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The Last King of Osten Ard #4
The Navigator's Children
The latest saga in the New York Times bestselling world of Osten Ard concludes in the fourth and final Last King of Osten Ard novel.
The Hayholt is besieged by the Norns. Once the home of their immortal brethren, the Sithi, now capital of the kingdom of men, the fabled castle is under attack. And as the world is distracted by this strike against humankind, the Norns’ deathless witch-queen Utuk’ku turns towards the mysterious fateful valley called Tanakirú—the Vale of Mists.
Meanwhile, Queen Miriamele hurries to save the Hayholt and capture the treacherous noble Pasevalles, but arrives to discover the traitor has escaped.
And inside Tanakirú, Vale of Mists, the bond between Prince Morgan and Nezeru, a renegade Norn, has become something deeper and stranger than either of them could have anticipated. They journey ever deeper to the heart of the valley’s mystery, encountering wonder and horror, and come face to face at last with the ancient secret that has kindled the Norn Queen’s war—a secret that will destroy immortals and humans alike.
The Hayholt is besieged by the Norns. Once the home of their immortal brethren, the Sithi, now capital of the kingdom of men, the fabled castle is under attack. And as the world is distracted by this strike against humankind, the Norns’ deathless witch-queen Utuk’ku turns towards the mysterious fateful valley called Tanakirú—the Vale of Mists.
Meanwhile, Queen Miriamele hurries to save the Hayholt and capture the treacherous noble Pasevalles, but arrives to discover the traitor has escaped.
And inside Tanakirú, Vale of Mists, the bond between Prince Morgan and Nezeru, a renegade Norn, has become something deeper and stranger than either of them could have anticipated. They journey ever deeper to the heart of the valley’s mystery, encountering wonder and horror, and come face to face at last with the ancient secret that has kindled the Norn Queen’s war—a secret that will destroy immortals and humans alike.
752 pages, Hardcover
First published November 12, 2024
240 people are currently reading
4337 people want to read
About the author
Tad Williams
350 books7,857 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 237 reviews
December 7, 2025
With The Navigator's Children, Tad Williams delivers a satisfying and fitting finale to the Osten Ard saga that started with Memory, Sorrow and Thorn (MS&T), one of my all-time favourite fantasy series, over 30 years ago. This gap of 30 years is reflected in The Last King of Osten Ard (TLKoOA) series, where we revisit some returning characters from Memory, Sorrow and Thorn and many, many new ones. And what a series it is - with a marvellous conclusion in The Navigator's Children!
One does not need to have strictly read Memory, Sorrow and Thorn or the two novellas - The Heart Of What Was Lost, a bridge between MS&T and TLKoOA, and Brothers of the Wind, set before MS&T with lots of intriguing lore - but it will certainly heighten one's appreciation of this series and the scope of Osten Ard if one does so. I would recommend reading them in publication order instead of timeline order if possible.
All of Tad Williams' series include a synopsis of the previous installments, allowing the reader to take their time with the series without loss of continuity or having to reread multiple books. The summaries of the previous books in TLKoOA series are included in The Navigator's Children.
Before I discuss The Navigator's Children, I want to briefly share why MS&T and TLKoOA are so dear to me. MS&T is the only series I have read that brings me close to the feelings of a world suffused with melancholia I have felt reading Tolkien, one of my all-time greats. Tad Williams writes beautifully, expansively and creates an immersive world in Osten Ard which has its distinct identity but captures that spirit of vastness I have only felt in Middle-Earth. Nobody does melancholy like Tad Williams after Tolkien.
MS&T however was never a LOTR pastiche. It was a conversation with LOTR, one of the most seminal works of literature for me, sure, but it stood on its own as a beautifully written work of fantasy. For this I loved it. Then came A Song Of Ice and Fire by George R R Martin and Williams' own Shadowmarch - series which started to ask some darker questions about the worlds they were set in, series which I enjoyed thoroughly. Yet MS&T remained a beacon of hope, complete and contained, until Williams announced the return to Osten Ard with TLKoOA. And honestly I was worried. I didn't want the world of MS&T to become gritty and bleak. I wanted to preserve and cherish my memory of MS&T as it was, as it has been, sustained through rereads.
I was proved wrong by the first two books itself in TLKoOA - The Witchwood Crown and The Empire of Grass. In hindsight, my worries were unfounded. Williams doesn't do pastiche. Williams doesn't do "trends". And Williams is a beautiful and humane writer. Even in a world with darkness, he interrogates the source of darkness. He does not descend into an abyss but gently propels the characters (and the reader) away from it. He does not hesitate to confront evil but neither does he not venerate it. Just as MS&T was a conversation with LoTR while remaining unique, similarly so TLKoOA is a conversation with darker fantasy (best examples I can think of are A Song of Ice and Fire and perhaps an evolution of Williams' own Shadowmarch) while being very much grounded in its own world, characters and the story it had to tell.
So I thoroughly enjoyed the published volumes of TLKoOa - The Witchwood Crown, Empire of Grass, Into The Narrowdark but there was still the all important question - can Williams "navigate" this literary "child" of his to the perfect ending? We all know the perils of multi-POV sprawls in our beloved epic fantasies - Empire of Grass had 16 POVs I think from different parts of Osten Ard - how was it all going to come together? Writing, character work, story, immersion factor, expansion of the world - all so good but still, quite a bit hinges on that finale doesn't it?
The Navigator's Children is that finale. Tad Williams delivers and how. Every plot thread is resolved, POVs coalesce fittingly and meaningfully and the story comes together towards a thematically apt finale. Without spoiling the reading experience for anyone, there are three things I admired about The Navigator's Children:
(a) The resolutions are not through plot contrivances or impulsive character decisions but through lore rooted in the history of the world, hearkening to MS&T and Brothers of the Wind. I thought this so difficult to execute and was wowed by how it was done.
(b) The outlook is dark, bleak even at times, but never nihilistic. There is danger and evil but there is also good and the desperation to leave the world a better place even if one is not around to see it. Even when not knowing who they are leaving it for, just trying one's utmost, because not doing so is not an option. This touched my heart.
(c) The book delivers a thematically apt resolution consistent not just with its own title but also with the title of the entire series, The Last King of Osten Ard. I had three theories for why the series was called so, and it turned out to be one of them! It was executed so beautifully.
Osten Ard has always been special since MS&T. The series TLKoOA with this excellent final installment makes it even more so and it joins my personal pantheon of beautifully written epic fantasy series with memorable characters, expansive world rooted in deep lore, a story I will never forget and hopefully return to many, many times.
I highly recommend this saga to any reader who enjoys a well-written tale epic in scope.
Many thanks to NetGalley and DAW Books for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
One does not need to have strictly read Memory, Sorrow and Thorn or the two novellas - The Heart Of What Was Lost, a bridge between MS&T and TLKoOA, and Brothers of the Wind, set before MS&T with lots of intriguing lore - but it will certainly heighten one's appreciation of this series and the scope of Osten Ard if one does so. I would recommend reading them in publication order instead of timeline order if possible.
All of Tad Williams' series include a synopsis of the previous installments, allowing the reader to take their time with the series without loss of continuity or having to reread multiple books. The summaries of the previous books in TLKoOA series are included in The Navigator's Children.
Before I discuss The Navigator's Children, I want to briefly share why MS&T and TLKoOA are so dear to me. MS&T is the only series I have read that brings me close to the feelings of a world suffused with melancholia I have felt reading Tolkien, one of my all-time greats. Tad Williams writes beautifully, expansively and creates an immersive world in Osten Ard which has its distinct identity but captures that spirit of vastness I have only felt in Middle-Earth. Nobody does melancholy like Tad Williams after Tolkien.
MS&T however was never a LOTR pastiche. It was a conversation with LOTR, one of the most seminal works of literature for me, sure, but it stood on its own as a beautifully written work of fantasy. For this I loved it. Then came A Song Of Ice and Fire by George R R Martin and Williams' own Shadowmarch - series which started to ask some darker questions about the worlds they were set in, series which I enjoyed thoroughly. Yet MS&T remained a beacon of hope, complete and contained, until Williams announced the return to Osten Ard with TLKoOA. And honestly I was worried. I didn't want the world of MS&T to become gritty and bleak. I wanted to preserve and cherish my memory of MS&T as it was, as it has been, sustained through rereads.
I was proved wrong by the first two books itself in TLKoOA - The Witchwood Crown and The Empire of Grass. In hindsight, my worries were unfounded. Williams doesn't do pastiche. Williams doesn't do "trends". And Williams is a beautiful and humane writer. Even in a world with darkness, he interrogates the source of darkness. He does not descend into an abyss but gently propels the characters (and the reader) away from it. He does not hesitate to confront evil but neither does he not venerate it. Just as MS&T was a conversation with LoTR while remaining unique, similarly so TLKoOA is a conversation with darker fantasy (best examples I can think of are A Song of Ice and Fire and perhaps an evolution of Williams' own Shadowmarch) while being very much grounded in its own world, characters and the story it had to tell.
So I thoroughly enjoyed the published volumes of TLKoOa - The Witchwood Crown, Empire of Grass, Into The Narrowdark but there was still the all important question - can Williams "navigate" this literary "child" of his to the perfect ending? We all know the perils of multi-POV sprawls in our beloved epic fantasies - Empire of Grass had 16 POVs I think from different parts of Osten Ard - how was it all going to come together? Writing, character work, story, immersion factor, expansion of the world - all so good but still, quite a bit hinges on that finale doesn't it?
The Navigator's Children is that finale. Tad Williams delivers and how. Every plot thread is resolved, POVs coalesce fittingly and meaningfully and the story comes together towards a thematically apt finale. Without spoiling the reading experience for anyone, there are three things I admired about The Navigator's Children:
(a) The resolutions are not through plot contrivances or impulsive character decisions but through lore rooted in the history of the world, hearkening to MS&T and Brothers of the Wind. I thought this so difficult to execute and was wowed by how it was done.
(b) The outlook is dark, bleak even at times, but never nihilistic. There is danger and evil but there is also good and the desperation to leave the world a better place even if one is not around to see it. Even when not knowing who they are leaving it for, just trying one's utmost, because not doing so is not an option. This touched my heart.
(c) The book delivers a thematically apt resolution consistent not just with its own title but also with the title of the entire series, The Last King of Osten Ard. I had three theories for why the series was called so, and it turned out to be one of them! It was executed so beautifully.
Osten Ard has always been special since MS&T. The series TLKoOA with this excellent final installment makes it even more so and it joins my personal pantheon of beautifully written epic fantasy series with memorable characters, expansive world rooted in deep lore, a story I will never forget and hopefully return to many, many times.
I highly recommend this saga to any reader who enjoys a well-written tale epic in scope.
Many thanks to NetGalley and DAW Books for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
November 21, 2024
A fantastic conclusion to a fantastic series and one of my favorite fantasy books and fantasy series period. This was one of my mostly anticipated releases of this year and it fully lived up to expectations. I felt that for such a long book at over 340k words the pacing was excellent which allowed me to read this rather quickly. Now this isn't "Red Rising pacing", but it feels like every page and every chapter matters and is interesting. I didn't feel like I was ever reading "filler". I was very please with how storylines wrapped up and how characters that I had grown to love ended up. There are some good reveals and answers to theories and questions here too. Were they all spectacular? Maybe not but they were mostly satisfying. The unique story structure of double climax and double falling action felt unique and really held my interest. Also, I'm a sucker for a good falling action and when most modern fantasy books seem to have more abrupt endings I appreciate Tad really giving us the good here and showing us a lot of what comes after. It is interesting that he seems to leave a few open doors for potential sequels to resolve some threads. Whether that comes through another series or standalones I'm not sure but I hope we get it.
Overall, this was S tier. This is special. This is everything I want when I read fantasy. The lore, the in-depth world building, the large cast of characters who are all well developed and you can root for, the mysteries, the emotional moments, and a satisfying conclusion. This is honestly the kind of fantasy that doesn't get published as much anymore from traditional publishing houses and that's a shame because it's exactly the kind of fantasy that made me a fan of the genre.
Overall, this was S tier. This is special. This is everything I want when I read fantasy. The lore, the in-depth world building, the large cast of characters who are all well developed and you can root for, the mysteries, the emotional moments, and a satisfying conclusion. This is honestly the kind of fantasy that doesn't get published as much anymore from traditional publishing houses and that's a shame because it's exactly the kind of fantasy that made me a fan of the genre.
March 16, 2025
I have quite a few favorite fantasy writers, but I also have a holy trinity among them: Robin Hobb, Robert Jordan, and Tad Williams.
That said it's obvious that Osten Ard is one of my favorite three fantasy universes. This last novel in The Last King of Osten Ard series put everything together and delivers the best ending the series could have. It was amazing! For more than half a book the tension was simply unbearable, I had to put it down from time to time to gather my breath.
I should have been sad that this was the last book in Osten Ard Saga, but it looks like it is not. Too early to tell though, but one thing is certain: we will have at least one book (Deborah Beale said there might be two under contract), however no publication date yet. The Splintered Sun takes place 200 years before the events in The Dragonbone Chair, so we will have new characters to follow.
So. They were a blast, both series on top of my favorite of all times: extraordinary characters, astounding world building, terrible battles, best friendships, and a hell of a journey through the entire range of emotions.
I can't recommend his works enough, all of them.
That said it's obvious that Osten Ard is one of my favorite three fantasy universes. This last novel in The Last King of Osten Ard series put everything together and delivers the best ending the series could have. It was amazing! For more than half a book the tension was simply unbearable, I had to put it down from time to time to gather my breath.
I should have been sad that this was the last book in Osten Ard Saga, but it looks like it is not. Too early to tell though, but one thing is certain: we will have at least one book (Deborah Beale said there might be two under contract), however no publication date yet. The Splintered Sun takes place 200 years before the events in The Dragonbone Chair, so we will have new characters to follow.
So. They were a blast, both series on top of my favorite of all times: extraordinary characters, astounding world building, terrible battles, best friendships, and a hell of a journey through the entire range of emotions.
I can't recommend his works enough, all of them.
July 9, 2024
4.5/5
No spoilers or any mention of any plot points in any of the books, only high level thoughts on this book and the series as a whole are in this review.
Thank you to DAW books and Netgalley for this early copy. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The main plot ended on a very satisfying and exciting climax, probably one of the biggest and best stretches of action in any Tad Williams book that I've read. The complexity of the lore that has always been present but is just now being revealed is incredible. Like an intricate puzzle box hiding deep secrets in plain sight, it'll be interesting to re-read the series in the future now that we know some of the big answers to the questions that have been asked years ago.
The mysteries in this series are great. I do think a couple of the mysteries didn't have as satisfying of a resolution and were a little simple with not much payoff, but one of the big main ones, wow, I've been thinking about had so many big moments of payoff in this book that I could barely put the book down and stop reading.
The prose is incredible and some of the best in the fantasy genre, period. Tad writes in such a visual, evocative way that blends the surreal and fantastical in ways that also hits a lot of emotion, just superb. Honestly I expect this from him at this point after the whole series has had gorgeous writing and it doesn't disappoint here.
Some of the side stories I do wish had more complex resolutions or were folded into the main plot better and had some pretty straightforward resolutions that were a little disappointing considering how much the build up was throughout the series. I'm not sure why this happened but I feel like A Song of Ice and Fire did this considerably better but some of the plots were wrapped up a bit too neatly where I do like more messy resolutions with a lot of things going wrong and in unexpected directions.
I did feel satisfied with a lot of the character arcs, but also some of them I wish had a little more complexity in the resolutions and in some ways I think another trilogy will be needed to make it completely satisfying which is a bit unfortunate.
I loved a lot of the moral and political complexity here and the sequel series overall does a lot better in this aspect than Memory, Sorrow, Thorn. We get a lot of great perspectives from non human characters and get to grapple with their inhuman value systems and their differing political structures.
Overall Tad is one of the best authors currently writing fantasy and the bar for this book and my expectations were sky high and this mostly delivers in a satisfying way.
I love the world of Osten Ard and will happily return when Tad writes more books in the world, and I'm also expecting this will be the case. There are a few novellas already in the works but I also expect another trilogy will be possible in the future.
Highly recommend the series and was so happy to read this early and be able to take my time immersing myself in this world.
My standards were insanely high and I'll be thinking about this series and world for a long time to come. I've re-read the original series right before continuing with Last King of Osten Ard and I can see myself easily re-reading everything again in the future.
No spoilers or any mention of any plot points in any of the books, only high level thoughts on this book and the series as a whole are in this review.
Thank you to DAW books and Netgalley for this early copy. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The main plot ended on a very satisfying and exciting climax, probably one of the biggest and best stretches of action in any Tad Williams book that I've read. The complexity of the lore that has always been present but is just now being revealed is incredible. Like an intricate puzzle box hiding deep secrets in plain sight, it'll be interesting to re-read the series in the future now that we know some of the big answers to the questions that have been asked years ago.
The mysteries in this series are great. I do think a couple of the mysteries didn't have as satisfying of a resolution and were a little simple with not much payoff, but one of the big main ones, wow, I've been thinking about had so many big moments of payoff in this book that I could barely put the book down and stop reading.
The prose is incredible and some of the best in the fantasy genre, period. Tad writes in such a visual, evocative way that blends the surreal and fantastical in ways that also hits a lot of emotion, just superb. Honestly I expect this from him at this point after the whole series has had gorgeous writing and it doesn't disappoint here.
Some of the side stories I do wish had more complex resolutions or were folded into the main plot better and had some pretty straightforward resolutions that were a little disappointing considering how much the build up was throughout the series. I'm not sure why this happened but I feel like A Song of Ice and Fire did this considerably better but some of the plots were wrapped up a bit too neatly where I do like more messy resolutions with a lot of things going wrong and in unexpected directions.
I did feel satisfied with a lot of the character arcs, but also some of them I wish had a little more complexity in the resolutions and in some ways I think another trilogy will be needed to make it completely satisfying which is a bit unfortunate.
I loved a lot of the moral and political complexity here and the sequel series overall does a lot better in this aspect than Memory, Sorrow, Thorn. We get a lot of great perspectives from non human characters and get to grapple with their inhuman value systems and their differing political structures.
Overall Tad is one of the best authors currently writing fantasy and the bar for this book and my expectations were sky high and this mostly delivers in a satisfying way.
I love the world of Osten Ard and will happily return when Tad writes more books in the world, and I'm also expecting this will be the case. There are a few novellas already in the works but I also expect another trilogy will be possible in the future.
Highly recommend the series and was so happy to read this early and be able to take my time immersing myself in this world.
My standards were insanely high and I'll be thinking about this series and world for a long time to come. I've re-read the original series right before continuing with Last King of Osten Ard and I can see myself easily re-reading everything again in the future.
December 9, 2024
Fantastic ending to the best series ever written! 🤌🏼
September 18, 2024
Somehow, Williams has written a follow-up to his classic Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy that not only met my unreasonably high expectations, but shattered them. Wow.
December 2, 2024
A wonderful finale to a series that has always been special to me. Deep lore and rich storytelling Tad Williams fully immersive epic casts a spell on me every time.
December 24, 2024
This series ended fantastic. The initial books built plot points and character arcs that were wrapped up perfectly. Couldn’t have asked for a more satisfying conclusion. It retroactively makes the previous books substantially stronger.
November 18, 2024
Thank you DAW Books and Netgalley for providing an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
After finishing Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, one might think there was no need for a continuation of a story that had such a marvelous closure and wonder if sequels could diminish what the original had so perfectly established. I’m glad to say this isn’t the case here, at all.
The Last King of Osten Ard managed to build upon all the rich and intricate worldbuilding from the previous series, with old and new characters so vividly fleshed out by Tad’s outstanding writing, and deliver on this final book a conclusion which elevates the whole Osten Ard Saga to even higher levels.
Breath taking action sequences, emotional gut-punches and jaw-dropping revelations that had been sprinkled throughout these 30 years on the making series, culminates on this final book, giving us an incredibly satisfying conclusion that leaves us wanting for even more.
The whole Saga solidified into one of my favorite series ever. Thank you, Tad Williams, for creating this masterpiece!
After finishing Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, one might think there was no need for a continuation of a story that had such a marvelous closure and wonder if sequels could diminish what the original had so perfectly established. I’m glad to say this isn’t the case here, at all.
The Last King of Osten Ard managed to build upon all the rich and intricate worldbuilding from the previous series, with old and new characters so vividly fleshed out by Tad’s outstanding writing, and deliver on this final book a conclusion which elevates the whole Osten Ard Saga to even higher levels.
Breath taking action sequences, emotional gut-punches and jaw-dropping revelations that had been sprinkled throughout these 30 years on the making series, culminates on this final book, giving us an incredibly satisfying conclusion that leaves us wanting for even more.
The whole Saga solidified into one of my favorite series ever. Thank you, Tad Williams, for creating this masterpiece!
September 26, 2024
Absolument magnifique !!! Un véritable chef d'œuvre ! 😭😱🥰
Voici la vraie fin de la série L'Arcane des Épées 💗
Voici la vraie fin de la série L'Arcane des Épées 💗
November 18, 2024
Raw reaction at bottom,
advanced copy provided by publisher
Navigator's Children will be published November 12th, 2024
For those who think epic fantasy is dead, Tad Williams offers a stunning resurrection in The Last King of Osten Ard. The Navigator’s Children, the final volume of the four volume Last King, is a sequel to his classic fantasy trilogy Memory, Sorrow and Thorn but can be approached on its own at first for those who prefer a darker and more ensemble led story from the start. Eventually, new readers should definitely go back to the original.
This is a hard one to talk about spoilers as it climaxes not only plot points from the very complex and tangled Last King but threads left open by the originals and even by the excellent prequel Brothers of the Wind. There are many, many answers and things you will not expect; even in the second to last chapter there are smaller twists popping up. It’s beyond belief that Williams thought he could fit this in a trilogy. At times even four books strain to contain all the Epic Things he wants to contain: big battles, intimate romance between born enemies, betrayals from allies, monsters, and beautiful prose.
Not every storyline wowed me, but if roughly 16 of 18 point of views (!) are handled well and given interesting stories, and all the main page heavy ones land very strongly, I consider that a massive success for any author. Side note: I do think that even these two weaker storylines could be improved by Williams doing a future installment that flushes them out more. Even in a four book series, not everything will always have enough time, so here is hoping there will be more Osten Ard novels to come even if Last King is very much done.
While I will not spoil anything, the biggest strength of The Navigator’s Children is how Williams does not rush his conclusion. Once the big action climax happens, all I will say is that the narrative doesn’t wrap in a single chapter and epilogue like so many other stories, but character growth and reactions are given the same time and weight other authors would provide to fighting. The narrative is allowed to unravel and get deeper exploration of fallout before raveling back together just in time for the closing chapters, which provides a rich and satisfying conclusion that will have readers remembering the world and characters long after the book closes - and imagining what stories could happen there in the future.
RAW REACTION, June 30th 2024
Full review to come closer to the actual release in November, but rough reactions from the Advanced Reading Copy: wow. jeez. oh man. What Williams tried here is very ambitious in a way thematically and structure wise. I love Part 2 a lot...the character payoffs, the action, the strange creatures and places. Powerfully pulls off the same feeling as the end of the original trilogy: I want to see more of this place and (most) of these characters, it is both happy yet sad to see it all go.
advanced copy provided by publisher
Navigator's Children will be published November 12th, 2024
For those who think epic fantasy is dead, Tad Williams offers a stunning resurrection in The Last King of Osten Ard. The Navigator’s Children, the final volume of the four volume Last King, is a sequel to his classic fantasy trilogy Memory, Sorrow and Thorn but can be approached on its own at first for those who prefer a darker and more ensemble led story from the start. Eventually, new readers should definitely go back to the original.
This is a hard one to talk about spoilers as it climaxes not only plot points from the very complex and tangled Last King but threads left open by the originals and even by the excellent prequel Brothers of the Wind. There are many, many answers and things you will not expect; even in the second to last chapter there are smaller twists popping up. It’s beyond belief that Williams thought he could fit this in a trilogy. At times even four books strain to contain all the Epic Things he wants to contain: big battles, intimate romance between born enemies, betrayals from allies, monsters, and beautiful prose.
Not every storyline wowed me, but if roughly 16 of 18 point of views (!) are handled well and given interesting stories, and all the main page heavy ones land very strongly, I consider that a massive success for any author. Side note: I do think that even these two weaker storylines could be improved by Williams doing a future installment that flushes them out more. Even in a four book series, not everything will always have enough time, so here is hoping there will be more Osten Ard novels to come even if Last King is very much done.
While I will not spoil anything, the biggest strength of The Navigator’s Children is how Williams does not rush his conclusion. Once the big action climax happens, all I will say is that the narrative doesn’t wrap in a single chapter and epilogue like so many other stories, but character growth and reactions are given the same time and weight other authors would provide to fighting. The narrative is allowed to unravel and get deeper exploration of fallout before raveling back together just in time for the closing chapters, which provides a rich and satisfying conclusion that will have readers remembering the world and characters long after the book closes - and imagining what stories could happen there in the future.
RAW REACTION, June 30th 2024
Full review to come closer to the actual release in November, but rough reactions from the Advanced Reading Copy: wow. jeez. oh man. What Williams tried here is very ambitious in a way thematically and structure wise. I love Part 2 a lot...the character payoffs, the action, the strange creatures and places. Powerfully pulls off the same feeling as the end of the original trilogy: I want to see more of this place and (most) of these characters, it is both happy yet sad to see it all go.
February 19, 2025
Excellent
Superb
Wrapped up nicely
Spectacular
One of the Best series I ever read!!
Superb
Wrapped up nicely
Spectacular
One of the Best series I ever read!!
December 12, 2024
A glorious finale, with the stories of all our dear friends finished. For now, anyway.
I mean, this can't be the last one, can it? I know Tad said it was . . . but really? Would he do that to us?
I've been on this journey for over thirty years. I was obsessed with the original trilogy, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, in high school. And my twenties. I wrote papers about them. The world building! The characterization! The religions of Osten Ard!
The screams I screamed when the new series was announced! And the prequel novels! Stars and hearts shot out of my eyes! And they continued to shoot out of my eyes as I read these newer books, which are just as good, if not better (I'm at an age where I appreciate mature heroes with aches and pains and gray hairs)!
And now I must lie down and slowly get used to the idea that I've read The Navigator's Children, and I'll never be able to read it for the first time again.
I mean, this can't be the last one, can it? I know Tad said it was . . . but really? Would he do that to us?
I've been on this journey for over thirty years. I was obsessed with the original trilogy, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, in high school. And my twenties. I wrote papers about them. The world building! The characterization! The religions of Osten Ard!
The screams I screamed when the new series was announced! And the prequel novels! Stars and hearts shot out of my eyes! And they continued to shoot out of my eyes as I read these newer books, which are just as good, if not better (I'm at an age where I appreciate mature heroes with aches and pains and gray hairs)!
And now I must lie down and slowly get used to the idea that I've read The Navigator's Children, and I'll never be able to read it for the first time again.
November 25, 2024
This is it. The finale of the series l started reading in the late 80s with The Dragonbone Chair. All of the various plot strings are tied up in neat bows, even a few l didn't expect.
It begins with Simon, Miri and Prince Morgan all separated by distance and thinking the others are dead due to circumstances in the previous books. The Hayholt is burning, in the aftermath of the Norns attack.
There are various battles, many strong characters in their own diverse storylines all building towards the culmination of the face-off with the Norn Queen.
I couldn't have asked for a better book to wrap up this series.
It begins with Simon, Miri and Prince Morgan all separated by distance and thinking the others are dead due to circumstances in the previous books. The Hayholt is burning, in the aftermath of the Norns attack.
There are various battles, many strong characters in their own diverse storylines all building towards the culmination of the face-off with the Norn Queen.
I couldn't have asked for a better book to wrap up this series.
Want to read
February 2, 2024I loved the cover reveal for this book, and can't wait to see how this sequel series ends!
But man, 1300 pages?!?
But man, 1300 pages?!?
November 26, 2024
What a wrap up to the series.. a proper ending for all storylines. Tad truly is one of the greatest fantasy writers of all time. Some endings were expected, most unexpected, which I love even more. I love how (in the style of LOTR) the main story ends at about 70% of the book, and in the chapters afterwards we get a proper ending for most of the side-storylines. Still some ends are left loose, let's hope Tad will continue to write Osten Ard novels.. but I think he will.
Thanks to DAW Books & Tad for an ARC via NetGalley. These are my honest opinions, and I also purchased the book on release day, because I will probably reread it really soon.
Thanks to DAW Books & Tad for an ARC via NetGalley. These are my honest opinions, and I also purchased the book on release day, because I will probably reread it really soon.
July 13, 2024
First of all I would like to thank Netgalley and Daw for giving me this uncorrected proof edition of the book so early, I really am grateful, but my review will not be in any way affected by this.
This final book in The Last King of Osten Ard by author Tad Williams is incredibly ambitious in terms of scope, themes and worldbuilding. All of his books have beautiful prose, very slow and meticulous pacing, expansive worldbuilding with worlds that truly feel lived in, complex, nuanced, likeable and incredibly human characters and plotlines that converge in satisfying ways, wrapping everything up in compelling and thematically deep and meaningful ways. But this book takes the cake! In this last entry of the Osten Ard series as a whole he manages to go above and beyond, expanding on everything he built up in the first 3 books of this series and even things from his Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series.
It is very hard to write a review about the final book in a series without getting into spoiler territory, so I will say the payoff in this book had me reading the last 50 to 100 pages in tears. The amount of emotion and thematic exploration in this book floored me. The character arcs ended in very natural feeling ways, never jumping the shark, always focusing on their very well earned growth throughout the series and especially this book. When it comes to the plot, it managed to pull quite a number of left turns that I was genuinely not expecting, but the greatest feat was creating moments and plot beats of great emotional impact where things I was predicting would happen turned into things I was hoping would happen with all my heart (that happens very rarely for me as I am generally a reader that tries NOT to predict anything and just go along with the flow, so I count that as incredible writing if it made me do that)
Worldbuilding was also expanded upon and turned on its head a little (again can't say more because of spoilers, but it's good stuff and a very unexpected surprise)
Now this review has sounded like me just gushing over this book, but it did have 1 flaw. The book was split into 3 parts and the first part was glacially slow even for a Tad Williams book, which in the last book of the series did take me out of the story a little bit at times and the structure of the book was something I needed to wrap my head around a little, especially after the climax of part 2. Apart from this, the book is fantastic and I highly recommend it to any epic fantasy fan, but also to anybody who likes deep story telling in general.
This final book in The Last King of Osten Ard by author Tad Williams is incredibly ambitious in terms of scope, themes and worldbuilding. All of his books have beautiful prose, very slow and meticulous pacing, expansive worldbuilding with worlds that truly feel lived in, complex, nuanced, likeable and incredibly human characters and plotlines that converge in satisfying ways, wrapping everything up in compelling and thematically deep and meaningful ways. But this book takes the cake! In this last entry of the Osten Ard series as a whole he manages to go above and beyond, expanding on everything he built up in the first 3 books of this series and even things from his Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series.
It is very hard to write a review about the final book in a series without getting into spoiler territory, so I will say the payoff in this book had me reading the last 50 to 100 pages in tears. The amount of emotion and thematic exploration in this book floored me. The character arcs ended in very natural feeling ways, never jumping the shark, always focusing on their very well earned growth throughout the series and especially this book. When it comes to the plot, it managed to pull quite a number of left turns that I was genuinely not expecting, but the greatest feat was creating moments and plot beats of great emotional impact where things I was predicting would happen turned into things I was hoping would happen with all my heart (that happens very rarely for me as I am generally a reader that tries NOT to predict anything and just go along with the flow, so I count that as incredible writing if it made me do that)
Worldbuilding was also expanded upon and turned on its head a little (again can't say more because of spoilers, but it's good stuff and a very unexpected surprise)
Now this review has sounded like me just gushing over this book, but it did have 1 flaw. The book was split into 3 parts and the first part was glacially slow even for a Tad Williams book, which in the last book of the series did take me out of the story a little bit at times and the structure of the book was something I needed to wrap my head around a little, especially after the climax of part 2. Apart from this, the book is fantastic and I highly recommend it to any epic fantasy fan, but also to anybody who likes deep story telling in general.
July 18, 2025
“Nothing is given to us when we come to this world but the promise of an ending, Seoman—so we must believe it to be a gift.”
This is book is really the best conclusion I think I could’ve asked from the Osten Ard saga and I’m glad to have read it. Everything about this book is excellent, the characters, worldbuilding, plot, themes etc are all delightful to read and delivered to near perfection. This is without a doubt one of the greatest fantasy sagas out there and my second favorite that I’ve read. I will miss the lands of Osten Ard, but I’ll definitely be reading these magnificent books again. 9.8/10
This is book is really the best conclusion I think I could’ve asked from the Osten Ard saga and I’m glad to have read it. Everything about this book is excellent, the characters, worldbuilding, plot, themes etc are all delightful to read and delivered to near perfection. This is without a doubt one of the greatest fantasy sagas out there and my second favorite that I’ve read. I will miss the lands of Osten Ard, but I’ll definitely be reading these magnificent books again. 9.8/10
May 26, 2025
Wonderful! An incredible journey from Mr Williams!
June 8, 2025
Much as I've enjoyed this series, my final feeling is just a deep sadness that I have to finally say goodbye to these characters - what a ride it has been!
- Spoiler Free Review -
It's a testament to how much I've fallen in love with this series that when I saw that the final book was *only* 750ish pages long (instead of the 1000 page plus behemoth I'd been expecting) I felt disappointed that it was going to be so short. I was worried that all the threads, and there were an awful lot of them at the beginning of the book, couldn't possibly be tied off in such a (relatively) modest page count.
I need not have worried! I can't really say too much about the plot without spoilers at this end of the series, but I do want to give Tad Williams the credit he's due for how perfectly he brings everything together in the final act.
There are characters here who have been struggling with things since Memory, Sorrow and Thorn who finally get closure. There are hints dropped several novels back in the series which finally pay off. It's such an incredibly satisfying conclusion and yet there were several twists which I didn't see coming.
The way this story comes together is so perfect I'm actually gobsmacked that Tad Williams (apparently) hadn't planned it at the end of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. I know I'm really stressing this point, but it's just so good I feel like anything less would be underselling it.
What else was good about it?
Tad Williams writes incredible characters, and a number of them conclude arcs in this book. I cried real tears over some of them, their fates and their struggles. Some I loved, some I hated, some I felt all kinds of different things for, but there wasn't a single one I was neutral about, or whose fate I didn't care about.
It's hard to pick favourites, especially without spoiling anything, but I'll give a special mention to Viyeki (his conversations with Prince Pratiki have been a highlight for a while now), Simon (probably one of my all time favourite fantasy protagonists) and I feel like I should give Utuk'ku her due as one of the most effortlessly sinister and terrifying villains I've ever read.
Any negatives?
Other than the fact it's over...? Nothing I'd change and I can't see anyone who's made it this far being unhappy with the ending.
Overall: phenomenal! If you're in any doubt about diving into Osten Ard, or about continuing with the sequel series after Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, I beg you to give it a try! These books may not be 'unknown', but they certainly deserve a lot more acclaim than they get!
Though he has wrapped up the series beautifully, Williams has left a couple of... openings, which do seem to hint that perhaps there's more to come in this world. If there is, I'll be a very delighted day one reader!
- Spoiler Free Review -
It's a testament to how much I've fallen in love with this series that when I saw that the final book was *only* 750ish pages long (instead of the 1000 page plus behemoth I'd been expecting) I felt disappointed that it was going to be so short. I was worried that all the threads, and there were an awful lot of them at the beginning of the book, couldn't possibly be tied off in such a (relatively) modest page count.
I need not have worried! I can't really say too much about the plot without spoilers at this end of the series, but I do want to give Tad Williams the credit he's due for how perfectly he brings everything together in the final act.
There are characters here who have been struggling with things since Memory, Sorrow and Thorn who finally get closure. There are hints dropped several novels back in the series which finally pay off. It's such an incredibly satisfying conclusion and yet there were several twists which I didn't see coming.
The way this story comes together is so perfect I'm actually gobsmacked that Tad Williams (apparently) hadn't planned it at the end of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. I know I'm really stressing this point, but it's just so good I feel like anything less would be underselling it.
What else was good about it?
Tad Williams writes incredible characters, and a number of them conclude arcs in this book. I cried real tears over some of them, their fates and their struggles. Some I loved, some I hated, some I felt all kinds of different things for, but there wasn't a single one I was neutral about, or whose fate I didn't care about.
It's hard to pick favourites, especially without spoiling anything, but I'll give a special mention to Viyeki (his conversations with Prince Pratiki have been a highlight for a while now), Simon (probably one of my all time favourite fantasy protagonists) and I feel like I should give Utuk'ku her due as one of the most effortlessly sinister and terrifying villains I've ever read.
Any negatives?
Other than the fact it's over...? Nothing I'd change and I can't see anyone who's made it this far being unhappy with the ending.
Overall: phenomenal! If you're in any doubt about diving into Osten Ard, or about continuing with the sequel series after Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, I beg you to give it a try! These books may not be 'unknown', but they certainly deserve a lot more acclaim than they get!
Though he has wrapped up the series beautifully, Williams has left a couple of... openings, which do seem to hint that perhaps there's more to come in this world. If there is, I'll be a very delighted day one reader!
November 11, 2024
Video review here: https://youtu.be/3tfGEnydyGg (available 11/11/24)
What a fantastic closing book to a phenomenal follow up series!
I received an eARC via NetGalley
From the moment I opened The Witchwood Crown I felt I was back in Osten Ard. Williams captured the feel of the original series so well right away, with alterations to the characters as they've aged. this series was very strong all the way through, but The Navigator's Children is the crowning achievement, and Tad knocked it out of the park.
This book wraps around all of the different plot lines and mysteries, plus has some new twists and turns. Williams masterfully pulls all the threads together (even the ones that felt less relevant in some of the early books and delivers quite the climax. The crazy thing is that climax is only about 2/3rds of the way through, and yet the pacing is so excellent in this installment that you never feel like it's taking too long. There's plenty that happens after the main conflict is resolved, and of course some huge revelations at the very end as well, but despite the bulk of this novel, the flow is great.
While I may have a few minor complaints here and there with this series (as I did with the origianl trilogy as well), like with Memory Sorrow & Thorn, I'm just enjoying myself too much to really care. This for me captured those same feelings from that experience which is the ultimate hurdle when writing a follow up series. If you loved MST, you will absolutely love Last King of Osten Ard as well!
What a fantastic closing book to a phenomenal follow up series!
I received an eARC via NetGalley
From the moment I opened The Witchwood Crown I felt I was back in Osten Ard. Williams captured the feel of the original series so well right away, with alterations to the characters as they've aged. this series was very strong all the way through, but The Navigator's Children is the crowning achievement, and Tad knocked it out of the park.
This book wraps around all of the different plot lines and mysteries, plus has some new twists and turns. Williams masterfully pulls all the threads together (even the ones that felt less relevant in some of the early books and delivers quite the climax. The crazy thing is that climax is only about 2/3rds of the way through, and yet the pacing is so excellent in this installment that you never feel like it's taking too long. There's plenty that happens after the main conflict is resolved, and of course some huge revelations at the very end as well, but despite the bulk of this novel, the flow is great.
While I may have a few minor complaints here and there with this series (as I did with the origianl trilogy as well), like with Memory Sorrow & Thorn, I'm just enjoying myself too much to really care. This for me captured those same feelings from that experience which is the ultimate hurdle when writing a follow up series. If you loved MST, you will absolutely love Last King of Osten Ard as well!
November 29, 2024
All I wanted and more from this final volume in my favourite fantasy series.
January 31, 2025
Finally and I mean finally finished the journey and what a journey it’s been. A piece of fantasy literature of the highest standard possible, outstanding. A wonderfully crafted world with deep characters and a beautiful and engaging story. Highs and lows with moments of intensity with real depth wherever you turn. Not an easy read for some and requires high levels of concentration and commitment but stay the course and you won’t be disappointed. I’ve still got a couple of novels set within the same world to go but both are considerably shorter than the main narrative. An epic in every sense of the world, and what a magnificent achievement. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.
☘️
☘️
November 15, 2024
It did everything a concluding book should. It wrapped everything up perfectly but provided a few seeds of what could happen next. If you love the ending to LOTR where the biggest danger ends at about 65 percent of the way through and has a very leisurely ending you will love this. Lots of answers finally! Lots of death and happy moments so its very bittersweet.
November 15, 2024
I love osten ard and this is a wonderful wrap up/send off. I still have many questions and will miss many characters but alas!
February 25, 2025
My experience with this entire series was ten months, two friends, and one epic buddy read through the entire Osten Ard Saga! I had an immense amount of fun screaming in real time about the books and everything that hit home.
At the end of a series like this, it's hard to talk about the book itself because everything is a spoiler. There are laughs, maybe a few tears because Williams doesn't hesitate to kill off characters I came to love, and definitely many epic scenes. Everything I said about every prior book is true.
The only bad thing about The Navigator's Children is that Daw decided to be cheap and cut off the Michael Whelan covers, so we are stuck with.... Well, let's just say I'm sure Whelan could have painted a mask. What a poor choice on the publisher's part
But I don't want to detract from the book too much. There were so many things I never saw coming. I was never bored. You think there couldn't possibly be any more new lore, but now we learn about the Dreaming Sea. All the characters are back. Almost everyone gets a victory over a primary baddie. The last 30% is all denouement which is a throwback to older fantasy and it just works. Viyeki's picture 🥰🥰
Could there be more books in the future? Sure, Williams left a few potential jumping off points. If not, I think it ended on a perfect note
Full Thoughts and more up at...
https://onereadingnurse.com/2025/02/2...
At the end of a series like this, it's hard to talk about the book itself because everything is a spoiler. There are laughs, maybe a few tears because Williams doesn't hesitate to kill off characters I came to love, and definitely many epic scenes. Everything I said about every prior book is true.
The only bad thing about The Navigator's Children is that Daw decided to be cheap and cut off the Michael Whelan covers, so we are stuck with.... Well, let's just say I'm sure Whelan could have painted a mask. What a poor choice on the publisher's part
But I don't want to detract from the book too much. There were so many things I never saw coming. I was never bored. You think there couldn't possibly be any more new lore, but now we learn about the Dreaming Sea. All the characters are back. Almost everyone gets a victory over a primary baddie. The last 30% is all denouement which is a throwback to older fantasy and it just works. Viyeki's picture 🥰🥰
Could there be more books in the future? Sure, Williams left a few potential jumping off points. If not, I think it ended on a perfect note
Full Thoughts and more up at...
https://onereadingnurse.com/2025/02/2...
January 4, 2025
God damn it, Tad. You did it again.
5 out of 5! 10 out of 10! For the love of God just PLEASE give me MORE!
5 out of 5! 10 out of 10! For the love of God just PLEASE give me MORE!
November 17, 2025
Review Edited on November 17th, 2025, as I believe my original review did not proportionally convey the love that I have for this series.
5/5
The Navigator’s Children is a beautifully crafted and deeply satisfying conclusion, one that blends melancholic grace with genuine catharsis.
I worried when a major conflict resolved around the 70% mark that the story might lose momentum and compromise an otherwise remarkable series. I’m grateful to say I was wrong. As always, Tad Williams delivers, reminding me yet again how criminally underrated this sequel series is.
It’s difficult to articulate my feelings because these books operate as much on emotion as on thought or philosophy. Yet the commentary never feels shallow. The Last King of Osten Ard moves like a cold wind through an empty forest; both chilling and comforting, stirring nostalgia mingled with unease, while still offering hope.
I’m profoundly glad these novels exist, niche as they are. They provide a rare, fully realized conclusion to a world and cast of characters that many series can only aspire to, and it’s all there, waiting for anyone willing to take the first step.
Farewell, Osten Ard, at least until The Splintered Sun arrives, or my inevitable reread. One of my top five series of all time.
5/5
The Navigator’s Children is a beautifully crafted and deeply satisfying conclusion, one that blends melancholic grace with genuine catharsis.
I worried when a major conflict resolved around the 70% mark that the story might lose momentum and compromise an otherwise remarkable series. I’m grateful to say I was wrong. As always, Tad Williams delivers, reminding me yet again how criminally underrated this sequel series is.
It’s difficult to articulate my feelings because these books operate as much on emotion as on thought or philosophy. Yet the commentary never feels shallow. The Last King of Osten Ard moves like a cold wind through an empty forest; both chilling and comforting, stirring nostalgia mingled with unease, while still offering hope.
I’m profoundly glad these novels exist, niche as they are. They provide a rare, fully realized conclusion to a world and cast of characters that many series can only aspire to, and it’s all there, waiting for anyone willing to take the first step.
Farewell, Osten Ard, at least until The Splintered Sun arrives, or my inevitable reread. One of my top five series of all time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2025
After almost a dozen years, my (first) journey through Osten Ard comes to an end.
Although initially dazzled by the way author Tad Williams had expanded the world (and modernized the tone) of Osten Ard in this sequel series to his influential classic 'Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn', as it continued on, I began to worry that he may have overdone it in the 'grimdark' department.
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is beloved in large part because it strikes a perfect balance between the Tolkien-esque heroic fantasy and a world that feels a bit less....idealistic.
The Last King of Osten Ard, however, felt like it was leaning much more towards a level of darkness that was....well, it was depressing! When we last left these characters, things seemed like they could not be worse.
And yet....I should have trusted Tad.
This ending was everything I could have possibly hoped for - and more! We got answers to long-lived questions (some dating back to MST!), we saw reunions, and we saw villains get their just desserts.
In short, it was perfect.
And with this capstone, Osten Ard now takes its place as one of my Top 3 favorite series of all-time. It's a pinnacle of High Fantasy, and deserves to be in the same breath as Lord of the Rings, Realm of the Elderlings, and A Song of Ice and Fire.
I will revisit often, and I hope that...maybe...Tad has a few more novels in him.
Although initially dazzled by the way author Tad Williams had expanded the world (and modernized the tone) of Osten Ard in this sequel series to his influential classic 'Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn', as it continued on, I began to worry that he may have overdone it in the 'grimdark' department.
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is beloved in large part because it strikes a perfect balance between the Tolkien-esque heroic fantasy and a world that feels a bit less....idealistic.
The Last King of Osten Ard, however, felt like it was leaning much more towards a level of darkness that was....well, it was depressing! When we last left these characters, things seemed like they could not be worse.
And yet....I should have trusted Tad.
This ending was everything I could have possibly hoped for - and more! We got answers to long-lived questions (some dating back to MST!), we saw reunions, and we saw villains get their just desserts.
In short, it was perfect.
And with this capstone, Osten Ard now takes its place as one of my Top 3 favorite series of all-time. It's a pinnacle of High Fantasy, and deserves to be in the same breath as Lord of the Rings, Realm of the Elderlings, and A Song of Ice and Fire.
I will revisit often, and I hope that...maybe...Tad has a few more novels in him.
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