This is the first book in an epic fantasy. It stands alone just fine but it sets you up
to buy the eight current books and wonder when the 9th and supposed final
volume will be released. It is a tale
of confused good and conflicted evil.
The Reavers are the bogeyman in this tale. They are large, powerful and inexplicable
beings that are referred to more than shown.
Raj Ahten seeks to brutally unite humanity under his banner to
supposedly defend against the Reavers. Gaborn,
son of a king, finds himself thrust into an unanticipated role opposing Raj
Ahten.
The title of Runelord refers to those members of a fuedal
society that receive endowments from others.
Those endowments such as brawn, wit or stamina enhance the ability of
the recepient by the strength of the one who is giving the endowment. Conversely it robs the giver of the strength
they are giving. For example a
dedicate(the giver) who provides his wit becomes a drooling idiot after giving
his wit.
Farland has created an interesting world where a person may
be ten times as smart or 50 times faster by receiving the endowments of
others. I like the fact that he also
shows the negative side effects of the process.
Accelerated metabolism also leads to accelerated aging and earlier
death. The entire concept is intriguing
both for its effects and the morality surrounding the societal concept of
selling or giving your abilities to another.
I'm no sure that there isn't some social commentary incorporated into
the book.
This is an excellent introduction to a complex and
intriguing society.
I recommend the book.
Web Site: http://davidfarland.com/
This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.
I enjoyed this first book, and thought the second was okay, but after that the novelty wore off. It was like a bad RGP session with a drunk DM where each player just kept getting stupidly more powerful.
ReplyDeleteBob, I am always appreciative of your comments and insights. This one actually did make me LOL. Always good to hear from you and Happy Thanksgiving 2015!
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