Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (2624)

Content

Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, #2) in Books

Nov 27, 2019

The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, #2)

J.R.R. Tolkien | 1954 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy

8.5

(39 Ratings)

Book Rating

The second part of the original epic fantasy starts where the first part ends. The Fellowship of the Ring is broken and scattered but thanks to Frodo and Sam the Ring is still heading towards Mordor. Meanwhile Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas persue the band of orcs that have captured Merry and Pippin.

This book carries on with the darker tone that The Fellowship Of The Ring developed as it went on though with Tolkien's grasp of narrative, story and saga it is always an engrossing read. More if Middle Earth is explored, from the horror of the Dead Marshes to the rolling plains of Rohan. Tolkien also keeps the twists coming, from alliances forged by desperation to unexpected allies.

This also features the first full scale battle of the saga - Helm's Deep. A desperate defence that in so many ways is the template for all the battles that have come after in fantasy books, a breathless and intense part of the story that really evokes the sense of grim determination in the combatants.

As with the whole of the trilogy, for something that is very much the genesis of a whole style of story telling there is so much that is complete, and still with that sense of massive depth of history that many of its imitators lack.

Kudos

Ross (3284 KP) rated Siege and Sacrifice in Books

Dec 12, 2019

Siege and Sacrifice

Charlie N. Holmberg | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)

7.5

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

A good conclusion

Contains spoilers, click to show

The final part of this trilogy starts with what should be an almighty conflict. The (somewhat damp squib of a) second book in the series ended with the much-feared monster being summoned into the body of the presumed-dead Anon, Sandis' brother. Sadly, this opening scene is short-lived as the heroes scarper and live to fight another day (though admittedly it was always going to be that way!).
That opening anti-climax out of the way, this book is a more intelligent and thoughtful one that the previous two. Finally we have some answers and insight into the world we are in, and where the ancient mystical race went, as well as where the summoned demons come from. While I didn't feel this was missing from the first two books, it is good to have some answers and extra world-building to get stuck into.
The first third of the book rattles along quite well, the humans trying to track down the host of the demon and hence stop its daily attacks. The middle third was a bit of a slog, with much less happening, quite heavy on the exposition and endless narrative descriptions. The final was much more pacey, though I was starting to tire of the book by then and skimmed some chapters.
All in all a good conclusion to an enjoyable series.

Kudos

Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019) in Movies

Jan 11, 2020

Contains spoilers, click to show

Well JJ Abrams certainly had a helluva job to do here, wrapping up a 42 year saga whilst addressing the criticisms made of episode 8 and creating an entertaining movie. Whilst this isn't a complete disaster like the 'Game Of Thrones' ending I still couldn't help but come out of this feeling underwhelmed and disappointed. I wanted wow instead it was just ok and completely lacking in the magic and memorable moments we have come to expect from the series. The first half of the film felt very muddled and disjointed, it did get better in the second half but overall the storytelling felt very safe. I think that was particularly reflected in the decision to resurrect Emperor Palpatine which personally I didn't like. Whilst certainly the weakest of the new trilogy it's not boring, it's a fast paced adventure that does answer some unanswered questions and there's still plenty of fun to be had seeing all the spectacular effects millions of Disney dollars can buy. Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley also continue to turn in decent performances as Rey and Kylo Ren (shame the same can't really be said for the rest of the cast). So as the finale to the 9 film Star Wars saga it's sorely lacking but as a bog standard action blockbuster it's reasonably entertaining.