Book Review – The Runelords (Earth King Series) by David Farland

There’s always a sense of loss when a nice series comes to an end. I grow emotionally attached to the characters, their weaknesses and their strengths, and feel sad when I realize I won’t know what’s happening to them after the books end. The longer the series, the greater the loss. It happened with the Wheel of Time series as well as His Dark Materials and now with The Runelords as well.

The Runelords is a special type of series by David Farland. The magic system is special and has a unique emotional impact compared to those found in other works.

Book Review of The Runelords (Earth King Series)

Not to spoil the plot here, but this much I can say: In Farland’s world, anyone can give away his or her attributes to another. Special attributes like strength, beauty, grace, stamina, or metabolism. The downside is that the giver loses them completely, and is rendered helpless. So there’s a price attached to giving endowments as they’re called, and the receiver has to live with the guilt of having ruined another’s life. People who give brawn might find their heart doesn’t have anymore strength to beat, and people who give Wit might forget how to breathe.

This series also has a fantastic villain. Perhaps the best villain in any fantasy series I’ve read till now. You so love to hate him! It’s almost too delicious to be true . Unlike other fantasy works, the evil here is personal – not some Dark Lord wanting impersonal dominion. Here the evil guy wants you. And it’s not your life that he wants, but everything.

I’ve finished the four books which comprise the “Earth King Series.” The story achieves closure. The next starts a new series called “The Scions of the Earth” which begins around 8 years after the last book. I would read it, if only it was complete – but it’s not. And I like a series to tie up all loose ends. So I’ll go tackle a few classics now instead

Read this book if you want to feel sad, happy, or pensive. It’s emotional catharsis!

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