So, my background. I was first introduced to the Covenant trilogies in 9th grade. It was 1982 and I was in a Physical Science class when another teacher walked into our classroom to give my teacher a copy of The Power That Preserves. I thought the cover looked really cool (it was the paperback with Covenant/elena struggling on the Colossus Of The Fall over the Staff Of Law...so much greenness, lol). I respected that teacher, so it lead me to research the series and I ended up reading it...not once, but twice at the time. I absolutely loved it.
Given my lack of internet back then, I didn't realize a 2nd trilogy had been written until well after it had been published. Of course, I read it immediately, and then proceeded to read the first series a 3rd time, and the 2nd series a 2nd time. By this time, I was completely enthralled with the Land, and couldn't wait for the next installment. Of course, that was no where in sight at the time. ^^
So I researched the author and started reading SRD's other works. Daughter Of Regals was cool as far as short stories go. The inclusion of Gilden Fire fed my addiction to the land, lol. The other stories were good as well, especially the short one about the couple and the man who takes a knife to his "centipede."

I liked Mirror Of Her Dreams & A Man Rides Through, although not to the extent of the Covenant trilogies.
And then the Gap books came out and the books just didn't jive with me. I think I've only ready the first three, and perhaps part of the fourth...but I lost interest. They just didn't click with me.
When news came out that a third Covenant series was being written, I nearly lost it. I was sooo excited to have more of the land, lol. I put off reading the first installment for a number of reasons. One, because I figured I would be desperately needing the 2nd book right after. Two, because my jaded self expected a re-write of his previous installments and I might be disappointed.
Well, disappointment was certainly not a factor. I finished Runes a couple of months ago and it was anything but a disappointment. I mean...at first it was like, okay...there's the new Sunbane (ie, Kevin's Dirt) and okay...there's the new Nassic (ie, Anele); but as the story progressed, I saw I was wrong. This book is amazing, with a story that far exceeded my expectations. So it seems my first apprehension was correct. I am desperately needing the 2nd book, especially after the ending. >.>