Although J.R.R. Tolkien — the king of the Hobbits, the lord of the rings — died in 1973, a full-length novel with his name has just been released.

"The Children of Hurin" is his first complete book since 1977, when "The Silmarillion" was posthumously published.

Christopher Tolkien, Tolkien's son and literary executor, says the British writer worked on different manifestations of "Hurin" for decades. Christopher edited the material but did not add anything new.

Bottom line: This is a delightful though slight addition to Tolkien's work for several reasons. "Hurin" is like an appetizer, a tasty tapas to get new readers ready for the heavy-duty feasting provided by far more elaborate and lengthy books such as "The Hobbit" and the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. It sure sounds like J.R.R. Tolkien.

Some advice for non-Ringers: Skip the preface, the intro and the pronunciation guide. Don't try to grasp the genealogy tables and appendix. Enjoying the arcane stuff comes later. Go right to the story.

It's a well-told, dramatic tale that involves a king and a curse upon his son and daughter. There is a terrible wingless dragon, Orcs, weak men, the relentless battle between good and evil, the importance of kindness, loyalty, caution and patience. It ends tragically. (This is a story for the 11-plus crowd.)

There is a great deal more to Tolkien than clanging swords and nifty elves. The brilliant writer offers real moral guidance. (This reader has just reopened her copy of "The Hobbit," captive kids in tow.)

The other reason "Hurin" will captivate readers is its connection to the literary phenomenon of the 20th and 21st centuries: the wizard Harry Potter. This novel will remind young and old readers of how Rowling's series draws on so many themes explored by Tolkien (and other writers, of course): the quest, the search for identity, the power of evil to cloud minds. Both writers use myth, magic and fantasy to frame the big issues.

And let's face it: The final Potter book doesn't hit stores until July 21. This accessible novel might quiet those overwrought juvenile hordes for a weekend or two.

There's also a special hook for fans of the Peter Jackson "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy. Illustrator Alan Lee won an Oscar for his design work on the movies. The book's black-and-white drawings and full-color paintings are both evocative and appropriate.