Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: The Consuming Darkness · Author: Isil Elensar · Genres: Drama ·
ID: 467
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-11-29 20:54:11
Spoilers!
I had to sit quietly and let the story soak into me after I had
finished reading it. I don't think I have ever really stopped to
wonder why Míriel had apparently left her bid for safety to the last
minute, and this story provides an explanation that is both plausible
and heart-wrenching. The final council meeting before the end, with
the description of the slights, small but deeply insulting, that she
has had to live with, give the reader a fair idea of what life as
consort to the usurper must have been like. Duty done, the urgency of
her quest on the other side of town builds wonderfully, drawing the
reader along. One of the best sentences for what it tells the reader
about Míriel is a simple one – [She persevered, though her side hurt
terribly.] - which tells me that she is probably fit and healthy but
being gently bred, raised in luxury, she would certainly not be in the
habit of strenuous exercise.

The parting on the pier is agonizing, and I loved the quick glimpse
we're given of young Anárion who I have also not thought about all
that much but who somehow came across exactly as I expected. And
finally, only too human despite deciding that her fate is to die and
there is no salvation for her, Míriel makes her final desperate dash
for survival through a city overwhelmed by terror as it soon will be
by water. And of course, we know how it ends.

Loved her cursing her husband, not knowing he had already met his
fate. I'm sure it gave her a tiny bit of satisfaction to be able to
say all that out loud before the end.

Second Age is my period, but being an elf person I have read far too
little about Numenor and its fate. This has given me quite a taste for
it. Stunning story! Thank you.


Title: Care to Ride My Hot-Rod Fell Beast? · Author: viv · Genres:
Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 180
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-11-29 21:05:58
Spoilers!
Problem is the word count is everything, and I'm sitting here giggling
and a bit at a loss for - yes, words. LOL! All right, loved the style,
loved the concept, loved the picture of Eowyn – to be fair to Angmar,
she certainly was little and blonde and sassy, right? He comes across
as the right kind of guy to be up for a threesome, too – been around a
bit, seen it all, done some of it…

His pick up lines were no worse than some I remember from my teenage
years. Somehow, divorced from the larger story, killing him seems a
bit of an extreme response.

Talking about lines, the last line here is perfect.


Title: On Canon and Fanfic · Author: Marta · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 123
Reviewer: Inkling · 2008-11-29 21:11:22
Marta navigates the fanfic minefield of canon vs. AU with great skill
in this essay, presenting a well thought-out series of definitions
without ever seeming judgmental. Even what seems a given to me
(perhaps unjustly)--that detailed knowledge of canon is a prerequisite
to writing good noncanonical fanfic--is handled with careful neutrality:

[For some people canon is important, and if you choose not to focus on
this aspect, you will lose some readers. But this is true for any
aspect of the writing process. So while some people may criticize you
for being uncanonical, you could probably just as easily criticize
them for not doing as well as you'd like in some other important
aspect of their writing.]

I like the distinction made between extracanonical and uncanonical,
imagining a sliding scale from gapfiller to AU. To it I might add what
I like to think of as "speculative canon" for the stories that
*really* stretch canon, and I wonder where Marta would classify such
uncanonical but often highly "canonesque" genres like parodies,
crossovers, and modern times fics. But that's a topic for another essay!



Title: An Ordinary Woman · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: First Age
and Prior: House of Finwe · ID: 32
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-29 21:12:28
Spoilers!
Oh no Dawn, don't tell me he just did that!!!!

I found this story an immensely amusing read, from the start where
Finrod surely remembers why he left Aman and his reasoning that
perhaps attending a birthday of one of the Sindar might bring him some
fun and maybe an heir. I just love how you explain the births of
Finduilas and Gil-galad here, making me go like: hey that makes sense,
especially on how they pop up on those family trees! Curufin's
reaction to such frivolity had me laughing so hard, who knows what is
in that study of his. And after that, oh my. I had to giggle so much
at how Finrod described Melian's girdle (mazes huh), the meeting with
Beleg and a dinner with Thingol. Yet it leaves him to ponder where
Lúthien is and their meeting - especially the first looks at her - is
so splendidly written. I just could see Finrod standing there, taking
her in like that. However not all wishes are fulfilled and the
ending... I wondered what kind of mistake he would have made, but that
most certainly was the icing on the cake. Let's blame Beleg, shall we?

I really loved to read this story written from Finrod's perspective
solely and completely in the wonderful style that is Dawn's trademark.
This exploration how a rather normal person can grow to be a larger
than life persona is immensely well done with the numerous moments of
laughter.


Title: Two Prisoners · Author: Lord Branwyn · Genres: Alternate
Universe · ID: 724
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-11-29 21:16:09
Spoilers!
This is one of those stories you read through to the end, think about
it, and then go back and read it a second time. Quietly practical,
with a very authentic feeling about it. I've read enough war stories
to know this is how things would have been done, yes. There is nothing
overtly strange or creepy, nothing to sound alarms or suggest the
proximity of legend or the paranormal. Yet there they were, a pair of
very, very old soldiers. [There's a signals office who's an expert in
languages, an Oxford man.] Yes, quite. And I hope they found him as
interesting as he clearly found them.

I am going to come back to this in my mind many times in the future I
think, trying to decide who they were and why they were where they
were, and if they wanted to help or if they just got all caught up in
the fighting, and what they thought of the state of the world they had
handed over governance of so many thousands of years before… Lot of
food for thought here.


Title: A New Day · Author: Oshun · Genres: Longer Works · ID: 35
Reviewer: Angelica · 2008-11-29 21:21:02
Spoilers!
Love, sex, politics, family dynamics, great characterizations, amazing
dialogs: this story has everything and then some. Oshun manages to
tell the story in such a way that makes the reader feel that, maybe
why not?, things will work out after all and these two
friends/lovers/co-conspirators will live happily ever after.
Findekano's nightmare of the Nirnaeth is a chilling reminder of what
horrors the future holds for them.
It's almost impossible to choose one character. Of course, there is no
Findekano like Oshun's and what can be added about Maitimo
(intelligent, vulnerable, scholarly, political, beautiful) or
Findarato (hiding his shrewdness behind his good looks) or loyal
Makalaure, dignified Nolofinwe, difficult Carnistir or ambitious
Curufinwe? But leaving aside all the irresistible males, I will choose
Artanis because I've never been a Galadriel fan and when I read her
characterization, I realized why.

Title: The Search · Author: rhyselle · Genres: Poetry: Late Third Age
· ID: 501
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-11-29 21:21:22
This was a wonderful poem by Rhyselle. She really captured Gollum's
characterization quite well. I actually felt sorry for him. Plus the
poem is written in such a way that it is enjoyable even for someone
who does not particularly like poetry. It flows beautifully.

Title: Early Winter at Himring Hill · Author: Oshun · Genres: Romance:
Elven Lands · ID: 79
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-29 21:25:15
I loved this piece from the day I read it and sometimes when the
darkness of the Silm is just a bit too much, I just have to pull up
this story to be remembered what great moments the watchful peace
brought to those brave elves. It just feels right to see Fingon
shedding that mantle of responsibility and leadership to be himself,
free from all burdens to be with his friend. And the feeling is
returned all the same. Winter may be in the air, but I am almost
certain that indoors the warmth of summer will be present. Besides the
responses this little ficlet evokes, I just love Oshun's usage of
language here. Ficlets are hard to write because you want to get the
essence of the story down as best as you can, but she surely succeeded
here.

Title: The Dance · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres: Romance: Elven
Lands · ID: 128
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2008-11-29 21:29:01
This elegant tale imagines a first dance between Feanor and Nerdanel;
as a whole it hovers between Tolkien fanfiction and Regency comedy of
manners. I like the melange, although, I think, Tolkien would not
have. (He seems to have thought that the cruder the culture, the more
"noble" it would be, and thus disavowed any concept of courtly love.)

Being very clumsy and socially inept, I was able to fully identify
with Nerdanel's agonies at the ball. The story ends with a sweet,
romantic twist.

Title: All these hands · Author: Elitihien · Races: Elves: Noldor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 534
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-29 21:33:23
Spoilers!
This is a gorgeously constructed drabble series regarding Idril and
those who are important to her. Each drabble simply gives you pause,
not only because of the lyrical words, but also about what just
transpired. Love, death, birth and partings go hand in hand, changing
her life immensely. The last one is perfect: I can see her on her
deathbed where Eru's hand touches her before she dies. She forgives
Maeglin, realising that she might have been too harsh towards him.
What I find so exceptionally about these series is not only the superb
usage of language, but also that the character grows with every
drabble; her voice matures with every piece. What a marvellous piece!

Title: A Darkness Lies behind Us · Author: Bodkin · Races: Elves:
Incomplete · ID: 190
Reviewer: Elleth · 2008-11-29 21:41:57
A lovely story about Finrod's return to life in Aman, featuring
well-known and well-loved canon characters and some interesting OCs in
the Blessed Realm. The story goes to show that not all tales from
Valinor after Feanor left need to be eventless, and it is beautifully
written, too. I enjoyed reading this very much.

Title: Care to Ride My Hot-Rod Fell Beast? · Author: viv · Genres:
Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 180
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-29 21:45:24
Spoilers!
Leave it up to the Witchking to even see a dating opportunity on the
battlefield and I do think that over the time his lines and views of
women have grown outdated. Marvellously done Viv, he remains bawdy and
arrogant to the end, mocking them all as he falls - in a way!

Title: Tolkien's Parish: The Canonical Middle-earth · Author: Steuard
Jensen · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 91
Reviewer: Inkling · 2008-11-29 21:50:51
How do we define canon in source material as complex and varied as
Tolkien's? Jensen's response to this thorny question is thoughtful and
even-handed, but in his careful deference to personal preference he
seems at times too much like the Elves, who say both yes and no. No
ground-breaking insights here, but a well-written, cogent exploration
of the issue.

Title: Least Expected · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Drabbles · ID: 512
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2008-11-29 21:54:32
Spoilers!
A scary alternative universe drabble of one of my favorite Rangers. Of
course, the Ring War is already lost with the implication in the story
that Aragorn has already been killed, but this loss is also difficult
to take. It took me a few minutes to understand that the leader of the
Rohirrim must be Grima, which makes it even more chilling in my
opinion as it suggests that Eomer and Eowyn are also lost.

Very nicely done!

Title: Wind of Change · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 47
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2008-11-29 22:06:24
Spoilers!
A very nice ficlet about the arrival of Eowyn and how her birth
heralded a change in things - particularly for the Witch-king. I
really liked the glimpses of both Glorfindel and the Witch-king as
they 'felt' that shift in the air at her birth - Glorfindel's joy and
the Nazgul's concern. Raksha really captured the pride and joy of the
new parents.

Well done and an enjoyable read.

Title: They Also Serve · Author: Marta · Times: Late Third Age · ID: 365
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2008-11-29 22:20:41
Spoilers!
A enjoyable story of those left behind while their loved ones are off
at War - or in some sort of dangerous situation. It is such a very
difficult situation for those people - often women - not knowing what
is going on with their loved ones and Marta captures that very well
here. Arwen has had to deal with Aragorn traveling and being in danger
for decades and in this story is trying to soothe that worry by
working in the kitchen. I really like the kitchen cook who is a
forthright, no-nonsense woman who helps Arwen keep things in perspective.

Very well done and I really recommend it.

Title: Light of the Westering Sun · Author: Dawn Felagund · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 126
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-29 22:38:20
Spoilers!
This is a very ingenious and creatively crafted story that looks back
on Haleth's life. This series works on so many levels since it
portrays all stages of womanhood, life, her love, her decisions
towards the love of her life, her own people.

The format Dawn chose her works here so well, most commonly you see
drabble series that begin in the youth or start of events, but this is
written in reverse, an experiment as the author called it.

This experimental writing resulted in a melancholically tribute to (a
fanonically favourite) love. A series that to me it feels like just
brief touches upon her life and yet they tell so much in this short
format. [Love bought me my wisdom.] and this phrase seems to be the
central theme in this drabble series, but it also connects the first
to the last. But foremost it reads as a celebration of love which
might have been between Caranthir and Haleth, the wisdom and wishes
that brought them together, a lie she did had to tell for the safety
of her people and sundered her from Caranthir in the end. Even though
we don't see Caranthir saying it aloud, but to me his love for her
ruled his mind and heart and all we are left with is her sadness of
what might have been and the love mirrored in the eyes which were
alike the [Light of the Westering Sun].

Title: Nerdanel's Sons · Author: Istarnie · Races: Elves: Incomplete ·
ID: 659
Reviewer: Elleth · 2008-11-29 22:47:00
Istarnie writes an ongoing story about Nerdanel and her family that I
have admired for a long time, and that has for a part shaped my
understanding of Nerdanel as a character. The style especially always
struck me as notable, it is very helpful in establishing Nerdanel as a
strong but believable figure with strengths and weaknesses, but always
consistent and strikingly wise, fitting for the epithet Feanor's wife
was given. The story expresses a familiarity with the source material
and builds upon it in an entirely believable way so as to offer a
glimpse into the domestic world of the Eldar that makes the suspension
of disbelief easy. A lovely piece of writing that I wish I could say
more about, but find myself at a loss of words - but that is my fault,
not the author's.

Title: Maglor's Song · Author: Robinka · Genres: Poetry: Drama · ID: 398
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-29 22:47:13
This poem is perhaps one of my favourites written by Robinka. It is
written in an elegant style, the tone is yet sober, and utmost
reflecting. It does not take too much to see the elf standing there
during his vigil, remembering his past, feeling the bitterness of his
fate as the sea tides come and go. The sonnets are simply gorgeous,
especially since it feels to me that it is written in a bardic style,
to be remembered and passed on orally by generations to come. Would he
have written this vigil himself? Who knows, Robinka's writing is
thusly that this lament feels ancient, perhaps something we just have
heard as we walked by an unknown to us poet who in fact is the elf
himself... This is a very evocative poem and a great take on Maglor's
final fate.

Title: Return · Author: Elleth · Genres: Alternate Universe: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 399
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-29 23:05:53
Spoilers!
Depending of course if you want to believe Nerdanel's words to Fëanor
did not come true, I can see that instead of Amras landing on the
beach with his brothers, or being burned in a ship at Losgar, this
would be an immensely believable take on what should have happened (I
am being rebellious here). To me these two double drabbles are
brilliant, well paced and filled with post-Alqualondë action. The
emotions of both feel so natural: the doubt (is it really him?), the
fear of being cheated still at last by fate and the stigma's shouted
by those who suffered. It surely must have hurt to hear such a thing.
How would the Telerin have reacted to a kinslayer returning to Aman so
shortly after it happened and what would Nerdanel have done to protect
him?

Yet indeed, what if? These drabbles leaves you to ponder about the
outcome of what Elleth just portrayed here. Would you as a reader
would not have granted Nerdanel to have one of her children returning
to her, at least her youngest? Elleth, these two ficlets really makes
you wish Tolkien had written Amras' fate otherwise. This is just
wonderfully written with so much emotion and vivid detail, this
especially in combination with the artwork Elleth submitted for Seven
in '07, see here [http://tinyurl.com/6n7duo%5d.

Title: Loss · Author: SurgicalSteel · Genres: Drama: Hurt/Comfort ·
ID: 196
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-29 23:09:26
Spoilers!
This is a story that hit close home to me and I knew that this
happened in the character's lives when reading [The King's Surgeon],
so in a way I was prepared in what was to come. This still makes this
a fabulous one shot that is carefully written and it mirrors the rush
one goes through during such a horrible event. To Halbarad it seems
like such a normal day, but soon the rush of events starts to kick in
and there is no way of stopping it. His pain and grief of loosing a
child, fearing for the life of his love and concern for his children
are well brought in this piece. To me this is written with a lot of
courage, to write so marvellously about a life changing event not many
do want to talk about in our life, this piece is just excellently
written with great characters that you just want to hold so close.

Title: Flame of Life · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Multi-Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 114
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-29 23:20:14
Spoilers!
[If the Imperishable Flame could speak...] then I could see why so
many tried to conquer or master it when I read Imhiriel's take on this
rather eum elusive being. To me one has to realise its presence in
able to understand it in full and only he and Eru seems to understand
it fully. I can also imagine the appeal or perhaps the attraction of
this imaginative power it has, and how many would seek out to conquer
it for its own reasons (like Melkor). Greatly drabbled!

Title: Gently Held · Author: viv · Genres: Romance: Other Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 6
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-29 23:29:25
Spoilers!
What a gorgeous tribute to love and it's a sound answer to those who
would even dare to question her reasons for loving him? This touching
ficlet (it had me wondering for a moment if it was really 300 words
because it feels as if it encompasses so much more) leaves me to
wonder - in a way - what hurts of Arwen Aragorn has healed. The grief
regarding her father's departure, the hurt regarding the loss of her
mother? What is for certain is that she entrusts her entire being to
him and what greater price can one give? This is beautifully written
Viv, with a gentle pacing just as Aragorn's hands.

Title: The Dwarves Treasure · Author: eiranae · Races: Dwarves · ID: 312
Reviewer: Nieriel Raina · 2008-11-29 23:31:02
Spoilers!
A very interesting plot. The dwarves are portrayed very nicely! And
little Mir is adorable. Eirae has done a wonderful job of showing just
what could happen if a dwarf were to raise an elf child. Engaging and
enjoyable to read.

Title: Forsaken · Author: Imhiriel · Races: Elves: Drabbles · ID: 369
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-29 23:34:39
Spoilers!
This drabble conveys the fully lived life of Finrod and the build up
makes you feel for him so much, but that last line. That blow, that
from the very start he lost the support of his brother. One can only
imagine how agonising that was, especially since his brother went with
him along the way to Middle-earth. It leaves me to ponder that even
though Orodreth only treated him with silence, the devotion was there
nonetheless. Only at such a price. What a drabble Imhiriel, I honestly
think this is one of your finest!