Kitchen-boy Simon is bored, restless and fourteen years old - a dangerous combination. It seems, however, that his life has just taken a turn for the better when he's apprenticed to his castle's resident wizard. As Simon's learning to read and write under Doctor Morgenes' tutelage, forces greater than he could possible imagine are gathering: forces which will change Simon's life - and his world - forever. Following the death of Good King John, Osten Ard is plunged into civil war as his sons battle for control of the fabled Dragonbone Chair - the country's throne as well as the symbol of its power. Simon is forced to flee the only home he has ever known, a journey which will test him beyond his worst nightmares.

Udgivet af Hodder & Stoughton 

Tad Williams
Amerikansk forfatter og en af de bedste nulevende forfattere I genren. Hans første bog var "Tailchaser's Song", fra 1985, som havde katte som hovedpersoner. Men tre år senere udkom "The Dragonbone Chair", og det ver denne bog som var med til at give Williams hans store gennembrud. Det var første del I hans fantasy trilogi "Memory, Sorrow and Thorn", en kæmpesaga med dusinvis af spændende personer og racer. I 1996 startede Williams sin næste store saga, denne gang SF. Det var "Otherland" som bliver på fire bøger når den er færdig.