Before starting the series or the movies if you haven’t watched it yet, we will tell you the middle-earth universe reading order in order to have information from various sources and to fully understand the story.
If you want to read Tolkien’s books, Universe of Middle-earth reading order It’s good for you to progress. In this way, you both follow the flow correctly and prevent information confusion.
Amazon bought the rights to Lord of the Rings in 2017 and created a new one. middle earth universe He started working on the serial adaptation. When the series was first announced, I was excited like everyone else, but I can say that I always had a doubt. It’s been 20 years since the groundbreaking trilogy was released. After such a perfect adaptation, knowing that a series will be made again, “I wonder how?”, “does it go beyond the books?” A ton of other questions popped into my mind.
As a matter of fact, I didn’t get most of what I expected from the show. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, made by Amazon with a budget of one billion dollars, also holds the title of the most expensive TV series of all time. Before starting the series or the movie series if you haven’t watched it yet, we will tell you the reading order of Tolkien’s Middle-earth books in order to have information from various sources and to fully understand the story. If you want, let’s take a look at the order without further ado.
What should Tolkien’s Middle-earth reading order be?
First of all, you may have difficulty understanding the books in the series and have to read it over and over. Yes, because it finds a ton of information about the story that I still don’t understand and that has been erased from my mind. We will list the main books to read about the Middle-earth universe. While listing, I would like to underline that it is not a chronological order for the reader to understand, but a sequence prepared for those who will read it for the first time.
1- The Hobbit
Middle-earth universe reading order
Yes, the Hobbit is in first place. The Hobbit, which is among the perfect books to enter the middle-earth universe, is about Bilbo Baggins, the uncle of Frodo, the main character of the trilogy, although he is not a part of the trilogy of the Lord of the Rings. Together with the wizard Gandalf, he embarks on his journey to take revenge on the fearsome dragon Smaug. Most importantly, Bilbo finds that magical ring, which is one of the main themes of the series.
2- Lord of the Rings
Middle-earth universe reading order
We have added the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which is also considered a masterpiece, to the second line for those who will read it for the first time. This trilogy is about Frodo’s quests to destroy the ancient power One Ring. Of course, destroying the ring is not easy for him. Along with his companions and unforgettable characters along the way, Frodo faces a multitude of challenges, creating a fantastic readiness to read. The trilogy should be read respectively as The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.
3- The Silmarillion
Middle-earth universe reading order
The Silmarilion is an encyclopedia-like book that Tolkien has covered since the creation of Middle-earth, including stories from the previous two books. While reading The Silmarilion, there will be places where you don’t understand much and don’t want to read it because you don’t understand it anymore. While it can be intense and challenging at times, it’s a deep dive into Middle-earth.
4- Children of Hurin
Middle-earth universe reading order
A stand-alone novel set in Middle-earth, The Children of Hurin tells the story of Turin Turambar, son of Hurin, the hero whose fate is horribly cursed. We can say that this book also provides an additional source for many events and characters in The Silmarillion.
5- Beren and Luthien
Middle-earth universe reading order
Another independent novel set in Middle-earth after Hurin’s Children is Beren and Luthien. The book tells the great love between normal human Beren and an elf princess Luthien and their adventure to retrieve the Silmaril, a powerful jewel created. This standalone novel also provides additional sources for many of the events in The Silmarillion.
6- The Fall of Gondolin
Middle-earth universe reading order
Yes, I can hear you getting tired of independent novels and saying enough is enough. But the Fall of Gondolin is the last standalone novel set in Middle-earth. The Fall of Gondolin, which I bought last month, but which I haven’t even touched in the closet, tells the story of Tuor, who takes part in a war between Morgoth and elves who are looking for the secret city of Gondolin. I hope one day I’ll take the trouble to get it out of the closet and read it.
7- Unfinished Stories
Middle-earth universe reading order
The book of unfinished stories is a book of stories and essays that Tolkien left unfinished after his death, edited by his son Christopher Tolkien and published in 1980. The book also provides additional sources for some of the events and characters in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Only the names of the characters were changed and the book Unfinished Tales was edited to prevent the confusing style of father Tolkien from confusing the readers.
8- Nature of Middle-earth
Middle-earth universe reading order
The Nature of Middle-earth, edited by Carl F. Hostetter and published as a single book in 2021, touches on many topics, including many texts, various topics in the Tolkien universe, and the characteristics of different races. The book will be especially appealing to those who enjoy Unfinished Tales and the later volumes of The History of Middle-earth, in order to learn more about Tolkien’s views on Middle-earth.