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A review by arielleslibrarycard
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The second book of the trilogy follows the fellowship as they have gone their separate ways but still with the same goal in mind: to defeat the enemy by the destruction of the ring in the fires of Mordor.
I stand by what I said about Tolkien and his world-building. I haven’t read much fantasy but so far this is unparalleled as he makes me feel like this world actually existed at one point in time in our history.
He is one of the most intentional authors that I’ve read — where every element, dialogue, and scene is necessary or is utilized by the author to further establish either his plot or his characters.
Particularly for this book, the theme of choice was consistent as each character was faced with one they had to make that made all the difference in both the war, and in themselves. Between the plot and the character development, I’d have to pick the latter as the highlight of this book. I loved the complexity of each character and the journey that they were on to make the choices they had to make, even if they weren’t easiest ones. I appreciated the character of Frodo, Sam, and Faramir a lot more when I read about them as there was a lot more depth to the choices they made than what was shown in the movies.
My only issue with this was the pacing; and this is definitely a read that requires brain power as compared with the hobbit and the fellowship of the ring — which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but I guess the timing of when I read it was during a very busy week and I just had a hard time keeping up (definitely a me thing haha).
Would encourage everyone to read this series. The series so far is still 5⭐️ for me.
I stand by what I said about Tolkien and his world-building. I haven’t read much fantasy but so far this is unparalleled as he makes me feel like this world actually existed at one point in time in our history.
He is one of the most intentional authors that I’ve read — where every element, dialogue, and scene is necessary or is utilized by the author to further establish either his plot or his characters.
Particularly for this book, the theme of choice was consistent as each character was faced with one they had to make that made all the difference in both the war, and in themselves. Between the plot and the character development, I’d have to pick the latter as the highlight of this book. I loved the complexity of each character and the journey that they were on to make the choices they had to make, even if they weren’t easiest ones. I appreciated the character of Frodo, Sam, and Faramir a lot more when I read about them as there was a lot more depth to the choices they made than what was shown in the movies.
My only issue with this was the pacing; and this is definitely a read that requires brain power as compared with the hobbit and the fellowship of the ring — which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but I guess the timing of when I read it was during a very busy week and I just had a hard time keeping up (definitely a me thing haha).
Would encourage everyone to read this series. The series so far is still 5⭐️ for me.