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| Dol Guldur by Arnakhor | 29 Review(s) |
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| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/31/2024 |
| (retro post here...) Yes, I had read this story -- that's why I was eager to read "Days of the Dunedain," expecting more good stuff (and not being disappointed). I wasn't signed on to this website when this story was published so I didn't post a comment then. I especially liked your depiction of Radagast in this one, as well as all the rest of it. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/25/2024 |
| I'm glad you mentioned this story in the prologue of your new story. I've added it to my reading list. | |
| MistressOfImladris | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 12/17/2018 |
| I really enjoyed this story! Good job! Author Reply: So glad you enjoyed it. Took 2 years to write. Your review made every minute of that time spent worth it. | |
| Camp.6311 | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/27/2018 |
| I thoroughly enjoyed how you brought to life the precursors to Eorl the Young and the Rohirrim. Very well written and researched, it truly resonated as Tolkien's Middle Earth. I was left wondering about the motive behind Gandalf's visit to the Eotheod - simply to bring a gift? evaluate their strength? recruit a companion? Perhaps it will be more clear as i read on. Author Reply: Though mindful of all inhabitants of Middle Earth, Gandalf to me is the one of the istari who is most the advocate for the race of Men, seeing down the road of time of their destiny. So it is within character for him to nurture the seeds of this garden. The men of the north, to be the Rohirrim of the future, need guidance. He helps in Breor’s early chieftain role, brings seeds and agricultural methods to his people. Now with Hagar he knows the strength of Breor’s line will be enhanced by a more worldly, experienced Hagar. This can only come through exposure to the wider world, taking part in a quest with other men, encountering elves, and deadly evil. Hagar will be part of the team as will his ancient sword. You will meet others of this time of the Third Age. In the broadest brush strokes the story is about a quest. It is also about creating the sense of the times of this part of the Third Age, seeing the beginning threads that lead up to LOTR. | |
| Camp.6311 | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/25/2018 |
| A very promising start, I look forward to diving into this tale. Author Reply: Thanks! And I look forward to any other comments you might have. The story is based on an actual event in Tolkien's Tale of Years in the Appendices to the LOTR trilogy. And many of the characters are cited in those same sources. I've tried to bring them to life and give the reader a sense of the times in T.A. 2063. Dive in indeed...think you'll enjoy the swim! | |
| Matt | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 11/22/2018 |
| Really wonderfully done story. Although you say this will likely be your only piece on SoA I do hope you'll do more along the way. You've nicely filled in a key event in third age history, putting well drawn characters, delightfully drawn events and a well crafted plot. the use of the creatures to assist with the battle fits well within JRRT's established mythology where Radigast in particular is concerned. Thanks loads for your hard work on this, hoping for other stories at some point in future. Author Reply: Thanks so much for your kind words. Knowing that you enjoyed the 'bringing to life' of this event in the Third Age does motivate me to consider other events, times and characters. Maybe I'll be back after all. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/11/2018 |
| Nice descriptions here. I can't help but enjoy Hagar; he reminds me of a half-grown very large puppy, maybe a Great Dane or Mastiff pup. Maybe he'll soon grow wiser. Author Reply: You've captured him perfectly, a half-grown large puppy. One of Gandalf's primary roles is to be a minder of the race of Men and look to the future. Here he sees Breor's son, isolated and yet unmolded in their lands at the sources of the Anduin. Centuries later they will migrate south to become the Rohirrim. But for now he sees that Hagar really needs some seasoning about the larger world around him, that will ultimately make him a better leader when his time comes. He will have some interesting encounters as the story progresses. Thanks for reading and your comments. Would welcome any more thoughts you have as you continue to read. This is the first review I've received for this chapter. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/20/2018 |
| Thank you for setting the stage. While it can be interesting to plunge into a story without a firm grasp of context (sort of akin to working out a mystery), it is also helpful to have a context to begin the reading, as well. Aranarth took over after his father's death c. 1974, and wrote down the events of 2063 according to this introduction. I know the Numenorians lived longer than commoners, so it will be interesting to see at what stage the Chieftain is in his life span when this story begins. From what I read about his birth and death years, it seems he'd be somewhere in middle age in 2063, is that correct? I guess I'll find out. No time for more, but looking forward to the next chapter when I have another block of reading time. Author Reply: Aranarth died in TA 2106. Born around TA 1941, life span 165 years give or take. So in TA 2063 he is around 122 years old. Hence the hair gone grayish but he's still strong. The Testament of Aranarth is something I invented as his telling of the story of the events of TA 2063 where Sauron is expelled from Dol Guldur. Arahael is his son per Tolkien genealogies. Mardil is in the Tale of Years history that Tolkien had in appendices, and Eradan is his son in the genealogies. I invented Eradan's sister Drianna. Aranarth had at least one brother. I gave him two and named them Arthed and Ardugan. Fram and Frumgar are named by Tolkien as being of the Eotheod, Rhovanians who migrated north to the Langwell. Centuries later they would return as the Rohirrim. Breor I invented as Fram's son, as Tolkien did not detail who Fram's children were to rule after his death. Hagar I invented as Breor's son. There are other minor characters, cavalrymen, and the two bobcats of Radagast who appear from time to time. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/19/2018 |
| I heartily agree that start-to-finish is the best way to read a tale! A few years ago, when I was reading and posting regularly, I sometimes found "new" stories to add to my reading list by sampling the last-posted chapter of the most recently posted story at SoA. A kind of "lucky dipping", I suppose. It stems from a technique for choosing educational literature for children (we were followers of Charlotte Mason's "living books" educational philosophy). If we were considering a nonfiction book for reading aloud together, I'd turn to a random page in the middle and read. If it pulled me in and I found it interesting, it went on our reading list. If I found it dull, I'd turn to another random page and start reading, and if this page, too, was dull, it wasn't likely to spur a child's interest. We found the technique quite effective. So if a story can pull me in, jumping into the middle with only a passing understanding of the characters and plot, it's a keeper. Author Reply: I agree with the technique. I use it at Barnes and Noble. I read a page of each. If I get drawn in smoothly its a winner. If it feels like work to get through, back on the shelf. I volunteer tutor inner city kids in 2nd grade. When the books that are supplied get dull, I have the kids make up a story. Then I write and illustrate it on Publisher and bring it back for them to read. It's fun for them and makes them authors. Glad you enjoyed my sample of my book. It's a full length book set at a specific time, place, and event in Tolkien's chronology. The characters, many mentioned in his genealogies, are brought to life. The feel of the times, the details of the lands, etc is what I wanted to bring to life as well. I hope you enjoy the book. As you go through it, let me know what you think or if you have any questions. | |
| DADGAD | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/18/2018 |
| Goodness, this is a really well written and extremely tense story! I'm a bit concerned for Drianna, all by herself at this point. And poor Radagast, worrying about his avian friends... Author Reply: It is no walk in the park. The tension builds towards the climax at the end, which makes it hopefully a bit of a page turner and creates anticipation by the reader for the next chapter. Drianna is tough and capable. She has more to contribute though the perils will be significant for her and the others. Radagast has done his part, though his anxiety is genuine as he cannot now control events to come and his heart is bound to the creatures he has enlisted as allies. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I hope you read it to the end and I look forward to any more comments you may have. | |