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. "A triumphant close . . . a grand piece of
work, grand in both conception and execution. An astonishing imaginative
tour de force." - Daily Telegraph