What a great book! I love it! The characters are well-written and interesting. The plot is fantastic, never a dull moment. Delightful!

I kind of chuckle to myself though, every time I find a blatant parallel to Lord of the Rings. There are so many obvious copies from people, places, and situations of Lord of the Rings that I have lost count. The forests where you daren't cut down a branch, and the marshes with tricksy lights that lure you into deep puddles. An immortal glowing lady who tells weary travelers to rest in her enchanted woodland palace made of trees. Massive evil spirits that have long slept in the depths of the earth which are awakened. A city built in levels of circles on the side of a mountain. There is even a mention of the Mirrormere by exactly that same name. The appendices have a similar beginning history of the earth just like LotR with a heavy emphasis on music. On and on the similarities are endlessly obvious.

But I have to say.... if anyone could pull it off, this author does. I don't mind the LotR references. I like them! They are like old friends dressed in new clothes. After all, there is nothing new under the sun, and this story has a good balance to it. The author weaves the story-world together so pleasantly that I am enchanted.