Rating: 
Summary: When does the game come out?
Review: As I read this book I kept being nagged by two thoughts. One, that the story wasn't very smooth. I sometimes felt that 'I' could have gone through and rewritten some of it to produce better dialogue and transition and I don't consider myself a talented writer. And two, I kept asking myself when is the role-playing game that goes along with this book gonna reach the stores? It just has a feel to it like David Farland is the DM for a game and is weaving every player's moves into the storyline. I'm glad I made it to the end but I doubt that I will read the other books in this series.
Rating: 
Summary: A MUST READ!
Review: I've read quit a bit of fantasy (Brooks, Feist, Weis/Hickman, Tolkein etc.) I got to the point that I just started reading the same books over and over (especially Weis/Hickman and Feist 8'). This book/series has been added to that collection. The good characters are great! You can't help but have tears in your eyes when Gaborn's father ... I better not give that part away 8') The action is intense! Just when you start getting comfortable something great happens! BUY THIS BOOK! You won't regret it. Currently there are two titles after this (Brotherhood of the Wolf and Wizardborn). Get these while you're at it, again you won't be dissapointed. This book is just enough to hold you over until you can get your hands on the next in the series 8') For those that are worried about this series never ending, rest easy! I have heard from the author that it will go 5-6 books tops!
Rating:
Summary: Something new in Fantasyland!
Review: The world of fantasy novels are often nothing more than sad rehashes of The Hobbit, or worse, longhand versions of some late night jam session with some D&D buddies. But Runelords gifts us with something NEW! No small miracle considering that most book shelves are crammed with prancing elves and dour dwarves. Thankfully, none will be found here. Instead of staid old dragons (yawn) we have reavers. The Marines from the Alien movies would probably prefer thier old nemisis over these guys. And the main human opponent, while certainly evil, pursues his dark path in the name of saving humanity instead of the old -I serve a dark god, so go pike yourself- type we usualy get. I believe the saying "Extremeism in the service of mankind is no vice" could be his moto, and it makes for a very interesting bad guy. Perhaps best of all is the singular magic system. It allows for some very interesting statagey and fighting. Even more importantly, it sets up some social questions. How much should a person give in defence of his country? How much should a leader ask from his people?... the effects that rune magic has on this 'typical' midevil culture is profound and far reaching. If you have a soft spot for fantasy but think that you'll be force to murder someone if you have to read about one more magical elf forest city, PLEASE TRY THIS! If the average fantasy is dominos pizza, this is a good curry... different and challenging.
Rating: 
Summary: Dark Fantasy
Review: One of the things I like most about this series from David Farland is that the cultures are not easily identified as having celtic or asian roots. In addition, the primary magic system is dark, and even the deities are more harsh than benevolent.This is such a refreshing change from other fantasy offerings that it is immediately arresting. Farland's characters are sometimes not as well developed as they might have been in this first book, but by the second in the series he hits his stride in this area as well. Plot is pretty standard, which is fine. After all, there has to be a hero, a quest, a battle against evil and sacrifice or it's not fantasty, right? What makes good fantasy in my opinion, is the characterisations, the plot variations, the magic and/or religious systems and the ability to transport the reader into a new world. Over the space of the two books I have now read, Farland scores in all categories.
Rating:
Summary: A lacking story
Review: First off, I know good fantasy. George R.R. Martin is top notch when it comes to fantasy. But I know not every fantasy book will live up to his works. I do know however, that there a plenty of other good, fun books out there in the genre that will entertain me just as much. This is not one of them. I am curious, how much do you have to pay Orson Scott Card to say that he read your book and wept? For crying out loud!!(pun intended). You think a book would be good if the very first page is a ditty about Orson Scott Card weeping about the "epiphany" he felt at the end of the book. I will never trust him again. Farlands characterizations are weak and 1-dimensional. The system of magic in the book is downright disturbing. And more than a few times can you outright tell that he has written himself into a corner and just doesn't know what to do. The actions of his characters just don't make sense. They constantly contradict themselves. There is no growth to the characters. The main character, Gaborn, for instance is just wise all of the sudden. And not very....
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining
Review: There are few fantasy books out there with as good a plot as the Runelords. When I read fantasy, I don't read every single line and dissect what it could mean, and how well it is written. Instead I let myself get drawn in. This is a fantasy book, and that is what fantasies are for. Few fantasy books can establish their reality as well, and hold to that reality. Highly recommended as a book difficult to put down(unless you are a word/sentence/paragraph/chapter critic without the desire to use your own imagination.)
Rating:
Summary: An interesting debut
Review: In some ways, Farland's first novel is pretty straightforward. Set is a (pseudo-)mediaeval world, it deals with a young prince, Gaborn, who, gifted with special powers, must attempt to save the world. Hmm, we've heard that before. The central plot isn't all that arresting either: Gaborn accompanies his father, King Orden of Mystarria to Heredon. Both Heredon and Mystarria are part of the Rofehavan Kingdoms, which are under threat from a southern King, Raj Ahten. As Gaborn reaches Heredon, all hell breaks loose. Ahten has sent assassins into Heredon. Soon, Ahten himself appears, backed by an army (yes, this is another of those "militaristic fantasies"). Besides having to repel Ahten, Gaborn must also try to win over the King Heredon's daughter, for whose hand he has come in the first place. Against this backdrop, a larger danger lurks in the background, as inhuman "Reavers" begin to stir, threatening all mankind. What sets this book apart from others is that Farland has woven into his story a concept that permeates his entire world. That concept boils down to one word: endowments. In Farland's world, it is possible to physically transfer someone's strength, speed or other attributes to some-one else by means of "forcibles". This changes everything. Think about it for a moment. Think, for example, about Raj Ahten. Given hundreds of endowments, he is immeasurably stronger, quicker and smarter than ordinary men. But in his wake he leaves hundreds of people from whom he has taken these attributes; a host of cripples. And he must keep these so-called "Dedicates" alive: if they die, the endowments they gave disappear. Conversely, if Ahten should die, his endowments are returned to those who gave them. So if you want to hurt Ahten, you might well try to do so by killing his Dedicates. But what if those Dedicates consist also of your own people - friend or family, even - who have been forced to give attributes to him? What do you do then? To his credit, Farland has thought long and hard about the consequences of his idea. He has not shirked the moral dilemma it creates. In fact, that moral issue runs like a thread through the entire book. Technically, Farland is not (yet) a very good writer. His characterisation isn't strong and his sense of timing is sometimes awkward. But the concept of endowments makes this first instalment of what will undoubtedly be another lengthy series well worth while. Highly recommended, if not quite top-notch.
Rating:
Summary: Great idea; structure needs work but would recommend
Review: QUICK STORY: As various nobles fight it out, Raj Ahten, the villain, takes over various lands one by one. Prince Gaborn and his father try to stop him and in the process involve another kingdom called Silvanesti. But, there is a greater need . . . the Earth is rejecting humanity and only one such as Prince Gaborn can fully protect and extract the powers/mysteries of the Earth. SHORT WORD FEELING: Good prose but characters weren't entirely fleshed out as much as they could; great idea on endowments and how they would work on the body; flaw with villain since he was fooled and was supposed to be a genius. GENRE: Fantasy (Epic subgenre) CONCEPT: Lords of the lands can drain locals to increase their own powers which creates a race or super human beings and even Gods; one particularly powerful lord devotes himself to taking over the focus on two kingdoms (who are about to marry son and daughter). MARKETING APPEAL: The endowment idea is fresh and creative. Never been done before. Promises an epic scope; battles between nations; a somewhat complex villain; a love story (not a good one though!), earth and fire magic; surprises and some economical and moral issues regarding the endowments SCORING: Superb (A), Excellent (A-), Very good (B+), Good (B) Fairly Good (B-) Above Average (C+), Mediocre (C ), Barely Passable (C-) Pretty Bad (D+), Dismal (D), Waste of Time (D-), Into the Trash (F) DIALOGUE: B- STRUCTURE: B+ HISTORY SETTING: B CHARACTERS: B EVIL SETUP/ANTAGONISTS: B+ EMOTIONAL IMPACT: B- SURPRISES: A- LITTLE THINGS: A- MONSTERS: B+ PACING: A- OVERALL STYLE: B- FLOW OF WORDS: B- CHOICE OF FOCUS: B- TRANSITIONS/FLASHBACKS/POV: B COMPLEXITY OF WORDS/SYMBOLISM/THEMES: B- OVERALL GRADE: B OVERALL STYLE: See EXTREME ANALYSIS for information (below). I also liked how each chapter had a title that revealed what was going to happen . . . sort of similar to how Moorcock set up his ELRIC series. LITTLE THINGS: The mention of the Days (scribes who travel with important people and keep track of their doings and who know all and report to a superior) was very interesting. Additionally, the mention of the TIME LORDS was interesting, too. Archetypes of earth vs fire with the magical system. And, another cool thing: forts that are protected with magic so that heavy duty spells don't destroy the place....
Rating: 
Summary: Boring is not the word
Review: Well, plenty of my friends read this book and told me of it's greatness, so i thought why not and took a look. What can I say? The Sum of All Men was undoubtedly one of my most anticpated books, and undoubtedly THE most disappointing. While it did contain some good ideas as previous reviews have mentioned of the magic system- dedicates and so on, it's really quite uninspiring. The characterization...well... totally reeked, characters truly lacked any true development, and really in the end it's a load of ****. Half way through the book, I frankly fell asleep. Seriously, if you're looking for any real read that will keep you entertained for a good amount of time...STAY AWAY, this book's cliched characters will drive away the most dedicated fantasy reader. The good part about the novel? Thankfully, all 'good' things come to an end.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've read
Review: I bought this book through a book magazine because cover looked good so I thought what the hell, I'll give it a try. When I first began to read the book, I was disappointed as it was not up to my expectations. So, I stopped reading it after the first chapter and onto the shelf it went. However, later I took it up again and once I got past the first few chapters, I couldn't believe what an amazing book it was. I mentally kicked myself for not reading it sooner. The overall plot of the book is that this lord, Raj Aten, is intent on taking over all his neighbouring countries and it seems that the only individual who can stop him is a young prince named Gaborn. The most amazing concept of the whole story is the idea of endownments but I won't go into any more detail on that as it would probably ruin the story. So don't be fooled by the first few chapters; give it a go and you'll thank me!
| 
