Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: The Last Messenger: A Tale of Numenor · Author: Fiondil ·
Times: Second and Early Third Age · ID: 8
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2008-11-30 22:28:10 Score: 5
Spoilers!
A very interesting tale about an era and place that is not written
about often - Numenor. I truly enjoyed the characters; while they were
mostly original characters, Fiondil does a wonderful job of making
them appear as if they were Tolkien's - they integrate almost
seamlessly into Tolkien's world.

The story itself was dark, it takes place in the very end days of
Numenor and Fiondil was able to capture that very well in the sense of
foreboding that filled the pages of the story. It always makes me sad
to think of what happened on that beautiful island that the Valar had
set aside for Elros and his people and here some of that is shown
quite clearly.

A very well written story - as usual - and highly recommended.

Title: Five Things that Never Happened to Serinde of Dol Amroth ·
Author: SurgicalSteel · Genres: Alternate Universe: Angst/Tragedy ·
ID: 222
Reviewer: Cuthalion · 2008-11-30 22:28:46 Score: 10
Spoilers!
I encountered the "Five things that never happened to..."-concept
years ago, and I was immediately fascinated. It gives the author the
chance to visualize even his/ her worst phantasies, and if the author
is as skilled as Surgicalsteel, the result is absolutely thrilling.

What if Serinde's stepfather actually laid hands on her (as he tries
in both her timelines, the original and the "happy" one)? The outcome
might have been as grim as it is in # 1 of her "Five things"-tales...
and the readers finishes it with a great sigh of relief, because this
never took place. And what if she had met her ultimate fate on a
battlefield (as it might very well have happened?). What if Halbarad
and Serinde had never married - and if she had come in the way of five
of the Nine when they rode through Bree the night Frodo Baggins
accidentally put on the ring? And if the untimely birth of her third
child had taken not only one life but two?

As a reader, I am utterly thankful that she ends the dark row of "What
if's" with a completely believable happier note...and I can leave
those five AU's with a satisfied smile. No wonder that Surgicalsteel
is one of the (very few) authors who will always keep me a devoted
reader of Tolkien fanfiction. *bows to her*

Title: Answering the Call · Author: docmon · Genres: Drama · ID: 340
Reviewer: Antane · 2008-11-30 22:29:12 Score: 7
Spoilers!
A very interesting and at times heartaching series of tales, each
chapter dealing with what may have happened had each of the Fellowship
claimed the Ring for their own. Gandalf's is the most chilling.
Legolas perhaps the most heartbreaking, though that may be tied with
Frodo's because the new hobbit Lord of the Rings wannabe doesn't seem
to realize his terrible peril in claiming the Ring, though Sam does
and it breaks the loyal gardener's heart. Boromir's is well done -
that one realizes his folly only at the very end, as he truly did, and
he pays the price but perhaps was saved by it. Sam is not overcome,
but he takes the Ring out of love and pity and so is not corrupted by
it, but none of the tales end well, except the last. Gimli's is the
only chapter that has any hope left at the end and perhaps that is
because he did not lust after the Ring himself, but was given it to
Frodo in a desperate hope that the Quest not fail. It would be
wonderful if the tales that could be continued for all could be.

Title: Cuts Gone Wrong · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Mid Third Age:
Eriador · ID: 156
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 22:31:59 Score: 3
Spoilers!
Not often does one read anything but Aragorn in Imladris and the
fostering of the boy into manhood.

I very much liked this look into Aragorn, the novice Ranger, and the
wisdom he learned from Men.

Thanks for sharing this look into the 'making' of a King.

Title: Restoration · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Races: Men:
Minas Tirith · ID: 19
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-11-30 22:34:27 Score: 3
Spoilers!
The notion of Aragorn finding spiritual refreshment by checking his
recovering patients is lovely, and it seems very typical of Aragorn's
character. This is a wonderful, quiet moment of renewal, a calm
between storms. I love Aragorn's mention that for him and Faramir both
it is a time when marvels might come to pass.

Title: Dead Steward's Gift · Author: stefaniab · Genres: Mystery · ID: 572
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 22:37:56 Score: 1
A delightful tale.

Title: Maglor's Harp · Author: Ford of Bruinen · Genres: Horror · ID: 660
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 22:38:18 Score: 8
Spoilers!
Maglor stark raving mad would not be someone to encounter in a dark
alley. Absolutely innocent in his current mindlessness, and absolutely
horrific and without pity - Ford of Bruinen captures this beautifully.
She never goes for gratuitous gore - everything is very understated,
very matter-of-fact, which heightens the uncanny and disturbing heart
of the story more effectively than any detailed description of violence.

Madness, too, is well depicted. Maglor's thoughts never stray beyond
his end, never consider, reflect - he is out of the world as much as
he is out of himself. He has no ties and no bounds, save that one that
probably hasn't let him go - and that's what makes him dangerous.

As I write, I'm listening to Loreena McKennitt's [The Bonny Swans],
which strikes me as cut from the same mental cloth, as it were. The
bone harp, beautiful to hear, but a horror in fact, and one wonders:
if by some miracle, Maglor *does* sing himself back to sanity, what
will become of him and his harp?

Deliciously shivery and terrible, and I mean that in the best possible
way.

Title: The Dark One · Author: NeumeIndil · Genres: Drama · ID: 411
Reviewer: Cuthalion · 2008-11-30 22:41:25 Score: 6
Spoilers!
My goodness. What shall I say? What a tale... grim beauty and
horrendous pain (those poor people in the barn, that tormented, young
woman with the piglet), Théodred (whom I love here), Boromir (whom I'd
like to kick where it really hurts) and Morwen, dancing... DANCING.
The way you've written that from Gamling's POV is sheer beauty,
passionate and vivid, and I can see her move, and see the flames, and
smell the smoke, and sense the danger. But do you know what was worst?
Théoden, caressing her hands, barely understanding what was going on
around him, a shadow of lost greatness. Heaven help us, Gandalf can't
come soon enough. You made me cry with pity, and with shame for him,
and with sheer, furious rage against the worm.

Incredibly good... and after checking out what I missed on OSA, I
think I have to catch up with quite a few tales about one of the best
OFC's I've ever encountered in fanfiction.


Title: Silenced · Author: Illwynd · Genres: Horror · ID: 31
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 22:41:50 Score: 3
Spoilers!
Very interesting take on the 'changes' that occur - not to Minas
Tirith - but to her Steward... or perhaps her King.....

Yikes - shades of Nosferatu. Very well written and quite scary.

Title: The Last Words · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama: Featuring
the Noldor · ID: 409
Reviewer: Elleth · 2008-11-30 22:45:40 Score: 10
Spoilers!
Rhapsody, you have outdone yourself again - this final meeting of
Nerdanel and her inanimate nemesis is masterfully written from the
outset, and does not disappoint throughout. I loved the juxtaposition
of Nerdanel and her twin sons (most alike to her, as you mentioned in
the story) going to meet the three jewels of Feanor, it had an epic
quality and worked brilliantly to foreshadow the conflict to come,
even though Nerdanel had to face that one alone.

All the rage and grief that you express wonderfully here, it made me
wonder about Nerdanel's sanity a little - but I suppose it is taxing
to live with a man who is so demanding and appears to be giving back
so little (at least that is what it appears like here). The line
["Please, I beg of you! No matter the outcome! Do not destroy him!" ],
however, shows more clearly than any of Nerdanel's denials, that she
does still love her husband after all, and made me hope that the
reverse was true as well, like Mahtan said.

Rhapsody definitely doesn't disappoint with this story: She is
well-known for in-depth emotive writing and beautiful stories, but I
think this is one of her masterpieces, because it draws the reader in
completely and makes Nerdanel's complicated emotional state familiar
in a way, and easy to understand so that the audience cannot help but
sympathize with her. For all its bitterness, one of my favourite
stories. Thank you for sharing this.

Title: The Ritual Disturbed · Author: Larner · Genres: Horror · ID: 68
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 22:48:04 Score: 4
Spoilers!
Very few stories tackle the barrow-wights, but Larner attempts it and
more besides! There is more to the wights and to one Tom Bombadil than
anyone knows, and Larner takes advantage of that to draw the whole
history of the long war between Morgoth and the Valar down into one
narrow tomb.

Well done! I especially loved this line for its wonderful description
of the relationship of Arda and the beyond: [These did not so much
pass the boundaries that held the evil spirits as they simply went
otherwise, somewhat at right angles from all visible bounds].

Title: NIGHT and FOREST: A Glimpse of Beauty · Author: Fiondil ·
Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 554
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 22:50:05 Score: 3
Spoilers!
A delightful tale of the first meeting of Beren and Luthien.

Wow - I was really surprised - it seemed this Elf's only fate would be
death....

I really have to laugh - for death eventually came - it seems not
once, but twice.

A very good retelling of the life before Beren met Luthien - and I'd
love to read more.

Title: The Blessing of the Waters · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Romance: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 61
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 22:55:31 Score: 5
Spoilers!
Last review for the year! And a very good tale to end this wondrous
year of stories with.

I have not paid much attention to Celeborn - until of late - when he
entered my thoughts and demanded some time away from the Men of Gondor.

I loved this tale - one of love between two whose lives and lineage
span the lifetime of Arda and perhaps before (not really to 'up' on
the First Age)....

I loved the theme of the water that flowed through it... and the
moment that was savored. I found it very uplifting to think that
Celeborn could be thankful at such a moment.

Nicely written.

Title: Leaving Home · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Men: Steward's
Family · ID: 39
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2008-11-30 22:59:38 Score: 3
This was not what I expected from the summary, but nevertheless very
enjoyable read. 'Distinguished visitors'. Ha, no wonder Elboron is
confused. These two won't fit anything he knows about adults and
important people. I loved the ending which revealed the reason that
Eowyn gave Elboron leave for his big adventure.

Title: Hammer · Author: Aranel Took · Races: Dwarves: Drabbles · ID: 468
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 22:59:53 Score: 1
Spoilers!
Absolutely hysterical. A 'new' pick-up line!

Title: MAGIC: The Password · Author: Fiondil · Genres: Humor: Elven
Lands · ID: 451
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 23:01:29 Score: 9
Spoilers!
Every so often, someone manages to fit modern technology into
Middle-earth in surreally hysterical fashion, and one is left wishing
one did not have a roommate trying to write a term paper five steps
away, because then it would be possible to laugh appropriately instead
of simply biting one's tongue.

The language of the messages is one part polite formalism, one
absolutely mundane question that just screams "Here we go again..."
and "Bite your tongue or I'll step on it if you mention the fact that
we're going through this *again*". It works perfectly. The nostalgic
reflections on magic keys and ignoring the sage advice of certain
wizards, as well as Thranduil's list of things he can remember
(apparently even in Middle-earth, remembering your anniversary is a
feat) just build the sense of anticipation until you're ready to
burst. Radagast's opening response and Thranduil's much aggrieved
response are classic.

Throughout it, his Queen maintains that serene calmness that allows
her to play the deadpan foil to her husband's frustrated outbursts.
The toilet line was particularly priceless.

Highly recommended!

Title: Call of the Wild · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Romance:
Drabbles · ID: 94
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2008-11-30 23:03:48 Score: 3
Spoilers!
Here is such a wonderfully charged moment of first meeting. The reader
is propelled into that room as a witness to that initial eye to eye
contact that crackles with sexual attraction. I love the phrases used
[He is a man made for leather, not silk] and also [...glory calls us
in the echo of a faraway battle-horn.] This last sentance is such a
perfect evocation or Morwen Steelsheen's character. I loved it.


Title: My Sword Weeps · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Boromir or Faramir · ID: 316
Reviewer: Linaewen · 2008-11-30 23:07:09 Score: 10
This is such an amazing tale, it really does make me weep – not simply
because it has its moments of sorrow, but also because it is so
beautifully and gloriously epic! That kind of tale makes me cry every
time. What is amazing about this story in particular, is that it is so
familiar in many ways, and yet also very much new and unexpected. The
characters are ones the reader knows well, and through this tale the
reader gets to know these familiar characters even better and more
fully and deeply. But the reader soon discovers that these inhabitants
of Middle-earth are dealing with different situations, different
conflicts, different sorrows than the ones a reader of Tolkien has
grown accustomed to. That is what makes this story so appealing and
fresh; it is most definitely a brand new tale involving our favorite
people, coping with new adventures and new friendships, even while
dealing with the same enemies.

There are new, original characters in this tale, as well, and they are
marvelous! Each one is very true to the spirit and style of Tolkien
himself, and it always surprises me to not find them within the pages
of Tolkien's works.

I love the ending of this story especially. The previous tale in this
series ended with a shocking death and an intolerable loss – but the
poignant and touching way this sequel ends consoles me in that loss.
It is beautifully written and fittingly brings me to weeping, because
it is so lovely!

The entire story is one of adventure and suspense, of loss and of
salvation, and it is definitely a tale to be read more than once and
savored.


Title: Fatherhood · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Drabbles · ID: 547
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2008-11-30 23:09:47 Score: 5
Spoilers!
This is perhaps a unique moment, in fact I am sure I have never read
this scene before in fandom. The Prince of Dol Amroth rings very true
in his characterization, a loving father concerned for his daughter's
future - but also a statesman, prepared to consider what will be the
best thing for his country. Here in a wonderful feat of pragmatism,
both possible outcomes are considered and a very possible solution found.

It is a beautifully realised drabble that while being original and
complete in itself, also encourages the reader to think about the
possible machinations that did go on in Middle-earth when the subject
of marriage arose.

Title: Seven Sisters · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Other Beings · ID: 388
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 23:11:53 Score: 2
Spoilers!
Wow - macabre tale of a wish answered. Not one would truly wish for -
just one wished in the midst of anger. Thankfully, the wish, though
seemed to be fulfilled, was not.

Well written.

Title: Star's End · Author: Keiliss · Races: Elves: House of Elrond ·
ID: 283
Reviewer: red lasbelin · 2008-11-30 23:13:19 Score: 10
This is an absolutely incredible story that flows from start to finish
in a natural, powerful (but not overwhelming, or unsubtle), haunting
way. I've never totally connected with either character, Arwen or
Maglor, but in this, it doesn't matter. The storytelling is so well
done and the characters are vivid, complete as a painting, you will
connect with them.

Maglor is who he is, not making excuses or being defensive, and he
brings a wisdom and surprising comfort to Arwen's journey. Arwen is
beautiful and graceful, the incarnation of Luthien it is said, and
with this version I believed. Still there's an aching sorrow,
underneath her grace, something underlined for me very strongly when
she talks about no longer hearing the voice of the trees.

The description of Lorien is stunning, fading into the forest,
returning to a natural state as it was before the Elves came. It's an
unsaid illusion to Arwen's own end, a mortal one - dust to dust. A
frightening one, entirely unknown, in many respects unnatural for her
race.

Two very unlikely traveling companions and a journey, an end of a
journey for one. Never forced or too melodramatic, Keiliss is a
storyteller first, and a writer second. They never are just words.

Title: Journey's End · Author: Ignoble Bard · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 234
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2008-11-30 23:13:46 Score: 3
Spoilers!
This drabble describes the moment of reunion in just a few words, but
there is a wealth of emotion in it. This is the culmination of all
Aragorn and Arwen worked for. Finally, they are together without any
care in the world.

Title: Duty, Honour, Country · Author: Rhapsody · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 81
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-11-30 23:14:13 Score: 10
Spoilers!
I liked the quote above the story.

This was a very thoughtful introspective on what it must have been
like to know what things look like from the outside to people who find
it all too easy to get lost in the detail of high drama, of oaths and
rebellion and blood on swords. Too easy to overlook things like
natural decency and a desire to always do the right and honourable
thing, to risk all for those who look to one for aid and protection.

I have always assumed that Feanor's sons followed their father from
love and from a sense of family bonds, of standing together, and
respect for their parent. I think we bring what we know to what we
read, and I live in Africa and am exposed to traditions that insist
that even adult children should never dispute a father's decisions but
instead support him in whatever he chooses to do, not blindly but out
of love and respect, so – [honour and duty] make sense to me.

The final piece though, I really loved. No Maglor dolefully wandering
the shores of a world that knows him not, endlessly lamenting his
mistakes, but one who has made what he can of what life has offered
him and still watches and guards against any return of darkness. I
liked this concept very much, and want to go away and think more about it.


Title: Dead Steward's Gift · Author: stefaniab · Genres: Mystery · ID: 572
Reviewer: Inkling · 2008-11-30 23:14:55 Score: 5
Spoilers!
A ripping good tale of suspense and mystery--or, depending on whom you
listen to, an adventure populated by mice, rats, and a first-rate
whisker cleaner. Faramir makes a fine Holmes, with his black cat Cirri
as a tension-breaking Watson. And casting Denethor as a neat freak not
only ties up the plot's loose ends but seems oddly in character for
the stern Steward. Moody, atmospheric details set the stage
beautifully for this almost-ghost story, and the visions of the
Palantir are well worth the wait: exhilarating and magical. Well done,
Steff!



Title: Dorwinion Wine · Author: Lindelea · Races: Cross-Cultural · ID: 663
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 23:15:28 Score: 2
Spoilers!
It was delightful to see Bilbo through the eyes of an Elven
minstrel.It seems that even Elves get rather the worst for wear
sometimes!A charming story.