In equal fashion, Tolkien set the foundation for us in black & white (over 50 frackin years ago), so decades later we can appreciate Morgan’s shades of gray. I would argue that the process cannot succeed in reverse…children need to understand “good” and “bad” before they can handle “it depends on how you look at it”.

So agree with Morgan’s point if we ignore the 50+ years difference between the two works, and also think the LOTR fanboys need to harden up.

I tried to read the LOTR books when the movies were coming out since I enjoyed the film versions so much. I absolutely struggled with the third book. I did finish it but I didn’t enjoy it anywhere near as much as the films.

I totally get where Richard is coming from. His Steel Remains has his trademark noir sensibility applied to a fantasy setting which is written for adults. It’s not just the violence or the sex, it’s the grayness surrounding everyone.

I’m not normally a fantasy fan in general but I loved this one.