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4.48 AVERAGE
4.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Return of the King is a breathtaking conclusion to Tolkien’s epic, bringing The Lord of the Rings to a close with both grandeur and grace. The scale of the story reaches its peak, from the desperate ride of the Rohirrim to the haunting march through Mordor, yet it never loses sight of the personal struggles at its core.
The characters shine at their fullest here. Aragorn finally steps into his destiny as king, Sam proves himself one of the greatest heroes in all of fantasy through loyalty and quiet courage, and Frodo’s burden reaches a heartbreaking climax. Even Gollum, tragic and twisted, leaves an indelible mark on the tale’s ending.
Tolkien’s prose carries immense weight, lyrical in its beauty yet grounded in the themes of hope, sacrifice, and the cost of power. The battles are sweeping, the emotions raw, and the resolution bittersweet. The Scouring of the Shire, often overlooked, gives the story a final, necessary reminder that no home is untouched by great struggles.
As a finale, The Return of the King delivers everything a reader could hope for: epic battles, unforgettable character moments, and a sense of closure that feels both triumphant and mournful. It is one of the greatest endings in all of literature.
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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
I cannot begin to describe how much I loved this book series. It’s so fun and sad and moving in so many ways. Again, I’ll say it a million times, please do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobooks narrated by Andy Serkis. So good!!
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Here we are at the end of the journey. A journey that has shaped fantasy since it was written and will probably continue to do so for a long time yet. It's a story that sticks with you and somehow still manages to resonate decades later.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m not sure if any series could be called perfect, but Tolkien’s trilogy comes damn close. The final installment ties the whole epic up wonderfully, but not without a few last twists and turns, and definitely some tears before you go. A classic for a reason, the trilogy is a must-read for fantasy lovers.
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
Quotes: ‘So we come to it in the end,’ he said: ‘the great battle of our time, in which many things shall pass away.'
"Forth now, and fear no darkness!"
'His grief he will not forget; but it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.’
‘Come, Mr. Frodo!’ he cried. ‘I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you'
'There is no real going back. Though I may come to the Shire, it will not seem the same; for I shall not be the same.'
‘Well here we are, just the four of us that started out together,’ said Merry. ‘We have left all the rest behind, one after another. It seems almost like a dream that has slowly faded.’ ‘Not to me,’ said Frodo. ‘To me it feels more like falling asleep again.’
'I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.’
Thoughts: You already know I love this story. I believe this read through made me appreciate it even more, if that's possible.
A theme in love throughout this story is that Tolkien gives the villains a chance at redemption or forgiveness. (Not counting Sauron himself)
I noticed way more details I didn't remember that made me wish the films were longer and had more of the story.
The Scouring of The Shire alone.
I'm reading the Appendices for the first time. And those I may have a review for themselves.
Details I didn't remember: (small spoilers)
The Dúnedain rangers secretly protected The Shire from danger for a long time.
Allowing the Hobbits to live in peace.
Aragorn forced Sauron to move up his plans when he spoke to him through the Palantir.
Sam gave Gollum one last chance in the end.
The gifts Arwen gave Frodo in the end I had completely forgotten
Sam and Rosie moved in with Frodo in Bag End.
Thanks for reading 📚
It was a delight to revisit Middle-earth 💚
Quotes: ‘So we come to it in the end,’ he said: ‘the great battle of our time, in which many things shall pass away.'
"Forth now, and fear no darkness!"
'His grief he will not forget; but it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.’
‘Come, Mr. Frodo!’ he cried. ‘I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you'
'There is no real going back. Though I may come to the Shire, it will not seem the same; for I shall not be the same.'
‘Well here we are, just the four of us that started out together,’ said Merry. ‘We have left all the rest behind, one after another. It seems almost like a dream that has slowly faded.’ ‘Not to me,’ said Frodo. ‘To me it feels more like falling asleep again.’
'I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.’
Thoughts: You already know I love this story. I believe this read through made me appreciate it even more, if that's possible.
A theme in love throughout this story is that Tolkien gives the villains a chance at redemption or forgiveness. (Not counting Sauron himself)
I noticed way more details I didn't remember that made me wish the films were longer and had more of the story.
The Scouring of The Shire alone.
I'm reading the Appendices for the first time. And those I may have a review for themselves.
Details I didn't remember: (small spoilers)
The Dúnedain rangers secretly protected The Shire from danger for a long time.
Allowing the Hobbits to live in peace.
Aragorn forced Sauron to move up his plans when he spoke to him through the Palantir.
Sam gave Gollum one last chance in the end.
The gifts Arwen gave Frodo in the end I had completely forgotten
Sam and Rosie moved in with Frodo in Bag End.
Thanks for reading 📚
It was a delight to revisit Middle-earth 💚
A satisfying end to the trilogy.
The movie cuts the last 3(ish) chapters and honestly? Worth reading just for those. Really shows the Hobbits in an excellent light
The movie cuts the last 3(ish) chapters and honestly? Worth reading just for those. Really shows the Hobbits in an excellent light
adventurous
emotional
slow-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