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claudiamacpherson'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? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Violence, War, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Murder, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Blood
amanda_mh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Stalking, Murder, Death, Blood, War, and Violence
linnylionheart's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Murder and Death
Minor: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Slavery
bexi'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
3.5
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Cons: very slow pacing at times, often repetitive, sometimes the dialogue seemed info-dumpy, the historical references to Middle-Earth in this book were confusing, most of the villains from "the race of Men" were darker-skinned or "wild"...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.
Moderate: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Grief, Violence, and War
Minor: Alcohol, Misogyny, Racism, and Blood
dlrosebyh'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? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, and War
Minor: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Violence, and War
thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'd forgotten that this book is so cleanly divided, with the adventures of Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin in the first half, and Sam and Frodo's journey in the second half. I think it works for the story this way, and prevents a lot of back and forth, but I did miss Sam and Frodo's presence in the first half, and then missed everyone else in the latter part.
I had remembered correctly that the movie strayed more from this book than the first book. Parts of the beginning were included in the first movie, and much of the end was saved for the last movie. It's still a fairly faithful adaptation, though I think the book ending is more of a cliffhanger than the movie ending. (
And lastly, I must sing the praises of Andy Serkis again—I just can't get over how perfect his narration is. He nails all of the voices, and I swear some of them even sound like the actors' voices from the movies (particularly Sean Astin as Sam—he sounds just like him!). And of course, Gollum is much more present in this book, and his Sméagol/Gollum voice distinction is as wonderful as you'd imagine. Seriously, if you have any interest in Lord of the Rings at all, you'll want to listen to these books!
Graphic: Violence and Death
readandfindout's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4 stars (3.5 stars in book one, 5 stars in book two)
Plot: 3 stars
Worldbuilding: 4 stars
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death
Minor: Racism
starlessnights's review against another edition
1.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and Genocide
jonsnowsmanbun'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Violence and Death