Lair of Bones (Runelords #4) 2Stars

 

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Title: Lair of Bones
Series: Runelords #4
Author: David Farland
Rating: 2 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 396
Words: 147K
Publish: 2003

This (almost) 400 page book takes place in just three days, yes, that is right, three days. I also realized that this entire end of the world epic fantasy only took about six months from start to finish. I don’t know if Farland was reacting against the time frame experienced in the Wheel of Time books. Those take years from beginning to end and the world of the Wheel has time to prepare as best they can to face the end. Here, The End is right there, in their face, bammo!

One thing about Farland’s writing, that I’ve mentioned before, is how he’ll spend an inordinate amount of time on useless descriptions of the setting but only give one sentence to big, huge, impactful things. I just found out in this book, by ONE bleeding sentence, that the planet itself was moving closer to the sun! Maybe that was obliquely referred to in the previous books, but it sure didn’t have any impact on the weather or the characters and it (insert your choice of pejorative) should have! I almost quit the book when I read that sentence because it ticked me off so bad. Besides not actually finishing this series, I can see why Farland never became a big name in Fantasy. His writing sucks. Personally, “I” think the only reason his books sold at all were because of the Darryl Sweet covers, which was the same guy who did the Wheel of Time books so everyone thought they were going to get the same kind of story. Ha, the joke is on us, poor schlubs.

I am glad I read these, just so I know what it was about. This was one of those series that I grew up with but hadn’t ever bothered to read and now that is rectified. But I’ll read no more in the series (there is another story arc of 3 or 4 books before Farland kicked the bucket) and I’ll never re-read these. I clap the dust off of my metaphorical sandals on his grave and go my way.

Grumpy Level 1000 achieved!

★★☆☆☆

From Wikipedia

In order to save mankind and all life on Earth, Gaborn is charged by the Earth to descend into the underworld and confront the One True Master, ruler of the Reavers. Taking Binnesman, Averan, and Iome with him, he seeks the Lair of Bones in the heart of the Reavers' home. As he descends, Gaborn's powers grow as he takes many endowments, vectored through his dedicates. Gaborn and his companions follow the trail of the previous Earth King, Erden Geboren, to its furthest, and when attacked by Reavers, they are forced to leave Binnesman behind and press on without him.

Meanwhile, Borenson and Myrrima venture into Inkarra in search of Daylan Hammer, only to be captured and brought before King Zandaros. The forces of Raj Ahten, fresh off their victory over the Reavers, march north to Carris once more. Erin and Celinor meet Celinor's father, King Anders, who claims to be the new Earth King after Gaborn's loss of power, and they are forced to follow him south into Mystarria. During all this, mysterious earthquakes and countless falling stars herald the very world's shifting in the heavens, as the chaotic forces of destruction seek to unmake the Earth, as the One True Master attempts to bind the Rune of Desolation with the Runes of the Inferno and the Heavens.

When Averan is captured by a Reaver, Gaborn has no choice but to leave Iome behind and press forth on his own. Eventually, he reunites with Averan, Iome, and the wylde, and he begins slaying dedicate Reavers of the One True Master. Meanwhile, Borenson and Myrrima escape Inkarra with the help of a Days named Sarka Kaul. They race towards Carris, where they find the city fortified beyond belief in anticipation of another attack by Reavers, this horde making the last look small in comparison. Also near Carris are the massed armies of Raj Ahten, Queen Lowicker of Beldinook, and King Anders of South Crowden. Right before the Reaver attack, Binnesman arrives at Carris to aid his fellow men for one last time.

In the underworld, while Averan attempts to destroy the Rune of Desolation, Gaborn battles the One True Master. With the battle raging at Carris, Gaborn, with aid from the Earth, the wylde, and Glories and with Iome slaying dedicate vectors to the One True Master, is able to defeat the Reaver queen, and Averan, instead of destroying the Rune of Desolation combines it with the four other heavenly runes, creating a perfect rune to heal the Earth.

With the One True Master's host dead, the remaining Reavers at the Battle of Carris flee to the underworld, and the Earth transports Gaborn, Iome, and Averan to the battlefield. Raj Ahten, seeing his chance to finally kill Gaborn, rejects the Earth King's guidance and is subsequently struck by an ensorcelled arrow, shot by Myrrima. Before he can recover, Raj Ahten is attacked by dozens of Runelords, who hack his body to pieces and throw him in the river, killing the man and drowning the fire spirit within him. With the Earth no longer in danger, peace comes over the land. Iome births her and Gaborn's child, a son named Fallion, and Gaborn travels the land in service to the Earth. The year is now longer by one day, which Gaborn names Brotherhood Day.

(No easy link to the whole series because Farland doesn't deserve that much positive attention)