#the witchwood crown

[clumsybutterflies]

"I have faith that learning will always frighten stupidity, and that stupidity often strike back, sometimes murderously."

Tad Williams, The Witchwood Crown

Huh. Depressingly relevant these days.

[haveyoureadthisfantasybook]

vote yes if you have finished the entire book.

vote no if you have not finished the entire book.

(faq · submit a book)

[crown-and-stallion]

Some preliminary designs for some of the Hikeda'ya characters.

On the left we have Viyeki, looking a little conflicted. To the right is his daughter Nezeru making her annoyance known. Perhaps at Morgan?

I'm still not very confident drawing humans or humaniod characters but i'm ok with how they look so far! Viyeki is one of my favorite characters so I definitely want to do him justice.

[bookcoversonly]

Title: The Witchwood Crown | Author: Tad Williams | Publisher: DAW (2017)

[misshollowayss]

officer elijah bailey didn't want to be a cop at first, but when his wife, delilah went missing after being crowned honey queen during the 69th honey festival. he planned to resign from the force to spend more time with his wife and daughters, but when a few short months later, his oldest daughter, anias, was last reported seen by the witchwood. their bodies were never found. officer elijah bailey didn't want to be a cop, but when he met elizabeth-ann claugher, his world did change... hopefully for the better.

[starshinedragon]

SSO: LIFE WARDENS The magic trees of Jorvik

Main tree: Jordrassil in the Jorcrater -> The Crater is where the first pandorian contact happened, Aideen met the centaurs -> She combined the 3 magics (Light, Earth, Pandorian) and fought Garnok. -> Jordrassil is the first tree, manifestation of Aideen’s life powers. -> Also the place where she dispersed, gave up her light and souls to the creatures of the island -> Master portal- planted many other trees on the island, so she can get around quicky in the war. -> Jordrassil has the strongest hints of Aideen’s light (other than MC) would be a top prize for G to corrupt

Life Wardens: Primeival trees -> Fast travel system, their roots for portals after saying the right incantation.  -> From Jordrassil you can fast travel to ANY (living, friendly) tree -> From other trees only to the next in the network -> Guarding and strengthening any magic: Aideen’s or Garnok’s if corrupted. -> They can be awakened and speak, have different personalities.

1. Harvestlands: -> Sleeping Widow: Forgotten Fields. Helped Lisa, 1st one we meet. Wants to reconnect with the other Trees. Protective of the little one also growing in the Forgotten fields. -> Golden Lady: Scarecrow Hill. Grows Golden Apples, which are pure Aideen/Light power. Neighbors and best friends with the Widow. -> Ancient Sentinel: Wildwoods. Protected by the Wild Horse tribes. There is a pandorian rift underwater in the lake, through which Pandorian magic seeps through, infects the area. We close it when Garnok fully corrupts Pandoria and manage to prevent the Sentinel from being corrupted. -> Singing Yew: South Hoof. Helped Justin. Slumbering in the fields, the winds blowing through the branches make a song. -> Silent Poplar: Firgrove Mountain. Very mysterious. Turns out a hundred years ago he was corrupted and almost lost to the darkness, but they used the cleansing ritual to save him. -> Hidden Willow: Fort Maria. Hiding underground in a cave, guarding the library. The first place we go when we unlock the Tree Portal fast travel system. Guards the knowledge about the Life Wardens.

2. Winterdale -> Fire Glory: Ashland. Red pine, likes the warmth there, very lively, constantly talks about how much she likes the warm and finds the fires and the volcano beautiful. -> Glacier Heart: Dino Valley. Sister to the Ashland one, likes the cold. Constantly annoyed by Fire Glory’s neverending chitchat about Ashland, which she can hear. -> Astral Crown: Starshine mountain. Next to the Secret Stone Circle, protects it, she is why the DRs can’t come close to the circle. -> Silver Runebark: Rimefang woods. Silver leafs, revered by the Kallters, likes them, his bark covered in glowing azure runes. -> Wise Leaf : Anvil woods. Helped the druids protect the forest from DC, gives them advice. Talks in verses, metaphors and tales.

3. Springvalley -> Royal Cedar: Blossom woods. Majestic and reliable, he has been guarding the Blossom woods and Springvalley from the storm in Winterdale. -> Everbloom Elm: Everspring plateau. Covered in various flowers, she’s very proud of them. Gives you some random herbs every day if you go say hi to her. The tree is so full of herself, she’s basically giving you an autograph, don’t worry about it. -> Sun Queen: Suncrown lake. Cleansed from corruption by MC and SRs. Protects the Von Blyssen manor and vineyard. -> Twilight Oak: Morrinweald. The source of the valas’ power. Was corrupted by dark powers, later cleansed by MC and SRs.

4. Summerplains -> Restored Guardian: The Great Clearing. Was cut down long ago. We grow it back, like the one in Forgotten Fields. -> Elder Witchwood: Old Morass. She liked to watch the rituals the witches did in the swamp. Quickly becomes best friends with Pi and Mrs Holdsworth. -> Shadow Chestnut: Claymore mountains, hidden. He was tasked with keeping an eye on the Claymores- they have been serving evil for a long time. -> Aspen King: Lone Star canyon. Yellow-golden leaves, huge tree. Likes the Lone Star Cowboys, who bring gifts (anything from horseshoes to elk skulls). 

The New Fast Travel System: -> Advantage of using the trees: you pay for the trailer rides, but you use the tree portals for free. -> With all 4 big areas unlocked, you will need to cover great distances. You have a lot of choices: 1, Trailers (costs money, but most accurate, quickest) 2, Tree portals (free, but less accurate, takes a bit of time) 3, Pandoria portal in-between shortcuts (free, jumps great distances, but least accurate). -> Trailer rides now cost more money the farther the distance you go. Prices: 25 JS:  if you travel inside a great area (e.g. staying inside Harvestlands). 50 JS: if you travel to another great area next to you (e.g. from Harvestlands to Winterdale) 75 JS: travel to another area second next to you (e.g. from Harvestlands to Springvalley) 100 JS: travel to third next area (e.g. from Harvestlands to Summerplains) -> [Keep it in mind, that by our game design the JS cap has been raised to 100.000 and you earn more money, via reworked quest rewards.]

[sewerratzz]

hello everyone !! i was Assigned Webby at Blinky’s Rewatch Party, and we made LIBsonas !! i cannot art, so i wrote for her instead :]

meet finch!webby under the cut !!

They stood in the Witchwood Forest, terrified and yet bold, doing their best to hide their fear. They were no stranger to the legends that dwell in these woods, but they had no choice. This was the place with the strongest connection. Well, specifically this clearing, where several trees had been.. not cut down, but seemingly dissolved. They didn't know how this had happened, the edges of the clearing made a sort of octagon, with sides that curved in, and it certainly wasn't natural. No matter, no thinking about it now. They had to go ahead.

No words were needed, this wasn't a summoning like it would be for the others. It was a call, with something maybe once known, in another place, or another time. They closed their eyes, opened their mind, and felt the clearing out with their senses. It was strange, if they thought about it, using the senses that the others had a hold over to call for this one. They felt every blade of grass, swaying gently with the breeze, every rock and stick, everything until each end of the clearing, they felt it in their mind. And then they saw it there.

Looking around this impression of the clearing, they couldn't see their own body. It was strange, but any thought that could have been made was cut short, by a sudden heavy breeze. The leaves of the trees lining the clearing whipped fervently, the blades of grass shook, and the air was loud. A light-no, that wasn't a light. It was simply pure white. Something they didn't have a word for. Even just calling it pure white didn't do enough to explain how nothing, and yet everything, it was. A figure emerged from it, eyes closed, hands outstretched like a statue of an angel. Only missing the halo and wings.

Then, the eyes shot open, and with them, two more sets below opened as well, all completely black. There were.. mandibles, on the figure's face.

“Who seeks my presence in this domain?" Her voice was commanding, low and yet projecting. It sounded like a Queen's voice.

But when the White was gone, and their eyes adjusted, they could make out more of the thing standing before them. She wore a white corset over a white dress shirt, purple-pink webs covering the corset. The webs were shimmering, moving on their own. The shirt had sleeves that went to her elbow, then transitioned into long flowing pieces of silk. they also had webs on them, though these ones were black on the white translucent fabric. She wore a white petticoat, that also seemed to have webs, but they were white too, barely visible unless they looked closer and took notice of the shimmering. Her shoes were flat sandal types, with ties that wrapped around her shins, making a pattern that hurt to try and understand, until they stopped at her knees. There was no knot, they just simply stayed up.

Her skin was dark, her hair was white and curly, and sat weightlessly, so much so it could have been floating, on top of her head was a simple crown. Nothing fancy, just a silver circlet with spikes, topped with black obsidian. She was.. something to look at, that's for sure. More arms appeared, and extra shirt sleeves with them, as if it had never been any different.

After a long minute of silence, the spider queen smiled.

“Hi!" She said excitedly. "I'm so glad you've come! I adore meeting the holders of my Gift."

[agrippinaes]

books I read in 2023

I read 240 books in 2023, which is lower than my total books read than the past few years. But it'd be ridiculous to be bothered by it because, hey, I still read 240 books!

I set myself a goal of trying to read more out of my comfort zone this year. I wanted to read 30 non-romance books, 25 physical books, and 10 non-fiction books. By the end of the year, I'd read a total of 54 non-romance books, 62 physical books, and 27 non-fiction books. I'm hoping to continue in this vein in 2024.

Other stats - for fun -

My most-read author was Cassie Mint

I gave out 32 5* ratings

My most-read genre was (of course) romance, 120 of which were contemporary

I owned most of the books I read

I read the most books in June, with 34 books read, followed by August, with 25 books read

My most read trope was forced proximity, followed by hate-to-love

So, below is a list of the books I read this year. Rereads are italicised, favourite reads are in bold.

Recollection by Noelle Adams

When in Rome by Sarah Adams

Spring Breeze by Lily Alexander

Fornever Yours by Natasha Anders

Don't Pretend I'm Yours by Natasha Anders

In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes by Stephanie Archer

The Long Game by Elena Armas

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater

Finding Love in Apartment 2C by Samantha Baca

Asking for Trouble by Tessa Bailey

Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey

Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey

Kept by Maya Banks

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

Chick Magnet by Emma Barry

The (Ex) Spy Who (Maybe) Loved Me by Christi Barth

Wet and Reckless by Samanthe Beck

Witches Copse by Math Bird

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black

Every Wish Way by Shannon Bright

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

Desire or Defense by Leah Brunner

Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot

Ms Perfectly Fine by Kate Callaghan

Shucked by Kate Canterbary

1 Last Shot by Nikki Castle

Eyes on Me by Sarah Cate

Highest Bidder by Sarah Cate

Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie

Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare

Beauty and the Billionaire by Jessica Clare

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

Pining for My Friend's Dad by Daniella Cole

Unsteady by Peyton Corinne

Her Greatest Mistake by Hannah Cowan

Shadows of You by Catherine Cowles

Night Shift by Annie Crown

Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

Bending the Rules by Mariah Dietz

Moist Actually by Ash Dylan

Everything's Better with Lisa by Lucy Eden

The Fall of Bradley Reed by Morgan Elizabeth

The Protector by Morgan Elizabeth

A Matter of Scandal by Suzanne Enoch

Reforming a Rake by Suzanne Enoch

Pretty Little Thing by L.K. Farlow

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

The Nanny by Lana Ferguson

Mafia Madman by Mila Finelli

Mafia Virgin by Mila Finelli

No Limits by Lori Foster

Holding Strong by Lori Foster

Tough Love by Lori Foster

Fighting Dirty by Lori Foster

True Spies by Shana Galen

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

A Cup of Zodiac by Alexis Gorgun

Wildfire by Hannah Grace

Trust Me by Rachel Grant

Control Freak by Brianna Hale

Dom Fitness by Brianna Hale

Gym Bunny by Brianna Hale

Princess Brat by Brianna Hale

The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett

The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett

Runaway Love by Melanie Harlow

Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper

Rent to Be by Sonia Hartl

Temptation by Jenna Hartley

An Optimist's Guide to Heartbreak by Jennifer Hartmann

A Pessimist's Guide to Love by Jennifer Hartmann

A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley

Billion Dollar Enemy by Olivia Hayle

When a Duke Loves a Woman by Lorraine Heath

One Touch by Lena Hendrix

The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

King of Greed by Ana Huang

Babymoon or Bust by Ava Hunter

Pucked by Helena Hunting

Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting

Five Survive by Holly Jackson

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Not That Duke by Eloisa James

Seven Minutes in Heaven by Eloisa James

String Me Along by Lilian T. James

The Intern by Sophia Karlson

Offside by Avery Keelan

Shutout by Avery Keelan

Against the Clock by Brittany Kelley

Against the Odds by Brittany Kelley

Willow and the Wolf by Elizabeth Kelly

Ava and the Bear by Elizabeth Kelly

Hold by Claire Kent

Nameless by Claire Kent

Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

Hot Single Dad by Claire Kingsley

Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas

A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas

Jingle Bell Beard by Julie Kriss

Forever Your Rogue by Erin Langston

Grimstone by Sophie Lark

The Billionaire's Bride of Convenience by Miranda Lee

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

A Rake's Guide to Seduction by Caroline Linden

Good Girl Fail by Roni Loren

Hate You by Tracy Lorraine

Fighting Mr. Knight by Rosa Lucas

Fifth Avenue Fling by Rosa Lucas

Crash by Tamara Lush

Drive by Tamara Lush

Consider Me by Becka Mack

Bombshell by Sarah MacLean

Wife Project by Chloe Maine

To Hate Adam Connor by Ella Maise

Recipe for Love by Anne Malcom

Method for Matrimony by Anne Malcom

New Hope, Old Grudges by Anne Malcom

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

Her Best Worst Mistake by Sarah Mayberry

Dahlia Made a List by Jenna McCall

Breathless by Amy McCulloch

This Charming Man by C.K. McDonnell

Love Will Tear Us Apart by C.K. McDonnell

Sticks and Stone by Grace McGinty

Trail of Deception by Amanda McKinney

A Missing Connection by Dani McLean

Four Weddings and a Duke by Michelle McLean

Crash by Ruby McNally

An Extravagant Duplicity by Lynn Messina

Thief by Cassie Mint

Hacker by Cassie Mint

Honey Trap by Cassie Mint

Beauty and the Kingpin by Cassie Mint

Ocean Jewel by Cassie Mint

Big Boss by Cassie Mint

Grump Gone Wild by Cassie Mint

Ride or Die by Cassie Mint

Thin Ice by Cassie Mint

Husband Skills by Cassie Mint

The Stranger by Cassie Mint

She Was Made for Me by Jen Morris

A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Playing by the Rules by Monica Murphy

The Brazen by Willa Nash

How to Lose at Love by Sarah Ney

Pleasing Mr. Parker by Elle Nicoll

Convergence of Desire by Felicity Niven

Duke the Halls by Felicity Niven

The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Elizabeth O'Roark

The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O'Roark

The Devil Gets His Due by Elizabeth O'Roark

The Summer I Saved You by Elizabeth O'Roark

All Downhill With You by Julie Olivia

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

A Deal With the Bossy Devil by Kyra Parsi

The Barista's Guide to Perfect Steam by Valerie Pepper

Timid by Devney Perry

Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Lady Len and the Mysterious Mac by Rose Prendeville

The River Knows by Amanda Quick

Dangerous by Amanda Quick

Reckless by Amanda Quick

Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

The Fantasy League by Meg Reading

Accidentally Compromising the Duke by Stacy Reid

An Earl to Remember by Stacy Reid

First Down by Grace Reilly

Breakaway by Grace Reilly

Alive at Night by Amelie Rhys

Playing the Part by Macy T. Riosa

Contractual Obligations by Elle Rivers

This Spells Love by Kate Robb

Rough by Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale

Wild by Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

Hunting for a Highlander by Lynsay Sands

Things We Hide From the Light by Lucy Score

Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score

The Gangster's Prize by Joanna Shupe

Flawless by Elsie Silver

Heartless by Elsie Silver

Sinners Condemned by Somme Sketcher

Sinners Consumed by Somme Sketcher

Take My Daddy, I'll Take Yours by Jenika Snow

First Meet Foul by Jaqueline Snowe

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

Dracula by Bram Stoker

The Cottage by Lisa Stone

Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson

Women Talking by Miriam Toews

Mile High by Liz Tomforde

Man Candy by Vanessa Vale

Man Cave by Vanessa Vale

Man Splain by Vanessa Vale

Man Handle by Vanessa Vale

South by Vanessa Vale

Wall St. Jerk by Megan Wade

The Pawn by Skye Warren

The Knight by Skye Warren

His Curvy Rejected Mate by Cate C. Wells

Secret Santa by Kati Wilde

To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis

The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead

Dear Grumpy Boss by Julia Wolf

Sincerely, Your Inconvenient Wife by Julia Wolf

Shiver by Suzanne Wright

Tempt Me by Tara Wyatt

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

A Little Too Close by Rebecca Yarros

[alteredphoenix]

The cosmic irony in picking up The Dragonbone Chair (the first book of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series) yesterday on my PC for Kindle app only to see The Witchwood Crown (the first book of The Last King of Osten Ard series following Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn) on sale today.

[clumsybutterflies]

I have finished The Witchwood Crown at last.

Only two more monsters and two normal-sized books to go.

Might skip The Heart of What Was Lost, as I've read it more often and it is depressing...

Left: what just arrived in the mail and what I want to read right now

Right: what I should and want to read first to properly appreciate it

[crown-and-stallion]

Jarnulf's horse Salt from Empire of Grass and The Witchwood crown. I love how important his horse is to him, and I definitely miss Salt! I based this design off the Finn Horse breed. Instead of making him straight up gray, I made him a cremello. Forgive me for forgetting to give him pale eyes.

[saironwen]

Aditu from the witchwood crown

[drconstellation]

Replying to @aduckwithears

favorite color: blue

last song: can't remember. I stopped listening to much music after the death of a close friend, it was too painful.

last movie: Pixar's Elemental (thats the only one I can recall right now)

currently watching: Loki S2, OFMD, The Witcher S3

other stuff i watched this year: The Bad Batch and Ahsoka, because I'm a Star Wars fan, although it was interesting to watch DT as the droid Huyang in Ahsoka. Foundation.

currently reading: Stardust, and my niece has loaned me one of her favorite books The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, which I must get through and back to her.

currently listening to: one of my favorite authors, Tad Williams, read from his own books twice a week. He's just started The Witchwood Crown in the lead up to the publishing of the last book of the Osten Ard saga and I'm dying to get my hands on it. But probably got another 12 months waiting, publishing date yet to be announced...

currently working on: finishing up a mega-meta about King Arthur that I'm about to drop, the Tadfield Manor training initiative paintball fight, N/newts, rounding up the horses - in all their forms, the lions, reviewing and tidying up a couple of my old posts, making a an index for others to find my metas, whatever thought a post I read accidentally sparks...

current obsession/s: Good Omens, of course!

Tagged by @dancingcrowley - ty !

TAG SOMEONE YOU WANT TO KNOW AND/OR SOME OF YOUR BESTIES

favorite color: blues, sometimes greens last song: Bohemian Rhapsody ;D last movie: Mad Max Fury Road - truly the movie ever (i actually had an alternate main that was basically a mmfr account... that i lost access to... might migrate that to a side blog if that fandom gets back in gear) currently watching: ofmd, rewatching gomens (obviously) - i actually have very little watching time other stuff i watched this year: vox machina, the great, wwdits, rewatching all of new who with my little duck (in this way i learned that loving dt may be a genetic trait) shows i dropped this year: ghosts - i want to get back to it but just haven't for whatever reason currently reading: The Crow Road for reasons that should be clear. let's just say that Muriel is gonna get... an education. Also just finished Persuasion currently listening to: my gomens playlist which is basically every song known to humankind at this point. also The Lucky Die podcast currently working on: a meta about celestial radar, have an idea for some gif sets, continuing my little things series, have an idea for some art... its been a hot second since i arted tho current obsession/s: Good Omens. Full stop. every time i think it may be cooling off we learn some new insane detail (do it again) and i get sucked right back in.

That was fun - thanks so much for the tag! Super non-pressure tags: @ok-sims @indigovigilance @speikobrarote @bluberryfields @drconstellation @actual-changeling @lineffability @lazulibundtcake... ahhh there's so many more but i'll stop. If anyone sees this and wants to play pls do!

[geekynerfherder]

'Empire Of Grass' by Michael Whelan, cover art for book two of the 'The Last King of Osten Ard' trilogy, written by Tad Williams. Open edition giclee print in a signed 36" x 24" edition for $95, and a signed 24" x 18" edition for $50.

Also available in a two print set with 'Darkness Over Hayholt', cover art for book one 'The Witchwood Crown', for $90. On sale now from Michael's website.

[theartofmichaelwhelan]

NEW ORIGINAL ART FROM MICHAEL WHELAN

Figure study for the cover of THE WITCHWOOD CROWN by Tad Williams.

Acrylic and Pastel on Paper 10" x 14"

Original art and a special deal on Osten Ard prints coming tomorrow with our last newsletter before the holidays.

Follow us to be notified when new original art is added to our shop