Did Runes meet your expectations?

Post by **burgs** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 9:23 pm

Many people believe that Runes was perfect, some that it needed more, and others that it was somewhat flawed, others that it failed miserably.

I'd like to see a show of hands to set the record straight here on Kevin's watch.

If I've missed an option in the poll, let me know, and I'll add it.

I hope we get a lot of responses.

Post by **Cail** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 9:27 pm

Maybe I expected too much, maybe it's because I don't like Linden, maybe I was in a bad mood when I read it, maybe it's because I hate time-travel, but I felt that it dragged in some places, and rushed through others. I'll withold final judgement until the series is complete.

Post by **Creator** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 10:41 pm

I like it. But I missed the giants. And Linden whines WAY too much!!

Post by **wayfriend** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 11:08 pm

I don't think it is "deeply" flawed, but I do think that it is his weakest entry in the series, and so I cast my vote in the 4th option.

I found myself unable to become emotionally attached to the protagonist, because there was no meaningful struggle in any of the situations she encountered.

Post by **drew** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 8:58 am

I voted Flawless, it's not quite, but there was nothing inbetween flawless and the next one down (I'd give it a 95%)

Post by **aTOMiC** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:38 am

Though I didn't find the book flawless I was not in any way disappointed and I wager that once I finish reading the final book, the percieved flaws I found in Runes may very well disappear with my ignorance.

Post by **Cail** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:29 pm

aTOMiC wrote:Though I didn't find the book flawless I was not in any way disappointed and I wager that once I finish reading the final book, the percieved flaws I found in Runes may very well disappear with my ignorance.

Precisely. I'm hoping that the "prolog-y" feeling will go away once the whole story is told.

Post by **Jerico** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:19 pm

I thought it was flawless. SRD is not the same writer he was 20 years ago. He has said this in the GI. I have waited so long for this series to continue that it would have had to be the most horrible dribble for me to think anything less.

Post by **Gart** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:40 pm

I thought it was ok for the most part. It looked like a lot is being set up to happen in later books.

The climax seemed light, compared to previous books. And I got a bit irritated at the way doing anything more energetic than getting out of bed seemed to knock Linden out...she spent half the book on her back.

Most of all I wanted to see more of TC...I don't want to buy "The Last Cameos of Thomas Covenant" after all.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:45 pm

I can't say I expected more than what I got - I thought the book was as good as any other (perhaps better than some - The One Tree always got on my nerves a bit), and while I really miss Covenant a lot (it's strange when you realise just how much you like seeing through his eyes), I still thought Linden held his place quite well.

Post by **aliantha** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:56 pm

Yeah, the lack of a whiz-bang Industrial Light & Magic climax hurt a bit -- but Anele's speech in the Close held its own, I think. I voted "practically perfect." More Covenant would have been good. And Giants. This story needs Giants.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:07 pm

I don't know whether to vote 'good but some flaws' or 'good but missed covenant'...

Post by **Terrel** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 3:40 pm

The Runes of the Earth met all my expectations. However, I had some trouble reading the difficult English (I'm Dutch). Some words I couldn't even find in the dictionary!

What I liked most in the first series and found again in the Runes; its deeper wisdoms and 'philosophy'.

I can't wait to read the second! Its pure entertainment . That's why the Runes is flawless.

Runes: "No Covenant? No giants yet?"

In time

Post by **Khat** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 5:59 am

I was so glad that SRD went to the trouble to remind us about the Land and its lore. I didn't know I missed it so much until I began and finished this fantastic book.

I do feel I need to reread the the first 2 Chronicles as some things I just don't remember and some things I need to remember more. My only wish I ever had about the previous triliogies is I did not understand WHY the characters did things or What they were truly feeling. I was always searching to know the characters better - in Runes SRD gives us a better look at the people.

Of course I read those stories so long ago... I've changed as a reader as well.

Post by **snoopy** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:07 pm

I found <i>Runes of the Earth</i> to be very well done. I enjoyed the story and its continuity with the previous books, and I enjoyed the new elements, too.

Post by **danlo** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:26 am

I liked it so much I gave it four and a half to five stars at Amazon. com!

Post by **Skydog** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 11:03 pm

I found myself trying hard to recall all the different themes, subtexts, characters etc. when I began Runes.

I had no idea that SRD had a new book out, I happened to see it at Barnes and Noble and, of course, scooped it up. But it had been years since I had read the other six books. Anyway, I thought the book started slowly and I felt myself thinking, man, did SRD get pushed into this for reasons other than just a desire to write another "final" chronicles? As one reads on, however, (well, as I read on) I began to once again enjoy the the Land, the story, and this addition to the TC Chronicles. In the SRD interview he remarks that had planned on a final chronicles and I think Runes fall squarely "good but lacking in some places." I agree that Linden whines [and crys] way too much and note as well that sometimes her manner of speech seems out of place with the book, e.g., when she confronts the Masters in Revelstone. I agree with "Cail" time-travel is hard to do in straight-up science fiction, even less fun in SF/fantasy.

I look forward to the rest of the books. Final reckoning then

Best

Post by **Sunbaneglasses** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:22 am

I will withold judgement until I have read the whole series,good start though!I thouroughly enjoyed it.You may read book 4 and say to yourself"awe man I didn't much like Runes,but now it all makes sense and adds up to one incredible whole".If the series were a hour and each book 15 mins would you be convinced you loved it or hated it in the first 15 mins.Wait and judge the whole. Be True

Post by **CovenantJr** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 3:11 pm

Agreed. When I read LFB, I enjoyed it but wasn't blown away. It wasn't until I progressed further through the series that I really began to reel in awe. Give it time.

Post by **pondhopper** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 4:07 pm

Yep...........definately a "build up"

Can't wait for the story to continue..................

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Did Runes meet your expectations?

Runes was...

Did Runes meet your expectations?

struck white gold but want more!