Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Tor Books : Tom Doherty Associates (1998), Edition: 1st, 479 pages
Description
David Farland's acclaimed Runelords series introduces a world where the social structure is based upon the magical exchange of "endowments" such as stamina, grace, and wit. The Runelords are those who receive these endowments from their vassals, becoming superhuman in exchange for the responsibility of caring those they have deprived of strength, or beauty, or sight. Young Prince Gaborn of Mystarria is traveling in disguise on a journey to ask for the hand of the lovely Princess Iome of Sylvarresta. Armed with his gifts of strength and perception, the prince and his bodyguard stop at a local tavern, where they spot a pair of assassins who have their sights set on Princess Iome's father. As they race to warn the king, they realize that more than the royal family is at risk-the very fate of the Earth is in jeopardy.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Bruce_Wayne
Just reading this. I've been bored with most of the books I've read recently but this is actually quite refreshing. Nicely different. Reminds me of a computer game with power-up's (you'll know what I mean when you read it) but not in a bad way! It's my 1st book by this author and I' already looking
Show More
forward to the next in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member clong
I liked this book quite a bit more than I expected to. It's a quick read that offers pretty much non-stop action, with Farland throwing in several surprising plot developments. On the other hand, don't expect much in terms of character development (the main protagonist Gaborn is pretty much the
The most interesting feature is an unusual magic system that raises challenging ethical questions. As to the subsequent books in the series, I found the second book to be a big letdown, but the third was a bit better. I suppose that someday I will get around to buying book four to see how the series concludes.
Show More
only character with any hint of depth--I wished that we had gotten more of Myrrima). The most interesting feature is an unusual magic system that raises challenging ethical questions. As to the subsequent books in the series, I found the second book to be a big letdown, but the third was a bit better. I suppose that someday I will get around to buying book four to see how the series concludes.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Nikkles
This book was just not my thing. It was just a little too dark and a little to epic for me. I could not get into the characters and just could not continue with the story.
LibraryThing member peacebeard
My wife who doesn't read fantasy genre books bought this book for me at a "dollar store." I figured it would be absolute trash since she got it for $1, but I was pleasantly surprised when I read the book. Farland has created a richly imaginative and unique fantasy world.
I have read all seven books
I have read all seven books
Show More
in the series two or three times. Farland ranks up their with Moorcock, Le Guin, Zelazny, Tolkien, Brooks, Robertson, Feist, Jordan, Eddings and Kurtz. Avid fantasy readers must read Farland. You won't regret it. Show Less
LibraryThing member Radaghast
One of the most unique magic systems I've ever read. It has been years since I've read the Sum of All Men, and unfortunately, I never looked into the rest of the series. I plan to change that soon.
LibraryThing member sapphire--stars
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I found the concept of endowments, forcibles and Dedicates very interesting and took an interest in several of the characters. I have not read many fantasy epics and would like to start. So I may in time come back and look upon this novel less
Show More
favorably in comparison, but for the time being I enjoyed it. Not as much as Sharon Shinn's Twelve Houses series...but I highly doubt I will ever favor ANY fantasy novel series as much. What a wonderful find The Thirteenth House was (and in a used bookstore in the Keys too!).Enough rambling, back to the Runlords. There are three more books in this series and then an additional series with four more books. I feel like I may read the rest at a later date and have enough interest to try, but for now I am content. The conclusion of the story was rather anticlimactic but perhaps this will be remedied in the sequels. Overall, above average and for myself probably worth a future buy. Show Less
LibraryThing member willowcove
Excellent book. An interesting twist on the 'power' source.
LibraryThing member humouress
The Runelords by David Farland
This also seems to be in print as The Sum of All Men by Dave Wolverton. (I wonder if I can count it as two books for the 75 Book Challenge?...)
The southern Wolf Lord, Raj Ahten, is marching north, having already taken the countries of the south under his sway. Two old
In explanation, a Runelord is a leader who is gifted endowments, such as strength or sight, from those under him (or her) in return for his protection. The endowment is literally transferred, leaving the donor permantly weak, blind etc, and lasts for the rest of the lifetime. A Wolf Lord is one who takes attributes from animals.
While I found this an interesting story, with some interesting concepts, I felt there were a lot of (small) gaps. Though this was quite a long book, at 600+ pages, there were a lot of places that were lacking in detail, so things didn't quite make sense, or characters' motivations were rather vague. But I seem to be in direct opposition in my opinion to the recommendations listed on the cover - so maybe it's just me!
This also seems to be in print as The Sum of All Men by Dave Wolverton. (I wonder if I can count it as two books for the 75 Book Challenge?...)
The southern Wolf Lord, Raj Ahten, is marching north, having already taken the countries of the south under his sway. Two old
Show More
friends, the Kings of Orden and Mystarria, both Runelords, find themselves defending their lands against him. At the same time, the long prophesied Earth King is anointed, whom it is said will arise at a time when the Earth is in dire need.In explanation, a Runelord is a leader who is gifted endowments, such as strength or sight, from those under him (or her) in return for his protection. The endowment is literally transferred, leaving the donor permantly weak, blind etc, and lasts for the rest of the lifetime. A Wolf Lord is one who takes attributes from animals.
While I found this an interesting story, with some interesting concepts, I felt there were a lot of (small) gaps. Though this was quite a long book, at 600+ pages, there were a lot of places that were lacking in detail, so things didn't quite make sense, or characters' motivations were rather vague. But I seem to be in direct opposition in my opinion to the recommendations listed on the cover - so maybe it's just me!
Show Less
LibraryThing member xmol
In the simplest words possible, The Runelords is one of the best series I have ever read. The idea is something new and refreshing: it goes beyond the regular sword-and-sorcery and delves into the fantastical. Farland not only explores the power of the Runelords, but the repercussions of the people
Show More
they leave in their wake. Raj Ahten is a villain for the ages: mainly because it is hard to tell if he is a villain at all. Show Less
LibraryThing member nursewidener
"Good entry book for a solid series" Overall Performance Story If you could sum up The Sum of All Men in three words, what would they be?
Surprising, Epic, and Magical
Who was your favorite character and why?
Gaborn-reading about a character become the hero of series is always interesting and the way
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The death of King Orden how tried to save the world from a man who takes from others to make himself the king of all. This sets up the rest of the book and the change that needs to happen in Gaborn for him to become something more than himself in which is the only way he can save the "earth"
Surprising, Epic, and Magical
Who was your favorite character and why?
Gaborn-reading about a character become the hero of series is always interesting and the way
Show More
in which Gaborn comes into his own is great and worth the time it takes to read/listen to this book and those that follow in the seriesWas there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The death of King Orden how tried to save the world from a man who takes from others to make himself the king of all. This sets up the rest of the book and the change that needs to happen in Gaborn for him to become something more than himself in which is the only way he can save the "earth"
Show Less
LibraryThing member DLMorrese
Interesting magical system, but it is so ethically disturbing, it is difficult to admire any of the characters.
LibraryThing member Kristinah
I thought this book was amazing!! I would have given it more stars if I could. There was so much magic and imagination in this book. I would recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy.
LibraryThing member SweetKokoro
This book makes me feel conflicted, on one hand I enjoyed it to where I had a nagging feeling of wanting to continue knowing more. On the other the writing and descriptions at times made me roll my eyes and sigh.
To start the magic system is interesting. I like the idea of Runelords having
Now as for the writing and descriptions, these at time were eye roll worthy. It was frustrating that every time a female was described her breasts had to be mentioned. I don’t need to know if they are perky, or flabby, bouncy, or stiff. It’s unnecessary and does nothing. There was also a lot of usage of the word Ugly, in referring to any woman who had zero glamour endowments, Borenson referred to his own soon to be sister-in-laws and mother-in-law as ugly a few times and that was frustrating. It’s definitely a fantasy world where women are only important based on their beauty which is a bit of a let down.
There was also the fact that a lot of the dialogue felt heavily scripted. In a conversation most lines ended or started with “Gaborn said, or Said Gaborn” it was over used and made the conversations aggravating to read. There was no emotion put into the conversations, most of the time I just visualized two people staring at each other talking with zero movements.
The overall story was compelling enough for me to keep coming back. I want to know how Gaborne is going to take down Raj Ahten, I wanted to read the battles, which while being short honestly make sense for the amount of endowments some of these men have.
The fight between King Orden and Raj Ahten was short but heavy because these men were so beefed up with endowments each hit was a devastating blow, which again goes back to whole endowments taking a toll on the human body, so in my mind it was a great fight.
I also enjoyed King Ordens character, I read a lot of fantasy books where the kings die out right at the start and you never get to know them and only hear of their great feats and wits, with King Orden I actually got to see and read of him being the king he was described as which I throughly enjoyed.
I will be continuing with the series as I am actually pretty interested in the world, magic and story, hopefully some of the writing gets better as the story progresses haha.
To start the magic system is interesting. I like the idea of Runelords having
Show More
endowments to make themselves stronger, and I like that as each endowment is added to a person their actual life expectancy is affected. Most of these endowments speed up ones life cycle and I really like how that was thought of and added, I enjoy that the use of magic has consequences to the user. I also liked that the original endowment holder gained their attributes back if their off host died. A lot of thought went into creating this magic system and while at first it was a bit confusing, once it got fleshed out, I found that I really enjoyed it.Now as for the writing and descriptions, these at time were eye roll worthy. It was frustrating that every time a female was described her breasts had to be mentioned. I don’t need to know if they are perky, or flabby, bouncy, or stiff. It’s unnecessary and does nothing. There was also a lot of usage of the word Ugly, in referring to any woman who had zero glamour endowments, Borenson referred to his own soon to be sister-in-laws and mother-in-law as ugly a few times and that was frustrating. It’s definitely a fantasy world where women are only important based on their beauty which is a bit of a let down.
There was also the fact that a lot of the dialogue felt heavily scripted. In a conversation most lines ended or started with “Gaborn said, or Said Gaborn” it was over used and made the conversations aggravating to read. There was no emotion put into the conversations, most of the time I just visualized two people staring at each other talking with zero movements.
The overall story was compelling enough for me to keep coming back. I want to know how Gaborne is going to take down Raj Ahten, I wanted to read the battles, which while being short honestly make sense for the amount of endowments some of these men have.
The fight between King Orden and Raj Ahten was short but heavy because these men were so beefed up with endowments each hit was a devastating blow, which again goes back to whole endowments taking a toll on the human body, so in my mind it was a great fight.
I also enjoyed King Ordens character, I read a lot of fantasy books where the kings die out right at the start and you never get to know them and only hear of their great feats and wits, with King Orden I actually got to see and read of him being the king he was described as which I throughly enjoyed.
I will be continuing with the series as I am actually pretty interested in the world, magic and story, hopefully some of the writing gets better as the story progresses haha.
Show Less
LibraryThing member EstherSpurrillJones
I couldn't get past the first couple of chapters in this one. The writing style was just so clunky and awkward, with so much telling rather than showing. The characters didn't engage me either, which is a death knell for me as a reader.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1998-12
Physical description
479 p.; 6.5 x 1.75 inches
ISBN
0312866534 / 9780312866532