Throne of Stone
by Silverhand19

Fanfiction

This is a review of a completed book; however, there are no spoilers for the plot. Just tantalizing hints. Read at your leisure.

Cover
5/10

I like the picture, but the font looks like typewriter letters, which gives me instant 1950-60 vibes and that does not feel right. Besides, it's black and kind of spindly, and it really doesn't stand out very well against the cover.

As for the picture itself, I like it, as I said, but the focus is down with the steward's chair, and considering that the book focuses itself on Aragorn, I think the throne itself could use more prominence.

So, yeah, overall cover impression: meh. I'd find a new one if you think it's worth it.

Summary
8/10

I like the way you did your summary. A very relevant quote to the theme of the story, along with some reader praise, should do the job of encapsulating your message and hooking readers.

I'm knocking off a point because I think one or two of your reader quotes could be replaced with others of higher depth and intriguing quality. Took a second point off because you didn't actually make an effort to write a summary, but I wonder if I should have even bothered. XD Sometimes you should just let your book and your readers speak for you. Double thumbs up on the summary, bro.

Grammar
8/10

I'm seeing a lot of typos, as well as words that look like they were supposed to be one word and auto-corrected to something else. That's where you're losing the most points, though, because overall I can tell you have a good grasp of the grammar. If you went back and edited, I'm positive it would be a lot cleaner.

Language Usage
8/10

While it doesn't exhibit a sensational level of talent on the purely academic spectrum, your prose is uniquely readable and alive, and at times includes lines of striking, epic grandeur. "Raw" is the word that comes to mind when I look at so many painful scenes throughout the book -- raw, real. You let your characters and scenes speak for you, and the result is honest emotion evoked in your readers with ease.

Plot
9/10

Wow, man. Just... wow.

That's the kind of reaction I have when looking over the plot of a book like this. It's a little bit harder to see when you're actually in the middle of the book, waiting frantically for the next update so everything can be revealed. But how carefully you wove each strand! How neatly everything fit together(or... mostly everything... you did leave a few questions to be answered in the next book!) The Black Tree, Arwen's secret, the mysterious Údar, a certain somebody's astonishing return -- what a nail-biting read. Nothing cliche about this plot, no, sir! I've never read a thing like it.

The one place that I remember blanking and having trouble figuring out the scene was the fight at the beginning of Chapter 4. Going back, I felt the same way. Now, naturally it was chaos, being a fight, but I still feel that the chaos could have been more adroitly portrayed and caused less confusion for the reader.

Characters
8/10

You don't seem to spend a whole lot of time fleshing out your characters, but they're real and pleasurable to read nonetheless. You show a high respect for Tolkien's people where you use them, but your OCs are just as delightful -- maybe more... after all, there's Údar. And Tachion, poor Tachion. I love him to pieces.

Overall
7.5/10

You've got one hooker of a story. Recommended.

(Caveat: The story does include sensitive/sad subject matter and may be disturbing to younger readers)

Note to my patiently waiting reviewees... I am so sorry!! Getting back on track with this as quickly as I can.