Sons of the Oak

Runelords, Book 5

By: David Farland

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

Certain works of fantasy are immediately recognizable as monuments, towering above the rest of the category. Those of such authors as Stephen R. Donaldson, Robert Jordan, and Terry Goodkind come immediately to mind. Add to that list David Farland, whose epic fantasy series continues in this fifth installment.

The story picks up eight years after the events of Lair of Bones and begins a new chapter in the Runelords saga focusing on Gaborn’s son, Fallion. Gaborn, the Earth King, has been traveling far from his home, to strange and unknown places. While beyond the edge of the earth, he finally succumbs to accelerated aging, the price of all the endowments he has taken. His death is the signal for a revolution, an attack from the supernatural realms by immensely powerful immortal beings.

These forces have discovered that Gaborn’s son is the resurrection of an immortal - one whose potential power is so great that he might be able to reorder the entire universe. Fallion’s enemies have decided that they must control him or, failing that, destroy him. He is only a child, but he is the heir to Gaborn’s kingdom and so must flee to the ends of the earth to avoid the destruction of all that Gaborn accomplished.

One of the mightiest of contemporary fantasy epics continues.

©2006 David Farland (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“An epic fantasy that touches all the keys.” (Barnes & Noble editorial review)

“David Farland’s Runelord books are among the best fantasies on the market today.” (Kevin J. Anderson,  New York Times best-selling author, praise for the series)

fantastic

What an incredible continuation of the story. I love the new expansion of the world and its Lore.

Probably one of the best in the entire series

As always, fantastic story and character development. The deeper meaning behind the story is very compelling and I love the symbolism. The writing style itself leaves a bit to be desired as it is not very emotional or dynamic.

Good but....

Would you try another book from David Farland and/or Ray Porter?

Yes, because I want to finish the series. I absolutely enjoyed 1-4 and the story doesn't end here.

If you’ve listened to books by David Farland before, how does this one compare?

The story is good but doesn't have the strength of books 1-4 and is choppy in places. I realize that the author is attempting to create a separate story from the first by killing many of the characters off but the effect is rather chaotic. Still a good story and obviously necessary to get to the finale, but I hope the kinks get worked out.

Have you listened to any of Ray Porter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Ray Porter is always a strong and excellent narrator and he holds this story together for the reader.

Could you see Sons of the Oak being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes I could see the entire series made into a movie. Who knows....I'm sure they'll find the right folks to do the job, but I think Peter Jackson should be the director.

Great Continuation!

Great Follow-Up to the first 4 books, the Earth King Series! It keeps getting better and better and worth Listening!
I hope that Audible produces the next 3 [to 4] books that are left.

A surprisingly good change!

I wasn't sure what to expect with this new instalment after the conclusion of the last book. I felt that without Gaborn there would be no point, but I was pleasantly surprised. It felt like a fresh start but had enough of the old to feel familiar and it was still packed with excitement and a great story that's building into something even bigger than the first four books. Ray porters narration as always was brilliant and flawless, my only criticism is the length of the book, it felt tiny compared to the first four books and I feel it could have been longer.