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| Steelsheen by Ecthelion of the fountain | 2 Review(s) |
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| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/25/2025 |
| Oh but this is marvellous! The language is rather more formal than might be found in the current popular literature, but it resonates perfectly (at least to my ear) with Tolkien's rather courtly style of writing! (And frankly speaking, though I may be fluent in spoken German as a second language, I wouldn't begin to attempt to write Tolkien fanfic in that language. I know all too well that I lack the skill to do so. By contrast, your prose flows beautifully and sounds fluent, even poetic. For example, "at the very gate of memory", as well as joy finding her and sorrow lying quiet beneath her armor and "golden-haired tempest" and "as one who measured and remembered" and more. I also love that my mind forms clear thought-pictures from your words.) I love the characters and their relationships as you sketch them here! This part encapsulates these admirable Rohirrim so well: When she did well—oh, how he laughed! Once, when she bested him in a bout with the wooden sword, Théodred fell back upon the straw mat with mock despair and cried, “Béma shield me—the lady grows fangs!” And the King, standing nearby, chuckled deep beneath his braided beard. “Aye—may they grow sharper yet.” Very well done! I look forward to reading more. Author Reply: Thank you so much for your generous words—I truly appreciate them! Writing in this style did feel a bit ambitious (even a little presumptuous, especially as a non-native speaker), so I’m genuinely encouraged to hear that it reads fluently and doesn’t add much difficulty for the reader. Language is hard, and Tolkien’s style is no small thing to emulate—so your kind encouragement truly means a great deal. I’m especially glad the imagery spoke to you! And thank you, too, for highlighting that little exchange among the King’s family—it was a delight to write, and I had real fun with it :D | |
| Erulissé | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/25/2025 |
| This is great! I can’t wait for the next chapter. It reminds me a little of Mirkwoodmaiden’s current in progress story ‘Destiny’s Child’, but it has its noticeable differences. I really like the last few phrases. “Perhaps it was but her imagining, yet in the mirror, behind her, the image of a lady seemed to gather—tall and straight, with dark hair like the shadow before dawn, and grey eyes bright as stars, though her fair face was softly blurred, veiled in mist. My grandmother, she thought. I would learn more of her.” Can’t wait to read the next chapter! Author Reply: Thank you so much for your kind comment—I truly appreciate it! I have not yet read Destiny’s Child, but I’m so glad to know there are other ongoing stories about the Rohirrim (we all love them!). This story is actually the third part of a Rohirrim-centered series; the first two were written in Chinese, centered around Théodred and Éomer, and Théodred and Boromir, respectively—so this one is more of a continuation or a missing piece, though it can stand alone :D | |