Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2003 17:14:14 +0100
hi
First i'm sorry 'cause I'm not very good in English, so it would be a lot easier if i could send this in Dutch. but, i had an idee: why not make a film of this bitterbynde trilogy??? They did it with the books of tolkien, so why not????
and, i had a question, what's the title of the 3th book in Dutch??? if you know, please say it!
tanx!!! xxxxxx Veerle
Antwerp, Belgium!
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003
name = Melliyna
where = Tasmania Australia
comments = Dear Ms Thornton,
I'm a sixteen year old fantasy fanatic. For years I've devoured book after book but found nothing that matched Lord of the Rings - nothing that gave me that incredible thrill. Until I found this trilogy; I truly feel I've finally found an author that is as worthy as Tolkien.
As a fellow Australian it's wonderful to recognise landscapes in a book.
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 12:04:10 -0500 Dear Cecilia,
Thanks for your quick reply. I think the Battle of Evernight is coming out in mid-January in paperback here. I have already reserved one :-)
If you will permit me my two cents, here is my marketing moment for the day: I think your books should be made into movies as soon as possible.
The popularity of the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter movies is evidence that people love epics. Moviegoers will feel sad that Lord of the Rings is coming to an end and the Bitterbynde Trilogy could come to the rescue! All the people who were employed to work on the Lord of the Rings are probably also sad and might eagerly work on a similar project. Who knows...maybe some of the costumes and sets could be altered and reused?
The drawing of Thorn (http://pub35.ezboard.com/ffansofthebitterbyndefrm6) is indeed beautiful.
Anyway that's my piece.
Wishing you all the best,
Ariane Appavoo
Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2003 12:11:21 -0800 (PST)
name = Persia Gran-Freeland
where = Washington State, USA
comments = Dear Ms Dart-Thornton:
Wonderful books! Your knowledge and use of the language is truly artistic and evocative. Your plot for the Bitterbynde series was a masterpiece of life's reversals and the descriptive results Tolkien would have been proud to read.
I look forward to more of your wondr'ous works.
Webmaster, your site is truly lovely and crafted with great skill and imagination.
Thank you both!!
Sincerely,
Persia
Subject: Bitterbynde Trilogy
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2003 23:36:42 -0500
Hello,
I have just read The Ill-Made Mute and The Lady of Sorrows and could not put them down until they were finished. The Battle of Evernight hasn't come out in paperback in America yet. The pacing of the story is great and I love the fact that we follow the main character constantly rather than bouncing from one set of characters to another.
I noticed on your website that there is a poll re which actress should play Imrhien in a movie. I think Rebecca Romijn-Stamos would be a great person for the role, and I think Marton Csokas should play Thorn.
Best of luck with your future projects.
Regards,
Ariane Appavoo
Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 10:09:57 -0800 (PST)
name = Casii Stephan
where = Minnesota, United States
comments = To Cecilia Dart-Thornton,
My Mother and I fell in love with your story of a girl who could see past the statis of that person and see them for what they truly were.
I know you hear this alot, but I just have to know. This has been bothering me for a long time. Why this ending? Was it for some dramatic ending to make people cry? Is it just for the drama? If you could answer me I would be forever grateful. Otherwise, everything else was extraordinarily great and absolutely splendid. You are a very good author. Thanks for the story anyway. I hope you can send me you answer sometime. I can be patient.
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 13:42:29 -0800 (PST)
name = Averell
where = Trinidad,West Indies
comments = Dear Ms.Dart-Thornton,
I have been an avid reader of fantasy novels ever since I picked up the Lord of The Rings at age 12.I'm 30 now,but allow me to say that the Bitterbynde trilogy is the best I've read since.I think that the ending,although very sad,was right somehow.I loved your little afterword,and it makes me wonder if you haven't been to the Other Country.Being newly married,I'm there every time I look at my wife.Keep up the splendid work and I look forward to reading your next series.
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 03:26:16 -0800 (PST)
name = Wendy Milligan
where = Hamilton, Vic.
comments = My sister forced me to read 'The Bitterbynde' trilogy, and
I am so glad she did, because I really, really enjoyed everything about it. Cecilia Dart Thornton deserves all the praise she gets and more for writing this beautiful piece of literature. I was fascinated by the detailed imagery, and the way the story was told had me loathing to put it down, and, although I loved the ending, I was very upset when I finished reading it. I wanted more!
From: "Ben Simmonds" Subject: Loved it!
Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2003 19:45:32 +1100
Hello
I have been reading your book 'The Ill Made Mute' and i love it! WE had to do a project on wider reading, and I did my project on your book. I chose to do a series of diary entries. I did these diary entries on the period of time when Imhrein was headed to Caermelor by the Caermelor Road.
. I have not yet finished the book but i am up to the part when They are in Mirrinor and I am looking foward to the next two books after i have finished the first one.
Thanks for a great read.
Ben Simmonds
28/10/2003 09:20 AM
You are my favourite author. I'm 26 years old and have been fiction since primary school, but always have gone for the dramas and thrillers. I never touched a fantasy novel until i saw yours (the ill made mute) on the shelf and felt compelled to read it. Now i'm hooked on fantasy. I read your 3 books in a matter of weeks. I'm eagerly waiting your new book.
Thank you for a magical escape.
Tanya Van Gaalen
From: "Alison Lastname"
Subject: About the Bitterbynde...
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 15:21:21 +1000
Dear Ms Dart-Thornton,
Not being too skilled at websites I couldnt quite figure out how to work the guestbook, so I sent my entry to this email and I hope it went through, and Ms Dart-Thornton reads it some time... I have always been a lover of fantasy and faeries, and was pleased to be able to recognise almost of of the folk tales I have ever read and a large majority of the supernatural creatures evident throughout the book. Perhaps you are a fan of Brian Froud?
While the content of your books please me to no end, I must also commend you on the wonderful description you include in your writing. The imagery is so rich is often leaves me breathless, and being able to recognise no many techniques that fill a story with such beauty is something that makes your writing stand far above that of any other fantasy writer, and I also include in that statement JK Rowling and Tolkien.
I am currently in year 12 and I do four units of english, and I am always on the hunt for good reading and I feel I can recognise it when I see it. A large majority of fantasy books leave me somewhat disapointed. But yours did not, and I thankyou for it. The characters in your story will remain in my heart always, particularly Sianadh, Angavar, Ashalind, Caitri, Morragon and Tiggy.
I was so inspired by your books, that in my search for a monologue to perform in drama, I created my own which incorporated some of the supernatural beings you captured so well, namely the Urisk and the Fideal.
Thankyou for the enjoyment and light you have given me, and may you continue you write so wonderfully in the future. Best of luck. Yours sincerely, Alison Mitchell. ps. although rather expensive to make I believe The Bitterbynde would make quite a wonderful movie, if there were actors that were able to capture the beauty of people such as Ashalind and Angavar. Has there been any offers?
If by any chance you do sell the rights, it would be highly appreciated if information could be posted about auditions for roles...
From: Carol Galaty
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 15:08:56 EDT
Dear Ms. Dart-Thornton,
Thank you for your gracious reply. You have enabled me to write what I think, and hope you do too, is a very nice review on amazon.com. I really did enjoy the books and the new ending, as well as your reminder that eldrich wights don't accept honors.
Carol Galaty
In repsonse, Ms. Dart-Thornton posted an explanation of the ending (not a "new" ending) to this reader.
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2003 20:16:32 -0700 (PDT)
This form was submitted: Sep 27 2003 / 20:16:32
name = Carol Galaty
where = Washington DC, USA
comments = Like some others I hope that Cecilia Dart-Thornton reads this and she or someone (for I am sure she is too busy to write) would give me a response. Yet, I feel frustrated and disappointed enough by the ending of the Bitterbynde Trilogy, that even writing out my unhappiness to no one will help me! I would love some insight in what, to me, appears to be an uncharacteristic ending for such an excellent, positive and imaginative Trilogy and allegory. I recognize that others in your guest book have expressed their views of the problematic ending of “The Battle of Evernight” and that you even have set up a discussion forum about the ending. But my question is directed not at what others think, but at what the author was thinking when she wrote the type of ending she did and why she did what she did.
I loved the Trilogy for many, many reasons. But a major reason was Ashalind’s positive approach to achieving a goal, her delightful interaction with other mortal, immortal and mythical eldritch characters, her drive to fix the world and Ms. Dart-Thornton’s clever handling of negative situations where through perseverance, belief and magical intervention the good people always come through in her wondrously magical world. It is this approach that is one of the many reasons I read books like hers, and, I am sure, that a good portion of her audience is like me. Every once in a while I like to escape from heavy tragic literature, and the realities of our world where the good are killed in Twin Towers and don’t come alive again, where tragic characters, like Job, are constantly suffering, being murdered, and/or being prevented from accomplishing their goals to help mankind. What happened to Ms. Dart-Thornton’s approach to her positive allegorical fantasy world at the end of the Trilogy? Suddenly she obliterated 9/10 of the peace and prosperity for the Erith that her heroine, and hero, had worked for in the entire novel, and she destroyed the heroine as well as her friends and lover. She caused to disappear, as thoroughly as if they had been killed in the twin towers, all of the wonderful mortal, immortal, seelie and unseelie creatures she had created. It seems as if she suddenly became tired of writing the book or turned it over to someone else who lacked her positive approach and imagination.
The decline started slowly for me when Ms. Dart-Thornton described the Coronation festivities and she suddenly forgot to include among those receiving honors and awards, two (possibly three) of the most important characters who were loyal to and saved Ashalind; she forgot to recognize Tully and Tighnacomaire (and possibly Whithiue). Then to she had Ashalind return to Erith from the Realm for a second time and find that everything she had worked for in the three books was undone. The status of mortals had regressed; they were isolated and miserable. Angavars’s fulfilled pledge to reign as king until Edward could take over the throne was rendered worthless as Edward became a villain. Ashalind’s loyal and good friends in the end are isolated or not mentioned. Her true love, for whom she had gone through all forms of torture, is closed into the Realm never to see her again.
Eventually Ashalind looses her memory of all she had fought for and done through out the Trilogy due t o Edward’s evil and she turns on those who have been and are still trying to save her. Ms. Dart-Thornton then describes her marrying Edward, and living a long and unhappy life, dying with her beauty fading long after Edward. Yes, I know hidden at the end is a possible alternative ending, but it is highly discounted by Ms. Dart-Thornton as she states that “…others added a fanciful twist.” And even so, that small bone of a possible alternative happy ending that she throws to readers does not off set the sudden and complete destruction of all the hero and heroine had stood for in the book. An author¸ Traci Harding, who Ms. Dart-Thornton does not mention as a favorite, has written “The Ancient Future Trilogy” which, while very different, are enjoyable in some of the same ways as Ms. Dart-Thornton's Trilogy. Yet, Ms. Harding manages to take as complex and imaginative a story and maintain the momentum of the good her characters fought for throughout the Trilogy without, at the end, completely destroying what they accomplished and the love that was their strength. Ms. Dart-Thornton did say that one of her favorite writers and inspirations was Shakespeare. I am hoping that like him she might consider a second portfolio rewrite to the end. that she might produce another end that is equally creative and imaginative but one that is not so destructive to all that she and her characters have built and accomplished in her wonderful Bitterbynde Trilogy.
Sep 24 2003 / 01:25:28
name = Elise
where = Tasmania
comments = I love your Bitterbynde Trilogy with all my being. Neve since Lord of the Rings have i found a book that was so engrossing.
Could you please write about a red haired woman sometime. I am red haired and no-one seems to write stories about us. It would be wonderful.
From: Kathleen Hunt
Subject: thanks
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 15:51:39 -0700
Hi, hope Ms. Dart-Thornton reads this guestbook because I'd just like to tell her how highly I regard her writing! I'm 38 years old & have read just about every fantasy out there, in addition to reading lots of classic literature and mysteries (and an enormous amount of science & nonfiction too). The older I get, the less tolerance I have for so-so books and generic writing - I leave a lot of books half-finished now.
If the plot ceases to be compelling, if the story is interrupted too much, if the world is one I've seen a million times before, if the characters don't seem real, well, I've got other things to do with my time. But Ms. Dart-Thornton's books take me on a ride straight through and don't let me go.
Ms. Dart-Thornton is on my very short list of authors that I check every time I go to my favorite bookstore just in case a new book has just arrived, and is also on the very VERY short list of authors I will buy hard-covers instead of waiting for paperbacks. Ms. Dart-Thornton is also on a short list of authors whose books I give away to friends so often that I have to keep buying more copies for myself! In fact I have to go buy another copy of book 2 right now... I so love the interweaving of old folk legends into the world of these books. The characters are great, the stories compelling. AND, man, what a vocabulary! I've rarely in my life read an author who could send me to the dictionary so often! Another feature of Dart-Thornton's writing that I really appreciate is a truly superb ability to describe the natural world. A forest is not just a generic forest; instead there's the shape and color of the particular trees of a certain season, and the sound and feel of the wind, and the particular look of the sky and the light. It really does transport me to another world.
GOOD JOB, much appreciated, thank you!!! From a fan in Seattle,
USA.
Date: Sep 11 2003 / 18:43:28
name = Schagné
where = Africa
comments = I am an old reader of fantasy. I've recently became a bit fed-up with the Margaret Weiss /Janny Wurtz scene and was astonished to find you've been out there and I haven't come accross you before!
I love your books. I loved the intricate weaving of popular lore and your own that you have done. I'm not a reader of romance by nature, but loved even the "romance" in your books. So gallant. I do so hope you can keep it up. Please, please don't fall into a formula. Curious as I always am about these things, and finding you and artist no less, have you any drawing of your mute and her king, Thorn? I am curious to see how you "see" them.
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2003 01:56:24 -0700 (PDT)
name = Ciaran Mathewson
where = Sydney, Australia
comments = I have read 'The Ill Made Mute' and it was really really good i rate it 10+/10. anyway i am about to read ' the lady of the sorrows'and then 'The battle of evernight' and im just wondering if there are going to be any more of the bitterbynde series. is it a trilogy or are there going to be more. if so, then please tell me when they wil be out if you can.
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2003 11:45:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: "margaret nguyen"
Subject: Confused about the ending of the Battle of Evernight
Hi Ms. Dart-Thornton,
I am a fervent admirer of your Bitterbynde
Trilogy. I read it with such gusto and intensity that I even surprised
myself. However, I was a little confused about the ending of the third
book. When I first read the ending, it seemed that Ashalind and Thorn did
not get together. But then reading it for the second and third time,
it seemed that there is more to the conclusion than meets the eye. Your
conclusion is carefully worded, and after reading the ending carefully
for the umpteenth time, it seemed to me that they may have ended up
together. But I am still not quite sure about this conjecture, and,
indeed, I am still quite confused because the conclusion is kind of
ambiguous. I was wondering, and I would deeply appreciate it, if you could
explain to me the ending and what you had in mind. I noticed on the guest
boards of your website that Judd M. Edwards had e-mailed you with the
same question to which you answered. I know that you are an extremely
busy woman. If you do not have the time to reply to my question, then
could you forward the reply that you originally sent to Judd M. Edwards
(on July 8t 2003) to me? I would deeply appreciate it and would be
forever grateful to you.
Sincerely, Margot
P.S. Looking forward to your next novel!
From: "Shannnon H"
Subject: A Few Questions; The Bitterbyde Trilogy
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 17:51:03 +0000
Dear Mrs. Dart-Thornton,
I read your first book last September (2002) at the age of sixteen, I had finished your second book, two days after I bought it and I searched all around Toronto (where I live) for your third book. Needless to say, and I'm sure you have heard this many times before, I absolutely love your trilogy and I can't wait until the new trilogy comes out. I won't go on and on about his subject because I know that you are a very busy person and I am extremely lucky that you are even taking the time to read this email.
I have a few questions that I would be honoured if you would answer for me, however I understand if you do not. First of all, if a director wanted to make a movie of the Bitterbyde trilogy would you sell the rights and allow the movie to be made? And my second question is, Would you post the information on your website on where interested people could go to audition for roles in the movie? (Personnally I prefer to write than act, however, I would be very fortunate if I was given the chance to audition for a role in this wonderful adventure.)
Thank You for Taking the Time to Read This,
You are truly an inspriation to me,
Shannon Howatt
From: "dez gurl"
Subject: Re: dear ms dart-thornton....please read!
Date: Thu, 07 Aug 2003 18:24:57 +1000
dear ms dart-thornton,
thankyou very much for you reply! i accualy diddnt think you would reply. im glad to hear your writing another book, my friend will jump through the roof when i tell her, we are such big friends.
and thanks for the good tidings with my book, your such a insparation. i have always liked reading, and writing , but people like you make it worthwile. oh, by the way, whats with the ending to the battle of evernight?
it is so.....wonderful, exiting, yet sad and strange i want to laugh and cry at once. you are such an amazing author! right now i am reading the lady of the sorrows yet again, and i love it. you imagination must be beyond most of our wildest dreams. where did you get you ideas? i think i have read similar storys of the fair folk in irish storys, but none as good as yours. but a sadder note i read your save the animals pages. i am keen to help, but how?
what can i do? my friends and i have decided that im going to make a website, for the purpose of raiseing animal cruelty awarness, and we are going to right protests and maybe petitions to the pm or leaders in other contrys. is there anything more i can do?
sincerly you biggest fan, eagerly awaiting anything you write, samantha.
From: "dez gurl"
Subject: dear ms dart-thornton....please read!
Date: Wed, 06 Aug 2003 18:44:43 +1000
i know you cant respond but if your reading i dont mind.
you are such an inspiration to me, i am in love with your characters in your books, but the ending of the battle of evernight has left me breathless and waiting for more. are you writing more fantasy? please do, so i can fall in love with them. i am only 1, and the fact that a fellow australian can write such a cool book has inspired me to use my imagination and do also, my book is called the pulse. if only written 60 pages, but i am loving it. i just want to thank you for being so ...cool in a way. to me you are imerhien, rohain , tahquil and ashalind. well, you do fit the description! i thought jk rowling was, well, good. i thought brian Jacquess was the best. but you take the cake, rare sugar and all, so to speak. you are the best, i only hope that if i ever finish my book that it is half of what you have achieved. if i was old enough id nominate you for australian of the year! you are a true inspiration to literature, my only friend who can stand reading more that 100 pages thinks so too. if i where you i'd be telling you to tell jk rowling to eat her heart out! in the words most common to me at my age, rock on cecilia!
sincerly in regret that you cant answer me, you biggest fan to walk earth.(or erith)
samantha walters, vic.
Subject: Asian region
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2003 09:39:27 +0800
From: "Nurleena Bt. Hassan"
Hi..
Words probably could not convey the joy and wonder that I felt reading the Bitterbynde Trilogy (1 and 2). Right now I am like an addict. I need my next fix which is the third installation. When is it coming to Malaysia? Can somebody please help me. My need is extreme!!!
Nagagirl
Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2003 13:11:21 -0700 (PDT)
This form was submitted: Jul 19 2003 / 13:11:21
name = David
where = Berkshire , England
comments = Dear Ms Dart-Thornton,
We are booksellers in Berkshire England and we have been asked by quite a few customers if you will be signing copies of your third book which is due to release here on 1st August 2003.
Please can you advise if you will be coming to England to do events?
We appreciate that you are rather busy but if you are able to responde we would be so grateful.
Kind regards
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 06:53:44 -0400 (EDT)
This form was submitted: Jul 18 2003 / 03:53:44
name = Rhedyn
where = Newcastle, Australia.
comments = Dear Cecilia,
When I began the final book of the trilogy, Battle of Evernight, was not aware of the sad, bitter twist at the end.
Even though I enjoyed the story thoroughly, the ending was somewhat like a knife being stabbed into my heart and then being twisted.
Why did you choose to write such a depressing ending? Both my Mother and I were quite upset by the bitter final.
Ms. Dart-Thornton, you are a magnificent writer and if you ever feel the need to include romance again, I beg you to give the happy ending the characters deserve, however predictable it may be. End our
suffering. LOL
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2003 21:17:04 -0700 (PDT)
Date/Time of Posting: Jul 14 2003 / 21:17:04
name = Davie Tate
where = Texas -USA, original form Canada
comments = Mrs. Thornton:
I have just completed the first two books of your Bitterbyne series,
very well written and informative. Loved the infusion of the Old English mythos, you kick Harry in the back, ha. Looking forward to reading the last book and many more from you in the future, best of luck and God Speed.
Subject: Re: Battle of Evernight
Date: Wed, 09 Jul 2003 21:23:02 -0400
name = Judd M. Edwards
Howdy Madam Dart-Thornton,
I'd like to thank you for you explanation of the events at the end of the book. It sets my mind at ease. I must also add that your writing is beautiful. I'm not going to say your the best artist in the whole wide world, that'd be silly. I will say this instead.
You have an incredible gift. You are able to weave worlds before the eyes of many. This is a true magic, for it can inspire others. Their are many writers out there who try, many who can become a weaver of dreams, you are one of them. Because of this, you will always be one of my cherished authors.
Date/Time of Posting: Jul 08 2003 / 22:22:23
name = Judd M. Edwards
where = Washington State USA
comments = Well, I'm not sure. I read the first two books in a matter of days, then when the third one came out, I of course read right through it. The writing captured me as few do. I love a good story.
There was just one problem. The end. I find myself wondering what happened. So much detail was put into every aspect of the books, but then at the end it became vague and distant. Perhapes you could fill me in on what you had in mind. To tell the truth, I'm always sad at the end of a series of books, and this one more so because I can't figure out what really happened. I'm going insane. Please help me :)
Subject: Next release?
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 15:13:28 -0500
Hello,
I am just wondering what the next book from Cecilia Dart-Thornton will be, and when it will come out. I have absolutely loved the Bitterbynde Trilogy and have been recommending it to my customers since Ill-Made Mute came out.
Drakus
From: "Bruce & Kelly Phil"
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2003 20:55:22 -0700
Dear Ms. Thornton,
I'd jsut like to say that you r books are the best fantasy books ever! I'm getting the Battle of Evernight in a couple days, and I'm really excited! Do you think you'll ever do another series?
Sincerly,
Chelsea Hunter
Date/Time of Posting: Jun 16 2003 / 00:23:06
name = Michelle
where = NSW, Australia
comments = WOW! I have read the bitterbynde trilogy more than 6 times, and i have never failed to be impressed! Every time I read the last few chapters of The Battle of Evernight the tears start flowing and won't stop for several hours until i become reaccustomed to reality. Oh how I wish the story could go on forever. The ending makes me feel heartbroken, and this helps me to appreciate the superb writing. I wish I wish I wish that CDT would continue writing about Ashalind and Angavar; like the Mallorean following the Belgariad by David and Leigh Eddings. Thankyou CDT, you are so inspiring and your work is so fabulous. Always will i return to read your first trilogy
again.
Date/Time of Posting: Jun 16 2003 / 16:12:47
name = Anneka
where = Canada
comments = I was wondering when the paperback version of the battle of evernight will be realised in Canada. i already have the first 2 books. i bought the first in Luxembourg so it is by Panmacmillan while i bought the second when i returned to Canada,so it is by warner. I can not afford the hardcover version because i am a broke student. If you could just email me when that would be great. if not then i will just have to continuously check Chapters until i find it.
Thanks for your help. Ciao
PS: the first 2 books are amazing
