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| Chronicles of Ithilien by Berzerker_prime | 11 Review(s) |
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| Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/8/2005 | |
| If this were continued as a series and published, I would be the first to buy it. The conversation between Faramir and Eowyn while awaiting Eomer's arrival was hilarious, I could so totally see David Wenham(Faramir) and Miranda Otto(Eowyn) saying that in a continuation of the trilogy movie. Great,epic,and skillfully plotted writing!!! | |
| phoenix23531 | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/17/2005 |
| Wow! I am most impressed by this wonderful story of yours. I only just discovered it, with your uploading of the third chapter, and I am already hungry for more. The characters (both yours and Tolkien's) are developed wonderfully, and reflect true thought and research (which is most refreshing!). Also, I love the pattern you have started of blending humour, exposition, action and character development in a truly Tolkienesque style. This last chapter, with the wonderfully drawn out descriptions of battle tactics and action, and particularly your descriptions of weapons and armour (which are too often not researched fully) and the mention of Ghan Ironax's story and naming, were particularly reminiscent of Tolkien's own writing. Congratulations, and I can't wait to read more! Author Reply: Yay! Always glad to snag...er I mean, attract a new reader! I'm very glad to hear that you like the description of warfare. It's something I've been working on improving over the past year or so. I've been doing some reasearch into period swordplay and hopefully it will make the next chapter even better in that regard. Hope you'll stick around for more in the future. ^_^ Le hannon ah bado na sídh. Berz. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/11/2005 |
| I was most struck here by Faramir's determination. He's willing even to quarrel with Eowyn to go after Beregond. I was startled when he let Bergil carry the message to Minas Tirith. He must have a lot of respect for the kid. Author Reply: LOL! Well, mainly it was that he understood the kid. He figured Bergil would go anyway. Eru knows Faramir was ready to do the same! ^_^ Bado na siidh! Berz. | |
| Shieldmaiden of Rohan | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/11/2005 |
| That's ok if it takes awhile... this story seems like it's very involved to write, so I'd rather you take your time and stay happy with how it's turning out. The part where Bergil was taking the message to Minas Tirith was so vivid--I could almost see him crouching in that building, waiting for his opportunity to run. And I love that even in an action-packed story like this, you can still really see the relationships developing, like in the conversations between Faramir and Beregond, and Beregond and Bergil, and Faramir and Eowyn. (And I hope the latter resolve their conflict soon, because I do so hate to see them mad at each other!) I have a guess as to the old friends from the west, but I'm going to wait and see if I'm right. And do I sense a bit of a romance potential between Bergil and Higefryth? :D Author Reply: *blink* Wow! I haven't even written a scene where Bergil and Higethryth talk to each other yet! Oh well, I guess it is kinda predictable. The character interactions are very much the heart of the story to me. How they act and react to the events and other people around them and how they change and grow because of them is what this story is all about. That being said, Beregond and Bergil has so far been my favorite relationship to write. Everything about the story line there just flows so smoothly. Meanwhile, I'm having trouble writing the next Faramir and Eowyn scene because they're both just frustrated with each other and don't want to talk about it! Ack! Le hannon ah bado na siidh. ^_^ Berz. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/11/2005 |
| Berzerker-- I've read about a third of this but I have to get ready for work now. I find that my favorite scenes are those in which the next generation shows up. The test for Bergil and his age-mates was well done. I could just see them struggling to wake up enough to face this test. And I laughed at Faramir's interaction with his young sons. And eagle brought my little brother to live with us! Yes, that's it. And nana is upset but she can probably be pacified if ada apologizes. The argument between Beregond and Bergil was also well done. Beregond's description of battle is quite horrifying. I'll be back later. Author Reply: Yeah, work is pesky, isn't it? It's part of the reason it's going to be a while before chapter 4... Glad you're enjoying the kids. They've been a blast to write so far and it's only going to get better as they grow up. ^_^ Look forward to feedback from you on the rest of the chapter. Bado na siidh! ^_^ Berz. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/8/2005 |
| So, Beregond hm? That doesn't sound good. I can see why Faramir doesn't tell him. He'd be like Galadriel, not knowing whether what he does makes something that he's not sure of more or less likely to happen. But Beregond is right. Something odd is going on here. For one thing, who's organizing those orcs? I assume Faramir is trying to keep Beregond out of some unknown danger by keeping him home. I'm not sure Beregond appreciates that! So a new power arises, eh? Were those dragons or some other beasts? "Parley, parley, who invented this parley?" "That would be the French." LOL. Sorry. I had a little Pirates of the Caribbean moment there. Author Reply: Yup! Beregond. And you're absolutely right on everything you said about making something more or less likely to happen. But, the ironic thing is that by making the choice for him, Faramir is taking an action that could also make something more or less likely to happen! Those poor guys... Nope, not dragons. If I recall correctly, Smaug was the last of the Dragons. But, they do have something to do with something we've all seen before. Whether or not the characters (and thus anyone reading the story) will ever fully figure it out remains to be seen, but they are something specific. Le hannon ah bado na siidh. ^_^ Berz. | |
| Shieldmaiden of Rohan | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/8/2005 |
| Ai...I'm becoming increasingly annoyed with ff.net. If not for the number of reviews I got there, I wouldn't even bother... I have to side a bit with Beregond here; Faramir's nuts for going to battle while his wife is in labor with his firstborn! Though I suppose it would have been really bad for him watching his brother die. Poor Iorlas... I liked him. Though I suppose a war has to have casualties. And down to the depths whatever muttonhead thought up par...um, wait. Wrong fandom. Hadoriel doesn't strike me as a 'Sue-type; for Elves, the cool battle-moment was very fitting, and she obviously has her character flaws (such as her lack of knowing when to keep her mouth shut. :D ) So I think you're safe for the moment. ;) And you do a wonderful job of describing both the new city and the battle. Author Reply: Yay! I got someone to like the cannon-fodder character! Woo hoo for Iorlas! Poor guy didn't get a chance to develop into a terribly well-rounded character, but he's been poking at me, bearing some WotR plot bunnies lately, too. Maybe he'll end up with a story of his own some day. Not bad for a guy whose purpose in the story was to get canned, eh? Glad to hear that about Hadoriel. I've bee playing her for a good year and a half, so she's something of a force to be reckoned with in my head. And you're absolutely right about the keeping her mouth shut thing. One of the other characters in the D&D group has actually started calling her "mommy" just to get on her nerves! But, I do hope someone will tell me if she gets too Sueish. That sort of thing can ruin a story real quick. Le hannon! ^_^ Berz. | |
| Stefania | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/7/2005 |
| Beserker_Prime, this is such a wonderful beginning of a story. Your use of Tolkien's style is admirable. Also, your scenes really come to life, particularly Faramir's confrontation with the Palantir. I agree that Faramir might have the power to use a palantir. The Palantiri were not tied to the One Ring so, theoretically, they should still be functional after the Fall of Sauron. Please continue to show us the use of the Palantir in "Chronicles of Ithilien." One thing that struck me was your use of Arwen to bring Faramir to the palantir. The scene reminded me so much of film Fellowship of the Ring's scene where Galadriel beckons Frodo, "Will you look into the Mirror?" Was this your intention? Your Arwen seems to be a chip off her old grandma's block. She's a startling character. One small nit on an anachronistic word. Early in the story you mention that Faramir is feeling "paranoid." I'd check out the history of the word "paranoid." Though the word sounds Greek, it describes a condition defined by modern pscyhology. One way to get around the use of our modern word "paranoid" is to instead write how someone feels when they are, in modern terms, paranoid--like fearing everyone is out to get you. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to your next chapter. Author Reply: Thanks for the review! Glad you're enjoying it. ^_^ Yep, I plan to have the Palantíri pop up again. It's quite a ways away, though. Chapter six is their next appearance, although they may get a mention earlier depending on how I work a few things. Arwen. Yes, she's weird that way, isn't she. Funny thing about when I went to write that scene, I had originally envisioned that Aragorn was going to take that role. But she popped up in my brain and said "no, let me do it." That happens so rarely, I figured I'd better listen to her! ^_~ You're not the first person to tell me I have anachronistic words in some places of my writings. But I really don't understand the argument. I'm writing in modern English, Tolkien wrote in modern English, and Middle-earth is not Earth. Westron is effectively translated to modern English for the purposes of the books and I'm following that concept. There is nothing that says Gondorian philosophy would not have had a similar idea and a word to go with it. I surmise they would have had one, in this case, especially in Gondor since living in the shadow of Mordor would foster paranoia of the Enemy coming out and attacking any day. Remember that Westron is not related to English in any way and therefore rules pertaining to liguistic history between the two do not apply because there is no such history. Le hannon ah bado na sídh. Berz. | |
| BM | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/6/2005 |
| This was excellent! Very well written! I could have been reading Tolkein himself! Truly, you should be writing books! Please, continue with this story--you have me greatly intrigued. Faramir shares the spotlight as my favorite character in LOTR, and I think he's the one I like the most to read about in fanfiction, but it seems that he usually has to take a back seat to the hobbits or to Aragorn or Legolas (or most of the elves!) so I'm thrilled to find a story about him! Your characterizations are wonderfully real and complex--they were coming off the screen and could have been standing beside me, they were so life-like! I think you had them perfect and even added dimensions and facets that made them even more real and human. And I greatly liked the friendship between Faramir and Elassar, the closeness as almost brothers and not merely lord and steward. Definitely a magnificent piece and I definitely can't wait to see more! Thanks for sharing and please keep writing--you have marvelous talent! BM Author Reply: LOL! No, it's time for Faramir to be one of the stars, most definately! Glad you enjoyed the chapter. ^_^ Bado na sídh. Berz. | |
| Shieldmaiden of Rohan | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/6/2005 |
| So far, this is promising to be a really good story. I liked Beregond's idea to recruit some of the Rohirrim for the White Company, and his banter with them over the ale. And Bergil is really fun to read as well. I have no problem with Faramir's use of the palantir, though I'm glad he finally was able to overcome it at the end. And I'm not seeing any major loose ends that need to be tied up, other than the Mordor thing. :) Author Reply: Glad you're enjoying Bergil. The little ankle-biter has taken over his share of the story line and he's really going to feature more down the line. He really does some growing up in the next few chapters. Thanks for the review. ^_^ Berz. | |