The Stone of Farewell (Osten Ard, #2) (Memory, Sorrow & Thorn, #2)

by Tad Williams

[celinenyx]

Stone of Farewell, the sequel to The Dragonbone Chair and the second book in the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn epic fantasy series continues the journey of our cast of main characters - quite literally.

Simon and his friends might have found the sword Thorn, but a single sword is not enough to bring down King Elias. Meanwhile, Prince Josua flees from the Norn that have destroyed his army and his city. Miriamele and the mysterious Father Cadrach try to reach her uncle to appeal to him and get his to support Josua in his cause.

In Stone of Farewell almost all of the main characters are on some kind of trip or mission. I wouldn't want to say that this novel suffers from being a second book, but it is clear when reading that this is a middle book. It deals with the repercussions of the events that end The Dragonbone Chair, and follows the main characters as they start to get ready for their final stand against Elias in the final novel of the trilogy. For the longest time I felt that everything would go wrong. The situation for almost all parties is precarious. But in the end Mr Williams pulled it off admirably, never resorting to the unbelievable to bring everyone together.

What struck me when reading this is how many similarities there are between the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn books and those of the Song of Ice and Fire series. Tad William's trilogy predates Game of Thrones by several years, and it's clear that George R.R. Martin has read these books and found them inspiring. Where Martin keeps reminding us that "winter is coming", winter in Stone of Farewell already has come. Under influence of the Storm King in the north, huenen have left their lairs and are coming south with winter in their wake. Sound familiar? Additionally, the way Williams uses many points of view to tell his story is further developed by Martin in his infamous endless points of view. I got to admit, all of the characters are way easier to keep track of in Williams' books.

For me Stone of Farewell hit all the spots. It has everything I look for in epic fantasy. A reluctant hero who grows up throughout the story, competent female characters, an unspeakable evil that threatens the world order, and a whole cast of people with unclear allegiances. I have no doubt the evil will be defeated by the end of the trilogy, but the journey comes with a price.