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Mirkwood
Enter Mirkwood, the Great Forest of Doubt Bold new author Steve Hillard's wildly original debut, Mirkwood, re-invents J.R.R. Tolkien as a man haunted by the very myths he rewove into his famous works. As much literary criticism as boisterous epic, this episodically-driven plot explores the blurred borderlands where ancient tales, lost heroines, and epic journeys are stalked by dim monsters that will not be still. In 1970, Professor Tolkien makes a little-known visit to America-and sets in motion elvish powers embodied in a cache of archaic documents. Destinies are altered, legends become real, and two heroines must race for their lives in vastly different worlds.
This is a work of fiction which is neither endorsed by nor connected with The JRR Tolkien Estate or its publisher.
This is a work of fiction which is neither endorsed by nor connected with The JRR Tolkien Estate or its publisher.
460 pages, Paperback
First published January 18, 2010
About the author
Steve Hillard
2 books6 followersSteve Hillard grew up in Bossier City, Louisiana and Grand Junction, Colorado. He graduated from Colorado State University and later earned a degree in philosophy at Columbia University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado. Before settling into his current career as a private equity entrepreneur, Hillard was a teacher at Rikers Island Prison, a welder, a carpenter, and a practicing lawyer. He is the founder and head of Council Tree Communications, a private equity fund involved in the entertainment and telecom industries. He resides with his wife, Sharmaine, in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Publication of his first book in 2011, "Mirkwood: A Novel About JRR Tolkien", started in controversy. The Tolkien Estate sought to ban the book, to which the author responded with a lawsuit in federal court. The dispute received international attention, with articles in the London Guardian, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Christian Science Monitor. The case quickly settled and the book went on to become an Amazon Fantasy Best Seller, recipient of a national IPPY Award, and was published world-wide in Spanish by an imprint of Planeta. An epic spin-out of the book's main fantasy character, Ara, is the subject of an eight-volume series co-authored with Joel Eisenberg. The first volume, "Creation: The Chronicles of Ara", was released by Topos books of Incorgnito Publishing in 2015. A companion series, "The Lost Chronicles of Ara", is written by the same duo and is slated for release starting in 2015. These series are now under development as a TV series by The Ovation Network. Mr. Hillard's other writing projects include a forthcoming thriller about JFK.
Publication of his first book in 2011, "Mirkwood: A Novel About JRR Tolkien", started in controversy. The Tolkien Estate sought to ban the book, to which the author responded with a lawsuit in federal court. The dispute received international attention, with articles in the London Guardian, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Christian Science Monitor. The case quickly settled and the book went on to become an Amazon Fantasy Best Seller, recipient of a national IPPY Award, and was published world-wide in Spanish by an imprint of Planeta. An epic spin-out of the book's main fantasy character, Ara, is the subject of an eight-volume series co-authored with Joel Eisenberg. The first volume, "Creation: The Chronicles of Ara", was released by Topos books of Incorgnito Publishing in 2015. A companion series, "The Lost Chronicles of Ara", is written by the same duo and is slated for release starting in 2015. These series are now under development as a TV series by The Ovation Network. Mr. Hillard's other writing projects include a forthcoming thriller about JFK.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 4, 2011
In the awkwardly titled “Mirkwood: A Novel About J.R.R. Tolkien,” Steve Hillard asks the reader a dangerous set of questions: Did you read Lord of the Rings and wonder where all the female heroes were? (I did, Eowyn not withstanding). Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a heroic female hobbit who was instrumental in Frodo’s triumph over the Dark Lord, but time and a vast evil conspiracy removed her from nearly all historical records that reference Middle-Earth or Tolkien’s notes? The answer is: not really?
If you chucked at the idea of historical references to Middle-Earth, you may not be in the target demographic for this novel. In Mirkwood, Tolkien’s saga literally happened and we are living in a post-elven, post-magic age. Though the Dark One no longer holds a fortress in Mordor, he affects the world through a legion of lawyers, politicians, and assassins. The basic idea behind the plot is actually kind of interesting in a Neil Gaiman-y way: during his (based in historical fact) trip to the USA in the 70’s, J.R.R. Tolkien hid a set of documents with a drifter detailing the quest of Ara, a female hobbit from the incredulously named village of Frighten. He secreted the documents across an ocean because they portend A Dark Secret, one that the Shadow would do anything to keep from being discovered. I can’t really tell you what that Dark Secret is, or even really why Ara is so important that she must at all costs be kept out of Tolkien’s world, to the point of sending the modern-day equivalent of Ringwraiths after the descendants of her story’s keepers. You get the feeling Hillard doesn’t know, either; somewhere between his interesting idea and “PROFIT!!!” he forgot to fill in those reasons.
A big part of the problem is that Hillard is juggling four points-of-view: 1) Cadance the college grad (her grandfather was the drifter who met JRR and got his notes) discovering the Tolkien Documents in the present day, 2) J.R.R. himself making the based-in-historical-fact trip to the US in the 1970’s, 3) The Inklings (a group of drinking buddies comprising Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and others) mostly discussing The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings throughout the ‘30s and ‘40s, and 4) the ancient tale of Ara the totally-awesome hobbitess (Hillard’s word, not mine), on her vaguely defined quest through Middle-Earth. This sort of thing is alright when you’re writing an 800-page fantasy novel and each point of view is following its own plot thread, but four narrators going over the same 300-page plot creates a lot of overlap. It’s cool and foreboding to listen to Tolkien tell the Inklings about the grave secret he may have discovered, and the hidden door for the first time, but after hearing Cadence repeat the same few cryptic statements ad nauseum I found myself wishing Sauron had triumphed.
“Mirkwood: A Novel About J.R.R. Tolkien” contains all the classic mistakes of a first-time novelist. It’s got a clever idea, but no real execution. It’s modern-day narrator spends most of the novel spreading the already thin plot further by explaining the the book’s premise to everyone she comes across. It features some references to current events I wouldn’t even mention if they weren’t so jarringly bad (the narrator at one point compares her own screaming to “a Howard Dean clip on Youtube”, and spends a couple of paragraphs randomly pimping out a website of tips and tricks for subway hiking). Occasionally, one of the glimpses into the story of Ara is exciting and entertaining, giving us an unexpected view of the doings of the Dark Lord’s villains, but the writing style of this POV sounds nothing like Tolkien or (nerd alert) any tale of Elves in Middle-Earth. Sadly, it reads like what it is: LotR fanfiction. Mirkwood does make a good case for the idea that Tolkien’s work can be explored and built upon, but it’s clear that this is not the way to begin doing it.
If you chucked at the idea of historical references to Middle-Earth, you may not be in the target demographic for this novel. In Mirkwood, Tolkien’s saga literally happened and we are living in a post-elven, post-magic age. Though the Dark One no longer holds a fortress in Mordor, he affects the world through a legion of lawyers, politicians, and assassins. The basic idea behind the plot is actually kind of interesting in a Neil Gaiman-y way: during his (based in historical fact) trip to the USA in the 70’s, J.R.R. Tolkien hid a set of documents with a drifter detailing the quest of Ara, a female hobbit from the incredulously named village of Frighten. He secreted the documents across an ocean because they portend A Dark Secret, one that the Shadow would do anything to keep from being discovered. I can’t really tell you what that Dark Secret is, or even really why Ara is so important that she must at all costs be kept out of Tolkien’s world, to the point of sending the modern-day equivalent of Ringwraiths after the descendants of her story’s keepers. You get the feeling Hillard doesn’t know, either; somewhere between his interesting idea and “PROFIT!!!” he forgot to fill in those reasons.
A big part of the problem is that Hillard is juggling four points-of-view: 1) Cadance the college grad (her grandfather was the drifter who met JRR and got his notes) discovering the Tolkien Documents in the present day, 2) J.R.R. himself making the based-in-historical-fact trip to the US in the 1970’s, 3) The Inklings (a group of drinking buddies comprising Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and others) mostly discussing The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings throughout the ‘30s and ‘40s, and 4) the ancient tale of Ara the totally-awesome hobbitess (Hillard’s word, not mine), on her vaguely defined quest through Middle-Earth. This sort of thing is alright when you’re writing an 800-page fantasy novel and each point of view is following its own plot thread, but four narrators going over the same 300-page plot creates a lot of overlap. It’s cool and foreboding to listen to Tolkien tell the Inklings about the grave secret he may have discovered, and the hidden door for the first time, but after hearing Cadence repeat the same few cryptic statements ad nauseum I found myself wishing Sauron had triumphed.
“Mirkwood: A Novel About J.R.R. Tolkien” contains all the classic mistakes of a first-time novelist. It’s got a clever idea, but no real execution. It’s modern-day narrator spends most of the novel spreading the already thin plot further by explaining the the book’s premise to everyone she comes across. It features some references to current events I wouldn’t even mention if they weren’t so jarringly bad (the narrator at one point compares her own screaming to “a Howard Dean clip on Youtube”, and spends a couple of paragraphs randomly pimping out a website of tips and tricks for subway hiking). Occasionally, one of the glimpses into the story of Ara is exciting and entertaining, giving us an unexpected view of the doings of the Dark Lord’s villains, but the writing style of this POV sounds nothing like Tolkien or (nerd alert) any tale of Elves in Middle-Earth. Sadly, it reads like what it is: LotR fanfiction. Mirkwood does make a good case for the idea that Tolkien’s work can be explored and built upon, but it’s clear that this is not the way to begin doing it.
March 1, 2011
It's self published, which I didn't notice when picking it up from Amazon.
It's *really* in need of some editing, it's been a pain just to come at the end... the writing is too much convoluted and self-referential, distracting the reader from the all-too-confusing plot (*was* there a plot?!?).
Two stars is my rating, and not a single one, 'cause it somehow succeeded in re-creating some of the atmosphere, the scent of Middle-Earth ... and of the Inklings meetings.
On Feb. 28th, the Tolkien estate announced the intention of sueing the author; this will probably be the best thing to happen to Hillard and his book, publicity-wise :)
It's *really* in need of some editing, it's been a pain just to come at the end... the writing is too much convoluted and self-referential, distracting the reader from the all-too-confusing plot (*was* there a plot?!?).
Two stars is my rating, and not a single one, 'cause it somehow succeeded in re-creating some of the atmosphere, the scent of Middle-Earth ... and of the Inklings meetings.
On Feb. 28th, the Tolkien estate announced the intention of sueing the author; this will probably be the best thing to happen to Hillard and his book, publicity-wise :)
January 17, 2023
This might have been the first fan fiction I've ever read as well as the first signed copy of a book I've owned. I met the author while I was on my mission in Colorado and he kindly gave me a copy. So naturally, as soon as I returned home, I read his book. Now quick disclaimer: when I read this book, I was already a fan of the Lord of the Rings movies but hadn't yet read the books, so I'm not sure how I'd feel about it now if I reread it.
Upon my first read I thought it was a pretty good book with a strong premise. However, I wasn't super invested in the storyline following the hobbitess heroine as much as I was with the more contemporary arc. Honestly, I don't remember much about this book except that I didn't hate it.
Upon my first read I thought it was a pretty good book with a strong premise. However, I wasn't super invested in the storyline following the hobbitess heroine as much as I was with the more contemporary arc. Honestly, I don't remember much about this book except that I didn't hate it.
June 3, 2020
This is a book for those who wish Tolkien had written "just one more" (because, evidently he did!) but also for people who like to wonder about the whole fantasy thing. Why do we write and read such far-out tales anyway? What if all the magic and monsters and peoples and their perils, what if that wasn't impossible to reach? To say more would be a spoiler.
But Mr. Hillard writes with incredible precision and touch, describing the way a train passes nearby walls just as well as he tells of a young woman with the stuff of heroes in her heart searching for distant, hazy truths. You won't be able to decide if this is an epic, otherworld fantasy or a literary bio touching on what happens to each of us.
Independent authors especially should read this tale, because it reminds us of why we write. All the obstacles to publishing and marketing the stories dear to us are brought into play here, and given a marvelous heroic sheen that could light the way ahead. It's a rousing good adventure and a pep talk all in one.
But Mr. Hillard writes with incredible precision and touch, describing the way a train passes nearby walls just as well as he tells of a young woman with the stuff of heroes in her heart searching for distant, hazy truths. You won't be able to decide if this is an epic, otherworld fantasy or a literary bio touching on what happens to each of us.
Independent authors especially should read this tale, because it reminds us of why we write. All the obstacles to publishing and marketing the stories dear to us are brought into play here, and given a marvelous heroic sheen that could light the way ahead. It's a rousing good adventure and a pep talk all in one.
March 5, 2011
I have read that the Tolkien estate wants to ban this book. That would truly be a shame. Tolkien is a very minor character in this wonderful story. The story follows a young woman who wants to save her grandfather and an ancient tale. The whole is very entertaining and makes some fine points. The idea of fiction bleeding in to our world is one any reader may find interesting.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story. If you happen to be a fan of Middle Earth all the better.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story. If you happen to be a fan of Middle Earth all the better.
March 5, 2012
Even with all of the controversy and critics, I found this book to be witty and surprising. It's FICTION everyone and a fine piece of fan-fiction at worse. However one may feel about that, it's very original in its ideas and it is very fun to dive back into a world than faintly whispers of Middle Earth. Who wouldn't want to go back?
July 31, 2019
Honestly couldn't finish this. I love a fictional re-telling of historical events (JRRT's trip to America) and, coupled with fantasy, thought this would be right up my street.
But I honestly didn't have a clue what was going on as the writing was so ridiculously flowery and purple it was practically inarticulate at times. I got about a quarter of the way through before I decided that life was just too short - and I rarely give up on books!
But I honestly didn't have a clue what was going on as the writing was so ridiculously flowery and purple it was practically inarticulate at times. I got about a quarter of the way through before I decided that life was just too short - and I rarely give up on books!
September 29, 2018
Very fun & compelling
A fine tale, built upon Tolkien’s work. At about the halfway point I found myself compelled to finish the book in one sitting. This was a very fun book to read.
A fine tale, built upon Tolkien’s work. At about the halfway point I found myself compelled to finish the book in one sitting. This was a very fun book to read.
May 7, 2015
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a deeply devoted fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and pretty much anything he ever wrote.
And normally, authors weaving Tolkien and his works into their own works fills me with berserker rage. But "Mirkwood: A Novel About JRR Tolkien" is an unusual novel -- part suspenseful urban fantasy, part loving homage, and part literary reflection on the legends Tolkien borrowed from. And Steve Hillard has a strong writing style -- shadow-edged, vivid and sharp.
Cadence is working as a temporary teacher when she receives some bad news: her grandfather has vanished without a trace. When she gets to his remote house, she finds some old scrolls hidden in a box -- and discovers that they are lost stories given to her grandfather for safekeeping by JRR Tolkien. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't stop screaming for days.
So Cadence does what anyone else would do: she reads the story, which follows a halfling girl named Ara who is deeply important to the fate of Middle-Earth. But as Cadence tries to figure out where this story -- and all other tales of Middle-Earth -- are from, she also finds that evil is following her as well...
It's a pretty gutsy move to interweave the Professor and his works into your own urban fantasy. But Steve Hillard strikes just the right balance in "Mirkwood" -- he crafts his own story set in modern-day America, and interweaves fantasy and literary history like a multilayered tapestry. There are even transcripts of fictional conversations between the Inklings, giving insights into the backstory of Hillard's Tolkien.
His style is flavored by Tolkien's works -- spots of dialogue that are formal and slightly archaic, and descriptions of shadows and mythical figures. But it doesn't overshadow Hillard's own style, which is vivid and often terrifying ("His head turned mechanically to meet her, big evil-doll eyes and bigger teeth"), and has some surprising plot twists along the way.
The one downside to this novel is that at times it feels like it needs some editorial trims, such as when one character rambles for two pages about the publishing industry.
Cadence is a pretty likable character -- she's in some ways an archetypical heroine (she's even pegged as an orphan, like most heroes), but she's also got a core of iron that allows her to deal wit some spooky stuff. I wasn't quite as captured by the character of Ara, but Hillard provides rounded characterizations not only to the supporting cast, but to Tolkien himself and the other Inklings.
It's not "Lord of the Rings," but Steve Hillard crafts a vivid, often entrancing novel in "Mirkwood: A Novel About JRR Tolkien." A thoroughly enjoyable fantasy novel.
And normally, authors weaving Tolkien and his works into their own works fills me with berserker rage. But "Mirkwood: A Novel About JRR Tolkien" is an unusual novel -- part suspenseful urban fantasy, part loving homage, and part literary reflection on the legends Tolkien borrowed from. And Steve Hillard has a strong writing style -- shadow-edged, vivid and sharp.
Cadence is working as a temporary teacher when she receives some bad news: her grandfather has vanished without a trace. When she gets to his remote house, she finds some old scrolls hidden in a box -- and discovers that they are lost stories given to her grandfather for safekeeping by JRR Tolkien. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't stop screaming for days.
So Cadence does what anyone else would do: she reads the story, which follows a halfling girl named Ara who is deeply important to the fate of Middle-Earth. But as Cadence tries to figure out where this story -- and all other tales of Middle-Earth -- are from, she also finds that evil is following her as well...
It's a pretty gutsy move to interweave the Professor and his works into your own urban fantasy. But Steve Hillard strikes just the right balance in "Mirkwood" -- he crafts his own story set in modern-day America, and interweaves fantasy and literary history like a multilayered tapestry. There are even transcripts of fictional conversations between the Inklings, giving insights into the backstory of Hillard's Tolkien.
His style is flavored by Tolkien's works -- spots of dialogue that are formal and slightly archaic, and descriptions of shadows and mythical figures. But it doesn't overshadow Hillard's own style, which is vivid and often terrifying ("His head turned mechanically to meet her, big evil-doll eyes and bigger teeth"), and has some surprising plot twists along the way.
The one downside to this novel is that at times it feels like it needs some editorial trims, such as when one character rambles for two pages about the publishing industry.
Cadence is a pretty likable character -- she's in some ways an archetypical heroine (she's even pegged as an orphan, like most heroes), but she's also got a core of iron that allows her to deal wit some spooky stuff. I wasn't quite as captured by the character of Ara, but Hillard provides rounded characterizations not only to the supporting cast, but to Tolkien himself and the other Inklings.
It's not "Lord of the Rings," but Steve Hillard crafts a vivid, often entrancing novel in "Mirkwood: A Novel About JRR Tolkien." A thoroughly enjoyable fantasy novel.
August 16, 2016
I finished this book last week and am still torn on how I feel about it. It took me forever to finish because it was so complex, it was not an easy read! In order to make this less painful here's what I liked and didn't like about the book!
What I Liked:
I loved Middle Earth and all of it's people so any chance to go back there is a treat.
Strong female protagonists and heroes (in fact the book was written as a criticism of the lack of female characters/heroes in Tolkein's books)
An interesting (if overall vague) storyline about Ara
The chapters about the Inklings were interesting, although they didn't add much to the overall story.
What I Didn't Like
The author tried too hard to emulate Tolkein's writing style and the result was an overly wordy, drawn out narrative that was difficult to get through.
There were editing and grammar mistakes, in places the story was disjointed and didn't flow, as if a previous sentence had been removed but the sentences underneath were not changed to reflect this.
Too many narratives, the chapters on the Inklings were fun but didn't add anything to the story, it was just more stuff to read and added more bulk to the story.
The story of Ara was confusing at best, I had no idea who she was looking for, at times it sounded like Frodo, but given the sketchy timeline laid out in the book this happened well before Frodo's story. The bits in the story that changed and connected Cadence and Ara within the story was good but weak, it was touched on once when they see each other in a pool of water and then never mentioned again.
Barren was in and out of the story, at times it seemed like the author had forgotten about him in his effort to cram in as much other stuff as possible and it was unclear why after stalking her for weeks, he changed his mind and let her go
The whole game show aspect was ridiculous, I didn't understand why Cadence didn't just walk out sooner.
If I read the term "the documents" one more time I was going to scream, WAY too redundant.
Also, what the heck did it have to do with Mirkwood? Did I miss that part??
All in all I'm glad to be done with this book and will be passing it along to some other unsuspecting victim ;)
What I Liked:
I loved Middle Earth and all of it's people so any chance to go back there is a treat.
Strong female protagonists and heroes (in fact the book was written as a criticism of the lack of female characters/heroes in Tolkein's books)
An interesting (if overall vague) storyline about Ara
The chapters about the Inklings were interesting, although they didn't add much to the overall story.
What I Didn't Like
The author tried too hard to emulate Tolkein's writing style and the result was an overly wordy, drawn out narrative that was difficult to get through.
There were editing and grammar mistakes, in places the story was disjointed and didn't flow, as if a previous sentence had been removed but the sentences underneath were not changed to reflect this.
Too many narratives, the chapters on the Inklings were fun but didn't add anything to the story, it was just more stuff to read and added more bulk to the story.
The story of Ara was confusing at best, I had no idea who she was looking for, at times it sounded like Frodo, but given the sketchy timeline laid out in the book this happened well before Frodo's story. The bits in the story that changed and connected Cadence and Ara within the story was good but weak, it was touched on once when they see each other in a pool of water and then never mentioned again.
Barren was in and out of the story, at times it seemed like the author had forgotten about him in his effort to cram in as much other stuff as possible and it was unclear why after stalking her for weeks, he changed his mind and let her go
The whole game show aspect was ridiculous, I didn't understand why Cadence didn't just walk out sooner.
If I read the term "the documents" one more time I was going to scream, WAY too redundant.
Also, what the heck did it have to do with Mirkwood? Did I miss that part??
All in all I'm glad to be done with this book and will be passing it along to some other unsuspecting victim ;)
April 21, 2021
This book is a must read for anyone who loves J.R.R. Tolkien’s, The Lord of the Rings. The novel is based upon the idea that Middle Earth exists and that Tolkien had access to several manuscripts which became his published works. In addition, he had several more manuscripts that he did not publish, and the dark lord wants one of them (maybe all) destroyed as part of his “come back” strategy. He is trying to wipe out a tale of resistance to him by destroying a young hobbit woman who has a peculiar opportunity to frustrate him.
Yet that is only a small part of this book, because most of the action doesn’t happen in Middle Earth, it happens here, in our world with flashbacks to J.R.R. .Tolkien’s past and his decision to pass on these manuscripts. It’s a mystery story in which the young heiress to these manuscripts is trying to find out what they are and what happened to her grandfather who was their caretaker for so long. Oh, and she’s also trying to survive an assassin from Middle Earth who has come to kill her and destroy those precious manuscripts.
This is a tale of beauty and sophisticated layering of plot brought to even-more-engaging life by the fantastic vocal talents of narrator William L. Hahn. Like the original Lord of the Rings which inspired it, I don’t think you can glean every depth of this novel in a single perusal. I’m going to have to read it again.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
Yet that is only a small part of this book, because most of the action doesn’t happen in Middle Earth, it happens here, in our world with flashbacks to J.R.R. .Tolkien’s past and his decision to pass on these manuscripts. It’s a mystery story in which the young heiress to these manuscripts is trying to find out what they are and what happened to her grandfather who was their caretaker for so long. Oh, and she’s also trying to survive an assassin from Middle Earth who has come to kill her and destroy those precious manuscripts.
This is a tale of beauty and sophisticated layering of plot brought to even-more-engaging life by the fantastic vocal talents of narrator William L. Hahn. Like the original Lord of the Rings which inspired it, I don’t think you can glean every depth of this novel in a single perusal. I’m going to have to read it again.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
Want to Read
March 2, 2011As soon as I read the Tolkien estate was trying to stop publication of this, I knew as a Tolkienite I had to read it. It might be bad, it might be great... we shall see.
Read
May 20, 2015Fantasy
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews