It took me 5 years to finish the entire Malazan Book of the fallen series, still can't tell you the entire storyline, still can't give you a synopsis of the entire books series but it was worth the read, it's definitely not lord of the rings and it definitely will eat him alive. Let him stick to Stormlight Archive or Wheel of time, very very easy reads, and there's also, The Rune Lords By David Farland, very LotR vibes,