The Witchwood Crown
Return to the groundbreaking world of Osten Ard in the first book of New York Times bestselling author Tad Williams’ sequel series The Last King of Osten Ard
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- 55,00 kr
Publisher Description
'Inspired me to write my own seven-book trilogy. It's one of my favourite fantasy series' GEORGE R. R. MARTIN
'A master storyteller, and the Osten Ard books are his masterpiece' BRANDON SANDERSON
'Paved the way for so much modern fantasy. Including mine' PATRICK ROTHFUSS
'One of the great fantasy epics of all time' CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI
"They have left us a world, but have they left us enough wisdom to protect it?"
Thirty years ago the undead Storm King, Ineluki, was destroyed and his armies scattered. The Kingdom of Osten Ard has been at peace ever since, ruled by Simon Snowlock, kitchen boy made king, and Miriamele, King Elias' only child.
But now age weighs upon their reign. Simon's dreams have deserted him, old allies are long gone and betrayal and assassination threaten his rule. His son and heir John Josua is years dead and his grandson, Morgan, is a wastrel.
But those years of peace are coming to an end for in the mountain fortress of Nakkiga in the frozen north, the Norns - the long-vanquished elvish foe - are stirring once again. Their Queen has woken from her deep, decades long slumber, and she will sleep no more. An ally of the Storm King, she seeks to avenge his death and destroy humanity. Her sorcerers will raise a demon, her warriors will raze the land in search of dragon's blood, and finally the Witchwood Crown will be hers.
With a cast of hundreds - humans, giants, dragons, trolls, Sithi and Norn - The Witchwood Crown is epic fantasy as it used to be: classic, grand and sweeping. From one of the greatest writers of the genre comes the start of an unforgettable saga.
JOIN THE READERS WHO LOVE THE WITCHWOOD CROWN
I have loved reading this book! It is so good to return to Osten Ard once more. It was both lovely and sad to meet the old characters and wonderful to meet all the new ones.
Tad Williams' work is brilliant and complex.
A wonderfully written book. I enjoyed every page. Engaging characters, an intriguing story and the promise of more to come. I can't wait for the next.
I love this book (and the previous ones) for the care and nourishment poured into them by the author. A well-developed world allows for a convincing story, however magical it might be. The characters are also supremely real and easy to like.
So incredible to have new Osten Ard stories to read! From the very first chapter, this return to the much-loved world of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is just as enthralling and magical as it was 25 years ago.
The Witchwood Crown is Tad Williams' magnificent return to Osten Ard. This is a novel I've been waiting for, for 24 years. I'm happy to report that The Witchwood Crown lives up to expectations.
WORLD OF OSTEN ARD READING ORDER
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series
The Dragonbone Chair
Stone of Farewell
To Green Angel Tower
The Last Kind of Osten Ard (sequel series)
The Witchwood Crown
Empire of Grass
Brothers of the Wind
Intro the Narrowdark
The Navigator's Children
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Williams seems to think that readers unfamiliar with his Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn epic fantasy trilogy will still be able to enjoy this novel, set about 30 years later in the land of Osten Ard, but many newcomers will find themselves bewildered. The text is followed by an appendix with 14 pages of characters (over 300 of them!) and place names; a brief introductory summary of previous events would have been far more helpful. There are numerous references to the Storm King's War, but the nature of that conflict is only hinted at, and first-timers are also left to try to sort out Osten Ard's theology, which encompasses archbishops and hymns to a Christ-like redeemer as well as pagan deities. The story line featuring King Simon, who rose to power from humble beginnings and is struggling with the death of his son, is the easiest to get into, but the sprawling scope of the book and the dense exposition get in the way. There are superficial similarities to George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire (including a wedding that turns unexpectedly bloody), and fans of Martin may pick this up knowing that Williams's earlier work inspired him, but the student has surpassed the teacher.
