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The Book of Mazarbul  by Soledad 3 Review(s)
Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/23/2009
I love the intricate pattern of not just one, but multiple dwarf-cultures you weave here. Nali and Rei make a great couple, too!

Author Reply: Thanks. I always thought that there was more about Dwarves than just the LongBeards. After all, they are the oldest race of ME, even if Aulë was forced to put them back to sleep. They *had* to have different customs and values, as well as different lives and occupations.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/25/2009
Ah--mating has begun between these two in spite of Nali's foolishness, eh? Good!

And love the inclusion of Floi, and his chanting of the waking of Durin. Excellent! Yes, young Dwarves should well be expected to learn such things!

Nice!

Author Reply: I must admit that Ro's Dwarf drawings inspired me greatly to create these characters. Flói was an especially strong inspiration; he needed an extraordinary backstory, I found.

Some day, I might return to the previous chapter and work a little on Rei and Náli getting together. But right now, I just wanted the story to move on.

Kitt OtterReviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/25/2009
It’s been too long! But I’m glad to be caught up again.
Barrow-wight history was fascinating and sent shivers down my spine. Hallavor’s reign over Rei’s temper is delicate but it works.
I liked that: the Man in the Moon is a protector of thieves and lonely travelers. Is that based on a real-life legend or did you think it up?
I got more shivers with Hallavor’s spell-casting. Cool yet kinda creepy. Priceless reunion between Rei and Nali. I really would hate getting on her badside, speaking of which… *snerk* she really doesn’t like Tom’s House, then, does she?
I find Dwarves’ very blatant display of interest amazing. The moon-stones sound cool, like a sign especially for Rei and Nali. :)
Good senior Farmer Maggot! That was a tad unexpected… Rei’s going from wanting to rip Nali limb from limb to saving his life by letting him flee on her beloved pony. Seriously, I like Rei. She’s awesome. :D

Woo. Floi certainly sounds like… a character. Really, the tattoos. Hehe and barearms and the goatee. I guess that is more practical than a full beard. This was a lot of fun filling for a character only slightly mentioned by the Professor.
Something of a jump, here, but a well-placed one, seeing Rei and Nali together. Oooh, the description of that stew made my stomach growl! I admit I was hanging off the edge of my seat with the history and stories, especially when they finally got to mentioning Khazad-dum. I think you are right in that learning such chants would be important – like us learning times-tables.
I enjoyed both these chapters a lot. Deep and beautiful work, once again!

-Kitt :)

Author Reply:
Yeah, I know, I'm sorry. I have been stuck with Chapter 3 for so long, and until I finished it, I couldn't post the long-finished Ch 4, either.

I liked that: the Man in the Moon is a protector of thieves and lonely travelers. Is that based on a real-life legend or did you think it up?

I'm afraid I made it up entirely. It was a bit influenced by the Greek god Hermes, though.

Originally, I wanted a smoother transition between the two chapters, but it just didn't come together. So I decided to simply go on with the story. Eventually I might come back and do a little rewriting.

I'm very happy that you still enjoy the story. Thanks for the review! :)

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