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Msg# 9620
MEFA Reviews for Monday, December 1, 2008 (Morning Set, Part Three) Posted by annmarwalk December 01, 2008 - 4:03:56 Topic ID# 9620Title: The Waker · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 287
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 20:34:46 Score: 4
Spoilers!
Fantastic evocation of a world without words - a non-world, in a way.
The taking back of words that goes on in the drabble works well to
accomplish the impossible description of a purely wordless 'subject',
without name or names. And what a terrific ending - the lure of desire
that becomes a wanting for a name, so that what awakens can be called
by name, can be a 'who' - can be loved, in a sense.
Great job, Nancy!
Title: Dawn Twilight · Author: viv · Times: Modern Times · ID: 182
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-11-30 20:37:18 Score: 10
Spoilers!
I am not normally a modern day fiction loving person and in fact
probably would not have even started reading this except for the
writer being Viv. Knowing how much I like her writing style, I gave
this one a chance a few years ago and once I read it I was hooked. Viv
has included aspects of both Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion in
this story. She continued to surprise me with the way she snuck canon
in, with such ease. I can honestly say this is one of the stories I
would recommend most and I was so sad when it came to an end!
Her characterizations of well known characters were quite different,
showing that over time the characters have grown and changed over the
ages. Legolas seems less innocent and trusting, you could sense he was
tired of living on Earth and wished to sail. Her original character,
Moira, was three dimensional and likable without the touch of being
Mary Sue. Like alot of Viv's writing, she had witty dialog throughout
the story. I loved the dwarves and cried when one died. I almost fell
out in the floor in the last two chapters when Viv started wrapping
things up because it was totally unexpected who these guys were! I
spent the whole story trying to guess who Greg was and didn't come
close. And then the final chapter blew me away.
Title: One Summer Day · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Gondor ·
ID: 535
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-11-30 20:39:45 Score: 3
Lovely summery feeling to all four of these ficlets, and I loved
Boromir's musings on the creation of the garden in which he was now
working, and the air of disbelief this evidence of careful thought
provoked. Specially loved the atmosphere of the last one, though it
left me a little sad.
Title: No Regrets · Author: Linda Hoyland · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 490
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-11-30 20:40:39 Score: 3
Linda's style of writing impresses me. She portrays Faramir and
Aragorn in very classic style in this piece and I really like the
thought of Faramir being happy with Eowyn and having no regrets. It
goes to show that he was nothing like his father.
Title: This crown of stars · Author: Fawsley · Races: Men: General
Drabbles · ID: 586
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2008-11-30 20:41:53 Score: 3
Spoilers!
Ah, Aragorn's thoughts on this cold, lonely, starry night (one of many
he's spent in the wild) probably can't help but be a bit melancholy.
Nice repetition of the powerful line about the corona of stars.
Well done!
Title: Some Seasons · Author: sophinisba solis · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Ring War · ID: 199
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 20:42:08 Score: 3
Sweet, poignant and humane. Sophinisba solis finds a unique way of
bringing loss of appetite in as a bond between two characters. It's a
homey ficlet, but which brings a part of the wide and dangerous world
of the Quest back into Bag End's kitchen, in a way that respects both
places and spaces.
Very well done!
Title: Home is where the heart is · Author: Linda Hoyland · Genres:
Romance: Drabbles · ID: 505
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-11-30 20:44:06 Score: 3
I love to read about Arwen and Aragorn when they finally are able to
be together. The imagery in the beginning of this drabble was
wonderful. I could almost see the dancers and flowers. Linda took a
simple moment and wrote about it beautifully.
Title: Heavens' Embroidered Cloths · Author: Tanaqui · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 292
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 20:47:02 Score: 3
Spoilers!
A delightful series of drabbles in which Eowyn shows herself more
thoughtful than many writers imagine her in reviving old Mettare
traditions that Faramir's mother kept. i also enjoyed the stories
behind the constellations.We need some of our own as well as the Greek
ones we grow up with.A lovely seasonal read.
Title: House of Ransom · Author: Robinka · Races: Elves: Drabbles ·
ID: 657
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 20:49:45 Score: 2
Spoilers!
A moving drabble in which Beleg sets out to rescue his friend.The
story of Beleg and Turin is both heart-rending and uplifting.We could
all do with a friend like Beleg!
Title: Healing · Author: Bodkin · Races: Elves · ID: 419
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 20:51:35 Score: 4
Spoilers!
This is a gloriously sad look at the reunion between Galadriel and
Celeborn. I had not thought too much of the time that Celeborn spent
without his spouse in Arda - not till I started writing a little thing
myself - but this is truly well-written and well thought out.
Not only do we see Celeborn - but we see Thranduil, Glorfindel and the
Twins.... nothing more spectacular than these Elves - and nothing
sadder than the leave-taking of these glorious creatures.
Well written.
Title: Care to Ride My Hot-Rod Fell Beast? · Author: viv · Genres:
Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 180
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-11-30 20:59:13 Score: 3
Spoilers!
Caution - do not read this while eating or drinking - hilarity could
cause choking or keyboard damage!
Seriously, the Witch-King as a hard-boiled macho guy looking for some
action from tough babes? Well, it works here.
Highly recommended as a quick humor fix to just about anything.
Title: Lingering Shadow · Author: Shireling · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Boromir or Faramir · ID: 412
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 20:59:31 Score: 3
Spoilers!
This was a very exciting story.I liked Faramir's compassion and
Aragorn's wisdom.I felt very sorry for Anborn left a broken man after
the war,though I could not condone his revenge and am glad he died
peacefully. I loved the way Faramir's friends all supported him
Title: Merry on the Pelennor Fields · Author: Primsong · Genres:
Poetry: Drama · ID: 720
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 20:59:51 Score: 4
Spoilers!
I think this is one of the author's best ever. Merry definitely
suffered on the Pelennor - and not just from the touch of the Nazgul....
That he should have to look upon those he loves as they suffer their
ending....
As for Theoden King - I was always amazed by the fact that Merry took
such a strong liking, nay - love - to the King of the Mark. It is
beautifully rendered here.... his love.
Very nicely written!
Title: Forsaken · Author: Imhiriel · Races: Elves: Drabbles · ID: 369
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 21:02:45 Score: 2
Spoilers!
This drabble vividly conveys the sorrows of Finrod's life from the
peace of the Halls of Mandos
Title: A Great Cause for Concern · Author: Alassante · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Post-Ring War · ID: 682
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-11-30 21:04:06 Score: 4
Spoilers!
Aw, I really liked this. Aulė has always been a bit of a favourite of
mine, and I can well imagine he would want a chance to get to know
more about the doings of his children over the sea. I loved the fact
that Galadriel came forward to speak for Gimli, which is exactly what
I would have expected of her. Poor Legolas though -I had to smile at
his reaction to being seen as the troublemaker.
Title: Midnight · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Romance · ID: 18
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 21:07:26 Score: 3
Spoilers!
There is something intrinsically gorgeous and spine-tingling about
Boromir and Theodred as partners. This glorious moment captures the
love beautifully. It always makes me a little sad - when the telling
is this perfect - that I have not felt such love. Grateful that these
two had some time together before the end.
Nicely written..... *heavy sigh*
Title: Bombur's Diet · Author: Primsong · Races: Dwarves · ID: 677
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 21:10:48 Score: 4
Spoilers!
What a delightful tale. One of the greatest gifts given to Primsong is
the ability to write 'voices' so well. The Dwarves are truly Dwarves:
there is no doubt. Bilbo is truly Bilbo.
What they put poor old Bombur through would cause anyone to shiver,
but, in the end, friendship wins out and Bombur is saved.
A delightful telling of another moment in the life of Bilbo.
Congratulations to Primsong for another worthy 'chapter' of this
magnificent Hobbit's life!
Title: Nightfall · Author: Jael · Times: Second and Early Third Age ·
ID: 87
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 21:16:12 Score: 10
Spoilers!
I'm not much into the politics of Elves or elven immortality and all
its fabled pains and joys, but Jael does a beautiful job of painting
the heartbreak and the agony of war. In that, she excavates the human
and humane that struggles to hold forth when every circumstance seems
against it, and she does it with a certain black humor, irony, and
grace that comes and goes as needed, to highlight the horror and the
hard-won distance from it that Thranduil and Galion manage to maintain.
These are characters who, with one exception (sort of), are given so
little time by Tolkien that they are essentially forms awaiting
content, and Jael makes Mirkwood's king and his valet all her own,
injects powerful, believable, poignant personality into them and
brings to life a whole world around them. One doesn't need the
background of other stories to grasp the essential points. It may seem
a minor point, but I'm especially impressed with her use of Sindarin.
So often, using elven language in a story can backfire, as it breaks
in like a foreign, forced element. Jael avoids that, manages to make
the occasional interjected Sindarin word seem perfectly natural, and
yet readers recognize that these are not quite the same as the words
we are accustomed to - they're just different enough to suggest a
cultural distance that is played out in the vicious, brutal politics
as seen through Thranduil's eyes. And yet the words draw the reader
into a world, rather than reminding us that this is fiction and that
we're outside the story looking into an artifact.
Highly recommended to any lover of Middle-earth - thank you, Jael, for
a beautiful story.
Title: Elrond's Farewell · Author: Armariel · Genres: Poetry · ID: 269
Reviewer: Elleth · 2008-11-30 21:21:28 Score: 4
My grasp of poetry is not that great, but I enjoyed this very much.
The imagery is consistent and fitting (e.g. equalling Arwen with stars
and the allusions to planets and the unierse is very much remindful of
her name 'Undomiel - Evenstar), and Elronds sorrow at the
inevitability of their separation and her daughter's ultimate fate
becomes palbable. Well done.
Title: The King's Surgeon · Author: SurgicalSteel · Genres: Longer
Works · ID: 90
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 21:22:47 Score: 5
As one begins to read this tale, one rejoices in the strength of the
main character. From the beginnings of a pain-filled life, to service
to Gondor, service to Bree, and then full circle back to Gondor... It
is a lovely story indeed.
The main character fights all kinds of foes, least of not loss of
friends and family, but also a few encounters with the Steward of
Gondor, stupidity and apathy. Her family grows and becomes a part of
this tale - but in the end, it is the surgeon who makes this tale so
wondrous.
Well written story and a great character who becomes a friend in a
very short time!
Title: The Making of Werewolves · Author: Ignoble Bard · Races:
Villains · ID: 42
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-30 21:22:49 Score: 5
Spoilers!
This just reads as a tale on might tell children around a campfire. As
short as it might be, it has an epic feel to me with a fierce pacing
that leaves just nothing to your imagination. The answer on how Sauron
went about creating them can be found here, true to his master with
brutal force and cunning insight. At one sight one might perceive
those werewolves as cutesy puppies, but a moment later they might just
bite your heads off. This story feels like a gapfiller of his own
kind, taken from the works of the professor himself. Wonderfully done!
Title: Silenced · Author: Illwynd · Genres: Horror · ID: 31
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 21:23:30 Score: 6
Spoilers!
A well-wrought AU should leave you thinking about the chances that
Tolkien wrote into the story, whether consciously or not, and out of
which a different story can spring.
Illwynd's short ficlet does just that. I liked the fact that at first,
I wasn't sure where I was in time - the marvelous opening line,
describing the presence of the Ring in Boromir's thought could put us
anywhere. It could put us any time and place between the Council of
Elrond and Parth Galen. When it becomes apparent finally that this is
more than mere temptation, but possession, the story shifts and opens
onto a vision of Minas Tirith subdued to Boromir badly deluded.
The last few lines let the horror come in, as we are reminded that
delusion is only a stage that leads to extinction.
Well done!
Title: Eight Weeks · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 273
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2008-11-30 21:27:05 Score: 2
Spoilers!
LOL! Boromir didn't know it, but he didn't have a chance with those
two colluding against him!
Well done!
Title: Orc Dreams · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Villains: Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 448
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 21:28:38 Score: 3
Spoilers!
Great use of the stars of Middle-earth! I love seeing the other side
of the Sickle (well, from a safely unorcish distance, of course) and
of the Swordsman, whose orcish name, [Old Red-Eye], seems just right.
Title: Nine Companions · Author: Aranel Took · Genres: Humor: Drabbles
· ID: 259
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 21:35:30 Score: 3
Spoilers!
Oh my! The King of Gondor, former Ranger extraordinare, gets a rather
fitting hand. Don't tell me - the man with too many names ended up
winning by running a double bluff or something?
Short and sweet!
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 287
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 20:34:46 Score: 4
Spoilers!
Fantastic evocation of a world without words - a non-world, in a way.
The taking back of words that goes on in the drabble works well to
accomplish the impossible description of a purely wordless 'subject',
without name or names. And what a terrific ending - the lure of desire
that becomes a wanting for a name, so that what awakens can be called
by name, can be a 'who' - can be loved, in a sense.
Great job, Nancy!
Title: Dawn Twilight · Author: viv · Times: Modern Times · ID: 182
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-11-30 20:37:18 Score: 10
Spoilers!
I am not normally a modern day fiction loving person and in fact
probably would not have even started reading this except for the
writer being Viv. Knowing how much I like her writing style, I gave
this one a chance a few years ago and once I read it I was hooked. Viv
has included aspects of both Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion in
this story. She continued to surprise me with the way she snuck canon
in, with such ease. I can honestly say this is one of the stories I
would recommend most and I was so sad when it came to an end!
Her characterizations of well known characters were quite different,
showing that over time the characters have grown and changed over the
ages. Legolas seems less innocent and trusting, you could sense he was
tired of living on Earth and wished to sail. Her original character,
Moira, was three dimensional and likable without the touch of being
Mary Sue. Like alot of Viv's writing, she had witty dialog throughout
the story. I loved the dwarves and cried when one died. I almost fell
out in the floor in the last two chapters when Viv started wrapping
things up because it was totally unexpected who these guys were! I
spent the whole story trying to guess who Greg was and didn't come
close. And then the final chapter blew me away.
Title: One Summer Day · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Gondor ·
ID: 535
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-11-30 20:39:45 Score: 3
Lovely summery feeling to all four of these ficlets, and I loved
Boromir's musings on the creation of the garden in which he was now
working, and the air of disbelief this evidence of careful thought
provoked. Specially loved the atmosphere of the last one, though it
left me a little sad.
Title: No Regrets · Author: Linda Hoyland · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 490
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-11-30 20:40:39 Score: 3
Linda's style of writing impresses me. She portrays Faramir and
Aragorn in very classic style in this piece and I really like the
thought of Faramir being happy with Eowyn and having no regrets. It
goes to show that he was nothing like his father.
Title: This crown of stars · Author: Fawsley · Races: Men: General
Drabbles · ID: 586
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2008-11-30 20:41:53 Score: 3
Spoilers!
Ah, Aragorn's thoughts on this cold, lonely, starry night (one of many
he's spent in the wild) probably can't help but be a bit melancholy.
Nice repetition of the powerful line about the corona of stars.
Well done!
Title: Some Seasons · Author: sophinisba solis · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Ring War · ID: 199
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 20:42:08 Score: 3
Sweet, poignant and humane. Sophinisba solis finds a unique way of
bringing loss of appetite in as a bond between two characters. It's a
homey ficlet, but which brings a part of the wide and dangerous world
of the Quest back into Bag End's kitchen, in a way that respects both
places and spaces.
Very well done!
Title: Home is where the heart is · Author: Linda Hoyland · Genres:
Romance: Drabbles · ID: 505
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-11-30 20:44:06 Score: 3
I love to read about Arwen and Aragorn when they finally are able to
be together. The imagery in the beginning of this drabble was
wonderful. I could almost see the dancers and flowers. Linda took a
simple moment and wrote about it beautifully.
Title: Heavens' Embroidered Cloths · Author: Tanaqui · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 292
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 20:47:02 Score: 3
Spoilers!
A delightful series of drabbles in which Eowyn shows herself more
thoughtful than many writers imagine her in reviving old Mettare
traditions that Faramir's mother kept. i also enjoyed the stories
behind the constellations.We need some of our own as well as the Greek
ones we grow up with.A lovely seasonal read.
Title: House of Ransom · Author: Robinka · Races: Elves: Drabbles ·
ID: 657
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 20:49:45 Score: 2
Spoilers!
A moving drabble in which Beleg sets out to rescue his friend.The
story of Beleg and Turin is both heart-rending and uplifting.We could
all do with a friend like Beleg!
Title: Healing · Author: Bodkin · Races: Elves · ID: 419
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 20:51:35 Score: 4
Spoilers!
This is a gloriously sad look at the reunion between Galadriel and
Celeborn. I had not thought too much of the time that Celeborn spent
without his spouse in Arda - not till I started writing a little thing
myself - but this is truly well-written and well thought out.
Not only do we see Celeborn - but we see Thranduil, Glorfindel and the
Twins.... nothing more spectacular than these Elves - and nothing
sadder than the leave-taking of these glorious creatures.
Well written.
Title: Care to Ride My Hot-Rod Fell Beast? · Author: viv · Genres:
Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 180
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-11-30 20:59:13 Score: 3
Spoilers!
Caution - do not read this while eating or drinking - hilarity could
cause choking or keyboard damage!
Seriously, the Witch-King as a hard-boiled macho guy looking for some
action from tough babes? Well, it works here.
Highly recommended as a quick humor fix to just about anything.
Title: Lingering Shadow · Author: Shireling · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Boromir or Faramir · ID: 412
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 20:59:31 Score: 3
Spoilers!
This was a very exciting story.I liked Faramir's compassion and
Aragorn's wisdom.I felt very sorry for Anborn left a broken man after
the war,though I could not condone his revenge and am glad he died
peacefully. I loved the way Faramir's friends all supported him
Title: Merry on the Pelennor Fields · Author: Primsong · Genres:
Poetry: Drama · ID: 720
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 20:59:51 Score: 4
Spoilers!
I think this is one of the author's best ever. Merry definitely
suffered on the Pelennor - and not just from the touch of the Nazgul....
That he should have to look upon those he loves as they suffer their
ending....
As for Theoden King - I was always amazed by the fact that Merry took
such a strong liking, nay - love - to the King of the Mark. It is
beautifully rendered here.... his love.
Very nicely written!
Title: Forsaken · Author: Imhiriel · Races: Elves: Drabbles · ID: 369
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 21:02:45 Score: 2
Spoilers!
This drabble vividly conveys the sorrows of Finrod's life from the
peace of the Halls of Mandos
Title: A Great Cause for Concern · Author: Alassante · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Post-Ring War · ID: 682
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-11-30 21:04:06 Score: 4
Spoilers!
Aw, I really liked this. Aulė has always been a bit of a favourite of
mine, and I can well imagine he would want a chance to get to know
more about the doings of his children over the sea. I loved the fact
that Galadriel came forward to speak for Gimli, which is exactly what
I would have expected of her. Poor Legolas though -I had to smile at
his reaction to being seen as the troublemaker.
Title: Midnight · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Romance · ID: 18
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 21:07:26 Score: 3
Spoilers!
There is something intrinsically gorgeous and spine-tingling about
Boromir and Theodred as partners. This glorious moment captures the
love beautifully. It always makes me a little sad - when the telling
is this perfect - that I have not felt such love. Grateful that these
two had some time together before the end.
Nicely written..... *heavy sigh*
Title: Bombur's Diet · Author: Primsong · Races: Dwarves · ID: 677
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 21:10:48 Score: 4
Spoilers!
What a delightful tale. One of the greatest gifts given to Primsong is
the ability to write 'voices' so well. The Dwarves are truly Dwarves:
there is no doubt. Bilbo is truly Bilbo.
What they put poor old Bombur through would cause anyone to shiver,
but, in the end, friendship wins out and Bombur is saved.
A delightful telling of another moment in the life of Bilbo.
Congratulations to Primsong for another worthy 'chapter' of this
magnificent Hobbit's life!
Title: Nightfall · Author: Jael · Times: Second and Early Third Age ·
ID: 87
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 21:16:12 Score: 10
Spoilers!
I'm not much into the politics of Elves or elven immortality and all
its fabled pains and joys, but Jael does a beautiful job of painting
the heartbreak and the agony of war. In that, she excavates the human
and humane that struggles to hold forth when every circumstance seems
against it, and she does it with a certain black humor, irony, and
grace that comes and goes as needed, to highlight the horror and the
hard-won distance from it that Thranduil and Galion manage to maintain.
These are characters who, with one exception (sort of), are given so
little time by Tolkien that they are essentially forms awaiting
content, and Jael makes Mirkwood's king and his valet all her own,
injects powerful, believable, poignant personality into them and
brings to life a whole world around them. One doesn't need the
background of other stories to grasp the essential points. It may seem
a minor point, but I'm especially impressed with her use of Sindarin.
So often, using elven language in a story can backfire, as it breaks
in like a foreign, forced element. Jael avoids that, manages to make
the occasional interjected Sindarin word seem perfectly natural, and
yet readers recognize that these are not quite the same as the words
we are accustomed to - they're just different enough to suggest a
cultural distance that is played out in the vicious, brutal politics
as seen through Thranduil's eyes. And yet the words draw the reader
into a world, rather than reminding us that this is fiction and that
we're outside the story looking into an artifact.
Highly recommended to any lover of Middle-earth - thank you, Jael, for
a beautiful story.
Title: Elrond's Farewell · Author: Armariel · Genres: Poetry · ID: 269
Reviewer: Elleth · 2008-11-30 21:21:28 Score: 4
My grasp of poetry is not that great, but I enjoyed this very much.
The imagery is consistent and fitting (e.g. equalling Arwen with stars
and the allusions to planets and the unierse is very much remindful of
her name 'Undomiel - Evenstar), and Elronds sorrow at the
inevitability of their separation and her daughter's ultimate fate
becomes palbable. Well done.
Title: The King's Surgeon · Author: SurgicalSteel · Genres: Longer
Works · ID: 90
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 21:22:47 Score: 5
As one begins to read this tale, one rejoices in the strength of the
main character. From the beginnings of a pain-filled life, to service
to Gondor, service to Bree, and then full circle back to Gondor... It
is a lovely story indeed.
The main character fights all kinds of foes, least of not loss of
friends and family, but also a few encounters with the Steward of
Gondor, stupidity and apathy. Her family grows and becomes a part of
this tale - but in the end, it is the surgeon who makes this tale so
wondrous.
Well written story and a great character who becomes a friend in a
very short time!
Title: The Making of Werewolves · Author: Ignoble Bard · Races:
Villains · ID: 42
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2008-11-30 21:22:49 Score: 5
Spoilers!
This just reads as a tale on might tell children around a campfire. As
short as it might be, it has an epic feel to me with a fierce pacing
that leaves just nothing to your imagination. The answer on how Sauron
went about creating them can be found here, true to his master with
brutal force and cunning insight. At one sight one might perceive
those werewolves as cutesy puppies, but a moment later they might just
bite your heads off. This story feels like a gapfiller of his own
kind, taken from the works of the professor himself. Wonderfully done!
Title: Silenced · Author: Illwynd · Genres: Horror · ID: 31
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 21:23:30 Score: 6
Spoilers!
A well-wrought AU should leave you thinking about the chances that
Tolkien wrote into the story, whether consciously or not, and out of
which a different story can spring.
Illwynd's short ficlet does just that. I liked the fact that at first,
I wasn't sure where I was in time - the marvelous opening line,
describing the presence of the Ring in Boromir's thought could put us
anywhere. It could put us any time and place between the Council of
Elrond and Parth Galen. When it becomes apparent finally that this is
more than mere temptation, but possession, the story shifts and opens
onto a vision of Minas Tirith subdued to Boromir badly deluded.
The last few lines let the horror come in, as we are reminded that
delusion is only a stage that leads to extinction.
Well done!
Title: Eight Weeks · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 273
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2008-11-30 21:27:05 Score: 2
Spoilers!
LOL! Boromir didn't know it, but he didn't have a chance with those
two colluding against him!
Well done!
Title: Orc Dreams · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Villains: Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 448
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 21:28:38 Score: 3
Spoilers!
Great use of the stars of Middle-earth! I love seeing the other side
of the Sickle (well, from a safely unorcish distance, of course) and
of the Swordsman, whose orcish name, [Old Red-Eye], seems just right.
Title: Nine Companions · Author: Aranel Took · Genres: Humor: Drabbles
· ID: 259
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 21:35:30 Score: 3
Spoilers!
Oh my! The King of Gondor, former Ranger extraordinare, gets a rather
fitting hand. Don't tell me - the man with too many names ended up
winning by running a double bluff or something?
Short and sweet!
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