The Stone of Farewell: Book Two of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn

Though the series as a whole is wonderful and highly-recommended, Stone of Farewell led me on an unexpected emotional journey. William's number one strength is his characters - Miriamelle aside (I almost gave this book four stars because she annoys me so much) However, reading it through for a second and third time and skimming through her passages made this a perfect read. Secondly, he has a great sense for the visual. Mists, flowers, groves, hills, towers...his visions fill my mind for days after I put the book down...Though all the sub-plots are engrossing, especially those involving Maegwin and the journey of Prince Josua, I found the journey into the Sithi-stronghold some of the most amazing story-writing I've ever encountered. The Sithi come to life in a magical, three-dimensional way with me striving to understand like some whacked-out, hungry anthropologiest. It's been a long time since I've wanted to get the 'heck' out of this world or ours and jump headfirst into another - but this is where I would go if I could find it. Like a shot. I'm also an adult reader, so if you're a kid looking for massive amounts of sword-play and 'cool' magic (though I think these things DO lie here-in), this isn't the book for you. But if you enjoy a depth to your story, striking characterizations and dialogue that is actually enjoyable to read (read: NOT Goodkind) then you will enjoy this series and especially this volume. This is also one of the only series - and certainly the first since I was TWELVE - that I find myself concocting alternate stories in my head before I fall asleep in the eve or even day-dreaming during my day (fan-fiction of the mind, if you will!). I cannot emphasize what a cut above the rest of fantasy-schlock this triology is. It even gets better on a second read. But I do believe you have to have a certain tolerance for steady pacing, emotional complexties, drawn out descriptives (which I adore), and the bittersweet undercurrents of beauty lost beyond retrieving.

Stone of Farewell, the second volume of Tad Williams' trilogy Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, is amazingly good, easily surpassing in almost every way (except length) the first book in the saga. It starts with the technical details. The pretty frequent typos and grammatical errors found Dragonbone Chair are virtually eliminated here. And the story itself has become much more unique and self-defined, drifting out of the standard Tolkien rut the first book was in.The characterisations continued to advance believably, enjoyably, and sympathetically, and some of the characters not focused on from the first book enjoy a much more prominent role here. The action and interactions are superb, the pacing excellent, and the author wisely chooses not to show the POV of the characters with twisted minds or royal blood.The Sithi society is interesting, not too human but not so inhuman that we can't relate, either.This is one of the best fantasy works that I have seen in years, and I'm very much looking forward to reading the third book in the cycle.

This book is a fitting successor to the Dragonbone Chair. Tad Williams continues with his fine work in the previous book. Again, this is a story of epic proportion, with numerous subplots and lots of character development. Osten Ard again is a vibrant,believable world in the process of being overwhelmed by a seemingly unstoppable ancient evil. The heroes are a scattered, ragtag bunch running for their lives, having a vague notion of how the evil should be stopped, but having very few options at their disposal. It just seems that there is no way in the world that good will prevail here, although here and there there are hints as to how it might occur. The despair of the main characters in the story is almost palpable. I found myself identifying many times with characters, many of which are memorable. Characters grow and develop in the book and in the reader's mind. This book is more fast-paced and has more action than the previous title, but character development and interaction are not sacrificed. Magic is referred to more than in the previous title. The enemy strikes with magic in places the reader would never expect. This book again contains much in the way of kingdom politics, intrigue, betrayal, loyalty, dark scheming, and much, much more. This book kept me up very late some nights so I could learn what happened next. Again, much of what will probably be important is not revealed early in this epic tale. I felt like my understanding of the Sithi was very inadequate and grew very slowly, just as Simon's did. Like the mortals in the books, it is difficult so far for me to truly understand the culture of the Sithi and its timeless ways. I'm looking forward to finding out more.

"The Stone of Farewell" is an amazing book. I have not found a better epic piece of fantasy since J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." Tad Williams has crafted a fantasy of epic proportions that imerses the reader in rich details. The story catches at you and compels you to read on. The first book of the series, "The Dragonbone Chair", is a little slow to start but if you can stick with it this series is worth it! This is a must for anyone who enjoys Tolkien and good fantasy novels.

"Ender's Game" falls flat when I compare it to "Stone of Farewell." Ender has conflicts that are not really quite conflicting development-wise. Hel-loo! He is six years old at the beginning of the book with the mentality of a 30 year old. "Stone" leaves us with characters that we can watch as they develop. Besides that, its a darn good read.The beginning of it takes place with Binabik and his people, and its not boring. No, its fun. (Not just because Binabik's one of my favorite characters!) Williams knows how to write, unlike some other people out there. And he gives us thousands of pages per series -- I'm all for the gargantuan novel thing. He doesn't pointlessly babble. He is as worthy of note as George R. R. Martin -- by the way, Martin read MEMORY, SORROW, AND THORN, and even picked up a few tips from Tad. (The comet = the Conqueror Star, the Dothraki = upside down Thrithings-men,...and whose to say that Qantaka (sp?) didn't inspire the direwolves!., etc.)Begin with "The Dragonbone Chair" -- pull through the fifty or so introductory pages -- and READ THIS SERIES. Then get your copy of OTHERLAND, vols. 1 and 2, and enjoy. Unfortunately, you will have to wait for vol. 3. Sigh. Of course, you can read "Child of an Ancient City" while you're waiting, and pick up a copy of "Caliban's Hour" at your library or used bookstore. I will shut up now. I think that you get the idea.