The Heart of What Was Lost

The Heart of What Was Lost is a fantasy novel set in Tad Williams' world of Osten Ard, bridging the gap between his original Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy and the newer Last King of Osten Ard series. The story takes place immediately after the fall of the Storm King, as his followers retreat north while being pursued by human forces. The narrative follows three distinct perspectives: Duke Isgrimnur leading the human army, a Norn commander named Viyeki, and Porto, a soldier of fortune from Perdruin. These viewpoints provide both sides of the conflict between the humans and the Norns as they clash in the harsh northern territories. The book serves as both a standalone tale and an essential connecting piece between Williams' major Osten Ard series, clocking in at a concise 210 pages. It presents the aftermath of war and the costs of victory through the eyes of both pursuers and pursued. Williams explores themes of perspective in warfare, the complexity of justice, and how victory for one side can mean devastation for another. The story challenges readers to consider the humanity in their perceived enemies and the true nature of righteous vengeance.

Readers view this as a focused, tight bridge between Memory, Sorrow & Thorn and The Last King of Osten Ard series. Many note it works well as both a standalone novel and series continuation. Readers liked: - The shorter length compared to Williams' other works - Perspective from the Norns' point of view - World-building details about Norn culture - Fast-paced military campaign narrative Readers disliked: - Limited character development - Less emotional depth than other Williams books - Can feel disconnected from the main series - Some found the battle sequences repetitive Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (350+ ratings) Common reader comments: "Perfect entry point for new readers" "More focused than his usual epic scope" "Missing the rich character work of his longer books" "Great supplement but not essential to the series"

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🔹 The Heart of What Was Lost (2017) serves as a crucial bridge between Williams' original Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy and his newer Last King of Osten Ard series, filling a 30-year publishing gap. 🔹 The Norns featured in the book are inspired by Norse mythology's Norns - female beings who rule the destiny of gods and men, though Williams reimagines them as immortal, winter-dwelling beings. 🔹 During the writing process, Williams actually expanded what was originally planned as a novella into a full novel due to the richness of the story that emerged. 🔹 The character Porto represents a continuation of Williams' tradition of using "everyman" perspectives to balance the epic scope of his fantasy narratives with relatable ground-level viewpoints. 🔹 The book's northern setting was partially inspired by Williams' travels in Scandinavia, particularly the stark winter landscapes he encountered in Norway.