The Silmarillion

The forerunner to The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion tells the earlier history of Middle-earth, recounting the events of the First and Second Ages, and introducing some of the key characters, such as Galadriel, Elrond, Elendil and the Dark Lord, Sauron. The tales of The Silmarillion are set in an age when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-Earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor. Included in the book are several shorter works. The Ainulindale is a myth of the Creation and in the Valaquenta the nature and powers of each of the gods is described. The Akallabeth recounts the downfall of the great island kingdom of Númenor at the end of the Second Age and Of the Rings of Power tells of the great events at the end of the Third Age, as narrated in The Lord of the Rings. This epic tale, penned by the classic Sunday Times bestselling author J. R. R. Tolkien, is a classic in the fantasy genre, weaving together wraith and folk mythology into a rich tapestry of legends. The Silmarillion, a top pick among readers, is a testament to Tolkien's mastery in fantasy fiction. For fans of J.K. Rowling (The Casual Vacancy), Frank Herbert (Dune), and Robert Jordan (The Great Hunt).