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Books like The Lord of the Rings
Quests, deep history and the classics that grew from Tolkien.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
If you haven't read it yet, Bilbo's adventure is the warmer, lighter way into Middle-earth.
+ Humour, an understanding of children and a scholar's grasp of myth, one of the century's best.
− Readers coming from The Lord of the Rings may find its lighter, childlike tone different. (summed up from Wikipedia (reception))The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams
A Tolkien-style epic with an ancient enemy, a reluctant hero and a richly drawn world.
+ Epic traditional fantasy of a high standard: strong, well-rounded characters and an intimate view of Simon's thoughts.
− Nearly 800 pages, and the slow early chapters can be a struggle before the story picks up. (summed up from Fantasy Book Review)The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Opens like The Fellowship, with villagers fleeing dark riders, then grows into its own vast epic.
+ Tolkien-level epic storytelling and worldbuilding make for a familiar, pleasant read.
− The Lord of the Rings parallels hit you over the head, and the pacing is laboriously slow. (summed up from The Speculative Shelf)A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Short and timeless, about power, pride and the shadow we carry.
+ Wise, thrilling and beautifully written, with a wizard who grows as a character and a world that feels lived in.
− Not the easiest book to dip into casually; it rewards readers willing to commit. (summed up from Wikipedia (reception))Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
A standalone about memory, loss and a conquered land. Beautifully written.
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