HASA Reviews December 2009

20 reviewed stories since the November bulletin, and 3 stories currently in review...

Welcome to the December reviews bulletin.

Reviews are an important part of the site: there are the authors who sit waiting with baited breath and fraying nerves, and there are our intrepid reviewers to think of. So before looking at the stories: Thank you all for your work, authors and reviewers alike!

Stories in review
As I type this, there are 3 stories waiting for reviewers (remember to log in before you follow the link).

Of course, member participation is crucial for reviews. The more people are involved in reviewing, the more opinions are represented. Just as importantly, having more people involved means that stories pass through review more quickly - which is good for everyone.

If you are an active reviewer, why not go and check out a story?

Becoming a reviewer
If you're not an active reviewer, but think you can spare a bit of time... – even if you just review one or two stories in a month, every review is welcome. If you are logged in, you can sign up here if you've been a member of HASA for thirty days or more.

Put one in, take one out
By submitting a story for review, you are asking nine other members to read and evaluate it. So why not do for the other authors who have a story in review what you'd like other reviewers to do for you: check out one of the stories already in review and give it a read. Put more simply: put one in, take one out...

Reviewed story spotlight
These stories have passed through review since the previous bulletin. Congratulations to all authors; well done!

Anadûnai by Darth Fingon
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 2nd Age - Pre-Rings
Summary: 163 years after their parting in Middle-earth, Elrond travels to Númenor to see his brother again.


The Journal of Fingolfin by JDE
Rating: Adult
Genre: Romance
Era: 1st Age
Summary: The High-King of the Noldor Exiles, Fingolfin, tells the story of the Noldor, and the story of his family. The self-deprecating King reminiscences about his family, his half-brother and the complex relationship they shared. He watches his children, niece and nephews turn from spoilt princes and princesses into leaders of maturity and wisdom. Grief, pride, regrets, determination, courage and an all-encompassing love for his family characterise his narrative as he sketches his tumultuous life in his journal. Warnings: AU. Incest. Homosexual content(mild). Heterosexual content(mild).Adult. Part One of The Song of Sunset AU


Threnody for the Dispossessed by kenaz
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 4th Age
Summary: When the Valar recall Maglor to Valinor to plead for clemency, it falls to his reluctant rival to find him. Mild slash content.


Prisoners of Conscience by JDE
Rating: Adult
Genre: Romance
Era: Akallabêth/Last Alliance
Summary: "And it came to pass that Tar-Palantir grew weary of grief and died. He had no son, but a daughter only, whom he named Míriel in the Elven-tongue; and to her now by right and the laws of the Númenóreans came the sceptre. But Pharazôn took her to wife against her will, doing evil in this and evil also in that the laws of Númenor did not permit the marriage, even in the royal house, of those more nearly akin than cousins in the second degree. And when they were wedded, he seized the sceptre into his own hand, taking the title of Ar-Pharazôn (Tar-Calion in the Elven-tongue); and the name of his queen he changed to Ar-Zimraphel." AU, romance, mild heterosexual content.


After Sirion by toastedcheese
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 1st Age
Summary: After the Third Kinslaying, two pairs of brothers struggle to repair their broken families.


The Bearing of Burdens by Larner
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: Faramir, Prince of Ithilien and Steward of Gondor, learns how burdens can be lightened in an interview with Samwise Gamgee.


Yavanna's Gift by lindahoyland
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: Bell Gamgee and her daughters find help from an unexpected source in their hour of need. With grateful thanks to Raksha and Virtuella.


While We Live by JDE
Rating: Adult
Genre: Romance
Era: Akallabêth/Last Alliance
Summary: "The King yielded to Sauron and felled the White Tree, and turned then wholly away from the allegiance of his fathers. But Sauron caused to be built upon the hill in the midst of the city of the Númenóreans, Armenelos the Golden, a mighty temple." AU, heterosexual content, romance.


The Houseless by Jael
Rating: General
Genre: Other
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: On a day in late autumn, Legolas has a strange encounter with a girl in the woods. A tale for Halloween.


Fired Anew by Larner
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: Other
Summary: At the End of All Things, it has been said that in order for Morgoth to be defeated anew the Silmarils and their maker must come together and unite. And how would Nerdanel feel in those last moments as her husband and sons emerge from the Halls of Mandos? Will she greet him or spurn him?


Looking For Dragons
by Raksha
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: Gandalf makes a new friend, in an unanticipated and fruitful meeting.


King of Shadowed Halls by Jael
Rating: Adult
Genre: Drama
Era: 3rd Age - The Kings
Summary: As a shadow falls upon Greenwood the Great, Thranduil takes steps to protect his people. The building of the underground fortress casts his personal life into shadow as well. Will he lose that which is most dear to him in an attempt to save it? Drama/Angst. Thranduil; Galion; OFC. Rated Mature for mildly graphic sexual activity between a married couple.


Refraction by Darth Fingon
Rating: Adult
Genre: Romance
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: After an unexpected turn for the worse, Legolas finds himself having to repay a debt he never knew existed. Slash.Written as part of a fiction swap.


Will Overruled By Fate by oshun
Rating: Adult
Genre: Romance
Era: 4th Age
Summary: Haldir meets Beleg in Valinor and each comes to terms with his past. Slash. A Lord of the Rings-Silmarillion crossover. Response to a prompt: " . . . an encounter between an Elf recently released from the Halls of Mandos and an Elf who has recently come to Valinor from Middle-earth. . . . struggling to acclimate themselves to a new place and time, and trying to relate to each other . . . . love to see Haldir meet Beleg."


Anemone by Armariel
Rating: General
Genre: Romance
Era: 4th Age
Summary: In the Blessed Realm, Frodo meets a mysterious and enchanting little creature from the sea. Could it be true love at last? Non-slash.


Hindsight by Russandol
Rating: Adult
Genre: General
Era: 1st Age
Summary: Maedhros remembers his captivity in Angband. Warnings: torture and rape. Thanks to JDE, most patient of beta readers, and to the Lizard Council.


We Three Kings by Jael
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: Other
Summary: Set in the 'Not Fade Away' story-verse, a tale for the holiday season. One night in winter, Thranduil and two companions are forced to take shelter in a stable.


Reach For The Stars by Raksha
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: What can Eärendil give the son who he can see but not touch? Find out, as the Mariner looks in on two special stargazers.


The Shadow of the Past by lindahoyland
Rating: General
Genre: v
Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: The dead have no power over the living,or do they? Somewhat AU


A Dangerous Hunger by IgnobleBard
Rating: Adult
Genre: Other
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: Haldir's encounter with an Easterling leads to an unexpected attraction. - AU, Slash