The actual beginning to the Lord of the Rings, the writing is different. It was started as a story for his children and the language and themes seem more geared in that direction. However the longer you read, the better it gets. It is set in the 3rd age of Middle Earth and refers to events in previous ages as well as introducing the race, Hobbits. It goes on to include adventures with elves, dwarves, trolls, dragons, men and magical wizards.
Secondary characters are shallow.
This is a fantasy novel which doesn't hesitate to explore the dark side of human nature. The tone is generally uplifting, but with a considerable amount of gloom and despair before the demons of the plot are overcome. The book is the first in a series, but easily stands alone, with a clear conclusion to the plot. There is a land divided into magical and non-magical halves, with a powerful barrier separating the two. The protagonist, on the nonmagical side, while seeking solace in the wilderness meets and rescues a woman from a band of men who mean to kill her.