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| The Young Knights by Soledad | 42 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/15/2006 |
| I like the King of the Fair - although his reign will be a short one, he will provide happiness to his court. Typical of Idis to want to see the dipping of the cattle and horses - and an interesting tinge of bitterness in Boromir's reaction. He was, of course, sworn to the sword from his birth - as is Faramir - but intriguing to see that part of him envies Hurin his more creative role. Old Lady Achren seems sharp as a blade - not one to cross. And Hurin and Achren have dressed to impress, it would seem. (I like the sound of Hurin's hat.) The recognition of a suitable match seems to have been mutual. Author Reply: Personally, I don't like the cliché that somehow seems to have found its way into the fandom: that Boromir was an unhewn soldier and Faramir the mild-mannered scholar. They both did whatever they could to save Gondor, and they had little choice about the means. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 12/15/2006 |
| Poor Madenn. Forlong's daughter - but not equal. I suppose her plan is not a bad one - and I'm glad, really, that she always knew her part in Theodred's life was temporary, but still... It seems cold, knowing that she had a few short months of happiness knowing she was loved, even though they spent little time together - and that now she will be alone. I have a sneaking hope that she might find an acceptable husband among the Rohirrim - but fear that she won't. Herumor is a nice lad. Kind-hearted as well as practical. | |
| phyloxena | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 12/12/2006 |
| Rich and lovely. And Boromir is heart-breaking. | |
| phyloxena | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/10/2006 |
| I like the flow of this story. It's very detailed and solid, every character has it's own traits, like coats of arms, actually -- "fair and glowing", "brave and loyal", "bookworm", of cause, and so on. They are bright and somewhat ornamental, like an illumination in an old book. In case I'm clumsy again, it's a praise! Author Reply: Thanks. :)) | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/10/2006 |
| Poor Madenn. Not just a bastard, but a used bastard. Her future does not seem promising - but fingers crossed that she finds a solution that can make her happy. Idis, of course, has an advantage on her - Theoden might not have married her mother, but her father is a king. And a king's bastard has rather more pull than the product of any other extra-marital liaison. (Much of the aristocracy can trace their origins to a similar slip.) Theodred is being quite philosophical about his fate - but then, as a man, he could probably carry on doing pretty much what he wanted to anyway. Unlike Aud. It's a bit of a blight being female in any century prior to this one, isn't it? (And there are still disadvantages in huge swathes of the world.) I like the relationship between Theodred and Boromir. Who better than the other to understand the limitations their birth inflicts on them? A real friendship of equals. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/9/2006 |
| I think Madenn is being rather too star-struck by these golden Rohirrim. Theodred won't marry an illegitimate daughter - even if she is beautiful. Rank has its obligations as well as its privileges. (And besides ...) It would be much better for her to find another Rohir. One who doesn't have to think about state matters. The image of the eored singing as they ride up to the bridge is very impressive. I'm not surprised that Faramir thought it was worth the belly-ache! And he is making his first acquaintance with shield-maidens! It would seem that Aud left an impression on the youngster that made him happy to welcome another of Rohan's shield-maidens some years later. Author Reply: Oh, Madenn is quite the realist as you will see later. As for the shieldmaidens, it would be silly if there weren't any others than Éowyn alone, now wouldn't it? If you want to meet the shieldmaidens of the East, they do have an appearance in the most recent chapter of "Emissary of the Mark". :) | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/9/2006 |
| That's a very powerful and disturbing version of the dream. Enough to make a thirteen-year-old who is very much on his dignity welcome his brother. I like the link between them - and that Boromir doesn't shrug off Faramir's reaction. He is a very kind and loving big brother. And, by the way, fingers crossed for Morwen's father and Forlong's legitimate daughter, whose name I have forgotten. Author Reply: Achren. She's called Achren. And as this is a much more light-hearted story than last year's Advent Calendar was, you actually can hope for a happy end. :) | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/9/2006 |
| Fair enough that Madenn is cross with Faramir, I suppose - but she had enough guards with her to keep track of a book-obsessed boy! I like Herumor. And it is definitely a good thing to have someone around who knows the rules. Interesting legend. I wonder how much of it is 'true'. In the context of this world. Author Reply: That's an interesting question. I'm not sure yet myself. But there could come a moment when Andrahar *does* remember an old legend - from a very different POV, I assume. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/9/2006 |
| Well - I can't blame Faramir for losing the others in his pursuit of books - and such books, too! Worth invoking his position and his kin's power and wealth to obtain. Good time for Boromir to turn up and finance their purchase. I get the feeling that you could name every single person attending the fair - with their family history and foreknowledge of their futures. So complex and you are so in control of it all! Author Reply: Hmmm...not in this fair, I cannot. But I do have extensive character lists for Halabor (up to 750 persons and still growing), with family trees, more or less detailed biographies, a map, descriptions of the most important places in town and so on. I'm not quite so far with Forlong's court yet - I wanted to finish Halabor's background before I started with Forlong's people - but I will get there eventually. At the very least when I get around to write "Forlong's Last Battle", a story I've been planning for quite some time. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/9/2006 |
| I love your Lord Forlong - and shudder at the thought of the genteel, knife-edged power game going on behind the scenes in the ladies' part of the castle! Lady Almaren has managed a trump card, though - she has produced a son and heir. Madenn has a good life while her father lives - but I suspect she might find it much harder once he is no longer around to offer his support. Author Reply: Well, we must understand poor Lady Almaren - she had to leave the Southern pomp of her father, the most important man In Pelargir, to marry a barbarian, who's not even of Dúnadan origins. What a messaliance, isn't it? *g* Originally, she was concieved as a much nicer person. I don't know when she turned into such an unpleasant woman. These characters have their own life sometimes. | |