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thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Finishing this story once again just makes me want to rewatch the movies...and then start listening to these audiobooks again haha. I just love everything about this story.
If you don't know, this last book actually has more at the end than how the movie ends, and though I like many changes that the movies made, I wish they had put the last battle at the Shire in the movie. I think it shows the full character development of the four hobbits and brings their stories full circle. Also, I'm more convinced than ever after this reread that Sam is the real main character of these books, not Frodo. We get Sam's POV so much more than Frodo's, and then the ending... maybe I'm biased because Sam's my fave character, but he's also definitely the main character.
I do wish that Tolkien had been able to include more of Arwen's and Aragorn's stories in the main story, and not just in the appendix. I wanted more Arwen! But I really appreciated Eowyn's and Faramir's stories this time around. Also, the relationships that Merry and Pippin had with Rohan and Gondor, respectively, were just so precious. I loved everyone's reactions to meeting the hobbits—the hobbits just win everyone over and it's great.
I'm sad this reread is over, but I cannot recommend these audiobooks narrated by Andy Serkis enough (in case you missed me gushing about them previously lol). Now is the time to read these!
My next question for myself is—do I finally dive into the Silmarillion for the first time?
If you don't know, this last book actually has more at the end than how the movie ends, and though I like many changes that the movies made, I wish they had put the last battle at the Shire in the movie. I think it shows the full character development of the four hobbits and brings their stories full circle. Also, I'm more convinced than ever after this reread that Sam is the real main character of these books, not Frodo. We get Sam's POV so much more than Frodo's, and then the ending... maybe I'm biased because Sam's my fave character, but he's also definitely the main character.
I do wish that Tolkien had been able to include more of Arwen's and Aragorn's stories in the main story, and not just in the appendix. I wanted more Arwen! But I really appreciated Eowyn's and Faramir's stories this time around. Also, the relationships that Merry and Pippin had with Rohan and Gondor, respectively, were just so precious. I loved everyone's reactions to meeting the hobbits—the hobbits just win everyone over and it's great.
I'm sad this reread is over, but I cannot recommend these audiobooks narrated by Andy Serkis enough (in case you missed me gushing about them previously lol). Now is the time to read these!
My next question for myself is—do I finally dive into the Silmarillion for the first time?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
starlessnights's review against another edition
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Grief, Murder, Violence, and War
oatsandhoney's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
There's a reason LOTR is, in my opinion, the God of all fantasy. I have never been so emotionally attached to a cast of characters before. This series remains my favorite series of all time! ROTK is a satisfying and thrilling end to the saga and makes me cry tears of joy and sadness every single time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Gore
jonsnowsmanbun's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Misogyny
aconfundityofcrows's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I finished the story itself a while ago. It just took a little longer to go through the appendices. The appendices are pretty interesting, except the part about the languages themselves and pronunciations were not as interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Grief, and Death
adventuresinfantasy's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This is a re-read for me (having read it around the time the first movie came out). It still holds up to the memory I have of it.
I find it incredibly interesting how in the darkest part of the journey (which also happens to be just before the end... which might just be the point), Tolkien chose to focus on the more internal factors going on. The weight of the ring, the weight of Frodo's falling (for Sam(only now realizing how that sounds... I mean Sam carrying the weight of Frodo's degradation)), and so on. As a kid, that wasn't something I really noticed. As an adult, I appreciate paying that kind of attention to the emotional toll.
I will admit that some of the important action does seem glossed over in favor of the emotional. Obviously, this sort of thing comes down to personal preferences.
The end still makes me cry, not because it is sad. It is more so that the story is done in more than one way.The ringbearers are leaving and the story is going with them. I frankly find it one of those stories I wish didn't end although it is understandable and satisfying.
On that note, I think a lot of people might have a hard time with the language. Tolkien used a lot of Old and Middle English and his love of languages is on stunning display. That, unfortunately, can translate into a difficult-to-read text if you aren't used to the wording or patterns. I still suggest giving it a try but you may need to look some things up in the process.
Overall, it is still a really good story and I'm glad I took the time to re-read it.
I find it incredibly interesting how in the darkest part of the journey (which also happens to be just before the end... which might just be the point), Tolkien chose to focus on the more internal factors going on. The weight of the ring, the weight of Frodo's falling (for Sam(only now realizing how that sounds... I mean Sam carrying the weight of Frodo's degradation)), and so on. As a kid, that wasn't something I really noticed. As an adult, I appreciate paying that kind of attention to the emotional toll.
I will admit that some of the important action does seem glossed over in favor of the emotional. Obviously, this sort of thing comes down to personal preferences.
The end still makes me cry, not because it is sad. It is more so that the story is done in more than one way.
On that note, I think a lot of people might have a hard time with the language. Tolkien used a lot of Old and Middle English and his love of languages is on stunning display. That, unfortunately, can translate into a difficult-to-read text if you aren't used to the wording or patterns. I still suggest giving it a try but you may need to look some things up in the process.
Overall, it is still a really good story and I'm glad I took the time to re-read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Death
osomo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Some parts that I wished were longer were short, while the parts I wished were shorter were long.
Also, obvious racist undertones.
I do appreciate though that after the war ended, we saw the problems the characters faced. Somehow, most of them weren’t too affected though. Except Frodo who had a major trauma. The rest acted like they just had fun and no struggles. I don’t dig that illusory romanticised vision of the consequences of war, or the lack thereof.
P. S. Sam is love, Galadriel is life.
Unfortunately though, Galadriel is the only woman with proper power and agency in this story.
I think, the cast is not diverse. Yet the ideologies and the philosophies they represent are varied, which is interesting to pay attention to.
Even though I loved Sam and others, in the end I was disappointed with racism expressed by hobbits (and overall in the book).
Also, obvious racist undertones.
I do appreciate though that after the war ended, we saw the problems the characters faced. Somehow, most of them weren’t too affected though. Except Frodo who had a major trauma. The rest acted like they just had fun and no struggles. I don’t dig that illusory romanticised vision of the consequences of war, or the lack thereof.
P. S. Sam is love, Galadriel is life.
Unfortunately though, Galadriel is the only woman with proper power and agency in this story.
I think, the cast is not diverse. Yet the ideologies and the philosophies they represent are varied, which is interesting to pay attention to.
Even though I loved Sam and others, in the end I was disappointed with racism expressed by hobbits (and overall in the book).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, Misogyny, and Sexism
readandfindout's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Style/writing: 4.5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Worldbuilding: 5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Worldbuilding: 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Racism
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