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Pearl of Great Price  by Lindelea 2 Review(s)
Lyta PadfootReviewed Chapter: 21 on 12/31/2003
Rosemary's been disowned very quickly - even before her whereabouts were known. I was kind of hoping to read the scene where Ferdinand disowned his daughter (hint, hint), but maybe another chapter. The Ferdi and Regi conversation harkened to future discussions in "Flames" - in particular I was reminded of the discussion between them in the pub when Paladin went to visit Pippin. Ferdi, like his sister, has more friends and allies than he knows.

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 21 on 12/31/2003
A very satisfying chapter. I feel proud of the farmers of Tookland. It seems that Lalia's ways are well known. Not only has Gundy gotten what he wanted most, his land, he's also gotten the respect of the farmers of the Tookland, and though they think they're rewarding him for his carving, their respect is for an honest and virtuous man: they don't know it, but the reward is just as fitting for his rescue of Rosemary. Lalia may be respected for her cunning, but she is not beloved.

Pearl feels she can hold her own at the Smials. She's a few years older, and she had a level head and enough experience to manage her situation. At least she thinks so, and for her sake I hope she's right. She wants to look out for Ferdi, and so does Regi. Having Ferdi train for a hunter is the perfect thing to further pull him out of himself. Not taking the charity of the Thain is a strong motiviation for him.

I read somewhere that the strongest bonds that keep a family together are ones of adversity. The memories that matter and the stories that are the best to share around the fireside later, come from the troubled times and remembering the strength that gets you through it together. Somehow, the behaviour of Bittersweet, and Regi, and Pearl and Ferdi and Gundy remind me of a family pulling together in hard circumstances against a common enemy. Now calling Lalia an enemy may be strong, but when a leader acts in her own self-interest over the welfare of the group, others have to stand up and take up the slack or someone will get hurt. I think Lalia has crossed the line from cunning and unpleasant but good for the Tooks, to harmful. Maybe before she only hurt her son; now she's endangering much more. (IMHO)

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