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Book Review of The Two Towers (Lord of the Rings, Bk 2)

The Two Towers (Lord of the Rings, Bk 2)
reviewed on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


Brilliant. Awe-inspiring. Masterfully written *****
THE TWO TOWERS, the second part of Tolkien's LOTR trilogy, takes the reader on a remarkable, almost breathless journey: chasing orcs who have captured Merry and Pippen; galloping across the plains of Rohan with Riders of the Rohirrim; the bloody battle of Helm's Deep; the vast wasteland of Isengard; the perilous journey of Frodo and Sam to the borders of Mordor, accompanied by a most unlikely ally. Unlike "The Fellowship of the Ring," Tolkien's first installment, which at times was compelled to slow to a snail's pace to patiently set up the story, THE TWO TOWERS moves the reader along at a rapid clip, from the first page to the last.

Here we are also introduced to a rich variety of new characters: Eomer, King Theoden, the evil Wormtongue, Treebeard the Ent, Faramir of Gondor, and a nasty assortment of snarling orcs. Tolkien's mastery of the written word brings these characters, and the places of Middle-earth they inhabit--to colorful life. The rich imagery he creates is unsurpassed; THE TWO TOWERS is storytelling unsurpassed. Highly recommended.