News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Kingdom of Ashes by Linda Hoyland | 17 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/12/2011 |
| Alas for the self-centeredness of Denethor. He lost so much in his rivalry with Thorongil, which was so one-sided to begin with. And I love the thought he might have been looking into the Anor stone when Aragorn was revealing himself to Sauron. Take that, old One-Eye--here's a poke in it! Well done indeed! Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review. It is so sad that Denethor was so self centred and jealous.I'm pleased you liked the idea that Denethor might have seen Aragorn reveal himself to Sauron. | |
| Ellynn | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/10/2011 |
| I really like the dark atmosphere in the chapter, that matches so well with darkening of Denethor's mind and soul. The last line is so perfect! Thanks for a wonderful story, Linda. Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm delighted that you enjoyed this story and felt I caught the darkening of Denethor's soul. | |
| Laikwalâssê | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/10/2011 |
| Dear Linda, until now I had troubles to understand the motives of Denethor but your wonderful description of his character made me look at him with different eyes and sometimes I pity him. This is really a great written story. Thank you. Lai Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm thrilled to hear that I helped you understand Denethor better! | |
| Darkover | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/9/2011 |
| Dear Linda: Wow! This final chapter was intense, and very absorbing to read. Denethor was comparing his sons--to Faramir's detriment--as soon as the latter was born. The loss of Ecthelion, followed all too soon by the loss of Finduilas, not only grieved Denethor, it deprived him of two people who might have provided some emotional and psychological stability to his life. As time passed, Denethor became even more power-absorbed than ever--and he still continued to be obsessed with Thorongil! You did an excellent job of showing how, even with the Captain gone, Denethor's anger and resentment of Thorongil continued unabated, and it added to his growing pride and anger. He even resented Faramir because the characteristics of his younger son reminded him of his hated rival! Denethor took up the use of the palantir as much because he wanted to know where Thorongil was and what the latter was doing, as because he wanted to know and thwart the plans of Sauron. As you portrayed the growing pride and madness of the Steward, you also did an excellent job of using threads from Tolkien to weave consistency into this final chapter. This was skillfully done, and I admire your deft use of canon. I agree with your final implication that Denethor tried to kill Faramir and then himself as much because he did not want either of them to serve "Thorongil," as because he did not want them to become prisoners or slaves of Sauron. Denethor still blames Thorongil for allegedly depriving him of his father's love, and assumes the former Captain will be able to command Faramir's love, as well. Of course, the King will be able to; but once again, Denethor can see things only from his own bitter perspective. He cannot comprehend how Faramir might love the King because the King is the kinder father-figure Faramir has always wanted and needed, or how Faramir's surrender of the white rod to this man would be an act of duty, not betrayal. Denethor still sees everything as being about him! The Steward is so full of hate and rage against the man whom he has always regarded as his rival, that he will take his own life and that of his son's as one final, dramatic act of spite. Your last line: "Come, Thorongil, and inherit your kingdom of ashes!" is particularly well written! Each chapter of this story has packed an emotional wallop. Thank you very much for writing and posting such an interesting and dramatic tale. Sincerely, Darkover Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I loved reading your thoughts about this story and this chapter.It was so sad that Denethor lost the people who might have helped him and his jealousy warped his mind.Thanks again. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/9/2011 |
| Poor Denethor; in the end, his pride is all he has left; and it didn't have to be that way. A good interpretation of the last third of Denethor's life... Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I do feel pity for Denethor,such a pity he let pride and despair destroy him. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/9/2011 |
| If Imladris did indeed still exist, it might well be where Thorongil was hiding, and most likely Mithrandir with him. They would easily beguile Faramir and bend him to their will, setting him up as an agent against his lord and father. That's a fascinating reason why Denethor might have sent Boromir and not Faramir. This is a very well written story. Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm pleased you liked my reason for why Boromir was sent to Rivendell and enjoyed the story. | |
| Darkover | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/4/2011 |
| Dear Linda: Chapter Two is just as well-written and insightful as the first chapter! Once Denethor has made up his mind about someone, he doesn't give an inch! In portraying him that way, I believe you are perfectly in-canon, as IMHO that was how Tolkien meant readers to perceive Denethor. Denethor was a strong, stern, and proud man, but pride is not a virtue. A more humble man might have been at least a bit grateful to Thorongil for saving his life, but of course, a man like Denethor would only resent the Captain all the more. When someone feels such hate and anger against another person, they often cease to be very rational about it, as you have demonstrated here. Denethor deeply resented Thorongil's very presence, "rejoic[ed] that the scoundrel had left," and blamed Thorongil for overreaching himself. But then the Steward's Heir went on to blame Thorongil for leaving, making the old Steward unhappy and allegedly causing Ecthelion's decline. Thorongil's departure undoubtedly did contribute to Ecthelion's decline, but it seems more than a bit unfair that Denethor, who resented Thorongil's place in the affections of the Steward, the men, and the people of Gondor; who always believed that Thorongil was overreaching himself, should simultaneously delight in Thorongil's departure and also blame him for it! All these points in your story are prime examples of how very, *very* well you write and develop characters. You have a real gift for characterization, and your style of writing is quite majestic--very similar to Tolkien's. BTW, even though he is almost childish about it, I do pity Denethor and, to a certain extent, understand his anger at feeling displaced in his father's affections. At the same time, Denethor--at least as you have portrayed him here--must accept a certain degree of responsibility, or blame, for that. He simultaneously resents and feels contemptuous of his father's open affection for Thorongil, but also rejects almost every sign of affection his father shows him. When Ecthelion shows him affection, Denethor, subtly or overtly, rejects it. I have noticed that whenever you write of Ecthelion showing, or trying to show, his only son some sign of affection or even consideration--as when Ecthelion did not call Denethor to the council meeting right away--Denethor interprets his father's action as being patronizing. Again, Denethor seems to be acting out of pride, assuming that everything revolves around him. Pride has blinded the man, otherwise he just *might* consider the possibility that Ecthelion is so affectionate to Thorongil because Thorongil, unlike the Steward's own son, does not reject his affection! And even though Thorongil has demonstrated his worth and loyalty to Gondor time and again, even though he is clearly a man of courage and skill, Denethor still privately sneers at him and considers him a "nobody." Sorry to have kept droning on--I seem incapable of writing brief reviews--but in this chapter alone you have packed an astonishing amount of character development, and you have done it in a way that was most interesting and entertaining for the reader. I eagerly await the next chapter! Sincerely, Darkover Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I loved reading your detailed thoughts and am delighted you are enjoying the story. From what I gather from the text Aragorn seems to reach out to people and show a lot of warmth, while Denethor seems very cold and distant.I see him as very clever and learned but proud and certain he is the centre of the universe. | |
| Estelcontar | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/4/2011 |
| The day Ecthelion received that message from Thorongil must indeed have been a very happy day for Denethor. Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm sure Denethor was dancing for joy! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/3/2011 |
| I like the pacing of this story, and the way you bring us into Denethor's thoughts and heart. How odd it must have been for Aragorn to meet Boromir again, so many years later, in Rivendell. Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm pleased you felt I captured Denethor's heart as he was tricky to write!It must have indeed been a strange experience for Aragorn to meet grown up Aragorn! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/3/2011 |
| Such envy does not become Denethor, of course. And instead of rejoicing to have such a one in service to his land, he bridles at the man's approach. To know that he has possibly the King Returned at hand and to resent it is such a waste of negative emotion! Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.It is such a tragedy that Denethor resented Aragorn so much. | |