Rating: 
Summary: Great Idea ...
Review: The "endowments" take on magic is interesting-- but there the interest ends. I think this series is for the those who like Jordan, Eddings, Lackey.
Rating: 
Summary: This is as original as you get.
Review: I was truly amazed at the way this story went. This is not to say that I really like the concept of the Runelords, but it was incredibly fabulous reading. It's ending really does make my mouth water for the next one. Hopefully the next book will keep up the great pace in which this one did, for many good first books are followed by really bad ones (i.e. George R.R. Martin, Terry Brooks, R.A. Salvatore, etc.). As for this one, I can't say enough for it.
Rating:
Summary: Boring, repetitive, and did I say boring?
Review: I bought this book based on the wonderful reviews, and the premise. The endowments are an interesting twist. But I must agree with others that for those characters that have endowments of wit, they are remarkably stupid. I found the writing style dull and boring, and I made it only one third of the way through the book before putting it aside in disgust. One of the worst books I've ever read, and thats saying something considering I've read fantasy for about 25 years. If you want a great fantasy read, try Anne Bishop.
Rating:
Summary: Great book but left me hanging
Review: Cant wait for the next!!!
Rating:
Summary: inelegant,derivative,and predictable.
Review: This is an unfortunate excercise in epic fantasy that seems far to dependant on role playing games ( characters have amounts of strength,wit,glamour,etc. that make one think of D&D for example) to make it the least bit interesting. The charecters are flat-line dull and seem to have been created out of a handbook for fantasy genre writing. I made it through about half the book before deciding it just wasn't getting any better. If you want fantasy that has depth, complexity, passion, charecters that come alive, and - here's a concept- originality, try George R.R. Martin, C.J. Cherryh, Anne Bishop, or any one of a variety of truly imaginative scribes who make fantasy so vivid.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent first book, promising a brilliant series
Review: This is a excellent first book, of what promises to be a brilliant series. David Farland has created a world and characters that I enjoyed as much as I have enjoyed David Eddings books over the years. This is a story that like David Eddings stories I will be re-reading over the coming years. The story is well constructed and follows a good fantasy theme that incorporates the standard ingredients required to lock the readers imagination from the first page. In addition to the standard theme, he has created some excellent characters that have individual moral and ethical identities capable of matching real life people. The characters evolve through the book and like real people, some of the characters grow-up during the course of the book and modify their own moral/ethical stances based on their experiences. This book has a very fast pace and the author has refrained from trying to identify all of the characteristics of the different lands; peoples; etc in the one book. His method of providing characters with extra powers is refreshing, in that they have a price to pay for such powers and a obligation to protect the source of their powers aswell as a moral/ethical struggle to justify acceptance of such powers. Excellent book, looking forward to the next in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Maybe...maybe not
Review: I have just finished reading the book and I have mixed feelings. Frankly, I picked up the book because I was in need of something good to read (after reading Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan) The first chapter pulled me in right away and kept me going. The idea of "endowments" was interesting and the fact that the whole story took place in less than 5 days (instead of building up for years) was very different from other fantasy novels. But I agree with another reviewer that Farland's writing style became annoying after a while, in places he seemed to contradict himself. Why did Raj Ahten only realize at the end that Gaborn was the Earth King when, in the Dunnwood, Binnesman had practically said so? With so many endowments of wit, you would think he was able to figure it out. The story was fast-paced, yes, but it still left me wanting to know more. For example, where was Chemoise when Borensen killed all the Dedicates? Farland seemed to put certain characters in certain key places and then forget about them. I felt sure that Borensen would have met Chemoise in the castle and there would be some kind of confrontation between the two. Also, when did Orden tell Myrrima to leave the castle? My last memory of her was "If you don't mind, I'll wait for him here." Besides all the "holes" in the story, the core of the book is good, and though I'll not rush to the store to buy the sequel, I'll probably wait for the paperback just to quench my curiosity of what happens next. My suggestion? Keep in mind that this is Farland's first book and he has alot to learn but the potential is definitely there!
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but poorly written
Review: I was very excited to read this book based on the many glowing reviews that I have read. However, I found the book to be a poorly written, overly melodramatic piece of fluff. I found the magic system of "endowments" to be interesting, but ultimately underdeveloped, especially the obvious moral aspects involved. The writer's style was very annoying in that he continuously broke the cardinal rule of fiction writing: show, don't tell. I don't want to be told what such and such a character feels, I want to see it and experience it along with them. This style left the characters flat and lifeless. While the author made a few attempts at world-building, his efforts didn't amount to much more than namedropping. It's really too bad, because this could have been a major work of fantasy fiction, given one or two more re-writes and a decent editor. I'll pick up the sequel as a used softcover with the hopes that Mr. Farland can improve his style and make these characters live.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!!!
Review: I thought this book was wondeful, the concept of transfering wit, intelligence, ect... although not completly original was quite fully explored and made a powerful backround for this tale. The fact that this world has a history (example: Daylan Hammer & Erden Geborn) is a concept few fantasy authors use anymore. It's sad at the end but I bellive that just adds to it's greatness. WTG Farland :)
Rating:
Summary: Original, fast-paced, and totally entertaining
Review: I read the negative reviews on this site as well as the positive one and decided I had better see for myself. I must say, having read the book that it is one of the most original fantasy books I have seen in a long time. I feel that the gripes with the novel are nominal at best and are easily over shadowed by an incredible introdution to this great new world that David Farland has created. The pace and imagery of this book kept up throughout and left me wanting more. I love Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia) and Middle-Earth ( The Lord of the Rings). I look forward to adding Runelords to my list of favorites! I can't wait for the next book.
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