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| Lesser Ring by Larner | 344 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| LOTR lover | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/27/2005 |
| Wow, this is interesting indeed! What an intriguing culture you've developed for the people of Far Harad, based on Egyptian myth. Your original characters are well drawn (Virubat gives me the shivers) and your portrayal of Aragorn as a spy/merchant is wonderful. I love the small touches that enhance the story: the warehouse of goods, Denethor's suspicions, Hardorn's worry, and the consequences of the dry heat on Aragorn's skin. Sauron's infiltration of the culture of Far Harad is well drawn. I like your use of the "lesser rings" that are only mentioned in Tolkien and then forgotten. And it's very interesting that Aragorn isn't able to touch it. I'm bookmarking "Lesser Ring" and will follow it eagerly. Author Reply: It's the small details that bring the story to life, and so I've been very impressed by certain authors such as Tolkien, Anne Perry, Ellis Peters, Abraham Merrit, and so on who have used them to make us feel we are indeed there. With Tolkien and Merritt it's the settings and landscapes they bring out in such loving detail; in Perry it's the small noises heard in the distance; in Peters/Pargeter it's the descriptions of the houses, furniture, and herbs hanging from the ceiling in the herb brewing hut that make us feel we're sitting there by Brother Cadfael. I'm honored you feel I'm doing the same as some of these greats. I became interested in mythology as a child, and received my first copy of Bulfinch's Mythology when I was just in second grade. My mother also taught me to appreciate archaeology, and one of my favorite books in my Egyptology collection is Howard Carter's description of the tomb of Tutankhamen, while one of my favorite romance books when I was a child was called Mara, Daughter of the Nile. I'll admit the idea of palace intrigue was in part inspired by that book. I am honored to have you bookmark the story. Thank you. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/27/2005 |
| Oh this is so excellent. Well-crafted like all your stories! And I have a feeling that even though there will likely be no hobbits in this one, I will enjoy it immensely. Some of the touches I loved: the characterization of Thorongil, and the description of the way Denethor kept tabs on him. I loved the little thought of sending Denethor the camel, LOL! Now that's the sense of humor you would expect from the foster brother of Elladan and Elrohir. I loved the account of his journey, and how he saved the sick child, and his worries about what Hardorn would do if he were not at the harbor to meet him... And I especially loved the encounter with Sohlrabi, and the way in which he dispatched the Bad Guy. I have a feeling that "Thorongil" is setting about making a firm new friend, and an ally that will one day stand him in good stead. Author Reply: Oh, don't be certain Hobbits don't come into it, for it is the tale of TWO trips to Harad, after all. When would he have made the second, do you think? That the twins' foster brother would have considered sending Denethor a camel does seem appropriate, doesn't it? And I've made Hardorn such a part of Aragorn's life as King, it only made sense that he'd have threatened to take all of Harad apart to make certain it be known he wished Aragorn to take supreme care of himself. And, yes, Aragorn has managed to make friends where he probably never expected to. As I wrote in Fostering, he left a legacy of decency behind, making it easier for better leaders to take over Harad and Rhun once Sauron was at last utterly defeated. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/27/2005 |
| Oh, intriguing start Larner. Cant wait for more. Sorry about the short review but am borrowing internet time from my Dad. Author Reply: Hope it continues to intrigue as it develops. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/26/2005 |
| What an interesting interpretation of Harad, as being essentially Egyptian. It kind of makes sense--JRRT said Numenor had Egyptian elements... I like your OC Sohrabi already. I hope nothing dire happens to him. Author Reply: Egypt was one of the oldest civilizations in the known world, and so I decided to go with it, a sort of proto-Egypt, if you will, as the northern lands are a sort of proto-Europe. Glad you enjoy the idea. | |