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yggie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
moofvoll's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Significantly better than Memory, Sorrow and Thorn!
qjbrown96's review against another edition
5.0
My lord this is awesome. I don’t understand how this series isn’t very popular when the original was so famous. This series might even be better than the original because he took the same elements and just made it even better. Extremely excited for the last book but I also don’t want it to ever end
ricin22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
plumbeousredstart's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dragonbonechair's review
4.0
This is the third book in “The Last King of Osten Ard” series which is a sequel to Tad William’s “ Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn” series. I’m assuming anyone who has read this is familiar with the other books in the Osten Ard series.
The plot picks up right where the last book left off, our main characters are scattered across the world as Norn Queen Utuk ‘ ku’s troops begin their march towards the Hayholt in the hope of capturing Witchwood , the key to elongating the Norn Queen’s life.
As the third book in a planned four book series some of the plot threads do feel held back, this was especially true for our Qanuc heroes who barely are featured in this book and when they do appear it’s to tell us what we already knew which is that the Norns are marching into the lands of mortal people, to capture not just the Hayholt but enslave mankind.
Luckily for most of our cast of characters there is a lot of excitement to keep the reader engaged, an important feat when following so many characters across 500 plus pages.
There even is a sweet romance plot involving Morgan, heir to the Erkynlander throne and Nezeru, former sacrifice soldier for Utuk’Ku. Out of all the characters I feel she has the most growth as her interactions with mortals has her questioning her upbringing and indoctrination.
I also really loved the progression in the relationship between Jarnulf and the giant Gor Gam Gar. I really enjoyed their interactions in previous books, so to see them reunited again here made me happy, especially because there is a lot of separation between our main characters. One of the best parts of this series has been in the friendships and bonds between the different fantasy races in the story, and Jarnulf and Gor Gam Gar carry that torch in this book, much to my delight.
The action in the series was a joy to read and not used scarcely, most of the plot lines have at least one major set piece that serves an important part in those character arc’s and stories but entertaining to read as well. His use of fantasy monsters was also great, if at times horrifying, I will admit to cringing and glossing over one of the more descriptive deaths in Jesa’s story.
The one thing that did not work for me, and I’m wondering if other’s felt the same way was Pasevalle’s motivation for backstabbing Simon. His reasoning stems from the death of his relatives in the fight against the Norns in the first series, and that he believes their sacrifice was for Simon’s own ambitions for the throne. It rang hollow for me and it didn’t seem like good enough motivation due to the fact that his family were soldiers and chose to fight against the Norns, it wasn’t a situation of conscription. As members of the nobility there are certain customs and norms people grew up with so for him to be angered by it all and using that as his motivation for essentially destroying humankind did not feel like a strong enough motivation.
The whole book we are asking why did he betray the High Throne and when his motivation is revealed it was definitely disappointing.
Minus that, this book is a welcome addition to the Osten Ard series of books. Williams is able to balance an ensemble cast of characters who’s individual arcs are engaging to read and create a wonderful tapestry of stories within this bigger high fantasy series.
If you enjoyed the other two books in this series, this one continues that quality and does a great job of setting up the final book in the series which I am eagerly awaiting.
The plot picks up right where the last book left off, our main characters are scattered across the world as Norn Queen Utuk ‘ ku’s troops begin their march towards the Hayholt in the hope of capturing Witchwood , the key to elongating the Norn Queen’s life.
As the third book in a planned four book series some of the plot threads do feel held back, this was especially true for our Qanuc heroes who barely are featured in this book and when they do appear it’s to tell us what we already knew which is that the Norns are marching into the lands of mortal people, to capture not just the Hayholt but enslave mankind.
Luckily for most of our cast of characters there is a lot of excitement to keep the reader engaged, an important feat when following so many characters across 500 plus pages.
There even is a sweet romance plot involving Morgan, heir to the Erkynlander throne and Nezeru, former sacrifice soldier for Utuk’Ku. Out of all the characters I feel she has the most growth as her interactions with mortals has her questioning her upbringing and indoctrination.
I also really loved the progression in the relationship between Jarnulf and the giant Gor Gam Gar. I really enjoyed their interactions in previous books, so to see them reunited again here made me happy, especially because there is a lot of separation between our main characters. One of the best parts of this series has been in the friendships and bonds between the different fantasy races in the story, and Jarnulf and Gor Gam Gar carry that torch in this book, much to my delight.
The action in the series was a joy to read and not used scarcely, most of the plot lines have at least one major set piece that serves an important part in those character arc’s and stories but entertaining to read as well. His use of fantasy monsters was also great, if at times horrifying, I will admit to cringing and glossing over one of the more descriptive deaths in Jesa’s story.
The one thing that did not work for me, and I’m wondering if other’s felt the same way was Pasevalle’s motivation for backstabbing Simon. His reasoning stems from the death of his relatives in the fight against the Norns in the first series, and that he believes their sacrifice was for Simon’s own ambitions for the throne. It rang hollow for me and it didn’t seem like good enough motivation due to the fact that his family were soldiers and chose to fight against the Norns, it wasn’t a situation of conscription. As members of the nobility there are certain customs and norms people grew up with so for him to be angered by it all and using that as his motivation for essentially destroying humankind did not feel like a strong enough motivation.
The whole book we are asking why did he betray the High Throne and when his motivation is revealed it was definitely disappointing.
Minus that, this book is a welcome addition to the Osten Ard series of books. Williams is able to balance an ensemble cast of characters who’s individual arcs are engaging to read and create a wonderful tapestry of stories within this bigger high fantasy series.
If you enjoyed the other two books in this series, this one continues that quality and does a great job of setting up the final book in the series which I am eagerly awaiting.
pemdas97's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gages's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I feel like this is one of the greatest standard fantasy stories of all-time. Big prophecies, heavily symbolic characters, big battles/sieges. If you're just looking for a well-written fantasy story, the Last King of Osten Ard series is great! For me, the highlight of the book is the histories of the Sithi, the pure, the tunikeda'ya, and the Hikeda'ya peoples. Their leaders tell them different versions of the same story (the leaving of the Garden) and you can see how those retellings shape each different group. Williams does a great job of showing AND telling these histories. My struggles with the series is that almost nothing new is being tried. Predictable twists, one-dimensional characters, and a setting that has been done before. Its just every normal fantasy trope being executed to a very high degree. Williams is a fantastic writer, but, as someone who has read many, many fantasy books, I was hoping to find something new in this series. That being said, I will definitely be reading the final book when it comes out because I'm a nerd for fantasy genre.
bibliocat's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tad Williams is my favorite author. Reading a new book of his for the first time is a treat. That being said, it took me quite awhile to get through this part 3 of The Last King of Osten Ard series. It's definitely epic fantasy - We've got war, dragon's blood, backstabbing traitors, lost heirs, found monarchs, and lots of tramping through mysterious fantasy worldbuilding. There are a LOT of characters and story threads going on here, a lot of which are setting up for what's going to happen in the last book. Reading it was kind of like a roller coaster, the first half was a slow ratcheting up the first incline of the tracks, then whoosh.... the action really picked up. We ended up on a couple of a mysteries as well, and some threads didn't get resolved here.
Best part of the book - King Simon actually got to do some useful things instead of just moping around. History seems to be repeating itself for those who read the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series.
Will definitely want to read the last book, The Navigator's Children, although I heard the publication date got bumped to next year.
Best part of the book - King Simon actually got to do some useful things instead of just moping around. History seems to be repeating itself for those who read the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series.
Will definitely want to read the last book, The Navigator's Children, although I heard the publication date got bumped to next year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Torture