Book Review: The Lair of Bones

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Lair of Bones     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
David Farland
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Series: Runelords # 4
Tor, Nov 2003, $27.95, 429 pp.

The High King of Indhopal Raj Ahten continues his evil campaign to gain immortality regardless of the price other lesser folks must pay for him to achieve his goal. Only the Earth Prince Gaborn has been able to stop the malevolent Raj from succeeding. A fire destroyed Raj, but Scathain, Lord of Ash out arises from the residue, containing the same objective of immortality at any cost as his predecessor did.

Besides his constant war with Raj, Prince Gaborn must deal with the devastation caused by the assault on Carris by the reavers. The people smell of fear and sense terror in the air. Desperate to stop the reavers and help his people regain their equilibrium, Gaborn sets off on a dangerous quest. Accompanying the Earth King are Binnesmann the Wizard, nine year old Earth Warden Apprentice Averan (a rare reavers’ expert) and Gaborn’s wife planning to keep him safe. They journey to the Mouth of the World where they plan to enter the cavernous passage to the Underworld in search of THE LAIR OF BONES. There they will confront the One True Master.

Fans of epic fantasy, especially those who cherish the Runelords sagas, will want to read THE LAIR OF BONES. As usual David Farland paints a vivid landscape regardless of locale that makes his realm seem so real and the glossary serves as a terrific reference aid. The fast-paced story line is action-packed from the start to the finish. However, the climax accelerates the speed to a G-Force level that only long time fans will fully appreciate the fourth entry.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner