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The Return of the King
(The Lord of the Rings #3)
by
Alternate cover edition here.
The Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures as the quest continues. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard, and took part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by Orcs, escaped into Fangorn For ...more
The Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures as the quest continues. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard, and took part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by Orcs, escaped into Fangorn For ...more
Mass Market Paperback, Media Tie-In Edition, 404 pages
Published
2003
by Del Rey
(first published October 20th 1955)
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Popular Answered Questions
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Ethan
It is not necessary to read them but it provides much backstory and also what happens after the books. I would suggest that you do read them.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of The Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings, #3)

Apr 05, 2011
mark monday
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
rain-man-reviews,
fantasy-classic
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
a rousing climax to the most ravishing love story of the modern age. tempestuous, tormented Frodo at long last learns to accept the love of his lifemate - the loyal and submissive Samwise Gamgee, bottom-extraordinaire. this is truly a tale of love's labour hard-won, and at such a cost! but love conquers all in the end, and even bitter, militantly hetero villain Sauron cannot stand in the heart's path for too long. in this third book of the torrid trilogy, Frodo's love-hate relationship ...more
a rousing climax to the most ravishing love story of the modern age. tempestuous, tormented Frodo at long last learns to accept the love of his lifemate - the loyal and submissive Samwise Gamgee, bottom-extraordinaire. this is truly a tale of love's labour hard-won, and at such a cost! but love conquers all in the end, and even bitter, militantly hetero villain Sauron cannot stand in the heart's path for too long. in this third book of the torrid trilogy, Frodo's love-hate relationship ...more

Tolkien is the master of world building. With his writing comes generations of detailed history and lore. Middle Earth did not simply spring up overnight. Instead it is firmly established with the most thorough groundwork that is simply unmatched. And here his epic trilogy comes to an end. I’ve read it many times over the years, and reviewing it is no easy task. So, like my reviews of the first two books, I’ve picked out ten things I really love about the book. Spoilers ahead.
1.The blade that w ...more
1.The blade that w ...more

The Return of the King (Lord of the Rings,#3) by J.R.R. Tolkien

What can I write about this epic tale? It's the final part of the great work of fantasy. And it is impossible to convey to the new reader all the qualities of this series. It's just epic, monstrous, and the tale develops amazingly. Characters, even in an imaginary world, stood absolutely convincing in their details. This story tells- how even insignificant people can change the course of the future through love and doing the right de ...more

What can I write about this epic tale? It's the final part of the great work of fantasy. And it is impossible to convey to the new reader all the qualities of this series. It's just epic, monstrous, and the tale develops amazingly. Characters, even in an imaginary world, stood absolutely convincing in their details. This story tells- how even insignificant people can change the course of the future through love and doing the right de ...more

“For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
It’s over. I have finally finished reading The Return of the King, the third and final part of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien; This means that I am officially done with Tolkien’s main novels in The Middle-Earth universe, and I’m proud of myself for it. I’ve read plenty of epic fantasy series mor ...more

EXTENDED EDITION MOVIES MARATHON TIME!!!!!! 😍😃😃😃 my place at 5 am. Bring snacks.
❗️Note: there are much more scholarly reviews available out there, so if that interests you, I would refer you to reviews like this one:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
or the official Tolkien Society: https://www.tolkiensociety.org/
That being said, I hope my layman approach is enjoyable for most 😉
Aragorn: "For Frodo."

Holy Gimli son of Glóin, I loved this book! Tolkien is a demigod when it comes to worldbuildi ...more
❗️Note: there are much more scholarly reviews available out there, so if that interests you, I would refer you to reviews like this one:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
or the official Tolkien Society: https://www.tolkiensociety.org/
That being said, I hope my layman approach is enjoyable for most 😉
Aragorn: "For Frodo."

Holy Gimli son of Glóin, I loved this book! Tolkien is a demigod when it comes to worldbuildi ...more

Nov 20, 2020
Tharindu Dissanayake
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites-fiction
"Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!
spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
"Pride would be folly that disdained help and counsel at need;"
Sometimes, When one starts reading a book of a series, there's always this urge read through the whole thing as fast as possible. Then, when we're done with all of the series, it's very hard not to wish that it doesn't end here - but will go on f ...more
Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!
spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
"Pride would be folly that disdained help and counsel at need;"
Sometimes, When one starts reading a book of a series, there's always this urge read through the whole thing as fast as possible. Then, when we're done with all of the series, it's very hard not to wish that it doesn't end here - but will go on f ...more

The last stand for the control of Middle-Earth!
I WENT TO MIDDLE-EARTH AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS CRUMMY RING
That’s the message in a t-shirt that I got in a tourism travel (and I still have it!). I thought that it was appropiate to begin my review about the third part and final of Lord of the Rings.
All that fuzz about a ring that can turn you invisible? You may think, but that was the least of its properties. Its major use was being able to control of the rest of ring-bearers with it, and if ...more
I WENT TO MIDDLE-EARTH AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS CRUMMY RING
That’s the message in a t-shirt that I got in a tourism travel (and I still have it!). I thought that it was appropiate to begin my review about the third part and final of Lord of the Rings.
All that fuzz about a ring that can turn you invisible? You may think, but that was the least of its properties. Its major use was being able to control of the rest of ring-bearers with it, and if ...more

Jun 19, 2010
Ahmad Sharabiani
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction,
1001-book,
fantasy,
20th-century,
classics,
novels,
childrens-young-readers,
british
(494 From 1001 Books) - The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King, J.R.R. Tolkien
The Return of the King: Sauron sends a great army against Gondor. Gandalf arrives at Minas Tirith to warn Denethor of the attack, while Theoden musters the Rohirrim to ride to Gondor's aid. Minas Tirith is besieged. Denethor is deceived by Sauron and falls into despair. He burns himself alive on a pyre, nearly taking his son Faramir with him.
Aragorn, accompanied by Legolas, Gimli and the Rangers of the North, t ...more
The Return of the King: Sauron sends a great army against Gondor. Gandalf arrives at Minas Tirith to warn Denethor of the attack, while Theoden musters the Rohirrim to ride to Gondor's aid. Minas Tirith is besieged. Denethor is deceived by Sauron and falls into despair. He burns himself alive on a pyre, nearly taking his son Faramir with him.
Aragorn, accompanied by Legolas, Gimli and the Rangers of the North, t ...more

Dec 09, 2014
Calista
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
genre-fantasy,
myth-folktale-fable,
series,
1950s,
bage-mature,
own,
classic,
favorite,
series-complete,
z-j-r-r-tolkien
I was living with my uncle 20 years ago and he is a vast reader in many genres. I was looking for something new to read when he told me to read this series. He had these beautiful hardback books with fold-out maps. I had heard of the hobbit and saw the cartoon as a kid. I thought it was an okay movie, but it didn't really impress me. He convinced me that I needed to read this. So, I started with the hobbit and read one book after the other until I was done with this book.
I remember being awed b ...more
I remember being awed b ...more

The Return of the King takes about a hundred pages to sink one's teeth into, but persevering is worth it for the glint of sunrise on a victorious maiden's hair, for the show of willpower against all odds in the eleventh hour, and for the golden bloom of a happy ending.
...more

Well, I've come to the end of the road once more... This was my tenth reading of Tolkien's saga of Middle Earth (the first time I visited was in 1986) and it's pointless trying to write a balanced review of my favourite books. Suffice it to say that these books are a part of me; written into my DNA, if you like, and I love them dearly.
I'll be back in a year or two, Bagginses, to do it all over again...
Buddy read with Sunshine Seaspray.
-------------------------------------------------
And I did co ...more
I'll be back in a year or two, Bagginses, to do it all over again...
Buddy read with Sunshine Seaspray.
-------------------------------------------------
And I did co ...more

The end of an epic! The Return of the King brings a conclusion to the wonderful Lord of the Rings trilogy and is one of the most satisfying conclusions to a long tale that has ever been written.
In this book, we leave Frodo and Sam in Mordor and rejoin Pippin and Gandalf, Merry and Theoden, and Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli as the suspense builds towards the final battle. Gandalf has a hard time explaining the death of Boromir to the grieving father Denethor who will have a sad ending himself as thi ...more
In this book, we leave Frodo and Sam in Mordor and rejoin Pippin and Gandalf, Merry and Theoden, and Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli as the suspense builds towards the final battle. Gandalf has a hard time explaining the death of Boromir to the grieving father Denethor who will have a sad ending himself as thi ...more

here's the video where I did a review https://youtu.be/TOXoZOjycgw
...more

26/25 (104%) 5 stars.
A stellar ending to this trilogy by one of the most exciting young voices of the genre. Almost nothing of this is original, but it's still nicely written. I mean, come on, the author is obviously a fan of George R.R. Martin. Or why did he put all of those 'R's in his name? Well, at least he has finished his trilogy - other than Martin. It'd be nice to read a sequel, though. Regarding the plot, that's a blatant copy of Terry Brooks' original and breathtaking The Sword of Shan ...more
A stellar ending to this trilogy by one of the most exciting young voices of the genre. Almost nothing of this is original, but it's still nicely written. I mean, come on, the author is obviously a fan of George R.R. Martin. Or why did he put all of those 'R's in his name? Well, at least he has finished his trilogy - other than Martin. It'd be nice to read a sequel, though. Regarding the plot, that's a blatant copy of Terry Brooks' original and breathtaking The Sword of Shan ...more

Book Review
4 of 5 stars to The Return of the King, the third book in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, written in 1955, by J.R.R. Tolkien. After reading the first two books in this series, how can you not finish it with this one? I knocked them back between 9th and 10th grades, loving every minute of the imagination and struggle between good and evil. When I got this this final one, I already knew I'd be sad to say goodbye to all the characters I'd fallen hardcore for over the 1500 pa ...more
4 of 5 stars to The Return of the King, the third book in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, written in 1955, by J.R.R. Tolkien. After reading the first two books in this series, how can you not finish it with this one? I knocked them back between 9th and 10th grades, loving every minute of the imagination and struggle between good and evil. When I got this this final one, I already knew I'd be sad to say goodbye to all the characters I'd fallen hardcore for over the 1500 pa ...more

Writers who inspire a genre are usually misunderstood. Tolkien's reasons for writing were completely unlike those of the authors he inspired. He didn't have an audience, a genre, and scores of contemporaries. There was a tradition of high adventure fairy tales, as represented by Eddison, Dunsany, Morris, MacDonald, Haggard, and Kipling, but this was only part of what inspired Tolkien.
His writing was chiefly influenced by his familiarity with the mythological traditions of the Norse and Welsh cul ...more
His writing was chiefly influenced by his familiarity with the mythological traditions of the Norse and Welsh cul ...more

Ah, The Return of the King. The end of a sweeping epic, one which held me firmly in its grasp as a child and still holds a place in my heart as an adult.
Everything is in motion and actually coming to an end almost from the first page of this last book in the trilogy. Frodo is ever so close to completing his quest. Aragon, Gandalf and the others are nearly at the end of their rope. Indeed, the end is nigh!
But this is not a quick finish. Tolkien dragged things out. There is a mini-battle after th ...more
Everything is in motion and actually coming to an end almost from the first page of this last book in the trilogy. Frodo is ever so close to completing his quest. Aragon, Gandalf and the others are nearly at the end of their rope. Indeed, the end is nigh!
But this is not a quick finish. Tolkien dragged things out. There is a mini-battle after th ...more

***NEW LAWSUIT UPDATE BELOW (6-30-11)...Lone reviewer continues fight with corporate ASSCLOWNS powers in epic 1st Amendment battle royale.***
4.0 stars. FULL REVIEW (hopefully) to follow after resolution of the lawsuit* filed against this reviewer in the District Court of Narnia by, among others: 20th CenturyFucks Fox, Lucasfilms, the Tolkien Estate and Robert Van Winkle (aka Vanilla AsshatIce) in order to prevent the release of an allegedly offensive but in reality just knee-slappingly funny PA
...more
4.0 stars. FULL REVIEW (hopefully) to follow after resolution of the lawsuit* filed against this reviewer in the District Court of Narnia by, among others: 20th Century

“So we come to it in the end, the great battle of our time, in which many things shall pass away. But at least there is no longer need for hiding. The board is set, and the pieces are moving. And now all realms shall be put to the test, to stand, or fall – under the Shadow.”People: *looking at the 3 star rating causes wincing and face spasms* What fuckery is this? You rated Tolkien 3 damn stars?
Anish: Guys, take it easy! This book was...
People: You rated the last one 4 stars bcz of tha ...more

“Rohan had come”
The first half of this book is epic and full of grandeur and forever legendary battles. The second half of this book begins with the climax rather quickly before our heroes journey all the way home and find out how their lives are changed evermore. The ending is honestly so very beautiful and I couldn’t help but tear up slightly up some parts, not cry, I do that very rarely when it comes to books, but the tears were certainly there here and again as we reached ever closer to the ...more
The first half of this book is epic and full of grandeur and forever legendary battles. The second half of this book begins with the climax rather quickly before our heroes journey all the way home and find out how their lives are changed evermore. The ending is honestly so very beautiful and I couldn’t help but tear up slightly up some parts, not cry, I do that very rarely when it comes to books, but the tears were certainly there here and again as we reached ever closer to the ...more


Well, there really IS no greater compliment... ...more

A Review of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, by Sauron
[Oprah Winfrey voice-over]: We all remember him. Sauron, the displaced Lord of the Rings. Once feared by millions, Sauron has been living in relative squalor in what he prefers to remain an undisclosed location.
[Video shows unidentified heap of garbage behind a Wal-mart. In front stands a mailbox with the word "Nameless Enemy" printed on the front. The flag is down.]
[applause]
Oprah: Today, we'll be joined by someone that many of you kn ...more
[Oprah Winfrey voice-over]: We all remember him. Sauron, the displaced Lord of the Rings. Once feared by millions, Sauron has been living in relative squalor in what he prefers to remain an undisclosed location.
[Video shows unidentified heap of garbage behind a Wal-mart. In front stands a mailbox with the word "Nameless Enemy" printed on the front. The flag is down.]
[applause]
Oprah: Today, we'll be joined by someone that many of you kn ...more

The conclusion to my favorite series of all time. Will Frodo be able to complete his mission? Will such completion cost him his life? Can Middle Earth be saved? Ok. I know. You've seen the wonderful Peter Jackson films. But there is nothing like reading it for yourself. It is the difference in feeling between seeing it on TV and being there. Read the trilogy. Be there. You won't regret it.
...more

Aug 23, 2009
K.D. Absolutely
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to K.D. by:
501 Must Read Books; 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (2006-2010); TFG100 Most Favorite Books; Time 100; Metalist 100 by Newsweek; Guardian's 100
What else can I say? I enjoyed all these three books included in
(5 STARS),
(5 STARS) and now
(5 STARS).
It has the most tight interesting plot, memorable characters and universal unending theme: the triumph of good over evil. In fact, in the closing scene of the book, Frodo gives the book he wrote to Sam, the world's greatest gardener. The title of the book is The Downfall of the Lord of the Rings and the Return of the King. The "lord" refers to the ...more
The Lord of the Rings



It has the most tight interesting plot, memorable characters and universal unending theme: the triumph of good over evil. In fact, in the closing scene of the book, Frodo gives the book he wrote to Sam, the world's greatest gardener. The title of the book is The Downfall of the Lord of the Rings and the Return of the King. The "lord" refers to the ...more

Is it even possible to review a legend? To write a review about a completely different and unique world?
It is not. It is just not possible.
Just imagine writing a review about our world, about all the countries and cities and cultures and all the wars. It would simply be too long and too difficult.
What I can say about this book is that the epic journey finally came to an end.
The Fellowship had to fight bloody, hopeless fights, it had to survive epic battles and it found friends where frien ...more
It is not. It is just not possible.
Just imagine writing a review about our world, about all the countries and cities and cultures and all the wars. It would simply be too long and too difficult.
What I can say about this book is that the epic journey finally came to an end.
The Fellowship had to fight bloody, hopeless fights, it had to survive epic battles and it found friends where frien ...more

2020: Eight:
This read impacted me stronger than any previous journeys. I said over and over in my heart, "I want to stay here. I don't want to leave this place." So, I'm seeking to stay there. That special, unidentified quality in books, I've found, doesn't live within genres and systems. It lives in the authors. It is the authors. New discoveries: Dark! Dark fantasy, even horror! Heads catapulted over the wall. You walk around the corner to look at these big balls of rain falling into your yard ...more
This read impacted me stronger than any previous journeys. I said over and over in my heart, "I want to stay here. I don't want to leave this place." So, I'm seeking to stay there. That special, unidentified quality in books, I've found, doesn't live within genres and systems. It lives in the authors. It is the authors. New discoveries: Dark! Dark fantasy, even horror! Heads catapulted over the wall. You walk around the corner to look at these big balls of rain falling into your yard ...more

I’m sure glad Stevie didn’t bother to read this one:
Sam and Frodo wake up in some swamp/heath/mountain pass
Frodo: We’re lost, oh its awful, I’m hungry, we only have 3 pieces of elfin bread left
Sam: Don’t worry Frodo I’m here for you, you have the bread
Sam and Frodo walk around a bit looking dirty and lost and miserable
Frodo: oh the ring, it’s so heavy, how will I cope?
Golem: Myyy presssciousss [and all that nonsense]
Sam: Don’t worry you have a nice sleep, things’ll look better in the morning you ...more
Sam and Frodo wake up in some swamp/heath/mountain pass
Frodo: We’re lost, oh its awful, I’m hungry, we only have 3 pieces of elfin bread left
Sam: Don’t worry Frodo I’m here for you, you have the bread
Sam and Frodo walk around a bit looking dirty and lost and miserable
Frodo: oh the ring, it’s so heavy, how will I cope?
Golem: Myyy presssciousss [and all that nonsense]
Sam: Don’t worry you have a nice sleep, things’ll look better in the morning you ...more

‘The Lord of the Rings’: John Ronald Reuel Tolkien’s three volume masterpiece comprising ‘The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King’ – is quite simply a literary, artistic and intellectual creation and achievement of epic and monumental proportions.
The stories that J. R. R. Tolkien has crafted to produce ‘The Lord of the Rings’ feel as though they have been carved out of stone. Tolkien’s creation of another world – Middle Earth, its history, its legends and the storie ...more
The stories that J. R. R. Tolkien has crafted to produce ‘The Lord of the Rings’ feel as though they have been carved out of stone. Tolkien’s creation of another world – Middle Earth, its history, its legends and the storie ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Goodreads Librari...: Please add page count ASIN B009NOT66S | 3 | 14 | Feb 20, 2021 03:52PM | |
What is the moral in the Ring's destruction? | 2 | 10 | Jan 28, 2021 11:07AM | |
Fantasy Buddy Reads: The Return of the King [October 1, 2020] | 13 | 31 | Oct 24, 2020 01:46AM | |
Goodreads Librari...: Missing details for Powrót Króla | 3 | 10 | Oct 12, 2020 09:06AM | |
Goodreads Librari...: New Cover | 1 | 8 | Aug 17, 2020 05:28AM | |
Studi Tolkieniani: Finalmente le mappe - tutte! | 4 | 25 | Jul 20, 2020 10:07AM |
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, WWI veteran (a First Lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers, British Army), philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the high fantasy classic works
The Hobbit
and
The Lord of the Rings
.
Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford from 1925 to 1945, and Merton Professor of English ...more
Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford from 1925 to 1945, and Merton Professor of English ...more
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