The Dragonbone Chair

Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Add this one to your must-read list.
Review: Tad Williams' epic tale of a kitchen boy who turns out to be so much more than anyone ever expected, in a world that no one understands anymore, is definitely one of the best works to grace the fantasy genre in recent years. Although it comes off from a somewhat slow start, this story is fascinating and will keep you up many a night. If you get the chance, read it. I guarantee you'll be hooked and wanting more by the time you're done.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books to ever be written....
Review: Tad Williams out did himself with this books and the others in the trilogy. In spite of a slow start the book takes off into an exciting journey of spirit and body. Mr. Williams gives us an inside look of Simon's (Seoman's) mind and how the boy thinks and grows throughout the book. I enjoyed it MORE than Lord of the Rings!! It is a very tender and heart warming book and deserves to be recognized for the great writing by Williams and the fabulous story that it tells. For as long as I've been reading fantasy/science fiction (I started at 13 years old) I have not seen a book of this caliber. It is indeed one of the best books ever written.

Have questions/comments? Feel free to email me anytime at [e-mail].

Rating:
Summary: One of the best series ever!
Review: Although it starts out slow, the Dragonbone Chair is one of the best books I have ever read! If you want to read a great, (eventually) fast paced book, with tons of subplots and intriguing characters, read this! I know I sound like a commercial, but it's really true!

Rating:
Summary: The best book of all times
Review: I am from Czech republic. I read this book in Czech translation. I am affraid, the next parts of this story will be very hard to buy in Czech rep. in Czech translation. If you have any information about the exporting these books to us, please send me it.

Rating:
Summary: People, places, history... It's another world entirely!
Review: At first I wasn't too excited about this book, I recieved it as a gift. And my feelings were not too boosted by the begginning which starts off somewhat slow. But after you read into it, not only do you meet and get to know the characters, intimately, you also get to know the entire history of this world. You get lost in it. It now rates one of the best series I have ever read, and Williams is contesting for the best author, and that's against competition like Joel Rosenberg and Piers Anthony! All in all a must-read.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing novel and series!
Review: I must say, I absolutely adore Mr. Williams' writing. I have read the MS&T series about five times, and every time I read it, I catch something new. The first novel, _The Dragonbone Chair_, is probably the best of the series. The characters are all amazingly portrayed, and the plot is engrossing. (What, you mean I DON'T live in Osten Ard?!) All I can say to people reading this is BUY THE TRILOGY!! IT'S AMAZING!! I wish I could read it again for the first time.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: I am always wary about beginning a new fantasy novel because I don't want to waste my time re-reading the same old plot with the same old characters. This story was refreshing in that it came from a different angle. Yes, it still had the lowly commoner transforming into the hero, but I actually cared about Simon and his journey into adulthood. The supporting cast is large, but also very interesting. I especially liked Josua, the reluctant prince. He stayed true to his character and did not suddenly become someone else. Williams managed to convey not only the personalities of his characters well, but made me accutely aware of the surroundings and environments of his story. I was cold, dark, hungry, scared, desparate, right along with everyone else. I think that is what I liked the most. I am certainly a "character driven" reader. If I care about the people in the story, that's usually enough for me. In this story I did just that, but Williams made me feel more than just empathy for his people; he brought me right into their world with them.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've seen in a long time!
Review: Well, I'm generally a picky reviewer, and I've been involved in an internet crittiquing group for a while now which hasn't helped matters. However I have spent some time searching, and I can't find too much that is bad about this novel. I also enjoyed Tad Williams's attention to detail and historical correctness. I liked his "monsters" which are the best I've found in many a year. The Sithi and Norns seem to be derived from a sort of Elf/Dark-elf mix (for those of you who play AD&D. I found the different languages used interesting and made an attempt to research into them. Just like Tolkien made use of ancient tongues in The Lord of the Rings; Tad Williams seems to have made use of some of the same in this book. The latin (Nabbanai) seems to be correct and maybe someday I'll ask Williams just how many are real, and how many are invented. In general terms this book is a must read for any devoted fantasy addict. It includes the right basic elements (nothing character turns into great character and saves the world). The mix of secondary characters was refreshing and origional, especially since I had not met an essentially Dwarf (called a Troll in the story), Elf, Human mix before.

Anyway, the castle idea was nice. I've something similar in Gormenghast - for those of you who tend in that direction. Luckily, unlike Gormenghast, there was enough action to keep it interesting without ruining the plot. Williams weaves a nice tale, building up his main character from scullion to the last hope the world has. I've read the entire trilogy and unlike in most trillogies, Tad doesn't wind down as he approaches the end. Generally authors will get worse and worse as a story progresses because they are steadily running out of ideas for where the plot is to go. This was true in the Gormenghast trillogy where in the final novel (Titus Alone), the author diverges and begins to tell the kind of tale I can't stand. Tad describes scenes well and includes relevant background, something very lacking in today's fantasy. I have been rather dismayed in recent years at the declining standard of fantasy authors. Tad Williams, and a select group of others, have breathed new life into what I still consider to be - the best genre of them all. This is getting rather long-winded so let me sum up. Good book - not the best I've ever read - but close. Buy it if you can!

Rating:
Summary: The Best Trilogy since Tolkien
Review: This is the best fantasy series since Tolkien, stop reading this review and just order it. You won't regret it.

Rating:
Summary: Great for certain people
Review: I am the type of person who finds long details entertaining. For those who find long details tedious,this may not be the best book to read. I think that you should try reading the first 150-200 pages, and if your not lusting for more, this book may not be fore you. If you actually take your time and look over the book, not too much happens, but it keeps you entertained, and reading. This is probably my favorite, *maybe* second only to David Eddings' Belgariad and Mallorean Series. This book is well worth the time you spend reading this long 766 page book.

Probably the best thing about the book is how smoothly the world runs. No contradictions, characters all balanced and fits their personality and does not overgo radical attitude changes.

For the more patient fantasy lovers, this is a must, but for those who like to get a book over with, a maybe. It has me addicted, and I'm trying to get the sequels, but I am in a country deprived of good, fantasy novels written in English :-\.