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fox_at_the_circus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Tolkien really is a master of words and storytelling. There were sentences, that just described the landscape or a sunrise that made me stop reading for a moment and just be in awe of how beautifully written they are.
Just as the first book, this story and its themes is still so current and so many quotes from the book hit home for me.
I was surprised to see, that the book, unlike the movie, is split in two parts, with the first following Merry and Pippin and the trio of hunters and the second part telling Frodo's and Sam's story. At first I was a bit sceptic, if I wouldn't get a bit bored of just following Frodo and Sam for 200ish pages, but I think, I actually prefer it this way. In the book the relationship between Frodo and Sam and the love between them is so much more clear and more explored. I also really enjoyed Gollum as a character, who is really quite funny in some scenes.
In general, with this book even more than part 1, you spend so much more time with the characters than the movies do and can, and I just loved reading the small scenes between the different memebrs of the fellowship, but also seeing other characters like Faramir more fleshed out.
Just as the first book, this story and its themes is still so current and so many quotes from the book hit home for me.
I was surprised to see, that the book, unlike the movie, is split in two parts, with the first following Merry and Pippin and the trio of hunters and the second part telling Frodo's and Sam's story. At first I was a bit sceptic, if I wouldn't get a bit bored of just following Frodo and Sam for 200ish pages, but I think, I actually prefer it this way. In the book the relationship between Frodo and Sam and the love between them is so much more clear and more explored. I also really enjoyed Gollum as a character, who is really quite funny in some scenes.
In general, with this book even more than part 1, you spend so much more time with the characters than the movies do and can, and I just loved reading the small scenes between the different memebrs of the fellowship, but also seeing other characters like Faramir more fleshed out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, and Injury/Injury detail
lorriss's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Gore, Blood, Murder, and War
Minor: Racism, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism
manu_k's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Amazingly written, and beautifully immersive. So much better than the first one, where I was constantly frustrated with Frodo. Finally everyone is using their braincells, and the story is moving faster. Love that this book gives more dimension to the 'side-characters' and shows us how every person has something to contribute.
Special shoutout to Sam, who is so gloriously in love, and is honestly one of the more intelligent characters in the story.
Special shoutout to Sam, who is so gloriously in love, and is honestly one of the more intelligent characters in the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, and War
Minor: Animal death, Torture, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
achingallover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
there's a definite dip in the middle of this one, and the racism/classism is more overt, but... faramir <3 <3 <3 treebeard!!! and sam's decision and internal monologue in andy serkis' voice is a++
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
orchidlilly's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Racism, Torture, Antisemitism, and Alcohol
strawberrytheauthor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The books just get better the more I read them. I was nervous to read this one because of Shelob and I’m an arachnophobe, but it was much better than aragog in Harry Potter. However, I don’t think her scene was really important beyond including peril.
I love Sam and Frodo and how their relationship continues to develop as well as Legolas and Gimli. Mary and Pippin have a bigger role in this book and they do a fabulous job.
I love Sam and Frodo and how their relationship continues to develop as well as Legolas and Gimli. Mary and Pippin have a bigger role in this book and they do a fabulous job.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Arachnidran_sophia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Racism, Stalking, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery, Torture, Grief, and Toxic friendship
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Grief, and War
Minor: Death, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
bexi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Hmm.. I'm conflicted about this one. 🤔 My overall reading experience was better for this than The Fellowship of the Ring (because I'm used to the writing style now), but I much preferred the storyline in Fellowship.
Most of this book felt like "wake up, walk, maybe fight, eat, sleep." While it didn't bother me in Fellowship, I think it bothered me in The Two Towers because it seemed like that was the whole plot of this book.
I liked the beginning of the book well enough, especially any chapter with Merry, Pippin, and/or the Ents. The middle of the book was a slog for me and part of the reason I ended up in a two-week reading slump. The end of the book was the best part, and where I think Tolkein's writing shined the most.
Cons: very slow pacing at times, often repetitive, sometimes the dialogue seemed info-dumpy, the historical references to Middle-Earth in this book were confusing, most of the villains from "the race of Men" were darker-skinned or "wild"... which I found odd and a litte off-putting.
Pros: impressive world building, many scenes that drag you into Middle-Earth with the characters, creation of tense and ominous moods, wonderful character work, beautifully written male friendships, Tolkein's sense of humor.
Most of this book felt like "wake up, walk, maybe fight, eat, sleep." While it didn't bother me in Fellowship, I think it bothered me in The Two Towers because it seemed like that was the whole plot of this book.
I liked the beginning of the book well enough, especially any chapter with Merry, Pippin, and/or the Ents. The middle of the book was a slog for me and part of the reason I ended up in a two-week reading slump. The end of the book was the best part, and where I think Tolkein's writing shined the most.
Cons: very slow pacing at times, often repetitive, sometimes the dialogue seemed info-dumpy, the historical references to Middle-Earth in this book were confusing, most of the villains from "the race of Men" were darker-skinned or "wild"... which I found odd and a litte off-putting.
Pros: impressive world building, many scenes that drag you into Middle-Earth with the characters, creation of tense and ominous moods, wonderful character work, beautifully written male friendships, Tolkein's sense of humor.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Violence, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, Blood, and Alcohol
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