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Summary: Tad williams is the best fantasy author now alive
Review: The dragonbone chair might start a bit slow but it really speeds up in the end. The book is well written all through and includes some humor to the difference of Jordans books.You can put fantasy writers in two groups. They are those who almost copy Tolkiens books and those who pretend that they had never been written, but Tad Williams finds an alternative way from the Lord of the rings and he does it excellent.
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Summary: One of the best Fantasy series I've read in a long time.
Review: I rate this series up there with Tolkien and Terry Brooks. It has all the items nesessary for keeping you glued to it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!! On a par with Lord of the Rings....
Review: This is my favorite fantasy series, 2nd only to Tolkien! The first book starts a little slowly, but then the pace picks up and you will not be able to put it down. Great characters and a terrific adventure!
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Summary: Still going strong...
Review: I feel I must increase my review, and give the second book a 9. Unlike in the first book, Williams starts in this one to discuss the church. This is a favorite topic of mine in fantasy lit. and don't ask why. Williams succeeds in accurately capturing the struggles between church and state and between church and heretic. In any fantasy book, the inclusion of religion can make or break the novel. In the first book Tad vividly describes the conquest of the land by Prester John. I've been doing some research, but noone seems to be able to tell me whether or not this guy ever existed historically! I'd appreciate e-mail on the topic.
But to move on. Prester John conquers the land and subdues all opponents, wielding in his hand a mythical sword which succeeds in defeating even the sword wielded by the hero Camaris. The Aedonite church becomes the dominant religion throughout all of Osten Ard...except for Hernystir. Here the inhabitants continue to believe in their own gods of the sky. In other parts of Osten Ard, the inhabitants also make slip ups at times and call on their old gods. This is a brilliant depiction of what happens after a religious conquest. It shows how even after a dominant religion asserts itself, the society continues to secretely believe in the old for many generations after. An example is in the Christian conquest of Peru. Here the Spaniards came in search of gold, though the official reason they gave was that they had come to save the populace from damnation. The Inca's were defeated, and the remaining natives were herded into _encomiendas_ or collectives. Here they were treated as virtual slaves by their Spanish masters (as far as I can deduce from the literature - so please correct me if I am misrepresenting the facts). They were also taught the Christian faith. Today Peru is one of the most devout Christian nations in the world, yet the inhabitants of rural moutain villages continue to carry out age old ceremonies such as snaring the condor and placing it on the bull's back (appologies - I don't know what the ceremony's called).
This shows how in reality religions always reassert themselves - no matter how well erradicated. Tad captures this well, as well as the contempt expressed by the Aedonites for the Hernystir. He portrays a fine character in Cadrach - though in a later novel this character become slightly less believable. In short this novel is another breath of fresh air in a world of by now stagnant fantasy lit. with a few notable exceptions. To sum up: Buy it!!!
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Summary: Much improved sequel to first book
Review: SOF picks up where Dragonbone Chair left off. It is much faster paced than Williams first book and I found it much more enjoyable. I especially enjoy the way he brings the church into the politics and struggles of Osten Ard. The Hero Simon is much more mature and not the annoying character he was in the first book. The plot unfolds as foreshadowed in the first book, without too many unexpected twists. The Cadrach character is very intriguing and Prince Josua reminds one of Hamlet. You can almost predict tragic ending for him in the future. The way Williams jumps from sub-plot to sub-plot very rapidly is distracting, but forces you to keep reading! I can't wait to read the last book
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Summary: You can't miss this book. . .
Review: STONE OF FAREWELL is the action packed second book in the MEMORY, SORROW AND THORN trilogy. Picking up where the first book left off, we find the forces of humanity fleeing before the seemingly unstoppable evil of the Norns. Meanwhile, Miriamele and Cadrach are off adventuring in the south while Simon becomes seperated from his friends and becomes the first human to ever visit the home of the mysterious Sithi. This is a novel you can't miss. You won't even be able to put it down once you've picked it up. With this series, Tad Williams has created one of the best fantasy series since THE LORD OF THE RINGS
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Summary: Incredible. Unbelievable
Review: Mr. Williams is clearly one of the best. His interpretation of the characters in his head onto the paper is clearly astounding. The story runs deep like any Tolkien or Jordan work, and developments are quick. Fantasy lovers rejoice! A new age of Williams-mania is here
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Summary: The best book ever!
Review: This sequel to The dragonbone Chair is, although it's hard to beleive, even more thrilling then it's predecessor. Simon and his friends must reach the Stone of Farewell, where hope of safety against the coming storm is held. They have a long and dangerous road to travel, but they are not the only ones searching for this ray of light! Prince Josua is fleeing his castle and the dread Norns- who attacked it, killing all but a handful of survivors- with a rag-tag group through the plains, where it isn't as safe as it seems. What will happen?! Read the book and find out! I'm sure you're hooked on the series, if you've read the Dragonbone Chair. They aren't New York Times bestsellers for nothing..
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Summary: Uber-Good Treat for Fantasy Readers
Review: Tad William's Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy is one of the five best fantasy series ever. The characters and story make the trilogy great.
The characters are endearing and capable of producing emotional responses from the reader (Simon--sympathy/empathy, Miriamele--frustration/fear-for, Binabik--delight, Pryrates--that 'ol "love-to-hate-em" deal). No character is melodramatically good/evil and you feel empathy for the "villians" (Guthwulf, Ineluki, Elias). Cadrach/Padreic is another classic character. Unlike some fantasy series, women play a vital role (Utuk'ku, Maegwin, Miriamele, Amerasu, etc.).
The story is not a bright, cheery one. There is plenty of despair, depression, hopelessness, and death. These dark aspects serve to make the triuphs and happiness all the more satisfying. It is also unconventional and provides some real surprizes/twists, unlike many fantasy books which are predictable to the point of farce.
There are similarities to Tolkien: Immortal elf-like creatures who originate from a paradise "across the sea," who are dwindling at the face of encroaching mankind. Long-range communication systems (palantiri/harps, shards, and pools). However, there is plenty of originality for any reader.
I've read all of William's published works to date and this is his finest. A must for all fantasy readers.
Rating: 
Summary: The Journey...
Review: This definitely had the feel of a filler book, setting up the final book of the series. This book just felt like all the characters were on a journey that never ended. Not enough action I guess is what I am saying. No, I'm not slamming it, because I thought the climax was pretty good, but I couldn't help feel relieved when I had finished it. I do think there is great potential for the final book (1600 pages in 2 paperbacks), but I hope the future books don't take as long for something to actually happen.
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