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With Hope and Without Hope  by docmon 3 Review(s)
Thundera TigerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/26/2008
You know what the really fun thing is about Merry and Pippin? Listening to them go over all the possibilities about what may have happened to the Fellowship is kind of like opening little windows onto countless AUs without ever having to explore them. Suppose this happened? Suppose that happened? And while this story only focuses on one possibility, the very fact that it's an AU gives rise to other possibilities.

Anyway, the dialogue between Merry and Pippin rings true and feels very natural. You can see them coming up with and discounting all the various scenarios, and you can see hope both ebb and flow. Despite the fact that they're tied up and motionless for the greater part of the chapter, they have an extremely dynamic conversation that makes for a very interesting and very fast-paced read.

And then there's Saruman at the end of the chapter, who shows up and immediately lets everyone know that this isn't your average villain. His perceptiveness makes my hair stand on end. Nice tone, and great pacing! Wow, these chapters are even better than I remember!

Author Reply: Thanks! I'm glad Merry and Pippin's dialogue rings true. It's important to me that they feel in character. I hope Saruman comes off that way as readers see more of him. And they will. They may not be happy with him... but there'll be plenty...

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/11/2008
Okay--where are the Riders of Rohan behind Eomer? Hurry, guys!

Author Reply: Ah, yes, the world of the AU... Remember back in Chap. 1 - that scout that would have alerted the Rohirrim to the presence of Orcs? Yes, his head was instead presented to Ugluk, remember? No warning, no Riders!
It's ironic - I had always resisted reading AUs myself. But here I am, writing one. And I totally see the draw. Whatever I say goes! Well, almost. If the characters refuse, I DO have problems then. But you, reader, are entirely at my mercy...

MerryReviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/8/2008
Very good! Please write more.

Author Reply: Wow! That was some fast reading! Glad you liked it. Don't worry, there's plenty more to come.

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