Scan barcode
karlin0336's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is five stars, but that means something completely different than when I rate other books five stars.
I was not engrossed in it the whole time (I really had to push through parts of it). I did not love many of the characters (there were so many names, that it was really hard to keep track of everyone). It was confusing and very, VERY slow (thank goodness for the audiobook).
No, the reason this book is five stars is because of what it accomplishes. It sets the groundwork for the fantasy epic that is arguably the greatest cornerstone of its genre. It gives us a comprehensive history for perhaps the most well-crafted fantasy universe of all time (and it's one of the reasons that universe is so well developed). The Silmarillion was confusing, yes, but that's because it is a story on such a large scale that a single readthrough just isn't enough. I fully expect to discover something new each and every time I reread it. What this book manages to accomplish is pure genius.
I was not engrossed in it the whole time (I really had to push through parts of it). I did not love many of the characters (there were so many names, that it was really hard to keep track of everyone). It was confusing and very, VERY slow (thank goodness for the audiobook).
No, the reason this book is five stars is because of what it accomplishes. It sets the groundwork for the fantasy epic that is arguably the greatest cornerstone of its genre. It gives us a comprehensive history for perhaps the most well-crafted fantasy universe of all time (and it's one of the reasons that universe is so well developed). The Silmarillion was confusing, yes, but that's because it is a story on such a large scale that a single readthrough just isn't enough. I fully expect to discover something new each and every time I reread it. What this book manages to accomplish is pure genius.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Incest, Suicide, and Grief
bone_dry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Genocide, Suicide, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child death, Confinement, Incest, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
bronzeageholly's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
4.0
While I am very glad I read this (mostly for LOTR lore reasons), I also could not tell you who 70% of the characters were or where 70% of the places were. I think if I had got this as a physical book I would have kept looking at the maps to help, but Andy Serkis' reading added to my enjoyment of the book massively.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death
josisteacup's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Given that it's basically a "history book" that chronicals the events from the creation of Middle-earth up until the end of Lord of the Rings its expected to be quite dense. Therefore its best to approach it like a collection of myths or folktales and read one chapter at a time. Otherwise it might be overwhelming. Especially the first chapters about the creation of Middle-earth can be a bit boring because there isn't much plot.
All in all its interesting and I'm thinking about getting the standalone stories of Beren and Luthien, The Fall of Gondolin and The Children of Hurin.
All in all its interesting and I'm thinking about getting the standalone stories of Beren and Luthien, The Fall of Gondolin and The Children of Hurin.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Incest, Slavery, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Colonisation
aseel_reads's review against another edition
Unfortunately I just keep zoning out and not taking anything in. Also, all the elvish names being read aloud make it hard for me to know the difference (seeing them on paper would help)
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Violence, and War
caelfind's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and War
seanml's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The Silmarillion is a majestic, winding journey through imagination. Tolkien's visions come to life in a fully realized world filled with grace, beauty, and an encroaching sadness. It is the time of the elves, and though immortal, their time rises and wanes with elegance. 9/10.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, and War
dreamygambit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have never loved a book as much as I love this one, I hold it VERY dear to my heart after reading. Don’t let anyone deter you from reading this book, it is worth everyone’s time if more people would give it a chance. Tolkiens work is, to me, always compelling and complex and this is absolutely no exception. I sped through this more difficult book at break neck speed because it is so wonderful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and War
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Kidnapping
species10026's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Misogyny
helenafaustina's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow... what an adventure. I loved this whole book, especially the beginning with the creation of Eä. Everything about this was so musical and lovely. The rise and fall of the good and the bad people, watching the characters you already knew be born, and understanding all the lore... and getting lost in the index of names (heh), was a beautiful experience. It's a fun, fictional history book, and one that LotR lovers don't want to miss!
I would not recommend this to someone new to Middle-earth, as it is pretty heavy writing. I think it would only be enjoyable by fans. Like how Lord of the Rings is one level up from The Hobbit, The Silmarillion is a level up from Lord of the Rings.
I would not recommend this to someone new to Middle-earth, as it is pretty heavy writing. I think it would only be enjoyable by fans. Like how Lord of the Rings is one level up from The Hobbit, The Silmarillion is a level up from Lord of the Rings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Incest and Fire/Fire injury