The Dragonbone Chair (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Book 1)
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!
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!
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Community Reviews
For me, Tad Williams' The Dragonbone Chair (and the rest of the four-book trilogy) epitomizes the rags-to-riches, serf rising to power story. First, Williams is an amazing writer, who built an incredible world. Second, it has an epic, bardic feel similar to Tolkien without feeling like it's borrowing too much from the Master. I got to know the characters and empathize with them in a way that lacks in much of the epic fantasy of the time, which was a huge influence on my own writing. It's a huge reason why, even all these years later, I still look at Tad Williams and this series as one of the greats! Highly recommended!
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