I understand Tolkien is the blueprint, and I wholeheartedly respect that without this man we wouldn't have the fantasy we have today.

Had I read this as a kid, I would have developed an enduring appreciation for the magic of this book, but having read this for the first time as an adult, I struggled to connect (especially since I am already familiar with the story). All in all, I found this to be whimsical and quaint and I hope that the series itself will hold my attention a bit more.