I adored the Dragonbone Chair when I first read it and was eagerly looking forward to this book.
Set about a thousand years in the past, Tad Williams writing creates a wonderfully rich read. With fabulous characterization and world-building this is a fabulous immersive read.

Brothers of the Wind tackles entirely different themes using the single POV of Pamon Kes, Prince Hakatri of the Sithi’s armiger servant of the enslaved Changeling race. The book is split into two main quests, the first of which is to slay the dragon Hidohebhi, and the second to find a cure for the pain and madness plaguing Hakatri who has been burned by Hidohebhi’s magical blood. Aside: It was a delight to visit all my favorite locations in Osten Ard during Hakatri’s quest for a cure – the Wran, Sesuad’ra, Aldheorte, to name a few. It was like a mini-recap of Simon’s journey through Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Again, in true Williams fashion, the plot serves the themes, which are twofold and strikingly disparate. First, he explores the slippery slope that is unchecked hubris and anger. Readers are finally presented with the backstory of Prince Ineluki’s seduction by the Norn queen. She manipulates Ineluki’s anger with himself and his love for his brother into hatred for the humans, thereby providing him an outlet for his tumultuous emotions and ultimately gaining his allegiance. At the same time, Williams tells this entire story through the POV of Hakatri’s devoted servant. The reader is not only given a deeper understanding of the Changeling race, but also the sacrifces Pamon has made with respect to his identity – both through his own choice and unintentionally through racism and social constructs – because of his blind devotion to his master Hakatri. The noble Sithi are not without fault, and once again the world-building of Osten Ard is deepened through the exploration of this unsettling relationship between the Sithi, Norn, and Changeling races.

There is a heart-warming end for Pamon Kes; he is released of his servitude to live his own life and learn the history of his people. But, surprisingly, the reader does not learn the ultimate fate of Hakatri. Does he ever find his relief across the sea? Who was the mysterious woman in his visions, and what was the choice she foretold he might make? How will this affect Osten Ard? Williams has left the door open for these questions to be answered in the final two installments of The Last King of Osten Ard, but the conclusion of the story did not suffer because of it.

Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read books ad give critical feedback to authors and publishers. Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read the eARC of this book.

Apologies for the late review of this book.

This was a wonderful fantasy world about the life of a servant to his master his story about being a beast in this world and his progression, I really liked the writing style it seemed to draw me into the world and I ate up this story.

Even if I've reading fantasy since the 80s it's the first time I travelled to Osten Ard and this was an excellent way because it's a prequel.
Great world building and character development, a fascinating new world to explore.
I'm happy I read this book, now I have a fascinating series to read.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Reading Brothers of the Wind brought back some childhood memories. The Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy was the first epic fantasy series I read, and I remember getting lost in the world and loving every minute of it. I may not remember the details of the story, but that special feeling I associate with the series is still there. I'm sure this was what cemented my love for the genre.

Brothers of the Wind is set about a thousand years before MS&T and focuses on the tragic tale of the brothers Hakatri and Ineluki, told from the POV of Hakatri's servant, Pamon Kes, which adds a very interesting perspective. The story starts out rather slow, and it may be a bit hard at first to keep track of all the details, but the fantastic world-building and well fleshed-out characters really make up for it. By the second half of the book I was fully drawn in and couldn't put it down. I wouldn't have minded a few more chapters ^^

It may not be necessary to read MS&T first, however, I do feel I would've gotten more out of this story had I re-read the trilogy before diving into this one. But I definitely wanna do so now, so it will be on my TBR for 2022. I can't wait to re-immerse myself in the world of Osten Ard and see how the books hold up!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you are already familiar with Tad Williams' books then, while not an essential read, I think you'll want to get this. While it can be read as a standalone book, if you aren't familiar with Williams I'd suggest going right back to the start of the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy (four in paperback) and starting there....you've got alot of reading but great reading ahead of you! Like many Williams books it isn't a quick or light read but also light other Williams books it's more than worth investing your time in his writings. Recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for ARC.

Osten Ard is one of my favorites worlds in fantasy genre. It's so rich in details, history and characters that I never get enough reading about it.

The present novel(la) is an important addition to this universe. Set about a thousand years before the events in The Dragonbone Chair, it tells the story of Hakatri and Ineluki in their quest to kill the black dragon Hidohebhi and beyond, told from the PoV of Pamon Kes, Hakatri's Armiger.

As usual, Williams' characterization is flawless. Even the smallest character has a well defined personality. Hakatri will rip your heart off, Ineluki will make you angry and frustrated, but at the same time you'll pity him for his burden afterwards, and Pamon Kes will make his way under your skin little by little, wishing him all the luck he can get to have a life of his own.

It's a heartbreaking story, however beautifully crafted, but a rewarding one, as is the case with all Williams' novels. The first half is more slow than usual, but as the story progresses and Pamon Kes grows on you, you will be unable to put it down.

I can't wait for The Navigator's Children to be published, so I can immerse myself again in this universe!

One for the fans!

Set a thousand years before the events of "The Dragonbone Chair", "Brothers of the Wind" follows (not chronologically) Tad Williams' previous return to the world of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, "The Heart of What Was Lost", but like that book, is not part of the "The Last King of Osten Ard" trilogy. It's just a LKoOA story. OK? Got that?

The story involves the two sons of the ruling family, Hakatri, and his proud and impulsive younger brother Ineluki, (who will go on to become the Storm King) and is related by Pamon Kes, Hakatri's servant. Still with me?

Following a rash promise made by Ineluki, Hakatri and Kes must embark on a quest to undo the damage this promise causes. Throughout the story, we see the seeds being sown for the events that will make up the MS&T trilogy, and the role Ineluki as Storm King will play. As usual, the prose is tight and descriptive, and the journey is well plotted and organised and will delight fans who wondered how we got to the Dragonbone Chair. It's an enjoyable journey and the relationships between brother and brother and master and servant are well observed.

I've been a fan of Tad Williams since the first Otherland novel, and for years managed to keep up with the increasingly long and complex tales he weaves. His world-building is second to none, but it does require an encyclopaedic mind to keep track of characters and events, and such is the case here. Other than die-hard fans, readers may need to brush up on the events of the original trilogy to fully appreciate the story.

I persevered with my NetGalley ARC, and will likely purchase the book when it's published. But I'll definitely need to revisit the original trilogy beforehand.

Recommended for long-time fans.