If you are hoping for a tale told in the manner of his more famous books you will be in for a surprise. Instead, this is a tale that calls to mind the sagas of the Norse people to be told by skalds at feasts in echoing halls. This is a style that suits this epic far better than anything else would, but it does not make for a fast read. Instead, here is a book to be savored and enjoyed slowly like a fine wine (served in a horn, of course). Here is one of the tales of the old times referred to in Lord of the Rings, but if you are one of the few who are yet to enjoy that epic this is a good place to start as any, as it all takes place before the main Tolkein story. There is a fine introduction about Middle Earth in the "elder days" that ought to be read first, and this sets the scene. Don’t expect a merry tale with ale houses and good companionship; this is a much darker story with a lot of tragedy, albeit in a more readable form than The Silmarillion where some of this tale can also be found in a different form. That being said, I enjoyed this story and the way it was told; read this quick before Hollywood gets hold of it!