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A review by lpickett47
The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams
5.0
One of the most exceptional works of fantasy I have ever read.
This book is definitely a slow-burner. So don't go into it expecting action and sorcery within the first 100 pages, because you will not get that. While some people see this as a sign of a bad book, I would have to respectfully disagree. Once the story picks up and things are revealed, the first 150 pages of the book are some of the most important in terms of character development and world building. Without the time Williams took to reveal to the reader what was really going on outside of Simon's little world in the Hayholt, the suspenseful parts of the book would not have been as impactful.
George R.R. Martin has stated that this series is one that inspired him to write A Song of Ice and Fire, but do not go into this series thinking they are the same. There are definite similarities (looking at you, Qantaqa, the O.G. direwolf) but they are not cut from the same cloth. Where Martin puts emphasis on the politics of the realm, Williams emphasizes Simon's coming-of-age and the politics are put on the back burner until Stone of Farewell (where it really still is an adventure story, there isn't too much wine-induced intrigue like in ASOIAF.)
Williams excels in his descriptive language, which can be a downer for so many readers but it really enhances the experience. If you don't skim (which I recommend not doing, you miss so much when you do that), you can really get an idea of where Simon is and how Osten Ard feels. He also excels in his character development, mostly shown through Simon's inner thoughts and (to many people's dismay) his complaints. Simon does not want to be on this adventure, but he is. He acts like any 15 year old would in his shoes and Williams does a great job in showing Simon's internal frustrations, especially concerning girls, without it seeming too much like a sappy young adult novel.
The Dragonbone Chair is the first installment in a wonderful fantasy series that I encourage any fan of fantasy to read. When the book seems to get boring, take a break but do not give up. It is so worth it in the end.
This book is definitely a slow-burner. So don't go into it expecting action and sorcery within the first 100 pages, because you will not get that. While some people see this as a sign of a bad book, I would have to respectfully disagree. Once the story picks up and things are revealed, the first 150 pages of the book are some of the most important in terms of character development and world building. Without the time Williams took to reveal to the reader what was really going on outside of Simon's little world in the Hayholt, the suspenseful parts of the book would not have been as impactful.
George R.R. Martin has stated that this series is one that inspired him to write A Song of Ice and Fire, but do not go into this series thinking they are the same. There are definite similarities (looking at you, Qantaqa, the O.G. direwolf) but they are not cut from the same cloth. Where Martin puts emphasis on the politics of the realm, Williams emphasizes Simon's coming-of-age and the politics are put on the back burner until Stone of Farewell (where it really still is an adventure story, there isn't too much wine-induced intrigue like in ASOIAF.)
Williams excels in his descriptive language, which can be a downer for so many readers but it really enhances the experience. If you don't skim (which I recommend not doing, you miss so much when you do that), you can really get an idea of where Simon is and how Osten Ard feels. He also excels in his character development, mostly shown through Simon's inner thoughts and (to many people's dismay) his complaints. Simon does not want to be on this adventure, but he is. He acts like any 15 year old would in his shoes and Williams does a great job in showing Simon's internal frustrations, especially concerning girls, without it seeming too much like a sappy young adult novel.
The Dragonbone Chair is the first installment in a wonderful fantasy series that I encourage any fan of fantasy to read. When the book seems to get boring, take a break but do not give up. It is so worth it in the end.