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DAW Books announced today via press release that they have bought a new trilogy from Tad Williams, The Last King of Osten Ard. This is a notable event, as Williams returns to the series that launched him to stardom and influenced George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. The Last King of Osten Ard is a direct sequel to Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.

Which just so happens to be my favourite completed fantasy trilogy of all time.

I’m chuffed.

The press release has the first details about the new trilogy:

In this new trilogy, Williams journeys back to the magical land of Osten Ard and continues the story of beloved characters King Simon and Queen Miriamele, married now for thirty years, and introduces newcomer Prince Morgan, their heir apparent. Also expanded is the story of the twin babies born to Prince Josua and Lady Vorzheva—a birth heralded by prophecy, which has been the subject of feverish fan speculation since the release of To Green Angel Tower in 1993.

In The Last King of Osten Ard, Williams returns with the ingenious worldbuilding, jaw dropping twists and turns, and unparalleled storytelling that have made him one of fantasy’s brightest stars for more thirty years.

The trilogy, The Witchwood Crown, Empire of Grass, and The Navigator’s Children, has no release date.

Discussion
  • LordFriday April 3, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    I’ve never read Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. Would you recomend it? Why should I read it?

  • Aidan Moher April 3, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    It’s a foundational epic fantasy trilogy that helped to define epic fantasy through the 90s and the 00s, including its role as a main inspiration for A Song of Ice and Fire.

    It has tremendous world building, great characters, just the right amount and type of magic, and a slow burning plot that has stuck with me for the ten years since I first read it.

  • ChristinaRae April 3, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    I think I’m going to cry, I’m so happy about this!

  • josiah cadicamo April 3, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    Amen to the slow burning plot, it takes much perseverance, but the payoff is incredible. And Williams’ prose are are among my favorite. I may have to reread.

  • ediFanoB April 4, 2014 at 12:17 am

    Great news!
    I love Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. It is one of my favourite completed series too. Every time I read or hear about the trilogy the name Binbineqegabenik pops up in my mind.
    I will definitely buy and read The Last King of Osten Ard. I want them as real books.

  • Jeff C April 4, 2014 at 4:23 am

    This news is most awesome. And it makes me want to start a re-read..immediately.

  • Gabriele April 4, 2014 at 4:45 am

    Very nice news. I love that ‘trilogy’.

    Any bet it will be 4 books again? :)

  • Olaf April 4, 2014 at 5:35 am

    I would not bet against you on that!

  • Frank April 4, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    What a coincidence, I’m just in the process of rereading the original trilogy for the second time! This is wonderful news!

  • Raphael April 6, 2014 at 12:52 pm

    The end of MS&T annoyed me to no end for several reasons, and many of the same mistakes were repeated in Shadowmarch. I appreciate Tad Williams’ prose and worldbuilding, but with reaspect to structure and plot his trilogies [sic] have so far failed to amaze me.

  • Tabitha (@Pabkins) April 7, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    How exciting!! It sounds like a reread is definitely in order for you. And guess that means I need to jump on it and read it for the first time. I tried a Tad Williams book years ago…Dragonbone Chair I believe I couldn’t get past the very odd naming conventions. I wonder if I’m mistaking it for another book. It’s been so long I find it hard to remember.

    I do have that Tad Williams collection from Tachyon that I was considering reviewing though…maybe I’ll wet my whistle on that.

  • Ecthelion April 16, 2014 at 12:41 am

    I began re-reading the books just a few days ago not knowing about the announcement… Imagine my surprise when I finally found out. It must be destiny. If only I knew the first time I finished reading that there’s going to be a sequel maybe I wouldn’t have cried so much :D

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  • Deb September 10, 2014 at 5:40 pm

    I still have the paperbacks after so many years! I loved reading them and am so happy to be able to return to that realm!!!! Guess I will have to re-read them first…..

  • Mefista September 12, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    woah!a sequel?*please,don’t be grim’n’gritty GoT clone…*

  • Lance November 9, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    I was clearing away a pile of books yesterday and one of them was the third book “To Green Angel Tower” (the entire book, not the split volumes). On a whim, I googled Tad Williams and came upon this incredible news of a sequel. Sadly, I no longer have the first 2 books of the trilogy, but still have the 3rd book at least. It’s been 20 years since I last read “To Green Angel Tower” and I’m looking forward to being drawn back into the world of Osten Ard. Since 1993, so much has been written in the genre of fantasy, will Tad Williams stick to his original writing style or will he be influenced by what has come since in the past 20 years? And what will the size of the books be!!?? I don’t think I’ve ever read such large volumes in fantasy, the only other series that I could compare them to would be “The Malazan Book of the Fallen” series.

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  • Ollie February 7, 2015 at 5:24 pm

    I was really excited by this until I saw the name of the trilogy. I’m not sure I can take Simon being killed off!

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