The Sum of All Men cover art

The Sum of All Men

The Runelords, Book 1

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The Sum of All Men

By: David Farland
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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About this listen

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. Action & Adventure Epic Fantasy
All stars
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Interesting magic system and mythos behind it. Looking forward to listening to the next one.

Great Story with Great Narration

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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

Classic fantasy

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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.

Couldn't do it, sadly.

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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).

Avoid

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I only started listening to this book series as it was included with my membership only to find out just as I was getting to the second book that they decided to remove it all from subscription. The story itself In the first book was hard to follow so there's no way known I'm going to purchase the other books in this series at one credit each. I'm about 1 hour from finishing the first book and not even going to bother and I'll be sure to not give this author any of my credits. disappointing and deceptive marketing techniques with this series. shame on you.

series removed from included with membership

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