In keeping with my tendency to do everything backwards, I've begun reading Dragon Age books after having first done the games. (And even there, I started with Inquisition and worked my way back!)
Anyhow, I found it a good read! David Gaider is a fine writer. This book fills in quite a bit of the backstory on the characters you run into in Origins. You can get much of this backstory via the game's codex entries, but there's more of an emotional reaction or commitment when you read it in a nice coherent narative.
First and foremost, you get a feel for the nasty rivalry between Fereldan and Orlay and why Fereldans of Loghain's generation might continue to loathe and distrust the Orlesians. You also get to see the strong bond of friendship between Maric and Loghain and how that relationship came to be. You also get to see the torrid love triangles both were involved in.
As to how this knowledge impacts my views of Loghain and how things play out in Origins, surprisingly not much has changed. When I think of Loghain's failure to attack the Darkspawn at Ostagar after Alistair and the PC light the tower signal, I now think of how Rowan, in that first desperate battle, went to save Loghain and his knights as they battled a superior Orlesian force on a hill with no way to escape. In the end, Rowan could only save Loghain and a handful of his men, but saving Loghain was her primary purpose. Years later, Loghain fails to do the same for Rowan's son. For me (and perhaps others), one of the things that will remain a source of controversy is Loghain's claim that he didn't charge at Ostagar because he could already see that the King and his army were already lost. If that were the case, then why would it be necessary for Wardens in the Tower to relay Duncan's signal to Loghain? To me, the only way the original battle plan makes any sense is if Loghain's force is kept far enough away from the king's army that the Darkspawn cannot see them. (Logically, the Darkspawn would be reluctant to charge Cailan's forces if they could see Loghain's army was in a position to flank them.) Only then would you need a high point like a tower to relay a signal. Regardless, there is treachery by Loghain at Ostagar IMHO.
As to the subplot regarding Katriel, I can understand why Loghain does what he does, but I still feel it was wrong for him to manipulate Maric in a way that likely gnawed at his conscience. (I've begun to read "The Calling" and remember it being mentioned that Flemeth told Maric that Loghain would betray him. Was this a reference to what he does with regard to Katriel? Or to his son at Ostagar?)
In any case, in a future Origins play through, I would like to save Loghain and take him to Ostagar to hear his side of the story.
Other noteworthy things from "Stolen Throne": seeing mage Wilhelm and the golem that would ultimately be known as Shale. This, of course, leaves some questions regarding golems and those with control rods. Did Wilhelm ever actually talk to Shale? Was he aware that Shale, despite being made of stone, was sentient being? Or does the control rod, so long as it is functional, make the golem a silent remote control robot? You run into golems elsewhere in the games, but none that are like Shale. Most are unthinking monsters or -- rather weirdly -- merchants in DA2. (I haven't played through Descent yet, so have no idea if they make an appearance in Inquisition.)
I'm now working on "The Calling" and getting to know young Duncan and Fiona.
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