Reviews by Ingole

The Phoenix and the Griffin · Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:48 pm

I have learned to expect many things from this epic - Texture and imagery so rich that the tale plays in my head like a movie; plotting that ranges from subtle-as-suede to a step-off-a-cliff jolt from an unexpected twist; tears shed over the deaths and separations and damage to souls; involuntary clasping of both sword hand and knife hand while reading the battle scenes, and whimsy. My beloved whimsy. A boxing butterfly. An Elvish warhorse with an affinity for mud and the name "Pig."
The last few chapters continue to deliver all of these things in abundance with the additional treat of a great deal more time spent with Pelion (and Pig), the maturing of the sons and a marked heating up of that intriguing subplot that was originally heralded by the appearance of Lorand.
Said it before. Will say again - As long as I have eyes to read, may this never end...
Ingole

The Phoenix and the Griffin · Sun May 07, 2006 1:17 am

MMMMMmmmmm. Rohme encounters with two of my favorite Tolkien characters. What a banquet. Where do I start?

Ah, yes, with Celeborn in chapter 107. As I said... The vision of a large Rohme contingent camped at the very edge of the Golden Wood (how like the Duke and Duchess to repay insult in this ominous manner) was delicious, and the reminisces of both Haldir and of Phaila/Amaras pinged my heart more than a little....

...but I absolutely FEASTED on what you did with Celeborn! Loved it! You captured his whimsy, his cleverness, and his greatness. Cast him as "venerable"...all on his own. Without Galadriel anywhere in sight. Your characterization of Glads was also dead-on in my book - the kind of tough, aggressive, inflexible classic Noldor who would NEVER reconcile with the Rohme.

And now you bring the Rohme to my (Sorry. Proprietary. Can't help it.) Thranduil and, again, I feast. His opening encounter with the "Happy puppies"...the unrepentant teasing of Amaras and Pynwyn...the kohling of silver eyes and pearls braided into a pale braid...the subtle hilarity of Thrandu's accidental 'interlude' with Pelion (one of my all time favorite Rohme)...and the gift of an intriguing new character - Anacalimen's son.

While I have eyes to read, may it never, never end...

Ingole

The Phoenix and the Griffin · Thu Sep 08, 2005 10:54 pm

Finally, the return of Sorfilia. And what a return! From Valinor, no less. Liked the physical manifestation of the spellwork.

Also thoroughly enjoyed the sense of earthquake magnitude power from Helywanwen at the battle. Complete with literary aftershocks. (those grisly, unlovely, true-to-battle wounds.)

And Pelion. Cool, ironic Pelion. Have enjoyed this subtle, multi-layered character from the first, but this little scenelet speaks volumes. The fact that he shows up so quickly to check on Phaila...The wry-humor manner that no doubt camouflages the alarm beneath (exactly what was needed by both Phaila and Amaras at that point.)

The banquet continues. Now needing more Sorfilia, more Lorand...and more Pelion. Anytime soon is fine...

The Phoenix and the Griffin · Fri Jul 29, 2005 11:30 pm

“I cannot believe him so treacherous, after all of this time.”
“Rohmë.”
“Cousin.”
“Maeglin.”
“Point taken.”

The plot thickens...This is, as we say in the biz, the hook. That teetering brink...that explosion waiting for the lighting of the fuse. Driving me crazy. And again, perfect.

A New-Old Maid · Mon Jul 04, 2005 12:55 am

OK, Shanalir, m'dear...

Where ARE you going with this? (Where ever that might be, I suspect Sir Ian would be chuckling over your shoulder in wicked delight.)

Giggles and mibs until more is unveiled...

Ingole

The Phoenix and the Griffin · Sat Jun 11, 2005 1:04 am

Aaaaaahhhhh.

This is the one I've been waitiing for. Perfect. I thank you and Isong thanks you.

Perfect.

The Phoenix and the Griffin · Sun Mar 06, 2005 1:11 am

More of those rich head pictures.

...All the Dore Rohme in a pot of honey (:=D)... the Fall ritual dances... Amaras ecstatically overrun with village children during his impromptu stop at the inn...

Am also really enjoying Amaras and Phaila's campaign to unbend Pynwyn. (He reads like a cross between Haldir and Mr. Spock. Who could resist that?)

Love it.

Fell Beast II · Fri Mar 04, 2005 12:31 am

Ah, na vedui!

Been waiting (and waiting...) Sly, goofy, silly with perfect pace and phrasing. I loves whimsy, I does... and this is whimsy at its best. Smacks delightfully of Tolkien's own fits of fancy in his quirkier gems like Roverandum.

Many thanks for continuing, and thanks in advance for the next installment (a plea as subtle as the proverbial ten pound maul...)

The Phoenix and the Griffin · Sat Jan 15, 2005 4:07 pm

Eraden on Elven warriors: “How can something so beatific inflict such destruction? It makes me think there is some wrath untapped in butterflies.”

I've loved this tale from the start, but must say that Phaila's brief dinner conversation with Eraden in CH 55 is my very favorite so far. Witty, sly, unique, a succulent little delicacy.

But what is this delight you take in making me cry? Not the reunion between Amaras and Phaila, but the reconciliation between Amaras and Isong in your latest CH. Heart breaking, uplifting and completely in line with Amaras' enhanced state as a reborn. I fell in love with both of them all over again. Incredible work.

Now, about that spin-off tale for Isong...(If I start the rumor will it become reality...?)

New Magic - A Tale of a Blue Wizard · Sat Jan 08, 2005 5:30 pm

Spaceweavil!

Very glad to hear from you!

You are actually one of the reasons I pulled the first go at this story ("Old Magick, New Magick" et al) off of Scrolls! I read your review and then re-read the opening paragraph with new eyes...

So I backed off, shook out the cobwebs and went back at it when I felt like having fun. And I am! I thank you for the wake up call! (And thanks, as well, to Havetoist for tolerating my niggling and waffling...)

Agree about the Ithryn Luin and Tolkien's other marginalized or neglected characters, Thranduil among them. I consider these to be Tolkien's gifts to us...although I suspect he might be doing the lambada in his grave over the liberties we take...sub-creator's license notwithstanding!

About Faron - He is an OC. Tolkien's Maiar are so diverse in number, form and function that I couldn't resist playing in that arena. So I created him as a foil (Greek Chorus? Conscience?) for Thranduil in "Thranduil's Bargains." Since "Magic" actually vamps from the end of that story, Faron seemed the logical transitional device to guide my wandering Alatar to Celeborn.

Again, thanks for chiming in. And PLEASE...continue the fable of Fluffy! Ingeniously concocted Tolkien "lite" is my favorite feast!

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Reviews by Ingole