A worthy sequel to The Fellowship of the Ring. The tone in this sequel is a little different: darker and with more tension but still maintaining the beautiful storytelling of the first book.

- The story is told in two separate parts following different members of the company. Whilst this does make sense and creates some excellent juxtaposition between the two narratives, it does feel a bit odd to follow one set of characters for half the book then abruptly switch to the others and not return. 

- We get to see returning characters in different lights and meeting different challenges from Fellowship. Of the Company, I think I came to love them all a little more but, above all, Samwise Gamgee has a new place in my heart! 

- New characters where interesting and curious. The creepiness and sneaking of Smeagol was just amazingly well done. Saruman everything you could want in a morally-lacking wizard and the ents were just fantastic.

- The atmosphere in each setting was wonderfully portrayed. This book is clearly building up to a climax and Tolkien just weaves that tension and anticipation through, showing its effect on every facet of middle earth. This book no longer meanders through the comfort of the Shire or the beauty of Lorien but the angst of Fangorn, the deceit of Orthanc and the looming danger of Mordor.

- Although occasionally present, I did miss the songs and poems that occured so often I'm Fellowship. This likely mirrors the cha he in tone but I missed it all the same.

I loved this book only slightly less than Fellowship and it really has built up the stakes ready for The Return of the King.