Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn books in order

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is Tad Williams' epic fantasy trilogy that follows kitchen boy Simon on a quest to find three legendary swords and save the kingdom of Osten Ard.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 Legende 1998 Tad Williams N/A
2 Smoczy Tron - Tad Williams N/A
3 The Dragonbone Chair 1988 Tad Williams Buy
4 Stone of Farewell 1990 Tad Williams Buy
5 Скала Прощания 1990 Tad Williams N/A
6 To Green Angel Tower 1993 Tad Williams Buy
7 To Green Angel Tower, Part 2 1993 Tad Williams Buy
8 Der Engelsturm 1996 Tad Williams N/A

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is Tad Williams’ best-known work and one of the defining epic fantasy series of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The story begins with Simon, a kitchen boy in the castle of the Hayholt, who is forced to flee when a tyrannical king takes the throne. His journey to find three magical swords and rally the forces of good takes him across the vast continent of Osten Ard.

The series includes the original English novels The Dragonbone Chair, Stone of Farewell, and To Green Angel Tower (published in two parts due to its length), along with several foreign-language editions listed here. Williams built a detailed secondary world with its own history, races, and languages, and the series rewards patient readers who enjoy long, richly layered storytelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series?

There are eight books in the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series, published between 1988 and 1998.

What is the first book in the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series?

The first book in the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series is Legende, published in 1998.

Did Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn influence other fantasy authors?

Yes. George R.R. Martin has said that Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn was a major influence on A Game of Thrones. The series helped shape the direction of modern epic fantasy in the 1990s.

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