My rating: 4.8/5

The epic fantasy novel Stone of Farewell by Tad Williams is a brilliant second book that expands the world of Osten Ard in a breathtaking way. In this sequel, the author continues his masterful character development by fracturing the main group and scattering our heroes across different corners of a dying continent. The writing simply draws you in, creating a dark atmosphere of despair, loneliness, and survival, but also leaving a small glimmer of hope that keeps you turning the pages. The focus here is on how isolation forces the characters to grow or break under pressure.

Simon is no longer just a kitchen boy; his experiences are hardening him. Traveling with the brave, wise, and fiercely loyal troll Binabik—who remains one of the best and most unique characters in the series—Simon must face deadly anomalies, freezing storms, and ancient magic as they try to reach the Stone of Farewell. Binabik acts as Simon's anchor, but even he has his own secrets and tribal obligations that complicate things. Meanwhile, Princess Miriamele undergoes incredible development. She flees the corruption of her father's court, disguised and trapped in a world filled with greed, pirates, and betrayal. She is independent, headstrong, and determined, refusing to be a typical damsel in distress, though she must constantly battle with the guilt of turning against her own father, King Elias. At the same time, Prince Josua Lackhand, the king's brother, tries to lead a broken rebellion despite his own deep self-doubt and physical limitations. Osten Ard is being brought to ruin by the merciless forces of the pale-skinned Norns, who commit horrible atrocities against the human race. Huge armies are marching, and all the lords of the world want a piece of the pie, fighting for power while the real demonic threat grows. Williams weaves these complex character arcs together like a master weaver, creating a phenomenal narrative where the line between good and evil becomes completely blurred.