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| Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within by Fiondil | 18 Review(s) |
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| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 50 on 6/24/2014 |
| Nice to see Alex flirting with Felicity a bit and wanting to have a social life in spite of everything. And somehow I am not so surprised that his class has grown. For someone who is always bragging about his abilities, it was rather pathetic how Finlay overwhelmed Alex. Our favourite ex-intelligence officer needs to be more careful, really. But it's quite the surprise to see Finlay here, too, and with his new wife to boot. It looks like he's changed career to something more useful, too. I just wonder how much coincidence there is in Finlay turning up, seeing that Farrell is on the loose. And it sounds as if he might know something. Hm, now with two Valar around, I am beginning to wonder even more what they are planning now. Author Reply: Hi Kitty. Alex now has the chance to live a normal life where people go on dates and have a social life of some kind. As for Finlay showing up, I am sure it's more than just a coincidence, and Glorfindel would say there's no such animal. Thanks for reviewing. It's greatly appreciated. | |
| Kevana | Reviewed Chapter: 50 on 6/23/2014 |
| I was shocked at somebody jumping Alex, thinking there was no way Farrell could have gotten hold of him THAT easily! But this answers a big question for me, I've been wondering what was going on with those agents up north, since they were supposedly going to be released after a few months. Heh, at least all you got was a punch, Alex. That was a bit nerve-wracking! Wonder what those other two fellas are going to be getting up to in D.C. though. Maybe they've learned a lesson. The whole thing with Finlay seems awfully fishy. And I think there is one more person whose safety should be considered now...somebody Alex is slowly getting to know and like. (Aww, those two seem like they could be good friends at the least.) LOL @ Estë, or should I say Esther. Waitress casually speaking Russian to a couple of ex-spies, gotta love it. They need to rename the Gold Nugget after her. Do the owners have any idea who they have working there, or do they just conveniently miss that they have an extra waitress running around? I'd be concerned about Námo looking grim, but when does he not look grim? I think I'd be more worried if he showed up smiling. *grin* But Finlay's up to his neck in something besides snow now, hehe. Farrell-Watch 2012 (I think you said that's when this was set) is still on! Great chapter, one twist after another. -Kevana Author Reply: Hi Kevana. Well, that was the reaction I was looking for in my readers: shock. And it just shows that Alex isn't invincible or all-knowing and he can screw up just like the rest of us. In other words, he's human. As for Finlay, we'll just have to wait and see what his game is. And Esther is a hoot, that's for sure. I think the owners are very happy to have her working there on occasion. And yes, it is 2012 in the storyline. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it. | |
| Reviewed Chapter: 50 on 6/23/2014 | |
| Your story is great. There is only one thing that bugs me a little in this chapter, it's when Alex teaches French and says goodbye: It's not "Au voir" but "Au revoir" Good day Author Reply: Oops! You're right. I didn't see that. Thanks for pointing it out. It's been corrected. | |
| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 50 on 6/21/2014 |
| Interesting meetings, indeed. I was surprised that Alex didn't see the attack coming. Luckily for him it was not Farrell. He needs to pay more attention to his surroundings with Farrell on the lose. Alex was probably thinking about Felicity more than about what he was doing *g*. I never heard the expression 'going Dutch'. Is that when everyone pays for himself? At least that is what I gathered form the context. Hmm, that dream of the shaman in suspicious and having Esther and Namo show up at the cafe makes me wonder what is up. It seems like they want to bring Finlay to their side or they are there for Alex' protection. Author Reply: Alex has relaxed his guard. I don't think he was expecting Farrell to be in Wiseman yet and it much more pleasant to be thinking about the fair Felicity than about Farrell any day of the week. *grin* That being said, he should have been more aware of his surroundings, but he is, after all, only human and not a Maia, so we can forgive him his lapse. And yes, "going Dutch" means exactly that. We'll see how things go on from here now that Nate is involved. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 50 on 6/21/2014 |
| Oh, a comment on a comment. Sakari meaning something in two languages: our Giant Schnauzer was named Zoe ("life" in Greek). One of her nicknames was "Sweetheart". Another was "Jo-Jo". While walking her in a touristy area, we were calling her Jo-Jo and a group of Japanese tourists were walking by and began to exclaim in delight over the name. When I looked it up later I found one source that claimed that jo-jo sounds very similar to a Japanese word for sweetheart. I like to think that source is correct, anyhow. She was a real sweetheart. Author Reply: It is interesting how words or names cross language barriers that way. Sakari as the Inuit name meaning "sweet" obviously is derived from the English word "sugar", while Sakari as the Finnish name is derived from Zachary. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 50 on 6/21/2014 |
| Still travelling, occasionally finding wi-fi, as I am not curious to find out what "additional charges may be involved for roaming". What fun to read this chapter! Ah, I had wondered about those agents who had been put on ice. Curiosity nicely satisfied. I like this preliminary glimpse of Sakira. As a shaman's daughter she likely has unsuspected depths to draw on. In fact, I can see her being much more comfortable with the idea or even physical manifestation of the Valar than most. "Going Dutch" is not only used to head off gossip. When I was in college, it was a way of maintaining personal space. There were sleazy young men (and likely such people are still all too present in today's society) who presumed that if they bought you dinner, you were under obligation to them to provide fun and amusement afterward. (Buying me dinner equates to renting my body, taking away my option to say "no"? I don't think so.) Sad, but true. I always went Dutch in my college days, especially with someone I didn't know well, partly for that reason and partly because many of the guys I knew were as broke as I was. Love the cafe scene, the waitress speaking Russian. (BTDT, actually. Spoke German to a German-speaking family I was serving as a waitress, and some years later did that again for an elderly Austrian woman visiting the historical site where I volunteer. But I don't claim any powers beyond conversational German in a land far away.) If there are any oddities in this review, chalk it up to pecking away at a small tablet and not catching the autocorrect feature when it thinks it knows better. Grim Nano stops by for a chat? Things were interesting already. Now I suspect they're about to become downright gripping. But my random brain can't help quipping, "So, a Vala..." (hoping that's the singular form) "...walks into a bar..." Author Reply: Hi Lindelea. Hope you are having a wonderful time on your vacation. Yeah, "going Dutch" is a good way of holding off the predators and it's unfortunate that there are still people who think you owe them something just because they buy you dinner. And of course, when everyone in your group is tight for money, it's a good method of paying for meals. I'm glad you enjoyed the café scene. It will get more interesting in the next chapter. And yes, "Vala" is the correct singular and that's such a classic opening. Anyway, thanks for reviewing and I look forward to any other reviews you are able to send whenever you find Wi-Fi on your travels. | |
| Diana | Reviewed Chapter: 50 on 6/20/2014 |
| Happy Litha everyone! Will we be seeing more of the Inuit family in the story? I hope so. Boy howdy! Farrel doesn't waste much time, does he?! I also got scared when he first grabbed Alex, then I remembered he's supposed to be protected...right? BTW where the heck are the Elves who were supposed to be watching him? Well, I'm off to the cliff house to do dishes, see everyone at the sink. The Dude abides. Diana Author Reply: Happy Lithe to you, Diana. I am assuming you mean, will we be seeing more of Finlay and Sakari, and the answer to that is, yes. And I think you are confusing Finlay with Farrell, at least that is the impression I have from your sentence. It was Finlay who grabbed Alex, not Farrell. At any rate, we'll see shortly to what extent Alex is indeed protected. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 50 on 6/20/2014 |
| So, the Valar are here for reasons of their own, and I look forward to learning what those are. Sounds as if Finlay is being drawn into the forces of the Light, and is finding himself able to fill a need in this remote village that will in the end benefit its people. And Alex is becoming more interested in Felicity. Interesting directions these people are now headed in. Author Reply: Hi Larner. Yes, the Valar run their own game. It does appear that Finlay has been drawn away from the darkness of the spy business to a more productive and life-affirming role. I think meeting and falling in love with Sakari was a major factor in his decision to leave the Game. And Alex finally has the opportunity to fall in love for real as well. We'll see how that goes. Thanks for reviewing. I much appreciate it. | |
| FV_Whisper | Reviewed Chapter: 50 on 6/20/2014 |
| I think it's now really time for a cliff-house gathering again, nothing like a little Námo ending to keep your readers attention! Going Dutch? Does that mean both will pay there own bills? It's an expression I never heard of, but if that's the case, then I can say that's very Dutch indeed! And it can go really far with that too. For a moment I thought Farrell had tracked down Alex already, but after only two chapters wouldn't really be your style, so it had to be someone else. I have to say I had to think a few times who Finlay was, but the Inuit village did the trick in bringing memories back. The shaman's dream is an interesting one and there's little doubt where that dream came from. You seem to be on a roll on bring up interesting characters, with Sakari being the latest addition. Esther showing up serving in the café was a clue for sure more was coming up, her replying in Russian was a typical touch *snickers* And then Námo shows up... Author Reply: Yes, the phrase "Going Dutch" means just that, each person in the party pays for his or own meal rather than having just one person paying for everyone. I have no idea where the expression originates, but it's an old one, at least in America. In Alex and Felicity's case it allows them to insist to others that, technically speaking, they are not on a date, since Alex is not paying for them both. I figured people would not remember Finlay since he appeared only once and spoke only a few sentences, but once the Inuit village was mentioned, lightbulbs would come on. And I like creating interesting characters who are not your typical walk-ons, even if that's all they are in my story. Some walk-ons have ended up becoming major players. Esther showing up is one thing. I think she hangs out there a lot dispensing advice along with the coffee, but Nate showing up is something else altogether as we will see. Thanks for reviewing, FV_Whisper. I really appreciate it. | |
| Eruherdiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 50 on 6/20/2014 |
| That was not how I expected the chapter to go from the beginning. How truthful is Finlay being? ~Eruherdiriel Author Reply: Hi Eruherdiriel. How truthful Finlay is being remains to be seen. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it. | |