A review by octavii42
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The rating is purely based on enjoyment of the book as this is a classic! The plot and themes of this story are epic and very interesting to unpick. Tolkien's prose is beautiful and I quite liked the addition of the odd poem or song. The detail of the world is extraordinary and a little overwhelming at times. The pace is very slow and this first book definitely feels like the journey portion. Very descriptive! I felt like I had been on a real Odyssey that was only just beginning. This reminded me a lot of epic poems such as The Odyssey, The Aeneid and Beowulf. Personally, I found the pace too slow and there was far too much description of the environment, painfully so at times. It also lacked depth of emotion for me. We don't get to peer inside the minds of the characters enough. I am hoping that the next book will change and become more action packed and emotional.