Reviews by Viv

A Great Cause for Concern · Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:03 pm

From the MEFA review:

I think you really outdid yourself on this one, Miz Alassante. I especially dug how Galadriel poofed up Aule’s ego in her little speech (something along the lines of “You sure did a good job making those dwarves, didn’t you now, Aule-boy?”). I hear those Valar types cannot resist such stuff (walkin talkin egos, all). And Gimli himself: How adorable is his enduring Galadriel-worship? Awwww! And it was also amusing to think of Gandalf being rapped on the knuckles for bring the ringbearers over the waters (even though that scene was off stage, so to speak). But what really makes this a gem of a piece instead of just amusing fluff is that last bit, the bit in Legolas’s head, where he says basically that he would have gone back to Middle-earth with Gimli if the Valar had not allowed the dwarf to crash their little paradise garden party. That’s true friendship right there, and in those few words Legolas shows what it means to be “dwarf-friend.” (Good example of “show not tell” writing, by the way!) I love Legolas/Gimli friendship pieces in general, but so many of them get bogged down either in movieverse nonsense or in stilted pseudo-Tolkienstyle. You’ve avoided both traps here and offered up a really nice little ficlet. Now excuse me: I gotta go hug me a dwarf.

Out, Damn'd Spot! Out, I Say! · Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:02 pm

From the MEFA review:

Several things stand out in this short piece (but quite a lot of things packed into one little drabble). One is Maedhros's clear leadership ability, which makes his later denial of his kingship even more tragic, even though it was the diplomatic thing to do. Already, in this story, you can see that he is better than Feanor at gaining the confidence and trust of those he's leading. Also, you can see here the intense *feeling* of Celebrimbor. All that he did with the Gwaith-i-Mírdain later on is foreshadowed by his guilt and obsessive compulsion here. Also, you depict Feanor as a punk, which is exactly how I've always seen him, so I dig it. Great job at conveying all these subtexts, and especially in such a cramped word-count. This is what drabbles are all about, as far as I'm concerned.

Litha · Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:55 pm

LOL. Well, I certainly didn't expect that last line! I mean, here it was going, all hot and heavy and earthy and rough (we likes it, yes, precious) and then .... yellow. Usually a gal doesn't like being knocked out of a good smut read, but in this case I'll forgive you, because it was very funny. But back to the main event, yeah? Smile smiley face

The Switch · Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:50 am

Only one chapter?! Argh. Smile smiley face

I am very interested in the premise and looking forward to updates.

Wife of the Thain: Old Tales of the Shire · Fri May 30, 2008 4:50 pm

Ooh, more! Is she really fae, as the quote implies, or just another elf? Wink smiley face

I love the poetic voice of your Took. No wonder his descendants are rather more adventure-minded than the average hobbit.

The Finder · Wed May 28, 2008 1:13 pm

She certainly is persistent, isn't she? I like her. I want to know more about her. And this: "unalloyed tranquility" .. How utterly elven. Similarly "great age and complete innocence." I'm so glad you've updated. I was waitin' on this one. Smile smiley face

Twenty-nine White Horses · Tue May 27, 2008 4:26 pm

What a Daddy Thranduil is in this piece. I just wanna hug the hoohah outta him. So many writers characterize him as a bad father, so I appreciate this take on him. And am very glad that the pretty pretty prince of the wood wasn't permanently gap-toothed!

Kementari · Fri May 16, 2008 2:57 am

Were the Ents already in decline back then, before Dwarves even woke? That makes me sad. But then, I thnk this piece was supposed to make me a little gloomy, eh? Good job, then! I think you have captured a Vala's mind here, which is no mean feat. At once she's powerful and aware of her power, and at the same time she wastes time lamenting what was or could have been. Someone of a more hasty race wouldn't spend her time thus, which of course, reminds me again of her link to the Ents. Nice piece of writing here.

Sliver Blossoms Blown · Sat May 10, 2008 10:38 pm

Fascinating take on the Valar as parents and elves as naughty children. (Well, some extreme depths of naughtiness, maybe.) It's odd to think of an ageless creature anticipating anything, and frankly it's hard to believe when most people write the Vala perspective. But you've managed to make Varda both outside time and expectant, even giddy in a looming godlike way. Nice piece of writing.

The Dwarves Treasure · Sat May 10, 2008 10:33 pm

Chapter 6 is beautiful. You really have a gift for writing dwarves. I love the conversations with Gimli and the hobbit storytelling session. But that last little bit, the internal thoughts of Duron, made me worry my bottom lip a little. Poor Duron! I can see bad things happening to him, on down the road, and I just want to beg for his happiness. He's a real gem, as much a treasure as Mireth.

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Reviews by Viv