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Submitted by Joe Greenhedge
(Feb 12, 2001)

David Farland's two Runelords books are getting a lot of hype that they don't deserve in my opinion and that of the sci fi reading group I belong to at Barnes and Noble. The characters are flat and stereotypical and the magic system comes straight out of D&D. Gaborn [how's that for a hero's name?] is your typical good guy. I think Raj, his bad guy had some potential but on the whole this is a stupid series, a washed out version of Jordan and Goodkind. You would be far better off reading the masters and leaving the wannabee alone.

The book is interesting. I found it to be a alright read. I do not think that it is remotely near the quality of the Wheel of Time books. I think that is a decent way to pass several hours. I was expecting more after reading the reviews. It not the worst I have read and not the best. The author will have to do a lot more development into the charters before it will become good.

I am 16 years old , my mother is really into Jordan's wheel of time series but about 3 years ago she found "The Sum Of All Men" the first part in the Runelord series she read it and liked it a lot , I was reading the Wheel of Time series and waiting for the next book as anxiously as any one else but my mom told me to try out the Sum of all men ...so I did I was amazed I read that book 3 times the first year then I heard of the second book I waited and waited then it came out I have read it twice already but when Jordan's last book came out I didn't even notice I just kept reading and I am now waiting for the third book that's is rumored I think it is called Wizardborn any way in my opinion which probably doesn't matter that much to some of you this is the greatest series I have ever read and I am positive that it has or at least will rival Jordan.

Although there are currently just two books in this series, I feel that it currently rivals Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" series in terms of its storytelling, characterization, and every other aspect of a story that you can analyze.

But I don't like tearing apart a story and comparing where its faults and strengths lie.  Some say that "the whole is greater than the sum or parts", which, in my opinion, applies to all works of prose.
Quite candidly, this series kicks ass.  I know that there are Robert Jordan fans reading my words right now who spit on reviews that dare to say his work is matched by another.  I used to be one of them.  I have searched the Internet for other reviews of The Runelords, and have found none with any negative remarks.  If you're looking for something to fill the void while waiting for the next Robert Jordan release, this series can take up a small part of that.  I personally guarantee that you will find this series very original (I have never seen a magic system quite like the one that David Farland employs in this series), and just plain amazing.  Read it.  If you are reading these reviews because you're trying to figure out what to read next, then stop right now, and try to hunt down a copy of this book at a library or bookstore.  I'm serious.  Do not even bother to read any more of these poorly written testimonials.