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These stunning illustrated Lord of the Rings books are more than 50% off

Pick up The Lord of the Rings and The Simarillion during Amazon’s book sale

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Two images side by side imposed on a purple background. The left image shows The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien laying on a table with maps and art from the book behind it. The right shows the special edition of The Lord of the Rings, with various accompanying art and features laying at the bottom. Graphic: Sadie Gennis/Polygon | Sour images: William Morrow
Sadie Gennis is the managing editor of Polygon. She’s been covering TV and entertainment for nearly 15 years, with her work appearing in TV Guide, Variety, and Vulture.

Lord of the Rings fans are having a good day: First, there was news of the new Gollum film coming in 2026. Now, fans who want to return to Middle-earth in the interim can pick up special editions of the books for more than 50% off.

As part of Amazon’s book sale, the illustrated special edition of The Lord of the Rings is on sale for $106, almost $150 less than its typical list price of $250. Also, the illustrated edition of The Silmarillion — which recounts the entire history of Middle-earth — is discounted 60%, which means readers can pick it up for only $30.

For those looking for even more extended reading on Lord of the Rings, the hardcover edition of The Nature of Middle-Earth, a collection of Tolkien’s final writings on the world, is discounted to $15.

As convenient as digital books can be, they’re never quite able to translate the beauty of the illustrations, which feel so much more lush when not filtered through a screen. So it’s always exciting when there’s a chance to pick up hardcover works like these at more affordable prices.


An image of The Lord of the Rings: Special Edition, which the red and black book slipping partway out of its red box.

The Lord of the Rings: Special Edition

  • $106
  • $250
  • 58% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This special edition of The Lord of the Rings features 30 illustrations, maps, and sketches by J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as two removable maps drawn by his son Christopher Tolkien. It comes in a sleek and sturdy slip cover to keep the book in prime condition.


An image of The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The Silmarillion

  • $30
  • $75
  • 61% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Compiled from J.R.R. Tolkien’s drafts and notes by his son Christopher Tolkien, The Silmarillion chronicles the history of Middle-earth from before the dawn of time through the end of the War of the Ring. This special edition includes paintings and drawings by Tolkien, a letter written by the author in 1951, and several shorter works, including AinulindalëValaquenta, Akallabêth and Of the Rings of Power.


The cover of The Nature of Middle-earth by J.R.R. Tolkein, which shows a river with mountains on either side.

The Nature of Middle-Earth

  • $15
  • $32
  • 53% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Featuring previously unpublished writing from Tolkien in the decades that followed The Lord of the Rings’ publication, The Nature of Middle-Earth gives readers deeper insight into the world, including explorations ranging from Elvish immortality to which characters had beards.

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