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The Young Knights  by Soledad 4 Review(s)
StefaniaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/26/2006
Why Soledad, this is a wonderful story so far. It held my interest so much that I read four chapters in one sitting--unusual for an antsy reader like myself.

Though I expected a story entitled "The Young Knights" to be of the action/adventure genre, what you have given us so far is a well-drawn family drama. The Steward and his sons are so nicely characterized. I especially love your less nasty, more well-rounded Denethor. Your attention to details is also very good, particularly the heraldry of the knights and the vivid description of the walled town.

I am eager to continue on with this tale and see how it unfolds.

- Steff

Author Reply: Thank you. :))

There will be slightly more action later, although less adventure, more a more-or-less regular medieval tournament. There will also be some romance, a little intrigue and even fun. I hope you'll like it.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/4/2006
Boromir and Faramir together are great. They share an understanding that even their cousins can't - and understanding of what it is to be the heirs of the de facto ruler of Gondor and the responsibility that goes with it. Not to mention the absence of their mother - although Morwen, it seems, is also motherless. (Mothers don't seem to have long life-expectancies. A fact of the period, true, but it also works as a literary device. However, becoming a mother seems to be worth avoiding if you are a literary character!)

I love the town of Carvossonn! You make it sound truly impressive - and a bastion of pre-Numenorean culture.

Excellent stuff.

Author Reply: Thank you. The choice was made because I've been wanting to go and see Carcassonne so badly for years by now but haven't succeeded so far. So I spend lost of virtual time there. ;)

Yes, women in medieval-like times often died in childbirth and infections related to childbirth. Plust the lack of hygiene destroyed their lungs. Sad, but true.

phyloxenaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/3/2006
"Not having Dunedan blood at all made people happier" -- I certainly believe that. Boromir is a sad, doomed character, and his little brother as well. They know all their life they are fighting somebody's else's war. Actually, Men of the Third Age have every right to distrust Elves for starting it all with Morgoth and not finishing on their own... Not that I don't like Dunedain or Elves, I do, but they should be sad, guilty and weighed down by old sorrows to be likable.

Author Reply: Why should they? The mistakes their forefathers made (at least where the Dúnedain were concerned) lay millennia in the past. I don't think one should blame the late descendants for the mistakes of their ancestors. It wouldn't be just.

And why would Boromir and Faramir be fighting somebody else's war? Gondor was their realm, their responsibility, and the return of the King just a mythical possibility for them. The Stewards have done well enough for 26 generations - better than the Kings ever had, IMO - they deserved all the credit they could get.

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/3/2006
I've been to Carcasonne, so I loved your description of Forlong's walled town.

Faramir's determination to try the very difficult shot at the wooden falcon on the tower in the archery contest, despite his youth, seems very typical of the character; he is self-confident and would not shrink from competition.

I can't wait to see the festivities through the eyes of Faramir and Boromir; this is shaping up to be an excellent tale.

Author Reply: Thank you. I'll try to match your expectations. :))

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