At long last, J.R.R. Tolkein’s Middle Earth masterworks are all available in unabridged audiobook form from Audible, and all support the Whispersync for Voice feature. Whispersync for Voice allows readers to switch back and forth between the ebook and audiobook edition, with each edition “remembering” where you left off in the other.
If you’ve got any holiday road trips lined up, this is a great way to pass the time in the car and then pick up right where you left off with the ebook once you’re settled in with that cup of cocoa or eggnog. What a great way to gear up for The Hobbit movie release in December: read the book first!
To take advantage of Whispersync for Voice, just make sure you purchase the Kindle edition first; after your order has been processed, you’ll be offered a special link both on the purchase confirmation page and back on the Kindle book’s product page that allows you to buy the Audible edition at a significant discount. In fact, for all four of the Middle Earth titles featured here, you’ll pay less than $16.50 to get both the Kindle and Audible editions—that’s less than you’d usually pay just for the audiobook!
Note that prices given in this post are current as of this writing, but subject to change at Amazon’s discretion.
The Hobbit (4.5/5 stars) – A great modern classic and the prelude to THE LORD OF THE RINGS.
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.
Buy the Kindle book for $7.11, then pick up the audiobook edition for just $6.99 more (or one Audible member credit) to use the Whispersync for Voice feature.
The Fellowship of the Ring (4.5/5 stars) – One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, as told in The Hobbit. 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.
Get the Kindle book for $8.22, then pick up the Audible audiobook for just $7.49 (or one Audible member credit) to use Whispersync for Voice.
The Two Towers (4.5/5 stars) – The second volume in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure THE LORD OF THE RINGS.
Frodo and his 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 a battle in the Mines of Moria. And 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 was attacked by Orcs. Now they continue the journey alone down the great River Anduin—alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.
Pick up the Kindle book for $8.32, then add the Audible audiobook for $7.99.
The Return of the King (4.5/5 stars) – The third volume in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure THE LORD OF THE RINGS
As the Shadow of Mordor grows across the land, the Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, has joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard, and takes part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by Orcs, escape into Fangorn Forest and there encounter the Ents. Gandalf has miraculously returned and defeated the evil wizard, Saruman. Sam has left his master for dead after a battle with the giant spider, Shelob; but Frodo is still alive—now in the foul hands of the Orcs. And all the while the armies of the Dark Lord are massing as the One Ring draws ever nearer to the Cracks of Doom.
Purchase the Kindle book for $8.32, then get the Audible audiobook edition for $7.99 more (or one Audible member credit).