Oh my. This was fantastic. So different from other things I've read. I do not even read that much lotr :) if it's not linked with harry potter that is.

I feel like Penny and Sindarin, not really finding the right words to praise this (not native speaker here) but it was brilliant. Kept me hooked till morning.

If I could've wished for something, I would've made her bring some little invention/s from today to there. I mean that she would perhaps make somehting for herself that elves had not seen before or something.

After this, I really must read the books again. I swear there was so many things I'd not remember reading about.

And um.. who is Penny? I mean is she oc or borrowed from somewhere?

First of all, let me say how much I have enjoyed this story. It was quite the page turner and you have done an excellent research job in many aspects, not only in depicting the harsh realities of life without mod-cons, but also in an extensive demonstration of Tolkien canon.

However, I must also say that I was reluctant to start reading it and, in spite of knowing of its existence for some time, have avoided it like the plague, mainly because of the strident disclaimer, "Not a Mary-Sue!" Any story which bothers to claim that distinction, inevitably, is exactly that.

I had taken a couple of peeks at it; skip-reading and then clicking away from it when I was hit by the Sue-ish quality, as the story does almost exclusively centre on Penny. The true litmus test of a Mary-Sue (and I mean the test according to Paula Smith – who invented the bloody term!) is an original character who dominates the story. Just making him/her flawed in some way is not enough to detract from the definition.

Nevertheless, as you have shown here, it is possible to write an entertaining Mary-Sue and it might be less off-putting to potential readers if you were to 'fess up and say "Yes a Mary-Sue, but a reality-check Mary-Sue – showing the trials and tribulations of what might really happen to a 'girl who fell into Middle-earth!'.I know I would have been more inclined to read it earlier than I did.

It's like saying Red Dwarf isn't Sci-fi or Romeo and Juliet isn't a love story, simply because you're scared of labelling your story with others of the same genre that are cheesy.

In other news, your story is entertaining as the detail with which you describe Penny's misfortunes are down to (middle) earth and at times excruciating. Some of the details I found odd, e.g. bone sewing needles? Why, when the elves can do such amazingly intricate work with metal etc, could they not knock up a nice pointy metal needle?

I was surprised by some of the American spellings that crept in, particularly as they were inconsistent and you are British – but that's not really a biggie. There were other typos too, but again – it happens.

But overall a good read – so thanks for the hard work.
Cheers
Llinos

PS I'm a Londoner too, do you actually live in the South East?

I'm reading this for the first time, and im planning on reviewing it at the end of this one (or the sequel) but i am very much aware that im horrible at remebering to do so.

so im saying now that this is one of the most realistic "girl falls into ME" that i have ever read, especially the reactions of both penny and the people she encounters. the amount of research into the day to day life thats evident in your writing is the most i think ive ever seen in any fanfic.

the only thing you loose points for is making penny love marmite. yes i know what it is, and yes, i HATE it :b

Penny is such a spoiled "moderner"! Very entertaining.

I just wanted to let you know that i hate you.You have me crying like a little school girl.

that was awesome!

This is a wonderful story and you are an amazing writer. I hoped you have something published one day.

Very funny! Twilight AND LOTR fan. A MALE recc'd your story!

Another great story.It made me laugh and cry a..a lot.Seriously it's a very good story.

I really, absolutely love this story. It is one of the best fanfictions I have ever read, and this is all the more impressive because of its subject matter and basic premise. It really kept me captivated as few other fics have, and I couldn't put it down. I love Penny as a character. She is very realistic. I am going to read the sequel right now.

Hi, Boz4PM!
I´m a long time reviewer of your Panic! stories on storiesofarda dot com, you know me by the name Cornelia. I have been carrying an idea around with me for a long time... so out with it. I would like to translate `Don´t panic!´ into German. But of course in a proper way, with your consent and with the correct label on it, written by you, just translated by me! I tried my hand on the first three chapters (now sitting on my hard drive, not posted anywhere, of course), and it seems to work rather well.

So, what do you think about it? Interested in a few reviews in horribly bad english from some german readers? *g*

Cornelia

hahahaahah! Sitting trot is actually v. comfy if yah get the hang of it, yah know?it'll be fun to see how sjhe learns canter and jumping...

ah... this is going to be very funny, becuz i know how ta ride myself... i am going to wet myself with the laughing... heheheeh!

I really enjoyed your realistic view of what would happen if someone was randomly transported to Middle Earth. If it ever happens to me, I now know that I definitely need to get to the elves as fast as possible, so that I can maintain sanity in the face of hygiene issues.

toloth - eight

ellyn - male elves

tolo - come

Subliminal messaging!