The Witchwood Crown (The Last King of Osten Ard #1) 1Star / DNF@79%

 

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Title: The Witchwood Crown
Series: The Last King of Osten Ard #1
Author: Tad Williams
Rating: 1 of 5 Stars / DNF@79%
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Pages: 880 / 697
Words: 349K / 276K
Publish: 2017

Williams retcons one of the now dead characters from Memory, Sorrow & Thorn into being a bisexual and then gives one of the laziest and most dishonest philosophical reasonings for why homosexuality is “ok” that I have ever read. And he does it in two paragraphs.

So this is where Williams and I part ways.

★☆☆☆☆

From Grokipedia

Thirty years have passed since the events of the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy, and the world of Osten Ard has reached a critical turning point once again.[16][12] The novel returns to the beloved universe and characters of the original series while introducing new narrative threads centered on the royal family, emerging figures, and the resurgence of ancient enemies.[13]The realm faces threats from divisive forces that undermine unity, as old allies are lost and some are drawn toward darker paths.[16] Amid this internal instability, the most ominous danger emerges from the Norns, the long-vanquished elvish adversaries who are stirring once more and preparing to reclaim the mortal-ruled lands they once dominated.[16][12]As the opening volume of The Last King of Osten Ard series, The Witchwood Crown employs a deliberate pace to establish these escalating conflicts and larger stakes, setting the foundation for the tetralogy through interconnected threads of political turmoil and immortal menace.[16] The narrative builds toward an unresolved tension that foreshadows greater perils ahead.[12]

Major characters

The Witchwood Crown features an expansive ensemble cast with more than fifteen point-of-view characters, enabling a multifaceted narrative that shifts perspectives across humans, trolls, and Norns thirty years after the original trilogy. [17] [18]King Simon Snowlock and Queen Miriamele return as the aging rulers of Osten Ard, depicted as a long-married couple whose partnership remains the emotional core of their reign despite the inevitable strains of time, with Simon retaining his underlying naivety and good-hearted nature while Miriamele provides pragmatic counsel shaped by her own past experiences. [19] [20] Binabik the troll also reappears as a key figure, now older and separated by distance and duties but still valued for his wisdom, having endured personal losses including the death of his longtime wolf companion Qantaqa. [20]Supporting returning characters include trusted advisors such as Tiamak of the Wran, Count Eolair of Hernystir, and Jeremias, Simon's childhood friend who has advanced to a prominent station in the royal court. [19] Pasevalles, once a minor figure, assumes a significantly larger role in the story. [19]The younger generation centers on Prince Morgan, Simon and Miriamele's grandson and heir apparent, characterized as a moody, recalcitrant, and seemingly spoiled youth whose journey reflects echoes of his grandfather's early impulsiveness while introducing distinct personal struggles and the need for growth. [19] [17]New characters provide fresh perspectives, particularly from the Norns, with Nezeru emerging as one of the book's most complex and compelling figures—a half-mortal daughter of a Norn high magister whose internal conflicts over her dual heritage create profound tension. [19] [17] Her father Viyeki, a prominent Norn builder and magister introduced in the bridge novella The Heart of What Was Lost, offers additional insight into Norn society through his viewpoint. [20] Other supporting new figures, such as the warrior Porto and trollish companion Little Snenneq, contribute to the broad cast and generational shifts