The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams
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The Dragonbone Chair follows Simon as he becomes embroiled in an epic adventure. The book is the first part of the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy and was first published in 1988.
This is epic fantasy, nearly 800 pages of it and it lasts the pace well. The Dragonbone Chair brings together all the elements that are found in many a fantasy book and re-produces them in a beautiful and endearing way.
Simon, our hero, is an orphan boy and his story is told in a way that reminded me somewhat of Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy. I say this because we often listen to Simon's inner thoughts throughout the tale and this is a very comforting narrative that really involves you in the tale.
The characters are strong and well-formed and Tad Williams takes time early on in the book to fully round them out and put some flesh onto the bones. After we are fully introduced to the players and have become comfortable in the world then the pace of the book really picks up and the strands of the tale spread out until there are multiple storylines on the go at the same time.
This is a very worthwhile read, if you find it a struggle initially, stick with it as these early chapters are important and leave you perfectly placed to enjoy the gripping story that is to follow.
Epic, traditional fantasy of a high standard.
The Dragonbone Chair (Memory, Sorrow & Thorn) (Amazon.co.uk)
Author: Tad Williams
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 944
Publication date: 1990-10-18
Publisher: Orbit
RRP: £8.99
Lowest new price: £2.73
Lowest used price: £0.01
The Dragonbone Chair (Memory, Sorrow & Thorn) (Amazon.com)
Author: Tad Williams
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 944
Publication date: 1990-10-18
Publisher: Orbit
RRP: $16.50
Lowest new price: $10.74
Lowest used price: $1.64
A thrilling, heartstopping quest that blends the machinations of a king gone mad with the politics of empire, breathtaking suspense with the pity of war, a brilliantly conceived world of ancient days with the joys - and terrors - of magic ...
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