Happy reviewed writer is happy

[altariel]

Chuffed to bits with this review of The Never-Ending Sacrifice. For many reasons, but it's particularly nice to hear it described as "a good science fiction novel". Because we try very hard.

Comments

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

That was a damn fine book and I loved it for all the reasons that reviewer gave. You do some damn fine work and I'm glad to see it repeated in public often.

eta: ...I am sick today which is why I'm repeating myself inanely in comments. Also that blog is awesome.

ETA II: NO WAIT. I AM REPEATING MYSELF AS A CONSCIOUSLY SLY COMMENT ON THE CONCEPT OF THE REPETITIVE EPIC. THAT'S MY EXCUSE AND I'M STICKING TO IT.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

YOU HAVE TURNED LJ COMMENTS INTO LITERARY CRITICISM! *bows deeply*

And thank you for saying nice things about my book, because it makes me smile and feel happy.

[ideealisme.livejournal.com]

That's great! Congratulations. I'm glad you give the Cardassians a bit of a break, I found the Bajorans pretty effing tedious with their maquis and their earrings and endless civil wars.

My favourite Star Trek conversation is as follows:

FERENGI COMMANDER (to Worf): We have a meeting.v Go and get the chairs!
PICARD: (affronted) Mr Worf is my senior security officer.
FERENGI COMMANDER: Well, who gets the chairs?

They never bloody well answered that question either. I think it's the one great flaw of TNG. Everyone was so enlightened and post colonial and post gender and race etc. but SOMEBODY has to get the chairs. The Ferengi commander was spot-on.

(Who DOES get the chairs, anyway?)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I loved the Cardassians before I started writing the book, and was besotted with them by the end.

IN SOVIET UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS CHAIRS GET THEMSELVES!

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

Yay! I enjoyed it myself despite never having watched TNG, and it holds together as a novel entirely in its own right I think, but reading a review like that does reinforce the awareness I had even as I read it that I must be missing lots of layers.

It is so satisfying as a writer (published or not) when a reader just completely *gets* something you wrote, isn't it?

[matildabj.livejournal.com]

Ditto from me, except I've seen TNG and know only the very basics of DS9. I've said it elsewhere that it made me go and start watching DS9 from the beginning (except I've got waylaid by other stuff and still haven't finished S1). Once I've finished DS9 I'll go back and read both Una's DS9 novels and assume they'll be even better!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Very satisfying! Also, the picture of emo!Rugal made my week.

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

I think I shall have to re-read it over Christmas because it is a joy and there should be joy at Christmas.

It's a delightful review, and wonderful that the reader got it exactly.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

There should be joy at Christmas! Hope you enjoy your reread :-)

[sheenaghpugh]

Deserved, I'm sure!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[oursin.livejournal.com]

How lovely!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I was really touched by it!

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

have just acquired The King's Dragon in a boxed set from Tesco -

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Is that the set of paperbacks? They're nice!

[jhall1.livejournal.com]

Hurrah!

Never having followed the series (my loss, I know, which I hope to correct one day) I can't really say more than that. Oh, except that I love the picture at the top of that blog. :)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Huzzah! And one day you'll have the full pleasure of DS9!

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

That's a terrific review :)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I'm so pleased with it!

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

And she did it beautifully, because I'm not really sure how she did it and still managed to keep him in character.

Because she's a bloody brilliant writer...?

Brava, my dear. Well deserved, no doubt.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

*blushes* Thank you!

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

It's such a moving novel. I must admit I couldn't bear to reread it to review because the end made me cry so hard.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you. A good kind of cry, I hope.

[dawtheminstrel.livejournal.com]

Readers don't get much happier than that! Congratulations.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's brightened up my weekend!

[trixieleitz]

That is an adorable review - and well done, you!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Isn't it lovely? And I love that icon!

[wormwood-7.livejournal.com]

That's such a cheerful and enthusiastic review. Question: Is it possible to read the book for someone who doesn't know too much about the story universe behind it?

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I think it is possible (although you'd definitely get more from it if you'd seen the show, obviously). But several friends who haven't seen DS9 have read it and enjoyed it. It retells the story of the show (a long story arc about a war) from the perspective of someone who unwillingly finds himself living amongst the "villains" (the Cardassians).

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Now that's what I call a happy review! (and well written too)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I think I love the illustrations most!

[aliana1.livejournal.com]

Congrats on that lovely, fangirly review!

(btw, am very fond of your Tolkien fics--mind if I add you to my "friends" list? :) )

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, it was the fannishness of it that made me particularly happy :-)

Please add me! I'll reciprocate, if I may.

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

The reviewer is clearly a woman of great taste and insight. And gosh, when I have time, I should read the book again, because all that very good stuff on the Cardassian dissident movement is so topical...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Gosh, yes, I suppose it is topical again now, isn't it?

[ithilwen.livejournal.com]

Let's face it: you write good Trek! But then, it wouldn't do to disappoint Garak. :D

[altariel.livejournal.com]

By God, you're right!