THE WITCHWOOD CROWN

Return Of The King

RELEASED 29 JUNE 721 pages | Hardback/ebook

Author Tad Williams

Publisher Hodder & stoughton

The fact that Tad Williams is returning to the world of Osten Ard after so many years have passed is a huge part of the charm and individuality of The Witchwood Crown (the first entry in new series The Last King Of Osten Ard). Often the day is won and we are left to fill in the blanks of how our heroes lived after the story. Here we get to see what happens when the adventure stops and the harder task of ruling begins. Simon Snowlock, once kitchen-boy, now High King, rules over Osten Ard, but, even after defeating the Storm King, his kingdom still faces ruin at the hands of the enemy Norns.

It’s a brilliant set-up, but unfortunately it means a slow start and a lot of very obvious reminders of what came before; the tradition laid down by Williams’s Memory, Sorrow And Thorn series is a heavy burden to bear. This is especially obvious during the first portion of the book, where the plot is weighed down by the saga’s lofty past. Williams must balance the history of the previous books with the new storyline and 30 years of events that have taken place since the original trilogy. Luckily this adds up to make a compelling plot filled with characters you genuinely care for.

By the time you get beyond the treacle-slow start you’ll realise that you’re fully hooked by the characters. Simon, his queen Miriamele and more are joined by a new and intriguing cast who quickly outshine their forebears. Williams has a fantastic way of writing characters so that they are both utterly vexing and entirely enjoyable at the same time. The stand-out is definitely half-breed warrior Nezeru, who straddles the space between the mortal and (almost) immortal realms; she perfectly embodies the flawed character archetype of which Williams was very much a genre pioneer.

Topics Tad Williams researched while writing included parthenocarpy, roosting crows, and the history of the wool trade.