This book was better than the 2nd one. It still bothers me that it takes so freakin' long for everything to happen in such a short amount of time. It just seems a bit unrealistic to have the entire world change in the course of a week.However, I really enjoyed the development between Borenson and Myrrima. (And by the way, what the heck is Borenson's first name? Why does not even his wife call him by his first name?) It wasn't a cheesy love story (kind of like Gaborn's and Iome's relationship, however good it may be), but it was one based on sacrifice, respect, and devotion. I would have been extremely annoyed if Myrrima had really died. I'm glad that things are good between them again. They're probably going to die in like a day though. So at the end of the 4th book.I am impressed with the way Farland is able to characterize Averan. She is one of the most real characters to me—nothing about her seems made up or fake. Her journey is the most unpredictable, and therefore the most exciting, for me. I hope she doesn't have to eat any more reavers, because my stomach just doesn't like all this talk about eating reaver brains.Overall, I was quite satisfied with this book, though there is definitely room for improvement. For some reason, every time I read about Raj Ahten I would get extremely bored, and the pacing of the novel is hard to keep up with (or rather, slow down with). However, the storyline is good. I think Farland will end the first part of the series with a great lesson for all of us.
Now that Gaborn's powers are diminished, his story is sapped of energy. What's a hero to do when the Powers of Earth have forsaken him? And how can a reader root for him with any conviction? Fortunately, the Earth King has a lot of friends and acquaintances embarked on their own journeys. Heroes are never in short supply in the Kingdoms of Rofehaven and Indhopal. And therein lies a weakness with Wizardborn: The protagonist's story is propped up by a bunch of exciting extras. Maybe there's method in the author's madness, but Gaborn is brought so low that his story becomes ho-hum. Yes, he's the savior of the world and he's boring. I found myself far more interested in Raj Ahten's epic journey, or even Borenson's trials, than I did of Gaborn's angst. Only Averan's awakening has any true depth. But I suppose that's what Farland is trying to say--that this story is about her. Thankfully, the unaffected writing keeps things moving at a brisk pace. Aside from a clumsy focus on walnuts in the beginning, events clip along nicely. Almost too quickly. The ending reads like a zippy YA novel.Ah, well. It's still an entertaining read. I bought the next volume in the series.
What do You think about Wizardborn (2002)?
This book was better than the second. For the first time, Raj Ahten becomes a legitimately interesting villain who has motivations beyond evil. This book also balanced the emotional aspects of impending disaster pretty well, and like its predecessors, it is well written and reads pretty quickly. Downsides: the refusal to call testicles anything other than "walnuts" pissed me off all out of proportion. Raj Ahten loses much of his interest by the end of the book. The numbers discrepancies mentioned in previous reviews rears its ugly head in this one again. Final issue is that this book included several completely useless segments - Borenson's ride, Baron Waggit, and most of the Erin/Celinor chapters were totally unnecessary.
—Jordan
The Runelords series is a jaw dropping, fist pumping in the air, jump up and down on my bed, kick-ass fantasy series. THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF is the best book I've read in the last 5 years, hands down. WIZARDBORN seemed like the bridge between one ass kicking session and the next. I enjoyed it immensely but it seemed like the 'take a deep breath before the shit really hits the fan' book - and THE LAIR OF BONES will be where the shit really hits the fan.READ the RUNELORDS series if you like high fantasy, epic fantasy, heck if you like your novels to take you away from this bullshit existence - read it DAMNIT!And now a word from our sponsors...
—Kenny Cross
I wasn´t as captivated as the other two books... but i still love the main character "Gaborn" he needs to become a little more bloody though, and care less for his fellow man...you know he needs to be a little like Raj Ahtan.. ofcourse not as extreme.
—Shady Lubbad
