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Orson Scott Card
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn
Osten Ard faces a coming war as ancient evils stir and a young scullion, Simon, finds himself at the center of a struggle for the throne. This epic fantasy series explores themes of memory, loss, and the nature of power as kingdoms clash and forgotten magic reawakens.
The series is best read in publication order, starting with The Dragonbone Chair, followed by Stone of Farewell, and then To Green Angel Tower. There are also prequel and sequel works that expand the world, but the core trilogy should be read first.
Yes, there is a prequel novel, The Heart of What Was Lost, and a sequel series, The Last King of Osten Ard, which continues the story many years later. These expand upon the world and characters introduced in the original trilogy.
As of my last update, there is no confirmed film or television adaptation of the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series.
This series is often cited as a significant influence on modern epic fantasy, particularly for its intricate world-building, large cast of characters, and the gradual unfolding of a vast, ancient conflict. It is known for its slower, more deliberate pacing in the initial books, building towards a grander scale.