EMPIRE OF GRASS

Cover illustration for Tad Williams

Sep 27, 2024

Grass and ivy have overgrown ancient ruins, but the delicate artistry of the Sithi can be see in the still standing pillars and arches bathed in the golden light of sunset. A solitary statue kneels among the ruins. She holds a bow one-handed with an arrow knocked. In the other, she lightly grips a long spear with the tip angled down. In the foreground left, stairs wind up to another level of the ruins. A long sword and shield lay discarded there. Another skull and a dagger rest on the step above. Clearly, the remains are non-human based on the central ridge of spikes along the crown and the wing like projections from either edge of the skull. — EMPIRE OF GRASS (2018), Acrylic on Gessobord - 20" x 32"

Over three decades, I spent countless hours exploring Osten Ard, the epic fantasy world of Tad Williams that began with THE DRAGONBONE CHAIR.

Tad’s writing inspired so many epic covers. I didn't anticipate this would be my last cover for the series, but looking back it seems as fine an exit as I could imagine.

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Additional images from EMPIRE OF GRASS

LEFT: Detail from EMPIRE OF GRASS featuring a statue kneeling among ancient ruins overgrown with grass and ivy. She holds a bow one-handed with an arrow knocked. In the other, she lightly grips a long spear with the tip angled down. CENTER: Close detail from EMPIRE OF GRASS featuring the statue of a long haired woman in Sithi armor. She kneels with one leg flat on the ground and a bow with arrow knocked balanced on her raised knee. In her other hand, she holds an ivy covered spear with barbed head pointing down. Her focus is in the distance past a pillar carved with elven grace. The sky beyond is a mix of gray clouds and golden light. RIGHT: Close detail from EMPIRE OF GRASS featuring a long sword and shield discard on grassy steps. Another skull and a dagger rest on the step above. — Details from EMPIRE OF GRASS

Book cover for EMPIRE OF GRASS by Tad Williams, published by DAW Books — *Empire of Grass* by Tad Williams (DAW)

The Navigator’s Children, the fourth and concluding volume of The Last King of Osten Ard is out November 12, 2024. Find more information on that on Tad’s website.

EMPIRE OF GRASS conservation framed with warm silver moulding and dark green mat. — A signed print of EMPIRE OF GRASS is available in our shop

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EMPIRE OF GRASS

Cover illustration for Tad Williams

Additional images from EMPIRE OF GRASS

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