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| Brothers at Heart by Radbooks | 88 Review(s) |
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| sue | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/11/2019 |
| Here we are at chapter 24. I've skimmed ahead, and the rest is much as I expected. I have to say that after the first few chapters of Aragorn getting to know people, having doubts, finding his way, the majority of the story seemed like a VERY well written novelization of a role-playing game. I could hear the dice rolling...you meet bandits; roll for initiative. You meet orcs; you meet another patrol, you sense wolves...what do you do; roll. You are hit by an arrow, roll, take 4pts damage...etc. The characterizations are good, but I thought that Aragorn was way too mature for a 20 yr old and 30-something Halbarad was way too immature and teasing. I appreciate all the work you did over a long time. I enjoyed reading this, but it was ultimately disappointing that the story did not *really* advance, it was just a strung together series of incidents. | |
| LisaG | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 3/8/2010 |
| Wow! What a terrific story! You made me want to meet all of the Dunedain! In so many other stories I've read, authors have made them seem rather crude, crass, unclean and uneducated...I prefer your view of them as more refined and honorable. Poor Aragorn has certainly been tested this first year with his people...I can't imagine the stress of being so young and having to lead people you've only just met and are only beginning to understand their lives. His training with the elves has given him a depth and maturity, however, that has prepared him well for the role. I enjoyed the light hearted moments of banter and teasing among the Rangers...especially Halbarad's ribbing of Aragorn...the Chieftain needs to not be so serious all the time! Halbarad will be Aragorn's "Jiminey Cricket", giving advice and being his sidekick for the many trials ahead. I hope you keep writing many more Aragorn stories...this was a treat! Author Reply: Thanks so much for taking the time to review my story; I'm glad that you enjoyed it. I really enjoyed writing this story, but I don't know when, if ever, I'll write any more stories set in this particular time frame. I haven't been writing much the last year or so and the stories I am working on are my Young Eomer and Eowyn series or part of an AU series that isn't on this site. Anyway, thanks again for reviewing, I do appreciate it! | |
| LisaG | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/6/2010 |
| I really love the opening of this story so far...clearly, it was the best decision to raise Aragorn in Imladris, where he got a more extensive education than he could have in the village. For someone who's only 20, he's quite the diplomat and shows great empathy for people and wiseness beyond his years. I can't wait to read more! | |
| Marethiel | Reviewed Chapter: 27 on 12/30/2008 |
| I truly enjoyed this story, radbooks... in fact, I was in "can't put it down" mode... until 3:00 a.m. this morning! A little cumbersome with a laptop, but I managed it, by God... LOL Seriously, your writing is very rich, your plot and character development thorough. I adore your Ivorwen, btw; she's wonderful! Aragorn is thoroughly believable, and it was interesting to me how Halbarad struck just the right counterpoint in his development of response within the compound. Very cool character device... I may steal it (just kidding!) Seriously, I am very grateful for having this opportunity to read your views of the Dunadain. Many thanks for sharing your talent. ~Marethiel Author Reply: Goodness! I just realized I hadn't replied to your review from the end of December. Forgive me for that! I usually do so right away but with the holidays and all the email must have been deleted. Anyway, thanks so much for your very kind words about my story. I'm glad that you enjoyed it enough to stay up so late... I hope you didn't have to work that morning. :) Ivorwen became a favorite of mine as I wrote that story too. It was fun to have her 'come alive' to me as a character. Thanks again! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 3/8/2007 |
| Well, I finally finished it, and it is marvelous, Radbooks. The care and concern we see in the mature Aragorn in the books is to be seen here, already keen. The relationships are realistic, the writing for the most part excellent--a bit of unnecessary repetition here and there, but nothing to be concerned about. Descriptions are realistic and compelling, and we see development in the characters and their acceptance of Aragorn that is wonderful. Sorry to take so long, but the computer connections here are less than stellar, I find. Author Reply: Thanks so much, Larner! I'm glad that you enjoyed the story and that you found things to be realistic and growth in the characters, etc. You'll have to drop me a note about the repetition you noticed... it may be something I can work on. It will be nice for me to be able to concentrate on my 'Safekeeping' sequel now. I do have a short chapter almost ready to post but I'll be busy with company for awhile and so that will take away most of my writing and reading time for a few weeks. Thanks again! | |
| Calenlass Greenleaf | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 3/4/2007 |
| *Shakes head* I should've left this review a long time ago... I enjoyed this entire story. The portrayals of Tolkien's characters and OCs are interesting, believable, and excellent. The Dúnedain are brought to life by your story. ~Calenlass Author Reply: I'm happy to get a review at anytime, so thank you for taking the time to do so now! I'm glad you enjoyed the story so much and that it was believable, that's what a writer strives for... | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 3/4/2007 |
| This has been a most enjoyable story and I thought the ending very fitting. I usually write my stories as a rough draft before I post a new one I shall eagerly await your ARahorn and Eomer story. Thanks for a great read ! Author Reply: Thanks for being such a faithful reviewer, Linda! I'm glad that you liked the ending... I actually wrote that part last summer which is unusual for me. I mean, I knew how it was going to end but I actually sat and wrote it down on paper which helped a lot when I got to this last chapter. :) I've always sort of written a rough outline for my stories and I know the endings and some of the major points along the way, but then I just start writing and posting. Normally that's been fine... it worked well with 'Safekeeping' but it got really hard with this story because my time for writing has just become limited. In any case I want to finish the 'Safekeeping' sequel and then work on starting the Aragorn and Eomer story. But then I'd also like to do some of the challenges and things too! Never enough time for everything you want to do. :) Thanks again! | |
| ponypetter | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 3/1/2007 |
| What a great view into Aragorn's youth. It's nice to see both the mature qualities we're familiar with, and a little of the hesitant young man he must be. He's had a lot thrown on his shoulders recently! I find it easy to forget that Aragorn would have developed a close relationship with his people, since he lived with them for some time. I also like your portrayal of Halbarad's and Aragorn's relationship. Halbarad seems important to Aragorn's growth because he's someone Aragorn can both teach and learn from. I imagine that most of Aragorn's experiences before were mostly one-sided, with Aragorn as the learner. He's discovering that does have things to teach, while still having more to learn. Author Reply: Thanks so much for reviewing my story, I appreciate it. I enjoyed writing Aragorn at a younger age, though I also found it difficult at times to strike the right balance between the maturity that Elrond obviously saw when he sent him out to his people and yet the fact that he was a young man in a very foreign environment. It was fun developing the relationship between the two young men. Aragorn needed someone of his own age to relate to... he'd never had that of course. And from that small glimpse you get of the two of them in The Two Towers - the way Aragorn reacts when he sees Halbarad there is a sense they were good friends... at least I took it that way. :) Thanks again. | |
| Grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 2/25/2007 |
| Just wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed this story. From Aragorn and Halbarad to all the rangers and thier families, grandma was the best. You did a great job of discribing the villages and the way of life. Glad that Aragorn and Halbarad had a little heart to heart, about Halbarad getting hurt. Looking forward to more stories from you. Author Reply: Thanks so much for reviewing. I'm glad that you enjoyed the story and the characters and the settings, etc. Yes, Aragorn and Halbarad definitely needed to talk about what had happened... it was an important part of the story and actually the reason I started writing it in the first place. It just kept growing way beyond what I had intended! :) Thanks again. | |
| Amy | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 2/18/2007 |
| Congratulations on finishing! I love how Aragorn insists on taking care of Halbarad and vice versa. *clings to your happy!AU In Aragorn's Safekeeping, where Halbarad survives. Author Reply: Thanks, Amy! I'm glad that you enjoyed the story and I'm also glad that you enjoyed 'In Aragorn's Safekeeping' where Halbarad does live... I'm sort of fond of that one myself! :) | |