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. “ 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 Tad Williams is a California-based fantasy superstar. His genre-creating (and genre-busting) books have sold tens of millions worldwide. His works include the worlds of Otherland, Shadowmarch, and Osten Ard—including the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and The Last King of Osten Ard series—as well as standalone novels  Tailchaser’s Song  and  The War of the Flowers . His considerable output of epic fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy, comics, and more have strongly influenced a generation of writers. Tad and his family live in the Santa Cruz mountains in a suitably strange and beautiful house.  PART ONE Summer’s End 1 Old Heart The touch of slender fingers frightened Morgan so badly that he leaped off the branch where he had been perched, banged his knee and elbow hard on a lower branch, then half-­swung, half-­fell to the ground. Even before he rose he was scrabbling forward across the forest floor on hands and knees, his pulse drumming in his ears. Only when he was some dozen paces away from the tree did he dare turn and look. The moonlight seeping through the ancient trees did not reveal much of the thing that had touched him but cast enough silvery light for Morgan to know he had never seen another creature like it. It was smaller than his young sister, which eased his fears some, but it was no animal he could recognize, neither bear cub nor ape. Its startled black eyes were huge and, before the creature turned and vanished into the upper part of the tree, he even caught a glimpse of hands that seemed to have fingers instead of claws. Morgan sat on the damp ground as the moon slid out of sight again behind the trees. He shivered, waiting for his heart to slow, wanting to weep but not daring to make a sound. He had no idea which direction he had come from or how long he had run. I’m lost, he realized. Alone in Aldheorte Forest. Lost. It hit him li