I don't why it took me until now to read the Silmarillion, but it was about time. With an initial phase of getting used to the writing style that Tolkien chose for this mythic tale (it's like the bible of Middle-earth after all), I then deeply enjoyed it. So much background about the world that I had thought I knew. One epic tale followed by the next. Still, it's clear I will need to read this again, (or "study", as some may put it). I am sure there is so much that was lost on me the first way through. So for now, I'll say 4 stars, which only marks that I think there is much more appreciation this work will receive from me over time.
It was time for another re-read.