In this new trilogy, Williams journeys back to the magical land of Osten Ard and continues the story of beloved characters King Simon and Queen Miriamele, married now for thirty years, and introduces newcomer Prince Morgan, their heir apparent. Also expanded is the story of the twin babies born to Prince Josua and Lady Vorzheva — a birth heralded by prophecy, which has been the subject of feverish fan speculation since the release of To Green Angel Tower in 1993.
The story has been brewing for most of a year now, and although I've only barely begun the actual writing, I've done tons of prep work, and more outlining and preparing than I've ever done for a series of books. That's partially because of the richness of the new story, but also because I'm going back to a place I haven't officially visited in decades and I wanted to bring it back to life in my head before I started changing it.
Most of the ideas that were going to turn into stories (in other words, which were intrinsically interesting in and of themselves) have worked their way into the new books. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any that haven't.
Which doesn't mean there will never be a Chronicle in Stone, but this will certainly set it back. I still want to use that framing device, though.
LOTS of Norns. A much closer look at the Norns, collectively and individually, then we had in the first books. Much like what we learned of the Sithi in MS&T.
it's quite a bit different starting a book with your previous main characters now old and established. (It wouldn't be if I was just shuffling them off to supporting-actor status, but they're still very much center of the new story as well.)
Kuurosokea Pianisti kirjoitti: Sainpahan sen pois alta, jotta voin pian keskittyä Williamsin parempaan tuotantoon, Varjojen marssiin.
Just to let you know I'm somewhere between two hundred and two hundred and fifty pages in. (Haven't counted lately.) Currently in Elvritshalla and the Hayholt, but also about to be in the Lake Thrithings. Themes are thick and fast on the ground. Not surprising, since I've been here before.
Odd but interesting thought. Maybe my fading-years project -- some day, I ain't fading for a long time -- will be to write a kind of Silmarillion-style compendium of some of the hinted at history of OA. (There will still be an awful lot even AFTER the kitchen-sink-included plot lines I'm working on for this one.) Hmmm. Worth thinking about.
Kuurosokea Pianisti kirjoitti: Toivon, että tulevissa kirjoissa kerrotaan enemmän maista Osten Ardin ulkopuolella.
Iivari kirjoitti: Sen verran täytyy noreenia korjata, että Aditu on toki sithi, ei norni. Ainoa norneista selkeästi personifikoitu henkilöhahmo edellisessä kirjasarjassa oli nornikuningatar ja Osten Ardin vanhin elävä olento Utukk'u, joten en ole lainkaan harmissani, jos nornit saavat vähän lihaa luiden päälle jatkossa.
Kuurosokea Pianisti kirjoitti: Minua läntisissä maissa kiinnostaa Inelukin veli Hakatri. Onko hän siellä ja hengissä? Amerasuhan yritti saada häneen yhteyttä Jäähyväisten Kivessä.
the title A CHRONICLE IN STONE (my wife's suggestion) refers to the fact that the framing story has to do with an archaeological excavation of the long-deserted, long-buried Hayholt, and the things that are discovered there are the jumping-off points for the other stories.
I've had a lot of other things going on, so I'm only at about page 400 of the book, but I'm back into a stretch where I can work on it full-time again.
I’ve actually had time again to get into a rhythm, and it’s amazing how much faster it goes when I have dedicated working time and thinking time.
We will see a near-equal mix of old characters (now older!) and new characters. Most of the main characters from the first books will make at least an appearance, many will be leading actors, and many mysteries from the first books will finally be solved. But new readers shouldn’t have any problems starting with these.
We will see many of the old characters, who will be middle-aged, but there will be a ton of new protagonists (and antagonists) as well.
2016 could be one helluva epic fantasy year!
Imagine this. The Doors of Stone by Patrick Rothfuss. The Winds of Winter by George R. R. Martin. The third Fitz & Fool novel by Robin Hobb. But with most certainty, The Witchwood Crown by Tad Williams will publish to great celebration from many of us epic fantasy readers!