> not quite on the same creative level as Tolkien. I haven't read either of these author's works, but I have to disagree with this assessment if that's all you

> not quite on the same creative level as Tolkien. I haven't read either of these author's works, but I have to disagree with this assessment if that's all you are basing it on. In my opinion, it's much harder to create a story within the confines of real history, as you are limited to real constraints. Thus the world-building needs to be much more intricate and problems can't be solved by a some "deus ex machina" plot device. In fact, using history as a backdrop would put Yong in a similar category as Shakespeare, and surely you wouldn't say Shakespeare is "less creative" than Tolkien.