A review by robertrivasplata
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious relaxing tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

After a whole book of being pursued by (mostly) mysterious faceless terrors through deserted landscapes and ancient ruins, suddenly there's great battles with hordes of barbarians and barbaric orcs, and then just as suddenly, we're again trudging through ruins and wastelands in fear of the watchful eye of Sauron. The narrative in the first half isn't always strictly chronological, with mysterious happenings (e.g. the Ents saving the day at Helm's Deep) not being explained until later when perspective switches back to the other characters' perspective. The second half of The Two Towers really does feel like a continuation of Fellowship of the Ring, with the landscape descriptions, the cowering on the ground from watchful eyes, the secret safe resting place to take a break from all the trudging and cowering. There is somewhat more characterization of all of the characters; Gimli's and Legolas's odd couple relationship is fully established, we get to know Gollum as also Smeagol, we see that Sam and Frodo really have something special going on, and we probably learn something about Aragorn too. The Ents are as cool as I remembered from previous readings and from the movies. Gandalf's resurrection and reappearance to suddenly save the day wherever he goes is a little jarring, though I may be biased against plot-driven resurrections in SF/fantasy.