The Dragonbone Chair - (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn) by Tad Williams (Paperback)

About the Book

"The Dragonbone Chair" is the story of Simon, a young kitchen boy and magician's apprentice whose dreams of great deeds and heroic wars come all too shockingly true when his world is torn apart by a terrifying civil war fueled by ancient hatreds, immortal enemies, and the dark powers of sorcery.

Book Synopsis

From master storyteller and New York Times-bestseller Tad Williams comes the first book in the landmark epic fantasy saga of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn.

With The Dragonbone Chair, Tad Williams introduced readers to the incredible fantasy world of Osten Ard. His beloved, internationally bestselling series Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn inspired a generation of modern fantasy writers, including George R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, and Christopher Paolini, and defined Tad Williams as one of the most important fantasy writers of our time.

This edition features a brand-new introduction from Tad Williams' editor as well as the original introduction from Williams himself!

"One of my favorite fantasy series." --George R. R. Martin
"Groundbreaking." --Patrick Rothfuss
"One of the great fantasy epics of all time." --Christopher Paolini

BOOK ONE: THE DRAGONBONE CHAIR

A war fueled by the powers of dark sorcery is about to engulf the peaceful land of Osten Ard--for Prester John, the High King, lies dying. And with his death, 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 true danger threatening Osten Ard.

Simon, a kitchen boy from the royal castle unknowingly apprenticed to a member of this League, will be sent on a quest that offers the only hope of salvation, a deadly riddle concerning long-lost swords of power. Compelled by fate and perilous magics, he must leave the only home he's ever known and face enemies more terrifying than Osten Ard has ever seen, even as the land itself begins to die.

After the landmark Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy, the epic saga of Osten Ard continues with The Heart of What Was Lost. Then don't miss the sequel trilogy, The Last King of Osten Ard, beginning with The Witchwood Crown!

Review Quotes

Praise for Osten Ard

"Inspired me to write my own seven-book trilogy.... It's one of my favorite fantasy series." --George R. R. Martin, New York Times-bestselling author

"Groundbreaking.... Changed how people thought of the genre, and paved the way for so much modern fantasy. Including mine." --Patrick Rothfuss, New York Times-bestselling author of The Name of the Wind

"Tad Williams is a master storyteller, and the Osten Ard books are his masterpiece. Williams' return to Osten Ard is every bit as compelling, deep, and fully-rendered as the first trilogy, and he continues to write with the experience and polish of an author at the top of his game." --Brandon Sanderson, New York Times-bestselling author of Mistborn

"Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is one of the great fantasy epics of all time." --Christopher Paolini, New York Times bestselling author of Eragon

"Readers who delight in losing themselves in long complex tales of epic fantasy will be in their element here, and there is the promise of much more to come in future volumes." --Locus

"Panoramic, vigorous, often moving.... Williams adroitly weaves together the tales...heralding a suitably epic and glorious conclusion." --Publishers Weekly

"Highly Recommended. [Williams] draws on many mythologies for the background of his fantasy epic...story spiced with political intrigue and strong appealing heroes." --Library Journal

"A grand fantasy on a scale approaching Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings." --Cincinnati Post

About the Author

Tad Williams is a California-based fantasy superstar. His genre-creating (and genre-busting) books have sold tens of millions worldwide. His works include the worlds of Otherland, Shadowmarch, and Osten Ard­--including the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and The Last King of Osten Ard series--as well as standalone novels Tailchaser's Song and The War of the Flowers. His considerable output of epic fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy, comics, and more have strongly influenced a generation of writers. Tad and his family live in the Santa Cruz mountains in a suitably strange and beautiful house. He can be found at tadwilliams.com or on Twitter at @tadwilliams.