[Kotetsu]

Ah, I was just trying ti make that clear for Scylla as it was not MEANT in any mean way and I didn't think it sounded rude or anything.

I enjoy Tolkien's writing quite a lot, personally, way more than Paolini's. But the target audience is so different anyway, Eragon in Tolkien's style would just be even more ridiculous. (Really, LotR is not a book that many 14-16 year olds enjoy reading, as far as I know)

Then I get what you mean, though.
I thought you were talking about the style, not the setting.
And to be honest, it is ALMOST impossible to write a fantasy novel that involves elves, dwarves, humans (and dragons) that does not adapt some of Tolkien's ideas. I have never read one in my life and I never thought it was a bad thing.
I don't know who was the first author to write about dwarves, elves, etc. in a way like Tolkien did, as I am not very familiar with older books. But elves and dwarves that are not like "Tolkien's" would feel pretty wrong to me.

I would love to read a fantasy novel that feels NOTHING like Tolkien's books do... one day. I have just never found one.