A Stark and Wormy Knight by Tad Williams
reviewed by Nathan Brazil
This is a small collection of shorter works from an author best known for his vast,
sprawling, epic tales. Some writers are naturally at home with longer stories, others excel
when restricted to shorter forms, but few can manage both with equal aplomb. Tad Williams is one such author. Already
having legions of fans means a large number of readers will buy this collection regardless of what any reviewer
says. So the job here is not to preach to the converted, but to offer an overview to those who are not yet in
the author's camp.
Shadowmarch by Tad Williams
reviewed by Dominic Cilli
Dominic had such a great time last year reading Memory Sorrow and Thorn for the first time that
it was a no-brainer to continue to explore the work of Tad Williams. He discovered
another fantasy trilogy called Shadowmarch. As was the case with Memory Sorrow and Thorn, the final
volume of this planned trilogy just got too big and had to be published in two volumes.
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams
reviewed by Dominic Cilli
Simon, a kitchen boy working in the castle of the king becomes unwittingly involved
in the epic struggle between good and evil that will decide the fate of all mankind. After the beloved
King John dies, a power struggle ensues between brothers,
one clearly good and one who was once good, but whose mind has since been compromised by other forces.
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn are three legendary magic swords that must be found, gathered
and brought together in order to defeat the threat that looms over the kingdom.
Rite: Short Work by Tad Williams
reviewed by Nathan Brazil
This collection will delight established readers, and would make a
satisfying introduction to those who baulk at his multi-volume stuff. It
includes an introduction from the author explaining why he writes what he writes, followed by fifteen short
stories, five non-fiction pieces, two television ideas, and to finish off, a two-page title work. All of which include their
own informative, entertaining introductory pieces. The appeal will depend on personal taste, but it is safe to say each inclusion
has received the literary spit and polish that has made the author so successful.
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Shadowmarch by Tad Williams
reviewed by William Thompson
Set in a realm where the country is divided between the politically fractured and medieval Eion, the monolithic,
despotic theocracy of Xand, and the exiled Twilight Lands of faerie, the author
has constructed a stage rife with political intrigue, conflict,
mystery and, of course, romantic possibilities. And despite the usual cast of conventions and borrowings, he has
mined old material very well, creating his own imprimatur and quickly establishing why he is recognized as
one of the better writers of this genre.
The War of the Flowers by Tad Williams
reviewed by David Soyka
Theo Vilmos is a thirty-something musician who isn't on his way to stardom. You know the type. Talented, but not overly ambitious,
content to let life pass by along as he's got a gig, even if it is with a bunch of pretentious know-nothing kids, not bitter
exactly, but somewhat disappointed with how things have turned out better than expected. But personal tragedies
drive him to a secluded cabin where he is working on an apparent fantasy story written by his long lost
uncle Eamonn Dowd. Then, one night, something tries to break into his cabin and kill him...
Sea of Silver Light by Tad Williams
reviewed by Victoria Strauss
In reading a multi-volume series that's still in the process of creation, not all the suspense lies in the plotline. This
is especially true when the quality of the early installments is high: one can't help wondering whether the author will be
able to deliver a finish strong enough to satisfy the expectations s/he has raised. In this concluding volume,
the author accomplishes this and more, drawing his massive Otherland saga to a triumphant conclusion.
Mountain of Black Glass by Tad Williams
reviewed by Victoria Strauss
Once again, the author's inventiveness is on dazzling display. There
are fewer worlds in here than in River of Blue Fire (in which we visited 11
different ones), but they're explored in more depth, from the House -- a truly fascinating place, in which a whole series of
novels could be set -- to the strange and savage world of The Odyssey.
River of Blue Fire by Tad Williams
reviewed by Victoria Strauss
Like Volume 1, the second part of Otherland is skillfully
written and flawlessly paced. It's an incredibly complex work, bristling
with themes, characters, symbols, and storylines. The domains of Otherland
are mind-boggling in their variety and inventiveness. Williams juggles it
all with remarkable skill.
Otherland by Tad Williams
reviewed by Victoria Strauss
While it would be easy to slap a "cyberpunk" label on this book, with its net-traveling and troubling images of the future,
the worlds Williams has created are, to Victoria, much more subtle and nuanced (and plausible) than the standard
cyberpunk dystopia.
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