Kevin's Watch

I was careful not to read any topic headings for fear of spoiling things for myself, as I am only about 125 pages in to Runes. But just wanted to share my first impressions with the faithful here, and get your feedback.

The hints that SRD's writing style would be challenging is no lie. The depth of his writing, the words used and the sentence structure is challenging and intricate. I must read it twice as slow as I normally would in order not to miss anything. Very dense. I find his flow of storytelling so far much smoother in the 'real world' sequences than the early Land sequences. I think this is where he is challenging himself. It is seems obvious too that there is something really commplicated going on in the Land that requires this depth of writing. (am I way off in assuming that Linden seems to have the ability to cross over time when she uses the ring?... nevermind, don't answer that.)

The real world passages are fantastic. He is so confident in his writing and way he build tension, it is such a pleasure to read. Now that I am in the Land once again, I am struck by a feeling of sadness. Not sure why exactly, but it has to do with the "here we go again". This is not to say I am not enjoying it, SRD's writing permits no other reaction from me, but I am unsure whether I am ready for the heavyness of events that will unfold (death or corruption of beauty and innocence, etc...) What makes me excited about this trip back to the Land is Linden. She is a great character to have return. Strong, resourceful, not without her own weaknesses, but I am hoping she learns to draw strength from these and not wallow like TC did in the first two series. Oh, I am sure she will question herself in the face of Despite, but I find her character has greater potential to be a satisfying 'hero' to me at this time in my life, the same way TC affected me when I read him in High School and University.

Another impression I have is that SRD is really going to close things off in this series. Not that I ever doubted him, but look what happens to Kevin's Watch... SRD is on a tear. Woe be to those characters that get in his way. I have no douby I will be shedding many literary tears for the memory of past characters or places that will be painfully altered, their legacy changed, or something else that will add to the despair I and Linden wil be exposed to.

That's all for now. As I move through this tome I will add more comments and later read others as I feel I won't be spoiled (please don't put any spoilers in any replies to me.... pleeeease!)

ciao for now...

At first I was concerned when I found out this Chronicles would center on Linden, but having read it, I find I like Linden much better than in the Second Chronicles.

Additionally, while sad, terrible things continue to happen in this Chronicles, this first book is not nearly as heavy and depressing (Some people who've given up on reading the first two Chronicles say "Why would I want to read something that makes me feel like slitting my wrists") as the previous Chronicles were. I imagine that's because Linden is more at home in her own mind than TC.

I enjoyed Runes myself and hunger for more,and yes the writing style was very good.That said what I missed most was the explosive,awe inspiring,earthshattering creations of imagination.On the imagination side Runes (and just about everything else I have ever read)pales in comparison to the first and especially the second cronicals.This may be an unpopular post,and yes the last cronicals may spring to life in upcoming books.But what I have always found so wonderful about SRD's writing is his sheer force of imagination,and in Runes there are a lot of continuances of old ideas,creatures from the past books,and offspring of second cronical characters.I want some new stuff!And I hope Mr Donaldson delivers.

Without going too far into the book-I really liked the Real-world to Land translation. This time she knew it was coming...she was even more prepared than TC in the 2nd chrons.

I think the book was too slow to get going. It took a long time (probably half the book) before the story started to propel forward, and I found myself doing what I do in David Gemmells books... Wondering how the hell he was going to finish what he's started in the few pages that remained. Having said that, we did have to be reintroduced to the land Millenia after we had left it, and rushing that would've been an oversight. Also since there are 3 books to come, I think SRD allowed himself time in this book to paint the picture. If the final chrons was only 3 books, I think I would have been very dissapointed with the first book.

I do think sindatur got it right. Its a much lighter read. It's less depressing and its not like walking through mud which the first chrons was like. You were so engaged in the story in the 1st 2 chrons it was hard to move forward, the emotional content and thought provocation that stemmed from that made the books a lot lengthier and tiring. You felt weary after the first 2 chrons. I found runes a very light and easy to read. I read it comparitively quickly to the other books.