The beloved first novel in Tad Williams' classic fantasy series MEMORY, SORROW AND THORN, set in the fantasy world of Osten Ard.
'ONE OF MY FAVOURITE FANTASY SERIES' GEORGE R. R. MARTIN
'GROUND-BREAKING' PATRICK ROTHFUSS
'TAD WILLIAMS IS A MASTER STORYTELLER' BRANDON SANDERSON
'AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ANY SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY LIBRARY' CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI
"But remember this lesson, Simon, one fit for kings. . .or the sons of kings. Nothing is without cost. There is a price to all power, and it is not always obvious."
Kitchen-boy Simon is bored and restless - a dangerous combination. It seems, however, that his life has just taken a turn for the better when he's apprenticed to his castle's resident wizard. As Simon's learning to read and write under Doctor Morgenes' tutelage, forces greater than he could possibly imagine are gathering. Forces which will change Simon's life and his world forever.
A war fuelled by the powers of dark sorcery is about to engulf the peaceful land of Osten Ard. With the death of Prester John, the High King, the land is thrown into turmoil. Into this chaos the Storm King, the undead ruler of the elf-like Sithi, seizes the chance to regain his lost realm through a pact with the newly ascended king. Knowing the consequences of this bargain, the king's younger brother joins with a small, scattered group of scholars, the League of the Scroll, to confront the danger threatening Osten Ard.
As darkness descends, Simon is forced to flee the only home he has ever known, a journey which will test him beyond his worst nightmares.
With The Dragonbone Chair, Tad Williams introduced readers to the incredible fantasy world of Osten Ard and kicked off the beloved, internationally bestselling series Memory, Sorrow, and Thorrn.
READERS LOVE TAD WILLIAMS
'This series was a direct inspiration for A Song Of Ice And Fire (indeed, two characters are even referenced in passing in that series), and in all honesty, Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is infinitely superior.'
'A thoroughly well written and enjoyable first instalment in what promises to be a classic tale of sword and sorcery.'
'Brilliant, a writer who always delivers. Outstanding, the very best in his class!'
'A great first instalment in a superb series [. . .] Highly recommended to those who love the likes of Raymond E. Feist, George R.R Martin and Ursula Le Guin.'
'No one like Tad Williams for me. Gripping from start to finish. Epic.'
'This is classic fantasy at its very best.'
'I don't know how this book evaded me for so long but Usires be praised it was an excellent read. A slow burn for the first half and then an utter thrill fest until the very last sentence. Read this book, read it now.'
Ground-breaking . . . changed how people thought of the genre and paved the way for so much modern fantasy, including mine
