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Msg# 9501
MEFA Reviews for Friday, October 17, 2008 Posted by annmarwalk October 17, 2008 - 20:53:05 Topic ID# 9501Title: 25 Rethe, S.R. 1422: The Three Travellers Remember · Author:
Dreamflower · Genres: Poetry: Drama · ID: 679
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-10-17 01:26:19
Spoilers!
I am fairly new to the dribble format, in fact I think that this is
the first poem of this form that I can remember reading, yet I found
it remarkably useful, a nice middle-ground between free verse and more
structured forms of poetry. This dribble in particular seemed a nice
use of that form, with the longer lines speaking of graver, more
universal matters while the shorter ones became almost a plea:
["Remember"], addressed as is popular to a single individual
The two stanzas were also well done, with one focusing on the world at
large and the other looking at how Frodo was influenced by and
influenced those closest to him; and also how that smaller world
relates to the Great Events. There's a dichotomy there that I've not
quite wrapped my head around, and I suspect I'll be thinking about
this poem's theme over the next few days. Which is definitely a sign
that the poet's doing something right!
Title: Second Best · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Gondor Drabbles ·
ID: 384
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-10-17 01:26:48
Spoilers!
I love stories that misdirect the reader's thoughts and expectations
skillfully, and never is that more difficult (or perhaps more crucial)
than with a drabble. Right from the start, this reader thought of one
character, and on my first read Tanaqui deftly kept me fooled until
the very last line. And the nature of the eventual revealing drew a
very nice parallel between the character I expected to be the speaker
and the character who actually was; it's a nice piece of
characterization that hits you quite suddenly, but also feels very
natural.
Obviously I'm being vague, because I don't want to spoil the surprise
for those who haven't yet read this drabble; so let me just end with
this: Gondor fans won't want to miss this one, to be sure.
Title: Of Dreams... · Author: Avon · Races: Men: General Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 7
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-10-17 01:27:11
Spoilers!
This ficlet has a lovely lyrical feel to it; and the refrain, that
["he never dreamed of power,"] seems to nicely encapsulate Aragorn's
characters and at the same time draw a lovely parallel with Faramir.
Nicely done, I very much enjoyed reading this.
Title: The Onion Riddle · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Post-Ring War · ID: 13
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-10-17 01:27:34
Spoilers!
One of my favorite canonical tidbits is the reference in the
appendices that dwarven-ladies and often mistaken for dwarven-men by
people other than dwarves. Branwyn makes good use of that reference
here, showing us one such example of that confusion, and pulls it off
with a lot of good-natured ribbing. (I could totally see Beregond's
embarrassment at the end!) Given the conversations I've had with the
author over the improbability of beards on ladies of any race, that
aspect gave me a real chuckle. It's also just a good examination of
the difficulties that can arise between cultures, especially ones as
secretive and closed as dwarves. Well done!
Title: Ghost · Author: Elleth · Races: Elves: Noldor Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 218
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-10-17 03:31:37
Spoilers!
A beautifully written and poetic glimpse of how Feanor's wife might
have had a chance to say farewell.I liked this very much.
Title: The Search · Author: rhyselle · Genres: Poetry: Late Third Age
· ID: 501
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-10-17 03:33:10
This eloquent poem captured Gollum's feelings and endless wanderings
very well.
Title: Candles · Author: Gentle Hobbit · Races: Hobbits: Post-Ring War
· ID: 460
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-10-17 03:36:35
Spoilers!
A touching moment after the Ring War when Sam tries to show Frodo his
true worth by surrounding him by candles to celebrate Yule.I could
almost see the glow of the candlelight in this lovely,atmospheric
little story.
Title: Recognition · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
Gondor Drabbles · ID: 481
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-10-17 03:38:31
Spoilers!
I enjoyed this drabble in which Ioreth perceives the womanly heart
beneath Eowyn's cold exterior and rejoices when she finds Faramir.A
wise woman of Gondor indeed!
Title: Wave-Singer · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Genres:
Alternate Universe: Drabbles · ID: 33
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-10-17 03:42:09
Spoilers!
A Moving interpretation of what Maglor's fate might have been, which
leaves the imaginative reader hoping to one day encounter him upon the
beach!.
Title: Heart of the Wood · Author: Kenaz · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Friendship · ID: 60
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-10-17 16:47:50
Well-plotted; well-paced; the interaction between the characters is
sharp and realistic. I especially liked the descriptions and how they
adapted to the various surroundings, seasons, and the pacing of the
scenes. I also found it remarkable how Túrin's ever-more increasing
loss of control on his temperament is woven into the story - as reader
I felt as puzzled and helpless as Beleg obviously felt.
This story captures Túrin's character perfectly: his pride and
arrogance, his restlessness and discontent (yes, I admit I'm biased
*g*). I also liked this take on Beleg and his friendship to Túrin
(regardless if you count the slash aspect of not); he is wise without
being perfect, patient without being stolid.
The writing is elegant and bittersweet, even forboding, echoing that
of the Silmarillion while able to flesh things out in more detail. The
story ends on a particularly graceful note.
Title: Star-songs of the Eorlingas · Author: Tanaqui · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 291
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-10-17 16:48:59
It is wonderful how Tanaqui captures the Rohirric theme not only in
the plot(s) of this series, but also in the language. The first one is
a prime example of this; in echoing the rhythm and rhyme scheme, in
the word building and sentence structure. But throughout the rest of
the other drabbles, this craft flashes up time and time again when
appropriate and give a special "flavour" to the reading.
We have had so many lovely stories about Elves and Dúnedain and their
tales about the stars - it's nice that Tanaqui here closes a gap and
gives a very persuasive insight into what the Rohirric culture has to
say in this regard. They not only reveal the myths, but also connect
to everyday Rohirric life and culture.
And I love especially how these legends are made alive in the way
Éowyn tells them: like anecdotes, not some far-distant, nebulous concepts.
Title: And all was made ready · Author: Dreamflower · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Friendship · ID: 427
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-10-17 18:17:00
Spoilers!
A lively and engaging gap-filler. I like it very much that the story
is told from the perspective of the Hobbits; it gives the lofty
ceremonies a groundedness that I found very appealing; even more so
when the PoV changes between the four of them.
I also appreciated the fact that for all the excitement and joy that
is shown for the upcoming events, Dreamflower rightfully tempers it
with some more serious moments, recalling the personal anxieties each
of the Hobbits carry within themselves, as well as their concerns for
each other's.
The characterisations are spot-on, the dialogue and interaction vivid
and convincing. The small details and little occurences tucked into
the story make for a very three-dimensional picture (I especially
enjoyed Sam's fussing over the braces - and I bet Imrahil felt quite
overwhelmed with the flood of information his casual question about
Sam's family elicited!).
Dreamflower · Genres: Poetry: Drama · ID: 679
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-10-17 01:26:19
Spoilers!
I am fairly new to the dribble format, in fact I think that this is
the first poem of this form that I can remember reading, yet I found
it remarkably useful, a nice middle-ground between free verse and more
structured forms of poetry. This dribble in particular seemed a nice
use of that form, with the longer lines speaking of graver, more
universal matters while the shorter ones became almost a plea:
["Remember"], addressed as is popular to a single individual
The two stanzas were also well done, with one focusing on the world at
large and the other looking at how Frodo was influenced by and
influenced those closest to him; and also how that smaller world
relates to the Great Events. There's a dichotomy there that I've not
quite wrapped my head around, and I suspect I'll be thinking about
this poem's theme over the next few days. Which is definitely a sign
that the poet's doing something right!
Title: Second Best · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Gondor Drabbles ·
ID: 384
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-10-17 01:26:48
Spoilers!
I love stories that misdirect the reader's thoughts and expectations
skillfully, and never is that more difficult (or perhaps more crucial)
than with a drabble. Right from the start, this reader thought of one
character, and on my first read Tanaqui deftly kept me fooled until
the very last line. And the nature of the eventual revealing drew a
very nice parallel between the character I expected to be the speaker
and the character who actually was; it's a nice piece of
characterization that hits you quite suddenly, but also feels very
natural.
Obviously I'm being vague, because I don't want to spoil the surprise
for those who haven't yet read this drabble; so let me just end with
this: Gondor fans won't want to miss this one, to be sure.
Title: Of Dreams... · Author: Avon · Races: Men: General Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 7
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-10-17 01:27:11
Spoilers!
This ficlet has a lovely lyrical feel to it; and the refrain, that
["he never dreamed of power,"] seems to nicely encapsulate Aragorn's
characters and at the same time draw a lovely parallel with Faramir.
Nicely done, I very much enjoyed reading this.
Title: The Onion Riddle · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Post-Ring War · ID: 13
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-10-17 01:27:34
Spoilers!
One of my favorite canonical tidbits is the reference in the
appendices that dwarven-ladies and often mistaken for dwarven-men by
people other than dwarves. Branwyn makes good use of that reference
here, showing us one such example of that confusion, and pulls it off
with a lot of good-natured ribbing. (I could totally see Beregond's
embarrassment at the end!) Given the conversations I've had with the
author over the improbability of beards on ladies of any race, that
aspect gave me a real chuckle. It's also just a good examination of
the difficulties that can arise between cultures, especially ones as
secretive and closed as dwarves. Well done!
Title: Ghost · Author: Elleth · Races: Elves: Noldor Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 218
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-10-17 03:31:37
Spoilers!
A beautifully written and poetic glimpse of how Feanor's wife might
have had a chance to say farewell.I liked this very much.
Title: The Search · Author: rhyselle · Genres: Poetry: Late Third Age
· ID: 501
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-10-17 03:33:10
This eloquent poem captured Gollum's feelings and endless wanderings
very well.
Title: Candles · Author: Gentle Hobbit · Races: Hobbits: Post-Ring War
· ID: 460
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-10-17 03:36:35
Spoilers!
A touching moment after the Ring War when Sam tries to show Frodo his
true worth by surrounding him by candles to celebrate Yule.I could
almost see the glow of the candlelight in this lovely,atmospheric
little story.
Title: Recognition · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
Gondor Drabbles · ID: 481
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-10-17 03:38:31
Spoilers!
I enjoyed this drabble in which Ioreth perceives the womanly heart
beneath Eowyn's cold exterior and rejoices when she finds Faramir.A
wise woman of Gondor indeed!
Title: Wave-Singer · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Genres:
Alternate Universe: Drabbles · ID: 33
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-10-17 03:42:09
Spoilers!
A Moving interpretation of what Maglor's fate might have been, which
leaves the imaginative reader hoping to one day encounter him upon the
beach!.
Title: Heart of the Wood · Author: Kenaz · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Friendship · ID: 60
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-10-17 16:47:50
Well-plotted; well-paced; the interaction between the characters is
sharp and realistic. I especially liked the descriptions and how they
adapted to the various surroundings, seasons, and the pacing of the
scenes. I also found it remarkable how Túrin's ever-more increasing
loss of control on his temperament is woven into the story - as reader
I felt as puzzled and helpless as Beleg obviously felt.
This story captures Túrin's character perfectly: his pride and
arrogance, his restlessness and discontent (yes, I admit I'm biased
*g*). I also liked this take on Beleg and his friendship to Túrin
(regardless if you count the slash aspect of not); he is wise without
being perfect, patient without being stolid.
The writing is elegant and bittersweet, even forboding, echoing that
of the Silmarillion while able to flesh things out in more detail. The
story ends on a particularly graceful note.
Title: Star-songs of the Eorlingas · Author: Tanaqui · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 291
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-10-17 16:48:59
It is wonderful how Tanaqui captures the Rohirric theme not only in
the plot(s) of this series, but also in the language. The first one is
a prime example of this; in echoing the rhythm and rhyme scheme, in
the word building and sentence structure. But throughout the rest of
the other drabbles, this craft flashes up time and time again when
appropriate and give a special "flavour" to the reading.
We have had so many lovely stories about Elves and Dúnedain and their
tales about the stars - it's nice that Tanaqui here closes a gap and
gives a very persuasive insight into what the Rohirric culture has to
say in this regard. They not only reveal the myths, but also connect
to everyday Rohirric life and culture.
And I love especially how these legends are made alive in the way
Éowyn tells them: like anecdotes, not some far-distant, nebulous concepts.
Title: And all was made ready · Author: Dreamflower · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Friendship · ID: 427
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-10-17 18:17:00
Spoilers!
A lively and engaging gap-filler. I like it very much that the story
is told from the perspective of the Hobbits; it gives the lofty
ceremonies a groundedness that I found very appealing; even more so
when the PoV changes between the four of them.
I also appreciated the fact that for all the excitement and joy that
is shown for the upcoming events, Dreamflower rightfully tempers it
with some more serious moments, recalling the personal anxieties each
of the Hobbits carry within themselves, as well as their concerns for
each other's.
The characterisations are spot-on, the dialogue and interaction vivid
and convincing. The small details and little occurences tucked into
the story make for a very three-dimensional picture (I especially
enjoyed Sam's fussing over the braces - and I bet Imrahil felt quite
overwhelmed with the flood of information his casual question about
Sam's family elicited!).
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