Entry: 10 Time: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:36am
Name: Kirsty City: norwich
Message:
After I finished Evernight but a few weeks ago I was utterly bereft to no longer be part of that world, I was also greatly relieved to find the thirteenth chapter here on the website as I needed that fully realised happy ending; I want to start the next series but I have a lot of college reading and cannot risk losing myself again when I need to concentrate on other work, looking forward to my next holiday, when I can leave this dreary world behind temporarily.
Entry: 9 Time: Sun Jul 5, 2009 09:00pm
Name: Fai City: Brisbane
Message:
Dear Cecilia,
I love reading all types of fantasy,& some years ago I discovered The Ill-made Mute.It blew me away.It was spellbinding, inspirational.When the Crowthistle Chronicles began I read each book as it came out,& I can't tell you how good it was to finally read about vegetarian main characters!In parts of the last two books it was like the words were coming out of my own mouth.Your books are intelligent & beautiful. Thank you,& keep writing! - Fai
Entry: 8 Time: Wed Apr 1, 2009 10:48pm
Name: Regina van Dijk City: Deil, The Netherlands
Message:
Dear mrs Thornton,
I just finished the last book of the Bitterbynde triologie. Thank you for the last words in your book. True love wins!!
It took me two weeks to read al 3. What a good story. I'm trying to find more books of you now but in The Netherlands only the Bitterbynde triologie is translated in Dutch. So I have o be a bit more patience. Thank you once more for allowing me to walk through Erith. I enjoyed every minut!
Entry: 7 Time: Sun Jan 11, 2009 09:10pm
Name: Thom City:
Message:
hello cecilia
i would just like to say that your books have inspired and dazzled me greatly, they have been the prisms in my lif of late.
on the completion of fallow blade, i decided to have no meat henceforth it had influenced me greatly, and shone a different light on many subjects i had held an cast iron mindset on.
i commend you
Thom
Entry: 6 Time: Fri Jan 9, 2009 09:18pm
Name: Elise City: Bendigo, Australia
Message:
Hi Cecilia!
So good to see all the updated news in that section! I've just finished reading the "lost" chapter of Battle of Evernight, it brought tears to my eyes. Once again your writing skill amazes me. Keep it up :D
Entry: 5 Time: Sat Jan 3, 2009 12:02pm
Name: Louise Bush City: Witney, Oxfordshire, ENGLAND
Message:
Re-read the Bitterbynde Trilogy-Im so glad I did-it came to life again! Now on the Crowthistle Chronicles, Weather witch. You have the most amazing way of story telling!
If everything you wrote were NON-fiction, the world would be a better place!! Thanks for making so many people happy and having hope in an amazing fantasy writer.
We all need time to ourselves but when's the next book out??!!
Louise Bush
Entry: 4 Time: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:44am
Name: Cecilia Dart-Thornton [HomePage] City: Melbourne, Australia
Message:
Thank you for your lovely comment, Sophia! I am really pleased you enjoy the Bitterbynde trilogy. It's a joy to receive feedback from readers who have found their way through the doors of Faerie into the world of Erith.
And by the way - you are the first person to use the new Guestbook facility!
Sain thee -
Cecilia
Entry: 3 Time: Sun Nov 9, 2008 11:23am
Name: Sophia [HomePage] City: London
Message:
Dear Ms. Thornton...
Thank you ever so much for the beautiful bitterbynde trilogy.
I first read the 'ill made mute at 14' and almost 8 years on I still continue to read the trilogy. You and L.J.Smith as well as Tamora Pierce are my favourite Authors. But you in particular have created a fantasy so beautiful to escape in that at many time in my childhood I wanted it to be a reality. It's so hard to explain... So I thank you with every part of me...
Sophia
From:
"Nicolini Marcello, IOL"
Hail Cecilia!
I've just finished now to read that book.
My syster gave me ads a present, but, at the beginning I was
skeptic...because my heroes were Poul Anderson (The Broken Sword) and Robert
Ervin Howard, and your book was a little bit Tolkien oriented (I don't like
very much his writings).
But your way to "create" and to paint charachters and personalities is
wonderfull! You are able to "create" true human beings! And the final part
were Imrien speaks is very touching!
She was so well painted in my head that I thought I coul touch her.
In conclusion: You rule! Cecilia!
Marcello from Italy.
R: Writing style on Ill Made Mute
Wednesday, 22 September, 2004 9:16 AM
From:
"Nicolini Marcello, IOL"
Ciao Cecilia!
Personally I prefer the english title than the italian one, cause, La
Ragazza Della Torre (girl of the tower) made me think the whole story
setting was the Tower of Isse, and it was not.
Drawn from the real life you say? I wonder who are Sianadh and Imrhien!
Years ago, my syster bought a book concerning faeries. I really enjoyed that
book; I remember de description about Druegar sitting near the fire pit, and
I was really pleased when I red the scene about Sianadh and the Druegar! I
told myself: now the druegar wants to cheat Sianadh with the trick of the
firepit...and so it was! :)
One of this days my sys will go to the library of Monza (the city where I
live...the GP Formula 1 city) to take the Lady of Sorrows!
I also enjoied your music too! I spent a whole day singin' and singin'
"Separated by Time".
I have to write for an american magazine, Weird Tales, (they buy short
stories, and I'm able to write only short fic for now). I know english, off
course, but I'm not briton, nor american, so I found very hard to translate
my stories in english, cause true english people can use a variety of words
I can not. So the best thing is to write directly in english. Concerning
this I'm reading a lot of english books (Edgar Rice Burroughs first!) and
short stories...as you say in your FAQ: read only the best! I published my
stories on a writers page, and I found there are many persons who write very
stupid things with stupid words...so I know I cannot learn anything from
them, cause they aren't "the best". I think I will join the SWFA site!
I'm sorry, I wrote you a very long answer!
Oh, about Italy, I suggest you to visit the city of TOrre del Lago (TOwer of
the Lake) this is the city of Puccini! Here's the page
http://www.torredellago.com/
I love that small city! I found it casually roaming around Tuscany two
summers ago.
I know you're very busy and you could not answer me.
By the way, I'm delighted to have "virtually" met you Cecilia!
Marcello.
This form was submitted: Oct 01 2004 / 13:32:54
name = Jason
where = UK
comments = I feel the need to tell the author how much I enjoyed her writing. What a new and innovative way of looking at the world, and the use of language is so evocative. It was like dining solely on dessert for the mind. Thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed.
Hows the book coming along =)
Friday, 15 October, 2004 4:42 AM
From:
"DJ SpeCtre"
Hello there Cecilia!
I would imagine that since a few months have passed since the worldwide release of the
Bitterbynde, that u wouldn't be getting so many fan emails as usual... but I would like to say
we are still eagerly awaiting the Crowthistle tale! =) Just wondering how thats coming along?
And if you have an estimated release date? Thanks!
-Andrew Bitto
This form was submitted: Nov 12 2004 / 17:46:07
name = Ben Ryan
where = Australia, QLD
comments = Dear Cecilia
I'm a big fan of yours from Australia and the Bitterbynde Trilogy are my absolute favourite books I've ever read (better then Tolkein's).
The books have been inspirational and have really opened my eyes to major fantasy novels. I have always enjoyed fantasy but your books make it all the more better.
Over the years I have done many readings of mythology of all kinds and folk lore has come into it numerous amounts of times. I am an enthusiast with these sought of subjects and marvel at peoples' imaginations throughout the world.
I have even started my own novel that I just thought I had to write. It involves wights in it also so I'm a bit ify about it (especially if I ever have the guts to finish it or publish it).
The thing is that I have used some of your ideas for my writings, like the massing of wights that come to a call of a greater being.
I have done some reading of folk lore myself, as I have already said, and have written about certain wights that are the same as the ones you describe in your Bitterbynde Trilogy.
I just need to know if I'm allowed to do this or if I'm already going down the tube (ha ha ha).
I would really appreciate it if you could, if you have the time, could send something to tell me what my options are.
I am young, fifteen to be exact, and I have enough time ahead of me to do other writings if I wish.
Thankyou very much.
Yours Sincerely
Ben
P.S.
Sorry if there are any spelling mistakes.
Wednesday, 24 November, 2004 1:09 PM
"Cecelia Kearins"
Dear Ms Dart-Thornton
I have not long finished reading 'The Iron Tree' and thought it was excellent. I am quite a fan of your work. I have been receiving the newsletters posted by your websites webmaster about your current East-Coast tour of Australia. First of all I would like to wish you luck in what is left of this tour, second of all I would like to suggest to perhaps one day doing a tour that includes parts of the Northern Territory, not only is it a great place it visit, but the people would be thrilled at being able to meet a great author like yourself.
Congratulations on your magnificent work.
Cecelia K
From:
"Issle Elladora"
Heya! I just wanted to say a big thanks for the oportunity to meet you this week, even though I am only a very new reader to your books, it was rather enlightening and has given me new inspiration to continue with my books! And I admit, I am the typical fan-girl :D And thanks for coming into Angus and Robertson too! I was very happy that you could! I hope we can meet again - Alex
This form was submitted: Dec 16 2004 / 16:07:31
name = zara
where = maldon, cental victoria (australia)
comments = your books are so cool they are my favorite and the best books i have ever read, i am 13 years old (though i first read your books when i was 12) and have already written my first book and am curently in the tedious process of typing it it is called 'Quest For Altnaritive'
THE LOST CITY OF THE TAKAPA
takapa meaning man eater in an old african tribal langue it is about an imortal and a selkie (man on land seal in water) on a quest to restore the true rulers of the land it is to be one of 5 or 6 books. I read about 1-2 books a day currently and ONLY fantasy and science fiction exept for the odd historical murder mystery for me books are an escape from the real world and yours were my dream escape somewhere where i could be Tahquil-Ashalind and truley fall in love with thorn and weep for all i had lost i could truley lose my self with in it's pages i read for 5 hours straight to finish the battle of evernight it was truley wonderfull and you are a truley spectacular author, i hope one day children might adour my books as they do yours,
yours sincerely
Zara
This form was submitted: Dec 21 2004 / 19:32:45
name = Josephine
where = Jabiru, Northern Territory
comments = I am applauding you on another well done novel! A high respect for your fantasy-filled tales are the only thing that my english teachers and I have in common. I eagerly await another unpredictable tale 'cause in the end fantasy is the only thing I can escape to when life is difficult.
As common as this may sound, you have inspired me to embrace literature and attempt writing (the key word is 'attempt'). Thanks again! :)
This form was submitted: Dec 27 2004 / 23:24:36
name = Melody
where = Australia
comments = I grew up reading classic novels and well known literature. As i made my way through the Bitterbynde series i was as encapulated with it as i have ever been with any of the more prominant works of literature that i have read. My involvment in these books got to the point where i was strongly feeling every emotion that each of the characters were experiencing. However, when I came to the end of the third book my heart sank and I went into a state of depression for almost a week. These books were brilliantly written but, as my mother once said "The world has enough tragedy in it as there is, books and movies should take you away from that and into a world above and beyond sad endings." I really loved these books and i did choose to believe the ending where Ashalind ended up with Angavar, but i do think that there is no shame in creating a "typical ending" (as some would call it) where everyone ends up happy. Most readers, if they're like me, love to read about a happily ever after. For some people reading is the only joy that they can experience in life, please don't take that away from them.
I do thankyou for your terrific story, and I loved how you intertwined the folk lore within it. Good luck with your knew series!
The Iron Tree
Saturday, 1 January, 2005 1:58 PM
From:
"Morgan Koury"
Dear Cecilia
First of all I hope you had a good christmas and new year. Secondly, I wanted to say that the Iron Tree is fantastic. I was lucky enough to get it for christmas, and luckier still that it was an autographed edition. I am currently about half-way through (I would have gotten further, but I went camping recently and didn't want to risk getting the boom damaged) and have trouble puttiing it down. I cant wait untill The Well of Tears comes out! I hope you have a great new year,
Sincerely, Morgan Koury
name= Melani
where= bribie Island, QLD, AUS
I have never read youre books but my mum has and since then she has been more optimistic then ever I would just like to thank you so much
This form was submitted: Jan 19 2005 / 18:56:54
name = Bianca
where = Perth, Western Australia
comments = I would just like to say that I am so proud of Australian female writers of fantasy. People like Cecilia Dart-Thornton and Sara Douglass provide inspiration as well as fantastic worlds to get lost in and characters to get lost with!
I used to be a bit anti-Oz, thinking stuff by Australians was uncool (have we ever made a good sitcom?!?!?) but when it comes to books - Australian is the way to go! There is something in the water over here for sure! (Ian Irvine is another good one - quite different to CDT though!)
I read the Bitterbynde Trilogy a couple of years ago (a great epic romance) and adored it and was devestated at the end. I just finished the Iron Tree and I didn't have to wait till the end of the third book to be devestated - so sad!
Anyway - I am soooo looking forward to the next book!
guestbook,
Friday, 11 March, 2005 2:43 AM
From:
"Amanda"
Having recently finished the Bitterbynde trilogy I feel compelled to write. Most of the trilogy was fantastic. The writing of Celia is truely a talent with the special gift of being able to write so emotively that the reader feels so much for the character to the point of feeling you are actually part of the story, feeling what the characters are going through and experiencing their journeys with them. It is because of this skill that I write. As good as the book was, and it was a book I couldnt put down, the ending was the most horrible ending I have ever read in my life. It was hinted throughout the book that it was going to end in tragedy and I thought I'd prepared myself for this, thinking that I'd just make up my own happy ending when I finished, however its not as easy as I had thought. Because the story is so vivid in details and emotions it just doesnt work trying to change the ending for yourself. The character not only lost the love of her life and the person who lead her through all the journeys and obstacles she fought so hard to overcome, she also became a shell of her previous self, to the extent that it would have been the same if she had died.
When people read stories they want happy endings. The way this trilogy ended was depressing. Even now when I think about it, it still saddens me. When a writer has the ability to write so emotionally and vividly I think that writer has an obligation to the readers. To put readers through such emotions throughout a book, then having it end in tradegy is awful. As good as Celia's writing is I now hesitate in reading any of her other books for fear they will also end in tradegy.
All I ask Celia is if you read this, that you keep your readers in mind when determining how a book is to end. Sure some characters may die or have bad things happen, but when people read a book, it is generally to escape and experience the magic of writing, not to experience a tradegy at the end of the story. If they wanted that, they'd read science fiction or the histories of war.
Cecilia's note: "The ending *was* happy - it's just that it was written ambiguously. You had to read between the lines...
which is why I wrote the additional clarification chapter for anyone who wanted it."
From:
"Chew SL"
Dear Ms Dart-Thornton,
I've just completed reading your trilogy "The Bitterbynde" - 2 times!! I'm going to read it again for the third time soon!!
I really can't tell you how much enjoyment your book has given me. I was a trifle disappointed with the ending of the book. I was disappointed with Prince Edward's actions - I wished he'd not taken Ashalind in that manner. As I turned the pages...I was waiting for Angavar to turn up and reclaim Ashalind. But with each page I turned, no Angavar!! So that's when my disappointment set in. But I'm glad they found each other at last although I wish you could've elaborated on their happy ending. But I don't mind...I enjoyed every word in this trilogy!!
I've already started on your new book "The Iron Tree". I can't wait for the story to continue in your second book.
Thanks again for creating this wonderful world of wights and gramarye. I'm a romantic at heart and have not read such a book in ages. Thanks again!!
Yours truly,
CHEW Siew Lee
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