The Heart of What Was Lost

A Novel of Osten Ard

By: Tad Williams

Narrated by: Andrew Wincott

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times-best-selling Tad Williams' groundbreaking epic fantasy saga of Osten Ard begins an exciting new cycle. A perfect beginning for new listeners!

The perfect introduction to the epic fantasy world of Osten Ard, The Heart of What Was Lost is Tad Williams' follow-up to his internationally best-selling landmark trilogy. Osten Ard inspired a generation of modern fantasy writers, including George R. R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, and Christopher Paolini and defined Tad Williams as one of the most important fantasy writers of our time.

A Novel of Osten Ard

At the end of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Ineluki the Storm King, an undead spirit of horrifying demonic power, came within moments of stopping time itself and obliterating humankind. He was defeated by a coalition of mortal men and women joined by his own deathless descendants, the Sithi.

In the wake of the Storm King's fall, Ineluki's loyal minions, the Norns, dark cousins to the Sithi, choose to flee the lands of men and retreat north to Nakkiga, their ancient citadel within the hollow heart of the mountain called Stormspike. But as the defeated Norns make their way to this last haven, the mortal Rimmersman Duke Isgrimnur leads an army in pursuit, determined to end the Norns' attacks and defeat their ageless Queen Utuk'ku for all time.

Two southern soldiers, Porto and Endri, joined the mortal army to help achieve this ambitious goal - though as they venture farther and farther into the frozen north, braving the fierce resistance and deadly magics of the retreating Norns, they cannot help but wonder what they are doing so very far from home. Meanwhile the Norns must now confront the prospect of extinction at the hands of Isgrimnur and his mortal army.

Viyeki, a leader of the Norns' military engineers, the Order of Builders, desperately seeks a way to help his people reach their mountain - and then stave off the destruction of their race. For the two armies will finally clash in a battle to be remembered as the Siege of Nakkiga - a battle so strange and deadly, so wracked with dark enchantment, that it threatens to destroy not just one side but quite possibly all.

Trapped inside the mountain as the mortals batter at Nakkiga's gates, Viyeki the Builder will discover disturbing secrets about his own people, mysteries both present and past, represented by the priceless gem known as The Heart of What Was Lost.

©2017 Tad Williams (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Praise for Tad Williams:

“Inspired me to write my own seven-book trilogy.... It’s one of my favorite fantasy series.” (George R. R. Martin, New York Times best-selling author of A Game of Thrones)

“Groundbreaking.... Changed how people thought of the genre, and paved the way for so much modern fantasy. Including mine.” (Patrick Rothfuss, New York Times best-selling author of The Name of the Wind)

"Tad Williams is a master storyteller, and the Osten Ard books are his masterpiece. Williams’ return to Osten Ard is every bit as compelling, deep, and fully-rendered as the first trilogy, and he continues to write with the experience and polish of an author at the top of his game." (Brandon Sanderson, New York Times best-selling author of Mistborn)

excellent bridge story

This was a fun peek into the North civilization and a chance to follow a beloved character after the war while meeting new heroes and villains, fun story, worth the quick read.

Great extension to the Osten Ard story!

I found this book super interesting because it gives you a inside look at the norns, and explores some of the culture and expectations of that race. If your a fan of the world of Osten Ard this is definitely one to check out.

Interesting Norn history

It brings closure to the entorenseries. A good read and insights into the fairy norns.

good

Great story. Another great tale of Oasten Ard, featuring old friends, and learning about Norns.

more of a prologue to the next trilogy

Good, comparable to TW's other work, but didn't feel like a whole story. The narrator is great, lends the story authenticity.

Tad Always Delivers

Great beginning to a new era in Osten Ard, the performance is pretty good, different accents between two very different peoples is hard to pull of but he makes it sound easy. Looking forward to the rest of the story.

A Great Installment in a Classic Series

Would you listen to The Heart of What Was Lost again? Why?

I downloaded this book yesterday, and couldn't stop listening until it was done. Andrew Wincott is absolutely perfect as the narrator for such an involved book.

What other book might you compare The Heart of What Was Lost to and why?

This book is not like any other book, other than a Tad Williams book - it is a unique, dark fantasy, gripping and compelling.

Which character – as performed by Andrew Wincott – was your favorite?

Duke Isengrimnur, followed closely by both Porto and Endri, and Viyeki, They are all portrayed so differently, but very much as they should be.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many - Viyeki's struggle as whole was quite powerful, and I was deeply moved by it. I was left wondering about his story--will it continue?

Any additional comments?

This is quite an involved story. I'm going to listen to it again, and read along with the hard copy to see what I may have missed.

Awesome Bridge

Incredible narrator. Amazing writer. Captivating bridging novel between the old and new triolgies. Highly recommended

Rich and captivating, despite a few weaknesses

While lacking a bit in story crafting, the writing and rich world-building are a pleasure.

Too short but smoothed some edges from MS&T.

I was wary at fist to listen to a Tad Williams book but I was richly rewarded. Great narrator and great story. It filled in some gaps from Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. You will need to listen to the series before moving on to this title.