Sorry, I have to give it a 9, only because LotR is better (which is the sequal). I feel sorry for everyone that just doesn't understand fantasy and gave it a 1. I guess that is the real test of a book though: does it draw out peoples emotions. Almost all the reviews gave it a 10 or 9, then the next most given was 1. This is a big leap: form best book ever writen to worst, not even something in the middle, only extrems. Another way to tell if a book is good is by reading all the reviews of it and how manny: a bad and unremarkable book is unnoticed, while a good book is talked about. All the other reviews told about the plot and it's merrits, read them and this book. If you like it, read LotR.