Thank you for your thoughts. The issue I have with all the powerful players is more a matter of balance, organic growth or not from the material itself and to me the lack of (my own perceived) necessity. In other words, in the previous Chrons I felt an organic connection between the world, its (powe...

Whew, now that was one spooky speculation...

Difficult issue, if one cannot pick books from the Last Chrons... I will venture to pick as "worst book" from the first six, 'Lord Fouls Bane'.

It is an interesting question. Although more of a thought experiment for me. I think the question can be rephrased as:

'Can Runes be enjoyed on its own, without reading the preceding books?'

I would be interested in the answer from people who did read Runes on their own.

For me as well, I was commenting primarily from the vantage point of my experience of reading book 1 and 2 the last Chrons.

No disrespect intended.

Not a series (although a new volume seems to be in the work), but a long and extraordinary novel:

'Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell', Susanna Clarke.

One of the best if not THE best of the past decade.

I read one of those...think it was "Sword of the Lichtor" maybe? Never found the whole series yet, but I liked the one [I need to shop online for books more, instead of at used stores and garage sales.] That must have been confusing, reading The Sword of the Lictor w/o reading The Shadow ...

Yes. That's also why I'm curious about book 3 and 4. In the sense, how is this possibly going to work out?

Ah, I see... On the one hand I am curious where all this going, on the other hand, I admit that 'The Last Chrons' - so far - haven't really touched me as the previous Chrons have. I feel the same way and it's all on Linden. What a character! First it was the non-stop grieving about her mother...now...

A question though, after 'Runes' and 'FR', I thought the story had already become filled with so many powerful characters competing. How do all these new characters impact the narrative?

Ah, I see... On the one hand I am curious where all this going, on the other hand, I admit that 'The Last Chrons' - so far - haven't really touched me as the previous Chrons have.

'The Claw of the Concilliator' by Gene Wolfe

Where did you get the complete novel?

ARC?

Just finished "The Other Lands", book two of the Acacia trilogy.

Very, very diverting!

Hello, long time lurker,- since before 'Runes...'-, long time fan, first post. After finally reading FR, I also have mixed feelings about it. Although I can't agree with all the reasoning as expressed by arenn, I do understand his feelings. It was fantastic to be able to finally dig into FR, after l...