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You remind me of my dad, he is obsessing over it (The Lord of the Rings being favorite). Don't worry, have to hear about all day, 3nodding

Personally it isn't my cup of tea as I never been into those sort of series (Harry Potter being one of the few exceptions, but because I like the feel it is our world/current time, yet have it's own world), but my dad always loved that stuff and watch those movies over and over (doesn't have too much time to read though). I never had much in common with my family or others really, so I just feel awkward and hardly say anything. sweatdrop

Have you tried the SERRAted edge series by Mercedes Lackey? If you like Modern Age fantasy, that and her Diana Tregarde Investigates trilogy are right up there (Oh, and the Bard series, those too).

Barring that, there's also the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, and it's a bit more current than most of Lackey's stuff, since hers mainly took place in the 80's and 90's (though the Bard series is still going on).



I've been stalking the information on my facebook page. xd I'm jealous you get to actually spend the hobbit money that's coming out.

But yes, I'm looking forward to Riddles in the Dark too, it's going to be wonderful. I might even put a riddle short story challenge up, just to celebrate.

And SMAUG, I can't WAIT to see how they do him! heart

Even better, Empire has the entire soundtrack for streaming purposes. You can't jump through the tracks, but you can hear the whole thing. heart

Here is the link, and you can go ahead and pre-order the soundtrack and receive the Song of the Lonely Mountain right away.

Now my thoughts, Howard Shore has done a wonderful job delivering the music, though I still prefer Leonard Rosenman as the definitive Middle-Earth composer (mainly for Mithrandir and The Theme) I rather like that he used many of the same themes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy and brought them to the Hobbit without sounding like it's just recycled material.

The songs fit the scenes near as I can tell (I won't be sure of course until I see the movie), "Radagast the Brown" seems woodsy and mystical while "An Unexpected Party" is upbeat with dark tones underlying the melody.

Really, the only song I do have complaint with is "O'er the Misty Mountains Cold" and that is mostly due to the near promise we were given in the trailer that Richard Armitage and the Company were going to sing the whole thing.

Instead, that snippet in the commercial is the song, something that disappointed me a bit, though the music itself is still chilling and still has the feeling that fueled this:



To that end, the soundtrack has done a perfect job.

Let's all go out on an adventure.