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| An Unexpected Adventure [Permanent Hiatus] by KathyG | 57 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/14/2025 |
| Hurrah! Hobbits! I so love the little details that bring the chapter to life. The heaviness of elven doors. Pippin blushing in Arwen's presence! The particulars of the "large spread of food" (I learned long ago from JoDancingTree's and Dreamflower's examples to describe food in some detail for the reader's sake)! A flip-book! (On a more somber note, I'm sure the children's talk about certain details was disturbing, especially for the Bagginses at table.) Speaking of media, I just remembered the scheme for the chapter titles. Arwen is so thoughtful and understanding. And perceptive. (And now I want a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich.) For some reason, I'm hungry. I'm going to go and put the chicken in the oven now for an early dinner...) Author Reply: And sone Kool-Aid to go with your sandwich? =) Yes, Arwen really is all of that, which is most fortunate for the children. Yes, it comes as quite a surprise that the children know a little about the hobbits, who are fictional characters where they come from. I'm glad you enjoy the details! K.G. | |
| PSW | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/13/2025 |
| Ah, so the books and movies exist in their world! Interesting - I wonder if the children’s presence will change anything. I bet meetings the Hobbits was fun! Author Reply: Yep, it was! You'll see whether their presence changes things or not. Yep, the books and movies do, but there's just one problem: the McClouds have never become acquainted with them! =) They've neither read the books nor watched the movies themselves--just bits and pieces of the movies while channel-surfing. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/13/2025 |
| Well, I've got to say these kids are pretty quick on the uptake. They're not trying to rationalize (yeah, those snow-topped mountains are the Cascade Range; we're just seeing them from a different angle?). They're looking at their reality and trying to work out the best solution with the limited knowledge they've got. And they certainly can't go back to the other end of the cave, where they entered (unless I'm mixed up), in search of Wallowa Lake State Park! I haven't forgotten that scary growl! ...but they have some powerful allies on their way, which makes me feel better about these kids. Along with something I remember reading, like, "Evil is not allowed to come into this Valley" (or something to that effect). I remember vividly walking a trail along a knife-edge ridge where one or two steps to one side or the other would result in a fatal fall. (I think that was in or near Silver Falls State Park in Oregon.) We were on a group hike with kids, too. I remember thinking it was absolute madness on the organizer's part. The waterfall and swimming hole were beautiful, but walking that trail to and from with children and youth was nerve-wracking. Aha! The Council was the day before. Now I recognize the time frame. Best of all, the children will get to meet the Fab Four (hobbits, that is. Five, counting Bilbo). (Too bad the kids weren't able to leave a trail of bread crumbs, er, pebbles, to reassure themselves they weren't walking in circles. I suppose Kevin could have left small blazes on trees if he had a pocketknife? I don't remember if he does. And the Elves might take a dim view of cutting living wood anyhow.) My first thought at seeing costumed people on horses would also be SCA or role-players. Aha. No language barrier. Interesting. (Random thought that just crossed my mind: did parents and aunt and uncle feel the earth shake?) And yes, Elrond is the soul of kindness here. (Another random thought: I wonder what they think of the pictures on Joey's backpack?) I can think of worse things than riding on a horse behind Elrond. :) (Wait, Kaylee bounces on the saddle, but isn't she riding bareback with an Elf? My dyslexia is strong today [making reading a challenge, but fanfic makes it worth the battle], so I may be putting 2 and 2 together and getting 3...). It's a good thing I touch-type, or I'd probably never get reviews or stories written. I love that Joey has the same reaction to Arwen as Pippin did on first sight! LOL! Will they have other things in common? Like maybe their height? The sanitary arrangements sound reasonable. (I don't think JRRT ever mentions bodily functions, even "going to see a Man about a horse". Now I'm wondering what's different about a flet!) And speaking of bodily functions, since Elves can communicate with animals, perhaps Lucy will be housebroken very quickly, avoiding the embarrassment of "accidents" for the children's sake. I'm fascinated and very happy to be re-reading these chapters! (Pardon this long review. Responding to what I'm reading helps me process what I just read, which is especially helpful when the dyslexia kicks into high gear.) Author Reply: Hey, I welcome your long review, and thanks! Can't promise that my reply will be equally long, alas. Nope, going to the other end of the tunnel is not an option. It sure won't take them back to the state park! =) Yep, the children will get to meet the hobbits. No language barrier because God fixes it so that the children can speak and understand Westron. What they can't do, though, is read or write it. Hmm. Glad you caught that about the saddle! I'll have to fix that. I'll bet you're right about Lucy's housebreaking! =) I'm so glad that you're enjoying the re-reading of this story, and I know that Dreamflower is, too. K.G. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 2/12/2025 |
| Hmmm, where have they come out, I wonder? It's a good thing they're all wearing hiking boots, I think. The parents' preparations sound very familiar; we've done our share of rough camping on primitive campgrounds. I have to agree that I have come to prefer modern niceties as the years have passed, like hot showers and flush toilets. I'd forgotten that Lucy was such a tiny puppy when the story starts! And I don't remember how the children's parents end up following them... so that'll be interesting. (Question: Is Steve the older brother? If the chapter said, I missed it. Just curious.) How frustrating, to walk all the way to the end of the cave and find it safe, and then have things change in a twinkling when your children are in the cave! I'm surprised the children didn't think of an earthquake, actually, but maybe earthquakes have become more noticeable in the last couple decades than they used to be? Also, I held my breath when they drank from the waterfall. You don't want to do that in Oregon without a water purification kit, at least not nowadays. (I know, they're not in Oregon anymore. But they don't know that.) Thinking of the books... I remember reading some transported-from-Earth-to-an-alternate-reality stories where the protagonists couldn't read the books they'd brought with them because their brains had been adjusted in the transition to understand the language in the new place. That said, I don't remember how you handle the issue here, whether they automatically understand the local language or have to learn it. We'll see! Looking forward to more! Author Reply: Actually, Ryan's the older brother. It's mentioned in the prologue. I agree about the hiking boots! They sure need them, don't they? You'll rediscover how Steve and Gail and Megan end up following Kevin, Jennifer, Joey, and Kaylee into Middle-earth as I repost this WIP. The children haven't forgotten English, so they can still read what they brought with them. You'll find out how they're able to understand Westron, too, though not to read or write it. | |
| PSW | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/12/2025 |
| I enjoyed this first look at Rivendell (and the water closets ;-) from the children’s POV. It does seem as though Elrond and company will be starting from scratch in trying to get them home - and while they’re already so busy with other things! I suspect it won’t happen for a while, or we wouldn’t have a story…. Thx for writing! Author Reply: Nope, I reckon not. =) The children are going to be in Middle-earth for a while. I'm glad you're enjoying it! K.G. | |
| PSW | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 2/11/2025 |
| I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto… Gotta love those convenient caves! I was thinking of starting this story when it disappeared - will start it now! We shall see what adventures they find… Author Reply: I'm glad you get to read it now! =) The McCloud children are not Tolkien fans--they've never read his books or watched the movies--so in a situation like this, they're more likely to think of Dorothy in the Land of Oz than Middle-earth. Especially Kaylee. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 2/11/2025 |
| Oh! It's a huge task, but I'm so glad you're reposting this story! I look forward to reacquainting myself with the parents and children and their adventures, as well as reading the chapters I hadn't had the chance to read yet when the story was deleted. Blessings to you and DF! Author Reply: Thanks! It's going to take a while to repost every chapter, but I fully mean to do just that. K.G. | |