"Into the Narrowdark" delves into the intricacies of a kingdom in peril, as the Norns threaten from the north and internal conflicts brew within the human realms. Set in the world of Osten Ard, Tad Williams weaves a complex tapestry of political intrigue, looming threats, and personal struggles. The story builds upon the events of the previous volumes, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation that promises to test the resilience of the realm. At its core, "Into the Narrowdark" explores themes of leadership, sacrifice, and the consequences of past decisions. The novel delves into the complexities of power dynamics, loyalty, and the human capacity for resilience in the face of adversity.

While some characters undergo significant growth and transformation, others seem to struggle to reconcile their past actions with present circumstances. King Simon's internal turmoil and Prince Morgan's journey of self-discovery provide compelling arcs that add depth to the story. However, the extensive cast of characters and sprawling narrative occasionally result in uneven development, with certain plot threads feeling unresolved or stagnant.

While "Into the Narrowdark" boasts Williams' signature prose and atmospheric worldbuilding, its pacing issues and unresolved plot threads detract from its overall impact. The decision to split the book into two halves can seem to leavesreaders with a sense of frustration and anticipation, as they await the conclusion of the series. Despite its flaws, the novel offers glimpses of the epic storytelling and immersive world of Osten Ard that have captivated readers for decades.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton Audio, Hodder & Stoughton, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

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Book 3 (part i) in the Last King of Osten Ard is a real slog of a read, covering several characters' long meandering journeys through forests or unknown lands. Most of these journeys (and chance encounters) seems to serve no purpose other than to allow info dumps or glacial character development. These may have been ok in distinct parts of the book, but these chapters were spread across the whole book with long gaps between them, meaning it was hard for me to remember, or care, what each character was up to.
There is some attempt at political intrigue here, but most is really clumsy and either the villain turns into a pantomime caricature once caught, or it is so badly executed that the reader is left unsure of what actually happened.
While the prose is good, the world very well established and immersive, the pacing issues meant this really was not a pleasurable read and really did become a chore for me. I feel like I will have to pick up the final book for closure but it will be done with hesitation and a sense of dread.

This is a very huge story (the book is up to 800 pages) and an excellent fantasy book. I recently discovered this author and I'm more than happy I could immerse myself into the world of Osten Ard.
Please not that this is the first part of the final instalment and I can't wait to read the next book.
The author deliver a great story and I loved it since the initial recap. The recap it also made me understand how many characters and twists were in this series and this book is also full of actions and twists.
Excellent storyteller, great plot.
The narrator did an excellent job and always kept my attention alive
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I have never read any Tad Williams books prior to listening to this audiobook and I was rather surprised it was so good, I appreciate I am missing a lot of the background on this world and it’s characters but Andrew Wincotts superb narration lifted the story and swept me along