Kevin's Watch

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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