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

Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth  by Yeade 3 Review(s)
MlleGigiReviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/11/2016
There are a few elements in this chapter -- the fact that Smaug's skin itches, the way in which Bard and his family can hear him in their heads and seem able to feel what he's feeling -- which remind me of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern universe. Am I correct in suspecting that this is an intentional homage?

Author Reply: Can an homage be intentional when the author is inspired subconsciously? I reckon so. :P Oh, man, Anne McCaffrey's works--not only Dragonriders of Pern but the Talents universe, "The Ship Who Sang," "The Crystal Singer"--were such a huge part of my literary experience throughout my tender, formative middle school years that I've probably internalized much of her worldbuilding, both in the details, like telepathic dragons, lol, and the overall structure. Too, at the time, I don't think I'd really figured out the hows and whys of Smaug's magical de-aging as I was still undecided about what dragons even were in Tolkien's creation myth, so perhaps I defaulted to McCaffrey's popular conception of them.

Whatever the case may be, I'm glad to have made allusions to a series which brought me such joy when I was younger and that I look upon fondly to this day. I will eventually have to tie Smaug's Pernese features, so to speak, more closely to Tolkien's brand of magic, but that's a problem I'll happily leave to my future self! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, though I'm sorry it's taken me this long to reply.

tharseoReviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/22/2016
Smaug’s kind of cute in a reptilian kind of way. I don’t know if Bard should trust Smaug, but maybe nurture will over ride nature.

Author Reply: Cute baby!Smaug was most definitely the guiding principle behind this story's inception, lol, before it got all... political and stuff. Bard doesn't entirely trust Smaug, but he's willing to reserve judgment for now, given Smaug's helpless state, and he does get the magical consultation he wanted with Gandalf and Radagast post-BOFA, so his ultimate decision to adopt Smaug isn't made blind. Which is not to say that nurture overcomes nature wholly. Because Smaug? Still a dragon. Thanks so much for reading!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/15/2016
Poor Bard! Now he has four children, the smallest of whom is likely to prove quite the problem over time! Although this time around Smaug might actually learn some consideration for others. Heh!

Author Reply: Well, neither Smaug nor Bard can change the fact that dragons are, at base, fire-breathing monsters and engines of destruction. You may be able to beat your sword into a plowshare, but it's quite a bit trickier to repurpose, say, a tank for any task except what it was designed and made to do. Bard's going to try, to be sure! Though the travails of Smaug's rearing will have to wait until the planned timestamp series. Really appreciate the review! And I hope you enjoy the second half, despite the rather jarring transition. :)

Return to Chapter List