Reviewed by: Marta -- Score: 10

Elliska is an author that I have really discovered since the 2005 MEFAs. I did not have the time to read her stories like I should, but I found the time over the winter. Thereby breaking several of my own rules, against reading epic, elf-centred series. I have nothing against any of these types of pieces on principles, but I don't tend to have the patience for long works, and elves tend to bore me no matter how well they are written. Elliska changed all that. I suppose those rules ["is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules"], but elliska's pieces still overcame all of my doubts about whether I would enjoy the "Interrupted Journeys" series. I think it was her avatar at Open Scrolls that convinced me to look at them [(http://www.scribeoz.com/fanfic/authors/profile.php?no=650)], because her complaints about fanons regarding Thranduil are so similar to my own about Denethor. The fact that she saw a need to fight such similar mischaracterizations is actually what made me give Thranduil a second look. And what a look! Her pieces give us a convincing picture of a realm in upheaval after the death of Oropher in the Last Alliance. There are politics and personal drama and all in all an extremely convincing world that manages not to toe-step on Tolkien but at the same time not over-dwell on those areas "The Hobbit" led him to develop. I really look forward to seeing how she continues to develop this saga.