TO GREEN ANGEL TOWER
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn #3
Tad Williams
Epub-1374 pages
4 Stars
Fantasy

The conclusion to the trilogy.

Everybody meets up at Green Angel Towers after much trial and hardship; only to learn it is all a trap and that the prophecy of Nisses was a lie by Ineluki, who wanted to use the power of the swords to bring himself back. Everybody has a kum-by-ya moment and they all forgive Ineluki and he can’t handle it and so all his plans go poof. Seriously. It was written a bit more epically than that, but that is what it boils down to.

Simon turns out to be an heir of the original king of Hayholt and he marries Miriamelle and everybody starts the business of rebuilding. So many things I misremembered or didn’t remember at all, made me glad for this reread.

THE STONE OF FAREWELL
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn #2
Tad Williams
Epub-727 pages
4 Stars
Fantasy

A lot happens. Now that is an understatement. The history of the 3 Swords is starting to be revealed as well as why Ineluki is doing what he is. Simon gets stranded with the elder race in their bastion of peace, until Ineluki attacks them as well. Princess Miriamelle is gadding about and not helping. Josua and company make to the Stone of Farewell and begin figuring out what they can do. This is epic, and not just in size. I blew through it and really wanted to read the next book right away, but I think I’ll enjoy the final book more with some space between.

This series continues to hold up very well as a re-read. You can see Simon being shaped into the man he needs to be.

Williams does a good job with the pacing of his character/plot lines. You get enough from each character and then move on to another. No whiplash or yawns.

The Dragonbone Chair

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn #1

Tad Williams

Fantasy

5 Stars

 

A young scullion boy, who is a hopeless clutz, ends up becoming embroiled in a plot by an elder race to supplant the humans.

Rereading this so soon after finishing Williams Shadowplay series, it is real easy to compare. This series holds up much better than the Shadowplay series. Simon, the main character, is likeable. Yes, he has his annoying traits, but he is growing into someone the reader can cheer for. So many of the same ideas in this series are taken to greater depths, but you can see where Williams is starting to repeat himself.

I was fearful that this wouldn’t hold up to the memories, but just like the Otherland series, this was even better the second time around.

 

The Dragonbone Chair 2002 Review