A Fantasy book like Lord of the Rings?

A Fantasy book like Lord of the Rings?
Every time I see a book labeled as "for fans of Lord of the Rings," I cry a little on the inside. LOTR has been so key to the Fantasy genre (quite justifiably) that nearly every Fantasy fan has read it and every Fantasy book is influenced by it in some way.
BE MORE SPECIFIC, I AM BEGGING YOU.
Also, it is JRR Tolkien's birthday, so be sure to pour one out for the Professor today!

[@zinganeatsr4011]

Girl you just described the Kung Fu Panda film series _please._

[@TheFlowerQueen]

Plot twist: the book she's trying to sell is a Kung Fu Panda novelization

[@kdup-hp6zm]

@@TheFlowerQueeni would read that

[@thegreatandterrible4508]

​@@kdup-hp6zmI mean, it exists. Most popular movies get novelizations.

[@mangelsimonpaniello2256]

You just made me rewatch the whole short like wtf

[@Bella_Black]

Just like Lord of the Rings!

[@dummy_Doona]

Oh my goodness.. you explained the exact pain that i face while explaining a fantasy book to my non bookworm friend

[@loviebeest]

Among a few friends of mine it became the joke to say 'oh, just like harry potter' whenever i tried to describe the fantasy book i was reading. Magic school setting? Harry potter! Main character lost parents? Harry potter! Any kind of magic at all? Harry ffing potter! It was only a joke for them though because i wasnt even able to share my joy of the books i was reading.

[@Grey_Shard]

@@loviebeest Yeah, and I was actually describing Naomi Novik's Scholomance novels. Which resembles Harry Potter in the same way that a member of the Mongol Horde does to a modern lawyer. There are similarities but... huh. there are an awful lot of similarities aren't there?

[@robertblume2951]

@@Grey_Shard Glad you got there.

[@gailasprey7787]

@@Grey_Shardoh yeah I’ve read the first scholomance book. It didn’t have the best pacing with lore about how magic works in the start and the end was a little too long but the characters get very likeable at a certain point and you really get immersed in this fantasy world where you are constantly wondering what will happen next because of all the dangerous creatures the heroes encounter. It was a really good book though when I had no swearing in sight until Galadriel got stabbed and then she came out with a million swears I was NOT prepared. Though I guess that was a bit of a shocking twist in itself so… wins and losses. 😅🤷‍♀️

[@MrEscape314]

​@@gailasprey7787You were immersed and constantly wondering what would happen next, but you didn't read book 2? That sounds tragic.

[@agentoy6065]

"This high fantasy have extreamly detailed discriptions of random trees for no apperent reason"

[@Sarisjackoviak1815]

The only true answer

[@onewingedangel9189]

A true Tolkien-like

[@TheRealMan_EmperorHimself]

Finally, exactly what I wanted

[@Klaaism]

GRR Martin describing in minute detail the heraldry of a family he only mentions in THAT single chapter, and they usually end up dead.

[@DameTara]

Jordan describing clothing of every different city and culture.

[@johnmcclure40]

"This book has pages! Just like Lord of the Rings!"

[@aaduwall1]

Pages AND words! The words are even in sentences. Exactly like Lord of the Rings! 😂

[@cube9244]

It has characters, just like the Lord of the Rings!

[@NWolfsson]

"It's been published as a trilogy!"

[@purelightapologetics4930]

Things happen in it-just like LOTR!

[@EviesEdits01]

There's people talking in it! Just like Lord of The Rings!

[@twarasandeep9731]

I have read so many books with the basic descriptor “magic, fantasy, in another world, non human characters, undead villain, dragons” that they all bleed together in my head and I can’t remember the names

[@Mokiefraggle]

I heard that descriptor and basically just thought "so...basically just several of the D&D campaigns I've been in?"

[@CocoShaffer]

that happens all the time and the storylines also mix and I can never remenber the title if I want to reread it

[@abc-zq8yt]

​@@MokiefraggleSame!

[@NWolfsson]

I was about to say that one of my favourite recent-ish reads, Mar Lawrence's Broken Empire and Red Queen trilogies, buuuut there's an explicit lack of dragons. Eragon works, though. (Between Durza and Galbatorix I think they can amount to a whole undead antagonist)

[@twarasandeep9731]

@@NWolfsson Eyyy fellow Eragon fan! Eragon was one of the first like epic fantasies I read and it's the reason dragons are my fav mythological creatures

[@Whiskey.Educator]

This reminds me of how a morning talk show described "A Court of Thorns and Roses" as "Harry Potter, but rated R." And I'm like "Excuse me, but if you read this series expecting a coming-of-age adventure about a chosen one... You're gonna be very disappointed."

[@irishmanfromengland25]

if you read acotar expecting much at all, you're probably gonna be disappointed. that being said, I did enjoy it.

[@greeninja5991]

I saw once a person describe mistborn as "divergent in a victorian setting"

[@zukumidoriya]

If someone is saying that, they clearly never read ACOTAR. Fourth Wing is closer to Harry Potter, but rated R. School divided into 4 different quadrants, Scribes are Syltherin lite, magical fantasy creatures, etc. And even *that* isn't a good comparison

[@shunyah6318]

​@@greeninja5991 give me their address cause it can't be repeated.

[@Klaaism]

Let alone those also have completely different audiences in mind.

[@BlueGrimgrin]

"Okay, it's just pornographic Isekai Manga in a leather cover. I just wanted to be included."

[@toricon8070]

okay I'm interested

[@quakxy_dukx]

I have read so much horny isekai trash

[@maddieb.4282]

😂😂😂

[@MangoMintMickey]

I’ll say it- some of these stories have genuinely compelling premises and interesting world building

[@quakxy_dukx]

@@MangoMintMickey but very poor execution

[@Dragonmoon8526]

It's not the idea that's original. It's the execution, and how the story is told that seperates them. =)

[@phantomkitten73]

I disagree, you still need a unique concept or hook. If you just write another one of these kinds of books, no matter how well executed, no one will give a shit.

[@Dragonmoon8526]

@@phantomkitten73 Yes, agreed. I was generalizing. Applying a basic idea or trope, such as enimes to lovers, for example. Or love wins out/conquers all. But, the story or concept itself does need originality. I just happen to get two romance books with the same concept. Skipping to the future. In one, they're married, have kids, and have a great career. But no memory how they got there. The second book, again, has no memory, a great career, but no friends or family because they pursued fame and fortune. Both of these concepts, in general, are similar to 13 Going On 30. So, yes, you need originality in the story, how the character gets from point a to b, their aha! moment, etc . . . But the story primus itself is probable something we've seen or read already.

[@nala7829]

​@@phantomkitten73I disagree - after all, isn't fanfiction (and some very plot defining tropes within it) incredibly popular? If someone gave me a book that was a complete LOTR ripoff, with lord of the rings quality, I'd be incredibly excited.

[@phantomkitten73]

@@nala7829: Fanfiction's "hook" is the same as any sequel: preexisting investment. "Here's a return to the characters, world, and story that you already love" is different than "here's new characters, in a new world, with a new story... but it's similar to the thing you already love".

[@balladofroses5282]

This is true! However she's talking about refusing to distinguish anything truly unique about a book while describing to someone, and ending up just describing tropes. Would you rather a book be described to you as "urban fantasy with a magical main character. There's a modern city and also magical things in it!" or "the main character is a wizard with a private investigator license!", which, actually give as a hint as to how the author decides to tackle the idea of how a wizard exists in a modern city.

[@SonoMidnight]

I love it when people talk about books, but never go beyond the general plot. It's okay to talk about the plot, but saying 'it's a great coming-of-age book that talks about the struggles of being a teenager' or that 'it's a drag' doesn't do the book justice, for me. What about the character's psychology, how it's written, the chapter's length, and the message/themes? Edit: To clarify, it doesn't annoy me when people talk about the plot. What annoys me is when they want to talk about it or promote it, but never go beyond the synopsis. I want to know how they found it, not what's o the back cover.

[@robertblume2951]

A lot of people are plot readers and that's what is important to them.

[@daniobrien1049]

That’s how I love to talk about books too!!

[@shireads2954]

What you described isn't even discussing the plot either. That is a brief summary of the book cover.

[@pokemagetech]

Not everyone is a psychologist.

[@balladofroses5282]

Giving the commercial synopsis is so annoying... Tell me what about the authors writing scratches the itch.. tell me what about the characters is fun.. PLEASE ....

[@StarsBookshelves]

Literally every single fantasy book ever 😭 I think that Tolkien somehow stole all our ideas and generated the ultimate definition of fantasy 🫠 There shall never be another Tolkien

[@CatOnFire]

There are some who have come close. Many would cite Robert Jordan because he wrote a more modern take on LotR that turned into a 15 book epic called the Wheel of Time. The series is often cited as the beginning of modern fantasy, reshaping the fantasy genre and inspiring future authors in a similar way to Tolkien. Currently, my favorite author, Brandon Sanderson, may be doing it again. He has already broken every record on Kickstarter by a large margin and created a vast, interconnected fantasy universe with a variety of magic systems that all rely on the same fundamental principles. I'm not certain that he'll stick the landing and be remembered as one of the greatest fantasy authors of all time, but objective metrics show that he is currently one of the biggest fantasy authors alive. I'm certain that Tolkien will never be replaced, but there is still room for other authors to stand shoulder to shoulder on the same summit that he reached. At least in my opinion.

[@TheBlueGuard]

Either that, or the fantasy genre has been caught in the gravity well of Tolkien since its inception so that now even fantasy that tries to escape is still defined by its relation to Tolkien.

[@sourwitch2340]

​@@TheBlueGuardyeah, I think that's more accurate. because our definition of Fantasy is "basically what Tolkien did", anyone who reads Fantasy will look for that in the books they read. And because writers are readers, fantasy authors will also put it in the books they write. Knowingly or not, as long as they have any touchstone with LotR, and let's face it, most people with a concept of the Genre Fantasy do.

[@enna1653]

Just the high fantasy novels. It is not the only fantasy genre.

[@tawumpas]

Go read The Final Empire, already.

[@DanielleBaum]

I always hate when reviewers do that. like let the series stand on its own! don't big it down by saying it's "like" a famous series

[@johnfinch621]

It works in certain situations. For example saying Mistborn is "like ocean's 11 meets my fair lady in a magic world" you'd be pretty correct, and it could cause people who like those things to have a basic understanding of the story that they are gonna devote 100 hours to... just for the original trilogy

[@avrilfan0521]

I myself am guilty of this usually I use the comparison to establish interest but I'm pretty sure I've never compared anything to Lord of the Rings.

[@gracesull78756]

​@@johnfinch621 i feel like for me it only works sometimes, usually w an unexpected mix/ more niche stories or different genres. like they rly drive me crazy when it combines similar or more broad (generic feels rude but kinda what i mean lol) stories. if both are already pretty similar, it doesn't add anything exciting or intriguing, instead it sounds more unoriginal (to me). idk hard to put my finger on why i hate it so much, but you reminded me i dont always so maybe it's a me problem lmao

[@futurestoryteller]

A bunch of reviewers calling a semi-realistic adult oriented prequel-adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's treasure Island "A Game of Thrones Clone" ruined my life.

[@Moth1761]

The earthsea series holds a special wonderful place in my heart and it doesn't get enough recognition.

[@patrickharwood6598]

Yeah I read the first book tombs and the one with the undead dude. Also watched the Ghibli film. I wish they adapted the first book instead.

[@Moth1761]

@@patrickharwood6598 oh the third book is my favourite! If you can, definitely give it a read. It's so beautiful. Also Ursula wrote an article about the Ghibli film, she wasn't the biggest fan because it wasn't done how she was promised it would be sadly

[@jackstillings4855]

Thank you!! I was looking at it thinking I recognised the cover, and could not for the life of me remember the name!!

[@RyukaiDigital]

"A whole different world, magic, inhuman characters" Ah yes, My Little Pony

[@Daelyah]

R. A. Salvatore's most popular Forgotten Realms character is the heroic drow ranger, Drizzt Do'Urden. He follows the nature goddess Mielikki, who's symbol is a unicorn. And Drizzt also draws strength from the bonds with his closest friends. Out of all D&D characters, Drizzt Do'Urden is the most likely to agree that friendship is, indeed, magic.

[@ameteuraspirant]

I immediately thought of Elfstones of Shannara. Magical old guy visits a quiet, arboreal town that somehow exists in a land constantly at war, tasks the protagonist with ferrying the macguffin of power that only he can use to a place to meet up with a bunch of people to form a fellowship type thing, all the while being chased by a hooded figure that is vaguely humanoid and an unstoppable tracker. Oh and the magical old guy immediately pisses off somewhere, leaving the protagonist to start the journey alone.

[@francescathomas3502]

I vaguely recall reading a Shannara book a long time ago - Back in the 1980s or 1990s - Cannot remember the title - I really enjoyed it.

[@kyaksachan502]

I practically read all of the Shannara books but I failed to finish the last trilogy after the first book. Despite how you can see the repeatition he never failed in making you feel the emotions of tensions and hope. God I loved his books.@@francescathomas3502

[@JamesDavis-ps6yy]

Ugh... Shannara... I don't know what it is. I cannot read Terry Brooks. His style is painful, poorly paced, and is more effort than relaxation to read. The guy genuinely has great story concepts, but his actual writing is like crawling over broken glass

[@Daelyah]

The show had... Some okay moments. I think I gave up after a few episodes in, though. Heard about the books while I attempted to watch the show, buuuuuuut the show admittedly was boring enough for me to not give the books anything beyond a passing thought. I realize that's not a fair thing to do, but my attention is in a thousand different directions on my best days. If I'm taking time to read something on the side, it better be snatching my attention like it's delivering me an enemies-to-lovers with the twist of the hero joining the villain's side.

[@icarusbinns3156]

@@JamesDavis-ps6yy Gary Paulson The only book I liked a little was The Transall Saga All other books were not enjoyable. And reading Dogsong for school. “When does it END???” was a frequent wail from my room that my family heard.

[@GinervaWeasleyPotter]

I have this same pain with YA series. They always say “it’s the new Harry Potter” or “if you loved the hunger games you’ll love this” or “a new hit with divergent fans” etc and sometimes they’ll reference multiple ones (like the three above) that have VERY LITTLE in common

[@futurestoryteller]

What's unspoken here is how this is the nature of genre itself. David Mamet (who I don't think I like very much for unrelated reasons) spelled out genre as a marketing gimmick used to draw in less discerning patrons. Admittedly humans just love to categorize things. At this point it's second nature. But "The Hateful 8," isn't like "The Magnificent 7," which isn't like "Rio Bravo", that's not like "Unforgiven," which is nothing like "The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly."

[@seighartmercury]

A fantasy book "just like Lord of the Rings" is like an fps game "just like Doom"

[@SunlessSage]

It's "Just like Dark Souls" In what way? It's hard!

[@marie-op]

​@@SunlessSageSo Overcooked 2?

[@voidboi2831]

this metroidvania is just like castlevania

[@michaelwinter742]

Specifically: it is a history of the development and implementation of telephone alerts. “The Lord of the Rings”

[@thescholarsjourney661]

I was totally expecting it to just actually be Lord of the Rings at the end, not gonna lie.

[@hinata167]

I took a fantasy class in college so i really feel this

[@samaradragonhart5719]

Non book people do not understand the importance of theme, plot, and tropes to describing a book. I recently introduced my sister to a book that she is now enjoying. My description got her interested before she even knew the genre: I told her it had a good redemption arc, which is her favorite thing to read. The book was Outcast of Redwall btw.

[@Geyser39]

I tend to recall the redemption arc in that book being completely ruined by the protagonist's reaction to Veil's death, so I wouldn't call it a redemption arc. In fact, every time I talk to people who read Redwall books growing up, as soon as I mention Outcast of Redwall, everyone starts groaning about how terrible it was.

[@StarWarsomania]

Let’s try that again: “Non-initiated people do not know what details initiated people look for in any endeavor.” There. I fixed it for you. It’s not some special thing about books. It’s just a basic facet of human existence.

[@samaradragonhart5719]

@@StarWarsomania That's true.

[@samaradragonhart5719]

@Geyser39 Hi. Nice to meet another Redwall fan. I've never really met enough Redwall fans to know much about the community and the general opinion on things. I still like The Outcast, but I can understand why some might not. What do you think is the best Redwall book?

[@Geyser39]

​@@samaradragonhart5719 Honestly it's been a bazillion years since I read Redwall, so I don't remember them very well, only that OoR was the worst one. I think my fav was probably Mossflower, though.

[@ashleysbored6710]

I love how she's always reading her own book

[@ferdinand3und4zig]

That's one of the reasons I love Terry Pratchett, his work has a lot of the artistic quality that makes Lord of the Rings so good, but is entirely different at the same time. A lot of authors like to imitate LotR amd while that can work out great (like the german book series the dwarves) often it just makes it kinda uncanny. I'm sure Terry Pratchett was also inspired by Tolkien, but he didn't try to recreate it in any way. He just wrote his own stories with a similar enthusiasm and understanding of the world he created as Tolkien. So it is very similar experience, but entirely unique work. I especially love his Long Earth Series, because it combines hard sci-fi and fantasy in such an amazing way. I feel like, if Tolkien was alive today, he'd have made something very similar to that.

[@2DJoYogurt]

That could also be about Percy Jackson, heroes of Olympus 🥲

[@green-spectre]

... can you give us more information?

[@kutloanodlamini4153]

Not cornerstone, LoTR is the foundation on of which all of western and even some eastern fantasies built their foundation upon.I used to say all fantasy writers are copying Tolkien's home work but it's looking more and more like he taught the freaking class.

[@KpopZuko]

Agreed. Modern literature would look vastly different if it weren’t for LoTR. I really think it’s an era defining masterpiece. Definitely his magnum opus.

[@Willothemask]

I mean he was a literary and languages professor, so that was kind of his job :P

[@AnnaMorimoto]

He's the reason specific creatures are so pervasive in high fantasy. Bearded dwarven blacksmiths drinking ale, ethereal immortal elves reciting poems and shooting arrows, gray haired wizards in flowing robes, etc. We now hold a shared cultural understanding and recognize these traits as shorthand for these types of characters, thanks to him. Think about it. Aside from Tolkien, what do you know about mythological beings in legends from countries other than your own? From a different continent?

[@Klaaism]

@@AnnaMorimoto Aye not just the races but even how they relate to each other: elves and dwarves are like cats and dogs. Sometimes I have to read a book about elves enslaving humans, or zero fantasy races at all just to cleanse the palate.

[@CivilWarMan]

"J.R.R. Tolkien has become a sort of mountain, appearing in all subsequent fantasy in the way that Mt. Fuji appears so often in Japanese prints. Sometimes it's big and up close. Sometimes it's a shape on the horizon. Sometimes it's not there at all, which means that the artist either has made a deliberate decision against the mountain, which is interesting in itself, or is in fact standing on Mt. Fuji." - Terry Pratchett

[@ChanceDrive]

This book as author has created their own unique language and has intricately hand drawn maps. Also the characters journey thru a landscape ruled by an evil figure in order to accomplish their goals.

[@WorldTree33]

I can name four books off the bat, I’m gonna need more than this! 😂 This is why books need AO3 tags!

[@neonavaro25]

"In all the ways!" Me: * Squinting intsensifies *

[@DisturbedGeneration]

It all depends on if you have a traveling band of shorties, along with a high wizard, meanwhile its everyone(dwarfs, humans, elves) vs the orcs that listen to a magick dark wizard for a ring with a mid invisibility buff, and a high insanity increase. Also theres a dragon there somewhere thats a bit narcissistic.

[@Daelyah]

Don't forget the eagles

[@taylor_green_9]

The Saga of The Borderlands, by Liliana Bodoc. Reimagined continents (Europe and the Americas) during a specific era (the last few decades of the Middle Ages). Inspiration from a real war (the invasion of the Americas). A small order of mages with distinct powers and personalities within a soft magic system. An unfathomably powerful evil overlord with a mythical, sort-of-cosmic origin story. Brave, noble, sometimes tragic warriors reminiscent of Aragorn, Faramir, and Boromir. Beautiful poetic prose, though I haven't read the English version and I worry about whether it does justice to the original Spanish. And of course, the most epic battles and magic duels.

[@humanperson0798]

An actual conversation I had with my brother: "It's like that Lord of The Rings game you play." "What?" "You know, that Lord of The Rings game you're always playing." "I don'y play any Lord of The Rings games." "Yeah you do. It's got, like, young Gandalf?" "...?" "You know, but he's like a gay hippie nerd in a purple dress?" "...huh?" "And there's that gay vampire dude?" "Gay vampire...? Are you talking about Baldur's Gate 3?" "Yeah, that one! Why'd it win game of the year? It sucks."

[@Daelyah]

Your brother sounds boring and rather rude. My condolences. 😬

[@TheCrow2483]

My first question would be "Whats the muguffen in that novel?"

[@neonprower5341]

The moment someone mentions the dragons, I am in.

[@Gallagor]

"Describe it without comparing it to any other literature"

[@futurestoryteller]

"Um, okay I guess... It's like this movie meets this other movie"

[@jinxiejae]

Lord of the rings is a heros journey. Harry Potter is and academia mystery adventure with a chosen one self sacrifice trope.

[@eriktyrrell424]

"In all the ways" Oh. Dennis McKiernan’s Iron Tower Trilogy. I read those back in the day.

[@lynsamfortas]

This is how everyone explaining any fantasy book to me

[@WeeblDude]

I was burned by this picking up Priory of the Orange Tree, cause it had it plastered over the book! There's even a German trailer that says BABEL is the next Harry Potter......like SUCH DIFFERENT VIBES! 😅

[@GojosBackHand]

What the name of the book? I've seen it before somewhere.

[@ShayanMallick29]

She wrote it lol

[@ferociousmaliciousghost]

​@@ShayanMallick29I'm assuming they mean the unknown book as a joke.

[@niega23]

I need more Aragorn in books 😭

[@littysavior9181]

That reminds me that Courting Darkness & Igniting Darkness are fantastic. So is The Secret of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series so far [Ive gotten through the first 2 books out of 6+]

[@saharita]

Just so you know, in your last E-Mail newsletter you wrote that the Hapsburgs were a main inspiration for you, the name is actually spelled Habsburger, so in English it would also be Habsburgs with a b and not a p. No hate, just trying to educate.

[@robertblume2951]

No but spellings are correct.

[@saharita]

​@@robertblume2951No I just double checked. In German (the original language) the name is Habsburger, the English translation of that is Habsburg. Google literally changes it to Habsburg if you spell it with a p. My history teacher would definitely have marked it as a wrong answer if I had written it with a p.

[@robertblume2951]

@@saharita go google it again. It is literally interchangeable. And is in fact spell both ways by the actual Dynasty that it refers to.

[@saharita]

​@@robertblume2951 The Habsburgs dynasty was spelled in many ways, even by there own people, but I have found no source that says that they, themselfs, spelled it Hapsburg. It was Habichsburg, Habesburg, Habsburg-Lorraine and of course the main name: Habsburg. Hapsburg is an American misspelling that has become standardized in American usage, caused initially by a mispronunciation, which has also become standardized in America. The rest of the world uses the Swiss/German/Austrian pronunciation and Spelling: Habsburg Please read the following statements I was able to find: The correct spelling is Habsburg. Though English speakers pronounce it as Hapsburg. I guess English-speaking people prefer to change the spelling to match the pronunciation. What is the correct spelling of "Habsburg"? If it is "Hapsburg" why do others spell it as "Habsburg" or vice versa? “Habsburg” is the name of an Austrian dynasty that originated from the castle of Habsburg, probably founded around 1020 in what is today the Swiss canton of Aargau. According to one legend, Count Radbot lost a goshawk (German: Habicht) during a hunt, and found the bird again on top of a hill where he decided to build a castle Habichsburg (later shortened to Habsburg). In the 16th century, historian Aegidius Tschudi wrote that the name rather comes from “haben” (to have) and an older spelling was Habesburg. So to summarize: Yes, Americans often spell it Hapsburg. But that is historically incorrect. I get that things are written and pronounce differently in different countries and languages, but since this is a historical name, I think that it should be written the way it was recorded in the original language. Just as a side-note: when it comes to historical name, I, personally (personal preference), find it important to stay true to the original because I also don't just spell it Donald Tramp because that's how the name sounds in German. That would just connect whatever information I would want to historically record about Donald Trump with a completely different name and possibly a different person altogether and make future historians rip their hair out... And again to clarify, because having discussion on the internet is hard: I don't want to spread hate or am of the opinion that I am solely right! I just want to state what I know and educate people about a topic that I am passionate about. If I am wrong and have made an error I would also like to be educated and told about that error. I have found no record that my original statement was wrong. If you could tell me a specific source that would prove the error that you pointed out I would be thrilled to know about it!

[@nala7829]

I believe you are under the fascinating but deeply mistaken conception that any American is interested in obeying a notorious aristocratic family's personal taste.

[@SImonDeLikaeble]

Most fantasy books I pick up in the store have “The next Game of Thrones” on the sleeve. Which always makes me think “Oh, a series that won’t reach the end” and I put the book back down.

[@jacquelineking5783]

Probably because GRRM won the unofficial title of guy who will be the new Tolkien and won't be replaced till he dies.

[@sirpyromancer2033]

I say through the whole thing waiting for a recommendation to add to my reading list...

[@cosmic_cookie5669]

Okay but I would buy it solely because of the badass cover

[@i_do_stuff_ig]

If someone somehow managed to find me a series that was actually 'like lotr' I would love them forever

[@nala7829]

I HIGHLY recommend The Chronicles Of Prydain!

[@i_do_stuff_ig]

@@nala7829 ooh I'll have to check that out

[@honeykitty7278]

“It takes place in a whole other world, with magic” fudge it I’m in.

[@Floymin]

Exploiting the loop. I love it!

[@TheLemonFox]

Reminds me of that thing that Ursula Le Guin said: "A writer sets out to write science fiction but isn’t familiar with the genre, hasn’t read what’s been written. This is a fairly common situation, because science fiction is known to sell well but, as a subliterary genre, is not supposed to be worth study-what’s to learn? It doesn’t occur to the novice that a genre is a genre because it has a field and focus of its own; its appropriate and particular tools, rules, and techniques for handling the material; its traditions; and its experienced, appreciative readers-that it is, in fact, a literature. Ignoring all this, our novice is just about to reinvent the wheel, the space ship, the space alien, and the mad scientist, with cries of innocent wonder. The cries will not be echoed by the readers. Readers familiar with that genre have met the space ship, the alien, and the mad scientist before. They know more about them than the writer does. In the same way, critics who set out to talk about a fantasy novel without having read any fantasy since they were eight, and in ignorance of the history and extensive theory of fantasy literature, will make fools of themselves because they don’t know how to read the book. They have no contextual information to tell them what its tradition is, where it’s coming from, what it’s trying to do, what it does. This was liberally proved when the first Harry Potter book came out and a lot of literary reviewers ran around shrieking about the incredible originality of the book. This originality was an artifact of the reviewers’ blank ignorance of its genres (children’s fantasy and the British boarding-school story), plus the fact that they hadn’t read a fantasy since they were eight. It was pitiful. It was like watching some TV gourmet chef eat a piece of buttered toast and squeal, “But this is delicious! Unheard of! Where has it been all my life?"

[@riddlersroad3802]

I enjoyed the style of speech that lotr had. I read war and peace, then lotr fellowship, and then hamlet and lotr had a style of speevc that was like a mix of them all but with the sarcasm that reminded me of my mother

[@pollipolka]

Literally me. Good example with hunger games and divergent. I loveeeeee hunger games but i really didn't like divergent. Everyone says that they are so similar, but they are NOT!

[@TheNarrator497]

I love the “subtle” advertising of Dandreth’s Assasin.

[@majikcheezit]

Actually helpful for me. Trying to market my book, maybe I should whittle down the similarities to be more specific.

[@Modulates]

The whole conversation played out exactly as expected

[@ShebastianReyes]

I actually remember critics talking about LoTR clones, like the first Shannara book.

[@pennyw6660]

This is why I always describe the original or creative parts of a fantasy I'm recommending. Usually all you need to give is the basic premise, it really isn't so hard 😭😭

[@Child_Of_Zephyrus]

That book you were showing looks so much like the book I got for Christmas! I’m not sure what it was meant to be, but I use it as a sketchbook. But mine has a blue stone in the center, not a green one.

[@greyngreyer5]

"And don't you dare say..." "Swords! Spears and longshields!"

[@ilovepickle2931]

Okay but as a LOTR fan i actually needed a new book recommendation-

[@jasonmorley9217]

*this book can fit so much walking and food in it*

[@danielyeshe]

I remember once reading a Radio Times Star Trek episode description that was so vague it could have applied to half the episodes. It amounted to not much more that "The Enterprise visits a strange planet." I know it is a tanget this just made me think of that.

[@tovekauppi1616]

I thought the twist would be that it *was* LotR just with a new binding 😅

[@SphealKing01]

That also describes Fablehaven

[@lnsflare1]

We need more fantasy stories like the Riddlè Master trilogy.

[@adnagapot]

One I don't hear often is Belgariad, it's almost like a love letter to the high fantasy genre, light hearted and self aware and light hearted but the stakes feel real

[@jtdavie9466]

I hate the fact I have this conversation regularly

[@huskfromhh]

Sometimes my phone glitches and skips to the next video while I’m still watching one so it was just “and don’t you dare say I MADE YOU A CAKE”

[@Usedtohavemyrealnameonhere]

It's just like LotR. It has a man of unexplained origins with excellent facial hair and an affinity for trees. *Hands you The Lorax by Dr. Seuss*

[@nova_abssnt]

LOTR has a medieval age vibe in it and it has an AM.A.ZING personality called Aragorn😌💪

[@jace8470]

Boy this is strongly making me consider what I'd put as the description for my comics im writing.... Imma try out what my description for the comic im writing rn would be in this comment so: A high-fantasy comic that follows the tale of a girl who has gained immortality through events shes unaware of. On a hunt to inact revenge on her parents murderer, she makes some friends on a similar quest and meets a familiar face. Follow Zariliah as she makes her journey into revenge known and learns more about her circumstances and how her old Dragon master might be behind it

[@im_cart8656]

this also described malazan: book of the fallen. though a malazan fan would also feel compelled to say "this series changed my perception of what fiction is capable of" or something similar

[@Hi_Im_Akward]

Honestly the more I learn about LOTR, the more I realize what tropes where taken from it in my favorite fantasy stories.

[@katiethompson2421]

I like the eragon series because I get to see the character growth, and interlocking timelines following multiple different characters, and I get to see how the authors writing style changes as he grows cause the first book was published when he was 16 years old and he's still writing more ❤

[@Amyduckie]

Omg I feel like I rolled my eyes so hard (at the LOTR character you were playing) that I saw my brain. Lol. I feel like I was the book reading character. 😂

[@wizzzard999]

The only book(s) I ever said were like LotR were the Belgariad series - a Fellowship of sorts travels the world and its many lands and kingdoms, searching for the stolen Orb of Aldur, the only thing powerful enough to kill the evil god Torak, whilst fighting or avoiding his devout peoples of Angarak. Then they take this orb to reforge the great Sword of Riva, restore the king line of a great kingdom, and have that king lead the war on Torak. You see the similarities, right? XD

[@Daelyah]

Been a hot minute since I read Pawn of Prophecy. I miss Polgara, sometimes. I need to revisit that book and actually continue that series.

[@Vladimir_Tod]

Sanderson's Cosmere is my favorite fictional comfort space for both the crazy landscapes and "scientific" magic systems. Plenty of tropes, lots or originality as well, it's the whole perfect shebang :)

[@rexroyulada6267]

Don't forget about the wise old man and the mystical way to enter the world of magic.

[@artisticbeings9624]

Claiming a book is "just like" another book is the fastest way for me to loose interest I applaud you for reaching for more information because I usually don't at that point

[@Bethany342]

In a whole different world, with magic. Ok now you can throw the Narnia chronicles, which fun fact: JRRT got to read parts of and encourage his friend CSL to write just as he got to read parts of the Lord of the Rings books. I forget their other 2 friends who are also classic book writers of that time.

[@rhov-anion]

I have that same leather book!!! It was a Christmas gift from my MIL.

[@wolfella5793]

The only response I would have to ppl like this is “so basically every book I own? Give me more information here”

[@jcc650]

Great, you've described some world-building elements. Now, can you talk about the plot, genre, flow, structure, and storytelling of the book?

[@r3l1csvk]

honestly,with that gem in the middle i was thinking they will also mention Neverending Story as that book also features a thing,an amulet in that case,stuck into the front cover of the book

[@Lilac-5021]

I love her earrings

[@granthansen7691]

okay but thats the best cover of any book ive ever seen 😭 is it like a proper book or a notebook that i can buy somewhere??

[@LacyG]

As an aspiring writer who feels like everything I've written so far "has already been done " this made me feel better. ❤

[@sleepycheebs]

and don’t you dare say… “IT HAS ELVES!” “OH COME ONNN!”

[@user-007pandalove]

you won me with the cover already... 😍

[@Eleana_still_alive]

I HAVE THE EXACT SAME LETTER BOOK THAT SHE'S HOLDING. IT'S IN MY ROOM AND IT'S 𝘖𝘓𝘋.

[@skippergin2695]

There's a wizarddddd! LOTR. I have flashbacks of mentioning something I was writing or reading and every time someone would take one component and say it's like something popular they're familiar with.

[@joshuate5165]

the first description also suited prince Caspian from the chronicles of narnia

[@geekforeverpixelgamingsurl5007]

Nice use of the loop. And yeah, sometimes people will say that a thing is just like another thing because of superficial elements.

[@artuitous]

Adventurers wanted: Slathbog's Gold constantly reminds me of The Hobbit series, simply because of the way the characters interact with each other.

[@_____Neo___]

"In what ways is this book like Lotr?" "Well you see it starts with the birthday party of a hobbit named Bilbo ..."

[@ClaudiusDK]

I somehow expected the joke to be it was a bible.

[@zingbangpow]

It's about an orphan boy who lives with his aunt and uncle. He discovers he has secret mystical powers and grows those powers while going on adventures and stuff until ultimately fighting the evil overlord. -Star Wars

[@zingbangpow]

It's about a boy on a desert planet- discovers he has mystical powers-has a powerful and impactful father. Fights an evil emperor with a (plucky) band of rebels. -Dune

[@zingbangpow]

Basically... How Harry Potter is Dune.

[@stevenreckling203]

For a second, I thought the joke would be her taking the cover off... and it was just LOTR.

[@danielmiller3596]

I've had this fight. But with throwing.

[@angelenapulis9083]

I was waiting for a description like, “There’s a group of people on a quest that involves a lot of walking,” or “There’s an evil piece of jewelry that has to be destroyed,” or “There are several wars involving elves and halflings and dwarves and humans and wizards and several people you love will die and break your heart but also many people you love will live so you’ll experience every shade of grief and comfort possible, and you’ll never be the same.”

[@GirishManjunathMusic]

The characters spend an inordinate amount of in-words time walking from fantasy Yorkshire to fantasy Sheffield

[@Aeternus_Nox]

Not sure if anyone else felt the same way, but reading the Tolkien universe the part that engaged me was the intricacy of the universe. Not the best written books I've ever read, or the best stories, but I've never had any other author create something that felt as alive. The weaving timelines and interconnectivity of it all, built on foundations of a whole web of unpublished work, made it feel vibrant and deep in a way that other universes never did. If I recommended a book "like Lord of the Rings" to someone then that feeling would be what I was articulating. It could be a steampunk series by an author who loved the style of Asimov and I'd still describe it that way, because what stands out for me with Tolkien isn't dragons and elves.