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The Last King of Osten Ard #3
Into the Narrowdark
The New York Times bestselling world of Osten Ard returns in the third Last King of Osten Ard novel, as threats to the kingdom loom...
The High Throne of Erkynland is tottering, its royal family divided and diminished. Queen Miriamele has been caught up in a brutal rebellion in the south and thought to have died in a fiery attack. Her grandson Morgan, heir to the throne, has been captured by one of Utuk’ku’s soldiers in the ruins of an abandoned city. Miriamele’s husband, King Simon, is overwhelmed by grief and hopelessness, unaware that many of these terrible things have been caused by Pasevalles, a murderous traitor inside Simon’s own court at the Hayholt.
Meanwhile, a deadly army of Norns led by the ageless, vengeful Queen Utuk’ku, has swept into Erkynland and thrown down the fortress of Naglimund, slaughtering the inhabitants and digging up the ancient grave of Ruyan the Navigator. Utuk’ku plans to use the Navigator’s fabled armor to call up the spirit of Hakatri, the evil Storm King’s brother.
Even the Sithi, fairy-kin to the Norns, are helpless to stop Utuk’ku’s triumph as her armies simultaneously march on the Hayholt and force their way into the forbidden, ogre-guarded valley of Tanakirú—the Narrowdark—where a secret waits that might bring Simon’s people and their Sithi allies salvation—or doom.
The High Throne of Erkynland is tottering, its royal family divided and diminished. Queen Miriamele has been caught up in a brutal rebellion in the south and thought to have died in a fiery attack. Her grandson Morgan, heir to the throne, has been captured by one of Utuk’ku’s soldiers in the ruins of an abandoned city. Miriamele’s husband, King Simon, is overwhelmed by grief and hopelessness, unaware that many of these terrible things have been caused by Pasevalles, a murderous traitor inside Simon’s own court at the Hayholt.
Meanwhile, a deadly army of Norns led by the ageless, vengeful Queen Utuk’ku, has swept into Erkynland and thrown down the fortress of Naglimund, slaughtering the inhabitants and digging up the ancient grave of Ruyan the Navigator. Utuk’ku plans to use the Navigator’s fabled armor to call up the spirit of Hakatri, the evil Storm King’s brother.
Even the Sithi, fairy-kin to the Norns, are helpless to stop Utuk’ku’s triumph as her armies simultaneously march on the Hayholt and force their way into the forbidden, ogre-guarded valley of Tanakirú—the Narrowdark—where a secret waits that might bring Simon’s people and their Sithi allies salvation—or doom.
608 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2022
242 people are currently reading
6315 people want to read
About the author
Tad Williams
349 books7,846 followersTad Williams is a California-based fantasy superstar. His genre-creating (and genre-busting) books have sold tens of millions worldwide, in twenty-five languages. His considerable output of epic fantasy and science fiction book-series, stories of all kinds, urban fantasy novels, comics, scripts, etc., have strongly influenced a generation of writers: the ‘Otherland’ epic relaunches June 2018 as an MMO on steam.com. Tad is currently immersed in the creation of ‘The Last King of Osten Ard’, planned as a trilogy with two intermediary novels. He, his family and his animals live in the Santa Cruz mountains in a suitably strange and beautiful house. @tadwilliams @mrstad
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
July 10, 2022
Insanely good as allways!!!
July 3, 2022
"We make marks on maps to separate one country from the next, then write treaties to make law of those separations, she thought. But in truth, unless people contest the borders, the differences mean little. Most folk who live on the edges speak the language of both sides, and there is little else to separate one nation's people from another's. So is there something wrong in the way men rule each other? she wondered. Animals walk and birds fly freely from one land to the next and no one thinks to stop them doing it. And God makes no lines across His Heavens-the sky is blue from one horizon to the other with scarcely a difference to be seen, let alone a boundary. And yet His children fight each other to the death over lines they can only imagine." How true is that, especially in the light of nowadays war?
Three years I have waited for this volume. And guess what? Not only it exceeded my expectations, but there will be a fourth volume! No matter how long are Tad Williams' stories, they are never boring, and the writing is exquisite. Nothing is left to chance, every character is perfectly shaped, every aspect is thoroughly detailed, and there is no info dump whatsoever. Of course, this is just my opinion, as a die-hard fan of his works.
This third part is the quiet before the storm - literary and figuratively speaking. Queen Utuk'ku has rebuilt the army, and has one more Ace left in her sleeve, which I think will turn against her, if I'm not mistaken - I can hardly wait to see if I guessed correctly. The royal family is still scattered, false news are all over, and Pasevalles is joining my most-hated-characters-ever list, beside Reynonds' Skade and Watts' Desjardins.
Some from the enemies' side turn out to be not really enemies, and a few grow on you page by page. There are quite a few unexpected twists, some questions answered but more have arisen, and a bigger mystery is waiting to be discovered in the next and final volume, which I think will be even more epic than the last volume in Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. But I truly wish that further books will be written in this saga; I'm not ready to leave Osten Ard yet.
That's exactly how I feel; I'm dying to see what happens further but I don't want it to end. It's really hard to be a reader...
>>> ARC received thanks to Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley <<<
Three years I have waited for this volume. And guess what? Not only it exceeded my expectations, but there will be a fourth volume! No matter how long are Tad Williams' stories, they are never boring, and the writing is exquisite. Nothing is left to chance, every character is perfectly shaped, every aspect is thoroughly detailed, and there is no info dump whatsoever. Of course, this is just my opinion, as a die-hard fan of his works.
This third part is the quiet before the storm - literary and figuratively speaking. Queen Utuk'ku has rebuilt the army, and has one more Ace left in her sleeve, which I think will turn against her, if I'm not mistaken - I can hardly wait to see if I guessed correctly. The royal family is still scattered, false news are all over, and Pasevalles is joining my most-hated-characters-ever list, beside Reynonds' Skade and Watts' Desjardins.
Some from the enemies' side turn out to be not really enemies, and a few grow on you page by page. There are quite a few unexpected twists, some questions answered but more have arisen, and a bigger mystery is waiting to be discovered in the next and final volume, which I think will be even more epic than the last volume in Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. But I truly wish that further books will be written in this saga; I'm not ready to leave Osten Ard yet.
That's exactly how I feel; I'm dying to see what happens further but I don't want it to end. It's really hard to be a reader...
>>> ARC received thanks to Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley <<<
July 13, 2022
The long wait is well worth it. This book will be a two-parter if you consider an 800-page book just HALF of a single book. And yet, all the buildup from the first two books of the Last King of Osten Ard (aka, Simon, himself) has sent us straight to character hell.
The whole family is scattered, grieving, and armies are not only on the doorsteps but are wreaking havoc.
This book is quite dark. But there are some really light and fun parts. A particular grandson with his new immortal girlfriend is an absolute delight to read, splitting up what might be a slightly too dark and dire volume. Everyone else is worried about them, but their adventure always brought a smile to my face. And the kissing. Too cute.
I mention all this because the storm has come everywhere else and I think it has as high, if not higher, stakes than Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. The sleeping queen is most difinitely awake, and all the many immortals are heeding her call.
I'm quite happy with this book. With the whole series. It's lush with detail, careful, and rich in characters, vast stories that are given tons of time to really develop, and a land that I really care for.
Now, if only I had a copy of part two in my hands...
The whole family is scattered, grieving, and armies are not only on the doorsteps but are wreaking havoc.
This book is quite dark. But there are some really light and fun parts. A particular grandson with his new immortal girlfriend is an absolute delight to read, splitting up what might be a slightly too dark and dire volume. Everyone else is worried about them, but their adventure always brought a smile to my face. And the kissing. Too cute.
I mention all this because the storm has come everywhere else and I think it has as high, if not higher, stakes than Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. The sleeping queen is most difinitely awake, and all the many immortals are heeding her call.
I'm quite happy with this book. With the whole series. It's lush with detail, careful, and rich in characters, vast stories that are given tons of time to really develop, and a land that I really care for.
Now, if only I had a copy of part two in my hands...
January 19, 2025
2025
The re read makes appreciate this book even more can I give this 6️⃣🌟
Oh boy so good!!!
Into the NarrowDark
I like to thank NetGalley for receiving this ARC for an honest review!
I give this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s
The entire family is scattered , in mourning, and and betrayal has come hard for Simon and his family!
This novel is very grim, each chapter is its own story. Which Tad weaves to perfection. But there are some truly jovial and enjoyable sections. Reading about Morgan gives a comic release to a serious tone, ata certain part too this novel.
All of the main characters are superbly developed. Tad Williams continually showing us how good he is!
The only question I have is
NO Michael Whelan cover
What Happened 😩
The re read makes appreciate this book even more can I give this 6️⃣🌟
Oh boy so good!!!
Into the NarrowDark
I like to thank NetGalley for receiving this ARC for an honest review!
I give this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s
The entire family is scattered , in mourning, and and betrayal has come hard for Simon and his family!
This novel is very grim, each chapter is its own story. Which Tad weaves to perfection. But there are some truly jovial and enjoyable sections. Reading about Morgan gives a comic release to a serious tone, ata certain part too this novel.
All of the main characters are superbly developed. Tad Williams continually showing us how good he is!
The only question I have is
NO Michael Whelan cover
What Happened 😩
July 20, 2022
MAGNIFICENT!
Tad Williams is one of the modern masters of epic high fantasy. So it’s no suprise that Into the Narrowdark, the third volume of the series The Last King of Osten Ard is as riveting and well put together as it is.
NOT A STANDALONE NOVEL
This isn’t a standalone novel.
To make sense of this you really have to have read the main books of the series Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, starting with the The Dragonbone Chair, first published in 1989. These earlier volumes contain essential background on the world of the story, Osten Ard.
You also have to have read the prior two books of this series, The Last King of Osten Ard.
THREE YEARS SINCE THE LAST BOOK
As has become quite common in the world of epic fantasy series, there was a long wait between books in this series.
The previous book in this series, Empire of Grass, was published in 2019.
But the author helps us out by providing both summaries of the previous two books (at the novel’s beginning) and a large appendix at the end listing characters, terms, translations, etc.
I had to study these resources to refresh my memory.
PLOT SUMMARY
I won’t go into the plot in all its (somewhat convoluted) detail.
Suffice it to say that the High King and Queen (Simon and Miriamele), their family, and their palace (The Hayholt) are in real trouble, menaced by multiple enemies.
The scariest of these are the Norn, who, under their terrifying undying queen, Utuk’ku, have regenerated since their military losses several decades ago to once again become a frightening enemy of Erkynland.
The Thrithings people, ruled by their shan Unver; and Hernystir under the malevolent King Hugh, have also become a threat.
There’s also a civil war in Nabban, and various
monsters seem to be migrating from their usual habitats.
King Simon and his family suffer setback after setback. Everyone in Simon’s family (including himself) goes missing and/or is presumed dead at some point during the story. King Simon’s grandson and heir, Prince Morgan, is still lost in the ancient forest Aldeheorte. And even Morgan’s little sister Princess Lillia runs into serious problems of her own.
The Norns (Hikeda’ya) are also a peril for their erstwhile relatives and allies, the Zida’ya people.
(Both are Sithi, what we would call fairies.
But the Hikeda’ya have become dark
and demonic, where the Zida’ya are still
on the side of good, although certain of
the Zida’ya are nasty and despise mortals).
Everything devolves into chaos.
NEXT VOLUME OCTOBER 2022
This big, sprawling volume was originally supposed to have been half of an even longer book.
But that long book has been chopped in half.
The next book, The Navigator’s Children,
is due out in October.
So we’ve been left with a cliffhanger ending
which won’t be resolved until the fall. Wah! 😩
MINOR QUIBBLE
Most of the book is seamlessly written.
However, some of the dialogue during
Tanahaya and Aditu’s trip to Anvi’janya struck me as forced and awkward for some reason.
AUDIO NARRATOR
British actor Andrew Wincott has generally
been an excellent audio narrator for all of
the Osten Ard books.
But I don’t get why he’s chosen to portray
Queen Miriamele with a breathy, childlike,
damsel-in-distress voice, like an older version
of her grandchild, Lillia.
Miriamele is an older woman who is strong,
resourceful, intelligent, and dignified. I wish
her voice had clearly conveyed her majestic personality.
Tad Williams is one of the modern masters of epic high fantasy. So it’s no suprise that Into the Narrowdark, the third volume of the series The Last King of Osten Ard is as riveting and well put together as it is.
NOT A STANDALONE NOVEL
This isn’t a standalone novel.
To make sense of this you really have to have read the main books of the series Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, starting with the The Dragonbone Chair, first published in 1989. These earlier volumes contain essential background on the world of the story, Osten Ard.
You also have to have read the prior two books of this series, The Last King of Osten Ard.
THREE YEARS SINCE THE LAST BOOK
As has become quite common in the world of epic fantasy series, there was a long wait between books in this series.
The previous book in this series, Empire of Grass, was published in 2019.
But the author helps us out by providing both summaries of the previous two books (at the novel’s beginning) and a large appendix at the end listing characters, terms, translations, etc.
I had to study these resources to refresh my memory.
PLOT SUMMARY
I won’t go into the plot in all its (somewhat convoluted) detail.
Suffice it to say that the High King and Queen (Simon and Miriamele), their family, and their palace (The Hayholt) are in real trouble, menaced by multiple enemies.
The scariest of these are the Norn, who, under their terrifying undying queen, Utuk’ku, have regenerated since their military losses several decades ago to once again become a frightening enemy of Erkynland.
The Thrithings people, ruled by their shan Unver; and Hernystir under the malevolent King Hugh, have also become a threat.
There’s also a civil war in Nabban, and various
monsters seem to be migrating from their usual habitats.
King Simon and his family suffer setback after setback. Everyone in Simon’s family (including himself) goes missing and/or is presumed dead at some point during the story. King Simon’s grandson and heir, Prince Morgan, is still lost in the ancient forest Aldeheorte. And even Morgan’s little sister Princess Lillia runs into serious problems of her own.
The Norns (Hikeda’ya) are also a peril for their erstwhile relatives and allies, the Zida’ya people.
(Both are Sithi, what we would call fairies.
But the Hikeda’ya have become dark
and demonic, where the Zida’ya are still
on the side of good, although certain of
the Zida’ya are nasty and despise mortals).
Everything devolves into chaos.
NEXT VOLUME OCTOBER 2022
This big, sprawling volume was originally supposed to have been half of an even longer book.
But that long book has been chopped in half.
The next book, The Navigator’s Children,
is due out in October.
So we’ve been left with a cliffhanger ending
which won’t be resolved until the fall. Wah! 😩
MINOR QUIBBLE
Most of the book is seamlessly written.
However, some of the dialogue during
Tanahaya and Aditu’s trip to Anvi’janya struck me as forced and awkward for some reason.
AUDIO NARRATOR
British actor Andrew Wincott has generally
been an excellent audio narrator for all of
the Osten Ard books.
But I don’t get why he’s chosen to portray
Queen Miriamele with a breathy, childlike,
damsel-in-distress voice, like an older version
of her grandchild, Lillia.
Miriamele is an older woman who is strong,
resourceful, intelligent, and dignified. I wish
her voice had clearly conveyed her majestic personality.
October 31, 2024
Wow.. what an intense 14 hours of reading this book was! And that end... I am patiently waiting for the next installment!
This is another typical Tad Williams book, quite long but wonderfully written and great character development. In this part we learn more about the Norns and Sithi and the intension of the Norns to start a war that will eliminate the mortals. In the Hayholt some exciting surprises happen and Princess Lillia has quite an adventure! King Simon and Queen Miriamele have a rough time.. I don't want to spoil it so I won't elaborate, but I loved reading this part of the series and it really got me sitting on the edge of my seat.
The only thing I miss is the beautiful Michael Whelan artwork that was featured on the other books in the series.. but maybe I just need to get used to this!
This is another typical Tad Williams book, quite long but wonderfully written and great character development. In this part we learn more about the Norns and Sithi and the intension of the Norns to start a war that will eliminate the mortals. In the Hayholt some exciting surprises happen and Princess Lillia has quite an adventure! King Simon and Queen Miriamele have a rough time.. I don't want to spoil it so I won't elaborate, but I loved reading this part of the series and it really got me sitting on the edge of my seat.
The only thing I miss is the beautiful Michael Whelan artwork that was featured on the other books in the series.. but maybe I just need to get used to this!
September 15, 2022
Achtung, Spoiler für die, die The Witchwood Crown und Empire of Grass noch nicht gelesen haben!
Den dritten Teil einer Reihe zu rezensieren, ist nur eingschränkt möglich, zumal wenn der zweite Teil mit einem fiesen Cliffhanger endet. Deshalb fasse ich mich hier kurz: Ist gut.
Nein quatsch, kann schon noch dazu sagen, dass auch dieser Teil wieder sehr spannend war und ich sehr mit meinen Lieblingsfiguren mitgelitten habe. Dass Simon die Nachricht von Miris mutmaßlichem Tod verkraften muss, ist schon schlimm genug, aber Tad Williams weiß das durchaus noch zu toppen. Aufgelockert wird das Ganze durch die gemeinsamen Abenteuer von Morgan und Nezeru, die auch nicht wissen, dass sie verwandt sind. Ansonsten könnt ihr euch auf einen weiteren Cliffhanger gefasst machen. Das Warten auf The Navigator’s Children hat begonnen.
Den dritten Teil einer Reihe zu rezensieren, ist nur eingschränkt möglich, zumal wenn der zweite Teil mit einem fiesen Cliffhanger endet. Deshalb fasse ich mich hier kurz: Ist gut.
Nein quatsch, kann schon noch dazu sagen, dass auch dieser Teil wieder sehr spannend war und ich sehr mit meinen Lieblingsfiguren mitgelitten habe. Dass Simon die Nachricht von Miris mutmaßlichem Tod verkraften muss, ist schon schlimm genug, aber Tad Williams weiß das durchaus noch zu toppen. Aufgelockert wird das Ganze durch die gemeinsamen Abenteuer von Morgan und Nezeru, die auch nicht wissen, dass sie verwandt sind. Ansonsten könnt ihr euch auf einen weiteren Cliffhanger gefasst machen. Das Warten auf The Navigator’s Children hat begonnen.
September 1, 2022
I never write reviews*, but in this case I at least want to write a short review
I love Osten Ard. I loved it since the publication of The Dragonbone Chair in 1988, and I am not yet ready to leave it. This book was great and reminded me of all the reasons why I am a fan of Tad Williams’ Osten Ard Saga.
Therefore I am not upset that this is not the final book in this trilogy (as expected), but the final book cut in half. I don’t understand publishers who do this to a book, simply because it is deemed to be “too long”. But in this case I will happily spend another 900 pages in Osten Ard. (I don’t know why the Goodreads page count is around 600 – my book had 941 pages, and the afterword ends on page 910).
Into the Narrowdeep is masterfully written and riveting. The worldbuilding is great, Osten Ard is a complex and nuanced setting – with a great sense of place, but without any jarring infodumps. That there is a summary for the previous two books and a glossary certainly helps if you have read the other books a few years ago. As always there are numerous POVs, all of them interesting. Characters are acting true to their character, and the story is well plotted, intricately weaving together threads that started decades ago.
If you have read the previous books you will already know that Tad Williams did not grant a happily ever after to the characters we root for since the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy. This book is even darker, although Prince Morgan and Qina & Snenneq provide some comic relief.
"“And why do you call me such a thing?” “Because my tutor told me that they lived so long that they only mated—coupled—once every hundred years.” “Hmmm.” She gave him a very dubious look. “I think it was more likely your tutors who only coupled once in a hundred years.”"
"“Why do you give me those dark, unhappy eyes?” he asked with more than a touch of complaint. “They are like pissholes in the snow.” “As usual, you know how to use flattery to reach a woman’s heart.”"
Since the book was cut in half, it is just setting the stage for the ultimate confrontation and ends with a massive cliffhanger. I cannot predict what the ending will be, but I am sure it will be well crafted, and that the next book will also hold me spellbound.
-----------
*No longer true, but this was indeed my first review
I love Osten Ard. I loved it since the publication of The Dragonbone Chair in 1988, and I am not yet ready to leave it. This book was great and reminded me of all the reasons why I am a fan of Tad Williams’ Osten Ard Saga.
Therefore I am not upset that this is not the final book in this trilogy (as expected), but the final book cut in half. I don’t understand publishers who do this to a book, simply because it is deemed to be “too long”. But in this case I will happily spend another 900 pages in Osten Ard. (I don’t know why the Goodreads page count is around 600 – my book had 941 pages, and the afterword ends on page 910).
Into the Narrowdeep is masterfully written and riveting. The worldbuilding is great, Osten Ard is a complex and nuanced setting – with a great sense of place, but without any jarring infodumps. That there is a summary for the previous two books and a glossary certainly helps if you have read the other books a few years ago. As always there are numerous POVs, all of them interesting. Characters are acting true to their character, and the story is well plotted, intricately weaving together threads that started decades ago.
If you have read the previous books you will already know that Tad Williams did not grant a happily ever after to the characters we root for since the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy. This book is even darker, although Prince Morgan and Qina & Snenneq provide some comic relief.
"“And why do you call me such a thing?” “Because my tutor told me that they lived so long that they only mated—coupled—once every hundred years.” “Hmmm.” She gave him a very dubious look. “I think it was more likely your tutors who only coupled once in a hundred years.”"
"“Why do you give me those dark, unhappy eyes?” he asked with more than a touch of complaint. “They are like pissholes in the snow.” “As usual, you know how to use flattery to reach a woman’s heart.”"
Since the book was cut in half, it is just setting the stage for the ultimate confrontation and ends with a massive cliffhanger. I cannot predict what the ending will be, but I am sure it will be well crafted, and that the next book will also hold me spellbound.
-----------
*No longer true, but this was indeed my first review
January 30, 2025
This review and many more can be found on my site at
https://onereadingnurse.com/2025/01/3...
This deep into the series it’s getting hard to discuss the books without spoilers. Since I assume most people reading this have already read the book, there may be light spoilers below, but I’ll be sure to keep things vague.
While I’ll never forgive DAW for doing away with the Michael Whelan covers and not even using a real artist, thankfully that doesn’t affect the story.
Overall The Last King of Osten Ard is an astounding series and Into the Narrowdark is no exception. Part of me feels like some of the many (15+) viewpoints are unnecessary and the book slowed down more than it needed to, while the other part argues that each voice is wildly different and enriches the world and story in its own way.
This is the part of the story where things seem the darkest. Everyone with power is thought to be dead, the castle is burning, and Hakatri is an unknown entity waiting to do whatever he’s been brought back to do. The Grasslanders are poised to attack and we finally get The Showdown as Simon leads the Erkynlanders against Unver. There are so many storylines and plot twists and since we are already so deep into the lore and world at this point, I don’t mind spending the extra time in the pages.
One of the things I’m always impressed by is how after so many books, Williams can keep introducing more lore and history while integrating it into the plot enough to keep things interesting. It’s a feat for sure.
There are also many lighter moments that had me laughing, and in typical Williams style they tend to come right before shit hits the fan. Eyes like piss holes in the snow (Snenneq) had me going, as well as many of the Nezeru and Morgan interactions. We finally see the Sithi bantering too, and all I could think was to try to anticipate whatever disaster is pending.
Into the Narrowdark is the perfect ramp up to the ending. The pieces are in place and ready to be set in motion for the finale and I’m excited to see how the threads all come together. I’ll be reading The Navigator’s Children starting in a few days and I’m so ready (but not ready) for the conclusion.
https://onereadingnurse.com/2025/01/3...
This deep into the series it’s getting hard to discuss the books without spoilers. Since I assume most people reading this have already read the book, there may be light spoilers below, but I’ll be sure to keep things vague.
While I’ll never forgive DAW for doing away with the Michael Whelan covers and not even using a real artist, thankfully that doesn’t affect the story.
Overall The Last King of Osten Ard is an astounding series and Into the Narrowdark is no exception. Part of me feels like some of the many (15+) viewpoints are unnecessary and the book slowed down more than it needed to, while the other part argues that each voice is wildly different and enriches the world and story in its own way.
This is the part of the story where things seem the darkest. Everyone with power is thought to be dead, the castle is burning, and Hakatri is an unknown entity waiting to do whatever he’s been brought back to do. The Grasslanders are poised to attack and we finally get The Showdown as Simon leads the Erkynlanders against Unver. There are so many storylines and plot twists and since we are already so deep into the lore and world at this point, I don’t mind spending the extra time in the pages.
One of the things I’m always impressed by is how after so many books, Williams can keep introducing more lore and history while integrating it into the plot enough to keep things interesting. It’s a feat for sure.
There are also many lighter moments that had me laughing, and in typical Williams style they tend to come right before shit hits the fan. Eyes like piss holes in the snow (Snenneq) had me going, as well as many of the Nezeru and Morgan interactions. We finally see the Sithi bantering too, and all I could think was to try to anticipate whatever disaster is pending.
Into the Narrowdark is the perfect ramp up to the ending. The pieces are in place and ready to be set in motion for the finale and I’m excited to see how the threads all come together. I’ll be reading The Navigator’s Children starting in a few days and I’m so ready (but not ready) for the conclusion.
October 14, 2024
HOW MANY HORRIBLE THINGS CAN YOU PUT MY DARLINGS THROUGH, TAD?!
October 23, 2022
The High Kingdom is in peril. The Norns have returned and are advancing from the north, threatening both the Hayholt and the Sithi strongholds of the old forest. The tribes of the Thrithings are threatening an invasion from the east. There is civil war in Nabban. The realm needs King Simon to act decisively to crush these threats, but he is bereft and grief-ridden. As the king's allies try to rally to save the kingdom, his enemies move against him.
The Last King of Osten Ard is a sequel series to Tad William's Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy, an acknowledged classic of epic fantasy. Picking up the action thirty years later, this sequel series asks hard questions about what happens to the heroes who saved the day in one story and if they are the best people to lead the land through all the complexities of life in peacetime.
The first two volumes of the series, The Witchwood Crown and Empire of Grass, set up a fascinating, multi-sided conflict as the human kingdoms struggle with internal divisions whilst their old Norn enemies have managed to rebuild and are now threatening a fresh offensive. But, unlike the original trilogy, Williams also spends a lot of time in the Norn camp, exploring their internal divisions and politics as well, humanising this previously faceless enemy. The result is a richer, more interesting series which is less interested in being a retread of the hero's journey (though a few characters also get arcs more akin to that).
Into the Narrowdark is both the third book in the series and the opening half of the concluding chapter; yet again (to the point it's virtually become a meme) Williams delivered a book far too vast to fit between two covers and the book was split in half for publication. Unfortunately, this is to this volume's detriment. In normal circumstances, Williams is the very embodiment of the "slow-burn" writer, setting up his guns very carefully in a row before firing them, but when he fires them the story comes together impressively well, even within individual novels of a series. This novel is, unfortunately, all setup and no resolution, which is fairly frustrating given, at almost 600 pages in hardcover, it's not exactly a short book.
The other problem is that Williams is not at all shy to revisit previous story ideas. So, for those who were kind of over the characters spending hundreds of pages lost in the Aldheorte forest in earlier books, the prospect of spending yet more time with characters wandering through the exact same woods may not entice. The same for characters lost in the Nabbanese wilderness, or roaming back and forth through the Thrithings or even just roaming lost through the labyrinth cellars of the Hayholt. If we were getting major character growth or huge backstory revelations in these sequences, that would be one thing, but we're not, or very little. After the first two books did a good job of matching plot development, worldbuilding, political intrigue and character growth, this third volume feels more like an exercise in wheel-spinning.
That said, Tad Williams is still an excellent prose writer and a gifted evoker of atmosphere. The few battle sequences are vivid and well-described, and Morgan, at least, gets some much-needed growth. Returning to the world of Osten Ard is like revisiting an old favourite haunt, and there is much to enjoy in the scenery even if it doesn't feel like it's moving past very quickly.
The book does end on a rousing, startling cliffhanger and at least the second half of the novel is complete (although being revised), but Into the Narrowdark ends up feeling exactly what it is: half a book, in urgent need of its conclusion.
Into the Narrowdark (***) is half of a potentially very interesting book, but until the second half is published, it's hard to fully appreciate if this novel's slow, slow-burning pace is justified. The novel is available now in the UK and USA and the final volume in the series, The Navigator's Children, should hopefully follow in 2023.
The Last King of Osten Ard is a sequel series to Tad William's Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy, an acknowledged classic of epic fantasy. Picking up the action thirty years later, this sequel series asks hard questions about what happens to the heroes who saved the day in one story and if they are the best people to lead the land through all the complexities of life in peacetime.
The first two volumes of the series, The Witchwood Crown and Empire of Grass, set up a fascinating, multi-sided conflict as the human kingdoms struggle with internal divisions whilst their old Norn enemies have managed to rebuild and are now threatening a fresh offensive. But, unlike the original trilogy, Williams also spends a lot of time in the Norn camp, exploring their internal divisions and politics as well, humanising this previously faceless enemy. The result is a richer, more interesting series which is less interested in being a retread of the hero's journey (though a few characters also get arcs more akin to that).
Into the Narrowdark is both the third book in the series and the opening half of the concluding chapter; yet again (to the point it's virtually become a meme) Williams delivered a book far too vast to fit between two covers and the book was split in half for publication. Unfortunately, this is to this volume's detriment. In normal circumstances, Williams is the very embodiment of the "slow-burn" writer, setting up his guns very carefully in a row before firing them, but when he fires them the story comes together impressively well, even within individual novels of a series. This novel is, unfortunately, all setup and no resolution, which is fairly frustrating given, at almost 600 pages in hardcover, it's not exactly a short book.
The other problem is that Williams is not at all shy to revisit previous story ideas. So, for those who were kind of over the characters spending hundreds of pages lost in the Aldheorte forest in earlier books, the prospect of spending yet more time with characters wandering through the exact same woods may not entice. The same for characters lost in the Nabbanese wilderness, or roaming back and forth through the Thrithings or even just roaming lost through the labyrinth cellars of the Hayholt. If we were getting major character growth or huge backstory revelations in these sequences, that would be one thing, but we're not, or very little. After the first two books did a good job of matching plot development, worldbuilding, political intrigue and character growth, this third volume feels more like an exercise in wheel-spinning.
That said, Tad Williams is still an excellent prose writer and a gifted evoker of atmosphere. The few battle sequences are vivid and well-described, and Morgan, at least, gets some much-needed growth. Returning to the world of Osten Ard is like revisiting an old favourite haunt, and there is much to enjoy in the scenery even if it doesn't feel like it's moving past very quickly.
The book does end on a rousing, startling cliffhanger and at least the second half of the novel is complete (although being revised), but Into the Narrowdark ends up feeling exactly what it is: half a book, in urgent need of its conclusion.
Into the Narrowdark (***) is half of a potentially very interesting book, but until the second half is published, it's hard to fully appreciate if this novel's slow, slow-burning pace is justified. The novel is available now in the UK and USA and the final volume in the series, The Navigator's Children, should hopefully follow in 2023.
March 23, 2023
Another excellent entry into what is quite possibly the best Fantasy series being written right now.
Although it took me a few months to finish, my slow reading speed had nothing to do with the quality of the book. In fact, from both a writing and story-telling perspective, I’m not sure Tad Williams has ever been better.
And when you consider that this book is really only Part 1 of the finale, it’s even more impressive.
No, what caused me to take my time with this book was something totally different: it’s heaviness.
Not -literal- heaviness, of course, though it is a large book, but instead the sheer hopelessness our favorite characters are facing. I thought Empire of Grass was dark - this was darker. Things have never looked worse for Simon, Miri, and their allies.
My overall thoughts on this series will likely depend on how Tad ends things next year with the highly anticipated Navigator’s Children. If we can end with an even somewhat happy ending, I will applaud the Osten Ard books as likely our best modern Fantasy series since Lord of the Rings.
Otherwise, still highly recommended but probably a bit too much of a downer for me personally.
Tad Williams is a master at his craft, and Osten Ard is his magnum opus. Highly Recommended for LOTR and ASOIAF fans!
Although it took me a few months to finish, my slow reading speed had nothing to do with the quality of the book. In fact, from both a writing and story-telling perspective, I’m not sure Tad Williams has ever been better.
And when you consider that this book is really only Part 1 of the finale, it’s even more impressive.
No, what caused me to take my time with this book was something totally different: it’s heaviness.
Not -literal- heaviness, of course, though it is a large book, but instead the sheer hopelessness our favorite characters are facing. I thought Empire of Grass was dark - this was darker. Things have never looked worse for Simon, Miri, and their allies.
My overall thoughts on this series will likely depend on how Tad ends things next year with the highly anticipated Navigator’s Children. If we can end with an even somewhat happy ending, I will applaud the Osten Ard books as likely our best modern Fantasy series since Lord of the Rings.
Otherwise, still highly recommended but probably a bit too much of a downer for me personally.
Tad Williams is a master at his craft, and Osten Ard is his magnum opus. Highly Recommended for LOTR and ASOIAF fans!
July 19, 2022
Incredible! [Full review to come.]
March 30, 2025
Incredible. Absolutely incredible. Again with the dreadful cliffhangers! Thankfully, I don’t have to wait for the next book to be published. I must thank the author for “the story so far” segment at the beginning of each book. Why, oh why isn’t this standard practice in fantasy series? I find it extremely helpful, and I’m binging these books. I could read a lot more new authors if I didn’t have to do so much rereading. Just saying.
July 30, 2022
If I could give this more than 5 stars I would! How am I possibly going to be able to wait for the last book.
June 25, 2023
5/5 excellent, magnifique, très prenant !! Sublime !! 🤩
Avis Lecture 🧐 📖 "Into The Narrowdark", The Last King of Osten Ard tome 3, Final partie 1, suite au cycle de L'Arcane des Épées, Tad Williams ⚔️
Énorme coup de foudre ⚡
Tad Williams l'avait dit : il ne reviendrait pas sans une réelle histoire ! Et l'auteur nous l'a peaufiné cette histoire 💖.
C'est un temps de chamboulements.
Le haut trône vacille sous le poids des récents événements. La tristesse accable le château du Hayholt et dans l'ombre, une fourberie bien noire menace nos héros. Morgan, de son côté doit frayer avec l'ennemi ancestral pour s'en sortir, tandis que les Sithis prennent une décision qui pourrait changer l'avenir des hommes. Car les Norns sont descendus de leur terre gelée et même les morts ne sont plus...
C'est un temps de prophétie.
L'espoir pourtant perdure, dans d'ultimes paroles professées il y a plus de trente ans, si tant est que la prophétie, à double tranchant, se réalise pour le mieux...
Quelle claque ! 🤩🤯💖 C'est mon Williams préféré ! Si les personnages ont certes gagnés en maturité, Morgan et Nezeru forment le duo le plus improbable et pourtant incroyablement touchant et réaliste qu'il m'est été donné de lire de toute la série ! J'ai trouvé le combo de ces deux personnages, dont les races se détestent depuis des Millénaires, juste superbe ; des ennemis apprenant de l'autre où le dédain laisse finalement place à une espèce de curiosité.
Lillia, très souvent mise de côté par son jeune âge a elle aussi son heure de gloire et j'ai adoré retrouver d'anciens compagnons de l'ancienne époque.
La situation semble bien sombre pour nos personnages clés, menacés par les Norns et de son emblématique "Masque d'Argent" (pour ne pas vous spoiler son nom). Ce personnage me fait toujours froid dans le dos depuis le tout début de la série.
Ce début de final, bien que gardant le rythme lent de Williams, nous offre énormément d'introspection, de tension et bien qu'il soulève encore de nombreuses questions, amorce la fin de cette série si chère à mon cœur 💖.
Enfin, Williams nous offre l'ultime rencontre entre deux personnages attendue depuis la fin du cycle 1. Tout est impeccable dans la plume de Williams, rien n'est écrit au hasard ! Bravo 👏
Avis Lecture 🧐 📖 "Into The Narrowdark", The Last King of Osten Ard tome 3, Final partie 1, suite au cycle de L'Arcane des Épées, Tad Williams ⚔️
Énorme coup de foudre ⚡
Tad Williams l'avait dit : il ne reviendrait pas sans une réelle histoire ! Et l'auteur nous l'a peaufiné cette histoire 💖.
C'est un temps de chamboulements.
Le haut trône vacille sous le poids des récents événements. La tristesse accable le château du Hayholt et dans l'ombre, une fourberie bien noire menace nos héros. Morgan, de son côté doit frayer avec l'ennemi ancestral pour s'en sortir, tandis que les Sithis prennent une décision qui pourrait changer l'avenir des hommes. Car les Norns sont descendus de leur terre gelée et même les morts ne sont plus...
C'est un temps de prophétie.
L'espoir pourtant perdure, dans d'ultimes paroles professées il y a plus de trente ans, si tant est que la prophétie, à double tranchant, se réalise pour le mieux...
Quelle claque ! 🤩🤯💖 C'est mon Williams préféré ! Si les personnages ont certes gagnés en maturité, Morgan et Nezeru forment le duo le plus improbable et pourtant incroyablement touchant et réaliste qu'il m'est été donné de lire de toute la série ! J'ai trouvé le combo de ces deux personnages, dont les races se détestent depuis des Millénaires, juste superbe ; des ennemis apprenant de l'autre où le dédain laisse finalement place à une espèce de curiosité.
Lillia, très souvent mise de côté par son jeune âge a elle aussi son heure de gloire et j'ai adoré retrouver d'anciens compagnons de l'ancienne époque.
La situation semble bien sombre pour nos personnages clés, menacés par les Norns et de son emblématique "Masque d'Argent" (pour ne pas vous spoiler son nom). Ce personnage me fait toujours froid dans le dos depuis le tout début de la série.
Ce début de final, bien que gardant le rythme lent de Williams, nous offre énormément d'introspection, de tension et bien qu'il soulève encore de nombreuses questions, amorce la fin de cette série si chère à mon cœur 💖.
Enfin, Williams nous offre l'ultime rencontre entre deux personnages attendue depuis la fin du cycle 1. Tout est impeccable dans la plume de Williams, rien n'est écrit au hasard ! Bravo 👏
July 13, 2022
Imagine holding this behemoth of a book, cracking it open to the Author note, and then realizing you are only holding *half* of the final part. In typical Tad fashion, he's managed to out-pace his peers in high-quality writing. I'm a little greedy. More Tad is always a good thing but I was so eager to find out how this "trilogy" was going to end.
Recently, Stranger Things season 4 was released on Netflix in two parts. The last few, longer episodes were met with heavy criticism over the branched-out storylines. The quantity of cast members pales in comparison to all of the characters that we follow through Osten Ard but at multiple points I found myself thinking there were pacing issues which was the same argument the show had. In our book, we cut back and forth between events that occur over a few hours to events that span several days. The story isn't time-dependent but it did pull me out when I realized how little time passed between events for characters I last read about ages ago compared to others. This isn't a constant but was noticeable enough for me.
An event occurs. I can tell you exactly where because it is well placed in the story but I'll leave the mystery for the readers so I don't spoil anything. This had a huge impact on me. It's also the clearest indicator of how different is from his contemporaries. I thought of Martin, and of Abercrombie, and a little bit of Rothfuss and Sanderson. Ultimately, Tad is Tad. He's true to himself and to the story he's telling and I think it ended up being more exciting the way it plays out.
One of the Villains gets to have an evil, gloating, Bond Movie-like reveal. Their motivations were shrug-worthy. With everything else that goes on in the Osten Ard universe, it didn't seem like that big of a deal to set them on their path. Of course, to them it's everything.
Numerous characters are faced with the uncertainty of their actions. Others are running straight from peril to peril. I don't think I can openly predict what the conclusion of all this will be. There are too many threads that can take us to any number of places. I have an assumption of at least one unresolved token that I think I can see. For the larger story, no clue. Where are we headed with all of this?
I'm holding my tongue here.
I enjoyed this book much more than the last. Hopefully, we don't have to wait too long for the true conclusion.
Recently, Stranger Things season 4 was released on Netflix in two parts. The last few, longer episodes were met with heavy criticism over the branched-out storylines. The quantity of cast members pales in comparison to all of the characters that we follow through Osten Ard but at multiple points I found myself thinking there were pacing issues which was the same argument the show had. In our book, we cut back and forth between events that occur over a few hours to events that span several days. The story isn't time-dependent but it did pull me out when I realized how little time passed between events for characters I last read about ages ago compared to others. This isn't a constant but was noticeable enough for me.
An event occurs. I can tell you exactly where because it is well placed in the story but I'll leave the mystery for the readers so I don't spoil anything. This had a huge impact on me. It's also the clearest indicator of how different is from his contemporaries. I thought of Martin, and of Abercrombie, and a little bit of Rothfuss and Sanderson. Ultimately, Tad is Tad. He's true to himself and to the story he's telling and I think it ended up being more exciting the way it plays out.
One of the Villains gets to have an evil, gloating, Bond Movie-like reveal. Their motivations were shrug-worthy. With everything else that goes on in the Osten Ard universe, it didn't seem like that big of a deal to set them on their path. Of course, to them it's everything.
Numerous characters are faced with the uncertainty of their actions. Others are running straight from peril to peril. I don't think I can openly predict what the conclusion of all this will be. There are too many threads that can take us to any number of places. I have an assumption of at least one unresolved token that I think I can see. For the larger story, no clue. Where are we headed with all of this?
I'm holding my tongue here.
I enjoyed this book much more than the last. Hopefully, we don't have to wait too long for the true conclusion.
July 15, 2022
I don't think a single soul reads these, so I am going to use them to scream into the void. I'll give a spoiler warning nonetheless.
This book is amazing (as expected). Yet again, I am left so frustrated having to wait months for the next. The whole premise of the conflict between mortals and gardenborn is intense and intriguing. It draws out the rawest emotions and of both groups. In these dark times, the tragedy of the fading Hikedaya and Zidaya seems all to familiar. However, one of my favorite parts of the book is seeing myself in the different characters Williams writes so well. I wish I could say I am always noble Jiriki. Good hearted, strong, courageous, and wise in his youth, but more often than not I am not him. I see too much of myself in Morgan, whiny, thoughtless and careless. Even though he seems to grow somewhat in this, I find him a good imagination of a spooiled princeling who lost his father young. If am being truthful, I would say I am closest to Eolair. I see his future in mine. He is loyal to his friends and morals. He is smart and strong, willing to do what is needed. However, losing Maegwin back in the third book of MST still affects him to these days as he see his beloved homeland fall into the grips of evil forces. His longing for his love he realized too late reckons too much to mine own failings. Alas...
Go read the book and series they are truly the high points of fantasy.
This book is amazing (as expected). Yet again, I am left so frustrated having to wait months for the next. The whole premise of the conflict between mortals and gardenborn is intense and intriguing. It draws out the rawest emotions and of both groups. In these dark times, the tragedy of the fading Hikedaya and Zidaya seems all to familiar. However, one of my favorite parts of the book is seeing myself in the different characters Williams writes so well. I wish I could say I am always noble Jiriki. Good hearted, strong, courageous, and wise in his youth, but more often than not I am not him. I see too much of myself in Morgan, whiny, thoughtless and careless. Even though he seems to grow somewhat in this, I find him a good imagination of a spooiled princeling who lost his father young. If am being truthful, I would say I am closest to Eolair. I see his future in mine. He is loyal to his friends and morals. He is smart and strong, willing to do what is needed. However, losing Maegwin back in the third book of MST still affects him to these days as he see his beloved homeland fall into the grips of evil forces. His longing for his love he realized too late reckons too much to mine own failings. Alas...
Go read the book and series they are truly the high points of fantasy.
August 8, 2022
So great. Tad is still the master.
January 14, 2023
You should know by now that I've always been a big Tad Williams fan. Regardless of the man's shortcomings that some people find so off-putting, I've always managed to overlook them and enjoy Williams' books/series. Having read To Green Angel Tower when it originally came out, like many fans I'd been waiting for a very long time to find out what happens next. Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn ended up being a seminal work of fantasy, one that many consider one of the very best of its era. Like countless readers around the world, I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into The Witchwood Crown when it was published a few years back.
Understandably, expectations were quite high for this new series. Considering how long it took for the author to finally elect to write this sequel, we could expect nothing less. It goes without saying that The Witchwood Crown had very big shoes to fill. Too big, perhaps? Could our expectations be met? Just a few chapters into the book, I realized that something was wrong. It was a slog to go through. For some reason, Williams had completely failed to recapture the magic of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. And though it did get a little better toward the end, in my humble opinion The Witchwood Crown was by far Williams' weakest work to date.
Based on early reviews which claimed that Empire of Grass was better than its predecessor, I jumped into the second installment with renewed enthusiasm. Sadly, my excitement proved to be short-lived and I soon realized that the novel suffered from the same flaws that sunk The Witchwood Crown. It was more of the same for the most part, with very little improvement to speak of. Once more, I reached the last page and could only shake my head in disappointment. There was no showdown. No big payoff. No resolution of any sort. Almost no character development. Every single plotline ended in a cliffhanger. I was so sad that Empire of Grass turned out to be another underwhelming read.
Could Into the Narrowdark somehow save this new series? I was doubtful, the more so when it was announced, to no one's surprise, that the final volume would have to be split in two. Indeed, Into the Narrowdark is just the first half of what was meant to be a novel and it reads like the first half of a complete novel. Hence, there is no saving grace, nothing which allows The Last King of Osten Ard to level up. While some storylines finally move forward a little more, most of them continue to stagnate or go nowhere.
Here's the blurb:
The New York Times bestselling world of Osten Ard returns in the third Last King of Osten Ard novel, as threats to the kingdom loom...
The High Throne of Erkynland is tottering, its royal family divided and diminished. Queen Miriamele has been caught up in a brutal rebellion in the south and thought to have died in a fiery attack. Her grandson Morgan, heir to the throne, has been captured by one of Utuk’ku’s soldiers in the ruins of an abandoned city. Miriamele’s husband, King Simon, is overwhelmed by grief and hopelessness, unaware that many of these terrible things have been caused by Pasevalles, a murderous traitor inside Simon’s own court at the Hayholt.
Meanwhile, a deadly army of Norns led by the ageless, vengeful Queen Utuk’ku, has swept into Erkynland and thrown down the fortress of Naglimund, slaughtering the inhabitants and digging up the ancient grave of Ruyan the Navigator. Utuk’ku plans to use the Navigator’s fabled armor to call up the spirit of Hakatri, the evil Storm King’s brother.
Even the Sithi, fairy-kin to the Norns, are helpless to stop Utuk’ku’s triumph as her armies simultaneously march on the Hayholt and force their way into the forbidden, ogre-guarded valley of Tanakirú—the Narrowdark—where a secret waits that might bring Simon’s people and their Sithi allies salvation—or doom.
Once again, the superior worldbuilding really shines. As was the case with the previous two volumes, in that regard Into the Narrowdark shows a Tad Williams still writing at the top of his game. As mentioned in my past reviews, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn was vast in scope and vision and this new series builds on storylines that already echoed with depth. Several new dimensions are added to what has always been a multilayered work of fiction, and on this front at least all three installments of The Last King of Osten Ard have delivered. To finally get the chance to discover more about the inner workings of the Norn society continues to be the most fascinating aspect of this new series. Three decades down the line, the plans that were put in motion in the heart of Nakkiga are now bearing fruit and we learn even more about them. Queen Utuk'ku has awakened and the world is about to find out that the Hikeda'ya are not the vanquished foe so many people believed them to be. More tantalizing hints insinuate that the Garden could have been another planet and that the Norns, the Sithi and the Tinukeda'ya are the descendants of an alien race that reached Osten Ard via space ships or other means of transportation. There might even be a robot in this one!
Geographically speaking, like its predecessors Into the Narrowdark continues to take place in various locales all over Osten Ard. It is another sprawling novel that covers a lot of ground. And ultimately, this is something that doesn't always work in the book's favor. Once more, Into the Narrowdark revisits many of the locales and events from Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, too often for little or no reason plot-wise, or for reasons that feel a little too contrived for my taste.
As was the case with the previous two volumes, as well as the Shadowmarch series, one of the most important shortcomings of this book remains the decidedly weak political intrigue. As I mentioned before, Tad Williams excels in many different aspects when it comes to writing novels, but politicking is definitely not one of them. This was true then, and sadly it remains true now. Instead of playing to his strengths, probably to have more appeal to fans of George R. R. Martin's immensely popular A Song of Ice and Fire and other politically-involved fantasy series, Williams put political intrigue at the heart of a number of major plot threads. Which, due to the clumsiness in execution of such intrigues, put the Hernystir, the Nabban, and the Thrithing plotlines on very shaky ground to say the least. Add to that the fact that Simon and Miri continue to make for particularly inept and occasionally dumb rulers who have surrounded themselves with not necessarily the brightest of people at court, and you have a recipe for disaster. In the end, since a large part of this new series hinges precisely on political intrigue, Williams continues to walk on very thin ice.
Yet what remains the novel's biggest flaw is the characterization. Which, with worldbuilding, is habitually one of the aspects in which Williams truly shines. Into the Narrowdark is another mess of points of view. I remain convinced that this series would have benefited from a lesser number of perspectives. I lost track of exactly how many POVs there were in the first two installments and it felt as though this one features even more of them. While a number storylines can be engaging, at times some perspectives are downright boring, which bogs down the narrative with pointless scenes that go nowhere. Why Tad Williams elected to introduce readers to so many disparate characters and give them their own POV, I'll never know. But it continues to kill momentum as you skip from an interesting sequence to an unnecessary conversation or info-dump that brings little or nothing to the tale. Plotlines featuring Tiamak, Binabik, Qina, Eolair, Jesa, and Princess Lillia in particular often make you want to throw the novel across the room. Once again, this poor characterization precludes any kind of tight focus on any of the storylines, and in the long run it once again hurts this book in a myriad of ways.
As far as the rhythm is concerned, the pace is atrocious for the better part of the novel. Into the Narrowdark is another tedious read. Another slog of slogs. The mess of perspectives doesn't help, true. Nor does the info-dumps or all the extraneous stuff that bogs down the narrative in many a chapter. A good chunk of pages could have been excised without the plot losing anything important. All Tad Williams novels are overwritten to some extent, but these last three have been quite problematic in that regard. Everything moves at a snail's pace, with good and exciting sequences few and far between. There are some compelling scenes and storylines, true. And yet, it's a chore to get through to them because very little actually happens in most chapters and all the good stuff is buried so deeply under superfluous scenes that it robs them of most of the desired impact. The Miriamele plotline is the perfect example of that.
The end draws near, which is the only positive thing I can say about The Last King of Osten Ard. I'm not sure I care about what happens to any of the characters at this point. The only thing that keeps me going are the possible revelations about the Garden, the Sithi, and the Norns. While Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn will always hold a special place in my heart, I just want this one to end so I can be done with it.
Another major disappointment. . .
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
Understandably, expectations were quite high for this new series. Considering how long it took for the author to finally elect to write this sequel, we could expect nothing less. It goes without saying that The Witchwood Crown had very big shoes to fill. Too big, perhaps? Could our expectations be met? Just a few chapters into the book, I realized that something was wrong. It was a slog to go through. For some reason, Williams had completely failed to recapture the magic of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. And though it did get a little better toward the end, in my humble opinion The Witchwood Crown was by far Williams' weakest work to date.
Based on early reviews which claimed that Empire of Grass was better than its predecessor, I jumped into the second installment with renewed enthusiasm. Sadly, my excitement proved to be short-lived and I soon realized that the novel suffered from the same flaws that sunk The Witchwood Crown. It was more of the same for the most part, with very little improvement to speak of. Once more, I reached the last page and could only shake my head in disappointment. There was no showdown. No big payoff. No resolution of any sort. Almost no character development. Every single plotline ended in a cliffhanger. I was so sad that Empire of Grass turned out to be another underwhelming read.
Could Into the Narrowdark somehow save this new series? I was doubtful, the more so when it was announced, to no one's surprise, that the final volume would have to be split in two. Indeed, Into the Narrowdark is just the first half of what was meant to be a novel and it reads like the first half of a complete novel. Hence, there is no saving grace, nothing which allows The Last King of Osten Ard to level up. While some storylines finally move forward a little more, most of them continue to stagnate or go nowhere.
Here's the blurb:
The New York Times bestselling world of Osten Ard returns in the third Last King of Osten Ard novel, as threats to the kingdom loom...
The High Throne of Erkynland is tottering, its royal family divided and diminished. Queen Miriamele has been caught up in a brutal rebellion in the south and thought to have died in a fiery attack. Her grandson Morgan, heir to the throne, has been captured by one of Utuk’ku’s soldiers in the ruins of an abandoned city. Miriamele’s husband, King Simon, is overwhelmed by grief and hopelessness, unaware that many of these terrible things have been caused by Pasevalles, a murderous traitor inside Simon’s own court at the Hayholt.
Meanwhile, a deadly army of Norns led by the ageless, vengeful Queen Utuk’ku, has swept into Erkynland and thrown down the fortress of Naglimund, slaughtering the inhabitants and digging up the ancient grave of Ruyan the Navigator. Utuk’ku plans to use the Navigator’s fabled armor to call up the spirit of Hakatri, the evil Storm King’s brother.
Even the Sithi, fairy-kin to the Norns, are helpless to stop Utuk’ku’s triumph as her armies simultaneously march on the Hayholt and force their way into the forbidden, ogre-guarded valley of Tanakirú—the Narrowdark—where a secret waits that might bring Simon’s people and their Sithi allies salvation—or doom.
Once again, the superior worldbuilding really shines. As was the case with the previous two volumes, in that regard Into the Narrowdark shows a Tad Williams still writing at the top of his game. As mentioned in my past reviews, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn was vast in scope and vision and this new series builds on storylines that already echoed with depth. Several new dimensions are added to what has always been a multilayered work of fiction, and on this front at least all three installments of The Last King of Osten Ard have delivered. To finally get the chance to discover more about the inner workings of the Norn society continues to be the most fascinating aspect of this new series. Three decades down the line, the plans that were put in motion in the heart of Nakkiga are now bearing fruit and we learn even more about them. Queen Utuk'ku has awakened and the world is about to find out that the Hikeda'ya are not the vanquished foe so many people believed them to be. More tantalizing hints insinuate that the Garden could have been another planet and that the Norns, the Sithi and the Tinukeda'ya are the descendants of an alien race that reached Osten Ard via space ships or other means of transportation. There might even be a robot in this one!
Geographically speaking, like its predecessors Into the Narrowdark continues to take place in various locales all over Osten Ard. It is another sprawling novel that covers a lot of ground. And ultimately, this is something that doesn't always work in the book's favor. Once more, Into the Narrowdark revisits many of the locales and events from Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, too often for little or no reason plot-wise, or for reasons that feel a little too contrived for my taste.
As was the case with the previous two volumes, as well as the Shadowmarch series, one of the most important shortcomings of this book remains the decidedly weak political intrigue. As I mentioned before, Tad Williams excels in many different aspects when it comes to writing novels, but politicking is definitely not one of them. This was true then, and sadly it remains true now. Instead of playing to his strengths, probably to have more appeal to fans of George R. R. Martin's immensely popular A Song of Ice and Fire and other politically-involved fantasy series, Williams put political intrigue at the heart of a number of major plot threads. Which, due to the clumsiness in execution of such intrigues, put the Hernystir, the Nabban, and the Thrithing plotlines on very shaky ground to say the least. Add to that the fact that Simon and Miri continue to make for particularly inept and occasionally dumb rulers who have surrounded themselves with not necessarily the brightest of people at court, and you have a recipe for disaster. In the end, since a large part of this new series hinges precisely on political intrigue, Williams continues to walk on very thin ice.
Yet what remains the novel's biggest flaw is the characterization. Which, with worldbuilding, is habitually one of the aspects in which Williams truly shines. Into the Narrowdark is another mess of points of view. I remain convinced that this series would have benefited from a lesser number of perspectives. I lost track of exactly how many POVs there were in the first two installments and it felt as though this one features even more of them. While a number storylines can be engaging, at times some perspectives are downright boring, which bogs down the narrative with pointless scenes that go nowhere. Why Tad Williams elected to introduce readers to so many disparate characters and give them their own POV, I'll never know. But it continues to kill momentum as you skip from an interesting sequence to an unnecessary conversation or info-dump that brings little or nothing to the tale. Plotlines featuring Tiamak, Binabik, Qina, Eolair, Jesa, and Princess Lillia in particular often make you want to throw the novel across the room. Once again, this poor characterization precludes any kind of tight focus on any of the storylines, and in the long run it once again hurts this book in a myriad of ways.
As far as the rhythm is concerned, the pace is atrocious for the better part of the novel. Into the Narrowdark is another tedious read. Another slog of slogs. The mess of perspectives doesn't help, true. Nor does the info-dumps or all the extraneous stuff that bogs down the narrative in many a chapter. A good chunk of pages could have been excised without the plot losing anything important. All Tad Williams novels are overwritten to some extent, but these last three have been quite problematic in that regard. Everything moves at a snail's pace, with good and exciting sequences few and far between. There are some compelling scenes and storylines, true. And yet, it's a chore to get through to them because very little actually happens in most chapters and all the good stuff is buried so deeply under superfluous scenes that it robs them of most of the desired impact. The Miriamele plotline is the perfect example of that.
The end draws near, which is the only positive thing I can say about The Last King of Osten Ard. I'm not sure I care about what happens to any of the characters at this point. The only thing that keeps me going are the possible revelations about the Garden, the Sithi, and the Norns. While Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn will always hold a special place in my heart, I just want this one to end so I can be done with it.
Another major disappointment. . .
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September 5, 2022
HOLY HELL! The shit has hit the fan and the stakes are legit real! Fantastic stuff and I adored every minute of it. What a crazy ride all these books have given us. Truly, a gift.
also...I need Navigator's Children STAT!
also...I need Navigator's Children STAT!
July 25, 2022
IS this the best book Tad Williams has written? Possibly. One thing is for sure, it doesn't suffer from middle-series book syndrome! Things are drawing to a close and all our heroes and villains are smack in the middle of it, fighting for their lives and trying to make sense of all that happens. The truths behind the lies are slowly being unveiled, revealing deeper mysteries behind them. Every story line is a major story line, and they're all captivating. All major characters are wonderfully rounded. I don't know what I could ask for more in this book. Well I could ask for more of everything right up to the conclusion, but that will have to wait until the next, last, book in the series. Already I can't wait for it!
April 22, 2025
I've become so invested in this series that these books are now becoming incredibly stressful to read - stop making bad things happen to these characters that I love so dearly!
- Spoiler Free Review -
Into the Narrowdark was originally intended to be just the first part of the final volume of The Last King of Osten Ard trilogy. In a shock to literally no one, however, (Williams even jokes in the foreward about his 'four book trilogies') the final book had to be split due to its length. So we now get a (by Tad Williams standards) slim volume of only 600 pages to bridge the gap between Empire of Grass and The Navigator's Children.
It doesn't read like a bridge novel, however. A couple of the plotlines aren't quite as neatly tied up as they are at the end of the previous volumes, but it definitely rises to another epic ending and there are some big moments along the way.
I can't say a huge amount about the plot at this stage because of spoilers, but I don't think anyone who has enjoyed the previous entries in this series is going to be disappointed! Some big moments in this book - some revelations that feel like they've been a long time coming!
What makes it so good?
In a word: the characters! Tad Williams writes such good characters: heroes, villains and everything in-between. I don't think I've got a whole lot new to say that I haven't said in reviews for the previous books in the series... but it's just so good!
One character who really came into her own in this book was Lillia. I'd liked her in the previous books, but didn't really feel like she'd done a lot as a POV character. All that set-up pays off in this book (as I guessed it would) and I'm desperate to find out what happens to her next!
Songs in fantasy books are always a little controversial- a lot of readers don't like them. I'd actually been missing them in the first two books - I feel like Williams included a lot more in the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy. It was nice, therefore, to see a few songs and verses pop up again in this book - it really adds a nice, traditional fantasy vibe to the book.
Again, nothing I haven't said many times before, but I want to give Williams' prose the credit it deserves. His ability to create atmosphere and breathe life into the many varied settings he has created within the world of Osten Ard is incredible. No matter how many pages he writes, I always want more!
Any negatives?
There were a few characters who didn't get as much page time in this installment as I'd have liked, but hopefully they'll get their moment(s) in the final book. That's really the only negative I've got... I loved this so much!
Overall, another phenomenal entry in the Osten Ard saga. I'm both desperate to read the final book and also dreading it - I just don't want this story to ever end!
- Spoiler Free Review -
Into the Narrowdark was originally intended to be just the first part of the final volume of The Last King of Osten Ard trilogy. In a shock to literally no one, however, (Williams even jokes in the foreward about his 'four book trilogies') the final book had to be split due to its length. So we now get a (by Tad Williams standards) slim volume of only 600 pages to bridge the gap between Empire of Grass and The Navigator's Children.
It doesn't read like a bridge novel, however. A couple of the plotlines aren't quite as neatly tied up as they are at the end of the previous volumes, but it definitely rises to another epic ending and there are some big moments along the way.
I can't say a huge amount about the plot at this stage because of spoilers, but I don't think anyone who has enjoyed the previous entries in this series is going to be disappointed! Some big moments in this book - some revelations that feel like they've been a long time coming!
What makes it so good?
In a word: the characters! Tad Williams writes such good characters: heroes, villains and everything in-between. I don't think I've got a whole lot new to say that I haven't said in reviews for the previous books in the series... but it's just so good!
One character who really came into her own in this book was Lillia. I'd liked her in the previous books, but didn't really feel like she'd done a lot as a POV character. All that set-up pays off in this book (as I guessed it would) and I'm desperate to find out what happens to her next!
Songs in fantasy books are always a little controversial- a lot of readers don't like them. I'd actually been missing them in the first two books - I feel like Williams included a lot more in the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy. It was nice, therefore, to see a few songs and verses pop up again in this book - it really adds a nice, traditional fantasy vibe to the book.
Again, nothing I haven't said many times before, but I want to give Williams' prose the credit it deserves. His ability to create atmosphere and breathe life into the many varied settings he has created within the world of Osten Ard is incredible. No matter how many pages he writes, I always want more!
Any negatives?
There were a few characters who didn't get as much page time in this installment as I'd have liked, but hopefully they'll get their moment(s) in the final book. That's really the only negative I've got... I loved this so much!
Overall, another phenomenal entry in the Osten Ard saga. I'm both desperate to read the final book and also dreading it - I just don't want this story to ever end!
July 27, 2022
Excellent 4.5(*) entry into the Last King of Osten Ard series. One more remains- due November 2023 for those tracking.
For this entry, Into the Narrowdark, I found it to be truly excellent, bordering on (but not quite reaching) greatness.
Back were 'everyone'- the impossibly high number of perspectives being both a strength and a weakness (be it Miriamele, Simon, Morgan, and countless others great and seemingly or literally small (Lilia, etc)). If there's a complaint here- and I found it to be one- it's that there are, in fact, too many perspectives to adequately service the characters and not the story.
With that said, there are highlights (for me, Morgan's trek with Nezeru were the 'chef's kiss' of characterization and interplay) and lowlights (Austin Powers Dr Evil motivation reveal and dialogue for 1 character)- and a whole slew of inbetween (Jiriki, Tsozu, etc).
There were 2 moments in the book where I felt the author unequivocally pulled punches he threw- one glaring about midway through, the other lesser shortly thereafter- and, while I understand the love the author had, I can't help but wonder if landing those (and a few perspective trimmings/consolidations) wouldn't have helped the work attain a greater status?
Regardless, it's the best entry of the new series- and I look forward to the last entry, next year.
All fans of Osten Ard, Tad Williams, or great fantasy should hop aboard this series (but not this book, it is not standalone) and enjoy the ride.
For this entry, Into the Narrowdark, I found it to be truly excellent, bordering on (but not quite reaching) greatness.
Back were 'everyone'- the impossibly high number of perspectives being both a strength and a weakness (be it Miriamele, Simon, Morgan, and countless others great and seemingly or literally small (Lilia, etc)). If there's a complaint here- and I found it to be one- it's that there are, in fact, too many perspectives to adequately service the characters and not the story.
With that said, there are highlights (for me, Morgan's trek with Nezeru were the 'chef's kiss' of characterization and interplay) and lowlights (Austin Powers Dr Evil motivation reveal and dialogue for 1 character)- and a whole slew of inbetween (Jiriki, Tsozu, etc).
There were 2 moments in the book where I felt the author unequivocally pulled punches he threw- one glaring about midway through, the other lesser shortly thereafter- and, while I understand the love the author had, I can't help but wonder if landing those (and a few perspective trimmings/consolidations) wouldn't have helped the work attain a greater status?
Regardless, it's the best entry of the new series- and I look forward to the last entry, next year.
All fans of Osten Ard, Tad Williams, or great fantasy should hop aboard this series (but not this book, it is not standalone) and enjoy the ride.
June 4, 2024
This book was exciting and captivating, but it was still frustrating for me. I hated all the fake-out deaths. They got me to keep reading in order to see whether so-and-so was *really* dead. So, they were effective. But I really began to resent all the fake-outs. I also don't like how closely the author keeps everything to his vest. When the characters begin to learn the contents of a letter, it's weird to withhold that info from the reader.
So, there were definitely times when I was frustrated. But I honestly really like the finished product, and I can say that confidently now that I am done the book. I can't wait for the final book in this series. I am excited to see how the characters solve the problems they face here.
So, there were definitely times when I was frustrated. But I honestly really like the finished product, and I can say that confidently now that I am done the book. I can't wait for the final book in this series. I am excited to see how the characters solve the problems they face here.
April 6, 2025
this bad boy cooked. debating between a 4.5/5 and 5/5 currently. intense from beginning to end, had me fearing for the safety of all these characters that’s i’ve come to know and love, while simultaneously preparing us for the insane climax coming up in the final book, while still having that signature tad williams atmosphere and prose that sucks you in from the very first page.
July 21, 2022
I first read, and obsessed over, the Memory Sorrow and Thorn books when I was 9 or 10, and it's safe to say those books would have remained a happy and influential memory of childhood had Tad not come out with the Last King of Osten Ard series, bringing maturity and nuance to the world of Osten Ard in a way that the original books hinted at but hadn't fully realized. The worldbuilding of the Hikeda'ya culture and the vivid views of the internal workings of multiple Hikeda'ya characters, many of them sympathetic or even likeable, expands the scope of the books and creates an infinitely more satisfying read. The Tinukeda'ya, supporting actors at best in the original books, are taking a fascinating and at times ominous, ever-expanding role in our understanding of what is happening in Osten Ard. And of course, the beloved Simon and Miriamele are also getting brushed with nuance as they age: jumping off from the self-conscious cliche of the poor, humble scullery boy gaining fame and glory and marrying a king's daughter to take the throne himself, Tad has now shown us the disturbing truth that although someone like me, who read the books as a child, would have assumed Osten Ard would live happily ever after under the rule of its benevolent new monarchs, there's more nuance to that story as well. Simon, it seems, has sometimes not even been a very good king, and his mistakes are adding up to catch up with him. I love seeing the characters who were childhood friends to me age and gain wisdom and regrets even as I am doing the same.
And this book specifically? It was hard to put it down and impossible not to skip ahead because my heart was palpitating so much with fear for the fates of the characters who seem so real. GRRM can't hold a candle to the brutal outcomes Tad creates for his world and characters in this penultimate volume. I loved and squirmed through every minute of it. My only minor criticism is that it's clear the book was pushed out the door by the publishers without careful editing; minor grammatical and structural errors abound, but it really doesn't matter. I'll be waiting uncomfortably and eagerly for the final book.
And this book specifically? It was hard to put it down and impossible not to skip ahead because my heart was palpitating so much with fear for the fates of the characters who seem so real. GRRM can't hold a candle to the brutal outcomes Tad creates for his world and characters in this penultimate volume. I loved and squirmed through every minute of it. My only minor criticism is that it's clear the book was pushed out the door by the publishers without careful editing; minor grammatical and structural errors abound, but it really doesn't matter. I'll be waiting uncomfortably and eagerly for the final book.
July 9, 2022
Copy received from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Well, we’ve arrived at the third book in the series and, like To Green Angel Tower before it, it is split into two parts because there is just too much plot to be contained into one novel.
At the end of the previous book, things were starting to look bleak for the characters and things don’t get too much better in this book. Simon is desolate because he thinks Miri is dead, Pasevalles is putting his evil schemes into full swing and the immortals are coming. It’s all very exciting.
I enjoyed book two but after reading Into the Narrowdark it felt very much like a massive set up for this book. Everything has kicked up a notch and it makes for excellent reading. Williams always has a way of keeping you interested in his stories, even when they are very, very long. He can be very prosaic and wordy in a Tolkien kind of way, with songs and all, but it never really distracts from the overall plot and the story moves along at a pleasing pace so it never feels like it is getting bogged down or dull.
And I still love the characters. I have a soft spot for Simon and Miri from Memory, Sorrow and Thorn and but I also enjoy reading all the new characters. Williams is good at making you love the characters that you’re supposed to like and detest the evil characters to the point you can’t wait for them to eventually get their comeuppance. That’s still to come for those characters but I am looking forward to when it does happen.
Into the Narrowdark feels like the darkest point before the dawn, where it all feels hopeless and the characters we have grown to love are nowhere near prevailing. I love that part of the story because hopefully part two will bring it all together to complete the story in a satisfying (and hopefully happy) fashion.
I very much enjoyed reading Into the Narrowdark. I enjoy the plot, the characters and Williams always manages to write a pleasing to read story. Bring on the final part because I want to know how it ends.
Well, we’ve arrived at the third book in the series and, like To Green Angel Tower before it, it is split into two parts because there is just too much plot to be contained into one novel.
At the end of the previous book, things were starting to look bleak for the characters and things don’t get too much better in this book. Simon is desolate because he thinks Miri is dead, Pasevalles is putting his evil schemes into full swing and the immortals are coming. It’s all very exciting.
I enjoyed book two but after reading Into the Narrowdark it felt very much like a massive set up for this book. Everything has kicked up a notch and it makes for excellent reading. Williams always has a way of keeping you interested in his stories, even when they are very, very long. He can be very prosaic and wordy in a Tolkien kind of way, with songs and all, but it never really distracts from the overall plot and the story moves along at a pleasing pace so it never feels like it is getting bogged down or dull.
And I still love the characters. I have a soft spot for Simon and Miri from Memory, Sorrow and Thorn and but I also enjoy reading all the new characters. Williams is good at making you love the characters that you’re supposed to like and detest the evil characters to the point you can’t wait for them to eventually get their comeuppance. That’s still to come for those characters but I am looking forward to when it does happen.
Into the Narrowdark feels like the darkest point before the dawn, where it all feels hopeless and the characters we have grown to love are nowhere near prevailing. I love that part of the story because hopefully part two will bring it all together to complete the story in a satisfying (and hopefully happy) fashion.
I very much enjoyed reading Into the Narrowdark. I enjoy the plot, the characters and Williams always manages to write a pleasing to read story. Bring on the final part because I want to know how it ends.
September 6, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up to 5!
My reactions:
When Unver seemed to have stabbed Simon after it appeared the fight was over and Simon had deliberately lowered his weapon and surrendered himself, I thought it very dishonorable that he should still go ahead and pierce his armor, and that both sides should see it as such. But afterward both sides seemed to have seen very little of the detail and I guess would not have discerned the exchange.
In the Thrithings I smelled the stench of Pasevalles on Astrian--either he had received no such order from the Duke that he was intending to sally out with no prior command from the King, or the Duke himself was in league with Pasevalles and receiving monies from him. Maybe one or the other of these is what he was trying to tell Simon in his dying moment when Simon was asking his forgiveness.
The impetus or motivation for Morgan and Nerezu to go to the valley was a little weak, but I understand something was needed to cause them to get there! And also, it was a little too convenient that Miri had a second ring to show the Meremund bishop after giving her other one to Canthia--the least Williams could have done was perhaps to add a sentence saying how relieved she was to have another with her own family insignia, rather than the royal one, or something. Lilli's stumbling upon the Sithi light seemed at first a little too convenient and helpful a deus ex machina as well, but there are many forces at work in this story, some of which being the ghostly inhabitants in the tower, and others perhaps the hand of fate moved by deities. Williams labours hard to show the great struggles and endurance of all these folk, of course, so that their determination and suffering can help draw the wool over readers' eyes that something has given them an extremely unlikely leg-up.
This vast web Pasevalles has woven will take years to unravel (or untie, but either way I mix metaphors!), and its effects will be felt longer even than the decades took him to set it. Deeply frustrating!
Equally frustrating is Yeja'aro's exchange with Simon while the latter is imprisoned. He takes his vow to Jiriki very literally and cannot think laterally or speculate--feeks quite like a public servant or lawyer would be in the current age!
The dirty swindle by Utukku (both the document one and the illusory swollen army) are indeed frustrating. Hate compounds upon hate, and her anger blinded her so! Her twisting of history when inciting Hakatri to hate also showed the manipulations.
There was a sweet tiny moment when I thought that, given her extremely long game, all bets are off: maybe all Utukku's machinations might have simply been a front to get at her dear witchwood and finally ease her profound pains, and that she might be indifferent to mortals after all, and let them depart the Kynslagh gate.
My speculations:
Hopefully it's called "Last King of Osten Ard" because it's the country that will end, not the governance! Thrithings will merge with Erkynland, at the least, and so on, in one unified country.
I imagine Morgan and Nezeru will find their way to Takakiru early in the next book, and join their skills and hearts to the city there. Surely there is some witchwood there, and Utukku will eventually seize it after a brutal battle. Morgan, I predict, will get back to Hayholt and finally see Simon and Miri (who will arrive around the same time). They'll recognize some resemblance in Tzoja's daughter right away of course, and tell Nezeru her heritage.
Pasevalles must certainly contest Simon's identity and then strike with his allies in Nabban and Thrithings. Unver will embrace his family, and join his forces with Simon and Morgan's (and Miri's) to hopefully overwhelm Pasevalles', then turn their forces to send Utukku to her final rest (maybe with the help of the Tinukedaya once they can be torn away from the incessant voices calling them north! Perhaps the Dream-Road may help here, from a powerful Likimeya for example). Finally, Jarnulf, Gam, and Tzoja will somehow ally to get rid of Akhenabi, or to smuggle out some valuable news or intelligence to help the Sithi and mortal folk in Tanakiru or at the Hayholt.
My review:
Many of the descriptions, as well as insights from the characters, are very poetic and moving.
While the sentimental throwbacks to the old series are frequent in the streams of consciousness, I'd say it was an appropriate amount given how much time has passed (in readers' lives as well as characters'!).
The details of the chaotic final act mostly at Hayholt and the misty valley) at the end was extremely detailed and all the multitude of simultaneously moving parts are handled with great skill by Williams.
Overall (as mentioned above): I understand that many elements of the movements of characters might seem contrived by their seeming to conclude whatever is the right path by their own stream of thought and searching, or by apparently random events--because they must all end up where they need to be in this vast tapestry of an epic. In the bigger picture, details here and there could have occurred a bit more naturally or have found a bit more realistic a description (or a few less unnecessary crutch adverbs in the mix!), but everyone got to where they needed to be.
Williams is truly at his best here. The details of the descriptions are fully enrapturing, and the sheer scale of his imagination is breathtaking.
My reactions:
When Unver seemed to have stabbed Simon after it appeared the fight was over and Simon had deliberately lowered his weapon and surrendered himself, I thought it very dishonorable that he should still go ahead and pierce his armor, and that both sides should see it as such. But afterward both sides seemed to have seen very little of the detail and I guess would not have discerned the exchange.
In the Thrithings I smelled the stench of Pasevalles on Astrian--either he had received no such order from the Duke that he was intending to sally out with no prior command from the King, or the Duke himself was in league with Pasevalles and receiving monies from him. Maybe one or the other of these is what he was trying to tell Simon in his dying moment when Simon was asking his forgiveness.
The impetus or motivation for Morgan and Nerezu to go to the valley was a little weak, but I understand something was needed to cause them to get there! And also, it was a little too convenient that Miri had a second ring to show the Meremund bishop after giving her other one to Canthia--the least Williams could have done was perhaps to add a sentence saying how relieved she was to have another with her own family insignia, rather than the royal one, or something. Lilli's stumbling upon the Sithi light seemed at first a little too convenient and helpful a deus ex machina as well, but there are many forces at work in this story, some of which being the ghostly inhabitants in the tower, and others perhaps the hand of fate moved by deities. Williams labours hard to show the great struggles and endurance of all these folk, of course, so that their determination and suffering can help draw the wool over readers' eyes that something has given them an extremely unlikely leg-up.
This vast web Pasevalles has woven will take years to unravel (or untie, but either way I mix metaphors!), and its effects will be felt longer even than the decades took him to set it. Deeply frustrating!
Equally frustrating is Yeja'aro's exchange with Simon while the latter is imprisoned. He takes his vow to Jiriki very literally and cannot think laterally or speculate--feeks quite like a public servant or lawyer would be in the current age!
The dirty swindle by Utukku (both the document one and the illusory swollen army) are indeed frustrating. Hate compounds upon hate, and her anger blinded her so! Her twisting of history when inciting Hakatri to hate also showed the manipulations.
There was a sweet tiny moment when I thought that, given her extremely long game, all bets are off: maybe all Utukku's machinations might have simply been a front to get at her dear witchwood and finally ease her profound pains, and that she might be indifferent to mortals after all, and let them depart the Kynslagh gate.
My speculations:
Hopefully it's called "Last King of Osten Ard" because it's the country that will end, not the governance! Thrithings will merge with Erkynland, at the least, and so on, in one unified country.
I imagine Morgan and Nezeru will find their way to Takakiru early in the next book, and join their skills and hearts to the city there. Surely there is some witchwood there, and Utukku will eventually seize it after a brutal battle. Morgan, I predict, will get back to Hayholt and finally see Simon and Miri (who will arrive around the same time). They'll recognize some resemblance in Tzoja's daughter right away of course, and tell Nezeru her heritage.
Pasevalles must certainly contest Simon's identity and then strike with his allies in Nabban and Thrithings. Unver will embrace his family, and join his forces with Simon and Morgan's (and Miri's) to hopefully overwhelm Pasevalles', then turn their forces to send Utukku to her final rest (maybe with the help of the Tinukedaya once they can be torn away from the incessant voices calling them north! Perhaps the Dream-Road may help here, from a powerful Likimeya for example). Finally, Jarnulf, Gam, and Tzoja will somehow ally to get rid of Akhenabi, or to smuggle out some valuable news or intelligence to help the Sithi and mortal folk in Tanakiru or at the Hayholt.
My review:
Many of the descriptions, as well as insights from the characters, are very poetic and moving.
While the sentimental throwbacks to the old series are frequent in the streams of consciousness, I'd say it was an appropriate amount given how much time has passed (in readers' lives as well as characters'!).
The details of the chaotic final act mostly at Hayholt and the misty valley) at the end was extremely detailed and all the multitude of simultaneously moving parts are handled with great skill by Williams.
Overall (as mentioned above): I understand that many elements of the movements of characters might seem contrived by their seeming to conclude whatever is the right path by their own stream of thought and searching, or by apparently random events--because they must all end up where they need to be in this vast tapestry of an epic. In the bigger picture, details here and there could have occurred a bit more naturally or have found a bit more realistic a description (or a few less unnecessary crutch adverbs in the mix!), but everyone got to where they needed to be.
Williams is truly at his best here. The details of the descriptions are fully enrapturing, and the sheer scale of his imagination is breathtaking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2025
I have had a few days now to recover from this book, the third of four in Tad Williams momentous The Lask King Of Osten Ard quartet.
Now anyone and everyone who knows me knows well that I adore and worship at the altar of Tad Williams. His words and worlds have inspired my imagination since I was 13, in 2004. So when the sequel series was announced back around 2014/15, I was genuinely excited, but hesitant.
But that was then. For reasons I now almost regret, I chose not to read each new book as they came out. Now I did buy them, but I chose to wait for all the books to be out so that I could reread Memory, Sorrow And Thorn and follow that trilogy up immediately with this.
And let me tell you, it was worth the wait and then some!
Tad Williams has blown me away. I have had people ask me "is this a good place to start?" and the honest answer is no. If you begin your journey into Osten Ard with The Witchwood Crown you would be missing out on all the length, depth and breadth of what was magnificently achieved in Memory, Sorrow And Thorn. No, the only way to appreciate fully The Last King Of Osten Ard is to take a deep breath and plunge headfirst into The Dragonbone Chair, and continue the entire series in publication order.
Now another question I have been asked: "Is The Last King Of Osten Ard better than Memory, Sorrow And Thorn?". Now that is a harder question to answer. But I will try. As you can see, I am reviewing book three of four. I am a quarter of the way through The Navigator's Children and have yet to see how everything concludes, but what I can say is that up to this point, Tad has excelled himself. Ever had questions about the nature and history of Osten Ard and all its inhabitants? Wanted to see more of the Sithi and Norn cultures and learn more about who they are, where they came from, and why their history is so scattered and beaten down? Do you want to know more of the characters you know and love and how they are in their older years?
Tad does a magnificent job of not just following up a classic series, but extending and even retroactively enhancing and improving the quality and value of the first trilogy.
The Last King Of Osten Ard is not a standalone series, do not listen to anyone who says it is. In some ways, Tad Williams has improved his pacing, his prose is somewhat more modern in style, and there is more action to enjoy. But this series earnestly picks up on the history of the world as readers already know it, and it expands and it even subverts our understanding of it and our expectations for just where this story could go.
If you consider Memory, Sorrow And Thorn a masterpiece as I do, then I am convinced that anyone and everyone who has read that should continue on their journey.
To quote from the opening words of The Dragonbone Chair, I shall finish this review by saying:
"More bluntly, new visitors to this land should take heed:
Avoid Assumptions.
The Qanuc have another saying: “Welcome stranger. The paths are treacherous today.”
Now anyone and everyone who knows me knows well that I adore and worship at the altar of Tad Williams. His words and worlds have inspired my imagination since I was 13, in 2004. So when the sequel series was announced back around 2014/15, I was genuinely excited, but hesitant.
But that was then. For reasons I now almost regret, I chose not to read each new book as they came out. Now I did buy them, but I chose to wait for all the books to be out so that I could reread Memory, Sorrow And Thorn and follow that trilogy up immediately with this.
And let me tell you, it was worth the wait and then some!
Tad Williams has blown me away. I have had people ask me "is this a good place to start?" and the honest answer is no. If you begin your journey into Osten Ard with The Witchwood Crown you would be missing out on all the length, depth and breadth of what was magnificently achieved in Memory, Sorrow And Thorn. No, the only way to appreciate fully The Last King Of Osten Ard is to take a deep breath and plunge headfirst into The Dragonbone Chair, and continue the entire series in publication order.
Now another question I have been asked: "Is The Last King Of Osten Ard better than Memory, Sorrow And Thorn?". Now that is a harder question to answer. But I will try. As you can see, I am reviewing book three of four. I am a quarter of the way through The Navigator's Children and have yet to see how everything concludes, but what I can say is that up to this point, Tad has excelled himself. Ever had questions about the nature and history of Osten Ard and all its inhabitants? Wanted to see more of the Sithi and Norn cultures and learn more about who they are, where they came from, and why their history is so scattered and beaten down? Do you want to know more of the characters you know and love and how they are in their older years?
Tad does a magnificent job of not just following up a classic series, but extending and even retroactively enhancing and improving the quality and value of the first trilogy.
The Last King Of Osten Ard is not a standalone series, do not listen to anyone who says it is. In some ways, Tad Williams has improved his pacing, his prose is somewhat more modern in style, and there is more action to enjoy. But this series earnestly picks up on the history of the world as readers already know it, and it expands and it even subverts our understanding of it and our expectations for just where this story could go.
If you consider Memory, Sorrow And Thorn a masterpiece as I do, then I am convinced that anyone and everyone who has read that should continue on their journey.
To quote from the opening words of The Dragonbone Chair, I shall finish this review by saying:
"More bluntly, new visitors to this land should take heed:
Avoid Assumptions.
The Qanuc have another saying: “Welcome stranger. The paths are treacherous today.”
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