Book Review: Stone of Farewell (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn #2) by Tad Williams
Cover art illustrated by Michael Whelan
Stone of Farewell by Tad Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Series: Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn (Book #2 of 3), The Osten Ard Saga (Book #2 of 7)
Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Classic Fantasy
Pages: 703 pages (Hardcover edition)
Word Count: 282,750 words
Published: 7th August 1990 by DAW Books
Stone of Farewell is all about preparation for the grand conclusion.
“Old cities and old stories were now part of his very life. It was strange how the future seemed tied inseparably to the past, so that both revolved through the present, like a great wheel…”
Before I start my review, I want to say Tad Williams has been setting the correct example of what to include in sequels since the 90s. Stone of Fareweel begins with a recap of key points of events that happened in The Dragonbone Chair, and I find it a bit crazy that this hasn’t become a standard in epic fantasy series. Including this shows that the authors care and understand readers sometimes do not have the time to reread. And at the same time, this will be beneficial in making readers remember crucial moments from the previous book, which usually enriches the reading experience of the specific sequel. Did I need it? Not really for this one because I just read The Dragonbone Chair, but it is good to have it there for those who need it. If you have been following my reviews recently, you will know I’m a recent fan of The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams. The first book in Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy, or the entire trilogy, is a series beloved by many epic fantasy readers but doesn’t seem to get the recognition it deserves. Especially when it has inspired several popular and highly acclaimed fantasy series like The Kingkiller Chronicle and A Song of Ice and Fire to reach their eventual stardom. Considering how much I loved The Dragonbone Chair, it should be believable that I was so looking forward to reading its sequel: Stone of Farewell. And here it is, my full spoiler-free thoughts on it. I don’t think it’s as good as The Dragonbone Chair, but it was certainly another great book from Tad Williams that made me excited to read To Green Angel Tower ASAP.
“Not everyone can stand up and be a hero, Princess… Some prefer to surrender to the inevitable and salve their consciences with the gift of survival.”
Stone of Farewell is the second book in Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy. The story continues from where the previous book left off, and it was easy for me to feel immersed in the writing again. It is a delight and a joy to be reading Tad’s writing. I have mentioned it several times; we fantasy readers need to spotlight Tad Williams’ writing skills more frequently. Lyrical, beautiful, carefully crafted, and melancholic. It is not often I read a fantasy book that can conjure the same feeling of melancholia and nostalgia I get from reading Tolkien’s writing, and that is what is delivered by Tad’s prose. Added with a sense of modernity. And for the writing alone, it goes without saying that I had a wonderful time reading Stone of Farewell. But to go back to what I said earlier, let me get the things that did not work for me out of the way first, Stone of Farewell did suffer from a middle book syndrome occasionally encountered in epic fantasy trilogy.
“Hope… is like the belly-strap on a king’s saddle—a slender thing, but if it snaps the world turns topside-down.”
What I meant by this is that the majority of Stone of Farewell revolves around the main characters being separated and located at a different place from one another, and each one of them is trying to get to their destination: Stone of Farewell. Because of this, Stone of Farewell is heavily filled with traveling montages and getting the characters to their respective destination so the story can presumably proceed toward an explosive ending in the next book. Although I don’t usually mind characters being placed in different locations, it can be a bit of a struggle sometimes here because my favorite characters (Simon and Binabik) of the series don’t share a scene together for hundreds of pages. In some sections of the book, we don’t even get to read some of the other main character’s POV chapters appearing for a long time. And then there were also Miriamele and Maegwyn (the M&Ms) chapters that often felt like a slog to get through. I am generally not a fan of seafaring portions in my fantasy books, and here, approximately half of Miriamele’s story takes place on a boat. It made her chapters feel more stagnant. As for Maegwyn, other than learning about the lore and world-building in her chapters, I did not find myself invested in her story. All of these, combined with the slow-pacing nature of the narrative, decrease my enjoyment of Stone of Farewell.
“Too often it is that men think those who serve are doing it from inferiorness or weakness… Folk who have those beliefs should ride a mount like Qantaqa, who could eat them if she chose. They would then be learning humbleness.”
Fortunately, as I said, Stone of Farewell remain another superb installment in Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn thanks to the lovely writing, tremendous world-building, and likable main characters. The themes of friendship, love, legacy, responsibilities, leadership, good and evil, were strongly evident. Simon and Binabik may not share as many scenes as they did in The Dragonbone Chair, which is unfortunate and yet necessary, but the powerful scenes they shared together intensified my affection for the two of them. They are becoming one of my favorite duos or brotherhood in the genre. Simon, as a reluctant hero, went through many hardships and defining moments in his journey here. Sorrow, rage, regret, loyalty, and more. Tad showcased how much of a big deal it is to have a friend like Binabik in his life. And the same situation, for reasons I cannot mention due to spoilers, can be applied the other way around for Binabik, too.
“Are you still my friend, Binabik?” he said at last.
The troll took the flute from his lips. “To death and beyond, Simon-friend.”
Of course, these two are not the only saving grace of the novel. Joshua was awesome. Jiriki’s friendship with Simon was intriguing, Sludig is even more likable now, Cadrach surprisingly developed into a complex character, and some fascinating new characters like Aditu were introduced. In a time of darkness, dread, and ultimate testing for the realm of Osten Ard, where terrifying minions of the undead Sithi ruler, Ineluki the Storm King, are spreading their seemingly undefeatable evil across the kingdom, alliances and friendships need to be formed. And these characters be integral to the fate of Osten Ard. Where their story stopped in Stone of Farewell made me incredibly excited to read To Green Angel Tower.
“Never make your home in a place… Make a home for yourself inside your own head. You’ll find what you need to furnish it—memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you journey.
Lastly, the world-building in Osten Ard is starting to feel more expansive and immersive. We get to learn, quite extensively, further about the cultures and lore of the world. I loved how connected the past is to the present conflict. As I mentioned in my review of The Dragonbone Chair, the world of Osten Ard feels intricate, fantastical, and yet believable. I always consider it a positive sign when I read a fantasy book or series, and what I get to read in the present timeframe makes me eager to find out more about what happened in the past. This has been achieved stupendously in Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. I mean, there were several times when the events of the past long gone made me want to read about them more than the current conflict. Especially when we’re talking about Ineluki and the three great swords.
“There was little inspiration in the crumbling ruins of Enki-e-Shao’saye. They seemed only to demonstrate that even the Sithi were bound within the sweep of time; that any work of hands, however exalted, must come at last to ignoble result.”
There were revelations regarding one of the great swords, Memory, in this book, and it felt like a thing I should’ve seen coming but did not. That’s a testament to how immersed I was in the story and world that I forgot to think about this detail for a second. Speaking of Ineluki the Storm King, I did wish to witness more of his overwhelming hatred and vengeance in Stone of Farewell. But it seems like this is being saved for the next book. Some readers have told me I should read Brothers of the Wind prequel novel for this, too, and I think I will do that after I finish reading To Green Angel Tower. Also, it was interesting to read the name Navigator’s Children for the first time here. The Navigator’s Children is the title of the upcoming fourth and final book in The Last King of Osten Ard series.
“Ineluki has changed… He has become something the world has not seen before, a smoldering ember of despair and hatred, surviving only to redress those things which long ago were injustices and mistakes and tragic underestimations, but now are simply facts. Like ourselves, Ineluki dwells in the realm of what was. But unlike his living kin, Ineluki is not content to wallow in memories of the past. He lives, or exists—here is a place the mortal language is too inexact—to see the present state of the world obliterated and the injustices made right, but his only window is anger. His justice will be cruel, his methods even more horrible. ”
Despite a few personal hiccups with the pacing and story structure, I still highly enjoyed reading Stone of Farewell. Lovable characters, detailed world-building, and beautiful prose remain strong as the main highlights of this sequel for me. No doubt about that. Depending on To Green Angel Tower, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy might become one of my favorite series. Maybe even the entirety of The Osten Ard Saga because I plan to read all the published books in the series. But first, let’s finish Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. To Green Angel Tower is a 550,000 words beast, and although it is intimidating, I am undeniably to find out how the first part of The Osten Ard Saga concludes.
“It has always been the same world, Prince Josua… It is only that in these troubled hours things are seen more clearly. The lamps of cities blur many shadows that are plain beneath the moon.”
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