The Last Ring-Bearer

Giving this book a rating was kinda difficult since it wouldn’t be fair to compare it to The Lord of the Rings and neither does it make sense to look at it in isolation. I felt that some sections lacked connection with the overall plot, but upon completing the book and learning about the context it was written within, then I understand the choices.

A substantial portion of the book is spend in another country/area from those in which The Lord of the Rings play out. It felt like a spy thriller and was overall very fun, but I was constantly asking myself why am I reading this? The characters are interesting; the story is progressing and entertaining; the environment is wonderfully described; but the why still lingered with me.

Upon completing that part of the book, I realized why I had to read it. Returning to the story in Mirkwood and Mordor, I longed for reading more on the culture and people of Umbar. Just like The Lord of the Rings presented a story within a world, The Last Ring-Bearer presents a story within a world with all the traditions, customs, mysteries and legends already in place. We, again, just got to scratch the surface and leave before all questions are answered.

For me, this is where The Last Ring-Bearer truly excels. It is not The Lord of the Rings from a different perspective it is an exploration of a completely different people and their story.