The Lord of the Rings the Two Towers is the second book in Tolkiens LOTR trilogy. The separation of the Fellowship is a new twist that beckons us readers to read on. Tolkien describes densely the tracking of the hobbits a little too much but for me it worked. At times I do admit that it was boring, but as they drew near the hobbits and their prey, I could not help but realise it was worth the wait.
It brought great joy to me as Tolkien dropped another bombshell involving Gandalf. I can't help but ruin the surprise for readers but I found the book in a whole new light with Gandalf's wise words.
I found that reading about the hobbits was not interesting with their journey with Treebeard. It was quite boring and I was glad it did not last too long. But again it was worth the wait as Tolkien sent the story along upon the shoulders of Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and the white rider.
The descriptions of the Rohirrim, Gandalf pulls from his hat. I found it hard to dislike the Rohirrim at all and in fact I loved them. It was something that Peter Jackson could not get and transform in the movie but then again I cant blame him. I loved the Golden Hall and the effect that Gandalf and company have on it.
Tolkien mastered the description of the battle at Helm's Deep by giving it enough detail to know what he was writing about but not so much that you grow bored.
Once again he moves off and this time to Saruman. I could not tear myself from the voice of Saruman. I read for over an hour of the chapter and more about Isengard. You are then filled in with what happened to Merry and Pippin and Treebeard involving the ruin of Isengard.
I was filled in with more history about Middle-earth. Gandalf rides swiftly to Minas-Tirith for what Pippin done and adds another twist to the story that you will not hear about again until the next book.
And then came Frodo and Sam's quest to Mordor. This was the part when I was reminded about the ring and the quest to destroy it. I found it not as quite as interesting as the dash from the shire but after many pages you find the very same hobbits that were the chief characters at the very start.
When they stumble across Farimir and his men, you learn a sense of what life was like for Boromir and take a liking to him. But for me it was too late. I have a great respect for Tolkien's decision to kill off one of the Fellowship for not many books kill off the main characters. That is what I think sets Tolkien from the average writer.
My verdict on the Two Towers-
I liked it and it was a great follow on from the first. I loved the Rohirrim and the Gondor rangers but it was depressing to be reminded of the ring and that it must be destroyed. It was a great book and a must buy for any Tolkien die hards.
8/10