#jumping into Last King of Osten Ard now

[monarchetype]

Brief thoughts/review on The Heart of What Was Lost

Spoiler warning for both the novella and the preceding Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series!

The Heart of What Was Lost was such a bittersweet and melancholic fantasy novella. I enjoyed it a lot. Porto and Endri were a lovely duo, instantly compelling as two commonfolk far from home and in way over their head, terrified by the fantastical horrors they are up against. Isgrimnur was comfortingly familiar, and while I was hoping he could push his men all the way down the road to peace I think it would've been out of character and far too idealistic for the Rimmersmen to not only come to understand what the Norns value but to come to an agreement with them. How things ended was probably the best that we could hope for. Of course, the biggest stand-out was the enthralling Hikeda'ya POV, which way more dimensions to them and their culture than was even hinted at in the original MS&T. It was a really unique perspective to be hoping (and all the while knowing fairly confidently) that genocide could be averted while simultaneously reading in fascinated horror at just how fascistic the Hikeda'ya society is. The speed at which Suno'ku, Yaarike, and Viyeki were built into complex characters was nothing short of impressive. I couldn't help with sympathize a little with each of them- Suno'ku trying to avoid a future where only the magic-wielding Hikeda'ya hold power, Yaarike wanting to steer everyone away from jumping into another war, and Viyeki's naivete having totally bought the Hikeda'ya party line while having a hint of potential for seeinig beyond it- even while recognizing that they are nobles at the top of a deeply conservative society utterly loyal to a mad and ancient queen who only just failed to doom the entire world to oblivion in suicidal spite at her own mortality and lost grace.

That being said I think it would be pretty rough to try and start reading the Osten Ard books with this one; maybe it could be done but it's a very briskly paced story that does its best to cram all of this wonderful characterization and worldbuilding into a positively slim 78,000 words, so I wouldn't recommend it unless you are a very confident fantasy reader.

TL;DR Tad Williams good, go read Osten Ard

[satsukifowl]

Re-visiting Tad Williams’ Osten Ard

After reading Brandon Sanderson’s The Lost Metal, which went about 8,000 miles per hour, I wanted to read something the really slows down, digs deep and takes its time. I very much enjoyed TLM, but have been missing novels that really linger with the characters. So I thought maybe it’s time to reread some Tad Williams. I was thinking the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy. Here’s beautiful cover art by Michael Whelan:

Then lo and behold, turns out there’s a sequel series to MSaT! Yes, please!! I’m so behind the times. I don’t remember many details from the first trilogy, but decided to jump right into The Last King of Osten Ard. Here’s more beautiful cover art to enjoy, though the copy of The Witchwood Crown I checked out had the colors very very dark so I couldn’t quite tell what I was looking at. The second book, Empire of Grass, has to have one of my favorite covers of all time!

Despite wanting the slow and lingering story-telling, I’ll admit to becoming impatient and reading ahead about some of my favorites. :3 I’ve really enjoyed the read though, and being immersed back into this world Tad Williams has crafted. Of course I didn’t check to see if the series was complete before I began reading, and it’s not ... but hopefully, with how slow I’m going, I won’t have too long a wait once I finish book 3.

Now, I still have A LOT of reading to do. XD

[fic-dreamin]

Intriguing bridge between the two series I've been waiting many years for the return to Osten Ard and this little teaser to the upcoming Witchwood Crown was a great bridge between Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn and the upcoming Last King of Osten Ard. The Heart of What Was Lost narrates Duke Isgrimnur's attack on the Norns' home in the northern mountains. The book switches between Duke Isgrimnur, Porto - one of the non-northmen to join the fight after the attack on the Hayholt - and Viyeki, one of the Norns. Go to Amazon

I liked it. I wasn't sure what this book would entail, and what I got here was a nice slice of Osten Ard, even if it didn't much involve many of the characters we knew from MS&T. I will say, despite being a short novel, this may be the longest I've taken to read a Williams novel (except the online Shadowmarch serial novel experiment) - I guess you can say that I was sort of savoring this return to Osten Ard. When I finished, I did go right back and re-read many sections, and after doing so, I suspect that we'll see more than one of these characters in the future. Go to Amazon

A great followup to Memory Sorry and Thorn trilogy! The Storm King has fallen. The Norns have been defeated. And now Duke Isgrimnur, under the commands of the newly crowned King Seomon and Queen Miramele, seeks to end the threat of the dark and immortal race of fairies once and for all. After the misery they and their Queen caused to Osten Ard in the events of the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy. With them travels two Predurinese mercenaries, men far from home and thrust back into another war. Go to Amazon

While I didnt get to hear from two of my favorite characters (Binibik and Qantaqa) I did get to spend ... Tad Williams sets the table for a whole new trilogy set in Osten Ard. While I didnt get to hear from two of my favorite characters (Binibik and Qantaqa) I did get to spend a great deal of time with Isgrimnur! No one does character development like Williams. Simple purchase if, like me, you loved the original trilogy!! Go to Amazon

A great lead-in for the new trilogy! Tad Williams revisits Osten Ard and it is excellent. This short, 200 page novel acts a bridge from his first trilogy, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, to the new trilogy that is being released this year, 2017. I highly recommend reading this book before you jump into the Last King of Osten Ard. A lot happens in here that I'm positive is going to lead into the new trilogy. Go to Amazon

Learn about the norns Great read! A good follow-up to memory sorrow and thorn series. Looking forward to the rest of the series. An old book but still a great series. Check it out. Go to Amazon

Must read for Tad fans! Mr Williams has done it again! So happy to revisit Osten Ard, and learn so much more about the Norns. I can't wait for the next trilogy. Thank you , Tad, for this bridge between the books I've loved for so long! Go to Amazon

Unexpected Great Book, Awful Price Welcome back to Osten Ard Five Stars Four Stars I really enjoyed this book Four Stars Two Stars Five Stars Five Stars