The Outstretched Shadow

Another one of those stories that makes me wonder why LOTR has such a stranglehold on the fantasy genre. I read the second in this series in about 5th grade after picking it up randomly in a bookstore, and I've remembered the characters and the writing style since. Decided it was time to give the series a proper go and not just read the middle book, and couldn't be happier that I did. If you like writing that details setting, style, dress, and environment - this one is for you. If not, skip it. But the love and thought poured into these characters and this world stuck with me for close to 20 years, and picking it up again as an adult I can absolutely see why.