Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A imitation that forms a solid foundation, July 10, 2001
By A Customer
I liked the Iron Tower trilogy, at first I was put off by the glaring similarity to Tolkien's L.O.T.R. but I continued to read. I began to enjoy the characters, and appreciate the subtle differences that were his own. He has taken this world and made something wonderful(see his later works). I feel that he has carried on Tolkien's legacy, which I feel was his intent with the Iron Tower trilogy and the Silver Call duology (which he actually wrote first). Have fun and enjoy, it also helps to set the stage for his later books. For those who scream "rip off" I say, are there really that many fantasy books that don't carry elements of Tolkien? Besides, if you have read the Simarillion and the Bible, you could say that the first part "rips off" Genesis.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A WARNING FOR THE DISCERNING READER, August 2, 1997
By A Customer
Dennis L. McKiernan's Iron Tower Trilogy deserves a 6 or 7 for fast pacing and plotting, but rates an Absolute Zero for originality. After only the first chapter, it is readily apparent that this trilogy amounts to little more than a half-baked imitation of Tolkien's famous masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings. McKiernan retains many of Tolkien's plot events, fictional places, and characters, changing only the names and select details (though in the case of Gildor, he borrows the name also). Thus the siege of Minas Tirith becomes the siege of Challerain Keep; the Shire becomes the Boskydells; the Hobbits become Warrows; the Orcs and Trolls become Rukhs, Hloks, and Ogrus; The Rohirrim become the Vanadurin; Aragorn becomes Galen; the journey through Moria becomes the journey through Drimmen-deeve (complete with the book's very own simulation Balrog and Watcher in the Water); and Barad-dur becomes The Iron Tower. McKiernan borrows most of Tolkien's plot but abandons Tolkien's themes and theology, while introducing none of his own. To quote the Kirkus Reviews (in commenting on one of McKiernan's later books), "If [McKiernan] ever had an original idea, it isn't apparent here." For the discerning reader, I would suggest reading J.R.R. Tolkien or Ursula K. LeGuin instead. For readers still interested in McKiernan, I would suggest skipping The Iron Tower, as well as the Silver Call (which, unfortunately, is much of the same), and beginning with Dragondoom, which shows far more creativity and originality, both in plot and in theme
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favority trilogy novels ever.., December 20, 1999
I have to say that I love this trilogy and have read the series about 5 times since I first read it back in 1988. In fact, I just started reading it again. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great fantasy novel. I can not fathom how someone can say this book did not keep their attention. I found this book to be non-stop for me, but to each their own and my opinion says this book is worth reading and saving...
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by Dennis L. McKiernan
by Dennis L. McKiernan
by Dennis L. McKiernan
by Dennis L. McKiernan
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