Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Light of the Westering Sun � Author: Dawn Felagund � Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlets � ID: 126
Reviewer: Keiliss � 2008-11-30 23:55:10 Score: 10
Spoilers!
I left several stories till the end, assuming that as I had read them
before it would be a simple matter to skim over them and review them
adequately, which was of course one of many errors I've made in my
reviewing patterns.

I am particularly sorry this has meant that I will give this piece far
less than its due. Here we have snippets from Haleth's life, little
snapshots of moments, thoughts, experiences, that chart who she is and
where her heart lies, and the wisdom that love and her own innate
common sense have taught her. She knew a love that could never really
have its time, but which still at least in part defines her. Strange
how a line can catch your attention and tell you all you need to know
- she is thinking of him and remembers him [eating with his right hand
or his left, depending on his mood] and later recalls the way he moves
in sleep, in dreams, and it takes love's eye to note and be able to
bring back those tiny details about someone. And I understood the
significance of her awareness that they felt the same sun shine on
them both - I have experienced that before, it has its own
bitter-sweet joy.

The final part, part Vl, really spoke to me. I thought standing alone
it would still tell me an immense amount about Haleth. She looked back
yes. And the old woman did not try and stop her. And that in itself is
a great lesson in wisdom - we all have to make our own mistakes,
experience our own joy. Which tied it back to the beginning, and to
her refusal to stand in judgment of another young heart.

Very, very beautiful reading. I wish I had done this early so that my
review could do it justice.

Title: Sun � Author: Claudia � Races: Cross-Cultural: Frodo and
Faramir � ID: 223
Reviewer: Antane � 2008-11-30 23:55:15 Score: 4
Spoilers!
I love Frodo and Faramir reunion stories and this one is sweet, for
these two are kindred spirits, Faramir being a hobbit in a man's skin.
And I love his words about seeing the sun. Frodo sees ruin and the
present, but Faramir sees beyond that, into the future, as I think he
always did, looking forward to the return of the king that has now
come. In some ways, he could be named Hope Unquenchable too. I love him.

Title: What Goes Up � Author: Dana � Times: Late Third Age: Gondor
Drabbles � ID: 683
Reviewer: Elleth � 2008-11-30 23:55:54 Score: 3
Spoilers!
I was unsure what to expect from this when reading the title, but it
didn't fail to delight. Very fittingly hobbitish in voice, you sketch
a 'cute' picture of Pippin lighting the first of the beacons of Gondor
(I think) - it made me smile, thank you.

Title: Courage � Author: annmarwalk � Genres: Humor: Gondor � ID: 41
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion � 2008-11-30 23:55:55 Score: 4
Spoilers!
Anybody who has encountered an oyster for the first time will
recognise this reaction with a wry smile - how can anybody want to eat
THAT? But just as anybody who has eaten fresh oysters will tell you
thay are the very essence of the sea. They taste how the ocean smells
and once eaten are never forgotten - like numerous other 'first times'
they leave a deep impression! Which is something the author has
captured with wit and humour while remaining very close to the canon
characterizations of all concerned.

Title: In the Van � Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) � Genres: Humor �
ID: 72
Reviewer: Linaewen � 2008-11-30 23:56:31 Score: 4
Spoilers!
Oh, this is a glorious tale! I can hardly type this review for
laughing! This was such fun, partly because it so very much like a
typical car trip with children, and partly because it is our favorite
characters who are the ones bickering and fighting. I'm particularly
fond of Boromir's insistence that he is highly trained in
orienteering, hehe!

Thanks so much for this fun look at what it might have been like to
travel with these guys!

Title: Riding the Waves � Author: Claudia � Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond � ID: 211
Reviewer: Antane � 2008-11-30 23:56:53 Score: 2
Oh, how nice to see him filled with joy and laughing! Healed at last!
Especially wonderful that he would be so filled on the 6th too! Thank
you for this!

Title: Maglor's Harp � Author: Ford of Bruinen � Genres: Horror � ID: 660
Reviewer: pandemonium_213 � 2008-11-30 23:56:56 Score: 5
This is a marvelously macabre story! This was an first attempt at a
horror story on Ford of Bruinen's part, and she surely pulled it off.
I'm something a horror aficionado (reading it anyway; I'm not
necessarily adept at writing it), and she did a masterful job in
creating a dark, gruesome tale and a truly mad Maglor. Her use of
details, e.g., dead crabs and mussels as his audience - eeesh - and
Maglor's obseesive search for better and increasingly gruesome
materials for the instrument, builds the tension very well and quite
horrifically, illustrating the depths of Maglor's insanity. A dark yet
oddly refreshing and *different* look at Maglor wandering along the
seashore!

Title: If You Could See What I Hear � Author: Cathleen � Times: Mid
Third Age: Eriador � ID: 614
Reviewer: Meghann � 2008-11-30 23:57:18 Score: 10
Spoilers!
I think this highly entertaining story is one of Cathleen's best! It
is a tale filled with faeries set in a mystical realm which wee Pippin
finds when he becomes lost in the woods near his family's farm at
Whitwell. He's travelling with his new friend, a knitted piglet named
Tulip, who shows up for the very first time in this story. Tulip was
made by Pip's hmoter and she always sounds just like Pippin's mother
for some odd reason and does her best to keep the lad out of trouble.
Early on in their adventure she falls in the stream and this sets Pip
on the run to find her! Naturally, they have now gone too far to find
their way out, and yet Pippin doesn't seemed worried because he's far
too involved investigating his new surroundings rather than be
concerned or afraid. Even spending the night in a tree doesn't phase
him, but Tulip is another story. She keeps on being the voice that
guides him and he usually listens to her. Yet, there are those times
he doesn't and they usually lead him into greater mischief. Pippin and
Tulip find themselves in the land of the faeries, a really fascinating
place to be. Unconcerned about how long he's been there, Pippin is
fascinated by everyone he meets.

Back at the Took farm his family is searching for him, and becoming
more afraid as the hours stretch on. Pippin's da sends for the
shirriff and then finally searches in the woods, along with others,
and he, too, is drawn into a magical world where he learns a lot about
his family's past and is shown the mystery of the Took faerie who
supposedly married one of his ancestors. Paladin is amazed to find out
the legend is the truth, but he never finds out the name of the hobbit
who married the faerie. Cathleen used so many of the old Celtic myths
about faeries in this story that it gives it an authentic feel and a
glimpse into what is called the Otherworld. Pippin and Paladin each
come away with feelings of awe, and yet it seems Pippin doesn't
remember a thing by the next day, much to his father's relief! And
Paladin doesn't tell his wife everything he saw, either, but instead
keeps it to himself. The story has a little bit of a surprise ending
which takes place many years in the future.

Cathleen's delightful descriptions of the Took family interactions
always bring her stories to life for me. I can almost hear the voices
of Paladin, Eglantine, and Pippin and his sisters as I read her words.
And she deftly intertwines this down-to-earth family with more
fanciful elements to create an intriguing story. I was sad at the
ending of each chapter and waited impatiently for the next installment
to find out more of what was happening. Cathleen frequently surprised
me but all the surprised were very pleasant ones.

I hope other people like it as much as I did!

Title: Love at First Sight � Author: Gwynnyd � Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets � ID: 432
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon � 2008-11-30 23:57:20 Score: 3
A brilliant short story that pierces the heart with its foreshadowing,
which is delicately and subtly done, of the eventual undoing of this
new-made family. And the last bit is just so perfect, and sad in light
of what will happen one day.

Title: Of Cake and Crumbs and Distant Dreams � Author: Lindelea �
Races: Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort � ID: 688
Reviewer: agape4gondor � 2008-11-30 23:57:31 Score: 3
Spoilers!
I simply loved this little tale. I have a wee grandbaby and love to
sit with her upon my lap and weave little stories for her.

What a wondrous thing to have a cousin like Frodo. I'm very glad he
was able to give a bit of comfort to the youngest of their Fellowship.

Title: Gone Amiss � Author: Raksha the Demon � Genres: Drama: Ring War
Drabbles � ID: 44
Reviewer: Elleth � 2008-11-30 23:58:13 Score: 2
Spoilers!
Survivor's guilt, loss and fear at its finest, great writing, and a
touching show of emotion at Boromir's death. I liked this - as much as
you can like a deathfic like this.

Title: Of Cake and Crumbs and Distant Dreams � Author: Lindelea �
Races: Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort � ID: 688
Reviewer: Antane � 2008-11-30 23:59:24 Score: 3
Spoilers!
A sweet, loving tale of Frodo and Pippin after the Quest, behaving as
they've always done, even with all the changes, they can still be the
same loving cousins as before. I love the comfort given here by Frodo.
The ending is cute too.

Title: An Ordinary Woman � Author: Dawn Felagund � Times: First Age
and Prior: House of Finwe � ID: 32
Reviewer: Alquawende � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 5
This is an amazing and unique story about Luthien. Anyone who likes
Luthien's story will love this. Even those who don't should read this.
The story takes a much more realistic stance on Luthien's famed beauty
that is constantly repeated in The Silmarillion. The characters are
fleshed out and believable. After reading this, it has definitely
changed my view on the character of Luthien because before I always
thought of her as the perfect woman, known to us as the dreaded Mary
Sue. I don't like to read fanfics on her, but this one has become a
favorite of mine.

Title: When Trouble Came � Author: Lily � Races: Hobbits � ID: 109
Reviewer: SlightlyTookish � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 4
This is a fascinating look at the Brandybucks during the time that the
Travellers were away, beginning with the ruffians' invasion of
Buckland. The story starts off very powerfully and with vivid
descriptions of the characters' plights. I especially like her
depiction of Merimac's relationships with his wife and children. I'm
very much looking forward to seeing how this story will conclude!

Title: The Great Hobbiton Race of 1435 � Author: Llinos � � ID: 65
Reviewer: grey_wonderer � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 9
This is a story by one of my favorite authors. Every word of this,
including the chapter titles which are so spot on and so very amusing,
is pure entertainment! Of all of the stories that I have read this
year, this was the most hobbity. The story is filled with humor and
action and adventure and the details that the author includes make it
impossible not to see the story in your mind as it unfolds. The
dialogue is absolutely priceless! There isn't a false moment in this
and with each new chapter you find yourself hurrying on to the next
one because each chapter brings yet another cliff hanger! The author
has cleverly connected the events so that the suspense and the humor
build as you read. Merry and Pippin and Sam are at the center of
events but many of the Shire's other residents get in on the doings.
The story surprises and delights at every turn. Merry and Pippin are
hysterically amusing and Sam Gamgee is very determined and very
patient in spite of events that would send some running for cover. I
laughed out loud as I read this. This is humor at its best and in the
hands of this particular author Tolkien's hobbits always stay in
character.

Title: A New Light � Author: Marigold � � ID: 67
Reviewer: grey_wonderer � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 3
This is a beautifully written poem which the author admits, is her
first attempt at writing a poem. I think she should do this more
often. I have always enjoyed her stories and I am now a fan of her poetry.

Title: Theater of Confusion � Author: Nancy Brooke � Genres: Humor �
ID: 177
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 3
Nicely done twist on the end of this one. The descriptions of the
first paragraph pull you into Boromir's confusion and the last
sentence offers perfect satisfaction in knowing why.

Title: In Passing � Author: Altariel � Races: Men � ID: 104
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 3
I felt the age of Faramir in reading this, but also his wisdom. I felt
the youth of the boy and also his respect. I liked the use of the
chess pieces, how they felt familiar to us Earthlings but also
different to fit the world Tolkien created. I liked how Faramir
thought of the future without sadness and the past without regret.
Well done, Altariel!

Title: Wizards' Pupils � Author: Altariel � Races: Men: Minas Tirith �
ID: 108
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 4
Spoilers!
Brilliance and wisdom. In a fanfic. Some just don't think it's
possible but there it is, as I have always known it could be. Altariel
here has a story within a story, a nice twist to show that at the end.
But better still is the wisdom passed from father (who had to learn
wisdom apart from his father) to his son (who has such a good and wise
father to learn from). Ah, if we in our politics could disagree
honestly and without hatred and ugliness, to be able to hear other
views to understand why we don't hold them.

Title: In Dark Places � Author: peredhil lover � � ID: 324
Reviewer: Calenlass Greenleaf � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 2
Though there's only a prologue, the story holds much promise. Peredhil
Lover's work has always impressed me.

Title: Eagle of the Star � Author: Neoinean � Genres: Adventure:
Incomplete � ID: 327
Reviewer: Calenlass Greenleaf � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 2
One of the best stories about Aragorn's time as Thorongil. Be warned
that it's a WIP. The language, the plot, the dialogue, the
descriptions--everything was beautiful.

Title: The Mariner's Son � Author: cairistiona � Genres: Adventure �
ID: 329
Reviewer: Amarok � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 10
Spoilers!
That is really a great story, with action, tension and heroism � and
humour. And it is all written in such a beautiful language.

Oh, how Aragorn almost despairs, but then decides to fight until the
end. Or the water surrounding him, but still he is thirsty and can not
drink the sea water. Each time I thought it could not get worse it did
- that was done great. And of course I loved the angsty scenes while
Aragorn almost drowned. While he hung on that small ledge, I hung on
tightly to the arms of my chair to not jump around in tension and
unseat the laptop :-).

I also loved the element of memory loss. I would have wanted to see
more of that, but I can always hope that you'll commit a story to it
in future, can't I? ;-)

And your playing around with his many names was enjoyable, as always.
And the Mariner's and Aragorn's talk about his age made me laugh as well.

Really great was the ending. Our hero Aragorn choose to not fight for
his ring, instead he used his knowledge of the human soul and mind
(even a slightly sick mind) - and he succeeded, and got his ring and
sword back. I think as future king he'll need that kind of knowledge,
and I'd love to learn how he developed it. Has Elrond taught him? Or
has he learned this during his ranger years? Or while out alone in the
wild, observing the animals? You see, you need to write much more :-).

So, I can only repeat: I loved this story. Well done!




Title: Shelter From the Storm � Author: SlightlyTookish � Races:
Cross-Cultural: Friendship � ID: 315
Reviewer: Lily � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 3
A very charming story that shows well Boromir's other side - not
possessed by the Ring. Slightlytookish portraits Boromir as very
concerned about the hobbits' well being while the hobbits, in turn,
admire him for his strength and his knowledge as a warrior.

Title: Of First Impressions and Old Friends � Author: Dreamflower �
Races: Cross-Cultural: Frodo and Faramir � ID: 146
Reviewer: Violin Ghost � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 3
That was a fresh, lovely tale of Faramir's and Gandalf's first
meeting. It was perfect, Gandalf repeating his own words once
addressed to Bilbo! It was a nice reflection on Frodo's part about
Faramir, and Faramir's quiet resistence of temptation, as well.

Title: Moon Over Water � Author: Avon � Genres: Drama: Final Partings
� ID: 518
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion � 2008-12-01 00:00:00 Score: 5
This story is utterly enchanting - there is no other word to describe
it. The tradition of a special event that can only take place on one
night in the year, the wonderfully described ethereal procession, and
the way Faramir's view point changes as he matures is beautifully
rendered.

And the last mystical image of Boromir, taken to the West by a
queen... is both fabulous as an image from Middle-earth, and as an
extrapolation of Tolkien's drawing on the old legends that constructed
his legendarium... and wonderfully Arthurian in its own right. The
tale is lyrical, mystical and flows with all the fluid grace of that
moonlit river.