Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within  by Fiondil 20 Review(s)
LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/21/2014
A former king. Working in a bookstore. Still, he sounds as if he's landed on his feet. I feel a bit like Glorfindel, when he said, “now that I’ve gotten used to the idea of the great and glorious Finrod Felagund being a working stiff, I am quite fine about it.”

Author Reply: Hi Lindalea. Hey! The guy has to earn his keep somehow and there are no kingdoms for sale at the moment! LOL! I imagine a lot of people felt a bit like Glorfindel at first, but after awhile they just accepted it as "normal", whatever normal may mean. Thanks for leaving a review. It's very much appreciated. Enjoy the rest of the story.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/4/2014
There is nothing like the rumor of a great King to bring in the oglers, and it sounds as if Finrod is a perfect salesman! He certainly knows how to turn gawking into more productive activity! Heh!

I am so glad that Alassiel was able to adequately describe how well Shelby should be able to find her own way within the shop. The O&M instructor in me is most pleased to see that she was not denied good training considering the relative isolation of where she lived.

I know how pleased Tony was when he was able at last to begin amassing a library of his own books, after years of receiving and returning books from and to the regional libraries for the blind. Nowadays so many of my peers who are blind are thrilled to have such a wonderful array of books in text, audio, and braille formats for them to choose from, free to download at any time. Certainly my e-text and audio libraries are constantly expanding, although I doubt they will reach the quantity of books in my print collection!

Lovely first day at work!

Author Reply: Hi Larner. You're right about that. I think having been a king and having to "sell" himself to his people helped Finrod here a bit, though his one big sell failed unfortunately. But that's a different time and place and he's definitely in his element here.

It does help to have an expert on hand for correcting any errors and Alassiel, being blind herself, was very helpful in making this chapter more realistic in how blind people get around. And I know that Alassiel downloads a lot of her books these days as well as listening to audiobooks and she's as likely to criticize the reader as the story, which I find amusing.

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/2/2014
I couldn't wait to come back home from vacation to read this story. Have finished rereading the previous stories today. Finrod seems to be the born bookseller. Nick can be so glad that he hired Finrod. It is good for the store. Even if most people just came to look at the elf, they bought something. The novelty effect will wear off, but you never know, some people might discover they like books and will come back for more.

Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. Hope you had a great vacation. I'm sure Nick is very glad to have hired Finrod and I think Finrod has found his niche in Wiseman, at least for the time being. That may change in the future. I'm glad you enjoyed this first chapter and I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the story. Thanks for leaving a review. It's very much appreciated as always.

SarahReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/1/2014
Yes! EA 3 is here at last, and what a lovely way to ease us back into the world. Looks like dear Finrod will take to his new position just fine :D

Eagerly awaiting Friday's once more. I look forward to seeing just where this story goes.

Sarah

Author Reply: Hi Sarah. I'm glad you are happy to see EA3 and looking forward to reading the rest. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/31/2013
So the Wiseman Elves - old and new - are off to find another helping of trouble.

I bet Nick's bookstore may becomeone of Wiseman's nost popular shops with Finrod working there. Certainly this first day must have been one of the most successful ones ourside of the Christmas Crush, when everybody wants to get their hands on the latest bestseller to give to a friend or relative.

When it comes to steampunk, I haven't read much in that genre beyond Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series and the two books in the follow-up Finishing School series. Those books are absolutely hysterically funny, ans well worth reading. I was hooked when the heroine in the Parasol Protectorate series dispatched a vampire in the very first chapter of the first book - using her hairstick!! (I use hairsticks all the time) :-D

I bet Mrs Cramer looked somewhat stunned - Finrod probably gave her one of his patented brilliant smiles, which are surely enough to make heterosexual men and lesbian women rethink their orientation. Not that they have a chance, of course.

Author Reply: Hi Sunny. I'm sure the bookstore will become a very popular meeting place now. And I agree with you about the affect of Finrod's patented brilliant smiles. No, I don't think Mrs. Cramer had a snowball's chance against that smile. LOL! Thanks for leaving a comment. It's much appreciated. Happy New Year!

LaerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/31/2013
Quinn is doing great at as a salesman. I am sure he is making a tidy little sum for the book store. I am glad you are showing him as "human" and not as a perfect King of the Elves. :)

Great to see this story arch back. Hope you (and the other readers here) had a great Christmas and will have a wonderful New Year.

Author Reply: Yes he is, Laer, and I'm sure Nick is very happy to have him working there. And Finrod hasn't been the perfect King of the Elves in a very long time. *grin* Anyway, thanks for reviewing. Have a Happy New Year.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/30/2013
Oh what fun to see a new Elf Academy adventure! I love seeing Finrod working retail. I have a feeling he's going to enjoy it, as he's very much a people person; treating every customer as an individual and concentrating on each person as if he or she is the only person at that moment is the key to success. Actually caring about them is another. I can see he's got that part down pat--all the rest is technicalities!

And I can tell him from personal experience that working retail in a small town is the best way to get to know people, so this job will be ideal for him.

I also love the way his identity is right out in the open as well, which is going to make getting to know his mortal neighbors much simpler; although if there are folks coming in from out of town it could also create difficulties.

I look forward to seeing more of all this.



Author Reply: Hi Dreamflower. I think Finrod will be quite successful at retail. I wouldn't be surprised if someday in the future he ends up inheriting the bookstore from Nick. And Finrod is definitely a people person and we will see this more later. Wiseman is remote enough that I doubt they would get too many outsiders visiting the bookstore, so for now, he's safe enough working there.

Thanks for taking time to leave a comment. It's very much appreciated.

kathareinReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/30/2013
Thank you Fiondil!

I have been waiting with bated breath since you announced that EA 3 was coming. Read and reread the other installments. A great beginning, Finrod such a hit, and coping so brilliantly, at the bookstore. And the vignette of him in his Man/preppy garb is too funny. Glad he has his cloak. Keep it coming!


Author Reply: You're welcome, Katharein. I'm glad you have been enjoying the series and that you are looking forward to this one. Thanks for taking the time to let me know. I really appreciate it.

bookwormReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/30/2013
Happy New Year! *bounces excitedly* Oooh, I can't wait to see what torture, I mean, exciting events they will face in this installment! Also Finrod seems to be enjoying himself - he's certainly good for business!

Author Reply: Hi Bookworm. 'Torture' is probably closer to the truth, as we will see. LOL! Finrod is very good for business. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

EllieReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/30/2013
What a joy to see this posted finally! Your readers are in for such a delightful treat!!!!!

Author Reply: Thanks, Ellie. Without you and Alassiel, this story wouldn't be half as good.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List