this is lovely! It is a touching tale of intimacy between two
dwarfs, yet in a way the love between the two of them is universal.
You don't often get that with the rarer races, but Ann manages it. I
don't mean to suggest that Nandi and Gloin are un-dwarvish or generic,
because they are; Gloin's secret work crafting something and then
giving it with hardly a word, and also Ann's description of "[the rich
veil of (Nandi's) hair, her beard, his lips caressing that delicate
curve of neck and shoulder]" - there is a reference to a distinct
characteristic of dwarvish femininity, yet you could almost miss it,
it is so well integrated into descriptions that might be applied to
Eowyn or Celebrian or Rose Gamgee just as easily. The use of details
like "[Chalcedony and carnelian, gold-flecked crystal, shimmering
mother of pearl]" also gave this ficlet a nice touch of realism. Dwarf
fics won't want to miss this one, but I think it would be enjoyed even
by people who don't often read about Durin's sons.

Title: Between Childhood and Coming of Age · Author: Dreamflower ·
Races: Hobbits: Friendship · ID: 141
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-10-08 21:22:45
Spoilers!
An utterly charming story with many amusing moments. To name but a
few: The cutest baby competition, the nighshirts under the bed, Pippin
in the row with the lasses at the dance, the embarrassing realization
that one's parents do indeed *ahem* and the priceless episode with
Frodo setting up Sancho to dig in his cellar. The last line gave me a
big giggle.

What I like most, though, is the how you have given Pippin such a kind
and generous young lady at his side here, who is sensitive enough not
to hurt his feelings and still tells him nothing but the truth.

Title: Pippin's Secret · Author: shirebound · Races: Hobbits:
Friendship · ID: 599
Reviewer: Virtuella · 2008-10-08 21:28:04
A very original little story. Yes, I can imagine this episode happening.