When I first started reading this book I thought it was a complete take on Lord of the Rings. There was enough difference here (like the world being in the future instead of the past, gnomes instead of Orcs) that it was somewhat different. But the Elves (a pair this time), dwarves and wizards are still there. Brooks made a successful franchise of this treatment, and it was a very good story in its own right. Still highly recommended in that it is an original story with great characters well worth a read.