A review by isauldur
The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams
4.0
Wow, where to begin? I'll start with some whining just to get out of the way and then on to the praise. So stay with me here.
A lot of people have warned me that the beginning is a little slow, which I can see and understand. The first 200 pages or so are dedicated to establishing daily life and mainly introducing the more important characters of the novel. But the hardest part for me wasn't the slow beginning, but rather two specific sequences that forced me to make an effort in continuing reading: I'm talking about the underground chapter and the forest-travel chapter, with the village and the Christmas-like tree. For me, it wasn't so much a slow beginning as a couple of sections where the plot is almost virtually (in my opinion) stopped.
But other than the complaint above, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I must admit, it took me two tries to actually finish it. The first time I got about 250 pages in, then stopped for a few months. Then I came back and started from the beginning. But when I got really into it, I got REALLY into it.
The world is amazing! Familiar enough where you can relate quickly, but fantastical enough where you can be awed. In fairness, we don't see that much of the fantastical element in this book, save for a couple of glimpses at Sithi architecture. But what we do see...it's almost like a tantalizing tease of what is to come. The descriptions are great, I liked the writing and the style. And without giving much away, one specific scene reminded me A LOT of the Battle for Helm's Deep, from LOTR. Those who've finished this book and read (or watched) The Two Towers may know what I'm talking about.
It's a great book, and I really recommend it to any so-called fantasy fan out there. It should be as mandatory as Lord of the Rings if one is to make the claim that they "like fantasy." It was very influential, as some may know, since it inspired George R. R. Martin and Patrick Rothfuss no less.
Loved it.
A lot of people have warned me that the beginning is a little slow, which I can see and understand. The first 200 pages or so are dedicated to establishing daily life and mainly introducing the more important characters of the novel. But the hardest part for me wasn't the slow beginning, but rather two specific sequences that forced me to make an effort in continuing reading: I'm talking about the underground chapter and the forest-travel chapter, with the village and the Christmas-like tree. For me, it wasn't so much a slow beginning as a couple of sections where the plot is almost virtually (in my opinion) stopped.
But other than the complaint above, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I must admit, it took me two tries to actually finish it. The first time I got about 250 pages in, then stopped for a few months. Then I came back and started from the beginning. But when I got really into it, I got REALLY into it.
The world is amazing! Familiar enough where you can relate quickly, but fantastical enough where you can be awed. In fairness, we don't see that much of the fantastical element in this book, save for a couple of glimpses at Sithi architecture. But what we do see...it's almost like a tantalizing tease of what is to come. The descriptions are great, I liked the writing and the style. And without giving much away, one specific scene reminded me A LOT of the Battle for Helm's Deep, from LOTR. Those who've finished this book and read (or watched) The Two Towers may know what I'm talking about.
It's a great book, and I really recommend it to any so-called fantasy fan out there. It should be as mandatory as Lord of the Rings if one is to make the claim that they "like fantasy." It was very influential, as some may know, since it inspired George R. R. Martin and Patrick Rothfuss no less.
Loved it.