For some reason I almost see books of these types like cheating (and I’m also aware of what a hypocrite I will become when I finally pick up Brandon Sanderson’s new book The Alloy of Law, but it’s only because I love him most). The problem with a continuation of a series opting for the only change being new characters is that I always feel the author has become lazy. They no longer need to think up new concepts or conflicts, they can recycle what they’ve already written and twist it just enough that it seems different. They don’t need to come up with new worlds, kingdoms, history, or even magic mechanics. I admit that the idea of runelords was fresh and appealing but now it’s being ignored for a focus more on the wizards. Although I find it odd that the lines that Farland drew before are now being blurred. Water and Earth wizards are good, Wind wizards are psychopaths, and fire wizards are evil. The ultimate struggle in this book it still the one between good and evil. It’s not a far step from the plot of the previous books even. Mage must save world from evil. While most fantasy series are focused on some sort of confused good verses ultimate evil it still seems old in this series. Farland is not really approaching it in a new way but building on the ideas he’s previously laid out in Garborn’s world. Another thing that bothers me are the simple outs Farland uses in this book. How exactly his magic works isn’t explained, and while it is said that any strong emotion can work to draw out the powers it is rage that is used exclusively. The book has it’s upsides but I can’t exactly think of them at this moment. Mostly the writing is still confusing, switching between view points from paragraph to paragraph, sometimes in a way that makes me wonder whose eyes exactly I’m supposed to be looking through, or if it’s just some omnipotent god whose eyes I’m looking through at that moment. It’s just a style of writing that isn’t exactly for me. A lot of this book could have been a prologue and then an actual story. In the entirety of the book not much really happens, and Farland kind of draws out his battles and escapes and other events that are meant to add some sort of excitement to the point that I don’t find them exciting anymore. He tries to explain everything in this vague detail that I find myself getting lost on what exactly the character is doing until I think “Fuck it, he stabbed the guy and I’ll imagine it however I damn well please”. Another thing Farland tends to go on and on about is the inner dialogue of Fallion and his struggle to be a good person, as well as figure out the intent of the evil that is lurking in their world. It’s something I tend to skim over after the 3rd time it’s being rehashed, same with the poems and songs. They just waste my time when reading and I find that it often annoys me more than it should. Hopefully the series will end on a good note and all this will be worth it.
David Farland continues his Runelords series, but introduces a new generation with new heroes, and new villains. Farland rushes to cut ties with the last book, killing off several familiar characters from the last series within the first 50 pages. He clearly wants us to realize that this is a new series.So, this is a new series, but does it work? Mostly. There are a few familiar faces from the previous series who play large roles in the novel, but the cast of characters is mostly new. Our hero is no longer the Earth King from the last series, but now his son. Farland does a good job handling his protagonist, giving him just enough ties to Gaborn to make him feel familiar to the reader, but allows him the space to grow as a character, so that he isn't just another cookie-cutter cutout.If you enjoyed the first books of the Runelords series, there's plenty here to like. It isn't the strongest book of the series, but it's not the worst either. It's great to see Farland exploring the other parts of his world, and not so fixated on the system of forcibles and endowments he's created. It's a strong entry in the series, and if you liked the previous series, this book is a good continuation.
What do You think about Sons Of The Oak (2006)?
It is always difficult to review a book that is middle in a long series. I obviously like the writing and world enough to keep going. But, I don't want to give anything away for those who haven't started the series yet. I also don't typically review the same things I do in other books (like Setting, Plot, Conflict, Characters, and Text). Instead, I focus on what keep me reading and what knocked me out of the story in general.With book five in this series, Dave is actually starting a new set of adventures. In fact, many of the characters so prominent in the first four books are leaving the story as time and death take them. In many ways, this book felt like a stand-alone novel. I could stop here and be satisfied with what I've read. I do want to know what happens to this world, and I've come to expect lots of fun twists and surprises along with a well-developed and well-thought magic system, though.This is the story of the growth and maturing of the sons of the Earth King. I was impressed with the solution to the Dedicates problem in this one. I would not have thought of that.I also liked the hints about Averan and what she was doing with the seal.We got to visit a new part of this world and meet some very interesting "pirates". I was saddened to say goodbye to old friends, but also like the spunk and pluck of this new generation.
—Garrett
OK this is where the series really picks up, not to knock the Earth King section of the series i enjoyed them. However if you are not into slow building of characters and plot you can just read the wikipedia pages for the first few books and pick up the series here. Farland does an amazing job of building a saga. He has seamlessly moved eight years forward from the previous trilogy of books and introduced us to the Heirs of the Earth King, goes deeper into his universe's history, and we finally get to meet Daylan of the Black Hammer.
—Kenneth Hayes Geary
The Sons of the Oak was an improvement, I think over the last few books. The first was the best by far, but still, I love this series as a whole. I was skeptical know that this book is all about the sons of Gaborn and he himself is passed. But I was pleased to find Fallion a likable character. It was a little creepy to see Myrrima and Borenson settle down on a farm... >.> But I guess they have to bow out somehow. Borenson hasn't any endowments now and Myrrima's not really so strong. I wonder what part they'll play in future books. I need to read the next ones. P.S. The strengi-saats are meeeeessed UP! >:O ew!
—Sara
