Reviews by RobinKa

Another Man's Cage · Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:08 am

Chapters 8 & 9. Again, full of very accurate observations, and I especially like all the differences between the families of Feanor's half brothers and his father, and his own. Now, I think the following can sum them up: "But I stop always at his eyes. They are the blue eyes of Indis, but that is not what gives me pause, but rather, the lack of light in them—the light that enlivens and consumes Atar’s countenance—makes me think always that, would Atar’s spirit flee his body, the body that remained would look exactly like Nolofinwë."

This bit shows how careful an observer Maedhros was, and his love and devotion for his father.

I liked the ways in which you carefully portrayed Earwen and Finarfin, Anaire and Fingolfin, and finally Finwe and Indis. The differences came to life and created very detailed and vivid portrayals. And I felt sorry for young Fingon. It must have been so heartbreaking for him.

Great job Very Happy smiley face

I'm looking forward to reading the next chapters as soon as I can. Thanks Smile smiley face

Binka

Fire and Ice · Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:54 am

I hate crowded places and I avoid them as much as I can, so I understand one reason of why Morwen felt punished. Then, Hama knew exactly what would make her suffer and also Walda was aware of how would other people react to seeing her around *sigh* She handled this unpleasant situation really well, until she saw Gamling promoted. Poor Morwen Sad smiley face

Now, my favorite parts of this chapter were: first, the scene with those merchants from the south (LOL, that got me giggling), and then Haleth running into the two girls. Very sweet Smile smiley face

Third, the following: "A stunned Gamling rose at the sound of his name and came forward to kneel before Théoden King. To the surprise of most of the crowd, Théoden smiled and reached for the helmet at his knee while a sour-looking Gríma said nothing, the first time the entire afternoon that the King had done something himself."

The king recalled he was actually in charge, Grima got slapped in the face, and the crowd got stunned. And I think not all is really lost regarding Gamling and Morwen, am I right?

Vivid and intriguing chapter Smile smiley face

Looking forward to more.

Another Man's Cage · Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:21 am

Chapters 6 & 7. I have only one younger brother, but I can so relate to what Maedhros said about his lack of privacy and losing his patience (oh yes, he was the eldest and expected to know better. How very true!) when he was about to prepare for departure, but his siblings decided to disrupt those preparations Wink smiley face

. I really loved the swearing game and Maglor complaining that he had to work in the garden. LOL, that part was priceless.

The party. You've described it wonderfully. So many details, and so intense chapter. I could almost hear the music and see the dancers Smile smiley face

Besides, it was really fantastic to have a glimpse at Maedhros' and Maglor's love lives. The kiss scene was splendidly written.

On a side note, when I read about that young elleth's half-Vanya husband, I immediately thought about Glorfindel. Any suggestion as to why...? Wink smiley face

Excellent read! Thank you. I hope to read more soon Smile smiley face

Binka

Another Man's Cage · Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:50 am

Chapters 4 & 5. Finwe's arrival in Feanor's house and the following events as seen through Caranthir's eyes were a wonderful example of how a child sees the world around, their parents and relatives. I love the remark about the sword for Manwe and the fight at the beginning of chap. 3. You've managed to slip into the mind of a boy and describe what was going on around him perfectly.

Poor Maglor. Working in the forge, under the supervision of his father wasn't his cup of tea. Wink smiley face

I really admire how you've presented every single change of Feanor's mood while Finwe and he talked, and how his anger surfaced. These two chapters were emotion-packed, spanning from irritation, to anger, fear and impatience, to love and passion. Carathir appeared to be a very careful observer and listener.

Wonderfully done. Thank you.

All the best,
Binka

Another Man's Cage · Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:50 pm

Chapters 2 & 3. Ah, the excellent scene in the kitchen. The boys are adorable Smile smiley face

I really like all the detailed descriptions and Celegorm's accurate observations (i.e. the following: "Macalaurë always plays music after supper, and the apprentices stay long enough to be polite—for three songs—then plead exhaustion and excuse themselves." Wink smiley face

, especially regarding Maedhros' love life Wink smiley face

.

Then, Nerdanel and Feanor are wonderfully shaped, and I like that you accented their mutual closeness and the love for their sons. To quote one of my favs:

"Now we can abandon propriety for comfort. When Atar and Amil return from bidding their apprentices a good evening, Atar sprawls out, half-lying on the couch and holds his arms out to Amil, who trots to him with her face shining like an eager adolescent and settles between his legs with her head lying back on his chest. His arms circle her, and she tilts her face to his for a kiss that lasts long enough for me to jump up from my seat on the floor and fling myself onto her lap."

The scene in the washroom was very insightful. Smile smiley face

Excellent read. Thank you.

Her Favorite · Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:52 am

This was nice, gentle and suggestive. Well done Smile smiley face

Thank you for sharing.

Fire and Ice · Wed Feb 28, 2007 5:22 am

First, thank you for updating Smile smiley face

Now, Morwen's having a hard time, poor thing Sad smiley face

. First, Hama's order, then the fight, and she still thinks about Gamling. I like the contrast between the fight and the scene with a bee. It shows that hands can be a weapon or shelter, and you've conveyed that nicely.

The following is my favorite part of this chapter:

“Maybe… some folk just aren’t meant to be together all their lives,” Bliss mused before losing sight of the insect she’d just helped free. Morwen’s eyes wandered up the hill toward the great hall where a great platform had been raised early that morning so the herds of people in the square could see the proceedings better. A brief flash of red caught her eye, but she dismissed it as a reflection from armor or a shield. No use wondering if every single thing was him.

“Perhaps they aren’t,” Morwen replied as they turned toward the tavern again. “Perhaps cherishing what time there was is all we can truly do.”

And *gasp* the end... Now I can't wait to read the next part.

Another Man's Cage · Sun Feb 25, 2007 1:31 pm

Hey Dawn,

I just read the first chapter of your story and I wanted to say: you are a great storyteller. This part was simply fabulous. Smile smiley face

If anyone asks me, I'll be the first to admit, I'm not a real die-hard Feanorians fan. I have a kind of cautious, reverent respect for the House of Finwe, but I'm more a Sindar girl Wink smiley face

and my heart lies in Doriath, but I thought I'd take a chance to understand the motives, lives, thouhgts and purposes of the sons of Feanor better by reading your story. Throughout this first part I already knew I've chosen well.

I love the peaceful flow of this chapter. The descriptions are splendid, to quote one of my favorites, "He is slender in the way of the Elves, in a way that doesn’t betray his strength, but when he lifts that hammer, his muscles flex and the fires of the forge gleam gold on sweat on his arms, and he looks more a Vala than an Elf: or as though he was himself torn from the earth and made of bright gold."

The above is one of the best portrayals of Feanor I've ever read.

I admire the depth of your knowledge of canon, and I'm amazed at how wonderfully it's used to portray the life of a family. The characters are so familiar, and yet so unique at the same time. I'm really happy that I've got 30 chapters ahead to savor, and I'm really looking forward to reading all of them.

Thank you for sharing this excellent story. You have an eager reader here Smile smiley face

Best wishes,
Binka

Fire and Ice · Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:26 am

What a surprise! I mean I knew you had another chapter ready, but I didn't quite expect it to go up so soon Smile smiley face

Now, what a delightful chapter, and a most needed entertainment for me (but that's an entirely different story *sigh*). Anyway, back to the subject matter.

You've done a great job with blending some lighter moments and all the angst in this part. It's wonderful that you brought Scarlet, Gram and the wee'one to the stage, and the scene in the tavern was fantastic. I especially loved the talk between Gamling and Gram, but the babe and her antics were amusing too, and Walda, of course, always caring, even though he wouldn't ever admit that Wink smiley face

Then, I feel so sorry for Morwen Sad smiley face

And I really caught my breath at Gamling's simple and straightforward query and her answer. Again, I didn't see that coming at all. Now my mind is full of questions, and you, young lady, better hurry with the next installment, pretty please...?

Lovely, beautiful, touching story. Thank you.

Yours,
Binka

The Understanding of a Father · Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:29 pm

Wonderful idea! I'm amazed at how beautifully you've conveyed the differences between the elves that lived in the peace of Aman and those affected by their life in ME, presenting them from Glorfindel's father's PoV. Excellently done. Thank you for sharing Smile smiley face

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Reviews by RobinKa