The Stone of Farewell (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn) (Hardcover)

by Tad Williams (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this panoramic, vigorous, often moving sequel to The Dragonbone Chair , the scattered allies opposing the pirate Elias, high king of Osten Ard, and Ineluki, the Storm King, struggle toward a meeting at the Stone of Farewell in the ancient, deserted city of Enki-e-Shao'saye. The boy Simon, the troll Binabek and their companions carry Thorn, one of three swords critical to the defeat of the forces of evil. After surviving many perils, Simon becomes the only mortal to enter Jao e-Tinukai'i, last refuge of the elven Sithi, seeking their support. A small band follows Prince Josua, leader of the resistance against his brother Elias; they are betrayed by the chieftain of the nomadic Thrithings-folk. As Elias consolidates his power with the aid of the Norns, the Storm King brings permanent winter to a stricken land. Williams adroitly weaves together the tales of these journeys, heralding a suitably epic and glorious conclusion.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
The advancing might of Ineluki the Storm King and his undead minions threatens to lock the world in eternal winter unless the tattered forces ranged against him can discover the secrets of the League of the Scroll and unite humans, Sithi elves, and Qanuc trolls. Continuing the story begun in The Dra gonbone Chair (LJ 9/15/88), Williams fleshes out the familiar themes of epic fantasy with vivid, likable characters and exotic cultures. Recommended.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 608 pages
• Publisher: DAW Hardcover; First Edition edition (August 7, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886774357
• ISBN-13: 978-0886774356
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #851,180 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 2 in The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Volume In An Uncannily Deep and Emotional Trilogy, February 3, 2002

By	R. Edd (Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Stone of Farewell (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Book 2) (Paperback)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High fantasy as it should be., January 14, 2000

By	[e-mail] (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stone of Farewell (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Book 2) (Paperback)

"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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, again, June 10, 2000

By	J. Saenz "[e-mail]" (MS, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Stone of Farewell (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Book 2) (Paperback)

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.