Cayden Cailean

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The Boys Ride Again!

5/5

I totally loved the story. The Pathfinder Tales provide a certain slice-of-adventurer-life that the Campaign Setting line of books don't; and the boys deliver once again. Varian, Radovan, and Arnisant once again sticking together the whole time was nice (besides a brief trip outside outside the Material Plane) and something I've enjoyed since Queen of Thorns. Not to say I didn't enjoy Prince of Wolves or Master of Devils, but how great would it have been if Radovan was cracking jokes at Varian at the Dragon Temple or Varian fighting side-by-side with Radovan in a silk cloth store? The boys relationship and interactions with each other is the best part of the Varian/Radovan books, and Lord of Runes developed that in a great direction.

On to specific bits:
Varian's ancestry/magic handicap revelation was pretty awesome to learn. I'm pretty curious how his magical abilities will develop from here though; more sorcery because it's what comes natural to him, or get back into wizardry if he's able to avoid the nausea handicap? Unlike previous books, I'm not sold on the romance in this one; it was no Azra-Radovan slow build or Varian's pining for the forbidden princess. The character herself was fine, reminded me a lot of the Calistrian inquisitor, but a lot of times felt like Moffat's Doctor Who with the sassy girl companion "love interest" story lines which grated on me in recent seasons. I'm hoping any potential future stories would develop that more.

But everything else? HOT DAMN! G#$ d*#n orcs! Badass grey maidens! Happy birthday, Varian! Shoanti druid lady was fantastic! Brothers of the Seal seemed random but nice lil Kaer Maga flavour. Banner-fighting thief/mage was interesting and made me want to think of RPG stats. The epilogue between the boys was sweet and awwww-worthy. Those that haven't read the book yet, please do! You'll love that last part!

I don't know if it's the last adventure with the boys (I sure as hell hope not) but Lord of Runes would be a nice way to do it. Varian is fully investing in their safe and celebrated return to Cheliax as heroes to avoid the wrathful disappointment of Queen Abrogail. The boys working and personal relationship is definitely headed a new direction, and I can only hope we get more stories for the new dynamic.

PAIZO! Pester Dave for more books. And promote the heck out of any potential audiobook!