Kevin's Watch

I just finished listening to Runes of Earth on audio CDs, more than 20 of the little suckers. The huge advantage of listening rather than reading is that you don't skim but you get the full SRD treatment.

Runes of Earth reminds me a little of 19 century Russian literature. There is a level of detail that most books lack and this detail is comprehensive. SRD is the only fantasy author who keeps me in suspense for the entire story, right up to the last 2 words of the book, could there be a better way to finish? I doubt it!

This book is so far in front of other fantasy novels, that I pity the other authors in the genre, at least Jordan will have some more ideas to plagiarize. SRD has moved the entire genre into the new century. There is a grity realism that is totally lacking in the feudal elfen dross that so many authors churn out.

I must admit that I'm disappointed by some of the reactions of the people on this forum, I feel as though I read a different book. People complaining about swear words reminds me of when Dylan went electric. Fantasy books have been in a hopeless rut and SRD is forcing his readers out of their comfort zone - way to go SRD.

How readers can believe this book to be boring also staggers me. I found the action unrelenting and unpredictable. I really enjoyed the way SRD builds up to a climax, while maintaining the tension with issues such as the lack of sleep always niggling away in the background.

For the record I found this book exciting, gripping, complex and rate it as one of the best if not the best, fantasy novel ever written. My only regret is having to wait for the next installment.

Welcome to the Watch, and to the Runes forum!

I'm on disc 10 of the Runes audio book, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

Welcome Tiliqua!

Aah, but nothing matches the weight of a good book in your hands, the feeling as the pages thin...

Welcome.

--A

I totally agree with you, Teliqua. Start to finish, SRD rarely lets me down and RotE is not exception. I actually liked the 'real world' passages a little more than the Land stuff .. and that is saying a lot!

I totally agree with you about the content, though not about the medium...

I'd rather read than listen, anyday.

But aside from that, 'unrelenting and unpredictable' is a great description, and one that I can heartily endorse.

It's nice to see someone else with a positive reaction to 'Runes', rather than the usual whining and nit-picking.

'Waaaaah, she said "****"', 'Waaaaaah, it's too slow', 'Waaaaaah, it's too fast', 'Waaaaah, it's not what I wanted to happen'...

'Waaaaah, she said "****"', 'Waaaaaah, it's too slow', 'Waaaaaah, it's too fast', 'Waaaaah, it's not what I wanted to happen'...

Kinda off topic, but anyway, the pace suited the book i feel, when TC got there, there were people who knew of his power and would take him places etc hence going further in the first chrons, in this book noone knows about linden save the masters who barely even want her here, So she wont go as far as she has less information and help.
hope that made sense.

Edge wrote:'Waaaaah, she said "****"', 'Waaaaaah, it's too slow', 'Waaaaaah, it's too fast', 'Waaaaah, it's not what I wanted to happen'...

Uncharacteristically snippy there, Edge

You're right, that was uncalled for. I apologise.

No need I was just a little surprised; you generally seem very temperate and calm.

I'm listening to the audio book too; about 2/3 of the way through. I read the first six books traditional style, several times. I understand the feel of a book, but the audio experience can be just as captivating --- especially since one of the best audio book readers in the world, Scott Brick, is doing this one. (BTW, it's available for download at audible.com.)

It's slower reading an audiobook, so sometimes I felt that the book could have used a good edit while I was listening. That might be different if you read it.

That's worth looking into--I listened to the first two books of The Chronicles of Amber read by Zelazny with cool "transition" music by Hawkwind three years ago and really enjoyed it.

Hawkwind? There's a name I haven't heard in a long time.

And just to annoy Danlo, Welcome to the Watch Glenvb.

--A

Thanks, Avatar! It's always nice to find people who share your interests. I bought the first two series, one book at a time, on the day of their release when I was a teenager. Those books are still some of my favorite possessions. It was quite a thrill to stumble across Runes! I had no idea a new series was on the way.

I felt the same way. Make sure you explore, there's plenty to talk about here at the Watch.

--A

Avatar wrote:Make sure you explore, there's plenty to talk about here at the Watch.

Say what?

Avatar not making a direct request for someone to come post in The Think Tank?

Tiliqua,

Welcome to the Watch! Glad you enjoyed Runes. It is indeed a great book. And wow, 20 discs on the audio book!

Menolly wrote:

Avatar wrote:Make sure you explore, there's plenty to talk about here at the Watch.

Say what?

Avatar not making a direct request for someone to come post in The Think Tank?

I only make the direct suggestion if the post makes me think they'd contribute directly/enjoy it. (Not to say that they wouldn't, but it's not everybody's cup of tea. )

--A

Tiliqua wrote:How readers can believe this book to be boring also staggers me. I found the action unrelenting and unpredictable. I really enjoyed the way SRD builds up to a climax, while maintaining the tension with issues such as the lack of sleep always niggling away in the background.

For the record I found this book exciting, gripping, complex and rate it as one of the best if not the best, fantasy novel ever written. My only regret is having to wait for the next installment.

I'd like to explain why I wasn't so drawn to this particular book as I was to the others. Hmmm.. make that some of the others. While White Gold Weilder was a great read, seeing the Land in such pain was a drag & SRD seemed pretty lost with One Tree. I kept expecting something amazing and I simply felt let down like walking up a steep mountain side to see a huge waterfall only to find that when you get there it isn't as good as one you saw right off the road.

Runes wasn't boring, but it felt like One Tree. It seemed like SRD was forcing himself to write it. The whole thing felt fabricated. The best comparison I can think of is that it felt like Fan Fiction. I liked the action. I liked it quite a lot. But if the rest of the series is as full of DuexMachina as this one then I might just pass on it and read Wheel of Time or find some other way to punish myself.

I love the first three books. If there was a way to trade the ending with the White Gold Weilder ending then that would have been enough. We would miss out on Vain and Linden and other things but I don't know if I'd like to see a darker Lord of the Rings sequel trilogy either. Sometimes enough is just right.

Hopefully, I am wrong and the rest of the series turns out to be better and SRD gets into the groove and finds the old magic once again.

Oh yeah. I almost forgot. I'm going to buy the audio book and see how that feels. Maybe I'll like it more.

I didn't realize there was an audio version of the book. I generally like reading books much better than listening to them. However, there are a few exceptions. One advantage two audio books is being able to listen to them while driving. Another possible advantage is if it is read by the author. I have only listened to one book read by the author, but it was fantastic. It might just have been because it was Steve Martin, but I think that if you listen to the author read the book, then you get how they intended the book to read. Having said all that, who reads Runes in the audio version?