Fantasy Books

 

Title: The Dragonbone Chair / Book One of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn

Author: Tad Williams

Summary: A war fueled by the dark powers of sorcery is about to engulf the peaceful land of Osten Ard - for Prester John, the High King, slayer of the dread dragon Shurakai, lies dying. And with his death, an ancient evil will at last be unleashed, as the Storm King, undead ruler of the elvishlike Sithi, seeks to regain his lost realm through a pact with one of human royal blood. Then, driven by spell-inspired jealousy and hate, prince will fight prince, while around them the very land begins to die.

Only a small, scattered group, the League of the Scroll, recognizes the true danger awaiting Osten Ard. And to Simon - a castle scullion unknowingly apprenticed to a member of this League - will go the task of spearheading the quest for the solution to a riddle that offers the only hope of salvation, a riddle of long-lost swords of power...and a quest that will see him fleeing and facing enemies straight out of a legend-maker's worst nightmares.

Review: The main character is Simon who is an orphan boy raised by the Mistress of Chambermaids in the royal keep of the Hayholt. He's easily distracted from his scullion chores. The Prester John, Osten Ard's king, who slew a dragon in his youth, is drawing to the end of his life. There is bad blood between his two sons, Elias and Josua. It was dued to the lost of Elias's wife in the past. Josua lost a hand trying to save Elias's wife, but Elias lost a wife, his daughter a mother, and he can never forgive his younger brother the circumstances. It is Elias, the more martial and straightforward of the brothers, whom King John will name to succeed him on the throne made from the bones of the dragon John long ago slew. The Hayholt is abustle with activity at John's reemergence, and Simon manages to have himself named apprentice to Dr. Morgenes, the Hayholt's resident magician-of-sorts. Circumstances and the descend of Elias to the Dragonbone Chair eventually leads Simon to encounter many things beyond his control and he discovers his true identity.

A great epic fantasy adventure that I really enjoy from this first book of three books. The story grips the readers into it's territory with intrigues and actions. The characters are well developed as the story pushes the readers forward. There are time when one would actually get so caught up with the story that one would feel the pain and remorse that the characters go through. It's a very realistic and sophisticated fantasy tale written by Tad Williams. Everything from the settings, the characters, to the emotions and the atmosphere of the story are well designed to meet the standards of serious fantasy fiction fans. I think everyone would enjoy it once he or she starts to read it. A worthwhile tale to sit down to read on a rainy day.

Rating: 10 out of 10