diacle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
acardattack's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is more a high 3, but cant justify giving it a 3.5 and I try to avoid quarter ratings.
It does suffer some middle book syndrome, but a lot does happen. We get to see some development for Simon, and I love the scenes with Rachel and Isgrimnur. This book expanded the characters which made it a little harder for me to keep track of everyone and everyplace. But overall a worthy sequel to Dragonbone chair and great set up for the finale.
It does suffer some middle book syndrome, but a lot does happen. We get to see some development for Simon, and I love the scenes with Rachel and Isgrimnur. This book expanded the characters which made it a little harder for me to keep track of everyone and everyplace. But overall a worthy sequel to Dragonbone chair and great set up for the finale.
strahlex's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
windrunner_nyy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Stone of Farewell is truly a second book in a four book trilogy. There is lots of setup; but with it, lots of character development and amazing worldbuilding. In particular, Simon’s growth is very raw and real. But the secondary characters are also well crafted. In particular, I am so intrigued with Cadrach. And the mystery and history of the Sithi is compelling. Osten Ard feels real and lived in. All in all, the story is great, the setup is well crafted, the stakes feel very big and the world feels more epic and grand. Yes, it could feel slow, but I loved every second of it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
anthraxx's review against another edition
3.0
Even though it technically wasn't the longest book I ever read it sure did feel like it. Mr Williams has a wonderful way of interrupting a pretty good story with long winded prose about things that just don't seem to matter much. I put it down half way through and thought I'd never pick it up again. But I did. And I fear I might try and finish this series one day. But not soon.
ferrisscottr's review against another edition
4.0
This one is a tough one for me.
It's a re-read and I haven't read this book since it was first released 30 so years ago.
My memory has always told me that it's my favorite fantasy series of all time and I loved the last book...this one was not as good.
The writing is beautiful, almost poetic.
The characters are amazing, probably a hundred or so, all fully formed. Interesting, conflicted, complex.
The plot is just what I like - epic, huge, sprawling, majestic.
But
This book was slow and let's be serious here...not much happened.
No matter how great the writing, if you are going to give me 800 pages then make something happen. Don't get me wrong, this is no Robert Jordan book. Things are constantly happening and the plot is always moving forward but there just was no grand point, plot, event that actually happened.
Is it the standard "2nd book syndrome" which holds the series together between book 1 and 3?
I don't know at the moment because it's been 30 years since I read book 3 so the I have long forgotten all the details.
I'm being hard on the book but only because in my memory this is a 6 star book.
It is still very very very very good and I would recommend it to anyone, and recommend it twice to some people.
I'm looking forward to the conclusion of the series.
It's a re-read and I haven't read this book since it was first released 30 so years ago.
My memory has always told me that it's my favorite fantasy series of all time and I loved the last book...this one was not as good.
The writing is beautiful, almost poetic.
The characters are amazing, probably a hundred or so, all fully formed. Interesting, conflicted, complex.
The plot is just what I like - epic, huge, sprawling, majestic.
But
This book was slow and let's be serious here...not much happened.
No matter how great the writing, if you are going to give me 800 pages then make something happen. Don't get me wrong, this is no Robert Jordan book. Things are constantly happening and the plot is always moving forward but there just was no grand point, plot, event that actually happened.
Is it the standard "2nd book syndrome" which holds the series together between book 1 and 3?
I don't know at the moment because it's been 30 years since I read book 3 so the I have long forgotten all the details.
I'm being hard on the book but only because in my memory this is a 6 star book.
It is still very very very very good and I would recommend it to anyone, and recommend it twice to some people.
I'm looking forward to the conclusion of the series.
hybridhavoc's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Animal death, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Alcohol
lukre's review against another edition
4.0
This felt like coming back home. It's such a cosy epic fantasy. From time to time you just need a traiditional epic fantasy that's well written, and this is it.
Really looking forward to the conclusion.
Really looking forward to the conclusion.
esop's review against another edition
4.0
Still a bit slow pacing-wise, but a large improvement over book 1. Tad Williams's worldbuilding is still in top form here, fleshing out the world of Osten Ard in deep, intriguing ways that help set up the climax in the final book of the series.
That would be my main criticism though, that it feels a lot like nothing more than set-up for the next book. Like book 1, the primary plot is people traveling to reach a certain location, but here it feels moreso like getting all the pieces in their proper places before the fireworks go off next time.
But still, the locales and characters we get to meet are all unique and interesting, so it makes for an enjoyable journey.
That would be my main criticism though, that it feels a lot like nothing more than set-up for the next book. Like book 1, the primary plot is people traveling to reach a certain location, but here it feels moreso like getting all the pieces in their proper places before the fireworks go off next time.
But still, the locales and characters we get to meet are all unique and interesting, so it makes for an enjoyable journey.