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| Okay, NOW Panic! by Boz4PM | 13 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| mystarlight | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/4/2018 |
| I am mesmerized by your story. Thank you!!! | |
| Lyn | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/6/2006 |
| My dictionaries say hamstringing is cutting one of the TENDONS at the back of the knee (or both), not an artery. That would be permanent since it was not until modern times that surgery could have been performed, and even then permanent crippling would occur because no surgeon can lengthen a cut tendon (then tend to curl up into a ball when cut). Author Reply: In fencing history, padding was worn behind the knee to prevent hamstringing since, while it technically refers to the tendon, there is a major artery there as well, and the act of hamstringing invariably got the artery as well and you bled to death. I will, however, reword the note when I get a moment to make this clearer. Thank you. :) | |
| Lyn | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/6/2006 |
| Excellently written...I have no suggestions on improvements. Although, I was under the impression the definition of a "Mary Sue" included anyone who came from another land or time...such as earth in our time, not necessarily a "perfect" person. Thus, because the protagonist is not from Middle Earth, she would be a "Mary Sue". I also was under the impression that anyone from Middle Earth who was "perfect" could be called a "Mary Sue" (such as any female with whom Legolas fell in love despite them arguing all the time and she being the better archer). Could be wrong. Author Reply: A Mary-Sue is a self-insert into a story whose 'perfections' or OTT personality so usurps and warps the storyline around her that even the canon characters are changed. She could be a 'bamf' (landed from somewhere else), she could be written so as to be an OC within the universe itself. An OFC is not automatically a Sue, it is the quality of the writing, the characterisation and the author intention that makes the Sue a 'Sue'. I have never heard the definition that a bamf OC is automatically a Mary-Sue - that would make Doctor Who a Stu for a start, let alone his umpteen assistants. It is true, however, that there it is rare indeed to find a bamf story (of which there are hundreds in the LOTR fandom alone) where the main character is not a Sue or a Stu. However, I would never say a particular plotline or AU decision automatically equals badfic (Sue does equal badfic, however). If an author can write it well enough, then almost anything is possible. It's when people don't write it well, don't even try to keep canon characters in character or stick to the canon of the universe in which they have set their AU element that badfic (and Sues) are born. I would refer you to this link (http://community.livejournal.com/the_ppc/20306.html) which includes a list of very useful links to articles on Sues, what constitutes a Sue, etc. HTH. :) | |
| Daynawayna | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/7/2006 |
| You did that heartbreakingly well, Boz. I love that you brought his 3 boys into the story. Did you 'semi-create' them like people do with Legolas' mother, or are they named in the book? Regardless, they are already deep and noble characters. I love them because I love Halbarad-- because you brought him and them to life for me. And his concern for Penny, even as he lay dying... I've had enough tears for a while due to the untimely passing of a friend, but I'm still reading! :) Keep up the good work! Author Reply: I completely created the sons. Legolas has to have a mother (though most people portray her as deceased, strangely), but there is no information about Halbarad - who he was, his age and whether he was even married let alone if they were children. So, no, they are entirely OCs all three of them. So glad you are enjoying it all. :) | |
| Pearl Took | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/16/2005 |
| As contratictory as it may seem, this was a beautifully written battle and death scene. Very Well Done indeed. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/15/2005 |
| p.s. It is my understanding that "hamstringing" is not aimed at the artery so much as the tendon behind the leg, between hip and next joint down (in a man, the knee, in a horse, I think it's called the hock but my horse terminology is a little rusty). Cut that tendon and your horse is crippled. When an athlete pulls a hamstring it means a long and painful recovery, from what I hear. I read in an amazing book by Col. S. P. Meek (Frog, the Story of a Horse) about a machete-wielding madman in the Panama jungle who was hamstringing horses to get his jollies. The book was based on the Colonel's remembrances of serving in the Canal Zone at the beginning of the 1900s, I think, and the hamstringing was taken from a real incident, if I remember correctly. To catch the madman, the hero wrapped heavy chain around the rear legs of his horse and used his horse as bait. The madman struck, but only did surface damage. Whew. So yes, hamstringing is an effective battle technique when fighting cavalry... (but I shudder to think of it) | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/15/2005 |
| Ah. Wonderfully done. Vivid imagery, believable action. I could clearly visualise the scenes you painted. Halbarad's death was as noble as the man deserved, if there was no other choice. (And of course, it being written, there wasn't.) From our studies of the Middle Ages (we have just finished, and are going on to the Renaissance, as a matter of fact), we've learned that the men in warrior cultures did not fear death the way we do now. Thus, Halbarad's peace at the end certainly rang true to historical detail. But I still wish it were not so... Looking forward to more, and to seeing how Halbarad's sons honour his last request. I find myself hoping that at the end of this story, Penny will *not* pop back into the modern world... funny, eh? | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/14/2005 |
| Gah! Curse the grammar-gremlin that grins upon my shoulder! I am in the middle of the battle, fully sucked in, hearing the sounds, seeing the sights, even smelling the... Well, anyhow, please accept this small token from the little beast that will not be still. "Do this for Aragorn... for you* father.” I'll be back later to give proper feedback, I hope! Author Reply: Don't apologise! And thank you. Just goes to show, even with me and three betas (and umpteen readers) things STILL slip past. I hate proofreading typescript - I always miss stuff. If I write in longhand, it's no problem, though. *heads off to edit* | |
| TithenFeredir | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/13/2005 |
| Mmmm, a fitting, though tragic end for Halbarad to have his sons around him and to make his wishes known in the end. I thought it was sadly realistic to make mention that not everyone who fell could be helped due to the great number, and that many would die out there during the night without ever having been found or tended at all. I also liked the details of battle that you included like the Dunedain gathering around whoever bore the standard. It was a very important focal point for the forces on either side. ~TF Author Reply: Thank you - I am glad the details stood out for you. I am a stickler for details so it's nice to know when they are picked up on. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/13/2005 |
| I did recognize the Owen quote. I did my doctorate on the English novel but I did occasionally come face to face with a poem. Author Reply: *lol* Though, that said I could have got away with much of my undergrad Eng Lit degree with little or no poetry - other than the first year thesis which was a choice between Tennyson & Browning or Eliot & Yeats. I was merely trying to explain the specific resonance that phrase has for me - I always think of that poem first since it's one of my favourites. :-) | |