The Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Book Series by Tad Williams

The Dragonbone Chair, Stone of Farewell, and To Green Angel Tower are the three books that make up Tad Williams' series Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.

When I was younger, I tried to read the Lord of the Rings series. I found it confusing with all the different races, the different languages that were not mine, the confusing names. I never got very far into the book at all. Of course, I had seen the cheesy cartoon version of The Hobbit back in the 70's. It wasn't until the movies came out that I 'got' LOTR.

But not being able to read those books did not stop me from looking for more. Tad Williams' series about a kitchen boy who ends up against all odds saving the world caught my attention and imagination. This was more like it!

The books feature other races, different names, confusing languages, but it's easier to follow than Tolkien's Lord of the Ring series, at least in my opinion!

The story was so compelling, I often re-read it, going from one book to another. And these are not chintzy sized books either! The last book in the series is commonly broken down into a part one and a part two, especially when it came out in paperback.

Each book is about the search for a sword; the magic of these swords are the only hope against the combined power of the two High Kings, the ancient Sithi and the new-crowned human, who already have possession of at least one of the swords.

A good long read of an excellent series that you want to continue forever. I cannot recommend these books strongly enough. Go read them!

Pictures found here.