Reviews

The Children of Húrin by Christopher Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien

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sirshiana's review against another edition

5.0

A++. One of my favorite Tolkien books. I can't review it without spoilers. The calamity that follows Turin everywhere is tragic, but it makes the book. Tolkien has never been afraid to shy away from tragedy and this book really showcases that.

cl1ngz's review against another edition

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adventurous dark sad fast-paced

Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

5⭐

One of the best Tolkien books I’ve ever read—dark, tragic, and deeply engrossing. While I initially had trouble entering the world due to not reading *The Silmarillion*, a few YouTube guides helped me navigate the first three chapters. Once I got past that, I was fully immersed in the story.

The narrative is incredibly captivating, filled with rich characters and diverse kingdoms. I’ve never read a Tolkien book this quickly! As always with Tolkien, the world-building is flawless—everything is detailed, with each element holding significance and history. Every location, object, and culture has a purpose and meaning, which makes the world feel alive and intricate.

In my opinion, the villains in *The Children of Húrin* are even better than those in *The Lord of the Rings*. Characters like Morgoth (Melkor) and Glaurung are fierce and malevolent. Morgoth’s curse on Húrin is especially chilling—he allows Húrin to live only to

witness the deaths and tragedies of his children. Glaurung, too, is a fantastic villain, particularly when he manipulates Túrin and prevents him from saving Finduilas

.

The characters in this book are incredibly diverse, and I appreciated the unpredictability of their fates—many die when you least expect it. Túrin, the main character, is a particularly tragic figure. His attempts to break the curse on his family, such as changing his name, only lead to the curse's completion. Wherever Túrin goes, death seems to follow. His story is heartbreaking

—losing his sister and father at a young age, being sent away from his mother, accidentally killing a friend, and ultimately marrying his sister Niënor without knowing her identity. Tolkien masterfully weaves a tale of inevitable doom, even surprising us at the end with Túrin’s own death.

As for my reading order, I started with *The Hobbit* -> *The Lord of the Rings* (1-3) -> *The Children of Húrin* -> *The Silmarillion* -> *Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-Earth*. I’m not sure if this is the "ideal" reading order, but it worked for me, and *Nerd of the Rings* recommended it!