Reviews by Viv

Playing Field · Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:56 pm

So, all these months when I've been reading about your updates and rewrites on a Lothiriel fic, I've somehow had in my brain that it was posted at ff.net or HASA. I don't read at either of those places, so I kind of put that information in the back of my mind and went on about life. Then, a couple weeks ago, I developed an itch for Eomer (I blame it on Alassante and Karl Urban) and posted a thread in the Forum here on OSA, to wit: recommend me some Eomer smut, NOW! Your fic was an overwhelming rec, from several people. When I saw the title I thought, holy shit! That's dragonlady, *the* dragonlady. I didn't know you were here on OSA!

So that's how I got here. And now that I'm here... First and foremost, I just want to shower you with some mad praises. Your original-fiction prowess is clear in this piece. POV is as elegant as I've *ever* seen it in fic; it slides back and forth seamlessly, never jerking, always coaxing. Remember what I said about you having a paying career as a fiction writer? I'll just repeat that now.

Lothiriel!strumpet is delicious! And she don't waste any time either, giving him a peek at the goods right off. Also, I dig your Arwen: not a simpering maiden whose only characteristic is being really really good-looking, but a matchmaking wise-ass who doesn't-know-doesn't-care how old humans are. Yes!

"I think he's a virgin or as near to as no matter" ... how does she know? Is this like gaydar for women on the prowl? Have I missed an important skill? It works for her, of course, but wow, I wanna be like Lothiriel when I grow up. Smile smiley face

"You can't eat sparrows" ... I love the several scenes focusing on this line (which is a kick-ass line, even if it hadn't spawned the delightful series of misinterpretations).

"But she breaks hearts like you kill Orcs, Eomer-- sizes them up from a distance and then rides right in and destroys each one in the most efficient manner, utilizing a combination of skill and brute strength to suit" ... Wow, a one-sentence characterization of a character, and through a metaphor that Eomer would surely understand. Hell, I think *I'm* in love with this chick.

Deep discussion about Theodred took me a little by surprise (and maybe Lothiriel, too), but it was strong stuff, compelling. I'd never thought of Theodred like that before; you've given him a due here that Tolkien didn't bother with. Thank you.

I need to know some of those "depraved things I've heard the Gondorians do." Yes, precious.

The ending for Chapter 4: NOT FAIR. (I mean, for the readers.)

"I slaughtered him" ... Okay, the little-death terminology was charming, but this line was *adorable*. I felt like cheering or something.

Bring on the DVD extras.

And take a bow. This is gorgeous.

Part Two - The Taking of Vanelossë · Sun Feb 06, 2005 9:02 pm

Reading this is like going multiple rounds with a prizefighter. I'm exhausted, depleted, horrified. And all of those reactions are, because of the subject matter of the story, good. Fight back, little one. And kick ass, Legolas.

La Belle Dame Sans Merci · Thu Feb 03, 2005 11:38 pm

Ooooh. She's one creepy goddess! I love what you're doing with her, taking her a little bit out of Sauron's control, giving her a separate history. A separate ambition? This fic is utterly unique, and captivating.

Stranger · Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:33 pm

How gut-wrenching! That certainly would explain why he moved down to Ithilien after the war, huh? You've packed a lot into those 100 words. Lovely.

Meet the Cast · Tue Feb 01, 2005 5:24 pm

The story is interesting so far; you've used the first chapter to set up your two female protagonists nicely. Their younger, airy narrative voices come across very clearly. Characterisations of the parents and the other girls in the friendship group are spotty, but I suspect that these fringe characters won't be big players in later scenes, so I'm not too worried about it. I am a little concerned with the plot itself. You do know that actor-based fic is not allowed on this archive, right? It just seems that's where this story is headed. If it is, there's a very spiffy archive called man.in.the.mirror (www.bloomingfanfic.net) that hosts fictions based on the LoTR actors.

Interrupted Journeys: Part Three--Journeys Begin · Sat Jan 29, 2005 10:38 pm

Thanks for the peek inside Thranduil's head. I thought his memories of Menegroth and what happened there were very stark, highlighted by the lush beauty of his garden. I suppose his current under-mountain halls remind him a lot of the Menegroth. How bittersweet. Legolas as a child was charming, especially "Sarcasm is not becoming, ada." lol

And in the Darkness Bind Them: Vol I · Sat Jan 29, 2005 9:11 pm

Some of your word choices are positively poetic: "A lichen-skinned brook popped and squelched beneath a white stone bridge" indeed. You don't need a whole lot of description when each nugget is as evocative as that (from Chapter Cool smiley face

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And in the Darkness Bind Them: Vol I · Sat Jan 29, 2005 8:11 pm

"Its awkward angles and haphazard walls seemed to trick the eye into seeing movement around its eaves and balustrades." ... Ooooh. Kind of reminds me of Hogwarts. Just a really evil Hogwarts. In fact this whole story has very much a "Bad-Harry" feel to it. I like!

And in the Darkness Bind Them: Vol I · Sat Jan 29, 2005 7:56 pm

Okay, just finished the childhood chapter, and I feel, rather strongly, like slapping Ilmarnië around some. What a witch! Maybe the kiddo is a psychopath because his mama was such a ho. No, it's not like I think Marillion is cuddly or anything (killing birdies!), but he might have had a chance! You mentioned that when he was a toddler he was fine, before he got a whiff of Mama's bullsh... anyway. Compelling characters. Smile smiley face

Am reading on...

The Bond · Sat Jan 29, 2005 6:43 pm

Okay this review is going to seem a little disjounted. I kept notes through several chapters, jotting down things that were particularly lovely. "To Eliwen she seemed to be made of gold and snow." ... fantastic one-line description of Eowyn (from ch. 12). I thought Eliwen's reaction to mass death was spot-on. She wouldn't remember the battles of the elder days (I'm guessing that she's of an age with the other kiddos of Elrond), so this would probably be her first experience with full-scale battle. She handled herself very well. And, of course, the, er, bond-deepening scene was most gratifying. And then, lordy hell, it went on into the following morning. Elves at play: gah. Onward... the call of Mandos was haunting, inevitable, dark. In short, exactly what it should have been. And how beautiful that Thranduil's wife should meet her there. "Elladan's voice was cold and full of restrained anger" ... mmmm, *that's* the Sons of Elrond: dark and beautiful and lethal. So yummy. Usually I'm distracted by inserted Sindarin bits, but I thought you handled these nicely. They didn't detract from the story, but made Eliwen's and Legolas's parting seem more solemn. Plus I learned something new... who knew there was good Sindarin for "Go kiss an orc." Wink smiley face

I'm up to ch. 16 (heartbreaking reunion! poor Legolas) and still reading. This is lovely stuff.

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Reviews by Viv