Middle volumes in trilogies are usually dark—and Stone of Farewell is no exception. As the heroes travel, trials mount, and even paradise becomes tasteless. Simon Snowlock (a.k.a. Mooncalf) has raised Thorn and been slashed with dragon blood and now must travel through the forest (along with others) to Sesuad’ra, the Stone of Farewell where the Zida’ya and Hiked’ya parted ways centuries earlier.

Despite the darkness that plagues the characters throughout this book, this volume is deeply satisfying to read. Characters become rich and multi-faceted as they encounter the challenges that make up any fine adventure novel.

It’s a running joke now that Tad Williams cannot write a proper trilogy. The next book was released in two parts due to its length and the sequel trilogy that is being written now is following suit. That’s fine with me. The more time spent in Osten Ard, the better.

Williams, Tad. Stone of Farewell. DAW, 1991.