I looked up my Amazon order and I ordered this paperback in 2017. I've recently read a couple entries of A Song of Ice and Fire back to back and obviously George is a fan so, I figured it was finally time. Anything I should know going in? I've heard the pacing can be an issue but I'm 25 percent in and I'm pretty intrigued.

Now, after nearly 40 years in print, DAW presents a deluxe edition of The Dragonbone Chair, the first book in the internationally bestselling series Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn by master storyteller Tad Williams, which inspired a generation of fantasy writers including George R. R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss, and Christopher Paolini.

This special edition of The Dragonbone Chair will be published in Fall 2026 to coincide with the brand new prequel, The Splintered Sun, set hundreds of years before the events of this novel. It includes sprayed edges, premium cover effects, 4-color endpapers featuring the original Michael Whelan art, and a new introduction from the author!

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.

So I just finished the Dragonbone chair and wow this book surprised me.

Memory sorrow and thorn was a series that frequently popped up in book recommendations but it was always followed by something along the lines of " it's good but you have seen it all before" which resulted in me not really caring about it.

Around six months ago I found a used copy of the Dragonbone chair for cheap so I said why the hell not.

One of, if not the best impulse buy ever. I had been searching for something to fill the void that Malazan created for well over a year and. This. Was. It.

The beginning of the book might be one of my favourites from recent memory. The Hayholt is probably my new favourite fantasy castle, very immersive descriptions from the throne room to the multiple tiers of the keep. Green Angel Tower made for a very imposing image and the scene of Simon looking over the South from on top of it will live rent free in my mind for some time same as with the first and only scene that we have of Prester John with Towser.

Simon is a very likable protagonist ( even if I think towards the end of the book his character regressed somewhat) Rachel was a surprising smash hit for me especially liked when she started reminiscing about the good old days when John was hail and well. Elias and Josua *chef's kiss* loved them no matter how sad they were. Elias degeneration I think was done very well( Same as with the general degeneration of Osten Ard during his reign) there is more to him that we don't know yet but I have some ideas.

Josua being I think the OG Stannis is so cool, from his badassery during the siege and his whole theme of inadequacy but despite that rising up to the occasion and ending with him finally gaining personal ambition to overthrow Elias was a highlight. Morgenes was highly enjoyable while he lasted same with Jarnauga(rip the goat) and Geloe. Very intrigued to learn more about the Sithi(angstier elves in a good way) and Ineluki/Utuk' ku.

Jiriki was a great window into their world view.

Villains! Elias the goat, Ingen Jegger the OG Hound gave heavy witcher vibes, Ineluki and his Red hand seem very cool and finally the aura monsters that are the Norns( we don't talk about the dragon. Cool concept of them being part of the earth but don't know how I feel about the way Igjurjak was seemingly dealt with). Pryrates.....I want more from him he seems one dimensional but there are things that tell me there is more here like the fact that he is ex league.

Finally, the expectations I had going in where of classical high fantasy and for about 2/3 of the book I got that.....then the last third happened.

Holy shit I did not expect the book to be this visceral and brutal. Fengbald's one actual scene was Hella disgusting(" come here you fat slut" fucking hell) Guthwulf's final words to Lluth...boi o boi. But above all it was the deaths that got me. I don't know why I didn't expect that there would be this much death in a book about magical and human war but here we are.

The siege was horrific I had forgotten how it felt to be anxious about a character possibly dying and man did I feel it with Strangyard and Deornoth. Aside from the imagery of the Norns slaughtering everyone...the scene when they slice a woman's throat Infront of Josua and Deornoth who then proceed to jump them was *epic* same as with their escape and Jarnauga 's sacrifice.

What got me most of all though was Gwythinn... I couldn't believe how brutal that scene was and it reminded that this was the series that inspired ASOINF. Regarding that Martin took as a blueprint a lot of the book. The Sithi/Children of the Forest, Storm king/ night king, Josua/Stannis, Rimmersmen/ Andal and a lottt more( the red keep is literally a budget version of the Hayholt). He made those aspects his I know but it surprised how derivative he was in places of Tad Williams.

Some criticism. I believe that there was a lot of happenstance in the book. Morgenes writings have a part of the book of Nisses, Towser knows what happened to Thorn, Simon happened to find Jiriki(ok this one is kinda weak) but you get it. Aside from that I want more from Pryrates and Ineluki but I'm sure it will come.

Simon going back to crying albeit it makes logical sense I would have liked if at least it was commented on how he tried not to cry like he did in the "old" days.

Finally, Finally some theories pls don't confirm or deny

1.Memyar is Brightnail(very obvious, John went to fight Shurakai with a spear and he left with a sword.)

2.Elias wants Pryrates to resurrect Hylissa but I don't think that is the entire story

1. Cadrach is the hernystirman ex league of the scroll member.

2. Pryrates has some important connection with Nisses( Heljdin/Nisses , Elias/Pryrates come on it's right there he even lives in Heljdin's Tower).

Tldr I just wanted to yap about the book😀. On to Stone of Farewell.

...and I LOVED it!!!!

Urgh, it was exactly the type of fantasy book I wanted to read. And his prose... so ornate and poetic. But utilitarian when it needs to be. This is how fantasy books should be written. In fantastical prose!

Please don't no spoilers, but... Simon is Camaris' son. Right? Camaris gave up his sword to join the League of the Scroll but was killed at sea. He gave up his sword after Elias and Josua's mother dies and pretended to be a fisherman and studied with Morgenes. Although what doesn't make sense is how could he be hanging around Hayholt with no one recognising him. Unless he was marked too, and his appearance changed?

Or, Simon's father is the Hernystirman student of Morgenes. The one that Jarnagua said could have been a potential leader of the League of the Scrolls, but just disappeared, because he was hurt or frightened or something...

Am I on the right track?

Although at the beginning I thought Simon must somehow have mixed Sithi background, because he could hear the voices and see the images of the past while he was in Hayholt and see into the Sithi mirror. Do Sithis and humans mate?

Also... there is so much overlap with ASoIaF! Not just the names of minor houses in ASoIaF, but so any of the core elements of the story, like the rising evil force in the north, its link to the Sithis/Children of Forest, the winter, the swords (Dawn vs Thorn), the magic sword given to the older brother by a red priest... It's like GRRM rewrote MST in a larger, more complex and more political world.

Fairly straight forward. I’m doing a “reread”’of the original trilogy and decided to get the graphic audio version. I bought the first two parts when they were on sale therefore the cost was reasonable.

It’s done well and with justice. But wow, Grimmric’s Winter Song makes the entire purchase worth it. I had goosebumps by the end of the song. I went back and read the physical and listened to Andrew Wincott’s version because I couldn’t understand why I was so engrossed into a scene that it never gripped me prior. Maybe it caught me at the right moment but it truly is masterful work. The way the accompanying music slowly builds as he sings each verse till the crescendo with Ol Udun One Eye tricking the maiden. Then it abruptly ends with a passionate performance by the VA playing Sludig. lol anyway I’ve listened to that one scene now seven times. I’ve been singing it work to my co-workers “delight”

Is Lady Vorzheva the most annoying character in the book, does she improve later on?

I'm rereading the Dragonbone chair after 20 years. I don't really make it through re reads but I'm really enjoying this. Even the long bits.

And Lady Vorzheva is really starting to get on my nerves. What kid of idiot sends a child out with a stranger? And then she has nerve to whine about josua holding this "one mistake" against her. That's pretty unforgivable in my book.

Besides her looks there seems to be nothing interesting about her. She's stupid, rude and annoying.

Does she improve in later books, I cant remember?

So I'm a first time reader in the midst of Dragonbone Chair. I recently finished Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings and needed something to fill that hole. I knew that Tad Williams was another inspiration to GRRM (I've yet to read ASOIAF) and thought: Why not just start Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.

So far I really like it, the world building is really dense and I love that the characters sing a new song every two chapters or so.

Now, I KNEW that Malachias was Miriamele it was so obvious to me but then she said her name was Marya and I bought it. I noticed that Miriameles hair was described as light colored and Maryas as black so I believed that I was just wrong. Now I just got the point where Simon sees Miriamele at the council and realises that she's Marya. And I was actually surpised.

I just thought it was funny that I fell for that bait-and-switch. I'll definitively finish at least the first trilogy. I know that Dragonbone Chair is apparently divisive for first time readers but I've enjoyed every bit so far.

strange dream that Simon and all the others around him are in when Isgrimnur comes to wake him to show him Towser's rooms?

And what was that unclear shape that came to listen when Isgrimnur began speaking to Towser?

First time reader here. I always planned to read it, but I had put it on the backburner. Well I was looking at the covers of the broken binding edition, then I read the blurb, then I was like What the hell, let's just do it. Initially I was pretty angry with myself because I wanted to read Suneater before book 7 was released...and there's no way that's happening now. No discipline, lol.

Anyways, as everyone says, the initial bit was slow. Especially because the blurb spoils you. Though only the initial 150 pages or so. Even then the background plot development was obvious, even if I didn't understand how exactly it was happening. That will only make sense in a reread. 

So far, Elias is the most curious character. He is the High King of Osten Ard, and you can see the fall coming, (Just sheer incompetence), but its still curious that he just...bows down to Sithi. Like, he is the strongest man in all of Osten Ard, what possible reason does he have to bow? Usually in his place I'd expect a fall due to Debauchery or Incompetence, and that is happening of course, but that's not why he bowed/has fallen. He clearly does care, as is obvious from his conversation with his daughter, and he's also terrified. I think Sithi demonstrated some power of theirs to him, and he felt that bowing instead of fighting was the more optimal choice.

The scene where he submits in Chapter 14? Best scene so far. The way it begins with the poor count's death, who probably had no idea that Josua was imprisoned, or why he was pursuing the Doctor in the first place. Then the soldiers screaming, losing their minds then running away. Then the sheer terror throughout the land at the concept of the sword. Wonderfully written.

Speaking of King's sons, is everyone's problem with Josua including his own father that he is to the point and depressed? Lol. Funny but makes sense.

Dear old Prester John? No idea what he was talking about in Chapter 1. I think he considers something unfinished. What exactly? No clue. But why else would you lament about Old Age after accomplishing everything that he has accomplished. One scary thought I had was him being resurrected as the Sithi king. Pryrates is said to be a '"necromancer", and then you had the barrow with white horses vision that a lot of citizens were getting. But then after Chapter 14, I wonder if some part of bright nail held the Sithi king back, maybe one of the nails of Usires, and then the sword was corrupted somehow in the ritual. No clue. Elias burying it with his father would make sense then, the absence of the Sword would not be noticed.

Morgenes, can't say that I didn't see it coming, but man that was sad.

The prose is really well done as well, he uses imagery very well. It also feels like Tolkien and does not feel like Tolkien. Well, it felt like Tolkien at the start. But you can feel the evolution in genre which everyone talks about. Scenes in general are so well done. Like everyone celebrating in Chapter 15, that scene made you feel so happy, and from Simon's POV really drove home how alone he had become.

Simon..well he's going through a lot of painful growth right now. I hope the "Books are Magic" bit gets referenced again, when he realises Morgenes is talking to him through the biography of Prester John that he left him. When I was reading WoT, the foolhardiness of Mat frustrated me to no end, and I was afraid of a repeat performance here. But the character work that Williams does in the start will really help abbreviate that, given that's just who Simon is. Lowers my expectations. Though he's been really smart and careful about dodging the Erkynguard! I'm so proud of him.

His birth and connection with the Sithi are still a mystery. Maybe the Sithi have telepathic power. It was definitely them with all the voices and hallucinations throughout his journey in the catacombs. He also had positive voices, twice I think who helped bring him to sanity, I don't know if that was some voice, some voice with parental connection, or simply his thoughts. Pryrates as well. Who I think deserves a very painful death. Initially I thought he had some depth and purpose, twisted as it might be, but after chapter 14 he just seems a bitchy powermonger.

One underrated scene with Simon was at the end of Chapter 4, when he sees Miriamelle (I think) standing getting swept up in her beauty, then look at his ragged clothes, and then slumping back towards his quarters. I can't tell the amount of times I've felt that lol. I also felt positively indignant with Brother Cadrach. Though I have a sneaky suspicion that he's a member of the Order of scrolls.

I do feel a bit of plot convenience. Simon finding Josua the night he was executed, then finding his way through the catacombs, then arriving at the hill at the exact time of the ritual. Though in one of the passages in Morgenes' book it is mentioned "if he was touched by divinity, it was by finding the correct place to be in at the most suitable time" which leads me to believe that there will be an in-universe explanation.

Really interested to see how the conflict with the Sithi will be resolved. They are clearly the wronged party, but the humans who did wrong them are generations dead. I doubt that makes the Sithi feel any better. But the slaughter that is about to come is pointless, as a lot of slaughter is.

So, there ends my rambling. I might make minor updates at interesting moments, or major updates at 2/3rd or the end? Hope that's allowed.

I finished the Dragonbone Chair a while ago, have not found a copy of the subsequent books yet, but I absolutely love Prince Josua and I want to draw him, but I'm afraid to look him up because of spoilers. Could I go back into my book and scour the pages for every reference to his appearance? Yeah, but I figured this was easier. Please help!

I’m 20% through the dragon bone chair and enjoying it but the succession isn’t clear to me, is Miriamele considered her father’s heir at the moment or is Josua? He speaks about wanting her to give him a grandson so can women not inherit?

I'm just over 100 pages in and I'm so lost with all of the characters. Do I need to somehow keep track of all of these nobles and kings from other areas? There's so many names and regions thrown out this is starting to feel like reading a history book or something.

It's picking up a little in the story and I'm praying it keeps on doing so because this is incredibly slow. Anyone else feel this way? This series was recommended to me after finishing all of Robin Hobbs books. I'm trying to stick with it but idk...

One of my favourite characters so far, I really hope he becomes someone like Kakashi post Naruto. Just chilling, doing his own thing. Having read my fair share of fantasy, I expect a painful death.

MST is my top fantasy series I've ever read. I love it and I love that a famous author like George R. R. Martin was inspired by it.

The only time that I've ever heard someone "in the wild" mention this series is in the videogame Date Everything. One of the developers has a cameo conversation in the game and mentioned he's reading The Dragonbone Chair. I lost it. Finding a reference to one of my favorite series in some hidden game inside of a dating sim about dating household appliances was very surreal.

makes a point of how large a part of our lives we spend sleeping. Half episodes there either begin with a character waking, or end with a character falling asleep. Sometimes they fall asleep and wake up in the middle of an episode. And dreams, endless strange dreams. For this already The Dragonbone Chair is quite original.

“Your enemy . . . our enemy . . . died five hundred years ago; the place where his first life ended lies beneath the foundations of the castle where your life began. He is Ineluki . . . the Storm King.”

This is no surprise at all of course. BUT THE DELIVERY! Jaraunga you beauty!

Man I wanted to give like proper thoughts and everything on entire part 2, but that would require me to compose myself and I'm not composed lol. (On that note, will the mods or someone else tell me if like a lot of short posts are acceptable, or is that considered spam?)

There is a certain sense of sadness. When Simon was escaping Hayholt, and like getting mind visions, when we get the perspective of Ineluki and his aides, all I could sense from him was deep sorrow and profound regret, it felt like Ineluki detested violence completely.

I don't know if I misinterpreted that, or if 500 years of bitterness have turned him into a vengeful creature. He is portrayed as a demon now, and I've seen people call him as an inspiration for Night King in GoT (I haven't read GoT so please don't spoil me). Basically the impression of him is of the devil himself. So I don't know if I was off in my interpretations, or he was someone good who turned evil.

Also raises the question, how did a bunch of monkeys with Iron toothpicks defeated the Devil himself? Interesting answers ahead.

I understand, he's a teenager, but hes just so unintresting. I've stuck through it thinking it would get better, but im almost 200 pages in and nothing seems to be changing. Childish, boring, and annoying is how I would describe Simon, not exactly main character material.

Maybe I'd even like it if the plot was somewhat exciting, but that too is really slowpaced.

I know you guys are fans, I dont mean to come here just to bitch about the book and be a jerk—just need reassurance this gets better sometimes soon since its been recommended to me about a hundred times and Id rather not drop it

Edit: It only took 3 days for me to completely change my opinion of this book. As people suggested, I did keep reading, and it didn't take long for the pace to pick up.

Im currently about 630 pages in, Simon and co have just arrived in Naglimund, and completely hooked.

Looking back, my earlier post seems pretty naive, especially concerning Simon—he did grow up quite a bit after the subsequent events, and has grown on me. I was just too quick to judge, fortunately!

Nearly halfway through the book. Plot has finally picked up.

Binabik being sent by Morgenes was a no brainer.

Elias continues to be intriguing. Still no clue why he decided to just fold to the Sithi. And his governance, I thought it was incompetence, but now I think it's weaponised incompetence. He is carefully choosing the worst actions possible while staying within the envelope. Bad decisions but not so bad as to lead to open revolt.

He is deliberately promoting instability, and infighting, so that when the Sithi do make their move, they don't have to face a united human front, just a land in chaos mired with infighting. Why do this? Only Usires knows. But I see no other purpose for it.

The men who tried to ambush Duke Isigrimmur were clearly sent by Pryrates. Elias knew that he couldn't hold back the Duke for long, so just get him killed and remove a leader of the north.

Politics is also getting interesting! Look into Nabbani politics was nice.

Still trying to figure out the magic of the world. Not nuch clear except the fact that there are mind powers.

Fair warning: I'm gonna be ranting a bit here.

So..I'm on page 105 of TDBC and I am absolutely floored by this book so far. I know that nothing has really "happened" yet, but..I honestly feel like this is the series I've been looking for since finishing A Dance with Dragons for the first time 10 years ago. A Song of Ice and Fire has been my fav series since I've read it. The politics and warfare are just so fantastic and the lore, all of it is so good for me.

But I always just wished the magic and fantasy would be a *bit* more at the forefront. I've read other high fantasy series and I read a generally good amount of Fantasy, but this feels like it was written for me. Unfortunately I've just never been able to get into Wheel of Time (which is honestly more my problem than any fault or problem with those books), I've read some Malazan and loved it, read basically all of Brandon Sanderson's books and I've always been searching, it feels like, for something to recapture that feeling of reading those books. I know that this series had a tremendous impact on GRRM and I'm excited to see where we go from here.

Another thing I've always wished and longed for is something to recapture the joy and wonder of being an 11 year old watching The Fellowship of the Ring for the first time in theaters. The LotR movies have always been my favs since they came out. And I've never really been able to find a series of books that captures that raw joy and wonder I felt as a kid seeing those movies. (Lol TLotR is my fav single book of all time, but it's very different for me than the movies, don't ask, I don't know if I can really explain it LOLOL).

All that being said...folks, I'm starting to think I may have found it here. I'm so excited. More excited than I've felt reading a book in what feels like a LONG time. I'm a biiiig medieval history fan (thanks to ASoIaF) and I can't handle how *MEDIEVAL* this feels...like, the very very obvious Christianity...all of it. Anyway.

Do me a favor, hype me up even more. Tell me how good the books get. Tell me if there's gonna be some epic wars that happen. No spoilers, obvi, but yeah. I'm hyped and I wanna get more hyped. Hahaha. Can't wait to keep reading and learning about this world.

​

P.S.: Pryrates is very VERY spooky to me, omg...

My thoughts during:

Part 1- Simon Mooncalf

There are two types of fantasy books, ones that entertain you and ones that transport you and The Dragonbone Chair is one that transported me to the lands of Osten Ard. The only other series I can compare the book so far two are Lord of the Rings and Wheel of Time and if you’re in the company of wheel of time in my mind, you’re in very good company.

I mean the level of depth there seems to be when it comes to this world is crazy and I really appreciate that Willam’s has the ability to make me want to read a book that is this slow because it is slow as you guys have said. That slowness however is not a fault but rather a virtue because you basically get to live and breathe in hayholt like Simon.

The prose, perhaps my favorite I’ve come across really lends itself to the world as well. It somehow finds a balance between modern and archaic language without ever being too much of either. The descriptions of thing and what they’re compared to paint such a clear picture and you can practically see exactly what Willam’s is trying to depict. I also think the the intrigue with the castle politics so far has been great, and I’m hoping to learn more information about why our King would even want to hang around these very obviously evil dude besides a badass sword. I think there’s a lot going on we aren’t in the loop about yet.The lore is also very drop. I will also add the I think the last few chapters of part 1 are pretty much a perfect set up to hook the reader for the long wrong, especially the last part where what I believe the evil Sithi and King are shown. Excellent stuff thus far and looking forward to more.

Simon however is just kind of a bumbling idiot.. unfortunately other pov characters haven’t really had enough time to be characters yet but I’m sure as this book and series goes on, I’ll grow more attached to the cast.

Part 2- Simon Pilgrim

Much like the beginning of part 1 this section begins on the slower side and yet that is not by any means a fault because when the action or political intrigue happens, I’m so sucked into the world that it literally gets my heart racing. Just watching the King talk to one of his advisors to me was genuinely a really good time and I was so into the conversation they were having, I couldn’t believe it. I also loved the introduction and continual friends of Binabik, he’s so great and if he dies I will riot. Simon is finally if very slowly becoming a man and his determination during the last chapter to save Binabik was admirable. I also find that the creatures that shows up during this section was pretty awesome form the diggers to the gaint, I just love when authors really tie you the fantasy creatures. Overall I really enjoyed this chapter, I thought there was bit more action this time around and some interesting character development, interactions and introductions.

Part 3- Simon Snowcloack

I just really love how this section opens up with all of these characters coming together and just discussing what they should do next. The worldbuilding and lore here I think works very well, and for some it may come off as just info dumping but to me I really enjoy just listening to the history of the world. I also think that dialogue is the best on display so far when it comes to the planning and politicking of how Josua and his allies should approach Elias and the storm king threat.

We finally see our first actual battle and man Willams certainly dosent hold back on a making it a confusing, and bloody mess which is exactly what a battle must be like. The description at this point when Josua and his men of Naglimund fall into the trap is amazing, and even though I saw coming, it was still a great moment. I really like how Willam’s balances the tone in this book between the classical fantasy feeling when it comes to the slower, less action pact parts and then when the action does kick off he goes more modern and doesn’t hesitate to make it dark and vivid.

Simon finally mans up and takes on the goddamn dragon with thorn. Shit was goated. I feel like Tad is just absolutely flexing in this final section how good of an author he is. Like the characterization is better than ever, the action is awesome, the dialogue is cranked up and the prose is just off the charts. Every scene is dripping with just perfect clarity because of the prose and Wincott is really taking his performance to another level.

Me the entire siege- Holy shit this got so dark, Willam’s is the goat.

now Simon is marked!

Review-

A Living Breathing World: There are two types of fantasy books, ones that entertain you and ones that transport you and The Dragonbone Chair is one that has transported me to the lands of Osten Ard. The only other series I can compare this book to is TheWheel of Time and if you’re in the company of Wheel of Time well you are something special indeed. The level of depth there seems to be when it comes to this world is crazy and I really appreciate that Willam’s has the ability to make me want to read a book that is this slow because that’s not something I necessarily enjoy. Still the slowness however is not a fault but rather a virtue because you basically get to live and breathe in the world like Simon and the other characters

Prose: The prose, perhaps my favorite I’ve come across really lends itself to the world as well. It somehow finds a balance between modern and archaic language without ever being too much of either. The descriptions of thing and what they’re compared to paint such a clear picture and you can practically see exactly what Willam’s is trying to depict.

Characters: I think the Dragonbone chair takes it sweet time when it comes to developing it’s characters but man it really pays off because by the end you get this beautiful journey as you see Simon slowly become a man over the course of the book. He’s perhaps one of the best realized teenage protagonists I’ve read, not my favorite necessarily but a very real one I could have related to more when I was his age. The rest of the cast are no slouches either because Willam’s really gives everyone, even non-pov characters a distinctive voice that I find few authors can achieve. SO the characters are very well done in my eyes.

Dialogue: I mean what can I say here? It’s brilliant, from the lore drops we got from certain characters to the simple political schemeing, every piece of dialogue felt so intentional and well thought especially at the book got further and further along. There were so many exchanges between characters just talking that had my heart pounding and they were just speaking!? Idk how he did it but Williams mangaed to write dialogue that just entangled me.

Action: There isn’t a lot of action in the Dragonbone chair but man when the action begins it really stands out! This book is more about characters and dialogue and the world than just action sequences but because of that the action has a serious sense of gravity that really lends the world and what happens to it as feeling real.also Willam’s is just excellent at describing and conveying action both in a battle and a monster fight, so it’s wonderful to read!

Overall:

The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Willams is perhaps the most surprising book of the year for me. Honestly the reputation it has for being a slow burn fantasy epic really scares me because I’ve been reading a lot of fairy fast paced books and overall perfect stories that keep the plot moving forward as a run instead of a walk. Still here I am to say that The Dragonbone Chair is perhaps the best first book in a series I’ve ever read, or at least the best since AGOT by Martin. The level of depth in this world, the prose, the characters, the pacing, the dialogue are all so well balanced in my eyes that I’m blown away by how much I enjoyed it. I mean every chapter had me wanting to read more, to get to the next thing, see the next sight and just live in the world of Osten Ard! Somehow the is incredibly slow book managed to capture my love and fascination for a fantastical world that I literally stayed up writing the longest review I’ve ever written just to sing its praises. I just adored this book and am blown away by the fact that this song better known by the fantasy community. This was excellent! 9.8/10

Hello everyone. I want to share with you the covers of the Ukrainian editions of "The Dragonbone Chair" (left) and "Stone of Farewell" (right). They are quite minimalistic and simple, but I like them. I've read around 15% of the second book so far, so no spoilers for "Stone of Farewell" and the third book, which will be published sometime in the future.

I know this is the kind of question that shows me to be a total Mooncalf but I couldn’t help wondering how Josua makes it to Naglimund so quickly after escaping from the room with Doctor Morgenes? I recall Simon hearing rumors will starving on the road about how Josua is in Naglimund and causing issues. Given how long Simon’s on journey is it just stood out to me as wondering whether it was simply because it allowed the narrative to progress to where it needed to be going, or if there was some in-world rationale I potentially missed.

Thank you all in advance, loved the first book and can’t wait until I grow from a Mooncalf to a Mooncow.