Scan barcode
lfsalden's review against another edition
Again, the writing is well done, the ideas, yay. The ethical dilemma is wrestled with - and I'm rather pleased with all the back-and-forth...
but oy. No ending. I need an ending. That was a really intricate, massive, fevered, climactic battle scene. With an unsatisfying ending. Like "here we shall set up for Book 3!"
I have no need to read Book 3, as I see there are a gazillion more books in the series, and if they all don't end, I shall be most put out.
but oy. No ending. I need an ending. That was a really intricate, massive, fevered, climactic battle scene. With an unsatisfying ending. Like "here we shall set up for Book 3!"
I have no need to read Book 3, as I see there are a gazillion more books in the series, and if they all don't end, I shall be most put out.
chriscoman's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
stephenmeansme's review against another edition
3.0
Things get weirder as the Reaver threat collides with Raj Ahten's march of ruin across Rofehavan. Points to Farland for developing the high-concept high fantasy in unexpected but not disconnected directions. This series does feel much more serialized than other chunky fantasies, with very little denouement after the big battle (which is pretty nuts, and this is only halfway through the first mega-arc?). And I think Farland is committed to some gnarly magic apocalypse scenario in future installments, plus "underdark" shenanigans going after the god-king of the Reavers, so that's fun.
2.5 stars rounded up. Still solid, I'll probably come back to this series in a bit.
2.5 stars rounded up. Still solid, I'll probably come back to this series in a bit.
rebelbelle13's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Farland's sophomore effort in the Runelords series was quite good, and almost lived up to the first. Too often, the first novel is phenomenal, original, and engaging, and the sequel just can't live up to the original. Brotherhood of the Wolf, although it started a little slow, plugged along just fine directly after where the first novel ended. Gaborn is coming into and learning how to use his new Earth powers, Iome is discovering how to assist her husband, Myrrima is learning new skills and coming into her own, and Avren the dragon rider as she struggles to control Binnesman's Wyld. Raj Ahten is still trying to take over the known world, even though the very Earth AND its enemies are against him. There are some amazing battle scenes in here, and even though they are gory and at times grotesque, they are well written and easy to imagine. I am really enjoying the world of the Runelords, the magic system, and all of the characters. I am interested to see where the story is going, how the characters grow, and how the world changes.
cbarsotti's review against another edition
4.0
A very entertaining read. Starts off kind of slow and contains many fantasy cliches. That being said, it is also action packed and has a very unique feel to it as well.
Farland has trouble giving life to the main characters, I feel like they really don't have any consistent personality and are very boring. There are a lot of side-characters that are really personable and you come to really enjoy, however they are also lumped in with even MORE side characters who you vaguely get to know but are just killed off for shock value it seems (Re: That serving girl in "The sum of all men")
In addition, Brotherhood of the Wolf suffers from being a second child kind of in the way of "Empire Strikes Back", where it is not at all a stand alone novel. Not only does it have a lot of recapping and exposition but many of the storylines are unfinished at the end of the book.
I would say it is a good read for anyone picking up the book, but just start without any expectations.
Farland has trouble giving life to the main characters, I feel like they really don't have any consistent personality and are very boring. There are a lot of side-characters that are really personable and you come to really enjoy, however they are also lumped in with even MORE side characters who you vaguely get to know but are just killed off for shock value it seems (Re: That serving girl in "The sum of all men")
In addition, Brotherhood of the Wolf suffers from being a second child kind of in the way of "Empire Strikes Back", where it is not at all a stand alone novel. Not only does it have a lot of recapping and exposition but many of the storylines are unfinished at the end of the book.
I would say it is a good read for anyone picking up the book, but just start without any expectations.
marshmalow01's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kurt's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely better than the first book! Much more action and some really great battle and fight scenes. Of course, not on the scale of John Gwynne, but really good stuff.
My problem with this series though is, I'm not too much of a fan of the magic system. It's definitely unique, but not really what I'm looking for. Maybe I'm just such a traditional fantasy kind of guy, with dragons and swords, and this isn't really in that realm, at least not yet. There are some very interesting characters in this book though, and that helped out a lot!
I will read the next book and make a decision as to whether I want to keep going with this series. It's not bad at all, really, it is quite great... just not what I'm really looking for.
My problem with this series though is, I'm not too much of a fan of the magic system. It's definitely unique, but not really what I'm looking for. Maybe I'm just such a traditional fantasy kind of guy, with dragons and swords, and this isn't really in that realm, at least not yet. There are some very interesting characters in this book though, and that helped out a lot!
I will read the next book and make a decision as to whether I want to keep going with this series. It's not bad at all, really, it is quite great... just not what I'm really looking for.
publius's review against another edition
3.0
Raj Ahtan has fled from Gaborn Val Orden, the prophesied and ascendant Earth King. Tricked on the field of battle by a ruse, Ahtan is far from vanquished. Bolstered by the strength, speed, stamina, charisma, and beauty of thousands of men, he moves to strike at where Gaborn is weakest, to tear down the kingdoms of Rofehaven from within. But while Ahtan works to lure Gaborn into a trap, Gaborn realizes a greater enemy is threatening, and designs a plan that he hopes will ally Ahtan with him against this foe.
Taking place over the course of just a few days, [b:Brotherhood of the Wolf|144112|Brotherhood of the Wolf (Runelords, #2)|David Farland|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1400630733s/144112.jpg|1166994] picks up right where [b:The Sum of All Men|144127|The Sum of All Men (Runelords #1)|David Farland|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388196460s/144127.jpg|139049] left off without breaking stride. Gaborn is grappling with the ramifications of becoming the Earth King, as well as his marriage to Iome Sylvarresta, the daughter of the late King Jas Laren Sylvarresta. Determined not to use forcibles to increase his strength and power, Gaborn finds himself at an immediate disadvantage to Ahtan's super human abilities, not to mention vulnerable to any who does not share his qualms.
It is an ongoing source of dissonance for Gaborn: he sees the slavery and debilitation caused when ever one man gives his abilities to another, but is faced with an enemy that is prepared to end not just humanity but all life on the earth. Should he accept the endowments of other men to become strong enough for the coming battle, or should he rely on his new found abilities as the Earth King? With the selection by the Earth, though, comes responsibility above those of other men, and Gaborn must weigh the future of all men as he makes his decisions.
With how short a time as passes during the novel, events unfold at a breakneck pace. If only Farland would move his text as fast. Not atypical for an epic fantasy, Brotherhood clocks in at nearly 700 pages. Frequently I found myself wondering if a few of those pages weren't unnecessary to the story.
The result is that Farland develops his characters more than might otherwise be possible in such a short period of time. The length of the novel lends itself to more viewpoints than a shorter story might allow, and shows the reader a broader vision of the events unfolding. While the story never drags--per se--a faster paced story might have spent less time with each view point.
If The Sum of All Men was intended to introduce the main protagonist and antagonist of The Runelords series, then Brotherhood feels like a pulling back of the curtain. The threat to Rofehaven and the entire world is far greater than anything introduced in The Sum of All Men, and Farland takes advantage of the opportunity to hint at the scope of his series by introducing side plots, new abilities to what initially appeared to be small characters, and expanding his system of magic beyond the initial forcibles/endowments magic introduced in the first book.
Picking up a thick novel is always a risky endeavor. The time investment is long, and the pay-off may be a long time in coming. In the end, Farland provides, however, delivering a denouement that satisfies his promises, if not perfectly, at least satisfactorily. It's a worthy successor to The Sum of All Men and continuation of The Runelords' series. I ran into Farland at the Salt Lake FanXperience in April and picked up [b:Wizardborn|144109|Wizardborn (Runelords, #3)|David Farland|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388210779s/144109.jpg|1270521] from him there. I look forward to following where he takes Gaborn, Iome, Ahtan, and the rest of his growing cast next.
Taking place over the course of just a few days, [b:Brotherhood of the Wolf|144112|Brotherhood of the Wolf (Runelords, #2)|David Farland|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1400630733s/144112.jpg|1166994] picks up right where [b:The Sum of All Men|144127|The Sum of All Men (Runelords #1)|David Farland|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388196460s/144127.jpg|139049] left off without breaking stride. Gaborn is grappling with the ramifications of becoming the Earth King, as well as his marriage to Iome Sylvarresta, the daughter of the late King Jas Laren Sylvarresta. Determined not to use forcibles to increase his strength and power, Gaborn finds himself at an immediate disadvantage to Ahtan's super human abilities, not to mention vulnerable to any who does not share his qualms.
It is an ongoing source of dissonance for Gaborn: he sees the slavery and debilitation caused when ever one man gives his abilities to another, but is faced with an enemy that is prepared to end not just humanity but all life on the earth. Should he accept the endowments of other men to become strong enough for the coming battle, or should he rely on his new found abilities as the Earth King? With the selection by the Earth, though, comes responsibility above those of other men, and Gaborn must weigh the future of all men as he makes his decisions.
With how short a time as passes during the novel, events unfold at a breakneck pace. If only Farland would move his text as fast. Not atypical for an epic fantasy, Brotherhood clocks in at nearly 700 pages. Frequently I found myself wondering if a few of those pages weren't unnecessary to the story.
The result is that Farland develops his characters more than might otherwise be possible in such a short period of time. The length of the novel lends itself to more viewpoints than a shorter story might allow, and shows the reader a broader vision of the events unfolding. While the story never drags--per se--a faster paced story might have spent less time with each view point.
If The Sum of All Men was intended to introduce the main protagonist and antagonist of The Runelords series, then Brotherhood feels like a pulling back of the curtain. The threat to Rofehaven and the entire world is far greater than anything introduced in The Sum of All Men, and Farland takes advantage of the opportunity to hint at the scope of his series by introducing side plots, new abilities to what initially appeared to be small characters, and expanding his system of magic beyond the initial forcibles/endowments magic introduced in the first book.
Picking up a thick novel is always a risky endeavor. The time investment is long, and the pay-off may be a long time in coming. In the end, Farland provides, however, delivering a denouement that satisfies his promises, if not perfectly, at least satisfactorily. It's a worthy successor to The Sum of All Men and continuation of The Runelords' series. I ran into Farland at the Salt Lake FanXperience in April and picked up [b:Wizardborn|144109|Wizardborn (Runelords, #3)|David Farland|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388210779s/144109.jpg|1270521] from him there. I look forward to following where he takes Gaborn, Iome, Ahtan, and the rest of his growing cast next.
alfierose66's review against another edition
4.0
Really loved this one. I love the badass women in it and the men who are written with depth of character. Gaborn is a bit whiny but he's also going in blind with everything around him so I can sort of understand that, just makes him not my favourite POV.