Webs
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Webs |
| Author(s): | Roz Kaveney |
| Date(s): | 2002 |
| Length: | ~700 words |
| Genre: | alternate universe, darkfic, horror |
| Fandom: | Lord of the Rings |
| External Links: | @Silverlake; @HASA; @Silvermoon; @Glamourous Rags |
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Webs is a Lord of the Rings short story by Roz Kaveney. Written for The One Ring Challenge, it is a dark alternate universe in which Shelob takes the Ring. The story was posted to the Silverlake multifandom Yahoo list in September 2002 and also at the One Ring Challenge site. It went under various author summaries, including: "She moved in her webs, slow as a mountain."
'Webs' is Roz's first (and so far only) Lord of the Rings fanfiction. Roz describes her writing process:
Oddly, I had never quite got round to writing any fanfic that was not Buffy or Angel related before, and then Kate posted her excellent 'Beauty' as an answer to Dale's Ring challenge. And I thought - alternate Dark Lords/Ladies, what an excellent idea!!I was talking to Heather at the time, so she was the recipient of vast messaging whoops when I suddenly thought of this. It is one of the stories I am proudest of in a way, because most of it came to me absolutely pure and whole in a way that has hardly happened for ages. On the other hand, I did not know about the Oliphaunt until I got there, which is my favourite i.e. sickest bit.[1]
Discussing her favourite stories in 2007:
...I know that most people's favourite of all my fics is probably still Bed of Bones which was the first fanfic I ever wrote, or Webs which won at least one award and which I wrote in about a quarter of an hour because I had a good idea.[2]
Reception and Awards
'Webs' was widely recommended. It was one of the earliest Lord of the Rings recs to appear on the multifandom recs journal, Crack Van, which increased its exposure outside Tolkien fandom. It has been praised as a chilling horror story, for packing a punch in few words and for the quality of its writing.
The story won a Mithril Award for Best Alternate Universe or Crossover in 2003.[3]
Reviews
...this is a dark look at what the world might be if someone else got their hands on the Ring. There are a lot of good stories in this sub-genre (including some that I'll be recommending this week), though most focus on the corruption of one of our heroes. In "In Webs," Roz works with the frightening possibility of someone more evil than Sauron possessing the Ring. In language slow and deliberate she paints a darkening, twisting picture - this piece is short, but it packs a vivid punch. (Casapazzo at Crack Van)[4]
Sparing with words, dark like a fine chocolate, and causes a shudder up your spine. (Mithril Awards judge)[3]
A dark AU in which Frodo's quest failed; well written and chilling (Espresso Addict)[5]
I don't know why I haven't recced this before. A dark and barbed AU. (Nestra at Polyamorous Recommendations)[6]
A dark AU, giving us a look inside Shelob's head, set in a universe where events turn out really well--for her. (RatCreature)[7]
An utterly chilling AU Shelob story that will keep you awake at night. There is not a single wasted word here. Brilliant stuff. (Bright Shiny Objects)[8]
Wonderfully written dark Shelob story. (Tha Wrecka)[10]
References
- ^ Glamourous Rags: Fanfiction (accessed 14 September 2012)
- ^ rozk: Fanfic memage (accessed 14 September 2012)
- ^ a b Mithril Awards 2003: Award Winners (accessed 26 April 2012)
- ^ In Webs, by Roz Kaveney (PG) (accessed 14 September 2012)
- ^ Espresso Recommendations: Lord of the Rings: Minor (accessed 14 September 2012)
- ^ Polyamorous Recommendations: Lord of the Rings (accessed 14 September 2012)
- ^ Through the Looking Glass: Alternate Universe Recs for Miscellaneous Fandoms (accessed 14 September 2012)
- ^ Bright Shiny Objects: Lord of the Rings (accessed 14 September 2012)
- ^ Multipass: Multifandom recs (accessed 14 September 2012)
- ^ Colour and Movement: Lord of the Rings (accessed 14 September 2012)
- ^ mswyrr: Heroes 1x20: "Five Years Gone" (accessed 14 September 2012)
- ^ Nomad's Multifandom Gen Recs: LotR: Webs (accessed 14 September 2012)