News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Doomed to Live by fliewatuet | 41 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Golden Elf | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/12/2004 |
| I'm really enjoying this story. It has great description of the trials of everyone, not just our favorite Ranger and Elf. You are doing an amazing job projecting their pain and burning desire to save the hobbits. I can't wait for the next installment. Thanks for such a great read! Author Reply: Thanks for the lovely review, Golden Elf. I hope I'll get another chapter up before christmas, but I won't make any promises. Real Life can be a hazzle at times. fliewatuet | |
| AM | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/12/2004 |
| Still doing happy dance! Read this chapter twice as I am absolutely enthralled by your writing. Only found two things to improve: * " ... numbed his entire right side and robbed his breath, and as his world tilted and began to spin. He did not notice that Merry severed the bonds about his legs ... " -> " ... numbed his entire right side and robbed his breath. As his world tilted and began to spin he did not notice that Merry severed the bonds about his legs ... " * " ... for he did not take care to conceal his tracks, on the contrary. He made sure to leave footprints ... " -> " ... for he did not take care to conceal his tracks. On the contrary he made sure to leave footprints ... " Please update soon. If you don't, my fingers will give out and I'll plummet from this cliffie. Author Reply: Hi, AM. Thanks for the lovely review, and the suggestions. Hmm ... (visualises AM hanging on the side of a cliff) ... I think I should try to hurry up a bit ... or do you think I could get away with simply admitting to being EVIL and leave it at that? *ducks flying objects* Hang on, fliewatuet (cackling manically) | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/12/2004 |
| I'm so glad you updated. I really love your characterizations. Aragorn is so stalwart and determined, and the hobbits are so brave. I really like how the orcs each have their own individual motivations and personalities and conflicts. Orcs can so easily turn into one-dimensional all-purpose baddies, but yours really come to life. I hope you update again very soon. I wish I didn't have to wait two chapters to find out what happened to Aragorn or how he, Merry, and Pippin fare in the upcoming battle. Author Reply: Thanks, for the lovely review, meckinock. I am glad that you like my Orcs. Not that I intended to write that much about them in the first place, but Tolkien made it quite clear that they do have their own agenda and are not just some nameless evil minions, so I tried to stick to that. And I must admit that I often spend more time pondering about the motivation of the bad guys than the motivation of the good guys ;-) And I, too, hope to update very soon, but I fear RL has other plans for me ... | |
| Timmy2222 | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/5/2004 |
| Oooh, oh, this is getting worse... I am shaking my head in awe how Aragorn had managed to remain conscious AND on his feet with that severe injury. But the breaking of the collar bone will not be easily mended. Aragorn was right with his order to tell the Hobbits to escape alone if a chance occurs; he won't be with them, I fear. Again a wonderful display of how the characters interact - their bravery and companionship under the worst circumstances. Looking forward to more. - T. Author Reply: Now, I will neither ease your fears nor confirm them. Only that, yes, Aragorn's sword cut won't be easily mended. He still has quite an adventure ahead of him. I hope you won't have to wait too long for more. The next chapter is basically finished, but there are some pieces that still suck. I hope I'll get them polished soon ... fliewatuet | |
| Timmy2222 | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 10/5/2004 |
| Ai, poor Aragorn! It is admirable at least that he kept on his feet for so long. As the tension is rising, I wonder where this plot might lead to (guess: Saruman revealing his power and knowledge; the Company's attempt to rescue; Merry and Pippin's deeds to come), and I look forward to read more. - T. Author Reply: I only hope that Aragorn's stamina does not seem too unbelievable. As far as rescue-attempts and the like are concerned, you'll have to wait and see ... fliewatuet | |
| Timmy2222 | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/5/2004 |
| You catch the characters very well. Gimli, proud, stubborn, and distrustful to one, who claimed himself a traitor. Boromir, weakened by his wounds, but willing to keep up with the Company, and grateful they did not abandon him at all. And Legolas, serene, knowing, leading them though doubts fight within him. I laughed about the last paragraph and Legolas' uncertainty what kind of medicines he should use. It seems hard to imagine that through all the years that Elf has lived, he doesn't know anything about healing, but it only adds to the very 'human' touch you gave all the characters. - T. Author Reply: Glad you like my characterization. And as far as Legolas' uncertainity is concerned, that was very much deliberate *g*. I like toying with people's expectations, and having seen Legolas described as one with a profound knowledge about all of Middle-earth, not only Mirkwood (see, e.g. PJ's movies), or with having healing skills that would match those of Elrond, I just couldn't resist. It also changes the group dynamics of the three hunters, and I just wanted to explore what would happen if none of them would be really fitting for the role that Aragorn plays in the original text. He, and nobody's perfect, not even Legolas ;-) fliewatuet | |
| Timmy2222 | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/5/2004 |
| Finally, my dear author, you are someone who fully read your Tolkien. While reading the last paragraph, I thought, well, Denethor had already seen Aragorn, but not under that very name! And, there you are, and Denethor recognizes the adviser/counsellor of his father as Thorongil. YES! - T. P.S. What a hard fate for Robby and Tobby, and, no, you better don't guess my age, please... Author Reply: Sorry for not replying to your reviews earlier. As a reward, you'll get an answer for every single one of them *vbg* As far as my knowledge of Tolkien is concerned, I must admit that it is somewhat selective. While I eagerly devour every page that has the name "Aragorn" (or one of his many aliases) written upon it, I could so far not convince myself to reread either the Hobbit or the Silmarillion. But doing my research for this fic has rewarded me with many insights in odd details that I would have otherwise skipped entirely. fliewatuet P.S.: Robby and Tobby are behaving again. But they send greetings and thank you for expressing your concerns about their welfare ;-) | |
| Timmy2222 | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/4/2004 |
| After reading several AU stories at different times, I started anew with this one to get the right connections... I very much like the way you catch Aragorn's intention to ease Pippin's worry. Though weary and in pain, he still thinks about the Hobbits. It was interesting to read that you gave the Uruk-hai the possibility to think and reflect their doings, and that some have learned lore - in fact that they are able to do more than killing or dragging Hobbits along by order of Saruman. It is a good idea to bring forward the characters of the bad guys with some details. I suppose you need that for later. BTW: Did you bring Robbi and Tobbi, too? - T. Author Reply: Yes, Aragorn! He just can't change the way he is. And in giving the Uruk-hai and Orcs some dialog that showed them as more than just evil killing-machines, I only stuck to Tolkien. They constantly quarrel, complain and each tribe/group has its own interests. Giving them a reason for acting the way they act is a vital part for me to make the story believable. I couldn't go without it. I don't buy villains that act evil just because they are apparently evil (and because the author needs an excuse for someone to torture our favourite heroes ... not that I donīt read those stories anyway :-P). Thanks for the reply, and I hope you continue to enjoy the story (next chapter is on its way), fliewatuet P.S.: Shall I guess your age? ;-) Seriously, Robby and Tobby were left in charge of household maintainance issues and failed miserably ... they are locked in the pantry *vbg* | |
| Timmy2222 | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/27/2004 |
| What a promising start! Usually I skip AU stories, but this one looks like it could become better and better. I like the grip you hold on the language, especially by reading that English is not your native language. I will continue reading as soon as I can. - T. Author Reply: I am glad that you like the start and hope that the rest lives up to your expectations. As I am rather slow to update, there's no need to hurry through the rest ;-) (though I am working on the next chapter and hope to get it posted about Mid-October) | |
| Caelin | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/13/2004 |
| This is an excellent story. I sometimes find AU tales lacking in the true essence of Tolkien, but you have somehow managed to capture it. Your characterisation is very good and the events described, although obviously not canon, could easily be so. I also like your style of writing and it is particularly impressive that you manage it so well in a language that is not your first. I look forward to reading the rest of the story. Author Reply: Thanks for the praise! And I agree with you that AUs are a tricky thing. The concept in itself offers a wealth of opportunities (if you try to answer the what if question) but is often misused as a label for stories that don't stick to facts presented in the original text. For me it is a welcome excuse to delve deeper into Tolkien's text, and I find myself suddenly pondering little details I would have never noticed had I not been bitten by that particular plot-bunny! | |