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Antane's Anthology  by Antane 208 Review(s)
KathyGReviewed Chapter: 44 on 3/22/2024
Love this! This is so nice! What a great tribute to Ian Holmes. Yes, I know I reviewed this previously on two occasion, but hey, I just had to do it yet again! =)

And with that said, I hope you won't wait till Sir Ian McKellen is also dead before you write another tribute about him! In fact, I would like nothing more than to see you return to the fandom and rejoin the rest of us there (not fair, Precious, not fair!!! =)). I miss your great reviews of existing stories and your equally great stories, so please, come back! [gives Antane puppy-dog look]

KathyGReviewed Chapter: 44 on 9/28/2022
This is nice! I like how you included Professor J.R.R. Tolkien and Sir Ian Holm in this story. Guess it's a little early to be adding Martin Freeman and Sir Ian McKellen! =)

KathyGReviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/28/2022
Love it! Love how Frodo made some of Sam's favorite foods to welcome him home with. It's wonderful that Frodo and Sam formed a friendship before Frodo became Sam's employer.

CibilkaReviewed Chapter: 10 on 1/6/2022
Hello! Comment is long overdue, so I'd understand if you never see this, but I'd still like to show my heartfelt appreciation and love for all of the works of fiction you've written centering around our two heroes, Frodo and Sam. I just reread the books and was left with this void in my heart for them, when Frodo parted from his beloved Shire and friends, though I'd never fault him for making such a decision; I'm sure it was very difficult for him to, since it meant leaving everything important and dear to him: the one he wished to save from the evil darkness to begin with, but alas he had no choice, the painful memories continued to make him suffer. I was so moved by pity for him, and I couldn't bring myself to call Samwise the "chief hero" of the story, albeit I love him. Frodo's sacrifice was immeasurable, and his "tremendous" failure right at the end rendered of all that useless- at least in his eyes. What's even worse was being "tempted" to regret Its destruction... This one broke me the most, as if blaming himself for the "failure" wasn't enough, the lust and hate relationship with the It persisted. He must have loathed himself even more for such desires. I could not begin to imagine what he suffered and I felt so deeply saddened for his loved ones, not least of all his Samwise. He fought and fought and never lost hope because he loved his Master exceedingly and wanted to save him- only in the end he wasn't able to, he had to lose him just as Frodo had to lose everything he fought so hard to protect.

Admittedly, I was in the belief initially at the beginning of their journey, they were merely master and servant and nothing more, but no one can deny the rare and special kind of bond they had forged by sharing the same burden of the Ring. Although Samwise didn't have to endure Its evil power to the same extent and degree as his master had done, I'm certain witnessing his beloved be reduced to a hollow, starved and frightful creature must have been heart-wrenching, and all he could do to ease his suffering was offer "clumsy" words and physical affectionate gestures, which I'm sure Frodo more than appreciated, but nevertheless it was painful to feel utterly helpless to help the one you loved and wanted to save. But he never gave up hope, because I suppose, that love he possessed was far grander than one ordinary person could hope to understand and it surpassed all else: that seemingly simple and humble wish of his to save his master, gave him unquenchable strength and willpower to persevere in spite of all the chaos around them. These two small creatures, armed with nothing but their love for beauty and good is what gave them the courage and strength to continue and set the course for Its destruction. Still, indeed, Frodo had to suffer the most between the two, but that does not diminish Sam's own, however he could still recover: he did end up "saving" his master, just not wholly.

My heart goes out to the both of them. I don't know if it were ever conclusive that Frodo achieved healing and peace in Tol Eressea. I'm not well-versed on the lore of Middle-earth so I can't make inferences on that matter. I'm just sincerely hoping he did. As for Sam, I also sincerely hope he was able to see his master once more, though many doubt this.

I've written and rambled on long enough. I'd like to part with these quotes from the book, which happen to be my personal favorites.

'I am glad that you are here with me,' said Frodo. 'Here at the end of all things, Sam.' To me this sums up neatly the pinnacle of their bond. Frodo, in moment of clarity at last, peacefully accepts their doom with none other than faithful Samwise.

'But to Sam the evening deepened to darkness as he stood at the Haven; and as he looked at the grey sea he saw only a shadow on the waters soon lost in the West. There still he stood far into the night, hearing only the sigh and murmur of the waves on the shores of Middle-earth, and the sound of them sank deep into his heart.' And this tells me that the memory of Frodo sailing into the West became forever ingrained in his heart.

Author Reply: Cibilka, my sister! :) Thanks so much for your comments. Agree, agree, agree. When I was first getting obsessed, I was warned by a friend not to read fanfic because it was all slash and I'm thinking, what will I do, I have only the Red Book, I want more! I am so glad I discovered my friend was wrong and there was tons of fic that was clean and celebrated hobbity love and I let loose with my own celebrations. So much fun. I have moved on - high time for me to be obsessed with my own sub-creations and the first one of my fantasies will be out soon - but thanks, thanks, and thanks.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

KathyGReviewed Chapter: 44 on 9/24/2020
I just wanted to let you know that I've finally started reading your book, "Chosen." Because of all the other stuff I was reading when my copy of it arrived, time didn't really permit me to start reading it earlier, or I would have let you know sooner; it was only this evening that I could finally begin. And I wanted to let you know, I like what I've read so far! =)


Author Reply: Great, glad to hear it! Hope you had a happy Hobbit Day. :) *hugs*

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 44 on 8/9/2020
A most proper pair of earrings, followed by a blessed welcome. Thanks for this tribute to all of our beloved friends!

Author Reply: Le hannon, my dear Larner - glad to hear from you and that you enjoyed! Hope you are enduring the current craziness well enough. We are fine here. Can't wait for it to be over.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

KathyGReviewed Chapter: 44 on 6/23/2020
Thanks. I'll have to wait till next month to order it, since I've got to watch my spending for the rest of this month. But thanks for posting that link!


Author Reply: Hi, sorry for late reply here, got busy at work and then working on my writing - but you are welcome and I thank you for your support - much appreciated! :)

Namarie, God bless and hobbity hugs, Antane :)

KathyGReviewed Chapter: 44 on 6/23/2020
Really? Interesting! I have a copy of your earlier book, "Moments of Grace and Glory in Spiritual Warfare," but I never knew about your later book. I should like to read it!

Self-publishing, huh? Well, again, I wish you success!


Author Reply: Thanks! Here's a link to get Chosen, either an ebook or print, right from my website rather than paying the devouring dragon that is Amazon and which gives a pittance in royalties - https://ofagespast.com/buybooks/ You will also see an ebook of poetry I wrote about a heroic quest - you can guess which one ;)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

KathyGReviewed Chapter: 44 on 6/23/2020
I see. Are you seeking publication, then? If so, I wish you success! Although I will miss your Tolkien fanfiction stories.


Author Reply: Thanks! I'm self-publishing through Draft2Digital.com and/or Ingramspark.com. They published my book, Chosen, which is about the journeys of Bilbo and Frodo that came out in 2018.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

KathyGReviewed Chapter: 44 on 6/22/2020
I see. Well, the story Dreamflower and I are working on is posted here on SoA, so if you feel like reading any Tolkien fanfiction, feel free to stop by and check our story out! It's a novel-length WIP.

So you're writing your own original fantasy stories, huh? Interesting! What are they about?



Author Reply: I've seen the mega opus of two of you but haven't read anything yet, though I am intrigued. As to my own stories, they are my riff on the hero's journey, or in my case, many heroes, in a series called The Storm Chronicles. It's still majorly a work in progress which keeps morphing as the pantser in me feels her way along the wall to find out what the series is really all about. The plot bunnies are running amok. Fun, fun. :) The first volume may be out later this year.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

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