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Rating: 
Summary: Another fantastic fantasy from a wonderfully talented lady!
Review: If you read Ms. Welch's reviews(all consistantly good), you will see that they come from abroad. This is because her books are not widely available in the USA. But if you try any one of them, I'll bet that, like me, you will "run, not walk" to buy the rest! This is epic fantasy at its finest: great plot, great characters and resolution that remains at issue until the last pages. The good news is that this book has 2 prequels and 2 sequels, the latter available from Amazon.comUK. Ms. Welch is a consistantly fine story teller. Brava!
Rating: 
Summary: Despite Problems Series Ends On Strong Note
Review: In my reviews of "The Runes of War" and "The Lost Runes" I have elaborated upon the various problems I have encountered with this series: too great a dependence upon the journey of the quest to provide incidental adventures, a lack of evolving and often overstated character development, an unimaginative and uncomfortable amalgam of mythic influences from diverse sources loosely thrown together, as well as a largely rambling plot focus defined and limited by the quest's never-ending travels. These problems persist into the third and final book, with the inclusion of tommyknockers to round out the already over-burdened cosmology, echoes of Arthurian chivalry and tournaments, and a continued tendency to at times depend upon plot contrivances to resolve a conflict or allow movement to another episode.Nonetheless, the last hundred pages conclude rather dramatically, especially the episodes that occur on the Frosted Peaks, and do much to reestablish my faith that in future this author might well have much to offer. If able to apply the not inconsiderable level of descriptive strengths and dramatic action to a tighter plot development and greater depth of characterization, I have little doubt that this author could readily raise her storytelling efforts above the ordinary. Unfortunately, though catching glimpses of brilliance, overall the "Runespell Trilogy" rarely rises above the average, and then more often than not only with the richness of her descriptive imagery, which, without complexity and a more tightly focused plot, is not enough in itself to sustain the reader's complete interest. And, the final explication of the Runes' riddles seemed overwrought, riddled themselves and hardly open to the singular interpretation arrived upon. Many were the times when reading this trilogy that I found myself exasperated and annoyed by its repetitive ploys and rehashed characterizations, as well as a slapdash approach to myth-making that seemed entirely out of place when compared to the loving attention the author directed towards the details of description. In the latter respect the only place she wavered was in providing a map that did not always geographically conform to the areas described, as with the locations of the Oldhart Forest and Bleham in book two, or, based upon the map, the impossibility of not previously passing through the Frosted Peaks on the journey from Laverna to Sequicornum in book three. A quibbling complaint, perhaps, but if you're going to take the trouble to provide a map, especially within the context 1,700 pages of relentless travels, one should probably make the effort to insure that the storyline does not stray in reference to its supporting document. I see that Ms. Welch has written a new trilogy that is currently available in Britain. While I will not rush out to obtain it, I will nonetheless bear it in mind for a time when my reading has fallen upon leaner times. Who knows: with the writing talent the author has occasionally revealed in this series, her next trilogy might prove an unexpected gem?
Rating:
Summary: A great read, outstanding fantasy
Review: Jane Welch has a great style of writing that keeps you enthralled for hours in her thrilling books. The characters are real and interesting. Her constructions of fantasy create vivid images that I have come to expect from this masterful author. Sure beats tending sheep an playing rugby all day long;-)
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent conclusion to impressive opening trilogy.
Review: The third book in Jane Welch's Runespell Trilogy, The Runes Of Sorcery concludes what amounts to a fantastic opening effort from this imaginative and gifted author. This is another excellent book which gives a glimpse of the authors prodigous talent - later realised in the fourth book, 'The Lament Of Abalone". Following on from the impressive debut, The Runes Of War, and the riveting second installment, The Lost Runes, the story flies headlong to a pulsating conclusion. Once again, the colour and descriptiveness of the writing is wonderful, making for easy suspension of disbelief and stunning mental imagery. There is a continued natural flow to the development of the characters - the interaction of arrogant Hal, shy Casper and high priestess Brid is superb, with the ever-building complexities of a 3-way relationship dealt with very realistically. The plot itself concludes skillfully, all the while enjoyable and refreshing as harsh choices and self preservation weigh down on the heroes much as the glacier on Keridwen. A must-read book!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful ending to a wonderful trilogy!
Review: This book concludes what the trilogy started and, in my opinion, has the right ending. Like the others, it is brilliant and keeps you in suspense the whole way through as it hasn't got a predictable plot. Full of mysticism, romance, action, complete with a twist of humour I think that this book grows on you. Although it has quite a harsh plot the characters are likeable and you feel involved in their plight when they encounter some tricky situations. I think that this book is well above average fantasy fiction and that everyone will be able to find a part of themselves in it, like I did.
Rating:
Summary: A good read for fans of fantasy!
Review: This series is nicely polished off in this final instalment. I was very much drawn into Welch's kingdom by this final book and I finished the series regretting I had read it so fast! It's a well written trilogy that really pulls in the reader with everything a fantasy series could hope for - dragons, swords, magic, a beautiful maiden, and the quest to save a kingdom; and also well written with absorbing characters. A definite must for all fans of fantasy who are looking for a new series to conquer.
Rating:
Summary: A good first attempt
Review: Well, I can't really overshadow that review up the top there, because it is very comprehensive, and most of the time, completely correct. But regardless, I hate to leave a story unfinished, so I read the rest of the series. I've never been a major critic, basically immersing myself with the story of the book, but this series had some really fatal flaws. The main problem, in my opinion, was the lack of character development. Throughout the entire series (bar the last 100 pages), the characters were entirely predictable, and in all essence, the same, static personalities. The second major problem was the repeated use of the same adverbs and adjectives, such as raven-haired youth, or auburn, stoically, and laconically. After reading them all enough times to make you scream, it becomes a really tedious read. Thirdly, the lack of happening in the plot was very annoying. The entire of the first book seemed like a prelude to the story, until it was realised that it was just like the next... The overall idea of a quest was dragged out for far too long, and by placing in so many diversions that really didn't add to the story, the author seemed to be simply waffling on. Fourthly, the lack of historical knowledge about the world was evident, as many things were added in on the spur of the moment. Compared to many other books that I have read, there was a largely insecure backing by the legends and histories of the past. Fifthly, inconsistensies were rife throughout the whole series. These include in the plot, what people say, and the map. Really, these should have been picked up by the editor, but... Lastly, the lack of innovation and invention was fairly apalling. Many of the place names, and people's names were almost, if not straight copies from other books, myths, and legends. The idea of the inquisition period was fine, but too many references to other things were included. However, the love story, as all fantasy books have to have, was charming. Although it was seemingly incomplete, as it was not the protagonist who got the girl, the story was prolonged enough to make the final "I love you" seem very satisfactory indeed. But then again, I guess I always fall for the love stories... The series was a good first attempt for a new author. Although only slightly above the run-of-the-mill fantasy book, the last 200 pages showed some talent that could easily be harnessed and put to great use. However, I must let you make your own judgements, and if nothing else, enjoy the book.
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