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blockonthenewkid's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A little bit more meat and potatoes fantasy in this one. It's not as interesting as the first entry for its exploration of magic and the consequences of such a system. Glimmers of this came through, but were bogged down in the minutiae of battles.
stevetw's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent sequel! This book moved at a much faster pace, and introduced some amazing characters and places! I definitely enjoyed reading about more than simply another two-way fight like in the previous book. The original Runelords books gave us a slight taste of the menacing reavers that had been discussed, and it seemed clear right from the get go that they would be the bigger enemy by far, even before being discussed much. The new lands such as Fleeds being discussed was very cool. And seeing a matriarchal warrior culture is an awesome twist! The battle in the climax was awesome, very descriptive, and I could definitely picture the events happening in my mind! Iy played out just like a movie!
This book also advances beyond the first in that you have several different threads through the book, all connecting in the end. I like the story of Averan, Pole, and Roland. It’s interesting to see new ways of magic being used besides the runes. Indeed, some of the spells are of a more traditional fantasy magic type. However, the magic is at a cost, and must be used wisely or it will be withdrawn. This is a good way to prevent rampant overpower by someone with unchecked magical powers. Indeed, it would seem that the burden born by Gaborn is much more a curse than a blessing. It’s almost unrealistic that he can emotionally handle seeing so many die that he has made so close to himself. It was touching to see how Father Borenson felt for a little girl after just meeting her, and it was fun to learn a little bit about Borenson’s past. I will say that the book’s length (and the slowness with which I read it made it difficult to keep it in mind that these events, in both books, have all taken place over the course of one week. In some cases there are several hundred pages between encounters with a particular storyline but less than a day has passed. Farland does seem to be cognizant of that since he seems to bring up this short timespan frequently. The only other criticism I guess I would have is that with little artwork that I could find, I can’t help but imagining the reavers as giant versions of the Aliens from the franchise of the same name. I know the cover art isn’t from Farland, but maybe with the reavers making their first big appearance, they should have appeared on the cover instead of the Darkling Glory.
All in all, an excellent book, much better than the first book. Seeing that the lands are indeed expanding, as are the characters, I’m excited to see where this goes!
This book also advances beyond the first in that you have several different threads through the book, all connecting in the end. I like the story of Averan, Pole, and Roland. It’s interesting to see new ways of magic being used besides the runes. Indeed, some of the spells are of a more traditional fantasy magic type. However, the magic is at a cost, and must be used wisely or it will be withdrawn. This is a good way to prevent rampant overpower by someone with unchecked magical powers. Indeed, it would seem that the burden born by Gaborn is much more a curse than a blessing. It’s almost unrealistic that he can emotionally handle seeing so many die that he has made so close to himself. It was touching to see how Father Borenson felt for a little girl after just meeting her, and it was fun to learn a little bit about Borenson’s past. I will say that the book’s length (and the slowness with which I read it made it difficult to keep it in mind that these events, in both books, have all taken place over the course of one week. In some cases there are several hundred pages between encounters with a particular storyline but less than a day has passed. Farland does seem to be cognizant of that since he seems to bring up this short timespan frequently. The only other criticism I guess I would have is that with little artwork that I could find, I can’t help but imagining the reavers as giant versions of the Aliens from the franchise of the same name. I know the cover art isn’t from Farland, but maybe with the reavers making their first big appearance, they should have appeared on the cover instead of the Darkling Glory.
All in all, an excellent book, much better than the first book. Seeing that the lands are indeed expanding, as are the characters, I’m excited to see where this goes!
lfsalden's review against another edition
Again, the writing is well done, the ideas, yay. The ethical dilemma is wrestled with - and I'm rather pleased with all the back-and-forth...
but oy. No ending. I need an ending. That was a really intricate, massive, fevered, climactic battle scene. With an unsatisfying ending. Like "here we shall set up for Book 3!"
I have no need to read Book 3, as I see there are a gazillion more books in the series, and if they all don't end, I shall be most put out.
but oy. No ending. I need an ending. That was a really intricate, massive, fevered, climactic battle scene. With an unsatisfying ending. Like "here we shall set up for Book 3!"
I have no need to read Book 3, as I see there are a gazillion more books in the series, and if they all don't end, I shall be most put out.
chriscoman's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
stephenmeansme's review against another edition
3.0
Things get weirder as the Reaver threat collides with Raj Ahten's march of ruin across Rofehavan. Points to Farland for developing the high-concept high fantasy in unexpected but not disconnected directions. This series does feel much more serialized than other chunky fantasies, with very little denouement after the big battle (which is pretty nuts, and this is only halfway through the first mega-arc?). And I think Farland is committed to some gnarly magic apocalypse scenario in future installments, plus "underdark" shenanigans going after the god-king of the Reavers, so that's fun.
2.5 stars rounded up. Still solid, I'll probably come back to this series in a bit.
2.5 stars rounded up. Still solid, I'll probably come back to this series in a bit.
rebelbelle13's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Farland's sophomore effort in the Runelords series was quite good, and almost lived up to the first. Too often, the first novel is phenomenal, original, and engaging, and the sequel just can't live up to the original. Brotherhood of the Wolf, although it started a little slow, plugged along just fine directly after where the first novel ended. Gaborn is coming into and learning how to use his new Earth powers, Iome is discovering how to assist her husband, Myrrima is learning new skills and coming into her own, and Avren the dragon rider as she struggles to control Binnesman's Wyld. Raj Ahten is still trying to take over the known world, even though the very Earth AND its enemies are against him. There are some amazing battle scenes in here, and even though they are gory and at times grotesque, they are well written and easy to imagine. I am really enjoying the world of the Runelords, the magic system, and all of the characters. I am interested to see where the story is going, how the characters grow, and how the world changes.
cbarsotti's review against another edition
4.0
A very entertaining read. Starts off kind of slow and contains many fantasy cliches. That being said, it is also action packed and has a very unique feel to it as well.
Farland has trouble giving life to the main characters, I feel like they really don't have any consistent personality and are very boring. There are a lot of side-characters that are really personable and you come to really enjoy, however they are also lumped in with even MORE side characters who you vaguely get to know but are just killed off for shock value it seems (Re: That serving girl in "The sum of all men")
In addition, Brotherhood of the Wolf suffers from being a second child kind of in the way of "Empire Strikes Back", where it is not at all a stand alone novel. Not only does it have a lot of recapping and exposition but many of the storylines are unfinished at the end of the book.
I would say it is a good read for anyone picking up the book, but just start without any expectations.
Farland has trouble giving life to the main characters, I feel like they really don't have any consistent personality and are very boring. There are a lot of side-characters that are really personable and you come to really enjoy, however they are also lumped in with even MORE side characters who you vaguely get to know but are just killed off for shock value it seems (Re: That serving girl in "The sum of all men")
In addition, Brotherhood of the Wolf suffers from being a second child kind of in the way of "Empire Strikes Back", where it is not at all a stand alone novel. Not only does it have a lot of recapping and exposition but many of the storylines are unfinished at the end of the book.
I would say it is a good read for anyone picking up the book, but just start without any expectations.
marshmalow01's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kurt's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely better than the first book! Much more action and some really great battle and fight scenes. Of course, not on the scale of John Gwynne, but really good stuff.
My problem with this series though is, I'm not too much of a fan of the magic system. It's definitely unique, but not really what I'm looking for. Maybe I'm just such a traditional fantasy kind of guy, with dragons and swords, and this isn't really in that realm, at least not yet. There are some very interesting characters in this book though, and that helped out a lot!
I will read the next book and make a decision as to whether I want to keep going with this series. It's not bad at all, really, it is quite great... just not what I'm really looking for.
My problem with this series though is, I'm not too much of a fan of the magic system. It's definitely unique, but not really what I'm looking for. Maybe I'm just such a traditional fantasy kind of guy, with dragons and swords, and this isn't really in that realm, at least not yet. There are some very interesting characters in this book though, and that helped out a lot!
I will read the next book and make a decision as to whether I want to keep going with this series. It's not bad at all, really, it is quite great... just not what I'm really looking for.