Fantasy Book Club discussion

I wonder what others think about the work of Tad Williams. I read Memory Sorrow and Thorn when it was 1st released and, IIRC, enjoyed it, but have not reading of his work.

I'm sitting on his Shadowmarch series and wonder if I should take the time to read it.

I've never read any of his fantasy work. I've read a large chunk of the huge Otherland series, which is science fiction (and quite good, especially for its time...deals with virtual reality in a very comprehensive way yet doesn't get enough credit for its inventiveness in the canon of "net-based/virtual reality fiction") and Tailchaser's Song, which is a "Watership Down light" sort of tale (but with cats instead of rabbits) that I found really enjoyable.

His genre fantasy looks interesting, but I have no direct experience with it. However, if he approaches it with the same competence as his sf and "animal fantasy" work, I'd guess it will be excellent.

I've read the Memory Sorrow and Thorn series and really liked it, and I've also read the Otherland series and really like it. I've read the first two books in the Shadowmarch series... And was pretty bored by them. I know a lot of people who like them though, so they are worth a shot. I eventually want to finish the series, to see if it gets any better, but I'm in no hurry to do so.

I'd definitely recommend Otherland though, if you don't mind reading bricks. They are sci-fi, but have a lot of fantasy elements as well.

Otherland looks really intriguing to me.

It is really good, but a big commitment to get through it. Each book is about 1,000 pages long. But it's totally worth it! It's a great blend of sci-fi and fantasy.

Looking through my book DBS, I find I did read Otherland, but only gave it 3 stars.

I am currently reading the The Dragonbone Chair, and I'm enjoying it. It took a little bit for me to get into (slow start), but now it seems to be picking up speed. I'm about 1/3 of the way through it now. I'd say it's worth picking up.

I've only read his Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy but I absolutely loved it. I'm debating whether to pick up his Shadowmarch series in the near future or not...has anyone read it/started reading it? If you have, what do you think of it so far?

I read Memory, Sorrow and Thorn and then went right into Shadowmarch afterward... I don't think that was a good idea. They seemed so similar to me that Shadowmarch pretty much bored me. I think I would have liked it a lot more had I waited a while in between the two series. If you want a Tad fix to break up the two similar series, try the Otherland books. They are bricks, but good bricks, and much different from either of the other two series. Or just read a bunch of other authors before you move on to Shadowmarch... Just my opinion though :)

I am currently reading through the Otherland series and am enjoying it very much. Though Tad Williams is long winded, it does take time to get into his stories. I read Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn many, many yeas ago and don't remember much from the series. At the time I was reading more Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance novels and so it was my first foray into epic fantasy and did not enjoy it as much. Now that I have grown more experienced with my reading, I am may have to give it another try. I also really enjoyed his War of the Flowers stand alone novel. That one is more of an urban fantasy/sci-fi. Both elements are in that one. I will probably take another short break from epic novels before tackling the Shadowmarch series.

I've only read his War of Flowers novel, But was completely entranced. I had read the first 4 chapters, and left the book at the hospital! died for months 'till I finally got another copy. I gave it 5 stars. I was given the final Otherland book, and am waiting for the others from the library. I have 2 other series on the go ATM tho..Charles de Lint's Newark series and L.A.Bank's Vamp Hunter series, which is about far more than vamps. So it'll be some time. Thankfully I've read this months books already! lol

So I assume by the comments it would be worth my while to order the first two books of the Otherlands Series?
I have put it off, but I did love War of the Flowers. Is it a series worth putting the time aside for?

I loved the Otherland books. I just finished the series a few days ago. I will say though, the first book felt more like a 780 page prologue, but the series gets better after that. It is more sci-fi based and the majority of the series takes place in a virtual reality environment, but it has all the wonderful elements of Tad Williams' prose and characterizations.

Thanks for answering. I do find myself troubled by reading 'virtual reality' books. Couldn't tell you why. But between reading that and the fact that 10 of my holds just came in, I'll put it off for a bit I think.
Thanks for the quick reply!

No problem. Even though it is a virtual reality type book, all the different worlds that are described are wonderful and at times, you forget that the characters are trapped in a virtual environment.

I have read the first two book in the Shadowmarch series and they were quite good but as with the third book i just can't seem to get into it. There are lots of names and places to remember and not having read them consecutively I'm finding it difficult to keep up.

Thank you for the review, maybe when the stack of almost 20 'to read' books on my nightstand ever diminish....

Again an old thread I dig out, but I wonder if among newer members (like me!) are some fans of Tad?
I personally adore his books and learned to love long slower novels and series thanks to him :)
I read everything aside from Otherland, because we don't have it anymore anywhere in Poland, I guess I need to wait they re-release it!

I still have a soft spot for all things Tad Williams.

I loved most of what I've read from him; without Tad Williams, we wouldn't have some of our current luminary writers, IMO.

And I admit to "squeeing" in delight when the first new Osten Ard novels started coming out.

I agree! What a pity the publisher of Osten Ard in Poland dropped the project. We got first part but won't get any other.
I hope maybe other publisher picks it or I will just try to read it in English.
I am huge fan of Shadowmarch and Memory, Sorrow and Thorn and it really moves my curiosity, the current books Tad writes :)

I love Tad Williams. Memory, Sorrow and Thorn are some of my favourite books. I didn't like the Shadowmarch ones quite so much but am eagerly waiting for the next part of Osten Ard. Such a pity for you that the Polish publishers have dropped it

Have you read The War of the Flowers, maybe?

War of the Flowers is competent, but not one of my favorite Williams book.

But I will say "Tailchasers Song" is vastly underrated.

And "Otherland" is also a hidden gem of a series.

I've not read a lot of Tad Williams but what I have read has been really good. I may have to pick some more of his books and give them a try.