Reviews by NancyBrooke

The Shield-maid's Dance of Death · Thu Jul 21, 2005 9:03 am

You should get points, Marta, if only for use of the word "dwimmerlaik" in a poem! But this is excellent work. First, mechanically, your meter is perfect without a single false step, and its simplicity familiarity are nicely undercut by the complexity of the content. As for that - I think every verse turns on itself in a wonderfully surprising way - first Eowyn thinking about herself, sounding somewhat doubtful, then extending her feelings to the Witch King, and then finding her nerve. Great stuff. I might almost think this something a minstrel had composed after the fact except that this so perfectly catches Eowyn's inner spirit - the blade will drink, losing her honor etc. Great work, Marta.

Addenda: I read your notes after reviewing; I don't know the other so this does work perfectly well on its own.

Learning Letters · Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:47 pm

This was very interesting; I really enjoyed your portrayal of Denthor, Faramir and their relationship, and any discussion of them and the palantir will always get my interest ... but the little girl, although charming, seemed misplaced. Her presence raised too many questions for me to read comfortably: who is she? how did she get there? does her mother work in the Citadel? Wouldn't it be difficult to access the private areas? How did she lose her father? etc.

Storms over Rohan · Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:03 am

Very nice! This is a nice little vignette made very big by your descriptions. You built the imagery very well. This was a wonderfully atmospheric and, despite it's length, said a lot about Eomer, and that's what drabbles should do - be greater than the sum of their words.

Corner Confusion · Mon Jul 11, 2005 7:23 pm

Well done, smooth and complete. I'm afraid I'm not acquainted with our 'hero,' though ...

Walls With Ears · Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:10 am

It's a cute idea; I always like seeing our hero/ine's act like us normal folk. But I think you're right ... it's a tad rushed. It is perhaps the hardest thing to cram a story into 100 words without making it seem crammed.

Addendum: Much better! I think this now feels much less pieced together, and flows well. I liked that you added the character of the lady ... gave it interesting depth.

Take the Little Ones · Thu Jul 07, 2005 3:17 pm

The subtext of this story is about imagination, empathy, and understanding. I do not know the backstory, but through your words I'm able to feel it even as these elflings are.

The Other Day... · Thu Jul 07, 2005 3:03 pm

This is a wonderful story, told in a simple and liesurely (to a non-ent, at any ratea) tone that's most appropriate. Your language was lyrical enough to carry the reader forward, but not so much to sound awkward or false. Hard to tell a tale of years in so few words.

Comparison -- revised · Thu Jun 30, 2005 2:16 pm

I don't know Vil ... (back-handed compliment) this is the first one of your stories that sounds a little unlikely to me. I have trouble imagining he'd think of his own country this way and use the word "inferior" to describe it. It is an interesting cultural comparison, though; I just have trouble hearing proud Eomer as the speaker.

Revised: Nicely done! and much more in keeping, I think.

"Uh-Oh" · Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:26 pm

Very cute.

About a Ranger · Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:24 pm

Excellent! It's hard, sometimes, to see our favorites through someone else's but you have done a great job, here. Very true to both characters, I think.

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Reviews by NancyBrooke