Empire of Grass

Tad Williams

2019 • 690 pages

Ratings11

Average rating4.5

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.

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Series

4 primary books6 released books

#2 in The Last King of Osten Ard

The Last King of Osten Ard is a 6-book series with 4 released primary works first released in 2017 with contributions by Tad Williams.

#0.5

#0.75

Series

7 primary books10 released books

#5 in Osten Ard Saga

Osten Ard Saga is a 10-book series with 7 released primary works first released in 1988 with contributions by Tad Williams.

#0.1

The Splintered Sun

#3.5

Popular Reviews

Reviews with the most likes.

The Speculative Shelf

Another satisfying read as the overarching story starts to take shape (all is not well in Osten Ard!). So much of my enjoyment of this ongoing series comes from Williams's writing. It's beautiful to read and although the pacing is often slow, there's rarely much fluff from page to page.

In truth, the reason I started Williams's original series was because I saw Michael Whelan's incredible cover art for this novel and it made me want to read the entire series so I could put this book on my shelf. Seven books later and I've finally finished that book that caught my eye so many moons ago. Sadly, DAW chose not to commission more cover art from Whelan for future books in the series. Luckily, I'm now invested in the story itself, so the cover art is less important! (Although, I do like the art from book #3 – Into the Narrowdark).

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

August 29, 2022

John

Tad Williams does fantasy as it should be. Instead of making you remember what you read in previous books he gives a full synopsis so you're up to date which is a big deal for me because I have a terrible memory. He also gives a list of characters and pronunciations. That's so aggravating when a character's name is Tikalakal'ookalaká and the author expects you to know what the hell that is but I digress.
This book is another wonderful addition to Osten Ard which may be my favorite world in all of fantasy. Everything is masterfully detailed and his imaginative creatures are superior to all. The first book has a lot of world building and mostly follows Erkynlanders but this book follows mostly the Norns and what they're planning and a whole bunch of Nabban and Thrithings, who are waging war against each other. I love the interactions between Morgan and Snenneq but unfortunately there is very little of the Sithi or Qanuc people in this story but the book sets the stage for some serious action in the ending books and I am ecstatic to read immediately. Tad Williams has become my #2 fantasy author behind dear old George Martin.

September 21, 2022