phyncke | Entries tagged with review

You must read this story:

http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewstory.php?sid=373

The Night the Sea Came In
by

keiliss

an epic tale of music and disaster (in that order). Exquisitely written by Keiliss for the Slashy Valentine Fiction Swap. I tell you, this story is so interesting in that it tells what happens when the Valar reshape the world at the end of the War of Wrath. Richly described and so well done that you feel like you are there. Very intense, some humour.
Pairings: Gil Galad/Lindir and Erestor/Gildor - Silmarillion/Lord of the Rings Fandom

( Here is my review of the fic...MILD SPOILERS )

by thalassa_ipx

Current Mood: ecstatic
Current Location: Home

My Slashy Valentine review:

"I would like to thank you for this wonderful story. Much like the flower for which it is named, this story is like a flower, each part of which is a lovely petal that makes this story full and beautiful. I love how the narrative moves from the present situation with Tuor to the past recollections of both Glorfindel and Turgon. Through these well described memories, the reader learns their shared experiences, how they met, the tragedy that drew them together and of the slow evolution of their love.

Gondolin itself is richly described in all its aspects from its glory at the height, to how it was built and we are left with an image of it in the evening, shimmering at peace, in lantern light with the sound of water in the background.

I found the part where Glorfindel explains his view of loyalty especially moving. It really added a wrinkle to my view of his character and was a dimension that added to his portrayal here. We also get inside the mind of Turgon...through his memory, his anxiety, his tragedy and his dilemma faced at the presence of Tuor. All well drawn and we see him through Glorfindel's eyes as he decides to stay in his precious city...

Past, present and future all combine in this richly woven story -- there is a glimmer of foreshadowing for, the present doom for the city and a well told history of events which transpired to get them there.

I really loved this story and found myself truly interested in the characters, their views, feelings and reactions.

Thank you so much. I will cherish this piece about Gondolin and it more than met my prompt."

Story Title: The Flower on The Plain
Author: Adlanth
http://slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewstory.php?sid=285

I tell you, the movie 2012 totally delivers on its promise of non-stop action and destruction. From the first sequence with pseudo-scientific plot device, all the way through to the end with the redemptive finale. I was riveted every step of the way. The thing is, so much is happening there that it was hard to see it all. My friends and I think we will go see it again for Thanksgiving.

I recommend it. Danny Glover as the President, works for me. I was not disappointed in the least. This totally delivered the goods. So yay!

We went out to the burger place before hand and split orders of: chile, cheese steak and buffalo wings and then still got the movie popcorn. Gads. Not a very good nutritional night for me but it was a total treat. :)

Yays!

by desa_arcadia

Current Mood: cheerful
Current Location: Home

I have been reading a few of the AiA stories and I thought I would post three of the reviews together in brief for each. I am a bit behind and need to catch up. So here we go, in whirlwind manner...

To Be Exact
by minuial nuwing
http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewstory.php?sid=128

This story had me giggling and laughing through out and it was a real bawdy tale. Two gorgeously described elves reunited and seriously attracted to each other. Throw some good gossip into the mix and great character writing and you have true entertainment here. I really loved this story and found that the attraction between the two here was magnetic. I also would like to note that the phrasing in this is crisp and interesting. Great!

Pathetic Tendencies
by dapperscavenger
http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewstory.php?sid=177

This was a story of mistaken impression, drunken nights and ultimately happy conclusions. I found that the real strength in this tale was that I could totally identify with the main characters and I was always on edge here and could no predict what the outcome was going to be. This story was written with wit and a clever mind to the detail. Really fun romp.

Brightness
by faelen
http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewstory.php?sid=162

I have been struggling since I read this one to find just the right way to review this story. I will fail miserably as this is so poetic and haunting a story as to leave a lasting imprint on my mind. It floats in structure and is written in such a way as to visually reflect the experience that it represents. This is an amazingly unique piece that made me sit and reflect for a long time when I finished it. Just beautiful. It will stay with me for a long time.

Well done all of these authors.

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Location: Heading off

I read this story as in bed and it did not disappoint. I went to sleep at a reasonable time and left myself time to read so no berating the author this time. :P Today I am reviewing...

Going Home
by fimbrethiel

This story is set at the end of the strife in Middle Earth and it shows us an established romance in a bit of difficulty. This is all about communication and further complicated by the fact that one of the pairings is the wandering sort and wanders for some amount of time. Talk about avoidance issues. :P We get into the insecurities of Gildor here and I found that really interesting being in his mind for a time, his self comparisons to Glorfindel and just worries. I never thought he would worry but it is well done here and very convincing that he would. I really liked the pairing here too and the backstory for them was interesting and well thought out.

I want to say a few words about the beginning of the story. The delightful description of nature and the setting of the scene. I felt like I could smell, hear and see what the author was showing me; really a feast for all the senses there and what I think writing is all about. I was drawn into Middle Earth with this writing and there is more of this throughout the tale.

We are ultimately satisfied in this story and that is just wonderful but we do go through a very real resolution with these characters. I found that very realistic and plausible. This story is well envisioned in scope and execution.

This tale is here:
http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewstory.php?sid=136

This story is not yet posted on the author's journal.

Current Mood: awake
Current Location: Workie work

The story I am reviewing today was one of the stories I read yesterday while doing laundry. I get a lot of reading done while I do my clothing. I can sit and concentrate for a few hours. :P Today I am reviewing...

Once Around the Sun
by tuxedo elf

I make no exaggeration when I say death permeates this fic but not the relationship of the characters that are the subject here, even though one of the pairing is Namo, the doomsman. This is an a-typical pairing but realized very well and I found this well crafted and a delight to read. The writing flows elegantly and the characters are strong, both main characters and the secondary OC's that make up the elvish landscape here. It is a full Imladris that the Vala is brought into and it is fully believable that Lindir's music would draw him there. I found that very poetic and melodic.

This story lightened my spirit which I found ironic given that the backdrop would be so heavy. I really enjoyed this one and it dealt with the issue of death in a way that was not angstful or melodramatic. Just really what was. This is a great read and an unusual story.

Well done.

This tale is here:
http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewstory.php?sid=151

It is not yet posted on the author's journal but will be soon.

Current Mood: chipper
Current Location: home

Today's selection was read in the laundrymat with the buzz and white noise of the machines in the background. It made this no less enjoyable and today I am reviewing...

Through Time Hope Remains
by suemichave

This story has a strong romantic bent to it and as I read, I felt the pull of destiny on the characters. From the first line and throughout, they are drawn to each other, as though a natural force is bringing them together. I quite like that about the tale. I enjoy when fate is at play. What is really interesting about this story is the role that Glorfindel plays here, advisor, consultant to Erestor and dear I say, yenta? It is darling and he is truly charming here. Ultimately it all works for me and I read this with a smile on my face. The point of mutual admiration here is very satisfying and I will finish with that as I don't want to give any more away.

Lovely read and very touching.

You will find this here:
http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewstory.php?sid=129

Current Mood: chipper
Current Location: home

I really enjoy a Glorfindel-Legolas story so I was really pleased to see this one...today I am reviewing:

The Captain's Mate
by Nuinzilien

There are a lot of wonderful things about this story. I love that aspects of the First Age creep in here and are ever present though this is a later age tale. The relationships from the past overshadow some lives and Glorfindel is very much of the first age in character here in comportment. I think he would be and this is evident here. I also like the very structured relationship that is set up between the main pairing and the formalism of the apprenticeship. Mentorship would be very important to elves and this is a theme in the story. I work on a mentorship program so it is a personal interest and I believe that elves would foster that as part of their growing up, learning process.

The love that develops leads to conflict due to the past and not to tell too much, this is interesting. This story left me with a lasting image of these two elves together that is visually beautiful and I really enjoyed that.

A pleasure to read and interesting concepts.

You will find this here:
http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewstory.php?sid=152

Current Mood: chipper
Current Location: shirk

Last night I read a different story and I was clever enough to read early in the night so as not to effect my sleep cycle. So no berating the author this time. Here is today's review.

No Justice to Yourself
by Oshun

This story is set in Valinor after the conflicts and troubles of the Third Age are over and the elves have passed over the sea. I give away nothing by telling you that much. This is an unexpected pairing and I found that was what attracted me to this story. I was curious about how the writer would get them together and resolve some issues. I was pleased to see that the issues were there and not conveniently discarded. This invested a note of realism into the fic that I found refreshing.

So, I am a HUGE Jane Austen fan. I devoured her books as a teen and young adult and the tone and atmosphere of this fic reads like a Jane Austen parlor novel. Anyone who has read Austen knows that she was brilliant at drawing a scene and writing witty dialogue. This story does that in spades. I was vastly entertained by the setting, the glitzy party and the witty back and forth between the characters here. There are some very funny bits in this and it just had me chuckling through out. Brilliant.

Not going to spoil this but I did enjoy it. At the last, inconclusive which made total sense to me. Not all stories need to be neatly tied with a bow and there are reasons for the unresolved ending.

This was a FUN read.

You will find this here:
http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewstory.php?sid=142

Current Mood: busy
Current Location: Shirk

So I am working my way through the Ardor in August or the ones that interest me. I will not be reading all of them but just ones that speak to me in some manner. Tonight I am reviewing the following:

The Call
by red_lasbelin

Again, pesky authors. I really meant to read a snatch of this last night and go right to bed. I was, in fact, reading it in bed but this story would not cooperate at all with that plan. No sirree. It was a tale that I HAD to keep reading. Not because of melodrama or angst or what not but because it was so freshly crafted and the language was such a pleasure to read, that I really did not want to stop reading. It was a pure delight to read. Red has a way of turning a phrase that I find unique. I read, and go back and read it again like poetry. There is a melody to her writing that I just love.

No spoilers here but if you would like to read someone really coming into the craft of it, read this one.

On the subject of the fic, it takes place during the twilight time for the elves as they are leaving Middle Earth and it does not cross that line into melancholy which I find some works do. Red has some interesting ideas with characters and concepts for this time that come up here and I found them well executed and drawn. Well done.

You can find this here:
http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewstory.php?sid=168

Current Mood: thoughtful
Current Location: Home for now

Today I printed out a few of the Ardor in Augusts and I thought I would post reviews on my journal. Here is the first one.

A Plain, Simple Love Story
By Keiliss

I do have to take the author to task as there is a great deal to this story and I feel that it is neither plain, nor simple. No no. When Keiliss weaves a tale, it is with a dedication to the detail and richness necessary to tell the tale. I am writing my review carefully here with a mind to not spoiling the story for anyone, but I think it is safe to say that keiliss builds a plausible back story and occupation here for her main character (Erestor), the complexities of court life in second age Lindon and a robust, strong Gil Galad who is very believable as a character. I found myself enjoying every word of the story and really caring about what happens to the two paired. So simple? I would have to disagree with that but read this, yes, you surely should.

You can find this here:
http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewstory.php?sid=160

Current Mood: chipper
Current Location: Home at last

So it was a full weekend of activities.

Saturday. Oh la la. I saw the movie 300 with some friends from work---D**** and R****. We could not decide what part of the male anatomy to admire most...the muscular thigh area or the torso area or the lovely stomach area. Well I say...ALL OF IT.

Now let's get to the story here. This was the enactment of Sparta's battle against Persia and the ruler Xerxes who thought himself a god. The Spartan king Leonides went against the dictates of the Oracles and the powers and took 300 warriors to meet a force of 10's of thousands of in the north of Greece. They were far outnumbered but picked their meeting point very well...a ravine that was easily defensable and that would render the difference in their number meaningless. That just gives you an idea of what the movie plot was.

Well the battle scenes were just...poetry in motion. I have to say. I need to do some research but based on what they show in this movie. Sparta was an entirely war-based society and these warriors were the equivalent of what we would call "Special Forces" today. The elite of the elite. Kowabanga. No retreat, no surrender.

CHA. I needs some icons.

Sunday. I spent the day doing stuff at the house. Went to the laundry mat and then my long awaited Michael McKean evening. He was very good. He did folk songs and selection and readings. Was very funny. He is married to Annette O'Toole so she performed with him. It was a wonderful performance. He was in Spinal Tap, a few Christopher Guest films and was Lenny in Laverne and Shirley. He definitely had some funny bits. What was really nice is that he did a question and answer session at the end and people got to ask him questions. Not many people do that.