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Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn #3 part 1
To Green Angel Tower: Siege
Simon Snowlock and Prince Josua's band of allies gather at the Stone of Farewell. King Elias is drawn ever deeper into the dark sorceries of Ineluki, the Storm King. The badly depleted League of the Scroll searches for age-old knowledge with which to aid Josua's much-outnumbered army. Across the face of Osten Ard lines are drawn as the final battle approaches, and the struggle between Light and Dark reaches a climax.
Siege is the first half of To Green Angel Tower, the final volume of Tad Williams' highly acclaimed trilogy Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.
Siege is the first half of To Green Angel Tower, the final volume of Tad Williams' highly acclaimed trilogy Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.
816 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2009
34 people are currently reading
418 people want to read
About the author
Tad Williams
350 books7,847 followersTad Williams is a California-based fantasy superstar. His genre-creating (and genre-busting) books have sold tens of millions worldwide, in twenty-five languages. His considerable output of epic fantasy and science fiction book-series, stories of all kinds, urban fantasy novels, comics, scripts, etc., have strongly influenced a generation of writers: the ‘Otherland’ epic relaunches June 2018 as an MMO on steam.com. Tad is currently immersed in the creation of ‘The Last King of Osten Ard’, planned as a trilogy with two intermediary novels. He, his family and his animals live in the Santa Cruz mountains in a suitably strange and beautiful house. @tadwilliams @mrstad
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 11, 2017
This is the first half of book 3 in the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series by Tad Williams, and I definitely felt like this one started off stronger than the previous ones becuase it quickly (I say quickly in terms of Classic fantasy - which is often quite slow, so really not that quickly but quicker) gets into the action and focuses on quite a few different elements and exciting moments.
This story follows a fair few people who live in a world which is currently dominated by Winter and storms. There are all sorts of races and people in the world, and there are two major opposing sides, the King Elias, who is reported to be allied with the infamous and evil Storm King, and Josua, the King's younger brother who is working against Elias and his followers to take back the throne and free the land of tyranny.
Really, at the root of it all, this is definitely playing into the good vs. evil tropes as there are few good qualities about the King, but it has moments where certain characters do fall more into the grey-area, and I appreciate these.
Simon is a young man who used to work in the kitchens until he was forced to flee and managed to meet a troll, kill a dragon and end up on a quest for a missing sword. He's had quite the adventure for a young servant, and yet he's battled great evils and risen up far in the world by the beginning of this book.
We also have Miriamelle, Binabik, Maegwyn, Elias, and Josua, and also some of the Sithi. These characters are all vital players, and yet sometimes I do find one or other of the stories does drag a little. I think I often enjoy Simon's and Binabik's the most, but occasionally one of the others will have something pretty exciting happen too...
I really think by this point in the series you're pretty invested in the world and the goings on. There's a lot of different threads at work and this is the start of the end and the beginning of a change in the world. It constantly feels like the drama is growing and the action is going to be starting off soon (although really it only gets going in the second half (part 2) which I'm currently reading).
What I don't love about this world is that there is a distinct lack of really exciting characters who I genuinely feel for. There are times when the story gets exciting or intriguing, but my level of attachment to the characters does waver a lot and sometimes I just don't really care... :/ I think for me that's more of a personal thing with the length of the book, I find it hard to stay interested as it gets drawn out, and I think as a series there's a fair bit that could have been cut, even though a lot of it does add up in the end, it could have been more stream-lined.
Overall, I enjoyed this more than the first two as I think we get a lot more answers here and there's a fair few possible solutions to problems that have been set up. I like the direction the ending took and I am excited about Part 2 (which I am halfway through already and enjoying a lot more). I gave this one 3.5*s
This story follows a fair few people who live in a world which is currently dominated by Winter and storms. There are all sorts of races and people in the world, and there are two major opposing sides, the King Elias, who is reported to be allied with the infamous and evil Storm King, and Josua, the King's younger brother who is working against Elias and his followers to take back the throne and free the land of tyranny.
Really, at the root of it all, this is definitely playing into the good vs. evil tropes as there are few good qualities about the King, but it has moments where certain characters do fall more into the grey-area, and I appreciate these.
Simon is a young man who used to work in the kitchens until he was forced to flee and managed to meet a troll, kill a dragon and end up on a quest for a missing sword. He's had quite the adventure for a young servant, and yet he's battled great evils and risen up far in the world by the beginning of this book.
We also have Miriamelle, Binabik, Maegwyn, Elias, and Josua, and also some of the Sithi. These characters are all vital players, and yet sometimes I do find one or other of the stories does drag a little. I think I often enjoy Simon's and Binabik's the most, but occasionally one of the others will have something pretty exciting happen too...
I really think by this point in the series you're pretty invested in the world and the goings on. There's a lot of different threads at work and this is the start of the end and the beginning of a change in the world. It constantly feels like the drama is growing and the action is going to be starting off soon (although really it only gets going in the second half (part 2) which I'm currently reading).
What I don't love about this world is that there is a distinct lack of really exciting characters who I genuinely feel for. There are times when the story gets exciting or intriguing, but my level of attachment to the characters does waver a lot and sometimes I just don't really care... :/ I think for me that's more of a personal thing with the length of the book, I find it hard to stay interested as it gets drawn out, and I think as a series there's a fair bit that could have been cut, even though a lot of it does add up in the end, it could have been more stream-lined.
Overall, I enjoyed this more than the first two as I think we get a lot more answers here and there's a fair few possible solutions to problems that have been set up. I like the direction the ending took and I am excited about Part 2 (which I am halfway through already and enjoying a lot more). I gave this one 3.5*s
November 23, 2024
Another stunner by Tad Williams… continues to be on of my favorite writers, worlds, plot, and set of characters…. This has the potential to be one of my favorite series ever, depending how Part 2 ends, but these first three books were astounding… so much fun, intrigue, growth, lore… it has it all.. without having finished the final book in the series as my only caveat the first 3 were some of the best I’ve ever read! Can’t wait to see Part 2 of To Green Angel Tower… so much happening!
5-stars
5-stars
September 30, 2025
Big fan of the series. This book is the most compelling and exciting so far. Looking forward to the last book
December 2, 2017
8/10
(Review for both parts)
In the last book of the trilogy Tad William gets us closer to the conclusion of the war, with the story becoming more epic and with the protagonists getting into even greater adventures than before.
Even though this book might be a little too big (a total of 1600 pages in the UK edition), I felt that the story flowed really well, and though it could definitely have been a little bit smaller it really isn't something that bother me in the end as Williams has made a very enjoyable story.
In the first part the story begins with Miriamele and Cadrach having their own little adventure, as it continues from Stone of Farewell , while the rest of the characters start slowly to set their plans for the war that threatens them all. But as Williams gets us closer to the second part, everything becomes greater with more battles and even more betrayals, and with Simon and Binabik beginning, once more, their own great adventures.
One thing that I really liked again in Williams' writing is that, even though this is the last book in the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy, he still continues to evolve the world-building, which surprised me a bit as he had already shown too much in the previous two books. However, I must say, he handles the story really well, and unfolding beautiful the mysteries behind their enemies plans. The ending, on the other hand, and though it has some good but predictable moments, it was very nicely done too, bringing a very impressing and satisfying conclusion to the series.
Overall, although the book, and the trilogy in general, is quite huge Williams closes this journey with an epic conclusion, evolving beautifully the story and the characters, and making a series that is definitely worth the attention of fantasy fans who enjoy a slow-paced, but well crafted traditional adventure.
(Review for both parts)
In the last book of the trilogy Tad William gets us closer to the conclusion of the war, with the story becoming more epic and with the protagonists getting into even greater adventures than before.
Even though this book might be a little too big (a total of 1600 pages in the UK edition), I felt that the story flowed really well, and though it could definitely have been a little bit smaller it really isn't something that bother me in the end as Williams has made a very enjoyable story.
In the first part the story begins with Miriamele and Cadrach having their own little adventure, as it continues from Stone of Farewell , while the rest of the characters start slowly to set their plans for the war that threatens them all. But as Williams gets us closer to the second part, everything becomes greater with more battles and even more betrayals, and with Simon and Binabik beginning, once more, their own great adventures.
One thing that I really liked again in Williams' writing is that, even though this is the last book in the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy, he still continues to evolve the world-building, which surprised me a bit as he had already shown too much in the previous two books. However, I must say, he handles the story really well, and unfolding beautiful the mysteries behind their enemies plans. The ending, on the other hand, and though it has some good but predictable moments, it was very nicely done too, bringing a very impressing and satisfying conclusion to the series.
Overall, although the book, and the trilogy in general, is quite huge Williams closes this journey with an epic conclusion, evolving beautifully the story and the characters, and making a series that is definitely worth the attention of fantasy fans who enjoy a slow-paced, but well crafted traditional adventure.
November 28, 2017
The story shifts into a new gear with To Green Angel Tower: Seige the third of four books in the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series. The heroes of the tale begin to do better than just flounder in response to the evil of the Storm King that upsets the balance of nature so greatly winter has come to all the land - Game of Thrones style "Winter is coming" (remember this series inspired George RR Martin to write his series).
Reading the book cover text, you would be forgiven for thinking this is the climax of the story. No, the heroes have merely gathered after fleeing an earlier defeat, and now they find they are under siege from an army sympathetic to King Elias' cause (and Elias is under the Storm King's influence).
Immersive and slow paced as always, Tad continues to impress with how well he sinks you into his world while you wish the plot would move faster.
The book approaches the close with a brilliant battle at The Stone of Farewell with tragic and heroic events that haunt my memory to this day.
The final events of the book see Princess Miriamele leave the relative safety of her uncle's forces and head of into the unknown in a desperate attempt to reunite with her father King Elias who has been corrupted by the Storm King. She heads into the eye of the storm, and our intrepid and naive hero, Simon, must follow for he has sworn as a knight to protect her.
Compelling stuff that still needs a good amount of determination to continue reading.
Reading the book cover text, you would be forgiven for thinking this is the climax of the story. No, the heroes have merely gathered after fleeing an earlier defeat, and now they find they are under siege from an army sympathetic to King Elias' cause (and Elias is under the Storm King's influence).
Immersive and slow paced as always, Tad continues to impress with how well he sinks you into his world while you wish the plot would move faster.
The book approaches the close with a brilliant battle at The Stone of Farewell with tragic and heroic events that haunt my memory to this day.
The final events of the book see Princess Miriamele leave the relative safety of her uncle's forces and head of into the unknown in a desperate attempt to reunite with her father King Elias who has been corrupted by the Storm King. She heads into the eye of the storm, and our intrepid and naive hero, Simon, must follow for he has sworn as a knight to protect her.
Compelling stuff that still needs a good amount of determination to continue reading.
November 6, 2019
Arghhhhhh I am so loving this story, from all perspectives. What is happening with Maegwin? Cadrach? Camaris? I am on tenterhooks!!
April 20, 2022
This third volume is much the same as the previous two. Well done, well written, well presented, but slow, so slow, full of repetitive trivia, but devoid of story.
One hundred pages in, the assembled company realise that one of the swords they seek is Bright Nail, something that was blindly obvious three quarters of the way through book one - when there was an earlier war council - some thousand pages ago. But no-one knows what to do with the swords, still. Between then and the repeat war council here, what happened? Lots of passive wandering and running away. No-one is in a fundamentally different position than they were in at the end of book one, just in a slightly different location. So much filler for nothing …
Two hundred pages … the various stragglers who are not yet at the Stone of Farewell might just be planning to stop moping and move on from the places where they have been stuck for hundreds of pages … could something be actually about to happen?
Three hundred pages … there’s a bit of movement. But not much …
Four hundred pages … *finally*, after more than a thousand pages of passivity, moping and whining since the fall of Naglimund, the scattered are starting to take proactive steps, albeit still reactive to events, to reunite, gather forces, and defend themselves. Very slowly, still.
Five hundred pages … there are some good battle scenes I must say for one plot branch, alongside some disappointing Deus Ex Machina for another, and there is also a tiny passing hint - blink and you’ll miss it - at Simon’s mysterious parentage for the first time since the beginnings of book one, well over a thousand pages ago, so that’s good. An improvement. Some actual story rather than soap opera.
But on the other hand there is also a completely preposterous episode inside a critters’ nest, where the critters make their tunnels conveniently big enough for a big man to fight in, just because - hey - every fantasy epic needs a random Mines of Moria moment doesn’t it? And this overblown, meandering narrative clearly needed yet another distraction to delay moving matters forward a bit more … really? I mean, really?
I actually considered a DNF at this point. This is where the runaway train of verbosity has finally gone off the rails. The editor is asleep at the wheel. But no. I am stubborn. And I’m on an enforced holiday having caught Covid. I will finish. I will angry read to the end. But despite the high quality of the language used, this is now a chore to read and this volume will not escape a score of 1/5.
Six hundred pages … back to churning and re-churning old stuff … almost a self-parody at times.
Seven hundred pages … finally, some reunions … a bit more churning of stuff we already knew, some awkwardness harking back to book one … and some fresh prophecy, to add another layer to things. It feels like the author’s losing track and wants to start again in places, try something fresh to try to get out of the deep hole he’s been digging.
Not quite eight hundred pages (thankfully) … *finally* some form of plan of action, some form of fighting back that goes beyond the erratic regroupment that has dominated the last book and this. And a new threat, being a repeat of the pursuing assassin. And a new split in the company, repeating Miriamele’s earlier fugue … looks like the same tricks are being used again, recycled.
Well, as mentioned above, forcing through to the end has been a chore, despite the quality of the language. This episode was weaker than the one before, and therefore my frustrated score of 1/5 stands.
One hundred pages in, the assembled company realise that one of the swords they seek is Bright Nail, something that was blindly obvious three quarters of the way through book one - when there was an earlier war council - some thousand pages ago. But no-one knows what to do with the swords, still. Between then and the repeat war council here, what happened? Lots of passive wandering and running away. No-one is in a fundamentally different position than they were in at the end of book one, just in a slightly different location. So much filler for nothing …
Two hundred pages … the various stragglers who are not yet at the Stone of Farewell might just be planning to stop moping and move on from the places where they have been stuck for hundreds of pages … could something be actually about to happen?
Three hundred pages … there’s a bit of movement. But not much …
Four hundred pages … *finally*, after more than a thousand pages of passivity, moping and whining since the fall of Naglimund, the scattered are starting to take proactive steps, albeit still reactive to events, to reunite, gather forces, and defend themselves. Very slowly, still.
Five hundred pages … there are some good battle scenes I must say for one plot branch, alongside some disappointing Deus Ex Machina for another, and there is also a tiny passing hint - blink and you’ll miss it - at Simon’s mysterious parentage for the first time since the beginnings of book one, well over a thousand pages ago, so that’s good. An improvement. Some actual story rather than soap opera.
But on the other hand there is also a completely preposterous episode inside a critters’ nest, where the critters make their tunnels conveniently big enough for a big man to fight in, just because - hey - every fantasy epic needs a random Mines of Moria moment doesn’t it? And this overblown, meandering narrative clearly needed yet another distraction to delay moving matters forward a bit more … really? I mean, really?
I actually considered a DNF at this point. This is where the runaway train of verbosity has finally gone off the rails. The editor is asleep at the wheel. But no. I am stubborn. And I’m on an enforced holiday having caught Covid. I will finish. I will angry read to the end. But despite the high quality of the language used, this is now a chore to read and this volume will not escape a score of 1/5.
Six hundred pages … back to churning and re-churning old stuff … almost a self-parody at times.
Seven hundred pages … finally, some reunions … a bit more churning of stuff we already knew, some awkwardness harking back to book one … and some fresh prophecy, to add another layer to things. It feels like the author’s losing track and wants to start again in places, try something fresh to try to get out of the deep hole he’s been digging.
Not quite eight hundred pages (thankfully) … *finally* some form of plan of action, some form of fighting back that goes beyond the erratic regroupment that has dominated the last book and this. And a new threat, being a repeat of the pursuing assassin. And a new split in the company, repeating Miriamele’s earlier fugue … looks like the same tricks are being used again, recycled.
Well, as mentioned above, forcing through to the end has been a chore, despite the quality of the language. This episode was weaker than the one before, and therefore my frustrated score of 1/5 stands.
November 14, 2024
What can I say that I haven't already said about this series? Superb world building and engaging characters. This is the first part of the third and final volume, and Tad Williams is starting to pull all the threads together to a definite end; the pace starts picking up and is engrossing throughout.
June 14, 2017
have to start part two of TGAT immediately tomorrow to know what happens since they decided to split the book at a mean point!
February 14, 2025
It has been twenty years or so since I originally read this series, and all I remembered about it was my sense of betrayal when bringing the swords together turns out, after all that effort, not to be the right thing to do - the first time I had encountered that particular trope in fiction! But thanks to the publisher's recap at the beginning of this volume (insanely lengthy as it is when you find yourself jumping in at the start of Volume 3 of an epic fantasy), I found myself remembering a lot of the characters and settings I thought I had forgotten, and was easily able to get back into the swing of things.
I don't remember liking the reluctant middle-aged scholar prince Josua so strongly the first time round; maybe I can identify more now with his painful over-responsibility and scepticism about heroics. On the whole that seems to be an unexpected theme in this half-novel: Camaris, the great knight, hates war, the battle for the Farewell Stone is messy and costly, and Cadrach spends most of the book in running away from the prospect of being trusted. (Camaris I did not remember at all)
The derivative aspects of the fantasy are more obvious to me now than they were back in the 1990s, with the various different countries/languages all being heavily based on various existing cultures (even the trolls, whom I had originally assumed to be a breathtakingly original creation), and the strong Tolkienian overtones of the immortal Sithi from overseas and the obvious Chrisrianity of the Aedonite religion. But it works as presumably intended to give us a quick shorthand as to how to envision each nationality, especially when picking up the series thousands of pages in from the start. And now that the field of fantasy feels so dominated by 'romantasy' written by women for a young female audience, it's interesting to see young love depicted by a male writer from a sixteen-year-old boy's point of view! (Simon is definitely growing up in the course of this story, and not just because he is finding himself taller than those around him and trying to cultivate a scraggly beard; it's quite a shock to realise how young he still physically is after all that he has been through.)
One of my major tests of a book's quality has always been whether it stands up to the experience of being picked up at a random page and making you nonetheless want to read on. This one definitely passes in that respect; I was able to get into it right away, even with only the vaguest of memories of characters like Rachel the Dragon, and was instantly caught up into the plot all over again. I'm assuming, possibly from half-remembered future revelations, that Miriamele's sudden insistence on speaking to Elias has something to do with his motivation for all this being based on a misguided attempt to reclaim her dead mother from the grave, which, if true, brings an additional depth to his character (he is little more than 'frail cat's-paw of evil' in this volume)... but we will probably never find out, because I feel that the chances of Part II of Volume 3 of a disintegrating paperback edition from 1994 turning up are pretty slim - I rescued this one from the rubbish, whence it is now scheduled to return. I think I originally had the final volume out of the local library as a single hardback copy!
Still, I enjoyed reading it, and the cliffhanger at the end isn't *too* bad; I remember that it all ends more-or-less happily after a confrontation on the titular Green Angel Tower back in the Hayholt...
I don't remember liking the reluctant middle-aged scholar prince Josua so strongly the first time round; maybe I can identify more now with his painful over-responsibility and scepticism about heroics. On the whole that seems to be an unexpected theme in this half-novel: Camaris, the great knight, hates war, the battle for the Farewell Stone is messy and costly, and Cadrach spends most of the book in running away from the prospect of being trusted. (Camaris I did not remember at all)
The derivative aspects of the fantasy are more obvious to me now than they were back in the 1990s, with the various different countries/languages all being heavily based on various existing cultures (even the trolls, whom I had originally assumed to be a breathtakingly original creation), and the strong Tolkienian overtones of the immortal Sithi from overseas and the obvious Chrisrianity of the Aedonite religion. But it works as presumably intended to give us a quick shorthand as to how to envision each nationality, especially when picking up the series thousands of pages in from the start. And now that the field of fantasy feels so dominated by 'romantasy' written by women for a young female audience, it's interesting to see young love depicted by a male writer from a sixteen-year-old boy's point of view! (Simon is definitely growing up in the course of this story, and not just because he is finding himself taller than those around him and trying to cultivate a scraggly beard; it's quite a shock to realise how young he still physically is after all that he has been through.)
One of my major tests of a book's quality has always been whether it stands up to the experience of being picked up at a random page and making you nonetheless want to read on. This one definitely passes in that respect; I was able to get into it right away, even with only the vaguest of memories of characters like Rachel the Dragon, and was instantly caught up into the plot all over again. I'm assuming, possibly from half-remembered future revelations, that Miriamele's sudden insistence on speaking to Elias has something to do with his motivation for all this being based on a misguided attempt to reclaim her dead mother from the grave, which, if true, brings an additional depth to his character (he is little more than 'frail cat's-paw of evil' in this volume)... but we will probably never find out, because I feel that the chances of Part II of Volume 3 of a disintegrating paperback edition from 1994 turning up are pretty slim - I rescued this one from the rubbish, whence it is now scheduled to return. I think I originally had the final volume out of the local library as a single hardback copy!
Still, I enjoyed reading it, and the cliffhanger at the end isn't *too* bad; I remember that it all ends more-or-less happily after a confrontation on the titular Green Angel Tower back in the Hayholt...
April 8, 2025
The best of the series so far. The pacing was great and kept me engaged throughout. The world building and lore are continued to be built upon. I'll have a mini break before tackling the final installment.
August 6, 2025
Review Copied from Storybook - Siege and Storm reviews
Hello, my fellow scullions, servitors, and would-be heroes. It is done. After 530,000 words, I have finally reached the conclusion of Tad Williams’ first trilogy set in the world of Osten Ard, *Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn.* I’ve been sitting on this since last night, still reeling from the revelations in the final stretch.
Normally, I like to preface my thoughts with a discussion of whether a book lived up to its reputation or the expectations placed upon it. There’s no need for that here. This book is amazing. It is long—very long. So long, in fact, that I opted to buy the two-volume split of *To Green Angel Tower,* each over 500 pages, just to make the reading experience more manageable. But, my god, was it worth it.
Without further ado, let’s dive in. I’ll include a TLDR at the end for those who want a quick summary, but for now, let’s begin!
>The evil minions of the undead Sithi Storm King are beginning their final preparations for the kingdom-shattering culmination of their dark sorceries, drawing King Elias ever deeper into their nightmarish, spell-spun world. As the Storm King’s power grows and the boundaries of time begin to blur, the loyal allies of Prince Josua struggle to rally their forces at the Stone of Farewell. There, too, Simon and the surviving members of the League of the Scroll have gathered for a desperate attempt to unravel mysteries from the forgotten past. For if the League can reclaim these age-old secrets of magic long-buried beneath the dusts of time, they may be able to reveal to Josua and his army the only means of striking down the unslayable foe....
**Background:** *Welcome, Simon, to the world of those who are everyday condemned to thinking and wondering and never knowing with certainness.*
*To Green Angel Tower* is nothing short of a triumph. I began this journey with *The Dragonbone Chair* five years ago, and from the very first pages, I was captivated. It remains one of the most immersive fantasy stories I have ever read. Nearly a year ago, I finished *The Stone of Farewell*, and now, nine months later, I have arrived at the end.
I started Part One in January and finished Part Two last night, and like I said it’s still occupying every corner of my mind.
One of the things I truly appreciate about Tad Williams is that he provides a synopsis at the beginning of each book to help readers reacquaint themselves with the story. While *To Green Angel Tower* can be read as a single massive tome, I preferred the split volumes. They feel distinct, almost like two books in their own right. Some might argue that *Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn* could have been trimmed, but I’m not sure I agree with the idea of cutting anything. So much of what happens is essential to the overall narrative and its structure. Which is why I actually opted for these editions of the book.
By this point in the story, every major character has undergone significant trials, and we are now at the threshold of the final confrontation. Simon, Binabik, and Sludig reached the Stone of Farewell at the end of the previous book, as did Josua and his companions. Meanwhile, Miriamele has been captured by Aspitis and held aboard his ship. Elsewhere, Isgrimnur has found the legendary hero Camaris—the original wielder of the sword recovered at the end of *The Dragonbone Chair*—and has met Tiamak, who was introduced in *The Stone of Farewell.* The pieces are in place for the final clash against Elias, Pryrates, and, ultimately, the Storm King.
**Plot:** *Good stories will tell you that facing the lie is the worst terror of all. And there is no talisman or magic sword that is half so potent a weapon as truth.*
Williams’ storytelling is deliberate, revealing itself layer by layer. In terms of pacing, this book—particularly Part Two—moves faster than the first two in the trilogy. That isn’t to say it’s a quick read. It isn’t. If anything, I suspect many readers will find Part One the real challenge. That said, my experience may have been shaped by the way I read it—having the book split into two “smaller” volumes may have helped more than I realized. But even so, Part One undeniably moves at a slower pace than Part Two.
This is not a book that rushes to the finish line. It is a journey, one filled with towering peaks and deep valleys, with moments of hope and despair intertwined. You feel the weight of these characters’ struggles. In the last hundred pages of Part Two, I kept asking myself—what could possibly happen next? How is he going to land this plane? And just when you think you have the answers, he hits you with revelations that feel both shocking and completely earned.
This is a story that demands your time, but if you give it that, it will pull you in completely. The only minor critique I could make is that there are quite a few dark, underground sequences in this book, but even those serve an important thematic role. Some might argue that the book could have been trimmed, but I think that would diminish its depth and impact. The slow-burn nature of this series will be a determining factor for some readers. I promise, though—walk this world, and you will be rewarded.
I wish I could discuss more of the plot, but to do so would spoil too much. Just know this: the journey is worth every moment. There’s a reason *Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn* remains a staple recommendation in fantasy circles. And yet, somehow, despite its influence, Tad Williams still feels criminally underrated. If you’re looking for a completed series that blends the grandeur of *The Lord of the Rings* with the grounded, character-driven storytelling of *A Song of Ice and Fire*, look no further.
**Characters:** *A man who will not listen carefully to advice honestly given is a fool. Of course, a man who blindly takes any advice he receives is a bigger fool.*
Now, let’s talk about Simon.
He is, without question, one of my favorite depictions of a fantasy protagonist. His transformation from an immature scullion to the man he becomes in To Green Angel Tower is one of the most satisfying elements of the series.
Simon is an incredibly well-realized character. At one point in the book, it is said to him, “This is your story.” And it’s true. This journey has been his. When we first meet him, he is impulsive, selfish, and immature—annoying, even. But isn’t that the reality of youth? What makes his growth so compelling is that it isn’t sudden. Williams makes you sit with Simon as he stumbles forward, then backward. Even by the end of the novel, despite all he’s been through, he still has moments of immaturity. And that’s what makes him feel real. We all have that voice inside us that lashes out in frustration. Hopefully, we learn to control it and even have the maturity to check ourselves. I love Simon because his growth is patient, and Williams allows it to unfold naturally.
But this isn’t just Simon’s story.
Miriamele is another standout. Headstrong and naive due to her sheltered upbringing, she makes impulsive choices that sometimes frustrate, but by the end, her growth is undeniable. Her triumph over a particular antagonist is made all the more satisfying by the foundation laid in The Stone of Farewell. I’ll admit, during Book Two, I had concerns about her arc, but by the end, I saw what Williams was building toward. She feels real and like Simon is shaped by her experiences.
Binabik remains a favorite, and his friendship with Simon brought me to tears more than once—especially at the end. Josua, Isgrimnur, and Tiamak all left lasting impressions as well. These aren’t just characters; they feel like people fighting to survive and forge a better future. Aditu was another highlight—given how important the Sithi are, it was refreshing to see one more fully involved in the narrative.
And then there’s Eolair and Cadrach. Eolair's arc are two of the most tragic characters in this book for different reasons. I wish I could say more of Eolair's story but to do so would spoil it. He has one of the most beautiful moments at the end with another character that feels bittersweet. Cadrach on the other hand I can share a little more of. We met him at the beginning of *The Dragonbone Chair* as a thief. His ending is earned and one that felt so in-line with his character. He is man broken by the world, hopeless, but his time with Miriamele *does* affect him. I'll have to leave it at that.
**World-Building and Prose:** *For a moment it seemed to soar up beyond the range of mortal ears, so that only a ghost of its fullness remained and her skull was full of echoes that piped like bats; then, a moment later, it descended just as swiftly, swooping down so rumblingly deep that it might be singing the slow and stony language of the ocean’s floor.*
To be honest, I never expected to find a series that came so close to capturing the depth, history, and emotional resonance of *The Lord of the Rings.* And yet, here we are. I’ve read a lot of fantasy over the years, and while many books capture pieces of what I love, few have given me the same sense of wonder. Williams somehow did and then some. Osten Ard feels as real to me as Middle Earth does.
His prose is beautiful—intricate yet clear, complex yet effortlessly immersive. As an aspiring author, I can only hope to weave words with even a fraction of his skill. And, incredibly, his writing has only improved with time.
**The Conclusion and the TLDR:** *Perhaps that is because none of us can know something's true value until it is gone.*
Five years ago, I picked up a book, not knowing that I was beginning a journey that would become one of my favorites of all time. I didn’t realize I was stepping into a world I would return to for comfort, a story that would linger in my heart. But that is exactly what happened. *Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn* is a masterpiece. It is a journey of wonder, fear, hardship, hope, love, and war. It is a story that, if you let it, will take you by the hand and stay with you long after the last page is turned.
It is a must-read. Just be ready for the journey. It’s well worth it.
Hello, my fellow scullions, servitors, and would-be heroes. It is done. After 530,000 words, I have finally reached the conclusion of Tad Williams’ first trilogy set in the world of Osten Ard, *Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn.* I’ve been sitting on this since last night, still reeling from the revelations in the final stretch.
Normally, I like to preface my thoughts with a discussion of whether a book lived up to its reputation or the expectations placed upon it. There’s no need for that here. This book is amazing. It is long—very long. So long, in fact, that I opted to buy the two-volume split of *To Green Angel Tower,* each over 500 pages, just to make the reading experience more manageable. But, my god, was it worth it.
Without further ado, let’s dive in. I’ll include a TLDR at the end for those who want a quick summary, but for now, let’s begin!
>The evil minions of the undead Sithi Storm King are beginning their final preparations for the kingdom-shattering culmination of their dark sorceries, drawing King Elias ever deeper into their nightmarish, spell-spun world. As the Storm King’s power grows and the boundaries of time begin to blur, the loyal allies of Prince Josua struggle to rally their forces at the Stone of Farewell. There, too, Simon and the surviving members of the League of the Scroll have gathered for a desperate attempt to unravel mysteries from the forgotten past. For if the League can reclaim these age-old secrets of magic long-buried beneath the dusts of time, they may be able to reveal to Josua and his army the only means of striking down the unslayable foe....
**Background:** *Welcome, Simon, to the world of those who are everyday condemned to thinking and wondering and never knowing with certainness.*
*To Green Angel Tower* is nothing short of a triumph. I began this journey with *The Dragonbone Chair* five years ago, and from the very first pages, I was captivated. It remains one of the most immersive fantasy stories I have ever read. Nearly a year ago, I finished *The Stone of Farewell*, and now, nine months later, I have arrived at the end.
I started Part One in January and finished Part Two last night, and like I said it’s still occupying every corner of my mind.
One of the things I truly appreciate about Tad Williams is that he provides a synopsis at the beginning of each book to help readers reacquaint themselves with the story. While *To Green Angel Tower* can be read as a single massive tome, I preferred the split volumes. They feel distinct, almost like two books in their own right. Some might argue that *Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn* could have been trimmed, but I’m not sure I agree with the idea of cutting anything. So much of what happens is essential to the overall narrative and its structure. Which is why I actually opted for these editions of the book.
By this point in the story, every major character has undergone significant trials, and we are now at the threshold of the final confrontation. Simon, Binabik, and Sludig reached the Stone of Farewell at the end of the previous book, as did Josua and his companions. Meanwhile, Miriamele has been captured by Aspitis and held aboard his ship. Elsewhere, Isgrimnur has found the legendary hero Camaris—the original wielder of the sword recovered at the end of *The Dragonbone Chair*—and has met Tiamak, who was introduced in *The Stone of Farewell.* The pieces are in place for the final clash against Elias, Pryrates, and, ultimately, the Storm King.
**Plot:** *Good stories will tell you that facing the lie is the worst terror of all. And there is no talisman or magic sword that is half so potent a weapon as truth.*
Williams’ storytelling is deliberate, revealing itself layer by layer. In terms of pacing, this book—particularly Part Two—moves faster than the first two in the trilogy. That isn’t to say it’s a quick read. It isn’t. If anything, I suspect many readers will find Part One the real challenge. That said, my experience may have been shaped by the way I read it—having the book split into two “smaller” volumes may have helped more than I realized. But even so, Part One undeniably moves at a slower pace than Part Two.
This is not a book that rushes to the finish line. It is a journey, one filled with towering peaks and deep valleys, with moments of hope and despair intertwined. You feel the weight of these characters’ struggles. In the last hundred pages of Part Two, I kept asking myself—what could possibly happen next? How is he going to land this plane? And just when you think you have the answers, he hits you with revelations that feel both shocking and completely earned.
This is a story that demands your time, but if you give it that, it will pull you in completely. The only minor critique I could make is that there are quite a few dark, underground sequences in this book, but even those serve an important thematic role. Some might argue that the book could have been trimmed, but I think that would diminish its depth and impact. The slow-burn nature of this series will be a determining factor for some readers. I promise, though—walk this world, and you will be rewarded.
I wish I could discuss more of the plot, but to do so would spoil too much. Just know this: the journey is worth every moment. There’s a reason *Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn* remains a staple recommendation in fantasy circles. And yet, somehow, despite its influence, Tad Williams still feels criminally underrated. If you’re looking for a completed series that blends the grandeur of *The Lord of the Rings* with the grounded, character-driven storytelling of *A Song of Ice and Fire*, look no further.
**Characters:** *A man who will not listen carefully to advice honestly given is a fool. Of course, a man who blindly takes any advice he receives is a bigger fool.*
Now, let’s talk about Simon.
He is, without question, one of my favorite depictions of a fantasy protagonist. His transformation from an immature scullion to the man he becomes in To Green Angel Tower is one of the most satisfying elements of the series.
Simon is an incredibly well-realized character. At one point in the book, it is said to him, “This is your story.” And it’s true. This journey has been his. When we first meet him, he is impulsive, selfish, and immature—annoying, even. But isn’t that the reality of youth? What makes his growth so compelling is that it isn’t sudden. Williams makes you sit with Simon as he stumbles forward, then backward. Even by the end of the novel, despite all he’s been through, he still has moments of immaturity. And that’s what makes him feel real. We all have that voice inside us that lashes out in frustration. Hopefully, we learn to control it and even have the maturity to check ourselves. I love Simon because his growth is patient, and Williams allows it to unfold naturally.
But this isn’t just Simon’s story.
Miriamele is another standout. Headstrong and naive due to her sheltered upbringing, she makes impulsive choices that sometimes frustrate, but by the end, her growth is undeniable. Her triumph over a particular antagonist is made all the more satisfying by the foundation laid in The Stone of Farewell. I’ll admit, during Book Two, I had concerns about her arc, but by the end, I saw what Williams was building toward. She feels real and like Simon is shaped by her experiences.
Binabik remains a favorite, and his friendship with Simon brought me to tears more than once—especially at the end. Josua, Isgrimnur, and Tiamak all left lasting impressions as well. These aren’t just characters; they feel like people fighting to survive and forge a better future. Aditu was another highlight—given how important the Sithi are, it was refreshing to see one more fully involved in the narrative.
And then there’s Eolair and Cadrach. Eolair's arc are two of the most tragic characters in this book for different reasons. I wish I could say more of Eolair's story but to do so would spoil it. He has one of the most beautiful moments at the end with another character that feels bittersweet. Cadrach on the other hand I can share a little more of. We met him at the beginning of *The Dragonbone Chair* as a thief. His ending is earned and one that felt so in-line with his character. He is man broken by the world, hopeless, but his time with Miriamele *does* affect him. I'll have to leave it at that.
**World-Building and Prose:** *For a moment it seemed to soar up beyond the range of mortal ears, so that only a ghost of its fullness remained and her skull was full of echoes that piped like bats; then, a moment later, it descended just as swiftly, swooping down so rumblingly deep that it might be singing the slow and stony language of the ocean’s floor.*
To be honest, I never expected to find a series that came so close to capturing the depth, history, and emotional resonance of *The Lord of the Rings.* And yet, here we are. I’ve read a lot of fantasy over the years, and while many books capture pieces of what I love, few have given me the same sense of wonder. Williams somehow did and then some. Osten Ard feels as real to me as Middle Earth does.
His prose is beautiful—intricate yet clear, complex yet effortlessly immersive. As an aspiring author, I can only hope to weave words with even a fraction of his skill. And, incredibly, his writing has only improved with time.
**The Conclusion and the TLDR:** *Perhaps that is because none of us can know something's true value until it is gone.*
Five years ago, I picked up a book, not knowing that I was beginning a journey that would become one of my favorites of all time. I didn’t realize I was stepping into a world I would return to for comfort, a story that would linger in my heart. But that is exactly what happened. *Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn* is a masterpiece. It is a journey of wonder, fear, hardship, hope, love, and war. It is a story that, if you let it, will take you by the hand and stay with you long after the last page is turned.
It is a must-read. Just be ready for the journey. It’s well worth it.
February 26, 2023
Terrific first part of the finale. Truths become known, surprises from the past emerge and twists are fulfilled. The hero's journey takes a big step forward as Simon grows convincingly from boy to man. Still manages to be a ‘mooncalf’ though as only a teenager could do
Contains possibly the finest description of a battle I've ever read, told with an immediacy and realism that most authors cannot manage. The fear, blood, and violence of the Siege of the title (though technically not a siege really but more a head on brawl) are rendered in such clarity through the eyes of the still 15 Simon that it lends a sense of peril to every moment. Wonderful stuff.
Undoubtedly my favourite book of the series, it’s so front loaded and epic that I found first time round it made the second half seem slightly disappointing by comparison. Interested to see if that’s still my feeling when I get there.
Pacing does suffer somewhat in the final third due to it being one book sliced in two, a similar issue to the Song of Ice and Fire’s later books, but it does allow it to end on a whopper of a cliffhanger.
Some slight trudging and travelling issues aside (ah fantasy and your long slogs through the wilderness), it’s got great pacing, wonderful characters, moments of excitement and danger (and just a pinch of grimdark threat) and an epic quality to the world building that is really paying off as you learn the history. Top tier fantasy at its best.
Contains possibly the finest description of a battle I've ever read, told with an immediacy and realism that most authors cannot manage. The fear, blood, and violence of the Siege of the title (though technically not a siege really but more a head on brawl) are rendered in such clarity through the eyes of the still 15 Simon that it lends a sense of peril to every moment. Wonderful stuff.
Undoubtedly my favourite book of the series, it’s so front loaded and epic that I found first time round it made the second half seem slightly disappointing by comparison. Interested to see if that’s still my feeling when I get there.
Pacing does suffer somewhat in the final third due to it being one book sliced in two, a similar issue to the Song of Ice and Fire’s later books, but it does allow it to end on a whopper of a cliffhanger.
Some slight trudging and travelling issues aside (ah fantasy and your long slogs through the wilderness), it’s got great pacing, wonderful characters, moments of excitement and danger (and just a pinch of grimdark threat) and an epic quality to the world building that is really paying off as you learn the history. Top tier fantasy at its best.
June 13, 2019
Slowly the threads of the story begin to come together - I have to say I am glad that the book has been split into two parts or it would have been overwhelming even for me.
The story moves at a swifter pace than the previous two parts and coalesces into fewer, more in depth, threads. Some characters grow, some diminish, all leave their mark. The world continues to develop with a few nice surprises, though I have yet to see the point of the spider-like creatures interlude.
At times keeping track is somewhat challenging, particularly with the audiobook but it is well worth the effort. Classic epic fantasy at it's best.
The story moves at a swifter pace than the previous two parts and coalesces into fewer, more in depth, threads. Some characters grow, some diminish, all leave their mark. The world continues to develop with a few nice surprises, though I have yet to see the point of the spider-like creatures interlude.
At times keeping track is somewhat challenging, particularly with the audiobook but it is well worth the effort. Classic epic fantasy at it's best.
April 23, 2024
Good. Grief. It took almost a month to finish this beefy boy.
Like....I like this book series, I do, there's a lot of great lore and I like most of the characters, but my GOD, I want to strangle Miriamele.
Like....I like this book series, I do, there's a lot of great lore and I like most of the characters, but my GOD, I want to strangle Miriamele.
April 15, 2016
I really enjoyed this from start to finish, it was also great to read the recap as it has been quite a long time since I had last read this series and had forgotten most of the characters and plot.
But afterward and as I read more of the story I immediately got back into it and enjoyed it immensely and can't wait to read the next one.
But afterward and as I read more of the story I immediately got back into it and enjoyed it immensely and can't wait to read the next one.
September 1, 2007
See Dragonbone Chair
January 22, 2023
What can I say that I haven't said about this series already? I am loving how it's escalating and raising the stakes with each installment.
February 12, 2025
Πλέον:
Έχουμε ξεμπερδέψει με τη μετάφραση, καθώς ο έλληνας εκδότης αποφάσισε
α) ότι δεν άξιζε τον κόπο (αργά το κατάλαβες φίλε…)
β) έγραψε στα παλιά του τααρχίδια παπούτσια τον πελάτη που αγόρασε τα τέσσερα πρώτα τομίδια
γ) κοιμήθηκε από βαρεμάρα και ξέχασε να προχωρήσει στο τρίτο
Η κακή μετάφραση, λοιπόν, παύει να είναι παράγοντας και να επηρεάζει, τώρα ξεχωρίζουν οι άντρες απ’ τ’ αγόρια, η ήρα από το στάρι, τα εμπριμέ από τα λευκά, χρωμοπαγίδα, μπλε και πράσινοι κόκκοι, στην Όστεν Αρντ αγαπούν το λευκό...
Βόγγοι και αγκομαχητά στον ανήφορο, καθώς το βιβλίο σέρνεται στους ρυθμούς που κινήθηκαν τα δύο πρώτα της σειράς. Λίγο μάχη, αλλά όχι αρκετή, λίγο σχέδια στην άμμο με φαντασιοκοπίες ως προς το τι θα κάνουν οι «καλοί» ενάντια στους «κακούς και τρελλούς», ο Σάιμον έχει γίνει εν μία νυκτί ψηλός και γενειοφόρος και ικανός στο σπαθί σε σημείο οι αντίπαλοι στη μάχη να δειλιάζουν αν και ο Καμάρις του εξηγεί πολύ γλυκά ότι παραμένει άγουρος και κοπανάει με το σπαθί σα να είναι ρόπαλο.
Οι χλιαροί και ανέμπνευστοι χαρακτήρες που γνωρίσαμε στα δύο πρώτα βιβλία συνεχίζουν να μας ενοχλούν και στο τρίτο, ενώ η πλοκή σίγουρα δεν είναι το δυνατό σημείο του τρίτου τόμου (τείνω να καταλήξω ότι είναι το εξώφυλλο).
Το σύνδρομο «έχω μια πολύ σημαντική ερώτηση / δεν έχουμε χρόνο, θα σου απαντήσω αργότερα» κάνει κι εδώ δυναμικά την εμφάνισή του. Σε τελική ανάλυση, Tad, χαλάραξε στην άκρη, κάνε ένα τσιγάρο και δώσε τους 30 ΔΕΥΤΕΡΟΛΕΠΤΑ να δώσουν ΜΙΑ εξήγηση για κάτι. Δε ζητάω πολλά. Αν δεν το έχεις προσέξει, χαλαλίζουν τόσες ώρες σε περπάτημα, φαγητό, σκοπιά, γκρίνια και ύπνο, δε βρήκανε 30γαμημένα γλυκούλικα δευτερόλεπτα -εδώ και τρία βιβλία- για να απαντήσουν σε ερωτήσεις; Κούρασε.
Εν τω μεταξύ, ενώ τραβήξανε τον παθών τους τον τάραχο να φτάσουν στην Πέτρα του Αποχωρισμού, στην ουσία, πέρα από φυσικά οχυρωμένο rally point δεν εξυπηρετεί σε κάτι άλλο. Γιατί έβαλες κόσμο να τραβιέται σε ένα μέρος που δεν το ήξερε κανείς, μόνο και μόνο για να συναντηθούν; Και σα να μην έφταναν όλα τα άλλα, η Μιμίουριελ αποφασίζει να… φύγει μέσα στη νύχτα, επειδή έχει ένα σχέδιο, το οποίο αν ακούσει ο θείος της δεν θα της επιτρέψει να φύγει. Τι να πω, είναι τόσο ενοχλητική που εγώ στη θέση του θα την έδιωχνα και χωρίς σχέδιο. Αν θέλετε να ξέρετε το τρομερό της σχέδιο, είναι… να πάει να μιλήσει στο μπαμπά της και να του θυμίσει πόσο αγαπούσε τη μαμά της. Έχω δει παιδιά από διαλυμένα σπίτια, αλλά αυτό παραπάει…
Δύο χαρακτήρες επίσης μας αποχαιρετούν, ο Ντεόρνεοθ (sic) και η μάγισσα, σε δύο twist της ιστορίας που μοιάζουν λιγότερο εμπνευσμένα κι από το σπιν με το χωνάκι τούρκου παγωτατζή.
Η όμορφη πρόζα δε μπορεί να σώσει μια αργόσυρτη και μουρόχαυλη ιστορία με πρωταγωνιστές που είναι λίγο πιο ενδιαφέροντες από ένα μικρό σβώλο στόκου. Ίσως αν ένας φιλότιμος editor έκοβε τα βιβλία στο μισό, να διαβαζόταν πιο ευχάριστα, αλλά αυτό δε συνέβη.
Παρεμπιπτόντως, μη σας ξεγελάει ο τίτλος του μισού πρώτου μέρους, δεν έχει πολιορκία το βιβλίο. Είναι σα να βλέπεις ντοκιμαντέρ «η σεξουαλική ζωή των πουλιών» να σου δείχνει κροκόδειλους να λιάζονται.
Έχουμε ξεμπερδέψει με τη μετάφραση, καθώς ο έλληνας εκδότης αποφάσισε
α) ότι δεν άξιζε τον κόπο (αργά το κατάλαβες φίλε…)
β) έγραψε στα παλιά του τα
γ) κοιμήθηκε από βαρεμάρα και ξέχασε να προχωρήσει στο τρίτο
Η κακή μετάφραση, λοιπόν, παύει να είναι παράγοντας και να επηρεάζει, τώρα ξεχωρίζουν οι άντρες απ’ τ’ αγόρια, η ήρα από το στάρι, τα εμπριμέ από τα λευκά, χρωμοπαγίδα, μπλε και πράσινοι κόκκοι, στην Όστεν Αρντ αγαπούν το λευκό...
Βόγγοι και αγκομαχητά στον ανήφορο, καθώς το βιβλίο σέρνεται στους ρυθμούς που κινήθηκαν τα δύο πρώτα της σειράς. Λίγο μάχη, αλλά όχι αρκετή, λίγο σχέδια στην άμμο με φαντασιοκοπίες ως προς το τι θα κάνουν οι «καλοί» ενάντια στους «κακούς και τρελλούς», ο Σάιμον έχει γίνει εν μία νυκτί ψηλός και γενειοφόρος και ικανός στο σπαθί σε σημείο οι αντίπαλοι στη μάχη να δειλιάζουν αν και ο Καμάρις του εξηγεί πολύ γλυκά ότι παραμένει άγουρος και κοπανάει με το σπαθί σα να είναι ρόπαλο.
Οι χλιαροί και ανέμπνευστοι χαρακτήρες που γνωρίσαμε στα δύο πρώτα βιβλία συνεχίζουν να μας ενοχλούν και στο τρίτο, ενώ η πλοκή σίγουρα δεν είναι το δυνατό σημείο του τρίτου τόμου (τείνω να καταλήξω ότι είναι το εξώφυλλο).
Το σύνδρομο «έχω μια πολύ σημαντική ερώτηση / δεν έχουμε χρόνο, θα σου απαντήσω αργότερα» κάνει κι εδώ δυναμικά την εμφάνισή του. Σε τελική ανάλυση, Tad, χαλάραξε στην άκρη, κάνε ένα τσιγάρο και δώσε τους 30 ΔΕΥΤΕΡΟΛΕΠΤΑ να δώσουν ΜΙΑ εξήγηση για κάτι. Δε ζητάω πολλά. Αν δεν το έχεις προσέξει, χαλαλίζουν τόσες ώρες σε περπάτημα, φαγητό, σκοπιά, γκρίνια και ύπνο, δε βρήκανε 30
Εν τω μεταξύ, ενώ τραβήξανε τον παθών τους τον τάραχο να φτάσουν στην Πέτρα του Αποχωρισμού, στην ουσία, πέρα από φυσικά οχυρωμένο rally point δεν εξυπηρετεί σε κάτι άλλο. Γιατί έβαλες κόσμο να τραβιέται σε ένα μέρος που δεν το ήξερε κανείς, μόνο και μόνο για να συναντηθούν; Και σα να μην έφταναν όλα τα άλλα, η Μιμίουριελ αποφασίζει να… φύγει μέσα στη νύχτα, επειδή έχει ένα σχέδιο, το οποίο αν ακούσει ο θείος της δεν θα της επιτρέψει να φύγει. Τι να πω, είναι τόσο ενοχλητική που εγώ στη θέση του θα την έδιωχνα και χωρίς σχέδιο. Αν θέλετε να ξέρετε το τρομερό της σχέδιο, είναι… να πάει να μιλήσει στο μπαμπά της και να του θυμίσει πόσο αγαπούσε τη μαμά της. Έχω δει παιδιά από διαλυμένα σπίτια, αλλά αυτό παραπάει…
Δύο χαρακτήρες επίσης μας αποχαιρετούν, ο Ντεόρνεοθ (sic) και η μάγισσα, σε δύο twist της ιστορίας που μοιάζουν λιγότερο εμπνευσμένα κι από το σπιν με το χωνάκι τούρκου παγωτατζή.
Η όμορφη πρόζα δε μπορεί να σώσει μια αργόσυρτη και μουρόχαυλη ιστορία με πρωταγωνιστές που είναι λίγο πιο ενδιαφέροντες από ένα μικρό σβώλο στόκου. Ίσως αν ένας φιλότιμος editor έκοβε τα βιβλία στο μισό, να διαβαζόταν πιο ευχάριστα, αλλά αυτό δε συνέβη.
Παρεμπιπτόντως, μη σας ξεγελάει ο τίτλος του μισού πρώτου μέρους, δεν έχει πολιορκία το βιβλίο. Είναι σα να βλέπεις ντοκιμαντέρ «η σεξουαλική ζωή των πουλιών» να σου δείχνει κροκόδειλους να λιάζονται.
June 8, 2025
Despite being incomplete, the first half of the final book in The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy has been a great read. The book actually ends with the mother of all cliffhangers.
The novel follows three main plotlines: newly knighted Simon joins the defence of the Stone of Farewell against the forces of the mad High King; Miriamele must escape imprisonment and find her way to safety with newfound friends; and the Hernystiri survivors follow the prophetic ramblings of the bereaved Princess Maegwin in an attempt to regain their lands.
In addition to these, we gain insight into a couple of other intriguing perspectives, primarily from within the Hayholt, the High King’s castle, and the Stormspike, the mountain fortress of the malevolent Storm King and Queen of Norns. These provide very interesting insights into the minds of our antagonists.
The defence of the Stone of Farewell against the High King’s envoy, Fengbald, was one of the book's highlights. It was a sequence of intense action in a series that had otherwise been content to keep a rather glacial pace. The combats were deftly described, and the tactics employed felt clever.
There were also some intriguing revelations about characters who had previously been kept in the background, as well as additional details on the prophecies and the three eponymous swords. This information always felt earned and sensible. There were no deus ex machinas, only a very well-plotted story.
Another highlight was Simon's growth (he is increasingly being called Seoman). He is learning to leave his reluctance behind and becoming a real player in the series. His burgeoning romance with Miriamele is suitably awkward, albeit somewhat frustrating in its repetitiveness.
Overall, it's a very enjoyable book, albeit incomplete, and I'm looking forward to what promises to be an epic conclusion to the series.
The novel follows three main plotlines: newly knighted Simon joins the defence of the Stone of Farewell against the forces of the mad High King; Miriamele must escape imprisonment and find her way to safety with newfound friends; and the Hernystiri survivors follow the prophetic ramblings of the bereaved Princess Maegwin in an attempt to regain their lands.
In addition to these, we gain insight into a couple of other intriguing perspectives, primarily from within the Hayholt, the High King’s castle, and the Stormspike, the mountain fortress of the malevolent Storm King and Queen of Norns. These provide very interesting insights into the minds of our antagonists.
The defence of the Stone of Farewell against the High King’s envoy, Fengbald, was one of the book's highlights. It was a sequence of intense action in a series that had otherwise been content to keep a rather glacial pace. The combats were deftly described, and the tactics employed felt clever.
There were also some intriguing revelations about characters who had previously been kept in the background, as well as additional details on the prophecies and the three eponymous swords. This information always felt earned and sensible. There were no deus ex machinas, only a very well-plotted story.
Another highlight was Simon's growth (he is increasingly being called Seoman). He is learning to leave his reluctance behind and becoming a real player in the series. His burgeoning romance with Miriamele is suitably awkward, albeit somewhat frustrating in its repetitiveness.
Overall, it's a very enjoyable book, albeit incomplete, and I'm looking forward to what promises to be an epic conclusion to the series.
February 21, 2025
A think a disclaimer is important before this review. This is half a book. Literally. Tad Willaims' To Green Angle Tower has been broken in half for some printings because of it's length. I write this after having read the recent, to me, Broken Binding release of To Green Angle Tower: Seige.
On one hand, this book was slow....really slow. I felt like it took me a few chapters to really get into it. But...but...when it finally did get going. Wow. It was absolutely amazing. The last couple chapters of this book were just amazing and got me so fired up for next book (or technically the last half of this one)
I was pretty hard on Stone of Farewell. All our characters separated and I just feel like it was too slow for me. And the first part of this book was a pretty strong continuation of that and, I thought, I was in danger of being really let down by it.
Then our characters started coming together, plots starting coalescing and suddenly it all started clicking together in a way that just has me so revved up. In fact, I can even pinpoint it. Chapter 23, The Sounding of the Horn. From that point on, this book was just on fire.
On one hand, this book was slow....really slow. I felt like it took me a few chapters to really get into it. But...but...when it finally did get going. Wow. It was absolutely amazing. The last couple chapters of this book were just amazing and got me so fired up for next book (or technically the last half of this one)
I was pretty hard on Stone of Farewell. All our characters separated and I just feel like it was too slow for me. And the first part of this book was a pretty strong continuation of that and, I thought, I was in danger of being really let down by it.
Then our characters started coming together, plots starting coalescing and suddenly it all started clicking together in a way that just has me so revved up. In fact, I can even pinpoint it. Chapter 23, The Sounding of the Horn. From that point on, this book was just on fire.
June 27, 2025
This is what epic fantasy’s all about. It’s a lot of fun to watch Simon grow, especially considering how he began the series far less competent than most zero-to-hero protagonists. It’s not that he always had incredible skills that were undervalued, but rather he was basically a random lid who grew into much more. It’s also very exciting to read a highly ambitious fantasy series that is nonetheless gathering momentum towards its endpoint while drawing many story threads back together (cough cough ASOIAF).
May 2, 2025
"A man who will not listen carefully to advice honestly given is a fool. Of course, a man who blindly takes any advice he receives is a bigger fool."
4.25⭐
Enjoyable throughout, there's very little to dislike in this first half of the final entry of Memory, Sorrow & Thorn. This book improves on my major complaints around the first two books, Simon has grown in maturity and is a joy to follow, as is Miriamele and many of the other POVs, and the pacing is more consistent.
I particularly like how the worldbuilding continues to drastically flesh out Osten Ard three books in, without the narrative suffering. Williams does a great job of juggling the various plotline and characters effortlessly, as there was one POV that I've grown to dislike as the books have continued, hopefully something in the latter half of this finale turns it around, we'll have to see.
A fantastic read, and hopefully the finale continues to impress.
March 18, 2025
To Green Angel Tower (Part I) by Tad Williams is the third book in the Dragonbone series. Again, it does not pretend to be anything else than a portion of the story. It ends on the hero and heroine, running away from Josua's camp while three norns are entering to harm an unnamed one of the people in the camp--hardly an ending.
November 25, 2025
Probably closer to a 4.5, but I’m giving it the benefit of the doubt because it was probably the best paced book of the series so far. Certainly the most action in the first 250 pages of any book in the series so far.
February 16, 2025
Ending was satisfying
March 29, 2025
This book was bit of a slog to get through. I’m glad this last instalment was separated to two books so that I can rate them more accurately since I really liked ending of this series.
June 19, 2025
Was a lot quicker story telling wise compared to the other two which was slow burning at the start. Set up nicely for the last book in the two part finale
June 26, 2025
Overall a good story, but too many characters and side stories making it difficult to keep track of.
August 15, 2025
So consistently good - will read the final part in Greece in a few weeks. Very excited!
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