Reviews to Forgotten Song before the re-posting
My dear readers,
Some time ago I pulled ''Forgotten Song'' from ff.net, because of a well-meaning but a little overzealous reviewer, who had different ideas about constructive criticism than I do. That means, of course, that by re-posting the story I've also lost all the wonderful and encouraging reviews that I've got for it. I wanted you to see what people thought and were ready to openly say to my story, so I saved the reviews and posted them here for you - but only those that were posted openly on ff.net. I also got many wonderful ones in private e-mails, but they weren't meant for public viewing.
Should anyone of you not want to see their review here, please, contact me, and I'll delete it immediately.
Soledad
SilverDragonWolf: 2002-05-07 Ch: 3
WOW! I love the background for Legolas' family. Mirkwood is a
really tempting place to write about. Lots of events happens
there although Tolkien did not write much about it. I was kindda
hoping that he would. sob, sob.
Anyway, really good story and the way Elrond and Glorfindel treated Legolas. I want to know more about the Hobbit. I've never read that book before so I don't know how bad Thranduil was potrayed. I hope I would get my hand on one soon.
I also like the reference to the Valar. Hardly any story have
any reference to them save Elbereth who, after all, their
'favorite' Valar (if one can put it that way).
Overall... a great chap! Can't wait to read more but my time is
up for now.
BoromirFANatic: 2002-04-27 Ch: 4
I really like your Denethor and your description of Minas Tirith.
I have also thought that Denethor used the palantír to track his
son's travels to Imladris. And you let him keep his wits despite
what he sees in the palantír.
Good job on the history of the White City.
Nice tie-in with "From the Other River Bank" about why
Boromir was sent to Imladris. Denethor's thoughts aren't very
kind where it concerns Faramir. Or Boromir. The Steward would
probably only like his sons if they were clones of himself. (OK,
I'm a Denethor basher)
Really, I love this chapter. It seems so sad and melancholy.
BoromirFANatic: 2002-04-14 Ch: 2
I like that. A hint that there might be trouble between Estel and
the heir to the Stewardship of Gondor. I hope that story line
blossoms.
BoromirFANatic: 2002-04-14 Ch: 1
I love your writing style. So powerful; so descriptive. So
detailed. Having him meet Legolas on his journey is a great plot
twist. I've always wanted more of Boromir and his life. Tolkien
never did much with his character.
Deborah: 2002-04-14 Ch: 4
Thank you for defending all the disliked fathers of Middle Earth.
Especially Denethor, who deserves some appreciation for leading
the city so well for so many years at such emotional cost to
himself and his family.
So Denethor is keeping an eye on his son. I wonder what he
will make of Elladan?
(One could perhaps wish that he would be flattered that his son
has won the love and devotion of a half-elf, and that would
counteract the homophobia somewhat. But that might be too much to
ask. )
Altariel: 2002-04-13 Ch: 4
I'm really pleased to read an interpretation of Denethor which is
more sympathetic than (cough cough!) can be found elsewhere on
this site (guilty face!). Utterly implausible as it sounds, I do
have a great deal of sympathy for Denethor, who is an isolated
man fighting a war which he knows is unwinnable.
Pride and jealousy (which comes from self-doubt), and the need for control all come through here, I think, and it's these faults of Denethor which Sauron manipulates through the palantír.
I liked your extension of the idea that Faramir was a disappointment because he had chosen Mithrandir above his father: "who could have taught him just as well, would he have asked". I think this is sad on several levels; Denethor's disappointment and sadness at the rejection, but also his failure to realize that the responsibility is, at least in part, his own and not his son's.
Casey: 2002-04-13 Ch: 4
It is interesting to learn that Denethor actually loves his two
sons, but I shouldn't be surprised, since all parents love their
children... right? I feel for Denethor here, for his children can
never understand the love he has for them, since he doesn't
really display them. An insight into his character. Schway.
Isabeau: 2002-04-12 Ch: 4
Well, you didn't make me like him exactly, but you did do a very
nice exploration of Denethor's motives and character, and it does
come at a good time to provide a contrast to what other people
are doing.
I do like the way you made his jealousy of Thorongil when he was a young man contribute to his current policy of relying only upon himself. It's sad in a way, because there are undoubtedly people in Gondor who could be of more help to him if only he'd let them (Imrahil for one), but he has closed himself off from any emotional support and suffers this terrible strain and burden alone, relying more and more upon the Palantir, and less and less upon his human councilors. I sympathize, but I still don't like the guy.
SilverDragonWolf: 2002-04-11 Ch: 2
GREAT STORY! I'm hooked. One thing I want to know though. Where
did you found out that Legolas actually know Elrond and the rest
of the elves in Imladris? I can't find them anywhere together
except in the council of Elrond.
SilverDragonWolf: 2002-04-11 Ch: 1
I got your hint :)Great story! You did a lot of research and your
style of writing also matches those that Tolkien used. I love
this kind of stories.
Thoughroughly researched and beautifully written. lol
Jaina: 2002-04-10 Ch: 3
Wow, I'm totally blown away by the tremendous amount of research
and effort and detail put into your stories...
Love the way you portrayed Legolas, the way he is younger than all of the other high-Elves, but able to hold his stead among them, and how they value him and look upon him as a young boy grown up... the fatherly love Elrond and Glorfindel feels for him is very evident...
Hope you keep writing! Great job!
Dwimordene: 2002-04-01 Ch: 2
Moving on now to chapter 3! Nicely done, I liked the
Glorfindel-Legolas exchange. Stubborn children of Mirkwood
indeed!
Alon: 2002-03-26 Ch: 2
I've noticed a couple of reviews you've left for me so I decided
to come read your stories. Where have you been all my life!? This
is great. Like Isabeau, you have a wonderful grasp of elves and
you write them exceptionally well. Boromir is perfect as well,
proud and yet somewhat vulnerable at the same time. Good work!
I'm looking forward to reading more when I get home tonight.
Arwen Imladviel: 2002-03-06 Ch: 1
Your soul must be bonded to Boromir, so artfully you describe
him, so heavy and rich is the texture of your writing, like a
horn-call on the hills.
Casey Toh: 2002-02-28 Ch: 1
This was very well written and in characterization. I agree with
the others that Boromir had been given too little parts in the
movie and story. I like this. Thank you.
Anne-Marie: 2002-02-27 Ch: 1
That rocked! A Boromir story, you did a really great job of
giving him a character all his own, something that gets neglected
a lot :) I really liked this story, will there be more? Or just
write another Boromir story, pretty please?
Tessen Girl: 2002-02-2 1Ch: 1
GREAT story! I loved it! Your portrayals of the characters were
very well done and I enjoy your style of writing! More
fanfictions should be like this!
odyssey: 2002-02-21 Ch: 1
I saw your review for my story and got curious who you are and
how you write, so I checked out your stories.
Conclusion : You write beautifully ! Especially this story is great and well thought-out. I like your detailed style of writing as shown i.e. by the elf-tree comparison (typical Tolkien, you really capture his essence of writing ) or the characterisation of Boromir and the Elves. Please continue writing and uploading your stories. You´ve just got yourself a faithful reader : )
Altariel: 2002-02-17 Ch: 1
I think it's absolutely gorgeous; beautifully written. I've been
terrified of trying to write about the Elves myself, and you've
absolutely got it perfect - and the subtlety of the differences
between the Legolas the Wood Elf and Glorfindel the Noldo. Your
evocation of Boromir's weariness was wonderful also.