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hjb_128's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Alcohol
gvstyris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I wonder if people will ever say, "Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring." And they'll say, "Yes, that's one of my favorite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasn't he, Dad?" "Yes, m'boy, the most famousest of hobbits. And that's saying a lot.”
Definitely a tougher read than Fellowship, primarily because of long passages with little action. Tolkien’s nature descriptions remain beautiful, though, and I really enjoyed learning about Rohan. The last chapter in particular was such a highlight — I have a newfound appreciation for Sam from the novels.
Honestly, from a reader’s POV, I would argue that this volume in particular is hindered by its structure: Aragorn/Legolas/Gimli follow a relatively archetypical adventure arc in Towers, which is definitely more ‘engaging’ than Sam/Frodo’s emotional journey. The adaptation is pretty aware of this juxtaposition and wisely changed the sequencing.
Also, side note, but I was surprised to find this Treebeard much more endearing (and bearable 😭) than his film counterpart. Same goes for Pippin and Merry, Peter Jackson really did them dirty.
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Death, Racism, Torture, Xenophobia, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol
i_write_on_occasion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Minor: Racism and Torture
bearystarry's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
potatodel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Minor: Racism
squinnittowinit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
2.5 stars mostly because the writing is so unengaging. Plus, it's racist and sexist, as can be expected of its time. The rating would have been lower if not for Andy Serkis, he's that good of a narrator.
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Grief, and Stalking
Minor: Sexism and Cannibalism
Starvation, giant spiders, paralysis, fallingitsreirei's review against another edition
4.0
The characters also be like "let me tell you my life story" whenever they interact with another living being...plus they must erupt in a song whenever possible! There's a verse in their pocketsses for every occasion, fear not!
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, and War
lorriss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
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
orchidlilly's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Racism, Torture, Antisemitism, and Alcohol
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Death, Racism, Xenophobia, and Grief
Minor: Gore