Customer reviews from LEGO
LEGO - Icons The Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook 10367
Average customer rating
4.1
(56 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 56 reviews
5 Stars
27
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
6
1 Star
1
68%of customers recommend this product.
(
32 out of
47)
Customer Reviews for LEGO - Icons The Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook 10367
Posted by: dcbrickss16
Verified Purchase:Yes
First off, I was very intrigued and cautiously optimistic when this was announced several months ago. Then it was revealed not too long before it came out, and yeah, it looked disappointing for the hefty price. The Balrog is decent, but it needed more orange or better wings or something to make it more menacing. Also its arm joints have almost no friction so its arms fall down and rotate too easily. The sides being open just make it feel less substantial compared to the Sherlock Holmes book nook, also the fact this has only one reused figure doesn’t help with value much either. I really wanted to like this set, but it’s easily the worst new LOTR set yet. I hope this doesn’t mean no more cheap LOTR sets in the future because I’m sure some people would like to see more of those, hopefully with better value to them.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Customer Rating
3
Fair Build, Pricey, and Missing Pieces
on September 14, 2025
Posted by: OfficerSensitiveOlive103
Verified Purchase:No
This was my first Lego set that I put together as an adult, and the main reason I purchased it was that it was the cheapest Lord of the Rings themed set I could get my hands on. I had been wanting to get one of the more expensive sets for a while now, but I couldn’t justify the price, especially considering I am new to the Lego building scene.
The set was fun to put together, and I’m happy that I have a giant Balrog now as part of my first set. But I’m going to go along with the other reviews on the set and say that the value for the money is pretty awful. When I was buying the set, I almost picked up the Vikings village instead of this simply because it had double the pieces and was a few dollars cheaper at the store I was at.
Additionally, I was missing two pieces that were rather small and didn’t make a huge change in how the build looks, but it is a quality control issue that I’m concerned about, especially if you’re spending this much money for a set.
On the top of the Balrog skull, there are two angled pieces, and I was missing number 618-1720, which goes on the right top of the Balrog skull. I was also missing piece number 642-4674, which was part of the frame. Instead, I had to use piece number 455-8953 and could only place one 450-4378 angled pieces instead of two.
I plan on buying another Lord of the Rings set in the future, but probably not anytime soon. I’m a pretty busy individual and wanted to have an introductory experience to a set. I don’t consider myself someone who would become a professional builder at all—just a casual. I hope that sets can come out in the future that are more reasonable in price, but my understanding is that most of the LOTR rings fan base nowadays are all adults who are more likely able to afford the expensive sets and licensing fees likely jack up the price.
The set was fun to put together, and I’m happy that I have a giant Balrog now as part of my first set. But I’m going to go along with the other reviews on the set and say that the value for the money is pretty awful. When I was buying the set, I almost picked up the Vikings village instead of this simply because it had double the pieces and was a few dollars cheaper at the store I was at.
Additionally, I was missing two pieces that were rather small and didn’t make a huge change in how the build looks, but it is a quality control issue that I’m concerned about, especially if you’re spending this much money for a set.
On the top of the Balrog skull, there are two angled pieces, and I was missing number 618-1720, which goes on the right top of the Balrog skull. I was also missing piece number 642-4674, which was part of the frame. Instead, I had to use piece number 455-8953 and could only place one 450-4378 angled pieces instead of two.
I plan on buying another Lord of the Rings set in the future, but probably not anytime soon. I’m a pretty busy individual and wanted to have an introductory experience to a set. I don’t consider myself someone who would become a professional builder at all—just a casual. I hope that sets can come out in the future that are more reasonable in price, but my understanding is that most of the LOTR rings fan base nowadays are all adults who are more likely able to afford the expensive sets and licensing fees likely jack up the price.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Posted by: ChefSneakySandwich105
Verified Purchase:Yes
I don’t understand the prevalence of negative reviews about the ‘book nook’ component of the build. I would think most people, like myself, were interested in this set for one reason - the Balrog. When LOTR first became a Lego theme, we all wanted to see this. We all wanted one of the coolest and most unique terrors of Middle Earth. But for many years it looked as though that hope was lost. Now it’s finally realized, against all expectation, and people seem to be upset that the random background stuff is somehow lackluster. Rather than complain that we didn’t get to invest in an unnecessarily huge Moria backdrop just to get the Balrog, I’m grateful that Lego was able to come up with a clever way to keep the set piece rather minimal and actually potentially useful. Not to mention - I would argue - cost-effective. Yes, I know this set is expensive. So is everything. Especially licensed goods. The fact is they could’ve asked us to pay a lot more for various ruins we didn’t need. Instead we got a Balrog and a dwarven scaffold we can use as a book spacer. Personally, I’m very happy with that.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Posted by: CheekyChipmunk19
Verified Purchase:Yes
I bought both this set and the Sherlock Holmes set. They cost the same, yet their value couldn’t be more different. This set is a mech set with a bad frame, while the Holmes set is a storybook! The Balrog itself is decent, but this is what you are essentially paying for. The frame itself is superfluous. The flames are cheap looking and flimsy. There was every chance to enclose it all with a proper book cover. With it open there could have been inside the mountain. It’s unfinished. Meanwhile the Holm s set has hidden rooms and moving pieces. It look great open and closed. I feel cheated by this set in comparison.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Posted by: Judebowry
Verified Purchase:Yes
All around it’s a nice set just too expensive for what it is. It looks nice but I feel like there has been a significant decline in the quality of Lord of the Rings legos. I hope Lego better incorporates the wants of their customers into future releases. I would love to see more Lord of the Rings sets similar in quality to Barad-Dur or Rivendell. A large scale Minas Tirith would be beautiful but a more impressive remakes of helms deep or orthanc would be wonderful as well. lord of the rings is by far my favorite line of legos and I hope they can continue.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Customer Rating
3
Great idea
on June 5, 2025
Posted by: Meh1084
Verified Purchase:No
I'm a lord of the rings fan and Lego parent/collector. The price is plain bad for what you get. I enjoyed the build overall, it's a nice little diorama but I feel like there was more room for a better detailed set...the balrog feels a little clunky too. Hope there's a few more sets in the future
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Posted by: LadyCheekySnake104
Verified Purchase:Yes
The Balrog’s wings hook up to the flanges so they unfurl when you fold it out. Which is a neat touch, it looks pretty good folded out all the way. The price is a big ask though. Rivendell and Barad-Dur were excellent for the price, and I don’t like seeing this and the Shire set trending in the other direction.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Posted by: MateStableBanana
Verified Purchase:Yes
The Balrog are as a bit of a wonky build, I felt like some of the pieces would disconnect with a slight touch. The whip is a joke/ridculous. I also got a piece that makes the arm loose so he can’t hold it upright. I was excited to see a smaller LOTR set (since running out of space) but definitely overpriced. But obviously got it since I have the other LOTR sets.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO