Reviews of The Apprentice - Stories of Arda

Queen Galadriel · 18 January 2007 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

Awww! *melts* Sooo sweet! I love your little Sam! Sam is such a sweet, wonderful Hobbit in the books and it's adorable to see him as a little kid. Serious and yet overflowing with life and joy. :) I especially love the conversation about friendship and kinship. Yes, Sam himself will prove Bilbo right in later years. And I always enjoy new takes on how Sam came to learn to read. Thank you for a very entertaining and thought-provoking tale! God bless, Galadriel P.S. I love your pen name! :)

Jeodo Brandybuck · 26 June 2004 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

What an absolutely wonderful story! I was entranced and decided to stay up and read your delightful account of the beginning of Sam and Bilbo's relationship, rather than get some sleep. A more than worthy trade! I think what I liked best was both Sam's discussion with his father regarding the potatoes, and Sam learning to spell his name. You described the settings with great charm and the characters were very true and authentic. Well done! Jeodo Brandybuck

SoundofHorns · 3 February 2004 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

Adorable! I love Sam in any form, but this excited, young Sam is too cute.

Author's reply

Isn't he though! Thank-you!

KavarieL · 3 February 2004 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

Awww!!! So sweet! Can picture Sam as a kid. Big eyes, curly hair and all. Ooh! Not to mention, grubby! But so serious and childlike at the same time. Lovely lovely story! =)

Author's reply

LOL, yes, don't forget grubby, because that makes you wish you could take a warm face cloth and give his sweet face a wipe and a kiss on the nose. (ah, can you tell I am blessed with only daughters?) Thanks for your kind comment!

arabella thorne · 2 February 2004 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

As well written a tale as I have read in half an Age. Wonderful descriptive quality and so very very hobbity. I could hear the charcters speaking. You quite have them down to a "T" You have a real gift. And I enjoyed the story telling completely.

Author's reply

*blush* Thanks arabella. I love writing pre-quest stories, they are my favorite, when the Shire was simple and unsullied and so very "hobbity".

liptonrm · 2 February 2004 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

I adore this story. You've so charmingly and perfectly captured the characters and their motivations. I'm in love with your Bilbo and with your young and precocious Sam. I can see this happening and I adore the skill you've used in sharing this scene with us all. Ugh, I wish I could find more ways to rave about your lovely story, but it fits together so seamlessly as a whole that to single out one moment, one line would almost do it an injustice. I'm in love;-).

Author's reply

LOL liptonrm! Yeah, I felt like a fly on the wall when I was writing this story, it just played out so clearly in my head. I love when that happens. Thank-you for liking it so much!

Grey Wonderer · 1 February 2004 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

You write beautifully. I believe this is the first one of your stories that I have read and I really enjoyed it a great deal. I love Bilbo and enjoy reading fictions that involve him. Your little Sam is adorable and quite in character. This was a very good look at two rather loney hobbits finding friendship. I look forward to reading more of your stories.

Author's reply

Thank-you Grey Wonderer. I have to admit that the characterization of Bilbo owes a lot to Ian Holm's performance in FOTR. Sam is my 'hands down' favorite character, and I love imagining him as a small lad.

pebbles · 1 February 2004 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

Very nice story. I always love your stories of the hobbits, and I especially liked the way Bilbo and Sam interacted. Write more soon!

Author's reply

Hi Pebbles! I know you, don't I? Thanks for your comment! My plan is to post all my stories here in chronological order. You may see one new one soon, but that will likely be it.

Sandy K · 1 February 2004 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

Oh, my goodness! This was a wonderful story! I don't think I've ever read a story of Bilbo and Sam before Frodo came into the picture. You've made Sam such a wonderful, inquisitive, intelligent character. And I'm totally in love with your Bilbo! Have you considered a sequel? I'm adding you to my list of favorite authors and I'll be on the lookout for the next installment!

Author's reply

Thanks, Sandy K! I haven't written a 'sequel' to this story, per se, but I have another story, called 'The Frequent Visitor', that takes place about six months after this one, and is the story of Frodo's first meeting with Sam, when he comes to live with Bilbo. I wrote it about two years ago (my first ever fanfic), but I didn't know about this wonderful site until earlier this week. I will post it very soon.

Elwen · 1 February 2004 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

I'm stunned. I ate up every word of this wonderful tale. Your characterisation of Sam is perfect. And I could hear his breathless little voice rambling on. Bilbo's thoughts were so delicately turned too. You led him from almost indifference to a strong caring about his younger cousin. Thank you for sharing.

Author's reply

This reply to Elwen is really a reply to all to all the reviewers, to say a heartfelt "thank-you" for your very kind words. I am going off to read all your work now! I loved writing this fanfic and especially I loved writing such a very young Sam. I've written six other fanfics over the past two years, this one being the most recently written, though it is the first chronologically in my stories (which are all consistent with each other and "Sam-centric"). I'll get the other ones up soon in chronological order.

Shireling · 1 February 2004 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

What a lovely story. You have captured both Sam and Bilbo beautifully. Funny how the innocent questions of a child can bring things into closer focus ! Helen

shirebound · 1 February 2004 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

I enjoyed this *so* much! What a fascinating insight to think that Bilbo didn't believe he had accomplished anything after his adventure -- not even as much as his gardener had. And I can't think of a better way to describe the fascination a child has for the mystery that is reading and writing. You capture so beautifully Sam's enthusiasm, honesty, and innocence, and Bilbo's sense of having something to share with someone who would appreciate it. What a wonderful way with words you have! Every bit of your dialogue seemed just perfect. I did enjoy these gems in particular: "Seemingly no child's game of treasure hunt could have pleased Sam more than digging the potatoes at Bag End" "I never saw writing close up before, Mr. Bilbo, so I took a peep." "Sam looked swiftly up at Bilbo. "Am I to learn how to read, then, Mr. Bilbo?" "Folk die when they get old. They don't die when they still has children to finish growing, do they?" "Did you know me dad gave me your beets to look after, Mr. Bilbo?"

Lyta Padfoot · 31 January 2004 · Chapter 1: The Apprentice

"There's a Baggins living in Buckland!" Sam said with wonder. "Don't the Bagginses belong in Hobbiton, then?" Young Sam is adorable and his innocent questions certainly make Bilbo think, children are amazing like that.

Reviews (13)