REVIEW: The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams

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The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams
Publishing information: Paperback; 783pgs
Publisher: Daw; 30 Nov 1989
ISBN: 9780886773847
Series: Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn #1
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Amazon

Synopsis: "A war fueled by the dark powers of sorcery is about to engulf the peaceful land of Osten Ard - for Prester John, the High King, slayer of the dread dragon Shurakai, lies dying. And with his death, an ancient evil will at last be unleashed, as the Storm King, undead ruler of the elvish-like Sithi, seeks to regain his lost realms through a pact with one of human royal blood. Then, driven by spell-inspired jealousy and hate, prince will fight prince, while around them the very land begins to die.

Only a small, scattered group, the League of the Scroll, recognizes the true danger awaiting Osten Ard. And to Simon - a castle scullion unknowingly apprenticed to a member of this League - will get the task of spearheading the quest for the solution to a riddle that offers the only hope of salvation, a riddle of long-lost swords of power...and a quest that will see him fleeing and facing enemies straight out of a legend-maker's worst nightmares!"

I have several Tad Williams books on my shelf that have been left untouched for more years than I would like to admit and during a short vacation I decided to sit down and read the first book in his most famous series Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn and see what all the hubbub is all about.

The Dragonbone Chair is a classic fantasy quest story featuring a young man, Simon, who tasked with helping his master keep the realm safe from an ancient evil that looks to be returning.

It took me a little while to warm up to Simon as I was under the impression that he was a little slow from his early description but soon realized I was mistaken and he was just very sheltered and a little lazy. Once I moved past my initial impression, I started to like the character although he does take quite a while to accept his fate and try to learn something that may keep him alive long enough to fulfill his quest.

Williams does a great job of world building and describes things in great detail. The various races may have strange names but they are your classic elves, dwarves, and others. The history is also quite vast and is only told through myths and events that forged various dwellings and cities. There is a lot more to be gleaned as the series continues.

The Dragonbone Chair is not a fast-paced read as it is definitely a slow burning novel. Coming in at over 700 pages it slowly unfolds for about 500 pages before things really start to move and the story gets going and sets things up for the next two novels. I have yet to read the next two books but I have them and have plans to continue the series before too long. The novel is nearing its 30th anniversary and it has all the old school fantasy tropes but since this is my first read it feels good to be able to read something that feels like a trip down memory lane and be completely new to the reader. If you can stick with the book until the end, it will be worth it. A classic series that deserves to be given a chance.

Overall 7/10
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