The Runelords

The Runelords
David Farland/Tom Doherty Associates (Tor 1998)

The Runelords was written by Dave Wolverton in 1998 under the pseudonym of David Farland. It’s the first in the Runelords series.

David Farland was born in 1957 and won the Writers of the Future contest while attending college. He now serves as a judge for the above contest and has been nominated for the Nebula Award and Hugo Award, both sci-fi/fantasy competitions. In 1998 he won the world record for most books signed at one sitting. There’s talk the Runelords will debut in theaters in 2009, but the author sounds doubtful. Before writing fulltime, Farland worked as a pie maker, prison guard, and a missionary.

I like this writer’s style; it’s slightly choppy but keeps the prose flowing. Evidence abounds of hard research, and you set the book down with a better understanding of medieval times. The characters are developed well, and they’re put in settings that reveal their unique traits.

The Runelords is set in a world where lords can receive endowments from subjects. Any lord can take the strength of ten men, but the process leaves the giver worthless; giving sight blinds the Dedicate, metabolism drains the person of energy, etc.

The story commences with Prince Gaborn Val Orden of Mystarria seeking the hand of Princesses Iome Sylverresta. The young Runelord is quickly caught up in a war that strains every fiber in his being and puts him to the test. Can Gaborn defeat Raj Ahten, the owner of thousands of endowments? It’s a story of oaths, hard decisions, and great sacrifice.

David Farland was a missionary, but sadly a Christian worldview shines through only in occasional rays. The main character serves Earth, the force of nature. Earth demands a vow of servitude from Gaborn, saying at the same time that Gaborn can’t know Him.

Earth is one of the forces that make up the world; Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. The story’s “wizard figure” tells Gaborn all the Forces are intertwined, yet they fight among themselves.

So what’s the nature of man? Man isn’t born into a sinful nature, and isn’t subject to judgment after death. Its interesting, however, that if a man thinks he’s virtuous he’ll be evil, but if he thinks he’s bad he’ll do good. It’s important to note man is capable of evil and of “becoming good” by reexamining his thoughts and acts and questioning his virtue.

Man isn’t born into any particular role in the universe. One of the characters says man is no greater than mice, but certainly no less. So people are just a different animal.

In summing up this worldview, I’ll have to say it contains elements of polytheism and pantheism. The “god” figures are one, but fight each other and provide no harmony. There’s no relationship with these beings, only servitude. Man is an animal capable of good and evil, but can redeem themselves by being “good” through their own power.

Be ready to skim through sections containing sexual content, but that element can’t be completely removed. Farland is a master of detail, especially during fighting scenes. Prepare to squirm if the most violent thing you’ve read is Narnia.

In conclusion, I want to say I loved this book! The plot clipped along productively, and Farland’s world dazzled me. There’re things I didn’t appreciate, like the worldview and content that didn’t enhance the story. I can’t say it was perfect, but some elements achieved perfection. If you don’t mind the worldview and you’re fine with inappropriate elements, go right ahead.

David Farland (Dave Wolverton)

As a side note, if you didnt like a book, you should probably aviod other books by that publisher. The publisher likely has a list of things they want in their books, so what you didn't like will show up again.