Old Reviews
Reviewer: frasrgrl Signed starstarstarstarstar
Date: 26 Jun 2013 12:06 am Title: Chapters 1 to 3
There’s so much I would like to say but I have no idea how to say it. This was one heck of a trip. It was also one surprise after another. I loved the burning of the journal. it was a very good study of good vs evil and wrong vs right.
Author’s Response:
Thank you! I understand! I’ve been “tongue tied” with reviews myself–more often than not! I’m glad you enjoyed this. The burning was an idea inspired by Southplains…even though she didn’t really suggest it; it just evolved out of an image she provided! ANd then…yes, it seemed like the right thing to do! 😉
Reviewer: faust Signed starstarstarstarstar
Date: 09 Jun 2013 12:48 pm Title: Chapters 16, 17 & Epilogue
An exceptional tale, Freya! I enjoyed following Adam through his becoming aware of things, I enjoyed the terse “adventure” and I enjoyed the philosophy behind it all.
A very interesting take on “When is a man responsible for his action, and what makes a man sane enough to be tresponsible?”
I have to admit the professor’s fate (no, it wasn’t his fate, was it?) or let’s say the professor’s misunderstanding and subsequent wrong track he takes has touched me the most. He, the man of the ivory tower of academical education, seems to be the one who did fail without being at fault for it…he seems limited by his own education and understanding of what makes a man an academic. I think he dies from being disillusioned.
And Adam? I don’t think he needed to learn the same lesson the professor had to. As arrogant concerning his education as he seems to come across at times, I do believe he has a much more practical view of the merits of education, and of learning, teaching, being an academic.
Sorry, this is a time I feel very limited with my means of expressing myself. It would be hard even to put my thoughts into German words, I don’t think I have succeededto put them into English. But perhaps you can read between the lines — or we’ll have to resort to pm. 🙂
Author’s Response:
You’ve expressed yourself very well! Thank you! Academics can get lost in theory and fail in practicality, if they’re not careful; they can know everything and nothing at all…again, if they’re not careful. He does become a tragic soul in this version. The original iteration, in the forums, had far more interaction between Adam and the professor, and some deeper discussions…but it went off track and ended up with horrendous plot holes. I originally intended a different fate for the professor, but…the one here seemed necessary…and inevitable. I’m very glad you enjoyed this!
Reviewer: Laurie Anonymous starstarstarstarstar
Date: 05 Jun 2013 08:18 pm Title: Chapters 16, 17 & Epilogue
EXCELLENT! Thanks!
Author’s Response:
Thank you, Laurie! This was a challenging story…easily the most challenging I’ve ever written! I’m so glad it worked for you!
Reviewer: JoaniePaiute Signed
Date: 04 Jun 2013 01:15 pm Title: Chapters 16, 17 & Epilogue
Wow. From the action scenes to the indepth philosophical discussions of responsibility and good-vs-evil, this story was well-researched, well-paced, and well-written. The Cartwrights, especially Adam, were 100% in-character. All of this made for an enjoyable story…yet also a haunting one. Some of its questions will stay with me a while.
Author’s Response:
Thank you so much, Joanie! Your words mean the world to me! I’m so glad you found this story enjoyable and well crafted! 🙂 And yes, a lot of it continues to haunt me, as well!
Reviewer: BluewindFarm Signed
Date: 02 Jun 2013 07:59 pm Title: Chapters 16, 17 & Epilogue
Wow, I didn’t expect That of Joe. But with age and experience comes maturity. And an insightfulness that his older brother desperately needed to hear and believe.
And maybe, the nightmare will finally come to an end.
Author’s Response:
Thank you! The nightmare finally came to an end for me by posting this! lol! The story haunted me from the first post in the forums last fall, and I just wasn’t satisfied with the original take. This version is grittier and harsher in some ways than the first. I don’t dare say more to avoid giving away spoilers, but this was a challenge, indeed!
I was gripped by your story, so beautifully written and interesting. Lovely job!
Really good story ! I just love love love the way you write joe and adams relationship.
Lots of twists n turns , really good ?
It’s fascinating to read this story right after reading The Decklin Principle, Freyakendra, and I’m very grateful both of them are now safely in the Library. Despite all the shared elements they’re two very different stories, though in my opinion equally interesting, thought-provoking, and moving ones.
One thing that doesn’t change is the skill with which you express the love and trust that bind Adam and Joe. There’s a lot in this story to mull over, but that seems to be the solid underpinning of all the other philosophical issues you raise–and when everything else finally settles into dust, that’s the great treasure which remains. Thank you so much for this wonderful story–and its also-wonderful twin!
I didn’t realize this was your Decklin WIP. What a wild story, freya. Who’s the good guy and who’s the bad guy was hard to tell, but you pulled it altogether in the end. Nicely done. You kept me guessing about the professor all the way through.
Thanks, Pat! I’m glad you enjoyed this one; it was quite a challenge to write. It all started out with that first, startling scene… 😉
The original Decklin WIP was going a bit off-kilter, so after I finished it I did a pretty major rewrite, which resulted in this version. The original version remains posted only in the BB forums. I might need to grab it to save it somewhere for posterity…or not. Maybe an eventual re-read to see the difference (since I don’t really remember the difference right now!)
It’s easy to see someone in a very positive light as a youth, and to have your “rose colored glasses” suddenly removed and see them quite differently later in life. I know I’ve had some rude awakenings of my own. Poor Adam sure had a rude awakening with his beloved, but flawed professor. I’d better say no more, to avoid “spoilers.”
It is a very good story. Thank you.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting me know!