Book 3 of the Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien ia The Return of the King. The buildup of the first two novels comes to a conclusion with the epic battles that will determine the future of Middle-earth. Keep reading to find out why this novel is a must read!
As this is the third and final book in the series, there will be some spoilers ahead. I have tried to provide very little spoilers and have avoided major plot points. So, if you don’t want any spoilers at all, then stop reading now. Otherwise, enjoy the short summary of the novel.
The Return of the King Summary
Both sides have prepared their armies and now the battle for Middle-earth is upon us. Sauron has sent his army into battle against Gondor. But that is not the only battle that takes place. Minas Tirith is on the verge of attack and it is up to Gandalf to warn them.
Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and the Rangers of the North have to recruit Dead Men of Dunharrow. That is made difficult as the group has to travel the Paths of the Dead to do so. Can Aragorn accomplish this difficult task or will Sauron reign victorious?
Frodo has been captured and it is up to Sam to rescue him. As Frodo gets closer to Mordor, the ring’s pull gets stronger. Can Sam and Frodo survive their quest and finally defeat Sauron once and for all?
Commentary
The third novel rewards the reader with epic battles after setting everything up with the two previous books. There is a lot going on but it is all worth it. I can guarantee that you will be eagerly reading the last book as a result.
I don’t have any complaints about this novel. Everything feels right and there aren’t any disappointments. The ending and the after ending was enjoyable and unexpected. Tolkien has one last trick up his sleeve and gives you one last farewell.
Amazon has made a show that is based on the Lord of the Rings but takes place before the events of the Lord of the Rings. The Tolkien estate came to an agreement and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was the result. It takes place in the 2nd century and follows the events of Sauron and his rise to power.
Conclusion
Only read this novel after you have read the first two right before. Don’t take a break between the novels or it will take the reduce the reward. I loved the series and recommend this series to anyone that loves fantasy novels. This series has a lot of pages but it is definitely worth it!