Rating: 
Summary: A Fantastic Concept; Decent Execution
Review: "The Sum of All Men" is based around a concept that is, in a word, fantastic. A Runelord is a noble whose vassals grant him strengths at a considerable sacrifice to themselves. For example, if seven vassals (called Dedicates) were to give their stamina to a Runelord, he would become virtually tireless even as the Dedicates themselves are devoid of stamina. Wars are often waged on two fronts in Farland's universe - on the open field, and in the Dedicate's Keep. To slay a Runelord's Dedicates deprives him of all the strengths that he has borrowed from his vassals. This "shameful economy" brings up a thousand moral questions, and it is rare in this day and age to find fantasy that not only tells a tale, but actually SAYS something in the process. I liked "The Sum of All Men," but it suffers from the most common plague to fantasy novels in this day and age - it's too bloody long. A work of this size will of course have its lulls, and "The Sum of All Men" cannot always get by on its inventive premise. Still, Farland deserves credit for his original take on the genre, and more credit still for delivering a message behind all the sword-clattering and spectacle.
Rating: 
Summary: A New and Interesting Twist on an otherwise stagnant genre
Review: When I first saw the book on the shelf, I almost did not buy it. I thought (as is often the case) that straying from my normal authors would be a mistake. I decided to give the book a chance and was for once pleasently surprised. Although the characters are for the most part rather typical of heroes in fantasy liturature, they are also very human. The heroes are highly moral, the villans very power hungry, but both can feel love and hate. Both can be considered evil or good depending on the veiws of the reader. Defining the differance between Good and Evil, Just and Unjust is one of the major themes in this book. The author shows this exceptionally well with his characters. Many modern Epic Fantasy novels begin with the young man who is simple, a shepherd, a forest guide or a blacksmith. They find themselves caught in a snare of politics war and socerery that they cannot escape. The author in this book bravely stepped away from the formula, by making his main character a Prince who wanted to rule and was good at it. Although I did not find myself rooting for him as much as I would the other types of characters-since he did not have as much to overcome-I did wind up liking him overall. The writing style is a little rough at times, as is the case with authors that have not had many books published. (Look at Steven King's early novels compared to the later) It gets better as the series progresses. It is much better than anything I can do myself! Some moments were cliche and overdramatic or anticlimatic. This is just simply something that will be improved as the author gets more experiance. The story line was straight foward, easy to follow with very little confusion as to what was happening with the characters or the plots.
Although there are a few things that I did not like about the book, I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read Fantasy.
In my opinion, this book (the whole series in fact) is worth taking the time to read. It is if nothing else, a good break from the mounds of same old storylines and tired out characters that I keep seeing.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating!
Review: Fantasy on a truly epic scale, with original plot and magic system. Farland is the new big name of the genre.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your money on this.
Review: I'm a hardcore fantasy fan. The epic fantasy is my favorite thing to read, and almost never will I disapprove of a book in this category. I have found that one in a million. A fantasy book I despise. I had great hopes for Runelords; there are some reviews for it here singing its praises, and not only that, but Orson Scott Card himself has a page long glowing report. Which is why I was so astounded to find that the book was a pile of drivel. I didn't finish it. I couldn't. There was nothing redeeming; the plot was [bad], and the characters were mind numbingly stupid. I quickly found myself rooting for the Wolf Lord and wishing Gaborn and the princess would die, or at least disappear. This is the epitome of bad, cheezy, and stereotypical fantasy. The characters are all perfectly moral and amazing, not to mention beautiful, with no interesting conflicts. The review titled 'Ugh!' sums it up pretty well.
Rating:
Summary: Really good book...
Review: This is a nice example of how fantasy should be. Unique monsters, majic and a bad guy....oh yes and of course millions of monsters craling from the earth. The unique powers of the forcibles is an interesting idea...certaintly a rarity in the genre of fantasy and this original idea alone is worth the cover price... Farland writes a superb sequel to The Sum of all Men, and i look forward to reading Wizardborn the third in this series... Keep it up Mr. Farland!
Rating:
Summary: Very interesting, exciting book
Review: This is one of modern fantasies greatest, Farland's books are all very creative, I really like the idea of endowments, how they are given, how they are recieved etc., what happens to dedicates after the endowed person dies, vectors, it's all very interesting to read. There are 2 types of magic Endowments and Elemental magics. Earth and Water against Fire and Air. The antagonist Raj Ahten is also very interesting, at times you believe that he really isn't so bad after all then later you realize how evil he is only to find yourself thinking again that he isnt all too bad and so on. The characters are very belivable and they all have dark sides such as the honour bound Borenson.(Except Gaborn, who is a bit of a goody goody). I was desperate when I read this book, I had just read a bad streak of fantasy and was about to quit fantasy altogether when I saw this book and decided to give fantasy one last try. This has inspired me to read more fantasy. The only real complaint that i have about this book is that people seem too willing to give endowments, its a little unbelievable to see all these people lining up to give endowments to their king. If the people in George R. R. martin's world could give endowments I don't think that they'd be so eager.
Overall I really do reccomend this book.
Rating:
Summary: far better than most fantasy novels out there
Review: The Runelords by David Farland has two major strengths going for it. Its magic system and the fact that it actually asks its characters and the readers to confront some rather tough questions about morality and the end justifying the means. Magic in the realm of the Runelords comes in two forms; the magic of the bloodmetal and the magic of the elements. I was particularly pleased that Farland did not just attach magic to a standard medieval society and present the society as if it were indifferent to the existence of magic. So many authors treat magic as something that the majority of the people in their books are unconcerned or unconnected with. ___ presents us with a society that has grown out of the existence of magic with magic touching everyone lives, not just those who wield it. The Runelords grow in power by get taking endowments donors or dedicants through the magic of bloodmetal. A common man can grant his strength to his Runelord, living out his days as weak as a baby, while the Runelord becomes twice as strong. The process may strengthen the Runelords and in return fro the gift of the endowment the Runelord is expected to provide care for their dedicants for the remainder of their lives. There is also the elemental magic of earth, air fire and water magic which requires its users to become almost wholly consumed by the Power they serve.
These elements are personified and spoken of as unique personalities who war among themselves and who must remain in careful balanced.
The ultimate price for either kind of magic is that receiving the gift of magic, either by being a wizard or a Runelord is to sacrifice your humanity. The elemental mages are consumed by the power they serve and the RUnelords become so dependant on the system of dedicates that they cannot function as "normal" people anymore. On the philosophical side Farland's novel asks whether a lord have the right to demand endowments from his subjects if he needs those gifts in order to defend them against an foreign invasion or an attack by the monstrous and inhuman Reavers? Is it wrong for a peasant to sell his sight, or his stamina, or another talent in exchange for a lifetime of security? Is it wrong for a Runelord to purchase endowments from peasants? None of these questions get answered and there may not be adequate answers for these questions. A difficult question is why anyone would agree to allow themselves to become a dedicant in the first place. Farland goes to pains to tell us time and again that endowments must be freely given. He also tries very hard to present us with a society were sacrificing your health, or the well being of your family is a noble deed. Farlands plotting is very good. The events of the novel are collapsed into a few days. This provides a sense of urgency and breathless ness to the action but causes some problems for the characters who seem to have rather compressed relationships. The characters on a whole are a little flat. I am not sure just what qualities the main character, Prince Gaborn , possess that would warrant him being crowned EarthKing other than the often stated reason that he truly loved his subjects. He is of course unfailingly honest, regal and endearing to all. His faults seem to have been tacked on and ultimately don't help to make him more interesting as a person. The villain of the story, Raj Ahten is almost too bad. Farland does save him from being a complete cardboard cut out by adding in the notion that Raj Ahten believes that he is engaging in this war of conquest with the kingdoms of Prince Gaborn and receiving thousands of endowments from those he conquers because he thinks only he can be the savior of humanity. All in all a very good read and a very good start to the series.
Rating:
Summary: Great Series
Review: This book is the first of a great series of books. I got the opporunity to meet the author and he is a great man. I love this series. Definantly worth reading!
Rating:
Summary: What others might miss...
Review: In the taking of endowments, we all notice a slightly... queasy... feeling at the thought of the resultant life of the dedicate. However, if you read closer, you'll note that the giving of endowments, with few exceptions of coercion and greed, is actually one of the most beautiful things imaginable. To have so much faith and trust in your ruler that you are willing to give up the strongest trait you have for that person transcends any other kind of love imaginable. It should also be noted that, until Gaborn is under great duress, he is bound by an oath not to take endowments. He seeks to save mankind, and not drain them of their gifts. I believe that the nobility displayed by Farland is exquisite, and should be looked deeply into to note how the moral standards all around us are in error....
Rating:
Summary: Ugh!
Review: I admit what drew me to the book were the rave reviews by others, as well as a great quote from Orson Scott Card. But after the first 100 pages I had to stop reading. Others have mentioned the poor plotting and flat characterization, which is only one part of the problem with this book. The plotline made no sense in some areas. And the writing is very shoddy. A couple examples...Gaborn is riding through the woods to warn the nearby castle of a pending invasion, when he comes across a giant. He kills the giant by letting it come close enough to "sniff" him, then sticking a sword through it's eye. This is told in some detail, i.e Gaborn's fear of the giant, concern about being found out, etc. OK, I'll buy that. But then he supposedly offs two more giants and this is just mentioned as a passing sentence. What? How did he manage this feat? I guess the "sniffing" trick must have worked not once but three times. Another example...Gaborn decided to state his love to the princess just before their castle is about to be overrun. Great timing. And he just expects her to fall head over heels, what with evil wizards, giants, and whatever else just waiting to pounce. But the author opens this particular chapter (the last one I read before giving up) with "They had only an hour to fall in love" Sappy to say the least. Gaborn pledges himself by swearing some oath to the princess only to have her say "I'll hate you for doing this". What? I thought they were falling in love? It's just pages and pages of meaningless dribble. At first the whole idea of endowments was interesting, but the more I dwelled on it, it became a sickening thought. Especially after Farland give details about how the "Dedicates" live after giving their gifts. Some can hardly walk let alone eat. Farland's description of a servingwoman offering up her stamina to a king preparing for battle left me feeling queasy. There are much better ways to spend your time lookin for good fantasy, i.e. Martin, Williams, Hobb; heck even Goodkind (and believe me, I'm not a Goodkind fan but at least I made it through the first book without wanting to throw it across the room!)
| 
