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missbiss's review against another edition
5.0
The highlight of this book for me is Gollum. He is a complex character that has to fight his mind all the time while deciding whether to help or achieve his goal… his precious. I loved this book.
wellreadashlee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
jenni_elyse's review against another edition
3.5
I’m not sure how to review The Two Towers. I have a lot of feelings about it and I’m not quite sure how to word them. I can say that some of my feelings are mixed. But, overall, I liked The Two Towers a lot.
I love how epic the journey is. I love how complex everything is. While I enjoy simple stories, I really enjoy complex ones that have a lot of facets to them. You can tell Tolkien really thought through the overarching story and not just the current story in the current book.
As I said in my review of The Fellowship of the Ring, I really love Tolkien’s writing style. I didn’t at first when I started The Hobbit, but it’s definitely grown on me. But, I have to admit that I was a little happy there were less songs this go around.
I still love Sam. I think he’ll remain my favorite to the end. And, I love Faramir. He’s so honorable, slow to react, intelligent, and compassionate. I loved every scene with him in it. He’s such a stark contrast to Boromir. He’s now my new favorite secondary character.
Okay, now for my mixed feelings. Now that I’ve finished The Two Towers, I didn’t like the way the book was split. Having two “parts” in the book is fine, but I didn’t like that the first half was just Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin and the second half was just Frodo, Sam, and Gollum. I want the chapters to be interspersed. It might make it a little harder to follow, but I think it would make it more intense. And, at the same time, it would cure the cliffhanger ending! I really hope that I don’t have to wait until Book 6 to know what’s going on with Frodo and Sam.
Also, why did Tolkien have to add giant, creepy spiders to the story! Shelob totally creeped me out. I swear I tweeted more during the last two chapters of The Two Towers than I did for the entire rest of the book. I’m going to have nightmares! At least, that’s over with and I can enjoy The Return of the King without worrying about her anymore.
I’m very excited to finish this trilogy. I can’t wait to see how it ends book-style.
I love how epic the journey is. I love how complex everything is. While I enjoy simple stories, I really enjoy complex ones that have a lot of facets to them. You can tell Tolkien really thought through the overarching story and not just the current story in the current book.
As I said in my review of The Fellowship of the Ring, I really love Tolkien’s writing style. I didn’t at first when I started The Hobbit, but it’s definitely grown on me. But, I have to admit that I was a little happy there were less songs this go around.
I still love Sam. I think he’ll remain my favorite to the end. And, I love Faramir. He’s so honorable, slow to react, intelligent, and compassionate. I loved every scene with him in it. He’s such a stark contrast to Boromir. He’s now my new favorite secondary character.
Okay, now for my mixed feelings. Now that I’ve finished The Two Towers, I didn’t like the way the book was split. Having two “parts” in the book is fine, but I didn’t like that the first half was just Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin and the second half was just Frodo, Sam, and Gollum. I want the chapters to be interspersed. It might make it a little harder to follow, but I think it would make it more intense. And, at the same time, it would cure the cliffhanger ending! I really hope that I don’t have to wait until Book 6 to know what’s going on with Frodo and Sam.
Also, why did Tolkien have to add giant, creepy spiders to the story! Shelob totally creeped me out. I swear I tweeted more during the last two chapters of The Two Towers than I did for the entire rest of the book. I’m going to have nightmares! At least, that’s over with and I can enjoy The Return of the King without worrying about her anymore.
I’m very excited to finish this trilogy. I can’t wait to see how it ends book-style.
eylonbear's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tiredurbanist's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Much more compelling than the first book. Characters begin to be differentiated and developed, their bonds tested in more interesting ways. I cried at the end. The writing is still extremely slow and meandering but has a quaint beauty that I can see why it captured such a following.
krste93's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.75
vrosemusick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? No
4.5
wsyrzaaaa's review against another edition
4.0
"The Two Towers," the second installment of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is an enthralling continuation of the epic journey that has captivated my imagination. As a devoted fan of Middle-Earth, I couldn't wait to delve deeper into the intricacies of this mythical realm, and "The Two Towers" did not disappoint.
The strength of this book lies in its ability to maintain the wonder and enchantment of the first installment while expanding the scope of the narrative. Tolkien's descriptive prose transported me to breathtaking landscapes like Helm's Deep and Isengard, where battles of grand proportions and moments of resolute bravery unfolded before my eyes. I felt fully immersed in the world, as if I were an invisible spectator witnessing the unfolding events firsthand.
The character development in "The Two Towers" is a true highlight. I rejoiced in witnessing the growth of Frodo and Sam's friendship, which was both heartwarming and inspiring. Their journey toward Mordor brought forth moments of courage and determination that left me in awe of their unwavering spirit. Additionally, the introduction of new characters like Treebeard and Faramir brought fresh perspectives to the narrative. These complex individuals enriched the story, challenging my perceptions and adding layers of depth to the overarching plot.
Tolkien's storytelling remains as captivating as ever, drawing me into the minds and hearts of the characters. The balance between intense action sequences and contemplative reflections kept me thoroughly engaged throughout the book, eager to uncover the fate of each beloved character.
The themes of heroism, hope, and the consequences of power resonated deeply with me. "The Two Towers" is not just an epic fantasy adventure but a profound exploration of humanity's strengths and vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, I must admit that I found the shifting perspectives between different characters and storylines occasionally disorienting. There were moments when I yearned to stay with one group of characters for longer, only to be swiftly transported to another part of Middle-Earth.
In conclusion, "The Two Towers" is a remarkable and engrossing adventure that solidifies my love for Tolkien's masterful storytelling. The expansion of the world, the development of characters, and the themes explored make it a vital and compelling part of the trilogy. Though minor issues with pacing and perspective arose, the magic of Middle-Earth continues to hold me spellbound, earning "The Two Towers" a well-deserved 4.25 stars.
The strength of this book lies in its ability to maintain the wonder and enchantment of the first installment while expanding the scope of the narrative. Tolkien's descriptive prose transported me to breathtaking landscapes like Helm's Deep and Isengard, where battles of grand proportions and moments of resolute bravery unfolded before my eyes. I felt fully immersed in the world, as if I were an invisible spectator witnessing the unfolding events firsthand.
The character development in "The Two Towers" is a true highlight. I rejoiced in witnessing the growth of Frodo and Sam's friendship, which was both heartwarming and inspiring. Their journey toward Mordor brought forth moments of courage and determination that left me in awe of their unwavering spirit. Additionally, the introduction of new characters like Treebeard and Faramir brought fresh perspectives to the narrative. These complex individuals enriched the story, challenging my perceptions and adding layers of depth to the overarching plot.
Tolkien's storytelling remains as captivating as ever, drawing me into the minds and hearts of the characters. The balance between intense action sequences and contemplative reflections kept me thoroughly engaged throughout the book, eager to uncover the fate of each beloved character.
The themes of heroism, hope, and the consequences of power resonated deeply with me. "The Two Towers" is not just an epic fantasy adventure but a profound exploration of humanity's strengths and vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, I must admit that I found the shifting perspectives between different characters and storylines occasionally disorienting. There were moments when I yearned to stay with one group of characters for longer, only to be swiftly transported to another part of Middle-Earth.
In conclusion, "The Two Towers" is a remarkable and engrossing adventure that solidifies my love for Tolkien's masterful storytelling. The expansion of the world, the development of characters, and the themes explored make it a vital and compelling part of the trilogy. Though minor issues with pacing and perspective arose, the magic of Middle-Earth continues to hold me spellbound, earning "The Two Towers" a well-deserved 4.25 stars.
ed673's review against another edition
5.0
Great with character development and cool world introduction