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| The Wars of the Valar by Fiondil | 559 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/11/2007 |
| "Oft evil will does evil mar" and "Sometimes what it shows comes not to be unless you turn away from your path to prevent it." Melkor always underestimates Eru's creativity, and so sows the seeds of the creation he would prevent. Wonderful turn of the times. Author Reply: Yes, evil always underestimates The One's creativity and the strength of good to resist however tempted otherwise. Namo thinks himself weak because he wanted to join Melkor in the Song, little realizing that "wanting to" and "doing" are two different things, as Eru Iluvatar points out. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 7/11/2007 |
| Sounds an interesting premise. Author Reply: And five years later, I actually reply. Oops. Mea culpa, Larner. I have to stop re-reading my own stories as I keep coming across reviews to which I forgot to respond for one reason or another. LOL! Anyway, I thought it was an interesting premise and it was a lot of fun to write this one, which is probably my personal favorite of all my stories. | |
| eiluj | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/11/2007 |
| To mention a few things I liked: Not only do the Valar do “impossible” things, but also, as spirits, they can go to “impossible” places like the core of a star (not my idea of a comforting place to hide!). Totally creepy Melkor. Poor Námo is insecure and certain he’s the least important, yet seems to come up with more than his share of good ideas. The Valar are all very much in character, including who they hang out with and how they spend their free time. Námo’s memory of his talk with his Atar. The black hole at the center of our galaxy which Varda hadn’t intended (and I’m glad to be assured we’re in no danger from it). I never thought to read about surfing in Tolkien fanfic, but twice in one week? [Armariel debuted surfing some days ago in her current story, which is set in a more-than-usually-tropical Valinor.] “Melkor, however, had managed (again) to interfere with the internal dynamics of yet another star” -- I loved that “(again).” Author Reply: I'm glad you like so many aspects of this story to date. The core of a star isn't my idea of a comforting place to hide, either, but then I'm not a Ainu. Still, if it works for Namo, who am I to question his choice of hiding places? I just wondered how many star cores Manwe had to check before he found the right one. *lol* And obviously, Namo's done this before since Manwe wasn't particularly surprised to find him there. The idea of black holes being a consequence of Varda experimenting with making stars just came to me and it was too funny (and fun) not to use it. And the idea that supernovae were a result of Melkor's meddling also was too good not to use. | |
| Edlyn | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/10/2007 |
| Hello again, meldonya! This was even better than the first chapter! I get the feeling that Námo has some self-esteem issues (which he obviously deals with given the way we find him in your other stories!). But I have a feeling that it is going to cause him trouble before he gets things resolved. It also explains (I think) why he can be so compassionate with the fëar of those to be Reborn under his care It was fun seeing Tiutalion and Eönwë and especially seeing the Maiar's excitement at watching the creation of the pulsar. Speaking of the pulsar, what a clever idea! The mental image I got of Manwë, Ulmo, Aulë and Varda making it was gorgeous. I had to smile at the colours of thier energy fields; they certainly presaged the colours of the areas of Arda they are eventually going to be in charge of. Manwë's blue is the colour of hte skies whose winds he will be the lord of. Varda's white is, of course the colour most of her stars appear to one standing on the ground looking up at them. Aulë's red-orange can be nothing other than the fires of his forges. And Ulmo's sea-green, indigo and violet reminded of the colours in the interior of an abalone shell (which the sight of brings all my memories of the seas and oceans to the forefront of my mind, even the smell of the air and the feel of salt water washing over my feet). Music *is* mathematics as one of the professors here has been working on showing me. I am one of those people who can't understand it intellectually but can intuit it and make it work for me. So I'm as awed as the observers you described. Ha! I see Eönwë is getting to do his heraldic duty! Ulmo certainly has a right to sound smug, that single variable change iidea is brilliant (pardon the pun). Oh my, Námo is certainly in little brother mode, isn't he? I actually winced when he told Manwë the idea of *him* holding the key to alter the variable was insane. And there is certainly no arguing with Manwë when the Blessed One speaks in that particular tone. It was very easy to hear his silent "But... but... but... *Me*?!!!" even as he capitulates. It's interesting how Melkor's disparaging "Little One" in the last chapter compares to Ulmo's most definitely affectionate and sympathetic "Little Brother" in this chapter. The one thing that is readily apparent in this story is the love that Námo has for his fellow Ayanumuz and the love they have for him (with the exception of Melkor, of course. Though if I let myelf think about it, Melkor probably loves Námo in his own way, the way one might love a possession, perhaps. Hmmm. That bears some thinking about...). Which globular cluster are Ulmo and Námo in, I wonder (NGC 1049 perhaps? Its near the the Formax Dwarf galaxy in the Local Group... OK I like that galaxy's name). Oh, Námo's memory of talking with Iluvatar was gorgeous. I was smiling and feeling at the sdame time that I was about to burst into tears as I read the passage. And visualizing Námo enfolded in his Atar's arms... well, my heart was about to burst with feeling. And Eru's words concerning what really happened versus might have beens is something I need to remember for myself. I about fell out of my chair laughing when I discovered that black holes were a mistake that Varda made when she was figuring out how to make stars. I wonder if we ought to contact Dr. Stephen Hawking about it. Most excellent and I can hardly wait for the next bits! May you lived blessed, Edlyn Author Reply: What I am enjoying about writing this story is the inclusion of our modern concepts of physics, astrophysics and astronomy and incorporating them into the mythology of the Ainulindale. Naturally, everyone is assuming that the Ayanumuz have made their home in our galaxy but in truth they are presently inhabiting the Andromeda galaxy, which is still in our Local Group. As to which globular cluster Namo and Ulmo go to, I'll have to consult some online star maps and let you know. *grin* You're right about Melkor "loving" Namo, but the way I love my new cap that I bought last week that has the word "Rebel" on it. I thought I had lost it on the plane to Beijing but one of the stewards found it for me and I was ever so happy. Melkor would be equally happy if he could get Namo to join him, but he won't love him. In fact, at the moment he "wins" Namo (or anyone) over, he will immediately fear him. That's the way evil works. Luckily for me my new hat isn't out to usurp my powers, though I need to keep a better eye on it as it tends to wander off when I'm not looking. *lol* Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for the next update. Thanks for reviewing. | |
| AM | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/10/2007 |
| This is wonderful, I love the hard science. I can see them playing throughout the universe Author Reply: Thanks. I'm glad you like the story so far. I'm not a scientist (although I've always loved astronomy and cosmology) but I try to get the science "right" as far as a layperson can, reserving the right to "twist" reality to suit the story if necessary. This is fantasy after all. *grin* The image of the ayanumuz playing throughout the universe like the Children they still are is one that I like, too. | |
| Edlyn | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2007 |
| Oh, what a marvelous idea for a story, meldonya! I loved it when Námo surfed the wave-front. It sounds like so much fun! But then to turn and find Melkor there...Bbbrrrrrr! My heart was in mt throat and I actually jumped in my seat! Námo's fear was so very palpable and oh, I could sympathise with him. Wanting to do the right thing but also being so tempted... It's a state we Second-born are far too familiar with. Beauty and pride and rebellion seem to go together don't they? Or at least they do when the owner of the beauty sees no point in obedience. Well, as we know, Melkor will get his in the end. Actually, your scene between Melkor and Námo reminded me of something that I wrote back in high school about how Lucifer went about recruiting other angels to his cause. Not the same scenario obviously, but the intent and manipulation was pretty similar. Perhaps, I'll dig out that notebook and edit the piece. It will be interesting to see what I think of it after all these years. I wonder if the reason Námo picked the blue-white star to huddle in was for the same reason I find myself wrapping myself up in my mother's crocheted bedspread when I'm upset. When there isn't anyone you love right there, enclosing yourself in something they made with love helps make things not so awful. When I read the part where Manwë was comforting Námo I felt so good inside. THe love they have for each other is tangible and it is so obvious that Námo really relies on his brother. I also liked his honesty when he admitted that he really enjoyed surfing the supernova's plasma pulses. All in all it's not a horrible a vice as other's he might have (who would have thought Námo would be an adrenaline junkie I did enjoy seeing Ulmo and Aulë jumping off the planetary rings into the atmosphere and the others racing and playing catch. It really brings home the idea that the Ayanumuz are still young--indeed children of the Thought of Iluvatar--brilliant, precocious, and very powerful children but children nonetheless. I think it also points out that play is integral to all beings created by Eru and that age and power makes no difference. It was lovely seeing them enjoy the creation that they helped make tangible. Oh, I definitely don't want Varda upset with me! I think I would have teleported elsewhere rather than face her wrath. And as always great good can be made from the results of an evil action. Not that I'd want the evil to happen in the first place but if it does it's wonderful that the broken bits can be put together in a new way to create something wonderful and beautiful. A wonderful beginning and I look forward to reading the rest of this! Edlyn Author Reply: I'm sitting here in the Beijing airport with nothing to do for the next few hours, so I figured I'd reply to reviews. *grin* The Anyanmuz are indeed still "young", sort of like very precocious teenagers on the order of "Buffy", so they can still play but they can also suffer from angst like any teenager. Namo, being younger in Eru's Thought than Manwe, looks up to Manwe as an older brother who looks out for the younger siblings, sort of like "John-Boy". (Sorry, I haven't seen American TV in a year and it's beginning to show). Anyhoo.... Brian Swimme, who is a Catholic mathematical cosmologist, tells his students that the universe never repeats itself... it always brings forth something new out of the destruction of the old. We are the Original Fireball in human form. Eru tends to work the same way I find. Thank you for your review. I really appreciate it. | |
| Tira | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/10/2007 |
| cooooool! new story...strike that, AWESOME new story. can't wait to see where this one is going. (And yay for Námo, my favourite). Author Reply: Thanks, Tira. I'm glad you think this story is not just cool but awesome. Hopefully future chapters will not disappoint. Thanks for letting me know you are enjoying this. It's music to my ears. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/10/2007 |
| Well, this looks like this is going to be a very interesting story! I love the images you've created - hiding inside stars, riding on exploding stars, skipping on the rings of a planet. Wonderful. Even in that tiny glimpse of Melkor that we had, he seemed so... enticing, perhaps? (besides the evil!) You just know he had to be or else he wouldn't have had so many of the Maiar follow him. Poor Namo. Yet resisting evil strengthens you and he does remember the love his Atar has for him and that will help more than anything else - well, and he has a wise and loving older brother there to guide him as well. I'm looking forward to more, though I do know you have your other stories you're writing. I may have to break down and read you're Thorongil one. I've put it off because I would like to write a Thorongil one of my own at some point and so I've tried not to read those. Is your story staying just in Rohan or following him into Gondor as well? Thanks for sharing! Author Reply: Thanks Radbooks. I'm glad you are enjoying this so far. Right now, Namo doesn't feel very strong and little realizes just how spiritually strong he really is. He would have to be considering what his "job" ends up being. At the present moment, Stirrings of Shadow will only cover events in Rohan, since the quote from Appendix A at the beginning of chapter 1 is specific to Rohan. Whether there is a Gondor sequel remains to be seen. Perhaps you would like to pick up where I leave off so I can concentrate on playing with the Valar after I finish writing about Thorongil's adventures in Rohan. *grin* | |
| Beruthiels Cat | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/10/2007 |
| I'm glad you've begun this! It's starting off wonderfully-every bit as good as I expected...how on Arda you're balancing THREE great stories at once is mind-boggling,lol...kudos! BC Author Reply: Thanks Cat. I wasn't sure I would post this until after Elf Interrupted was finished but I kept thinking about it and after consulting with a couple of friends who thought I should post what I had I decided to do so. Unfortunately, you're not going to see this updated as much on a regular basis as my other two stories as I really want to finish them but I will be posting chapters when I can. I only hope my readers can bear with me. I'm afraid I've spoiled them. *grin* | |