The owl shifted on its limbs, peered at her. “The hope of our world may rest on you.” “The hope of your world?"

Farland's Runelords series continues with a fine novel that feels like it's mostly serving as setup for the next. In Wizardborn, we trace the stories of those we've known from book one and a few newer characters. Averan in particular features heavily and solidifies her role as a main character.

Even if the pacing is a little helter skelter, a few things make this a don't miss for people who enjoyed the first two. The major conflict grows clearer. The interesting worldbuilding continues. We also get inside the head of Raj Ahten and it's apparent his part in the story is not over. For those emotionally invested in the truly strangely handled

Spoiler

maiming of Borenson

and its aftermath, you get some resolution.

Overall, a decent read worth working through. I'm partway into the next one and it's better. 3/5.

This series continues to improve with better pacing, character development and deeper plot lines. Great writing, interesting magic and varied locations really make this series special.

I'm not sure if I'll be continuing with this series. Don't get me wrong, it's a good story, and great writing. It's just not my type of fantasy. Maybe I'll revisit it in a year or two, considering I own almost the entire series. We shall see.

An excellent continuation of the Runelord's saga! The moral choices faced by the characters is excellent, and really makes one think! Who among us could knowingly order men to their deaths? Moreso, who could order a 9-year-old girl to do the things Gaborn to do the things he asked of Averan to do? Or order a retreat from a battle, knowing that defenseless civilians would be slaughtered as a result?

I like the way Gaborn's powers are still diminished. Originally his Earth King Powers basically cast him as almost omnipotent, and it almost seemed as if he could do anything, so a needed check on that power stepped in.

It was interesting to see Raj Ahten's final transformation and the loss of his humanity. Farland tried through the series, particularly through book 2 I feel, to somewhat humanize him, but as we saw, to no avail. Unfortunately, it was almost a given that this would happen given his massive hubris right after slaying the fell mage. He was so focused on people worshipping him for it, that it was to the point of being a trope that he was going to fall almost immediately.

Myrimma and Borenson have an interesting story, with her going from a peasant girl to a Runelord, to seemingly powerful wizard, and also watching her heal Borenson from his seemingly horrible childhood. On the one hand, it's straying into trope territory for someone from a peasant background to have great power and possibly lineage. On the other, it's refreshing to see a marriage where the woman is clearly the stronger half in almost every manner of speaking. You also see this with Erin of Fleeds and in fact the entire land of Fleeds. This is especially noteworthy given that this series was started 20 years ago!

The final part that intrigues me the most is the sudden shift for Averan. Up to this point, she hasn't shown any malice or ill will in her personality, even when we got an italic view inside her thoughts. Yet Binnsman immediately regarded her with suspicion as soon as she picked out her staff. Is it possible that eating from reavers has had more adverse effects on her than what we've seen? I'm probably the most curious about where her story goes in the upcoming book(s).

One thing that really bothers me is...the numbers. 100,000 artillery pieces, 1 million soldiers on the battlefield, another 2 million on the way, a million refugees...these would be staggering numbers today, and only the largest countries could do it by dedicating their entire society to the war, and this society is preindustrial. I can suspend disbelief for some things, but this is a bit much, and for no purpose. Yeah, they have magic, but nothing like this has been shown in the power of magic.

All in all, an excellent book that I can't wait to continue!

A worthy addition to the Runelords universe and a definite step up from the previous novel in the series, Wizardborn is a little slow to start but immerses you all over again about a hundred pages in. Gaborn has lost his Earth powers but is still King and commands and protects his people. Borenson is on the mend from his savage wounds from the climax of the previous book. Averan, the young dragon rider, is learning who she is, and Raj Ahten is merely struggling to survive. The bulk of Wizardborn follows Gaborn and company as they follow and attack retreating Reavers, in an attempt to locate a particular reaver that can lead them to the queen in the underworld so the war against humanity can be ended. As the band breaks off, we also see from Celinor and Erin's perspective, as well as Iome and Myrrima. As soon as the story gets going, we're swept along in the race to stop the Reavers and save mankind. I became heavily invested in Averan's character and abilities (which is odd because I don't normally care for kids in fantasy stories) and Borenson and Myrrima's relationship. I also really enjoyed Baron Waggitt, and I'm rooting for him to make it to the end of the next novel. I didn't care much for the parts told from Raj Ahten's perspective, and tended to zone out during those parts. It was quite obvious the decision he would make by the end as soon as the option was offered to him, so it just became a waiting game until he did the deed.
Besides some pacing and a few too many descriptions in parts, this was a solid, enjoyable installment of the Runelords. If you read the second and weren't sure about continuing, I'd give this one at least the first hundred pages and see what you think. I'm really glad I read this one- and I'm truly excited for the next.

Wizardborn is a great story that is much more fluid and entertaining than it's previous novels. However, it is the third book in the series and is not at all a stand alone novel. Without reading the two before this, you will not understand what is happening. I found myself reading chapters about side characters who aren't seen again for the entire second half of the book, only to be brought up again is a quick one-paged explanation of their whereabouts. It seems that Farland finished quickly and the only saving point from this being titled "Lair of Bones: Part 1" is a side character mentioning "Wizardborn" in their quick half page outro.