The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
ameliareadsstuff's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Historically, I'm unsure if I ever finished The Two Towers as a kid, making it into the last book, or if I petered out somewhere here. I definitely didn't remember that all of Sam and Frodo's chapters are in a separate 'book' in the second half, though I could blame the movie for that.
Reading it now, I have mixed feelings about The Two Towers. Objectively, it's a great book (of course it is, it's LotR), but it still felt like a hard listen. When it's on, it's on, but there are moments that drag in pacing. The aforementioned split of the book into "second half: Sam, Frodo, and Gollum, "first half: everyone else" didn't do it any favours; I think I would have much preferred for the book to cut between the two (I know this volume is technically Books 3&4, but still). The Ent chapters, too, weren't exactly riveting, and there's at least one or two times where characters tell each other about events they've experienced—and Tolkien writes the explanation out, even though we (the reader) were there.
But the book is written so strongly otherwise, I'm willing to overlook its flaws. There's a thematic depth to what Tolkien is putting to the page that his many imitators rarely match, and the relationships between the characters are far stronger than sometimes his reputation would suggest. Legolas and Gimli's unlikely friendship is a highlight of the first half, and it goes without saying that Frodo and Sam's relationship does much to buoy the second half. The cliffhanger too, and Sam's reaction to what he believes is Frodo's fate, means the book ends strongly too.
So, the only thing left to do is to finally tackle The Return of the King.
Reading it now, I have mixed feelings about The Two Towers. Objectively, it's a great book (of course it is, it's LotR), but it still felt like a hard listen. When it's on, it's on, but there are moments that drag in pacing. The aforementioned split of the book into "second half: Sam, Frodo, and Gollum, "first half: everyone else" didn't do it any favours; I think I would have much preferred for the book to cut between the two (I know this volume is technically Books 3&4, but still). The Ent chapters, too, weren't exactly riveting, and there's at least one or two times where characters tell each other about events they've experienced—and Tolkien writes the explanation out, even though we (the reader) were there.
But the book is written so strongly otherwise, I'm willing to overlook its flaws. There's a thematic depth to what Tolkien is putting to the page that his many imitators rarely match, and the relationships between the characters are far stronger than sometimes his reputation would suggest. Legolas and Gimli's unlikely friendship is a highlight of the first half, and it goes without saying that Frodo and Sam's relationship does much to buoy the second half. The cliffhanger too, and Sam's reaction to what he believes is Frodo's fate, means the book ends strongly too.
So, the only thing left to do is to finally tackle The Return of the King.
tea1992's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
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
4.75
elisabeths_library's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
sittingonabar's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
3.0
Once again, I had trouble separating the book from the movie. And I think in this case, I preferred the movie version of The Two Towers to the book version. This was certainly a fun read and had lots of adventure...up until we get to Sam and Frodo. Their adventure was a lot of walking and occasional struggle. I got kind of bored with the last section of the book and was hoping for more Gimli/Aragorn/Legolas excitement. I know there is lots of excitement in the last book so I'm looking forward to getting into that. (Side note- the second movie is my favorite of the three movies, it was weird to not similarly love this book as much!)
ruby85's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nikalaylie's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't love this one as much as the first book in the trilogy. But to be fair this wasn't my favorite in the movies either. This part of the story is good and necessary but I just felt like I wasn't as invested in this book. It took me quite a while to read compared to the first book as well. I really enjoyed Sam in this book though. I will continue in the series because I love the last movie but I think this was just okay.
hckilgour's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
This book is painful. And if it weren’t for the fact I’m a fantasy writer and Tolkien is the father of modern fantasy… I’d have stopped.
My biggest gripe is how long it takes anyone to do anything. Especially when they meet someone who has to be filled in on anything. Like all urgency flees and they’re like, here’s a vivid recounting of everything I’ve ever done, including all the times I took a shit. Like… no.
I was surprised the first half focused on everyone but Sam and Frodo and the second half was Sam and Frodo. It was certainly easier than trying to do both storylines simultaneously. But I guarantee by the time I get to the third book, Imma be like… I have no idea what happened.
This story is a lot. And that’s both the best thing about it and the worst thing about it.
I listened to the audiobook and whoever was the voice was amazing at doing voices for all the characters.
My biggest gripe is how long it takes anyone to do anything. Especially when they meet someone who has to be filled in on anything. Like all urgency flees and they’re like, here’s a vivid recounting of everything I’ve ever done, including all the times I took a shit. Like… no.
I was surprised the first half focused on everyone but Sam and Frodo and the second half was Sam and Frodo. It was certainly easier than trying to do both storylines simultaneously. But I guarantee by the time I get to the third book, Imma be like… I have no idea what happened.
This story is a lot. And that’s both the best thing about it and the worst thing about it.
I listened to the audiobook and whoever was the voice was amazing at doing voices for all the characters.
houseoflusos's review against another edition
5.0
The Two Towers opens in an incredible way, with the fall of one the best characters in the story, whose last words are: "I have failed".
I'm not yet sure how I feel about the structure of the book, since we get Aragorn's "POV" in the first half, and Sam and Frodo's in the second half. I would've preferred these two POVs to come one after the other throughout the book, but yeah.
Again, we get more word building. It's amazing how real this world feels. Sam was pretty badass in this book towards the end, as we all know, he's the real hero! The description of Shelob is so good, talk about inspiring fear.
The passage I enjoyed the most, after Boromir's chapter, would be the clash between Saruman and Gandalf's band. It's crazy how the only one who knows who/what Saruman really is, is Gandalf, yet all the characters present feel these two characters are something Higher. Tolkien managed to portray power through Saruman's speech and voice really well in this chapter.
4.5 stars
I'm not yet sure how I feel about the structure of the book, since we get Aragorn's "POV" in the first half, and Sam and Frodo's in the second half. I would've preferred these two POVs to come one after the other throughout the book, but yeah.
Again, we get more word building. It's amazing how real this world feels. Sam was pretty badass in this book towards the end, as we all know, he's the real hero! The description of Shelob is so good, talk about inspiring fear.
The passage I enjoyed the most, after Boromir's chapter, would be the clash between Saruman and Gandalf's band. It's crazy how the only one who knows who/what Saruman really is, is Gandalf, yet all the characters present feel these two characters are something Higher. Tolkien managed to portray power through Saruman's speech and voice really well in this chapter.
4.5 stars