In October 2013 Harper Collins will release a very good looking special collector's hardback boxed set.

Presented in sumptuous new cover designs you can discover the complete story of Bilbo Baggins and the Hobbits' epic encounters with Gandalf, Gollum, dragons and monsters, in the quest to destroy the One Ring. When they were first published, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings became instant classics.

Treasured by readers young and old, these works of sweeping fantasy, steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness have sold more than 150 million copies around the world.

This new boxed set contains both titles and features brand new cover designs.

It offers readers a new opportunity to discover tolkien's remarkable world of Middle-earth and to follow the complete story of Bilbo Baggins and the Hobbits' part in the epic quest for the Ring – beginning with Bilbo's fateful visit from Gandalf and culminating in the dramatic climax between Frodo and Gollum atop Mount Doom.

The Hobbit was released as a single volume some time ago. I love the idea that it was called the "movie tie-in" since it did not show any images from the movie adaptation by Peter Jackson at all. As a publisher it is nice to make a statement once in a while and especially since the cover looks as nice as this.

Just as when it was released, I'm still wondering who is the artist who did these fabulous covers. I especially like that the back spines of The Lord of the Rings combined make a nice tree, and the splipcase is just brilliant. Come on Harper Collins, give some credit to the artist! Who's work is this?

As for the tale: Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End.

But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey ‘there and back again’. They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon…

The prelude to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit has sold many millions of copies since its publication in 1937, establishing itself as one of the most beloved and influential books of the twentieth century.

This edition features the complete story with a sumptuous cover design and brand new reproductions of all of Tolkien’s original drawings and maps.

The cover is green, nice idea, since that is exactly how the book feels like... starting of in the shire and all seems still very comfortable and cosy.

However, Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power – the means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth. All he lacks in his plans for dominion is the One Ring – the ring that rules them all – which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins.

In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care.

Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.

The cover of The Two Towers is in a purple color, showing us that the story is really taking of and that this part of the tale will bring us a lot of fighting. My favorite part of The Lord of the Rings here portrayed in a geniously chosen image of an army with banners and in the background some mountains.

Frodo and the Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger during their quest to prevent the Ruling Ring from falling into the hands of the Dark Lord by destroying it in the Cracks of Doom.

They have lost the wizard, Gandalf, in the battle with an evil spirit in the Mines of Moria; and at the Falls of Rauros, Boromir, seduced by the power of the Ring, tried to seize it by force. While Frodo and Sam made their escape the rest of the company were attacked by Orcs.

Now they continue their journey alone down the great River Anduin – alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.

The third volumes is blue and shows the white tree and the stars... the king is returning. It sort of reminds me of Tolkiens' own designs, but matches well the other books in the set.

The Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures as the quest continues. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard, and took part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by orcs, escaped into Fangorn Forest and there encountered the Ents.

Gandalf returned, miraculously, and defeated the evil wizard, Saruman. Meanwhile, Sam and Frodo progressed towards Mordor to destroy the Ring, accompanied by Sméagol – Gollum, still obsessed by his ‘preciouss’.

After a battle with the giant spider, Shelob, Sam left his master for dead; but Frodo is still alive – in the hands of the orcs. And all the time the armies of the Dark Lord are massing.

Type: Hardback
Estimate: 1792 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: Collector's edition edition - 24 October 2013
Language: English

ISBN-10: 0007522932
ISBN-13: 978-0007522934