Empire of Grass

By: Tad Williams

Narrated by: Andrew Wincott

Set in Williams' New York Times bestselling fantasy world, the second book of The Last King of Osten Ard returns to the trials of King Simon and Queen Miriamele as threats to their kingdom loom...

The kingdoms of Osten Ard have been at peace for decades, but now, the threat of a new war grows to nightmarish proportions.

Simon and Miriamele, royal husband and wife, face danger from every side. Their allies in Hernystir have made a pact with the dreadful Queen of the Norns to allow her armies to cross into mortal lands. The ancient, powerful nation of Nabban is on the verge of bloody civil war, and the fierce nomads of the Thrithings grasslands have begun to mobilize, united by superstitious fervor and their age-old hatred of the city-dwellers. But as the countries and peoples of the High Ward bicker among themselves, battle, bloodshed, and dark magics threaten to pull civilizations to pieces. And over it all looms the mystery of the Witchwood Crown, the deadly puzzle that Simon, Miriamele, and their allies must solve if they wish to survive.

But as the kingdoms of Osten Ard are torn apart by fear and greed, a few individuals will fight for their own lives and destinies—not yet aware that the survival of everything depends on them.

Critic reviews

“Inspired me to write my own seven-book trilogy.... It’s one of my favorite fantasy series.” —George R. R. Martin, New York Times-bestselling author of A Song of Ice and Fire

“Groundbreaking.... Changed how people thought of the genre, and paved the way for so much modern fantasy. Including mine.” —Patrick Rothfuss, New York Times-bestselling author of The Name of the Wind

"Tad Williams is a master storyteller, and the Osten Ard books are his masterpiece. Williams’ return to Osten Ard is every bit as compelling, deep, and fully-rendered as the first trilogy, and he continues to write with the experience and polish of an author at the top of his game." —Brandon Sanderson, New York Times-bestselling author of Mistborn

“Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is one of the great fantasy epics of all time.”
—Christopher Paolini, New York Times bestselling author of Eragon

"Building upon the revered history of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Williams has outdone himself by penning a 700-plus page novel that is virtually un-put-down-able.... Williams’ grand-scale storytelling mastery is on full display here. Not just utterly readable—an instant fantasy classic." —Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“Readers who delight in losing themselves in long complex tales of epic fantasy will be in their element here, and there is the promise of much more to come in future volumes.” —Locus

“Panoramic, vigorous, often moving.... Williams adroitly weaves together the tales...heralding a suitably epic and glorious conclusion.” —Publishers Weekly

“Highly Recommended. [Williams] draws on many mythologies for the background of his fantasy epic...story spiced with political intrigue and strong appealing heroes.” —Library Journal

“A grand fantasy on a scale approaching Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.” —Cincinnati Post

Hanging!!!

Cannot wait till the next book to find out what happens! What a cliff hanger!

loved it

amazing second part to the sequel of memory sorrow and thorn. I hate that The Navigators Children hasn't been published yet. Can't wait for his next book.

Winner

fantastic addition to the series. Tad never disappoints. definitely worth the read. Cant wait for the next one

Excellent continuation

The narrator does an excellent job of making each voice distinct
Very good follow up to the first book

Better than the first book...

This second book in The Last King of Osten Ard manages to eventually (as in, it takes a good while) escape the constant and tedious back references to people and occurrences in Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. The petulance and bumbling that made teenage Simon so engaging and endearing in the first series just make him annoying and trifling as a middle-aged king - and that's just one example of the uninspiring handling of character development for many of the characters, both old and new.

I've been a big Tad Williams fan for decades, eagerly buying every new book he's released, and it was my love of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn that made me that way. So I was excited when I heard he was revisiting Osten Ard. But this series has been almost painful at times, and the main reason I continue listening is because I'm such a fan of his previous work.