Lego’s Shire Set Should’ve Been More Hobbit-Sized

After many years away in the wake of the Hobbit films’ releases, Lego’s Lord of the Rings line has firmly established itself as one of the brick maker’s annual treats, first delivering an incredible, lush replica of Rivendell in 2023, and then the daunting dark tower of Barad-Dûr last year. In 2025 Lego is taking to heart the lessons at the core of the films and embracing the finer parts of a quiet, peaceful life by visiting the Shire and the opening act of Fellowship of the Ring. But while hobbits overcome the prejudices of their halfling stature with the qualities of any of the other mortal races of Middle-earth, perhaps this latest release might have been better served by going smaller rather than bigger. Lego recently provided io9 with a copy of the latest Lord of the Rings Icons series set, the Shire, for review. After a suitably relaxed weekend tinkering away at the set, we’re here to tell you what works—and what doesn’t—as Lego continues to carve out some of Middle-earth’s most ... Read full article.