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  • The Sum of All Men

  • The Runelords, Book 1
  • By: David Farland
  • Narrated by: Ray Porter
  • Length: 21 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (70 ratings)

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The Sum of All Men cover art

The Sum of All Men

By: David Farland
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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$16.45/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

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Publisher's Summary

David Farland's acclaimed Runelords series introduces a world where the social structure is based upon the magical exchange of "endowments" such as stamina, grace, and wit. The Runelords are those who receive these endowments from their vassals, becoming superhuman in exchange for the responsibility of caring for those they have deprived of strength, or beauty, or sight.

Young Prince Gaborn of Mystarria is traveling in disguise on a journey to ask for the hand of the lovely Princess Iome of Sylvarresta. Armed with his gifts of strength and perception, the prince and his bodyguard stop at a local tavern, where they spot a pair of assassins who have their sights set on Princess Iome's father. As they race to warn the king, they realize that more than the royal family is at risk—the very fate of the Earth is in jeopardy.

©1998 David Farland (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Sum of All Men

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Classic fantasy

Cute in a lot of ways, I enjoyed it but it’s very much the classic chosen one arc.

World building is solid and a good sense of history makes it feel real and engaging

Binge listened to it in a couple of days, would recommend to my other fantasy nerds

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Chi
  • 26-09-2022

Great Story with Great Narration

Interesting magic system and mythos behind it. Looking forward to listening to the next one.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Couldn't do it, sadly.

Might have been good for it's time, but not for me now. Narration was actually pretty good, but the story left me feeling like I was listening to a cheesy Anime, and didn't like the 'feel' of the magic. (Either do it honourably or not at all, lol). Anyway. Maybe OK for others but after a few hours of trying to give it a fair go, it's not for me.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Avoid

Read this when I was a teen. It was great. However the reader has absolutely dropped the ball on thisC between the writing not aging well and the bizarre emphasis… unable to sit through it. Tragic loss of three credits (grabbed the whole series in excitement).

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