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Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within  by Fiondil 19 Review(s)
KittyReviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/23/2014
True, it's likely that curiosity alone will drive the Elves to these lessons. Even more so as it gained particularly Max and Sunny some respect among them and they won't stay away because they look down their noses at them.

Oh, I know exactly what Finrod meant with categorising these vampire novels. In the library we have them in the horror genre. Then there are certain romance novels which are easily recognisable by women with rather daring necklines wrapped snogging around half-naked men on the cover. Funnily enough in German they are called 'Nackenbeißer', which would translate to about 'neck-biter'. Not too long ago I asked jokingly if we'd not better label them as 'horror' and put them into that shelf, because from the covers I can't see much difference to a vampire aiming at the neck of a victim ;)

Poor Finrod, I can understand why he would find that sort of story absolutely appalling. No wonder he ended up throwing up. Though the idea of Vairë reading these novels and laughing herself silly about them is a bit weird. Personally I am with Nick here and have refused to read them, Twilight included. Not my cup of tea.

On the other hand, Glorfindel is right, too, when you put it in a wider perspective, there are many more and much more important reasons to get worked up than these silly novels. It's really not easy to be thrown into such a completely different society. But he could have said it in a nicer way than that.

Author Reply: The proliferation of the vampire romance novels is amazing. I can't see the point of them myself but perhaps because I'm pretty much vampired out. They really don't interest me all that much. *grin* At any rate, Finrod's own history would make these kinds of stories even more horrific for him. And the Valar have their own brand of humor. Glorfindel was right, but as you say, he could have been a little more sympathetic about it. But no one said that Elves were perfect. If they were, they would be too boring. *grin* Thanks for reviewing, Kitty. It's appreciated.

DianaReviewed Chapter: 13 on 4/7/2014
OK, I know I'm way behind the times here but I just finished reading the reviews for this chapter and I've learned to get nervous whenever you refer to consequences coming up!
I'm a Libra and a mom so I have compassion for everyone here. Remember when I told you about my friend's "sympathy" card? It still applies.
The Dude abides, (hey,that's a good "get acquainted with modern America" movie, The Big Lebowski! No vamps, just porn stars and radical performing artists!)
I still love the Glorfindel of your AU. Haven't we ALL been insensitive to our friends at the worst possible time?
Well, that's enough outta me.
Happy Spring!
Diana

NinquetariReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/23/2014
I highly enjoyed this particular chapter, as I'm a salesperson on a bookstore, and can highly identify with Nick's thoughts, but can also see why Vaire would find those hilarious.

Also, of previous chapters - making the Valar take personality tests would be fantastic. A field day for Freud and Jung indeed...

Author Reply: Hi Ninquetari. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter, given it's subject matter. I don't care for the genre myself but I know it's pretty popular with teens. And it would be interesting to see what the Valar make of the personality tests. More than Freud and Jung would have a field day. *grin*

Thanks for leaving a review. It's very much appreciated.

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/15/2014
Ouch! That was a culture shock of the worst kind. I don't think you can really prepare for a new culture. Oh, sure the big things, different languages, different political system, you can prepare for, but in my experience culture shock hits you when you least expect it, and it is mostly the minor things, the unspoken assumptions everyone makes about the way things are done.

Glorfindel is an idiot here. He should stop and think before saying anything, but that was never his strong point. What kind of day did he have that he was so unfeeling? Sure Finrod freaking out over a book is silly, but Glorfindel will have to apologize and I think, especially the Valinorean elves, will be cautious of him in the future. This is not the first time that he was out of line.

Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. Yes, it's the little things that trip you up with regards to culture shock. You expect and sort of prepare for larger aspects of culture, like language or a political system, but you can never prepare for the minor, unspoken assumptions that everyone takes for granted and no one thinks about. Unfortunately, Finrod has come up against that here. And you're right that Glorfindel is being an idiot. I think he was genuinely concerned about Finrod when he heard that he'd had a psychic meltdown, as Nick called it, and thought something really terrible had happened, and when he finds out Finrod got upset over a piece of fiction, he didn't know how to handle it because for him it was a ridiculous thing to get upset over. Well, we'll see what the consequences of all this will be soon enough. Thanks for reviewing. It's always appreciated.

MonalexReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/11/2014
Hello!

I do have to agree with Glorfindel, to be so worked up over a book? They should be worried over the surplus in weapons invested by each countries government, all the petty wars being held now, social inequality, inaccessibility to education, the economical recession of the world or the globally infected infants and adults with AIDS. Don’t get me wrong, I understand Finrod’s point of view, how could our society think it is normal or natural to have sexual fantasies with werewolves and/or vampires? This is something I have never understood, but as Glorfindel told him, this is just fantasy and these creatures are portrayed differently from the real thing from his past.

I know that Glorfindel’s reaction was not good to say the least, I mean there is such a word as ABSTAINING in sharing what we are thinking, but it seems to me that he has nearly everyone of the Valinorean Elves regarding him with suspicion and a little mistrust. Everyone is so concerned with Finrod’s tender feelings - and it is a valid concern - but I don’t see anyone other than Vorondur and maybe the Wiseman Elves worried for Glorfindel. I mean poor ellon! It’s got to be hard dealing with all this changes in what I’m sure feels like the blink of an eye to him, even though this has been in the work for over two years. He has to deal with being dependable to all this new personalities, prepare this new elves to the realities of the mortal world, the management of the University, hiding or camouflaging their real identities from further scrutiny, prepare the mortals for the Dagor Dagorath, prepare HIMSELF for the Dagor Dagorath and on top of all that still be himself. To me, he - more than anyone else – is in dire need of a long extended vacation, where he can relax as he has not been able to do for a very long time.

Concerning Finrod’s emotions I make allowances for his reaction, because of the manner of his death and because as Vorondur said it IS an extreme culture shock for him and everyone else from Valinor. Also he was recently shot and nearly died from a weapon he didn’t even know could exist, imagine what he will think of the atomic bombs! The worst weapons EVER created and not an honourable way to conduct war... although is there an honourable way to behave or act in war?

These elves from Valinor have to start to understand that they are no longer lords, princes or kings to the mortals, they are in a mortal world and it is time they start to adapt to it and not expect it to be the other way around. I’m referring to what appears to be continuous disregard to the new mortal weapons and their continued chastisement of mortals, particularly Alex for bringing to their attention his concerns regarding certain behaviours and/or actions of some elves, because they could be dangerous to everyone! They need a reality check and soon! It will not do to always remind the mortals of who and what they are, and even laughingly try to impose their will, like Finrod with Nick in the library. This could lead to misunderstandings and jealousies of their immortality, if they continue to shout it over the rooftops every chance they get with their “friends”.

Finally I hope Glorfindel just gets so fed up with everyone else that he decides on his own to take a vacation for an indefinite period of time, and then we will see how they deal with all his responsibilities and concerns! Maybe that will teach everyone to appreciate him more and be more understanding!

Sorry for the rant, but I do love Glorfindel! :)

Love your story as always!

Monalex


Author Reply: Hi Monalex. Whew! What a review and very well thought out. I totally agree with your assessment of Glorfindel. The poor guy is hanging by a thread that's about to break and no one apparently is going to be there to catch him when he falls. At the same time, Finrod is also still dealing with a lot of issues he never thought he would have to deal with and that's not helping. As we will see soon enough, things are about to spiral out of control and in a direction none of the Elves anticipated. Fun times in Wiseman! *LOL!* Anyway, I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Thanks for taking the time to leave a wonderful review. It's appreciated very much.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/11/2014
I can appreciate Finrod's reaction, believe me! I don't particularly like the genre, either, and have not been impressed by what I've learned of the Twilight series or its author, who apparently feels she and her family deserve more consideration than anyone else simply because her books are popular. She was unutterably rude to a friend of mine just after her son hit my friend with their car.

Finrod has reason to react as he did, and Glorfindel does need to respect Finrod's sensibilities!

Author Reply: Hi Larner. As I said, I've never read the Twilight series or saw the movies and have no intention of doing so. I have read some other types of paranormal romances that had nothing to do with vampires or werewolves and were written for adults and not teens and were very good, IMO, but that being said, I think the genre itself is a bit overblown.

Finrod, given his history, has every right to feel as he does, and Glorfindel needs to get a clue. We'll just have to see what the fallout is from this.

Thanks for reviewing. It's always appreciated.

LaerReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/10/2014
you know I have to agree with Finrod. I did read the series because of my grandkids. I was amazed that it made it to a movie...I was further amazed that she tried to rewrite it only from Edwards point of view and that people actually wanted it. Sorry..But they do NOT sparkle and they drink blood. And I am allergic to animals, so no to the werewolves in the house also...

Wow, Loren needs to calm him self down. That was rather rude of him to act like that to his brother. :/

Author Reply: Hi Laer. Never read Twilight or any of the books like it. I have read a couple of paranormal romances but neither one had werewolves or vampires or anything like that and the stories were well written and quite adult without necessarily being excuses for writing sex scenes.

And Loren is suffering from a lot of stuff getting thrown at him at once and tying to hold the center on his own. We will see what happens because of his lack of concern for Finrod's feelings. Thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated.

MJReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/10/2014
"Camouflage." ROFL!!! Oh, and great chapter, as always. We now see how the plot begins to thicken. :)

Author Reply: It is a funny response, isn't it? And yes, the plot begins to thicken. Thanks for reading and reviewing, MJ. I appreciate it very much.

SoledadReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/10/2014
You are evil. Seriously, you are! I will never be able to delete the mental image of Vairë reading Twilight (or any other incessant crap) from my mind.

And Glorfindel is being a .... (insert swear word of choice here). What is his problem anyway? I don't envy Vorondur. He'll have his word cut out for hím, the poor Elf.

Author Reply: Yes, Soledad, I am. LOL! And that's a image that will haunt many a reader for years to come, I have no doubt. *evil smirk*

And Glorfindel is indeed being whatever scatological term you care to use. Ron, I suspect, for all his griping, is in seventh heaven with all the personalities for him to play with. LOL!

Thanks for leaving a comment. It's always welcomed.

LyanaReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/10/2014
Uh oh... :-(

Poor Finrod! What a rude shock to the system that would have been - his reaction is entirely understandable. I think it was wise of Nate to saunter in and offer help rather than just popping up out of the blue; they really have learned more wisdom in dealing with The Children.

And as much of a jerk as Glorfindel is at the moment, I really feel sorry for him. He seems to be entirely unaware of how much darkness lies within himself if he is responding that way to his gwador who has, irrational as it may seem to him, obviously been badly disturbed by something he discovered. One might think that, or make that observation to someone later, but *never* voice that to someone in that state!

Vorondur, Valandur and Laurendil are going to have their hands full...

Author Reply: Yeah, I think Námo at least knows how to do things right around the Mortals especially, since he deals with them more than the others even if he's usually dealing with them when they're dead.

And you do have to feel sorry for Glorfindel. He's got a lot on his plate right now and Finrod's episode couldn't have come at a worse time for him, so he's reacting negatively to it instead of compassionately. Also, he probably had been worried about Finrod, thinking that something bad had happened to him and then to find out he got upset over a stupid book probably was just the final straw for him. We've all been there, I'm sure.

And Vorondur, Valandur and Laurendil will do just fine, I promise.

Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. It's always appreciated.

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