[Manarion]

I have to say, I disagree about that. While Tolkein was a decent author-well enough to get published, and good story ideas-he was a little too stuffy and conservative about certain things.

First off, modern authors are more recognizing the fact that female characters can exist below the neck-indeed, that female characters can exist AT ALL.

Second, modern authors tend to paint characters better...I could barely get through LotR due to the fact that there wasn't much in the way of character description, at least, from what I got from it.

Tolkein deserves credit where it's due him, but modern authors tend to do a bit better, I think...especially David Eddings.