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| With Hope and Without Hope by docmon | 129 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Cairistiona | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/1/2008 |
| Oh, that Ents were more hasty! But then they wouldn't be Ents and Treebeard wouldn't be Treebeard. Still, I feel like banging my head on the keyboard as I read this, although in a good way, if that's possible, because I love the ever-building tension of each chapter. I'm afraid to ask how much more our fellowship can take.... Author Reply: Oh, be afraid, be very afraid... Is there a good way to bang your head against a keyboard? Lots of readers would like to know I'm sure. :-D Glad to know you're enjoying the building tension! | |
| Emily | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/28/2008 |
| I really like this story!! I'm sorry for missing it until now. I appreciate your heavy involvement of Gimli in this story. It's not another typical Aragorn/Legolas angster. My, the Orcs are cruel! But then, what else should we expect? I hope we see more Hobbits soon, and I hope you update soon! =) Author Reply: Thank you, Emily! Glad to have you along for the ride, whenever you arrive. And, no, no, no, not another angster here. Although, you may feel some angst, but the characters, well, they will be feeling more pain, I'm afraid. It's the Orcs fault! They ARE cruel, nasty creatures, aren't they? Don't worry, more hobbits are on the way! | |
| Thundera Tiger | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/26/2008 |
| The most heart-wrenching moment of this chapter is not when Legolas is captured. Or when he is punished. Or all the agonizing waiting that surrounds the attempted escape. No, the most heart-wrenching moment is that moment of lost opportunity when Treebeard rouses enough that he considers action but in the end does nothing. It hurts, because you could see it all being resolved right then and there. But of course, fate is rarely so kind. And a good thing, too, because then the story would be over and we've barely begun. I have to say that I am in awe of the level of tension you bring to this chapter. And then you manage to hold that level throughout, which is no easy thing. I don't know that this chapter is significantly shorter than the others, but it reads quickly and part of the reason for this is that tension. You can't help but push yourself through the chapter so that you have a chance to get to the next section and see what happens. The mood is spot on, and all the drama that infuses these signs is felt by readers and characters alike. I'm beginning to suspect you of a possessing a masochistic delight in taking all of us to the emotional wringers. But we love you for it! Nicely done! Author Reply: Yes, we couldn't have the story over so quickly, could we? Then my enjoyment in torturing my readers... I mean, in bringing you the stories that have been cooped up in my brain, that's where I get the enjoyment, really, truly, no kidding! ahem... | |
| Thundera Tiger | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/26/2008 |
| Ooo, I have to hold up this phrase for special commendation: Aragorn’s doubts eased a bit with the glimpse of elvish mettle. VERY nice. That sentence wasn't in its current form in the drafts, and while I enjoyed the drafts, I have to admit that I like this much better. Wow, I really like that phrase. Something about it just energizes the entire passage. I think it's the word "mettle." For some reason, it suggests action to me, which just gets everything going again. On another note, once more, the brief hints of "sport" that you give are perfect. Not too much, but not too little, either. As the story goes on, you get a bit more specific as to what exactly is happening to our heroes, but it's like you're easing us into it. And I think that's the best way to do it, too. It lets our imaginations run wild, and then you slowly take back control once you've got us thinking for you. Oh, you are a devious creature, aren't you? Sweet chapter as usual, Docmon! Author Reply: Hm, I don't know what form that phrase was in when you saw it. I have a feeling it underwent a number of permutations before I settled on that wording. Hehe, I must say, I did like the sound of "elvish mettle" for some reason. Couldn't get it out of the brain once it took hold. I really wasn't sure if it wasn't overdoing it on some level. So thanks for the encouraging words! Hints of sport, well, I hope people feel eased into it. The easy ride is pretty much over... Thank you, Thundera! | |
| Thundera Tiger | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/26/2008 |
| You know what the really fun thing is about Merry and Pippin? Listening to them go over all the possibilities about what may have happened to the Fellowship is kind of like opening little windows onto countless AUs without ever having to explore them. Suppose this happened? Suppose that happened? And while this story only focuses on one possibility, the very fact that it's an AU gives rise to other possibilities. Anyway, the dialogue between Merry and Pippin rings true and feels very natural. You can see them coming up with and discounting all the various scenarios, and you can see hope both ebb and flow. Despite the fact that they're tied up and motionless for the greater part of the chapter, they have an extremely dynamic conversation that makes for a very interesting and very fast-paced read. And then there's Saruman at the end of the chapter, who shows up and immediately lets everyone know that this isn't your average villain. His perceptiveness makes my hair stand on end. Nice tone, and great pacing! Wow, these chapters are even better than I remember! Author Reply: Thanks! I'm glad Merry and Pippin's dialogue rings true. It's important to me that they feel in character. I hope Saruman comes off that way as readers see more of him. And they will. They may not be happy with him... but there'll be plenty... | |
| Thundera Tiger | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/26/2008 |
| I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love your Orc-speak. It's so authentic that I can actually hear the characters saying their lines. And I absolutely love the way that you showcase the Three Hunters from an outsider's perspective. It definitely sets the tone for this chapter. Nothing is within their control anymore, and you set that up nicely with Norgry's POV. And I have to commend you on the way you handle "sport." There's just a taste of it. A teaser. Nothing too graphic. And really, that's the way it should be. Show too much, and your readers get bored. But give them a hint, and they'll do all the work for you. And you hint very well. Awesome chapter! Author Reply: Ah, the Orcs were so much fun! And they sounded just like my cousin Vinny in my head... (um, no, don't have a cousin Vinny It is creepier to hint at the "sport," isn't it? Because our imaginations will come up so much worse. Thank you! | |
| Thundera Tiger | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/26/2008 |
| Heh heh heh... I did get around to reviewing. Oh, I'm so proud of myself. And proud of you, too. Wow, this story looks great from the very beginning. I love the way it so effortlessly turns into the world of AU. Just one decision, and suddenly everything is different. And it's such a great echo of canon that the parallels are not only obvious but chilling. Brilliant, but then, I expected as much. I saw the drafts. :) On to the next chapter! Author Reply: Thank you, Thundera! It's great to hear that you've perceived the story just as I imagined it. That was the whole idea in my head - one thing different, and everything changes. Thanks for everything! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/25/2008 |
| Okay, Treebeard--think on what you felt, and let your curiosity draw you and yours out! There must be something to be done! Author Reply: thanks for the review, Larner! You'll just have to practice be as 'not-hasty' as Treebeard to find out! ;-) | |
| Envinyatar | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/24/2008 |
| I'm amazed this doesn't have more reviews. It's a gripping story, very well told, and everyone very much in character. When I read it, I keep being reminded of plasticChevy's 'The Captain and the King' - not just because that's the only other story I've read that deals with a somewhat similar scenario, but because it's just as exciting. Holding out hope for Treebeard to come to the rescue, and looking forward to reading more. Author Reply: Thank you for reviewing, Envinyatar! I enjoy every one! I'm glad you find it such an exciting story. I'll have to look into that other one. Thank you again, and I promise there's more excitement to come! | |
| Naledi | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/24/2008 |
| Oh no! I thought Treebeard might save Legolas from the orcs, but I should have realised that an unhasty Ent would never spring into action like that. I'm interested to see where this is going and how the characters are going to achieve their destiny now the odds are so stacked against them. Author Reply: Oh, we have no hasty Ents here! No, no. I am glad I was able to surprise you. ;-) Do stick around to see what happens next! I hope I won't disappoint. | |