I totally agree with AdamN and Gimli's comments: it's not only about luck. Try to figure out the strategies that work here.
Interesting and original board, but still I quickly got bored of playing it. Too repetitive.
Great board! Continents are well balanced and strongholds bring something more to the game. Love playing it.
Unlike M57, I like the fact that there are only few choke-points as it makes the games more open.
LOTR theme is a bonus aswell (see my profile picture ;) )