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An Act of Desperation  by Shieldmaiden of Rohan 4 Review(s)
SimplegirlfromLPReviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 5/25/2019
Please do finish this story, I have never read a better take of Faramir and Eowyn’s love story. It is so good and couldn’t put it down and want to read what you do with Eomer and Lothiriel. I like this mischievous Lotheriel,

HanasianReviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 10/2/2017
Instead of reviewing every chapter, I thought I'd leave the main one here.

You have really filled in the tale well! I mentioned it before but will say again that Eowyn's 1st person narrative is wonderful! The chapter where the Grey Company go to the Paths of the Dead is well done! Again, thanks for sharing this tale with us!

phyloxenaReviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 9/23/2006
I'm surprized there are so few reviewes for your story. It's so nice. I like the way you stayed with canon (alas for the movie-verse grabbing by Aragorn :)), and the way your Eowyn is so much in character, clever, almost rational and able to think for herself. "The Steward and the King" chapter from TRoK -- of course< one of the favorite, etc. -- always seemed to me uncomfortably straitforward, it's hard to believe that gentle Faramir could be so rush in his courting. You gap-fillers made it so much likelier.

Author Reply: Well... when I first started this story, it was partially born out of annoyance at the portrayal of Eowyn's reason for going to the Pelennor in the movie version, so earlier chapters did end up more movie-influenced than I would write now. I do have to admit that this particular scene between Aragorn and Eowyn was one that I was pretty ok with, since with the way my portrayal of Eowyn had been shaping up thus far, it was hard to envision her standing by coolly while all of this was going on with Theoden like she does in the book. I will say, however, that once I finish up the last few chapters, I am planning on going back to the beginning and cleaning up some things, and that section is one of the ones I'm strongly considering reworking. (I'm also considering changing up some of the Theodred stuff, since at the time I started I don't think I had Unfinished Tales and so I'm not entirely certain that his funeral and all is strictly canon. But changing that might take too much from the beginning. I'm not sure yet.)

While I love the "Steward and the King" chapter (obviously), I do have to agree that it seemed like a shockingly fast change of heart on her part, as well as what you mentioned about Faramir. So I'm glad to hear you say that the filler helps with that. :)


insigniaReviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 7/22/2005
Hi

Just to let you know how much I have enjoyed reading this fic. I had forgotten how good it was and am really grateful to you for updating.

I liked that you made Eowyn out to be more than just the usual tomboy: you gave more background about shield maidens than most fic authors (e.g. Theodwyn's knowledge of swordplay and active role in defence). I think that many fic authors can be quite irritating when they try to make you believe that it was natural in JRRT's ME for women/girls to take on the same roles as men vis-a-vis combat. But that does not mean that I think that ME women should only focus on their embroidery and what to make the menfolk for supper!

Faramir too was well drawn, more than just the reluctant soldier who would rather be with his books. How he found out about his father's death and his conversation with Eowyn afterwards was very moving.

Your Eomer was good too, but I thought maybe a little bit "card board". But I really enjoyed the "discussions" between brother and sister, especially when he told her about going to Mordor and she couldn't come, e.g. the bit about why he went to fight the orcs ("for the good of their people") while she could not say the same about why she had gone to the Pelennor. I am curious about how her actions were/are going to be justified to the people of Rohan, given that she disobeyed a direct order.

I liked the scenes that you seemed to insert in passing, such as the one about the horses becoming intoxicated after the children got hold of the cask of ale! These little snippets add fluency to your story line and help to flesh out the sorts of relationships between your major characters. The colour and shading provide a strong background for your actors to perform against.

I thought that your dialogue was excellent, especially Eowyn's thoughts and thought processes.

So thank you!

Incidentally, is this finished now? It could stand alone, as we all know what happens. But I would like to see how all the reunions work out in your version.

regards

insignia

Author Reply: First of all, I apologize for taking so long to reply to this review! I'm not exactly sure what happened there-- it's been awhile since I'd been on this site but I still feel terrible about it.

Secondly, it's not done. I actually do have another finished chapter that I can go ahead and post (I really should do that soon), and am getting close to finishing another. My estimate based on the current outline is five or six more chapters till the end.

As for Eomer, he might end up getting altered a bit in earlier chapters, so hopefully I can inject a little more life into him. (Since this fic was really my first writing effort, I'm sure there's several things in the first couple of chapters, at least, that need polishing.)

And thakn you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review.

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