The Witchwood Crown

By: Tad Williams

Narrated by: Andrew Wincott

New York Times-bestselling Tad Williams’ ground-breaking epic fantasy saga of Osten Ard begins an exciting new cycle! • Volume One of The Last King of Osten Ard

The Dragonbone Chair, the first volume of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, was published in hardcover in October, 1988, launching the series that was to become one of the seminal works of modern epic fantasy. Many of today’s top-selling fantasy authors, from Patrick Rothfuss to George R. R. Martin to Christopher Paolini credit Tad with being the inspiration for their own series.

Now, twenty-four years after the conclusion of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Tad returns to his beloved universe and characters with The Witchwood Crown, the first novel in the long-awaited sequel trilogy, The Last King of Osten Ard.

More than thirty years have passed since the events of the earlier novels, and the world has reached a critical turning point once again. The realm is threatened by divisive forces, even as old allies are lost, and others are lured down darker paths. Perhaps most terrifying of all, the Norns—the long-vanquished elvish foe—are stirring once again, preparing to reclaim the mortal-ruled lands that once were theirs....

Critic reviews

“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 of A Song of Ice and Fire

“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

"Building upon the revered history of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Williams has outdone himself by penning a 700-plus page novel that is virtually un-put-down-able.... Williams’ grand-scale storytelling mastery is on full display here. Not just utterly readable—an instant fantasy classic." —Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“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

Tad proves he's still the best!

What an amazing return to the land of Osten Tad! The story is every bit as interesting and complex as we have come to expect from Tad, and it was sheer joy to catch up with old friends while also being introduced to new and exciting characters. I will now be anxiously awaiting the next volume. :)

The narrator is quite good, and gives a wide range of accents for the various characters, making it easier to identify who we are hearing from at any given moment.

Some really good some meh.

Tad Williams meanders as usual through a lot of details to get to the more interesting stuff. The reader is good until you get to the Norns. His choice for their voices is odd and took me out of the story. I will probably read the print version of the next one.

Been waiting

A lot of plot comes up, and a couple of twists here and there. Almost sad to return to the world of Osten Ard and discover so much time having elapsed. Sometimes the shifts in characters have seemingly absolutely no connection whatsoever with the main story, and some even just seem to never resolve by the end. Hopefully, the next book will fill in those blanks, or make some of the storylines make better sense in relation to the main story.

Osten Ard Family faces New Threats

So enjoy this series as we continue with Simon and his buddies and new family members as they face new threats to the Peace. Lots of weaving the new players into the fabric of this tale. Such a wonderful story. So happy I read Brothers of the Wind before MST.

Great addition to the series!

An excellent addition to the Memory Sorrow and Thorn series. Same feel. Same people. Same place. Many new characters that you grow to care about. Many old friends that have been long missed. Lots of mysteries and twists revealed at the end. Can't wait to start the next book. FYI - More sexual references than prior 3 books combined.