Runelords by David Farland

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Submitted by Gurjit Singh 
(Jan 07, 2002)

I am relatively new to the world of sf and fantasy books. However having read the current books avaliable in the Runelords series, I've got to say that I am hooked. I have never read books much, but since reading these books have been paying regular visits to my bookstore.
I believe David Farland has created an excellent battleground for the forces of good and evil. The first book sets the seen very well. As well as developing the characters and their relationships. However the second book did not live up to my expectations. I thought it was a bit bland in comparisson to the exciting and colourful first book. I practically dozed through it, and wasn't sure if I wanted to read the next. But I purchased it nonetheless and I'm glad I did. It basically carried on from where the first book left of in terms of excitement. I think the introduction of new characters and the development of others aided in this.
This book has again tickled my taste buds in anticipation of the next installment.

Let me start by saying that I am eagerly awaiting the 4th part of the Runelords series, having just completed the third part (Wizardborn) for the second time. These books are truly a great work on fantasy fiction, and they put Robert Jordans WOT series to shame, a series of books which have long overstayed there welcome, get it finished already, I am sick of seeing an entire novel devoted to each battle with one of the Forsaken. David Farland has really hit the nail on the head,while the second book is a bit of a let down, the pace and action in the 3rd book is quite unsurpassed in nearly any novel I have read. This book RULES and I can't wait for the 4th installment.

I have read book 1 of the Runelord series, and I have to say that it's not an incredible read; it's a medium read. Its characters are a bit classic, yes, but it's interesting, and the magic system is original, thought not so logical (I cannot fathom why someone would willingly want to be Dedicate --especially of metabolism!). Now, as far as the Wheel of Time is concerned, yes, I think the Runelord is equal or better than the WOT! Both have good vs evil plots, but the Runelord plot is more a bit flexible --not that kind of absolute evil "I want to destroy ye all!" stuff; there are motives even behind Raj Ahten, and you can understand the guy! The characters are more realistic than those of the WoT; they act like real(heroic fantasy, mind) people, not like all-the-same-anoying-character men and women. The plot is not forced, like in many Jordan books (see book 2, where they are teleported to that city; see book 5, where they are again teleported to Caemlyn --to mention some!); it rather comes natural --and this is very important in a book, else it seems like the author is playing the reader for a fool... About Raj Ahten, I think he should have been less powerful, so the plot would have been more interesting and realistic. About changing frequently point of view, I have to say one thing: I hate books where you see everything only from the point of view of one character. So I enjoyed that about Runelords. All in all, it's not great, but it's good. Read it for yourself and see --and, by no means, hear what WoT funs have to say; they don't judge objectively.

I have just finished reading David Farland's "The Runelords. Sadly, I was most disappointed. I truly had expected better. After reading the reviews it seemed a good read, interesting in the least and I must admit it was great in the beginning and halfway through the book I had actually already bought the second book in the series, wanting to get right on with my reading after I finished the first. I applaud the magic system, it was really clever. Anyone who can think up something such as that must have a great mind, but Farland's certaintly isn't for writing fantasy. He'd had so many things he could have done in the book, so many routes he could have taken. But no. He took the dullest, most dissatisfying path possible. I found myself hardly caring about the deaths of some of the characters because they'd had no developement. Then there was the final confrontation with Gaborn and Raj Ahten I had waited for, anticipated for. The one that never came. I must say, it is unfair of me to judge this book, seeing as how I started out reading the Shannara series and all of the Robert Jordan books. But really, its embarrassing to even put this book on the same rack as the worst of the Wheel of Time series!

I have read both of the books in this series. I will not be purchasing anymore of this series. I prefer my chapters to be grouped a bit tighter and not be skipping through the storyline like using a remote on almost every other chapter.Jumping from one character to the other every other chapter really gets on my nerves. I find my self skipping chapters to follow the story line and going back "to watch the commercials" later.I have also lost all hope in the main characters and am now more interested in the character Averan more than Gaborn or Raj Ahten. The plot line is becoming boring between the two main characters for me: they called it dejavu (sp?) in the "Matrix". Good verse evil - they want to meet to duel, they meet, they duel, good wins but is to stupid to finish it off or evil gets tricked and leaves and does not seem to want revenge right away. So the woods would have been problematic - but your main adversary is lead to believe that you are going to attack a large fortress to the South. But he is only met by a lame Lord at some gate. And you do nothing to make his life hell....I don't get it, 'specially if you are "godlike" with many thousands of endowments.The only reason I would pick up any more of this series as I stated before is to find out if Averan turns Elemental or Reaver and to watch said transition. As she is not one of the main characters at this time, it is doubtful as to how much ink will be spent on her.I was actually getting into Myrrima in "Brotherhood of the Wolf" but with what has happened to Borenson - it looks as if she is going to follow the path of the other "let's find Raj Ahten, almost kill him, then set him free again" crowd. - No thx.Don't get me wrong - the books were enjoyable to read and fast reads even for the amount of pages. I enjoyed the "magic system". But to the victor goes the spoils. Gaborn has already told Raj Ahten a way in which he could make his life a total hell unless he (Raj) either gives up, commits suicide or becomes the leader of the one group he hates - the Reavers.Good luck and good reading.