Build Review of LEGO Icons: The Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook (10367)

So begins the most iconic sequence in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, as the Fellowship race through the Mines of Moria to escape over the Bridge of Khazad-dum.

Hot on their heels is a Balrog of Morgoth, a winged beast black in colour and wreathed in flame, which Gandalf the Grey turns to face while the others flee.

LEGO Icons: The Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook (10367) captures the moment, with the black brick-built Balrog towering over LEGO Minifigure Gandalf the Grey while orange flame elements frame its unfurled wings.

Just like other LEGO book nooks, the set can be opened out to create a striking LEGO bookshelf display that mirrors the original movie scene, or closed into 'book mode' as if peeking in on the action through the Dimrill Gate at the eastern entrance to Moria.

Let's dive in and see what LEGO LOTR 10367 has to offer builders, and how you can make this set pop as part of your LEGO bookcase display.

What's in the box?

LEGO Balrog Book Nook (10367) is a 9-bag build with just over 1,200 pieces. The Balrog itself is the star of the show, taking about half of the 318 total assembly steps to build.

LEGO Icons: The Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook (10367)

Price: $129.99

Release Date: Available Now

Ages: 18+

Pieces: 1,201

LEGO Minifigures: 1 (Gandalf the Grey)

LEGO Insiders Points: 845

Size: 22 x 44 x 17 cm (H x W x D when open)

At 44cm across, this is actually a pretty big set when it's opened out as a LEGO bookshelf display in its own right.

Clever articulation on the Balrog's flexible wings means you can spread them as you open the sides of the frame, and there's good use of negative space in the way the flame elements outline the underside of the wings.

At the very end of the build, the final piece is printed with Gandalf's infamous command to the Balrog: "You shall not pass!" which really cements the exact moment captured in this build.

"You cannot pass! I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The Dark Fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the shadow. You shall not pass!"

What's the build process like?

The build begins by assembling the LEGO Minifigure Gandalf the Grey, complete with his staff and sword, which is nice because it means the miniature wizard can watch over the rest of your build!

Then it's on to the Bridge of Khazad-dum and the fiery arches that flank the Balrog, and form the sides of the finished book nook.

Half the build consists of putting together the Balrog itself, finishing with its mighty head and whip, before pressing it into position in the frame and adding the quote piece to complete the set.

There are some fiddly moments, with a lot of small parts in the brick-built Balrog figure, but there are no really advanced techniques. Experienced (and patient!) younger builders should do just fine with this 'Adults Welcome' LEGO set.

Our impressions of the build

The build itself is not bad. The brick-built Balrog is decently detailed, and the design on the wings is clever to allow them to unfurl as you open and close the book nook.

We're a bit confused as to the target age range here. It's the 25th anniversary year since The Fellowship of the Ring was first in cinemas, this is an 'Adults Welcome' LEGO set with a guide age of 18+ and the overall design is a fairly minimal LEGO bookcase display piece.

At the same time, it feels like it's aimed at a younger audience. There's nothing really advanced or complex going on here - just a lot of small fiddly pieces to assemble, which would be best suited to smaller fingers.

In terms of aesthetics, it's definitely captured the elements of the scene: the bridge, the Balrog, the flames, and Gandalf. But it doesn't quite capture the atmosphere.

What are the problem points?

This could be down to deliberate design choices. With 1,201 pieces, this build is not far off the 1,359-piece LEGO Icons Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook (10351) and is much more detailed than the LEGO Harry Potter Book Nook: Hogwarts Express (76450).

Yet so many of those pieces go into building the Balrog itself that the frame feels flimsy and unfinished. With the sides left largely open, you might not want to put this set between actual books, unless it's safe inside our Balrog Book Nook Display Case for LEGO 10367.

Opened out, it also lacks a little impact. Again, it's a LEGO bookcase display set, and the use of negative space around the wings and flames is elegant, but we can't help craving the drama of a set like the 1,003-piece LEGO The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - The Final Battle (77093).

In a perfect world, we'd like to add:

• Solid brick-built rocky chasm side walls
• A LOT more flames on the Balrog itself
• More orange elements (maybe even a LEGO Light Brick?)
• Orc and Fellowship LEGO Microfigures
• More mature build and aesthetics overall

Let's be clear - this set is not far from greatness, and we're already seeing MOCs that add more orange accents to the Balrog, to give that impression that it really is a creature of fire and flame.

You could also light it up using a custom lighting kit for LEGO 10367 from sites like BrickBling, Briksmax or Light My Bricks UK, all of which have LEGO lighting kits that would really bring the Balrog Book Nook to life.

How to Display It

You have two options here. You can display LEGO LOTR Balrog Book Nook (10367) in its closed-up 'book nook' mode, or opened out as a 44cm-wide frieze-style display.

Because of how open those side walls are, you'll probably want to protect it either way, as in many places the flames are held on by single studs.

Display Case for LEGO 10367 Open Position

We think the most visually impactful option is to put your set, opened out, inside our Lord of the Rings Balrog Book Nook Display Case for LEGO 10367 (Open).

This made-to-measure LEGO display case has internal width of 47cm, 24cm height and 18cm depth, allowing you to showcase your Balrog Book Nook in the fully open position.

Choose the black base option to match the aesthetic of the set, or go for a white base if you want more of a striking contrast - it's up to you!

Display Case for LEGO 10367 Closed Position

Our Lord of the Rings Balrog Book Nook Display Case for LEGO 10367 (Closed) is the go-to option if you want to use your set as an actual book nook or bookend.

This is a custom LEGO display case with internals of 24 x 15 x 21 cm (H x W x D) which is just enough for a snug fit - perfect if you want to slide your set alongside The Lord of the Rings books on your shelf.

Made from high-quality 3mm acrylic, this case measures 25 x 17 x 23 cm (H x W x D) externally and again, you can choose a black or white base to match your bookcase.

Final Thoughts

We want to love this set - it's THE iconic moment of the trilogy for many fans, and the scene that really amps up the sense of peril for the remainder of the road trip to Mordor.

The build process itself is enjoyable enough, with the kind of fiddly steps that switch your brain to full focus mode, without reaching anxiety-inducing levels of complexity.

And although the overall aesthetic is a bit underwhelming, that can be fixed by following a MOC guide to add more orange elements, installing a custom LEGO lighting kit, and putting your finished Balrog build in one of our top-quality bespoke LEGO display cases.

It's a project with plenty of promise - whether you go the full MOC route on this one, or stick with the official LEGO building instructions, we'd love to see your finished LEGO Balrog display!

OUR BUILD RATING: 7/10

Purchase from the LEGO Store: LEGO Icons: The Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook (10367)

Fly, you fools - to the LEGO Shop to buy LEGO Balrog Book Nook (10367) and our custom LEGO Book Nook display cases!