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| The Grey at the End of the World by jodancingtree | 108 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| MlleGigi | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/18/2011 |
| I absolutely *love* the way in which you turned the Hobbits into the hobs (AKA brownies) of British folklore. In a sense, I think it's almost a shame that this series can't easily be separated from the Tolkien universe and stand on its own, because it's so well-written and creative that it deserves to be published as a commercial property (and potentially could be if it were set in a world of its own rather than one of someone else's creation). | |
| TieAillin Alcarion | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 8/2/2006 |
| Hi, Jo! I've been gone a long time while the new baby Gemma Arwen has grown to the point I can get back to doing some of the things I enjoy. I read this whole thing tonight. Wonderful! I love to see how you've woven some English fairytales so that Tolkien's goal of providing a mythological background can be seen as coming into the fairytales. Tell me, is Logi meant to be the basis for legends of Loki? Since his name came down with the barbarians? As the Gray Man, I'm trying to place that in English (not Nordic) legend. It's late and maybe I can place it in the morning. Loved to read about "Queen Mab" though. Smiles, Tracey Still Walking With Elves | |
| Lightmare852 | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 1/10/2006 |
| A very 'nice' ending, considering that it's the end of another age. I'm glad that Canhodano and Malawen is finally in Valinor, I almost cried when the Orc decided to stay in the last story. This story is dark, but that's why it's very touching. Looking forward to any sequels or other stories from you. Author Reply: I'm glad you liked the story, Lightmare, and that Canohando and Malawen finally ended up where they belonged. Thank you for reviewing! jo | |
| Frank Johnson | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/5/2005 |
| good service | |
| Inkling | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 11/25/2005 |
| Well, it’s nice to think that Logi will have a second chance with romance…maybe he’ll get it right this time! Thinking of his mortal families passing on reminded me of Lash, and left me wondering what became of him. And then there’s Arato, surely immortal as well…perhaps Logi and Radagast are not so alone after all? It’s fun to speculate, anyway. Well jo, a difficult tale full of darkness and tragedy, but hope and beauty as well. So very worth the read, and a fascinating glimpse of Middle-earth long after the Third Age. As it happens I’m working on a short piece also set long, long after the events of LOTR…no hobbits, though two are mentioned. So, is this really the end of Canohando’s tale at last? Whether or no, I look forward to your next story… Author Reply: I'm not sure if this is the last glimpse of Canohando or not - someone urged me to write about his arrival in Valinor, but I'm not sure I have a good enough grasp of Elven lore and history to tackle that. So we'll see. But I'd love to read your "long after LOTR" story - is it posted somewhere yet, or still in progress? jo | |
| Inkling | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 11/25/2005 |
| I’ve been looking forward to having time to read these last two chapters, and today am more than happy to leave the Thanksgiving dishes sitting unwashed to do so… A lovely ending, leaving me sorry it’s over and wishing for more… This was my favorite passage: After a while they passed beneath the shade of a woodland so ancient, it seemed a relic of another age, and the thin beams of sunlight that filtered through were like messengers of faerie, whispering of glories long departed, of battles lost and won. A remnant of the forests of Beleriand, an echo of the past that puts the current defeat in perspective…merely the latest chapter in “the long defeat.” Beautifully written! And my favorite moment: Logi’s primordial howl, reminding me of something out of Beowulf. All of it—the small coracle, Haldar the boatman—very magical and dreamlike. And it’s nice to have it straight from Radagast’s mouth, the Valar’s promise that the hobbits will endure as long as the world. Well, well done! Author Reply: Thank you, Inkling! I could see the forest in my mind, but you put a name on it for me! And you're right, though I hadn't thought about it - Logi himself is a bit like someone out of Beowulf. I'm so glad you enjoyed this story. Thank you for your thoughtful, rich reviews - you make me see things I wasn't consciously aware of, even though I wrote the thing. jo | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 11/25/2005 |
| Such a loooooong life for the orc and the brown man.... Freiga's fate makes me so sad. Hers was the worst lot in this whole story, I fear.. much as Haldar's the younger, dying alone and leaving behind nothing but his doomed father...no wonder that it would take Logi long to forgive himself... I cannot picure Logi in Valinor, though, no matter what arm twisting Radagast might contrive...I believe that his troubled and tragic nature belongs to middle-earth, and that his final redemption might come after the end... Did Arato survive too? :-) Did he cared for the Little Folk too? It was a wonderful story, jo, thanks! Author Reply: Thank you for reminding me of Arato! Of course as one of Canohando's sons, he's also an immortal, and while his chief work would be to help the remaining Guardians make new lives, of course he would be a protector for the Little People too. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story, Perelleth. Thanks so much for your faithful reviewing - it's been so encouraging to hear your comments as the tale unwound. jo | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 11/25/2005 |
| I'm sorry to see this end! even if it does in such a great way! I can understand Malawen's reluctance, yet I loved Canohando's great heart. And what a nice surpirse it must have been for them to discover Haldra at the wheel! Yet Logi´s being left behind was even more painful, that he did not even get to have a proper look at his cousin! poor orc! What a wonderful tale, with the exact touches of hope through despiar, and redemption beyond expectations! I really loved it, jo, and now for the Epilogue! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 11/24/2005 |
| Well. A sort of happy ending for Logi. But it won't last - any more than Freiga or Haldar the younger. What a lonely life for Radagast and Logi. In the end they have to feel closer to each other than the people they protect, for only the other will endure as long. I hope they make it to the Undying Lands at some point to rest from their labours. Author Reply: Yes, it's only a temporary happy ending, for Silja is not immortal. I hope there will be grandchildren to comfort Logi - and even more, I hope Silja's faith in him will help him finally to forgive himself. And as someone else reminded me, there's still Arato - Canohando's son, and therefore an immortal. So Radagast and Logi have one more companion to share their labours. Thank you so much for reading this long tale, Bodkin, and for letting me know you liked it. jo | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 11/24/2005 |
| I'm glad Canohando got to see baby Haldar - and hear that Logi had sworn himself to the protection of the hobbits. Although I wish Malawen had looked at him. And Haldar as the boatman! That's a joy that must have made it easier for Logi to endure the end of the world as he knew it. Author Reply: And think of Malawen's and Canohando's faces, when they realized who the boatman was! I'll bet they all but swamped the coracle in their joy. jo | |