Talk:Dolbeer in Winter--Part Two/@comment-4849011-20160402000738

This was another great one. As usual I love the richness of the descriptions (such as the chest, the photo album, etc.). The various references (whether to Barnum’s Feejee Mermaid, British folktales, Grimm’s fairy tales, or the fictional Slausen the Explorer and Eliza in Bamboozle Land) add texture to the story, and there were great humorous touches throughout. I also liked the use of reflections to reveal the true forms.

The clouds at the beginning reminded me of the Grimm's tale "The Fisherman and His Wife", in which the sky/weather became darker and more ominous the more power hungry the wife became. At first I thought the magic book was just a flip book, but then came the stinking smoke and the cannonball and I thought, "Oh, it really is magic!" I liked the description of the cannonball making the page bulge, and how that guy wasn't fooled by the illusion because he could smell through the trick. Tris should not have opened that second book! When they messed up the room I thought, “Good luck trying to hide your scents now!” Then that became the least of their problems. I liked the part when they thought the party was picking up again, until the terrified screams.

The story within the story reminded me of the Grimm’s tale "Mother Trudy", and the white weasel was a great choice for the monster's helper because of the symbolism. Mirian told the story and I knew Pierard was in big trouble. Then she/he started the anagram trick and I realized they were all in trouble. When Allien was immune to the venom I thought, "Oh, dang! I sure hope he doesn't win!" It's interesting that even horrible monsters care about status. After what he pulled, they definitely won't have qualms about slicing/yanking off his tendrils next time! I mean, if they were on the fence about robbing him of menacing body parts before...

I got a kick out of how you referenced the Parrots as Pirate Pets trope by having the parrot's family have a lot of members in the nautical industry, Speaking of parrots, Pierard's beak grating reminded me of Poe's "Hop-Frog". Which is more frightening- the monster, or the one character not cleaning the crayfish before cooking them? ~screams in horror~