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| The King and the Steward by Itarille | 5 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| periantari | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/16/2025 |
| It's a talented writer to get so many voices right - from the dialogue in the beginning with Faramir's cousins talking about the princedom to Lord Hador to the hobbity dialogue (which is my favorite). It was a very good chapter. Thanks for the glimpses of everyone who is effected by Aragorn's decision. Author Reply: You are very kind! I hope you enjoyed the different voices. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/28/2025 |
| Well, I don't know if there are *many* stories about Sam's famous mushroom soup, and apologies if I gave that impression! What I meant to convey was that I read many excellent stories by the authors I named in my previous review, along with others (Dreamflower, Thundera Tiger, Frodo Baggins of Bag End, and too many more to list), before I wrote my first fanfic (as well as many outstanding stories after I began posting my own stories – Nilmandra, Fiondil, and Boz4PM are three authors who come to mind). I focused my reading mainly on hobbit-centered stories or Fellowship gap-fillers. (Though I was always looking for stories about Beregond, I don't remember finding any in the early 2000s, so I ended up writing several of them myself. RabidSamFan wrote an excellent story about Bergil, though, and I wish that story had gone longer as it didn't include Beregond's trial and reprieve.) Any of the hobbity writers whose works I read beginning in 2002 could have mentioned Sam's mushroom soup. On the other hand, I might even have been the first to do so! It's just so long ago, I don't remember anymore. I am simply reluctant to take the credit if there's a chance the idea appeared in a fanfic work that I read before I began writing. This was, I think, my first mention of the Soup in one chapter of a story published in 2003: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=309&cid=1227 And here is another very early mention, in a stand-alone story from 2004: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=3065&cid=24206 Author Reply: Thank you for the link! I read your stand-alone story about the hobbits taking care of Boromir--it's great! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/28/2025 |
| Three very different scenes! Patience was never a strong suit in the Dol Amroth family. What a marvellous detail! With a single stroke, you give the reader firm expectations of certain characters. I love their appreciation and support for Faramir. How well they know him! (Doesn't every family have an Aunt Ivriniel? If not, they should. Though I agree that one such person in a family is enough.) Lord Hador is a piece of work. I growled inwardly while reading his thoughts. The one bright spot was the mention of Beregond, though not by name. Ah, Sam's famous mushroom soup. It's good to see it pop up in yet another story. (I wonder who was the first to write about that soup? Shirebound, perhaps? Baylor? Budgielover? Grey Wonderer? Someone else? I remember reading so many wonderful stories when JoDancingTree first introduced me to LOTR fanfic. I even featured that mushroom soup in a few of my own stories over the years, but I don't think I was the first.) I also have to mention that it's the little details like the following that make a story come to life and immerse the reader in the scene: ...beneath the old tree where he had been reading. The air smelled faintly of earth and flowers, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves above them. Author Reply: I imagined Imrahil's family to be smart, brave, accomplished, and impatient. Perhaps I am unconsciously influenced by the many fanfics I've read about them. Yes, every family needs a formidable aunt. Lord Hador, I'm fond of him, in a way. Every new century seems to bring those “old guards” who feel uncomfortable with the changing world and look back at the old ways with a bit of wistfulness. I can’t help but sympathize with them. Wait - there are many stories featuring mushroom soup? How have I missed those? Would you recommend some? I included mushroom soup because the hobbits love mushroom, and --being no great cook--mushroom soup was the only mushroom dish I could think of. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/26/2025 |
| I love the journal entry of Lord Hador. Perhaps his mind will change, in time, as he sees the golden age truly upon them all. Author Reply: Thank you! It's good to hear from you :) Yes, perhaps. Though in every new age, there are always those who stubbornly hold onto the old ways. | |
| PSW | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/23/2025 |
| Good luck w getting the King to marry your daughter, sir …. I must admit - the strongest picture in my mind at the end of this chapter hasn’t actually even happened yet! I have this image in my head of Aragorn discovering mushroom soup from the Shire on the table before him and being so pleased - it completely warms my heart. What a lovely thought. ♥️ Thx as always for writing! Author Reply: Oh, that's a lovely picture! I imagine the servants were rather wary of Aragorn in these early days (though it wouldn't rake him long to win them over). It must have been a pleasant surprise to see the mushroom dishes, prepared out of gratitude and not out of instructions. Thank you for leaving a review! | |