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Flan's Crows #1
The Splintered Sun
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26THE SPLINTERED SUN is a fast-moving adventure that will thrill newcomers diving into the world of Osten Ard for the first time, while weaving together many parts of previously unrevealed Osten Ard history for all the readers who are eager to delve into the pre-DRAGONBONE CHAIR history of Hernystir and Erkynland.
Short summary:
Set in the New York Times-bestselling world of Osten Ard, Tad Williams’s latest novel is an action-packed, fast-moving adventure following the mythic figure of Flann Alderwood and his band of misfit rebels. As the old King of Hernystir’s health worsens, the realm has been thrown into chaos—warlords divide the land up among themselves and questions about the heir to the throne continue to cause conflict. Flann, along with mysterious allies both common and noble, must aid the King’s one legitimate heir in his quest to receive his father’s blessing and attempt to return stability to the realm, while pursued by enemies eager to end his life.
Short summary:
Set in the New York Times-bestselling world of Osten Ard, Tad Williams’s latest novel is an action-packed, fast-moving adventure following the mythic figure of Flann Alderwood and his band of misfit rebels. As the old King of Hernystir’s health worsens, the realm has been thrown into chaos—warlords divide the land up among themselves and questions about the heir to the throne continue to cause conflict. Flann, along with mysterious allies both common and noble, must aid the King’s one legitimate heir in his quest to receive his father’s blessing and attempt to return stability to the realm, while pursued by enemies eager to end his life.
Unknown Binding
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Tad Williams
347 books8,157 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 24, 2026
I received a copy of this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5 a bit conflicted on this one and what to rate it.
This is marketed as a fun Robin Hood adventure and while that's part of it, Tad really just does his thing here and it's not drastically different from other books in this world, you have to enjoy being in this world because it is a very deliberately paced and often slow burn.
Some of the difference here is the scale is a bit more constrained, we're not doing a world wide epic fantasy but there's still plenty of POVs, a contested throne succession, a lot of ingredients for epic fantasy that we know and love.
Overall this is a really good book and I enjoyed reading it, Tad is one of my favorite authors. The reading experience is great and his moment to moment writing is some of the best. There's a lot of beautiful writing and great turns of phrase, it lives up to his pedigree here.
However, I really think the plot is one of the slowest we've seen in Osten Ard so far and there's a lot of anticlimactic moments. After finishing the book I'm wondering what the point of it was and that's not a good feeling after investing so much time on it.
There's some good world building nuggets and good exploration of the magic but I was hoping for a bit more, there's some hints at larger things at play but I needed something more to really make me eager for the next book.
I will definitely continue the series but I'm not as hungry for more as I was hoping to be. There's a lot of great characters and the slow building that I had with them was good, so there was a nice mix of characters, world building, action, and the slow burning plot.
3.5/5 a bit conflicted on this one and what to rate it.
This is marketed as a fun Robin Hood adventure and while that's part of it, Tad really just does his thing here and it's not drastically different from other books in this world, you have to enjoy being in this world because it is a very deliberately paced and often slow burn.
Some of the difference here is the scale is a bit more constrained, we're not doing a world wide epic fantasy but there's still plenty of POVs, a contested throne succession, a lot of ingredients for epic fantasy that we know and love.
Overall this is a really good book and I enjoyed reading it, Tad is one of my favorite authors. The reading experience is great and his moment to moment writing is some of the best. There's a lot of beautiful writing and great turns of phrase, it lives up to his pedigree here.
However, I really think the plot is one of the slowest we've seen in Osten Ard so far and there's a lot of anticlimactic moments. After finishing the book I'm wondering what the point of it was and that's not a good feeling after investing so much time on it.
There's some good world building nuggets and good exploration of the magic but I was hoping for a bit more, there's some hints at larger things at play but I needed something more to really make me eager for the next book.
I will definitely continue the series but I'm not as hungry for more as I was hoping to be. There's a lot of great characters and the slow building that I had with them was good, so there was a nice mix of characters, world building, action, and the slow burning plot.
July 9, 2026
Classic fantasy at its core, a masterfully told adventure.
Instantly, I fell in love with this cast of characters. I was rooting for Vedra, Daley and the Crows the whole journey.
It was so nice to be back in Osten Ard, I absolutely love the original series, MS&T will forever be one of the best tales ever written. Comparatively, “The Splintered Sun” feels lighter and more airy, possibly a “simpler” more straight forward kind of story, which I feel should help the general public get into Osten Ard culture, and dip their toes into the vastness of the realm.
The events that took place in “The Splintered Sun” are set into motion wonderfully, I’m mostly happy with the outcomes, because they felt “real.” It’s a bleak world, and not everything will happen how you think, or plan it will. You must adapt and persevere, or you’ll end up with an arrow in your neck.
Excited for the next installment of Crow adventures.
Thanks to DAW and NetGalley for the ARC.
Instantly, I fell in love with this cast of characters. I was rooting for Vedra, Daley and the Crows the whole journey.
It was so nice to be back in Osten Ard, I absolutely love the original series, MS&T will forever be one of the best tales ever written. Comparatively, “The Splintered Sun” feels lighter and more airy, possibly a “simpler” more straight forward kind of story, which I feel should help the general public get into Osten Ard culture, and dip their toes into the vastness of the realm.
The events that took place in “The Splintered Sun” are set into motion wonderfully, I’m mostly happy with the outcomes, because they felt “real.” It’s a bleak world, and not everything will happen how you think, or plan it will. You must adapt and persevere, or you’ll end up with an arrow in your neck.
Excited for the next installment of Crow adventures.
Thanks to DAW and NetGalley for the ARC.
Read
August 13, 2026everyone in this book had the same conversation one thousand times
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC provided by the publisher—Hodder—in exchange for an honest review.
The Splintered Sun is the start of a new incredible tale in The Osten Ard Saga accompanied with a relatively faster-paced narrative .
It is a bittersweet feeling to have read almost every book in The Osten Ard Saga. I know it might sound like sacrilege that I have not read The Navigator’s Children (the last book in The Last King of Osten Ard) yet. And somehow, I still decided to read this newest book/series in the universe. Curiosity in this new series got the best of me. Or maybe a part of me is just trying to postpone finishing every book in The Osten Ard Saga as long as I can. When I first heard there would be another book in this universe, I was immediately elated. Here are two things you should know about Tad Williams, though. First, do not believe him when he says he’s writing a standalone or a trilogy. If he says he’s writing a standalone, the standalone will become a trilogy. If he says he’s writing a trilogy, that trilogy will become a four-book trilogy. But this is not a misfortune. Here’s the other important thing to remember. Tad Williams does not write a bad book. Every book he has written in The Osten Ard Saga ranges from great to amazing. And The Splintered Sun, originally penned as a standalone and now it has turned into a series, is not an exception to these two rules. I am confident those who bounced off reading The Dragonbone Chair could potentially end up liking the pacing and story structure of The Splintered Sun more.
So, what’s this book about? The Splintered Sun takes place after Brothers of the Wind but three hundred years before Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy. This book is a swashbuckling story of a fearless bandit and his band of misfit rebels navigating a kingdom menaced by dark sorcery and threatening war. With the old King of Hernystir’s health failing, warlords carve up the land and rival factions clash over the rightful heir. Into this chaos steps Flann, joined by allies both noble and common, to help the King’s one legitimate heir, Prince Ewain, claim his father’s blessing and restore stability. But enemies, human and inhuman, stalk their every move, determined to end Flann’s quest before it begins. And to top it all, the two main characters—Vedra and Daley—will find it impossible to escape the harsh fate and conspiracies they’re about to be plunged into.
Because many people will ask whether this is a good entry point to this universe or not, I will make it clear from the get-go that it is evident that Tad Williams wrote The Splintered Sun with the intention of inviting new readers to the world of Osten Ard. This isn’t to say old-time readers of every book in this world won’t enjoy this book. I doubt that would happen when you’re already a fan of Tad’s writing. We do get to learn more about the Dream Road and the history of Hernystiri, Grasslanders, and a bit of Hayholt—still named Dun ard in this book—with the iconic Green Angel Tower. However, if you’re here expecting to learn something substantial and new about the lore established in the previous books in the universe, this isn’t the book for you. You won’t learn anything significant about the Norns and the Sithi. Things could change in the later books of this series, but for now, The Splintered Sun focuses more on the tale of the two kids, Vedra and Daley, as they find their fates intertwined with Flann Alderwood and his band of outlaws called the Crows. In The Dragonbone Chair, the tale in The Splintered Sun has become folklore, similar to Robin Hood in our world.
Comparatively speaking, similar to how the early parts of The Dragonbone Chair is told mostly from the perspective of Simon, approximately the first quarter of the book is told from the point-of-view of Vedra and Daley. But there’s a huge difference in pacing between these first installments of their respective series. I absolutely loved every page of The Dragonbone Chair. This includes Simon’s 200-page slice-of-life portion. Some readers, however, find that kind of story structure too slow to their liking. This is where the circumstances differ in The Splintered Sun, and why I believe many modern readers will enjoy the pacing in The Splintered Sun more. Vedra’s capability to scry and Daley’s knack for stealing things—undoubtedly—lead them to conflicts they never expected. From the premise written, I think many people will enter The Splintered Sun expecting Flann to be the key main character of the novel, but it is not. He’s one of the main characters of the book. But most of the book is told from the perspective of Vedra and Daley.
This is not a claim that Vedra and Daley are the exclusive key characters. They did have the most spotlight, and I believe Tad did a great job in starting The Splintered Sun from their tale. However, the balance in characterizations is there in the narrative. The varied cast and personality of Flann and his Crows, Xanico, Tika, plus the villains Scaeth and Phelan, have their respective spotlights, and they are there to enrich the dialogue, politicking, and fight for the throne. The book definitely has a faster pace, and I imagine this will click with a lot of readers, but I cannot deny I did miss the slower-paced and melancholic tone of the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy in The Splintered Sun. I feel Tad Williams’ prose is at its best when he writes a somber and melancholic narrative. As far as comparison goes, I think the closest epic fantasy book I can think of that matches The Splintered Sun is The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding. Or, if you like the found camaraderie aspect in Mistborn between Vin, Kelsier, and their crew, there will be a lot to like in The Splintered Sun.
If you are like me, who feels bittersweet about not having anything else in The Osten Ard Saga to read, well, The Splintered Sun is here as a balm to our predicament. Imagine a Robin Hood figure and his band of misfit outlaws fighting against greed to attain justice in the world of Osten Ard. Imbued with Dream Road, deadly vision, prophecy, exciting action, and satisfying final chapters. What more can you ask for in the first installment? Filled with a diverse cast of characters and races, whether you are a veteran or newcomer to the world of Osten Ard, The Splintered Sun will do its best to ensure your reading time and experience in this new tale is absolutely worthwhile. Until the sequel to The Splintered Sun is available to read, I believe it is time for me to accept my time in the world of Osten Ard shall conclude for a while. It is time for me to read The Navigator’s Children.
You can pre-order this book from: Amazon | Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Andrew. S, Arik, Arliss, Barbara, Ben, Benjamin, Cade, Chris, Crystal, Cullen, Dan, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Erich, Evie, Feanor, Francesca, Frank, Gary, Gregory, James, Jason, Jeff, Johnny, Joie, Jonathan, Katrina, Kim, Kristina, Lara, Leigh, Lourdes, Melinda, Mike, Mike S, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Radiah, RCT, Sally, Samuel, Sarah, Scott, Sean, Shawn, Shawna, Stephanie, Trish, Tyler, TS, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zachary, Zammar.
The Splintered Sun is the start of a new incredible tale in The Osten Ard Saga accompanied with a relatively faster-paced narrative .
“When you are my age, you will be less dismayed and even less surprised by the path that life leads you. I am alive and among friends. That counts for much.”
It is a bittersweet feeling to have read almost every book in The Osten Ard Saga. I know it might sound like sacrilege that I have not read The Navigator’s Children (the last book in The Last King of Osten Ard) yet. And somehow, I still decided to read this newest book/series in the universe. Curiosity in this new series got the best of me. Or maybe a part of me is just trying to postpone finishing every book in The Osten Ard Saga as long as I can. When I first heard there would be another book in this universe, I was immediately elated. Here are two things you should know about Tad Williams, though. First, do not believe him when he says he’s writing a standalone or a trilogy. If he says he’s writing a standalone, the standalone will become a trilogy. If he says he’s writing a trilogy, that trilogy will become a four-book trilogy. But this is not a misfortune. Here’s the other important thing to remember. Tad Williams does not write a bad book. Every book he has written in The Osten Ard Saga ranges from great to amazing. And The Splintered Sun, originally penned as a standalone and now it has turned into a series, is not an exception to these two rules. I am confident those who bounced off reading The Dragonbone Chair could potentially end up liking the pacing and story structure of The Splintered Sun more.
“Mark my words, child. There is no quicker way to lose your mind and your freedom than falling in love.”
So, what’s this book about? The Splintered Sun takes place after Brothers of the Wind but three hundred years before Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy. This book is a swashbuckling story of a fearless bandit and his band of misfit rebels navigating a kingdom menaced by dark sorcery and threatening war. With the old King of Hernystir’s health failing, warlords carve up the land and rival factions clash over the rightful heir. Into this chaos steps Flann, joined by allies both noble and common, to help the King’s one legitimate heir, Prince Ewain, claim his father’s blessing and restore stability. But enemies, human and inhuman, stalk their every move, determined to end Flann’s quest before it begins. And to top it all, the two main characters—Vedra and Daley—will find it impossible to escape the harsh fate and conspiracies they’re about to be plunged into.
“We are all in danger, child, every moment. Every living creature is on a journey from birth to death. How close to that latter destination we are, no one can say.”
Because many people will ask whether this is a good entry point to this universe or not, I will make it clear from the get-go that it is evident that Tad Williams wrote The Splintered Sun with the intention of inviting new readers to the world of Osten Ard. This isn’t to say old-time readers of every book in this world won’t enjoy this book. I doubt that would happen when you’re already a fan of Tad’s writing. We do get to learn more about the Dream Road and the history of Hernystiri, Grasslanders, and a bit of Hayholt—still named Dun ard in this book—with the iconic Green Angel Tower. However, if you’re here expecting to learn something substantial and new about the lore established in the previous books in the universe, this isn’t the book for you. You won’t learn anything significant about the Norns and the Sithi. Things could change in the later books of this series, but for now, The Splintered Sun focuses more on the tale of the two kids, Vedra and Daley, as they find their fates intertwined with Flann Alderwood and his band of outlaws called the Crows. In The Dragonbone Chair, the tale in The Splintered Sun has become folklore, similar to Robin Hood in our world.
“The gods gave us life upon this earth, I know not why, and I can only do my best with what I am given.”
Comparatively speaking, similar to how the early parts of The Dragonbone Chair is told mostly from the perspective of Simon, approximately the first quarter of the book is told from the point-of-view of Vedra and Daley. But there’s a huge difference in pacing between these first installments of their respective series. I absolutely loved every page of The Dragonbone Chair. This includes Simon’s 200-page slice-of-life portion. Some readers, however, find that kind of story structure too slow to their liking. This is where the circumstances differ in The Splintered Sun, and why I believe many modern readers will enjoy the pacing in The Splintered Sun more. Vedra’s capability to scry and Daley’s knack for stealing things—undoubtedly—lead them to conflicts they never expected. From the premise written, I think many people will enter The Splintered Sun expecting Flann to be the key main character of the novel, but it is not. He’s one of the main characters of the book. But most of the book is told from the perspective of Vedra and Daley.
“It means we make our own decisions in this world. That even the gods sometimes must let us choose our own paths, for good or ill.”
This is not a claim that Vedra and Daley are the exclusive key characters. They did have the most spotlight, and I believe Tad did a great job in starting The Splintered Sun from their tale. However, the balance in characterizations is there in the narrative. The varied cast and personality of Flann and his Crows, Xanico, Tika, plus the villains Scaeth and Phelan, have their respective spotlights, and they are there to enrich the dialogue, politicking, and fight for the throne. The book definitely has a faster pace, and I imagine this will click with a lot of readers, but I cannot deny I did miss the slower-paced and melancholic tone of the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy in The Splintered Sun. I feel Tad Williams’ prose is at its best when he writes a somber and melancholic narrative. As far as comparison goes, I think the closest epic fantasy book I can think of that matches The Splintered Sun is The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding. Or, if you like the found camaraderie aspect in Mistborn between Vin, Kelsier, and their crew, there will be a lot to like in The Splintered Sun.
“Families aren’t always what the gods give us to start with, but what we find and gather to ourselves along the way.”
If you are like me, who feels bittersweet about not having anything else in The Osten Ard Saga to read, well, The Splintered Sun is here as a balm to our predicament. Imagine a Robin Hood figure and his band of misfit outlaws fighting against greed to attain justice in the world of Osten Ard. Imbued with Dream Road, deadly vision, prophecy, exciting action, and satisfying final chapters. What more can you ask for in the first installment? Filled with a diverse cast of characters and races, whether you are a veteran or newcomer to the world of Osten Ard, The Splintered Sun will do its best to ensure your reading time and experience in this new tale is absolutely worthwhile. Until the sequel to The Splintered Sun is available to read, I believe it is time for me to accept my time in the world of Osten Ard shall conclude for a while. It is time for me to read The Navigator’s Children.
“As usual, the greedy cannot understand any other motives but greed, whether for power or riches.”
You can pre-order this book from: Amazon | Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Andrew. S, Arik, Arliss, Barbara, Ben, Benjamin, Cade, Chris, Crystal, Cullen, Dan, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Erich, Evie, Feanor, Francesca, Frank, Gary, Gregory, James, Jason, Jeff, Johnny, Joie, Jonathan, Katrina, Kim, Kristina, Lara, Leigh, Lourdes, Melinda, Mike, Mike S, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Radiah, RCT, Sally, Samuel, Sarah, Scott, Sean, Shawn, Shawna, Stephanie, Trish, Tyler, TS, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zachary, Zammar.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Vedra has been working as a scryer for the nobles Hernystir hoping to make enough money to at least get by while living in an abandoned warehouse. It is certainly not the greatest life but it is better than working for the slaver her parents sold her too. One evening after scrying for a merchant's wife she comes home to find a young boy in the rafters of her warehouse home. At first alarmed she quickly realizes the boy, Daley, means her no harm and rapidly they become like siblings to each other. The only problem is Daley has sticky fingers, very sticky fingers and after stealing a ring and a letter from the Regent of the kingdom Vedra realizes they are both in very real danger. Knowing that Mistress Peegan, the merchant's wife she had scryed for previously had a big heart Vedra begs for her assistance, Peegan not only agrees to but takes the two children on a pilgrimage with her. Vedra is certain they could not be safer, however, after being accosted by the infamous outlaw Flan and his Crows Vedra and Daley discover that the letter they stole details a treasonous plot against the one true heir by his brothers and that there may be nowhere in the world safe for them. Now, with Flan's Crows the two children are in a race against time to stop a war from breaking out and the assassination of the one true Prince.
So there is a lot to unpack with this book and I am going to do as much as I can because if I say I dislike a book I want to make sure people understand why, because I really did not like this book.
The gist of this is that these two kids Vedra and Daley accidentally steal a letter from the Regent, First Lord Phelan, written by Phelan's younger brother Scaeth. The letter details out a plot to kill their youngest brother Ewain, who is supposedly the true heir to the throne. Vedra also happens to be like some once in a lifetime scryer (this is supposedly important). For some reason Daley is squirrel like and climbs literally everything and anything he can (Daley's climbing and the fact that he likes to steal stuff is how this all starts). Anyhoo, Vedra happens to meet the nicest lady ever and after Vedra explains that they are wanted by the Regent, Peegan decides to take the kids in and take them with her on a pilgrimage, where they are "attacked" by Flan and his Crows (AKA Robin Hood and his Merry Men). Daley being the squirrel that he is climbs a tree during the attack and his shoe falls off where he's been hiding the letter he stole with all the treasonous stuff in it. Flan decides it's important, gets it interpreted by a faerie (I think he's a faerie maybe he's an elf), the faerie decides Vedra and Daley are the "chosen ones" and off we go to stop the evil brothers from killing their other brother. Oh and just by sheer coincidence the younger brother with the target on his head who has survived several attempts on his life already decides now is a perfect time to go ask dear old dad (the king is still alive he just decided to go a completely different country and let Phelan the eldest child rule as regent) to declare him the one true heir.
Yeah, I know that's a freaking lot and it actually gets more convoluted as it goes on, there's also apparently a genocidal woman who is essentially Wormtongue to the king in his self-imposed exile. It's just a lot and even though this is an extremely long book I felt like nothing actually happened. I mean a lot of stuff does actually happen but gods I hate to say it, it all felt so pointless. I never felt like it was truly established that the brothers were evil, so the whole thing felt like a huge overreaction. We never find out why Vedra and Daley are so important to the whole plot. We do find out that there appears to be a big bad in the background pulling the strings of one of the brothers, but we spend so little time on this that it just felt like an unnecessary addition to a plot already overflowing. On top of that I just felt like 75% of the book was one character asking Flan and the faerie what the hell the actual plan was and both of them pulling a Xellos, except they aren't Xellos and it wasn't funny. Some of the chapters were incredibly similar and I feel like many could have been left out. Like we just went in circles the whole book, even when things did finally move forward we still just have the same characters expressing the same concerns.
On top of all of that there were so many decisions that characters made that truly made no sense to me. Like they seemed arbitrary at best even though there was a ton of time spent on ensuring the characters and in turn the readers that Flan and his faerie partner had indeed spent a ton of time thinking about the best course of action.
Oh and did I mention Flan is gay? Yeah this also seems like a weird addition. Gay and apparently unable to stay in a monogamous relationship so his partner or the man that wants to be his partner is the cook of our little merry band of outlaws. This genuinely didn't need to be in there. Flan's sexuality has virtually nothing to do with the story at all and I felt like this was genuinely thrown in as an attempt to offset some of the pretty glaring issues with some other things. Like the fact that Phelan's disfigurement from scoliosis and other birth defects is literally the only thing that's talked about when he's mentioned.
But here's the big thing: I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE POINT OF THIS ALL WAS!! None at all whatsoever. I just feel like I wasted a ton of time reading a book that had no purpose at all. Like I genuinely almost need Williams to explain to me what his point was in writing this because I truly cannot find one.
At the end of the day, I just can't recommend this at least not to buy. It just felt unfinished (and yeah I get that it's the first book in a new series and again, it feels unfinished) and rushed. Which is a very uncomfortable description given how long it is. Like if you want to read it, I recommend checking it out at the library first. If you find you enjoy it than maybe drop the money on it, but I just can't in good conscience tell people to go out and pay money for this.
As always thanks to Netgalley and DAW for the eArc!
So there is a lot to unpack with this book and I am going to do as much as I can because if I say I dislike a book I want to make sure people understand why, because I really did not like this book.
The gist of this is that these two kids Vedra and Daley accidentally steal a letter from the Regent, First Lord Phelan, written by Phelan's younger brother Scaeth. The letter details out a plot to kill their youngest brother Ewain, who is supposedly the true heir to the throne. Vedra also happens to be like some once in a lifetime scryer (this is supposedly important). For some reason Daley is squirrel like and climbs literally everything and anything he can (Daley's climbing and the fact that he likes to steal stuff is how this all starts). Anyhoo, Vedra happens to meet the nicest lady ever and after Vedra explains that they are wanted by the Regent, Peegan decides to take the kids in and take them with her on a pilgrimage, where they are "attacked" by Flan and his Crows (AKA Robin Hood and his Merry Men). Daley being the squirrel that he is climbs a tree during the attack and his shoe falls off where he's been hiding the letter he stole with all the treasonous stuff in it. Flan decides it's important, gets it interpreted by a faerie (I think he's a faerie maybe he's an elf), the faerie decides Vedra and Daley are the "chosen ones" and off we go to stop the evil brothers from killing their other brother. Oh and just by sheer coincidence the younger brother with the target on his head who has survived several attempts on his life already decides now is a perfect time to go ask dear old dad (the king is still alive he just decided to go a completely different country and let Phelan the eldest child rule as regent) to declare him the one true heir.
Yeah, I know that's a freaking lot and it actually gets more convoluted as it goes on, there's also apparently a genocidal woman who is essentially Wormtongue to the king in his self-imposed exile. It's just a lot and even though this is an extremely long book I felt like nothing actually happened. I mean a lot of stuff does actually happen but gods I hate to say it, it all felt so pointless. I never felt like it was truly established that the brothers were evil, so the whole thing felt like a huge overreaction. We never find out why Vedra and Daley are so important to the whole plot. We do find out that there appears to be a big bad in the background pulling the strings of one of the brothers, but we spend so little time on this that it just felt like an unnecessary addition to a plot already overflowing. On top of that I just felt like 75% of the book was one character asking Flan and the faerie what the hell the actual plan was and both of them pulling a Xellos, except they aren't Xellos and it wasn't funny. Some of the chapters were incredibly similar and I feel like many could have been left out. Like we just went in circles the whole book, even when things did finally move forward we still just have the same characters expressing the same concerns.
On top of all of that there were so many decisions that characters made that truly made no sense to me. Like they seemed arbitrary at best even though there was a ton of time spent on ensuring the characters and in turn the readers that Flan and his faerie partner had indeed spent a ton of time thinking about the best course of action.
Oh and did I mention Flan is gay? Yeah this also seems like a weird addition. Gay and apparently unable to stay in a monogamous relationship so his partner or the man that wants to be his partner is the cook of our little merry band of outlaws. This genuinely didn't need to be in there. Flan's sexuality has virtually nothing to do with the story at all and I felt like this was genuinely thrown in as an attempt to offset some of the pretty glaring issues with some other things. Like the fact that Phelan's disfigurement from scoliosis and other birth defects is literally the only thing that's talked about when he's mentioned.
But here's the big thing: I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE POINT OF THIS ALL WAS!! None at all whatsoever. I just feel like I wasted a ton of time reading a book that had no purpose at all. Like I genuinely almost need Williams to explain to me what his point was in writing this because I truly cannot find one.
At the end of the day, I just can't recommend this at least not to buy. It just felt unfinished (and yeah I get that it's the first book in a new series and again, it feels unfinished) and rushed. Which is a very uncomfortable description given how long it is. Like if you want to read it, I recommend checking it out at the library first. If you find you enjoy it than maybe drop the money on it, but I just can't in good conscience tell people to go out and pay money for this.
As always thanks to Netgalley and DAW for the eArc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm so glad to see Tad return to the world of Osten Ard, in a new era and setting!
I was initially wary of the decision to center two children as the principal protagonists, but I ended up finding it fascinating. These two aren't exactly jumping at the "call to adventure"; not an unusual trope in the fantasy that comes out these days, but I think it is intriguing when Flann's band is very much giving the archetypal Robin Hood band. Daley and Vedra's perspectives, as well as other developments in the plot, help ground the story as a result.
However, I think it won't necessarily work for everyone since they're also more passive players because of: (1) said reluctance to get involved, and (2) the fact that they're, well, children, who likely wouldn't have been able to take much more of an active role in the political intrigue they've found themselves tangled in even if they had wanted to. It also serves to make the tone of the story darker than I had expected given the mythology Tad is drawing on. But it worked more than I thought it would for me, especially because I loved Daley and Vedra's relationship with each other and the risks they were willing to take because of it. They're definitely not your most perfect and straightforward "found family", as readers will see, but there's a very deep care there that I think is at the heart of the story.
Seeing as this is apparently the beginning of a trilogy (no surprises with everything that's set up in this first book), I'm very interested in seeing how the choice to center Daley and Vedra's perspectives plays out in the rest of the books and whether it ends up being the right one. While I was expecting a Flann POV as the stand-in for Robin Hood, he works very well from an outside POV where we're not privy to his thoughts and it's easy to get lost in his grandeur and charisma. I love his relationships with the members of his band, especially Lady Mearna; it's a different relationship compared to the character of Maid Marian that she's inspired by, but even lacking romance, their friendship is clearly deep.
I also really liked the character Long Liam and the kindness he receives from members of Flann's band in the story. One thing I've always thought about stories featuring societal "outsiders" is that they should actually reflect the people who are most marginalized; maybe one of those things you would think go without saying, but it doesn't always necessarily happen. Hence, in telling a fantasy equivalent of Robin Hood with a group of outlaws that lives on the fringes of society and welcomes those who want to make a better world for others like themselves, it makes a lot of sense to make your Robin equivalent queer, and have women and neurodivergent people present among this group.
Aside from the characters, there are several political factions set up in this book, as you'd expect with a civil war on the way. Tethtain himself, initially set up as your larger than life king figure whose actions have culminated in much of the book's current environment, was a more challenging figure than I thought he would be, and I'm particularly interested to see where that plotline heads later. So far, Phelan and Scaeth, Tethtain's two bastard sons, aren't presented with much moral complexity and are about straightforwardly antagonistic/villanous as you'd expect in your classic fantasy, although this is not necessarily a negative.
I do, however, have some reservations about Phelan: he not only comes across as your standard 80s fantasy villain because of what I mentioned above, but due to physical disabilities and deformities that lead to him being consistently seen as ugly and offputting by other characters throughout the book. Yet, given the sympathy Long Liam is treated with (although his condition is of a different nature) I don't want to think this will be your bog-standard ableist depiction. Seeing as Phelan seems much more rational and less sadistic than Scaeth, hopefully Tad does end up going somewhere more subversive with him (i.e. Tyrion Lannister, from ASOIAF; clearly a bad person but you can see how the ableism of society and his family has had much to do with the person he becomes).
While there's a lot of plot hooks and things left unresolved at the end of this book, I don't think people who are familiar with Tad's previous series and the often slow-paced first entries will be too surprised by that (I will note that this book did seem faster-paced in comparison to the prior Osten Ard entries). In addition, as it's been a hot minute since I've read the previous series, I suspect there were several callbacks/references in this book that I may have missed. That said, I think this book is still a good entry point for those who are unfamiliar, as it didn't ultimately have any bearing on my ability to understand the story, though it should be rewarding for big fans of the books.
All in all, I think this was a great start to a new series, and I'm excited to see where Tad takes it from here. 4 stars!!
I was initially wary of the decision to center two children as the principal protagonists, but I ended up finding it fascinating. These two aren't exactly jumping at the "call to adventure"; not an unusual trope in the fantasy that comes out these days, but I think it is intriguing when Flann's band is very much giving the archetypal Robin Hood band. Daley and Vedra's perspectives, as well as other developments in the plot, help ground the story as a result.
However, I think it won't necessarily work for everyone since they're also more passive players because of: (1) said reluctance to get involved, and (2) the fact that they're, well, children, who likely wouldn't have been able to take much more of an active role in the political intrigue they've found themselves tangled in even if they had wanted to. It also serves to make the tone of the story darker than I had expected given the mythology Tad is drawing on. But it worked more than I thought it would for me, especially because I loved Daley and Vedra's relationship with each other and the risks they were willing to take because of it. They're definitely not your most perfect and straightforward "found family", as readers will see, but there's a very deep care there that I think is at the heart of the story.
Seeing as this is apparently the beginning of a trilogy (no surprises with everything that's set up in this first book), I'm very interested in seeing how the choice to center Daley and Vedra's perspectives plays out in the rest of the books and whether it ends up being the right one. While I was expecting a Flann POV as the stand-in for Robin Hood, he works very well from an outside POV where we're not privy to his thoughts and it's easy to get lost in his grandeur and charisma. I love his relationships with the members of his band, especially Lady Mearna; it's a different relationship compared to the character of Maid Marian that she's inspired by, but even lacking romance, their friendship is clearly deep.
I also really liked the character Long Liam and the kindness he receives from members of Flann's band in the story. One thing I've always thought about stories featuring societal "outsiders" is that they should actually reflect the people who are most marginalized; maybe one of those things you would think go without saying, but it doesn't always necessarily happen. Hence, in telling a fantasy equivalent of Robin Hood with a group of outlaws that lives on the fringes of society and welcomes those who want to make a better world for others like themselves, it makes a lot of sense to make your Robin equivalent queer, and have women and neurodivergent people present among this group.
Aside from the characters, there are several political factions set up in this book, as you'd expect with a civil war on the way. Tethtain himself, initially set up as your larger than life king figure whose actions have culminated in much of the book's current environment, was a more challenging figure than I thought he would be, and I'm particularly interested to see where that plotline heads later. So far, Phelan and Scaeth, Tethtain's two bastard sons, aren't presented with much moral complexity and are about straightforwardly antagonistic/villanous as you'd expect in your classic fantasy, although this is not necessarily a negative.
I do, however, have some reservations about Phelan: he not only comes across as your standard 80s fantasy villain because of what I mentioned above, but due to physical disabilities and deformities that lead to him being consistently seen as ugly and offputting by other characters throughout the book. Yet, given the sympathy Long Liam is treated with (although his condition is of a different nature) I don't want to think this will be your bog-standard ableist depiction. Seeing as Phelan seems much more rational and less sadistic than Scaeth, hopefully Tad does end up going somewhere more subversive with him (i.e. Tyrion Lannister, from ASOIAF; clearly a bad person but you can see how the ableism of society and his family has had much to do with the person he becomes).
While there's a lot of plot hooks and things left unresolved at the end of this book, I don't think people who are familiar with Tad's previous series and the often slow-paced first entries will be too surprised by that (I will note that this book did seem faster-paced in comparison to the prior Osten Ard entries). In addition, as it's been a hot minute since I've read the previous series, I suspect there were several callbacks/references in this book that I may have missed. That said, I think this book is still a good entry point for those who are unfamiliar, as it didn't ultimately have any bearing on my ability to understand the story, though it should be rewarding for big fans of the books.
All in all, I think this was a great start to a new series, and I'm excited to see where Tad takes it from here. 4 stars!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have just finished reading my review copy of The Splintered Sun by Tad Williams (the first in a new series based in his world of Osten Ard).
**This review is unpaid and will be spoiler free.**
An easy way to start this review is by stating just how incredible it is to be back in Osten Ard. Having said it before I'll say it again, Tad Williams has captured something truly special with this world. The Splintered Sun takes place 300 years before events of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. You could read this without having read any prior works based in Osten Ard. That being said, having the knowledge of that world from the previous books is certainly nice, though not required. (Moreso makes certain moments feel like clever inside jokes or easter eggs.)
This story follows two young protagonists, a young quiet boy named Daley with a love of climbing and light fingers and a teen named Vedra who is discovering her abilities as a scryer. Both have been left alone in life through seperate tradgedies. One accidental theft later and these two lonely kids brought together by happenstance end up in the middle of a fued between two bastard sons fighting for the throne from their half brother and true heir. Their journey ties them with Flann Alderwood (another portagonist) and his group of outlaws known as The Crows as they attempt to protect the true heir on his quest to claim his rightful title.
Tad Williams has done an absolutely brilliant job of making Osten Ard feel fresh again. The threat in this novel feels different than his previous two series in this world and it shows just how different things were 300 years prior. Rather than the potential ending of a whole world we see a kingdom fueding and how the struggle and treachery unfolds. How a band of outlaws will have to use wit and determination to overcome ruthlessness and staggering odds.
"No, this is our lonely fight, and it is a desperate one. And mark my words, more will die before it is over, some of our own among them."
The characters in this novel are absolutely brilliant! Both of the young protagonists are interesting, well written, and bounce off each other and the rest of the cast so realistically. Flann Alderwood is one of my favorite characters Tad Williams has written. The inspiration from Robin Hood is written clearly here and is done remarkably. I laughed out loud many times when reading Flann's wit. The Crows have lots of charm and great dialog as well. The villains of the story feel real, dangerous, and heartless. One thing I really loved about this book is just how everyone involved in the quest has a good reason to be. You'll learn why everyone is fighting this battle what events led them all together. They may be outlaws but when evil men label you as one, maybe you're not so bad.
The action in this novel is not a constant thing but man is it satisfying when it appears. Tad Williams has not lost any ability whatsoever to write a good fight. And in this case some of them are quite humorous. This book certainly has quicker pacing than The Dragonbone Chair (book one of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn). I love the pacing of that book and I don't mind a slowburn at all but the quicker approach found is this book is just as welcome. Many people may even prefer it.
When reading this you can expect a charming, thrilling, fresh new tale in the world of Osten Ard. Whether its your first time here, or if you've already fallen in love with the world you're bound to enjoy this. Tad Williams really surprised me in his short novel Brothers of the Wind but how different he could make a familiar world feel and he's done it again with The Splintered Sun. I'm very excited to see where this story takes us! For a first entry I am impressed! Not surprisingly given the already impressive installments in the previous saga I give The Splintered Sun a 5/5. It has everything you could ask for the first book of a new series. And now we wait for more!
Thank you to DAW for this review copy, and many thanks to Tad Williams for his brilliant writing! This man's prose is unmatched! #NetGalley #DAW #TadWilliams #TheSplinteredSun
**This review is unpaid and will be spoiler free.**
An easy way to start this review is by stating just how incredible it is to be back in Osten Ard. Having said it before I'll say it again, Tad Williams has captured something truly special with this world. The Splintered Sun takes place 300 years before events of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. You could read this without having read any prior works based in Osten Ard. That being said, having the knowledge of that world from the previous books is certainly nice, though not required. (Moreso makes certain moments feel like clever inside jokes or easter eggs.)
This story follows two young protagonists, a young quiet boy named Daley with a love of climbing and light fingers and a teen named Vedra who is discovering her abilities as a scryer. Both have been left alone in life through seperate tradgedies. One accidental theft later and these two lonely kids brought together by happenstance end up in the middle of a fued between two bastard sons fighting for the throne from their half brother and true heir. Their journey ties them with Flann Alderwood (another portagonist) and his group of outlaws known as The Crows as they attempt to protect the true heir on his quest to claim his rightful title.
Tad Williams has done an absolutely brilliant job of making Osten Ard feel fresh again. The threat in this novel feels different than his previous two series in this world and it shows just how different things were 300 years prior. Rather than the potential ending of a whole world we see a kingdom fueding and how the struggle and treachery unfolds. How a band of outlaws will have to use wit and determination to overcome ruthlessness and staggering odds.
"No, this is our lonely fight, and it is a desperate one. And mark my words, more will die before it is over, some of our own among them."
The characters in this novel are absolutely brilliant! Both of the young protagonists are interesting, well written, and bounce off each other and the rest of the cast so realistically. Flann Alderwood is one of my favorite characters Tad Williams has written. The inspiration from Robin Hood is written clearly here and is done remarkably. I laughed out loud many times when reading Flann's wit. The Crows have lots of charm and great dialog as well. The villains of the story feel real, dangerous, and heartless. One thing I really loved about this book is just how everyone involved in the quest has a good reason to be. You'll learn why everyone is fighting this battle what events led them all together. They may be outlaws but when evil men label you as one, maybe you're not so bad.
The action in this novel is not a constant thing but man is it satisfying when it appears. Tad Williams has not lost any ability whatsoever to write a good fight. And in this case some of them are quite humorous. This book certainly has quicker pacing than The Dragonbone Chair (book one of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn). I love the pacing of that book and I don't mind a slowburn at all but the quicker approach found is this book is just as welcome. Many people may even prefer it.
When reading this you can expect a charming, thrilling, fresh new tale in the world of Osten Ard. Whether its your first time here, or if you've already fallen in love with the world you're bound to enjoy this. Tad Williams really surprised me in his short novel Brothers of the Wind but how different he could make a familiar world feel and he's done it again with The Splintered Sun. I'm very excited to see where this story takes us! For a first entry I am impressed! Not surprisingly given the already impressive installments in the previous saga I give The Splintered Sun a 5/5. It has everything you could ask for the first book of a new series. And now we wait for more!
Thank you to DAW for this review copy, and many thanks to Tad Williams for his brilliant writing! This man's prose is unmatched! #NetGalley #DAW #TadWilliams #TheSplinteredSun
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
Young Vedra lives alone in an abandoned warehouse, scraping together coins through unreliable prophecy. When the younger Daley comes into her life unexpectedly, they're both thrust into an important task protecting the legitimate heir to the kingdom's fading ruler.
Review
I've enjoyed much of Tad Williams' work, but 'original' is not one of the adjectives that usually comes to mind (with a few exceptions), and that's true here as well. The Splintered Sun draws heavily on Robin Hood and doesn't add a great deal to it.
My copy of The Splintered Sun also gave no indication that this was part of a series rather than a standalone, which made for a confusing read. Only Mr. Williams' norm (series) and the lack of any real progress in the book made me think that it must be intended as a series opener, as Goodreads now seems to confirm. If it's not, this is one very dull book.
'Lack of progress' sums up much of the book. The world is mildly interesting (it's apparently a prequel set in Osten Ard, though I didn't recognize much) and the characters are engaging, but the core plot of the book is very, very thin. During the latter half, I kept trying to figure out why the book had devoted so very much text to such a thin task. The only reason I came up with was that Williams' focus was on establishing characters, and he'd spent very little time on the device he would use to do it. The result was severely underwhelming.
Not all of the character descriptions worked out. One man in particular simply could not be mentioned without (re-)establishing how very large he was. Not as a point of humor, but as simple description. By the tenth time, I was shouting, "We get it; he's big." Sadly, there wasn't a whole lot more to him than that. There are also some logistical improbabilities with the action of the other very large and limited character.
Overall, I wasn't impressed. I've read many of Williams' other series, but this is one that I won't be following. If the rest is as dull as the opener, I can't really recommend that anyone should.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Summary
Young Vedra lives alone in an abandoned warehouse, scraping together coins through unreliable prophecy. When the younger Daley comes into her life unexpectedly, they're both thrust into an important task protecting the legitimate heir to the kingdom's fading ruler.
Review
I've enjoyed much of Tad Williams' work, but 'original' is not one of the adjectives that usually comes to mind (with a few exceptions), and that's true here as well. The Splintered Sun draws heavily on Robin Hood and doesn't add a great deal to it.
My copy of The Splintered Sun also gave no indication that this was part of a series rather than a standalone, which made for a confusing read. Only Mr. Williams' norm (series) and the lack of any real progress in the book made me think that it must be intended as a series opener, as Goodreads now seems to confirm. If it's not, this is one very dull book.
'Lack of progress' sums up much of the book. The world is mildly interesting (it's apparently a prequel set in Osten Ard, though I didn't recognize much) and the characters are engaging, but the core plot of the book is very, very thin. During the latter half, I kept trying to figure out why the book had devoted so very much text to such a thin task. The only reason I came up with was that Williams' focus was on establishing characters, and he'd spent very little time on the device he would use to do it. The result was severely underwhelming.
Not all of the character descriptions worked out. One man in particular simply could not be mentioned without (re-)establishing how very large he was. Not as a point of humor, but as simple description. By the tenth time, I was shouting, "We get it; he's big." Sadly, there wasn't a whole lot more to him than that. There are also some logistical improbabilities with the action of the other very large and limited character.
Overall, I wasn't impressed. I've read many of Williams' other series, but this is one that I won't be following. If the rest is as dull as the opener, I can't really recommend that anyone should.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thought this book was an excellent addition to the world of Osten Ard. It is set in the period of time between Brothers of the Wind and The Dragonbone Chair and while prior knowledge is not strictly necessary there are a lot of easter eggs that the reader will not get without the prior knowledge. This book, I believe was going to be a standalone and is now a series with the final number of books unknown to me, but there will be at least one more. I thought that while there is, of course, more to the story this novel ended at an appropriate point. The prose of Tad Williams continues to be excellent and I am thrilled to just spend more time in his world.
If this was a new author or one that I had never read before I would give this book five stars, but it gets a four star rating for a number of reasons which I will go into detail about. I thought that the characters were interesting, but not as much as previous installments. Although this is a retelling of the Robin Hood myth the two main characters were of a boy named Daley and a girl named Vedra. Daley loves to explore large castles and other such areas and is very taciturn. He honestly reminded me a lot of Simon from the original trilogy, but I felt more of a connection with the original type of character. I thought, while Vedra is very capable and does things out of her comfort zone, she is very passive and did pale beside other characters that Tad has done in the past; like Nezeru (from The Last King…series). While Norns are hinted of being involved somehow there isn't much information about the wider conflict between them and the Sithi and that is something that I've always found most interesting about books in this world. Without that conflict given more emphasis the stakes don't seem as high.
I do want to leave things on a positive note so I will say that the reader will see one of my favorite characters from Brothers of the Wind and I really enjoyed being delightfully surprised to thee this person again. I felt my interest was kept throughout this novel and that is getting to be increasingly difficult for me nowadays. Tad continues to weave stories that fascinate me and allow me to escape into. I think it's admirable that the author is trying to do something a little different, even if I enjoyed what was done previously more. I look forward to the sequel!
If this was a new author or one that I had never read before I would give this book five stars, but it gets a four star rating for a number of reasons which I will go into detail about. I thought that the characters were interesting, but not as much as previous installments. Although this is a retelling of the Robin Hood myth the two main characters were of a boy named Daley and a girl named Vedra. Daley loves to explore large castles and other such areas and is very taciturn. He honestly reminded me a lot of Simon from the original trilogy, but I felt more of a connection with the original type of character. I thought, while Vedra is very capable and does things out of her comfort zone, she is very passive and did pale beside other characters that Tad has done in the past; like Nezeru (from The Last King…series). While Norns are hinted of being involved somehow there isn't much information about the wider conflict between them and the Sithi and that is something that I've always found most interesting about books in this world. Without that conflict given more emphasis the stakes don't seem as high.
I do want to leave things on a positive note so I will say that the reader will see one of my favorite characters from Brothers of the Wind and I really enjoyed being delightfully surprised to thee this person again. I felt my interest was kept throughout this novel and that is getting to be increasingly difficult for me nowadays. Tad continues to weave stories that fascinate me and allow me to escape into. I think it's admirable that the author is trying to do something a little different, even if I enjoyed what was done previously more. I look forward to the sequel!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I got an early copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It is no secret I'm a big fan of Tad Williams and specifically a big fan of anything and everything he has written in the Osten Ard universe. That is why I was so excited to hear that he was returning to Osten Ard this time with a prequel set in Hernystir with a very Robinhood inspired character named Flan Alderwood who runs a group of outlaws called The Crows. It's set about 300 years (I think) before Memory Sorrow and Thorn. The story follows a boy and a girl who get caught up in the political schemes of factions trying to control Herynstir and the Crows. The world and characters are all very rich and fleshed out which you would come to expect from Tad. Even very minor characters like Liam are very memorable. Although the book is quite long it never ally felt too draggy or slow for me except for maybe a small bit right in the middle. There were always interesting things happening or ways in which the magic of the world is being explored. And Tad's writing/prose is just fantastic which makes the pages go by easily as you get immersed in the world and story. All of those elements are executed at a very high level. Then why was this not a 5/5 or book of the year contender?
The simple answer...the plot. It's just very basic for how long this novel is. It was 848 pages on my kindle (assume far less in hardcover) and while I was always immersed the overarching plot itself wasn't as engaging as it could be. Sure we develop the characters and learn more about the world and it's all very interesting, but the main plot that drives the book seems to have a very limited scope and low stakes compared to the big epic stories of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn or Last King of Osten Ard. There are hints of maybe something larger at work that will hopefully be explored in the next two books of the trilogy but you don't get hardly any of that here. I even expected some sort of epilogue to reinforce those elements and there wasn't one. Nonetheless it was still a great reading experience and I recommend it to fans of Tad, Osten Ard, or generally fans of epic fantasy. You honestly don't have to have even read any of the previous Osten Ard books in order to read this and it won't spoil anything for those books other than how the magic works. Definite recommend.
It is no secret I'm a big fan of Tad Williams and specifically a big fan of anything and everything he has written in the Osten Ard universe. That is why I was so excited to hear that he was returning to Osten Ard this time with a prequel set in Hernystir with a very Robinhood inspired character named Flan Alderwood who runs a group of outlaws called The Crows. It's set about 300 years (I think) before Memory Sorrow and Thorn. The story follows a boy and a girl who get caught up in the political schemes of factions trying to control Herynstir and the Crows. The world and characters are all very rich and fleshed out which you would come to expect from Tad. Even very minor characters like Liam are very memorable. Although the book is quite long it never ally felt too draggy or slow for me except for maybe a small bit right in the middle. There were always interesting things happening or ways in which the magic of the world is being explored. And Tad's writing/prose is just fantastic which makes the pages go by easily as you get immersed in the world and story. All of those elements are executed at a very high level. Then why was this not a 5/5 or book of the year contender?
The simple answer...the plot. It's just very basic for how long this novel is. It was 848 pages on my kindle (assume far less in hardcover) and while I was always immersed the overarching plot itself wasn't as engaging as it could be. Sure we develop the characters and learn more about the world and it's all very interesting, but the main plot that drives the book seems to have a very limited scope and low stakes compared to the big epic stories of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn or Last King of Osten Ard. There are hints of maybe something larger at work that will hopefully be explored in the next two books of the trilogy but you don't get hardly any of that here. I even expected some sort of epilogue to reinforce those elements and there wasn't one. Nonetheless it was still a great reading experience and I recommend it to fans of Tad, Osten Ard, or generally fans of epic fantasy. You honestly don't have to have even read any of the previous Osten Ard books in order to read this and it won't spoil anything for those books other than how the magic works. Definite recommend.
Read
August 25, 2026 Thank you to Netgalley and DAW for the eARC
Before “The splintered sun” I hadn’t yet come around reading Tad Williams. I am familiar with the name of course, being in the fantasy bubble, and Williams a well established author. Needless to say, I was curious to read one of his new works as an introduction to his writing.
Let me strat with saying that, as it could be expected,”The splintered sun” has a really classic, 90’s/early 2000’s feel. It’s in the big cast, how the story is exposed in the first few chapters. In the cast of characters too (band of bandits, kid on her own, prince, you know the drill). And, more importantly to readers more familiar to the current strand of fantasy, it is slow paced. Things happened from the beginning of course, but don’t expect quick actions and high stakes straight away. This also means it took me quite a while to really get the book’s direction, plot wise and why it was happening. In the end, I am left a bit unsure, still. Maybe it is because this is the first book in a series, and in the vein of 90’s fantasy, first book tends to be there to set the place, but I’ll admit I prefer tomes that have their own resolved objectives in big fantasy like that.
At its core, this book revolves around two children, bandits, and more centrally, a political intrigue, with assassinations and stuff. Again, very cool, but not my preferred type of fantasy, having read too many of them, I feel like. That being said, the cast of characters is colourful and engaging, the plot has enough layers to sustain the book’s length. Personally, I found it pretty simple, but it might be convoluted enough to be dense for some readers.
As for the writing, nothing to say there, it works well. There’s a few nice twists of phrases, good ways to inform the readers about the world without being too indo-dumpy. It’s great! By the way, you really need to be interested in the world to read this book, otherwise you’ll probably get bored quite easily, if you feel like there is little purpose to the intrigue in the end.
Recommending this to readers who love big sprawling worlds, big cast of characters and have a sense of nostalgia for classic fantasy.
Before “The splintered sun” I hadn’t yet come around reading Tad Williams. I am familiar with the name of course, being in the fantasy bubble, and Williams a well established author. Needless to say, I was curious to read one of his new works as an introduction to his writing.
Let me strat with saying that, as it could be expected,”The splintered sun” has a really classic, 90’s/early 2000’s feel. It’s in the big cast, how the story is exposed in the first few chapters. In the cast of characters too (band of bandits, kid on her own, prince, you know the drill). And, more importantly to readers more familiar to the current strand of fantasy, it is slow paced. Things happened from the beginning of course, but don’t expect quick actions and high stakes straight away. This also means it took me quite a while to really get the book’s direction, plot wise and why it was happening. In the end, I am left a bit unsure, still. Maybe it is because this is the first book in a series, and in the vein of 90’s fantasy, first book tends to be there to set the place, but I’ll admit I prefer tomes that have their own resolved objectives in big fantasy like that.
At its core, this book revolves around two children, bandits, and more centrally, a political intrigue, with assassinations and stuff. Again, very cool, but not my preferred type of fantasy, having read too many of them, I feel like. That being said, the cast of characters is colourful and engaging, the plot has enough layers to sustain the book’s length. Personally, I found it pretty simple, but it might be convoluted enough to be dense for some readers.
As for the writing, nothing to say there, it works well. There’s a few nice twists of phrases, good ways to inform the readers about the world without being too indo-dumpy. It’s great! By the way, you really need to be interested in the world to read this book, otherwise you’ll probably get bored quite easily, if you feel like there is little purpose to the intrigue in the end.
Recommending this to readers who love big sprawling worlds, big cast of characters and have a sense of nostalgia for classic fantasy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to DAW Books and NetGalley for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
I'll admit upfront: I've never read a single Tad Williams book before this one, and I had no history with Osten Ard going in. So I can't speak to how this compares to The Dragonbone Chair or the rest of the saga, but I can tell you that as a first entry point, it worked. I never once felt lost or like I was missing some crucial piece of lore I should have already known.
The Splintered Sun is set three hundred years before the earlier books, in a kingdom thrown into chaos as its old king's health fails and rival factions circle the throne. At the centre of it is Flann Alderwood, a Robin Hood type leading a band of misfit outlaws called the Crows, though the book spends much of its time with two younger characters, a boy with quick hands and a girl coming into her own strange abilities, whose lives get pulled into the political mess around them.
What struck me most was how fully realised the world felt for a first read. There's a lot going on: a large cast, competing loyalties, a slow burn of political tension building underneath the more adventurous, swashbuckling moments. It's clearly the kind of book that rewards patience, and there are stretches where the pacing eases off in favour of atmosphere and character work rather than constant momentum. I didn't mind that, but readers looking for nonstop action might feel it drag a touch in places.
The characters are the real draw here. Flann has a charm to him that avoids feeling like a stock archetype, and the two younger leads carry a surprising amount of emotional weight for characters just starting their journey. By the end, I found myself invested enough to want the next book, even without any prior attachment to this world.
I'm giving this 4 stars. A strong, atmospheric start that made me a new fan of this world, even if a couple of the slower stretches kept it from being a full five for me.
I'll admit upfront: I've never read a single Tad Williams book before this one, and I had no history with Osten Ard going in. So I can't speak to how this compares to The Dragonbone Chair or the rest of the saga, but I can tell you that as a first entry point, it worked. I never once felt lost or like I was missing some crucial piece of lore I should have already known.
The Splintered Sun is set three hundred years before the earlier books, in a kingdom thrown into chaos as its old king's health fails and rival factions circle the throne. At the centre of it is Flann Alderwood, a Robin Hood type leading a band of misfit outlaws called the Crows, though the book spends much of its time with two younger characters, a boy with quick hands and a girl coming into her own strange abilities, whose lives get pulled into the political mess around them.
What struck me most was how fully realised the world felt for a first read. There's a lot going on: a large cast, competing loyalties, a slow burn of political tension building underneath the more adventurous, swashbuckling moments. It's clearly the kind of book that rewards patience, and there are stretches where the pacing eases off in favour of atmosphere and character work rather than constant momentum. I didn't mind that, but readers looking for nonstop action might feel it drag a touch in places.
The characters are the real draw here. Flann has a charm to him that avoids feeling like a stock archetype, and the two younger leads carry a surprising amount of emotional weight for characters just starting their journey. By the end, I found myself invested enough to want the next book, even without any prior attachment to this world.
I'm giving this 4 stars. A strong, atmospheric start that made me a new fan of this world, even if a couple of the slower stretches kept it from being a full five for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating 3.5
Beautifully immersive, with rich worldbuilding and a compelling cast of memorable characters.
The novel's greatest strength is its worldbuilding. Hernystir feels vividly alive, with its layered history, folklore, and political tensions enriching every chapter. Tad Williams has a remarkable ability to create settings that feel ancient and lived-in, and that talent shines throughout this book. The new cast is equally engaging, particularly Flann Alderwood, whose outlaw charm makes him an easy character to root for. Vedra and Daley each offer distinct perspectives, giving the story a broader scope than a traditional single-hero narrative.
That said, the novel spends a considerable amount of time laying the groundwork for future installments, which occasionally slows the pacing. While I appreciated the immersive attention to detail, there were stretches where the momentum lagged, and I found myself wishing the plot would move forward more quickly.
Even so, Williams' prose is thoughtful and evocative, and the blend of political intrigue, folklore, and subtle magic kept me invested throughout. The conclusion is satisfying, though it feels more like the opening chapter of a much larger saga than a fully self-contained adventure. Readers who enjoy richly imagined epic fantasy with unforgettable characters and expansive worldbuilding will find plenty to love in The Splintered Sun.
Overall, The Splintered Sun is a strong beginning to a new chapter in the world of Osten Ard. Longtime fans will appreciate the fresh historical perspective, while newcomers will find it an inviting entry point into one of fantasy's most enduring settings. It's a rewarding return to a beloved world and leaves me eager to see where the series goes next.
Beautifully immersive, with rich worldbuilding and a compelling cast of memorable characters.
The novel's greatest strength is its worldbuilding. Hernystir feels vividly alive, with its layered history, folklore, and political tensions enriching every chapter. Tad Williams has a remarkable ability to create settings that feel ancient and lived-in, and that talent shines throughout this book. The new cast is equally engaging, particularly Flann Alderwood, whose outlaw charm makes him an easy character to root for. Vedra and Daley each offer distinct perspectives, giving the story a broader scope than a traditional single-hero narrative.
That said, the novel spends a considerable amount of time laying the groundwork for future installments, which occasionally slows the pacing. While I appreciated the immersive attention to detail, there were stretches where the momentum lagged, and I found myself wishing the plot would move forward more quickly.
Even so, Williams' prose is thoughtful and evocative, and the blend of political intrigue, folklore, and subtle magic kept me invested throughout. The conclusion is satisfying, though it feels more like the opening chapter of a much larger saga than a fully self-contained adventure. Readers who enjoy richly imagined epic fantasy with unforgettable characters and expansive worldbuilding will find plenty to love in The Splintered Sun.
Overall, The Splintered Sun is a strong beginning to a new chapter in the world of Osten Ard. Longtime fans will appreciate the fresh historical perspective, while newcomers will find it an inviting entry point into one of fantasy's most enduring settings. It's a rewarding return to a beloved world and leaves me eager to see where the series goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up)
This one for me is very hard to rate, since reading Tad William's previous books in the Osten Ard Saga, I feel like each series so far feels like just one long book... especially Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn for me. And this one was supposed to be a standalone, but it got longer and ended up being aduology, let's just say, series.
This is the first part of the Flan's Crows series and we mostly follow Vera and Daley, or at least they're the one that evolved the most at the end. We also follow other members of the Flan's Crows, Ewain - the legitimate heir, and well, the illegitimate ones.
I honestly enjoyed the very start of this book and the events that lead to our main characters meeting together. But the last few chapters feels a little bit too fast paced, only to have a downtime at the very last chapters. It feels like it's there because, once again, this standalone became two books, so far. I was a bit wary how the pacing of the second book would start.
Despite that, this one is a very interesting addition to the Osten Ard saga. I might re-read and I feel I'll appreciate this better once this series is finished. Unfortunately the appendix for this book is not yet released, so I actually ended up searching some names of persons and even places, in case they were mentioned already in the previous Osten Ard books... and unsurprisingly they are.
This one for me is very hard to rate, since reading Tad William's previous books in the Osten Ard Saga, I feel like each series so far feels like just one long book... especially Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn for me. And this one was supposed to be a standalone, but it got longer and ended up being a
This is the first part of the Flan's Crows series and we mostly follow Vera and Daley, or at least they're the one that evolved the most at the end. We also follow other members of the Flan's Crows, Ewain - the legitimate heir, and well, the illegitimate ones.
I honestly enjoyed the very start of this book and the events that lead to our main characters meeting together. But the last few chapters feels a little bit too fast paced, only to have a downtime at the very last chapters. It feels like it's there because, once again, this standalone became two books, so far. I was a bit wary how the pacing of the second book would start.
Despite that, this one is a very interesting addition to the Osten Ard saga. I might re-read and I feel I'll appreciate this better once this series is finished. Unfortunately the appendix for this book is not yet released, so I actually ended up searching some names of persons and even places, in case they were mentioned already in the previous Osten Ard books... and unsurprisingly they are.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4,25 ⭐️
Thank you to Daw books and netgalley for this arc.
Its been a while since Tad Williams books are on my radar, but I never picked up any of his novels cause I was to intimidated by the lenght of each installment and the many books published. So when I found out that he was going to release a new book series taking place in the same universe as his Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy, I was sold immediatly !
The splintered sun is a rather large novel that takes the time needed to set up core elements especially characters, which for me is one the best piece of the book. Indeed in the beginning we are introduced to points of view with differents story and ambitions which set up the mood and directions of the story pretty nicely. I found Flann, Xaniko, Vedra and Daley to be particularly interesting and also the overall banter is so good and truly adds a lighter undertone to the story.
The plot revolves mainly around a group of outlaws and its participation into helping the rightful heir to the throne claiming his birthright. Thus I found that the scope was a bit underwhelming at times but it's balanced with the fun and interesting characters/group that we are following.
Finally the writing is really good and even though it is the first book in the series, we can definitely feel that the lore of Osten ard is pretty huge. I will clearly be here for the sequel !
Thank you to Daw books and netgalley for this arc.
Its been a while since Tad Williams books are on my radar, but I never picked up any of his novels cause I was to intimidated by the lenght of each installment and the many books published. So when I found out that he was going to release a new book series taking place in the same universe as his Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy, I was sold immediatly !
The splintered sun is a rather large novel that takes the time needed to set up core elements especially characters, which for me is one the best piece of the book. Indeed in the beginning we are introduced to points of view with differents story and ambitions which set up the mood and directions of the story pretty nicely. I found Flann, Xaniko, Vedra and Daley to be particularly interesting and also the overall banter is so good and truly adds a lighter undertone to the story.
The plot revolves mainly around a group of outlaws and its participation into helping the rightful heir to the throne claiming his birthright. Thus I found that the scope was a bit underwhelming at times but it's balanced with the fun and interesting characters/group that we are following.
Finally the writing is really good and even though it is the first book in the series, we can definitely feel that the lore of Osten ard is pretty huge. I will clearly be here for the sequel !
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Much like a fantasy version of Robin Hood defending England from Prince John crossed with Lloyd Alexander’s YA series about the swineherd who becomes king.
Nice touches of symbolism in the details like describing the drummer boy jumping between rooftops and trees like a squirrel, then having the villain dressed in a squirrel trimmed outfit. Ten-year-old Daley is the primary driver of the plot and seems much better at telling the future than the scrier. Indeed, she fails to deliver the warning of her only recurring vision till the final 80 pages. All help from the immortal Norn was agonizingly drawn out and piecemeal. The middle is slow and wallows. No plans are shared with the reader. The Norn doesn’t even tell the prince who he can trust at court, which seems suicidal. Instead of explaining anything, Xaniko wastes time telling the group he doesn’t have much time and why the girl isn’t ready to do her task. Other than getting Daley access to the secret message, the girl doesn’t seem necessary until chapter 52. The first dog combat broke suspension of disbelief for me completely. On p409 the island isn’t an island anymore and they can ride horses home instead of a boat. Then the author sets about torturing and killing every POV character and ally. The ending was limp and unsatisfying. I still have no idea what the title means. Do not recommend.
Nice touches of symbolism in the details like describing the drummer boy jumping between rooftops and trees like a squirrel, then having the villain dressed in a squirrel trimmed outfit. Ten-year-old Daley is the primary driver of the plot and seems much better at telling the future than the scrier. Indeed, she fails to deliver the warning of her only recurring vision till the final 80 pages. All help from the immortal Norn was agonizingly drawn out and piecemeal. The middle is slow and wallows. No plans are shared with the reader. The Norn doesn’t even tell the prince who he can trust at court, which seems suicidal. Instead of explaining anything, Xaniko wastes time telling the group he doesn’t have much time and why the girl isn’t ready to do her task. Other than getting Daley access to the secret message, the girl doesn’t seem necessary until chapter 52. The first dog combat broke suspension of disbelief for me completely. On p409 the island isn’t an island anymore and they can ride horses home instead of a boat. Then the author sets about torturing and killing every POV character and ally. The ending was limp and unsatisfying. I still have no idea what the title means. Do not recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Once again, Tad Williams comes in clutch with a fantastic story that is both new and exciting, but also familiar and comforting. It feels like a lot of books these days have moved away from a classic good vs evil, sword and magic, quest story - which is great, I love the variety. But I also love a good classic fantasy story. And that's what Tad Williams delivers with The Splintered Sun.
A kingdom with an absent king and no proclaimed heir. A prince who wants his father's blessing, but whose life is threatened by his brothers. A charismatic outlaw who seeks to protect his lands and people and wants revenge against those who wronged him.. Children who stumble into conspiracies they never wanted to be part of and who learn that, not only is magic real, but it is also a very real danger to them. The Splintered Sun has all of that and more.
With multiple points of view, Tad does a great job keeping the plot moving at a pace that makes it hard to put the book down, even during the 'slower' moments of the story. And there are slower moments, but there are even more exciting and tense moments where you can't help but say "just one more page" even though you should be going to sleep.
All in all, a fantastic book and one I can't wait to read again.
I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
A kingdom with an absent king and no proclaimed heir. A prince who wants his father's blessing, but whose life is threatened by his brothers. A charismatic outlaw who seeks to protect his lands and people and wants revenge against those who wronged him.. Children who stumble into conspiracies they never wanted to be part of and who learn that, not only is magic real, but it is also a very real danger to them. The Splintered Sun has all of that and more.
With multiple points of view, Tad does a great job keeping the plot moving at a pace that makes it hard to put the book down, even during the 'slower' moments of the story. And there are slower moments, but there are even more exciting and tense moments where you can't help but say "just one more page" even though you should be going to sleep.
All in all, a fantastic book and one I can't wait to read again.
I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley, Tad Williams, and DAW Books for the early ARC!
I have been a fan of Tad Williams for a while now. The epic world building of Osten Ard is reminiscent and similar to other authors, like Terry Brooks and Terry Goodkind. I remember discovering The Dragonbone Chair, To Green Angel Tower, and Stone of Farewell while I was in college and have since dipped in and out this world many times over the years. To see a new book come out, I jumped at the chance to read it!
This current standalone book (...series, I'm sure) takes place 300 years before the story in The Dragonbone Chair. It follows the main characters, Vedra and Daley, as they navigate the dangerous, mysterious, and magical political arena that they find themselves dropped into. Accompanied by a diverse cast of characters, like the swash-buckling Flann and his merry band of "Crows" and the immortal fairy Xaniko, they must find their way in a world set against them from the start.
If you are a fan epic, fully realized fantasy and whirlwind fast pace, I highly recommend this book! Or anything by Tad Williams! Excellent pacing, excellent storytelling, and hands-down one of the best authors of the genre!
I have been a fan of Tad Williams for a while now. The epic world building of Osten Ard is reminiscent and similar to other authors, like Terry Brooks and Terry Goodkind. I remember discovering The Dragonbone Chair, To Green Angel Tower, and Stone of Farewell while I was in college and have since dipped in and out this world many times over the years. To see a new book come out, I jumped at the chance to read it!
This current standalone book (...series, I'm sure) takes place 300 years before the story in The Dragonbone Chair. It follows the main characters, Vedra and Daley, as they navigate the dangerous, mysterious, and magical political arena that they find themselves dropped into. Accompanied by a diverse cast of characters, like the swash-buckling Flann and his merry band of "Crows" and the immortal fairy Xaniko, they must find their way in a world set against them from the start.
If you are a fan epic, fully realized fantasy and whirlwind fast pace, I highly recommend this book! Or anything by Tad Williams! Excellent pacing, excellent storytelling, and hands-down one of the best authors of the genre!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For anyone who has enjoyed the Osten Ard Saga, this book will likely be a must; but those that have either missed this classic of a fantasy series as well as those who thought that the early books of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn were a tad slow, this book moves a little faster and since it takes place before all of the prior novels in the saga(except perhaps one novella), it may make a good entry point to the world. There is a fairly sizable cast of characters but most of the story revolves around two young charges, Vedra and Daley, that come under the care of the larger-than-life Flann Alderwood and his band of misfit rebels. There is plenty of action, adventure, and magic. The characters and the story pulled me in and I enjoyed it more than any of the prior books in this world. By the end I was clamoring for the continuation and can't wait to read the next book of this new sub-series.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, DAW) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, DAW) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read my first Tad Williams book almost 40 years ago and have enjoyed his work tremendously. His Osten Ard books are true fantasy masterpieces. They are always a slow burn: he is a patient author who takes the time to build enormous, intricate stories that reward a patient and steady read. This book took me about five weeks to read, not because I didn't like it, but because I have been busy and have only been able to dip in and out throughout the month of July. I liked it very much, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series...probably in five years!
Memory jog:
Vedra--young girl with scrying powers, can walk the Dream Road
Long Liam-- simple, super strong good guy
Flann-- leader of the Crows
Lady Merana-- displaced noble turned bandit
Daley: little boy, likes to climb
Lord Xaniko: Sith who teaches Vedra
Scaeth: unpleasant son of the king
Ewain: prince
Memory jog:
Vedra--young girl with scrying powers, can walk the Dream Road
Long Liam-- simple, super strong good guy
Flann-- leader of the Crows
Lady Merana-- displaced noble turned bandit
Daley: little boy, likes to climb
Lord Xaniko: Sith who teaches Vedra
Scaeth: unpleasant son of the king
Ewain: prince
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have read the Dragonbone Chair from Tad and started on the second book in that series but ultimately decided not to continue. Since this book is brand spanking new and written in the same universe I thought I would give it a shot because Tad is definitely a beloved author and I wanted to be wooed by this book. I have come to the realization that maybe his writing is just not for me. Listen, nobody is more upset with this realization than I am because I see how everyone loves his writing and I want to be one of them but I was bored reading this book. I know many other readers are going to love this one and I do see the appeal, I just don't feel it. There is a solid story here and definitely a lot of character work but it just didn't pull me in the way I had imagined.
Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Splintered Sun was a great book. I was impressed from the very beginning. The main character Flann Alderwood a Robin Hood like character who is helping guard the only legitimate heir to the kingdom of Herynstir. The story flows and I love the character development and the side stories that Williams weaves into an intricate story that helps me remember Tad Williams so much. By the end of the book I was flying through chapter after chapter. My one and only complaint is that the book ended. I can't wait to read the next installment. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to DAW and the publisher for the e-arc! I am an Astra House influencer and am very grateful for the chance to read this early.
3/5 stars.
Will do a full spoiler review once the book is out.
3/5 stars.
Will do a full spoiler review once the book is out.
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