Good story, thanks for the link! I think it’s easier to appreciate it if you don’t go into it expecting Tolkien fan fiction, because it isn’t really—it doesn’t so much deviate from canon, as simply refrain from using anything much of Lord of the Rings beyond names and geography. Basically think Tom Clancy in a homegrown low magic fantasy setting.
The latter—it’s basically a military themed spy thriller with a gritty flavor, that while not strictly realistic, at least makes a fair attempt at verisimilitude.
Good story, thanks for the link! I think it’s easier to appreciate it if you don’t go into it expecting Tolkien fan fiction, because it isn’t really—it doesn’t so much deviate from canon, as simply refrain from using anything much of Lord of the Rings beyond names and geography. Basically think Tom Clancy in a homegrown low magic fantasy setting.
Do you mean the same relation to Tolkien canon Clancy has to reality, or something about the style/content/plotting similar to typical Clancy fare?
The latter—it’s basically a military themed spy thriller with a gritty flavor, that while not strictly realistic, at least makes a fair attempt at verisimilitude.