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The Runebinder Chronicles #2
Runebreaker
Magic is sin
Aidan desires only one thing: to rule. Arrogant, headstrong and driven by the element of Fire, he will stop at nothing to bring the evil Howls that destroyed Scotland to their knees. But Fire is a treacherous element, and the very magic that brought him to power could burn his world to ash.
Especially with the blood of his fellow Hunters on his hands.
Driven by a bloodlust he can’t control and dark whispers that may not be entirely in his head, he and his magic-eschewing friend Kianna will do whatever it takes to liberate their broken world. Even at the risk of confronting the Church. Even at the risk of losing his humanity.
But power isn’t the only thing on Aidan’s mind. He’s falling for the intoxicating Tomas, an Incubus who offers everything Aidan desires. For a price.
And if that price burns the world down, well… Aidan is used to playing with Fire.
Aidan desires only one thing: to rule. Arrogant, headstrong and driven by the element of Fire, he will stop at nothing to bring the evil Howls that destroyed Scotland to their knees. But Fire is a treacherous element, and the very magic that brought him to power could burn his world to ash.
Especially with the blood of his fellow Hunters on his hands.
Driven by a bloodlust he can’t control and dark whispers that may not be entirely in his head, he and his magic-eschewing friend Kianna will do whatever it takes to liberate their broken world. Even at the risk of confronting the Church. Even at the risk of losing his humanity.
But power isn’t the only thing on Aidan’s mind. He’s falling for the intoxicating Tomas, an Incubus who offers everything Aidan desires. For a price.
And if that price burns the world down, well… Aidan is used to playing with Fire.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2018
About the author
Alex R. Kahler
8 books158 followersAlex (A.R.) Kahler is the nomadic author of quite a few books and series, including THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS and RAVENBORN. When not writing or on the road, he can be founding climbing things and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Although born in Iowa, his heart resides in Scotland. And about a dozen other places scattered across the globe. Including, currently, SoCal. Track his travels on Instagram @arkahler
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November 9, 2018All right, it’s time for my favorite kind of review, RRH (Rachael’s Rant Hour). This will be a mini-review, seeing as how I only got about 65 pages in, but first I’ll break down what was GOOD in Runebreakers.
Good Shit!
- Lots of casual diversity! All the main characters are gay, trans, and/or people of color.
- That’s it.
- No really, that’s it.
And you know, I usually can pull through when a book has really good diversity because I love reading books with characters like me in it, even if the book itself sucks.
However, Aiden’s whole vibe and his actions just make him utterly unredeemable as a character.
Listen, I can stand main character’s who are assholes. I read #FashionVictim. I enjoyed Six of Crows. However, Aiden crosses lines that even Kaz Brekker himself would never think of crossing. Also, he’s just really annoying.
So, we start off with Aiden having a nightmare, then killing someone half during his dream and half awake. He, understandably, gets kicked out of the (compound?? It’s been awhile since I read this) he’s living in. He then decides to torture a woman/creature to death until his best friend shows up and is like “wtf dude stop.” Then he calls his best friend a bitch.
And that’s when I stopped reading!
Listen, you can have characters murder people and still be redeemable. It can be done. But as soon as your main character uses hate speech that isn’t challenged in the narrative… bye! You are no longer valid! I’m not even kidding!
His bff, Kianna, literally stops him from being killed, takes him back to her shelter, and then he calls her a bitch?? No thank you.
Also Aiden is angsty. Like, really angsty. Like, a-twilight-fanfiction-that’s-a-Bella/Jacob-Hunger-Games-AU-written-by-a-twelve-year-old-going-through-their-emo-phase-and-posted-on-fanfiction-dot-net-in-2012-angsty. Every time he spoke I just kind of sat there like
Also his instalove with hot angel/demon boyfriend who literally shows up with his shirt off in Aiden’s dreams was so. weird.
So really like, don’t read this? Especially if you’re a woman or close to that? Kianna deserves better. KIANNA DESERVES BETTER.
Good Shit!
- Lots of casual diversity! All the main characters are gay, trans, and/or people of color.
- That’s it.
- No really, that’s it.
And you know, I usually can pull through when a book has really good diversity because I love reading books with characters like me in it, even if the book itself sucks.
However, Aiden’s whole vibe and his actions just make him utterly unredeemable as a character.
Listen, I can stand main character’s who are assholes. I read #FashionVictim. I enjoyed Six of Crows. However, Aiden crosses lines that even Kaz Brekker himself would never think of crossing. Also, he’s just really annoying.
So, we start off with Aiden having a nightmare, then killing someone half during his dream and half awake. He, understandably, gets kicked out of the (compound?? It’s been awhile since I read this) he’s living in. He then decides to torture a woman/creature to death until his best friend shows up and is like “wtf dude stop.” Then he calls his best friend a bitch.
And that’s when I stopped reading!
Listen, you can have characters murder people and still be redeemable. It can be done. But as soon as your main character uses hate speech that isn’t challenged in the narrative… bye! You are no longer valid! I’m not even kidding!
His bff, Kianna, literally stops him from being killed, takes him back to her shelter, and then he calls her a bitch?? No thank you.
Also Aiden is angsty. Like, really angsty. Like, a-twilight-fanfiction-that’s-a-Bella/Jacob-Hunger-Games-AU-written-by-a-twelve-year-old-going-through-their-emo-phase-and-posted-on-fanfiction-dot-net-in-2012-angsty. Every time he spoke I just kind of sat there like
Also his instalove with hot angel/demon boyfriend who literally shows up with his shirt off in Aiden’s dreams was so. weird.
So really like, don’t read this? Especially if you’re a woman or close to that? Kianna deserves better. KIANNA DESERVES BETTER.
July 30, 2019
This sequels follows a different character on a completely different continent. I usually enjoy villain stories, but I had a difficult time connecting with the main character. Aidan was power hungry without ever giving us any real reason why. The trick with a good villain story is to make the reader care about them in spite of their flaws and that didnt happen here. Aidans fire urges and whiny internal monologue got annoyingly repetitive. His partner in crime Kianna was a fierce no none sense transwoman and I loved her. Her loyalty was admirable, but I honestly wish she wasnt so delusional where Aidan was concerned. He's selfish and doesnt seem to have a problem calling her names. I was happy to see Tomas show up.
I liked the world with its monsters and elemental magic. The creatures could definitely leave you with nightmares, especially the Kravens. The book is set in Scottland which was nice, but I wasnt a big fan of the way Aidan kept complaining about it. Im glad the world building was reexplained in a way that didnt seem too obvious. There were some other things I didnt understand though. Even if someone is immune to magic you could still use it to hurt them. We also get dreams meant to show us the past, but dreams arent usually reliable or in chronological order. Plus we get a prophetic type dream at the beginning that was never addressed. I just feel like there were quite a few things that could have been explained better.
I was disapointed to find out this wasnt a continuation of the first book. I was hoping to discover what happened after the events in Runebinder. However my main issue was the amount of repetition and filler. It just slowed down the pace and made me unmotivated to keep reading, even in the middle of a battle scene. Twenty pages to get from the wall to the castle was a bit excessive and this was a constant problem. Ive come to realize both books had main characters that just complained too much for me to connect to. I think Im done with the series and it makes me sad because I want more awesome LGBT+ YA Fantasy in my life, especially ones that are own voices.
*This book was received for an honest review
I liked the world with its monsters and elemental magic. The creatures could definitely leave you with nightmares, especially the Kravens. The book is set in Scottland which was nice, but I wasnt a big fan of the way Aidan kept complaining about it. Im glad the world building was reexplained in a way that didnt seem too obvious. There were some other things I didnt understand though. Even if someone is immune to magic you could still use it to hurt them. We also get dreams meant to show us the past, but dreams arent usually reliable or in chronological order. Plus we get a prophetic type dream at the beginning that was never addressed. I just feel like there were quite a few things that could have been explained better.
I was disapointed to find out this wasnt a continuation of the first book. I was hoping to discover what happened after the events in Runebinder. However my main issue was the amount of repetition and filler. It just slowed down the pace and made me unmotivated to keep reading, even in the middle of a battle scene. Twenty pages to get from the wall to the castle was a bit excessive and this was a constant problem. Ive come to realize both books had main characters that just complained too much for me to connect to. I think Im done with the series and it makes me sad because I want more awesome LGBT+ YA Fantasy in my life, especially ones that are own voices.
*This book was received for an honest review
November 18, 2018
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
I haven't read the first book in this series, but from what I understand this is more of a standalone set in the same universe with a small cameo by characters from book one towards the end. At any rate, I never felt confused while reading it and was sucked in right from the beginning. I definitely thought the world-building and magic system was very fun and unique, but what really made this book for me was the characters. I think I can probably explain best with an excerpt from the author's note at the end:
"Aidan has been called 'difficult' more times than I can count. Unlikable. Narcissistic. Anger-driven. Over a decade ago, when Runebinder first came to light, I poured a great deal of my own emotions onto the page. As I struggled with what it meant to be gay, as I yearned for a world where I didn't have to constantly explain myself, a world where I could be heroic, so was Tenn born of fear, of sadness and of the great desire to be normal. To be important to someone. And to something. Aidan is more than the opposite end of that spectrum. Aidan is the next step in the narrative."
Now I definitely have a soft-spot for 'unlikable' characters no matter what their sexuality, I'm pretty much that person always yelling at the hero in the book when they refuse to kill someone because that would make them ~just as bad~ as the other side, but having angry and unlikable queer character definitely adds another layer of relatability to the narrative for me personally. Anyway, I absolutely love my new gay murder son [and his future demon boyfriend] and also my badass bisexual trans daughter. Rarely do I ever get to read about such unapologetic characters [seriously, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop the whole time and I've never been so glad that it didn't]. I can't wait for the next book in this series.
I haven't read the first book in this series, but from what I understand this is more of a standalone set in the same universe with a small cameo by characters from book one towards the end. At any rate, I never felt confused while reading it and was sucked in right from the beginning. I definitely thought the world-building and magic system was very fun and unique, but what really made this book for me was the characters. I think I can probably explain best with an excerpt from the author's note at the end:
"Aidan has been called 'difficult' more times than I can count. Unlikable. Narcissistic. Anger-driven. Over a decade ago, when Runebinder first came to light, I poured a great deal of my own emotions onto the page. As I struggled with what it meant to be gay, as I yearned for a world where I didn't have to constantly explain myself, a world where I could be heroic, so was Tenn born of fear, of sadness and of the great desire to be normal. To be important to someone. And to something. Aidan is more than the opposite end of that spectrum. Aidan is the next step in the narrative."
Now I definitely have a soft-spot for 'unlikable' characters no matter what their sexuality, I'm pretty much that person always yelling at the hero in the book when they refuse to kill someone because that would make them ~just as bad~ as the other side, but having angry and unlikable queer character definitely adds another layer of relatability to the narrative for me personally. Anyway, I absolutely love my new gay murder son [and his future demon boyfriend] and also my badass bisexual trans daughter. Rarely do I ever get to read about such unapologetic characters [seriously, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop the whole time and I've never been so glad that it didn't]. I can't wait for the next book in this series.
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September 5, 2019His whole series is one big Yike. I really wanted to like it and I do love Tomas but................. that’s pretty much all
December 23, 2018
2.5 Stars
November 28, 2018
This book just felt 'meh' to me. Between the grammatical mistakes and very linear plot (no surprises, no exciting side character motivation) this book was pretty cut and dry.
I feel like it had a small improvement to plot compared to the first novel, but not by much.
I liked how the author didn't stray from difficult topics such as murder and torture - I enjoyed that in a not weird way! But the protagonist? He was just an angsty teenager. I swear, I was waiting for the whole, "It's not a phase, mum!" to come out of his mouth.
I felt like this book had great potential but lost it with a terrible 'romance' with an incubus who, hilariously, didn't want to do anything with our main character. Imagine being rejected by an incubus! That's really awkward.
I understand that the different powers are meant to make people a bit different (aka water makes you emotional, fire makes you a turd etc.) but Aidan is just annoying. He tries too hard to be hardcore and all "feelings don't matter to me you're just tools for me" and it came across as a bit much. I would prefer to see fire use him and then for him to feel guilty or regretful but he can't stop using. Like an addict. This would have made him a far more interesting character for me.
Sometimes the plot would go in odd directions and small things would be lost. Like he killed Trevor or Travis or whatever at the beginning and then later in the book he mentioned they used to sleep together?? I went back and reread the first scenes and saw where it briefly mentioned that they had "shagged" (let's not talk about the forced UK slang in this book to constantly remind the reader where they are located). Now I'm reading reviews saying Kianna was trans? I feel like I'm missing vital points of information because it was never properly spoken about - it would get one line and then the reader would be expected to know and remember these things. This causes the pacing to be a bit confusing as I found myself lost and wondering why things were happening or why a character was the way they were.
And Aidan? Why was he so 'power hungry'? I understand fire might influence him in that, but not that much. Look at Tenn. He was a water user but didn't cry every five seconds, so why does Aidan have so many fire issues? It was just, "I want it" and that was the only explanation the reader got. The whole "I used to be weak" thing grew old too. So is that why he tortures and murders people? I just don't understand this character and why we're meant to care.
Also, the whole issue with the dark lady was actually really good! I liked that he was speaking to the 'big bad', but that was few and far between. Why would he work for her? It doesn't make sense. He kills Howls and other demonic creatures because he wants Scotland/UK free of these things. Then the person who creates them is just fine?
Also, he was meant to be in Scotland but pretty much struts to London in a few days? Come on, give me a break. I'm sure with a country that small it's possible to cross it very quickly, however, remember your world author! Things would attack them! Roads would be destroyed and unusable! Your world would NOT allow your characters to cross this easily. You had a great moment to have your characters bond as they crossed Scotland to London where they could fight off enemies together and get closer which would mean the 'lighter scene' (I won't spoil that for you) would have been more emotional for the reader. They would have remembered the good times with those characters and actually be invested in this. Instead, all we remember is Aidan "shagged" one of them and... that's it. That's all their character development and personality in one bowl.
Altogether, this could have been a really great book. I think it lacked direction, motivation and an interesting protagonist. Tone down the angst, amp up the regret and addiction, and we'd have ourselves an interesting tale! Strengthen bonds with other characters and really feel free to extend the novel beyond the linear creation it currently is. Give it some meat. Please.
I feel like it had a small improvement to plot compared to the first novel, but not by much.
I liked how the author didn't stray from difficult topics such as murder and torture - I enjoyed that in a not weird way! But the protagonist? He was just an angsty teenager. I swear, I was waiting for the whole, "It's not a phase, mum!" to come out of his mouth.
I felt like this book had great potential but lost it with a terrible 'romance' with an incubus who, hilariously, didn't want to do anything with our main character. Imagine being rejected by an incubus! That's really awkward.
I understand that the different powers are meant to make people a bit different (aka water makes you emotional, fire makes you a turd etc.) but Aidan is just annoying. He tries too hard to be hardcore and all "feelings don't matter to me you're just tools for me" and it came across as a bit much. I would prefer to see fire use him and then for him to feel guilty or regretful but he can't stop using. Like an addict. This would have made him a far more interesting character for me.
Sometimes the plot would go in odd directions and small things would be lost. Like he killed Trevor or Travis or whatever at the beginning and then later in the book he mentioned they used to sleep together?? I went back and reread the first scenes and saw where it briefly mentioned that they had "shagged" (let's not talk about the forced UK slang in this book to constantly remind the reader where they are located). Now I'm reading reviews saying Kianna was trans? I feel like I'm missing vital points of information because it was never properly spoken about - it would get one line and then the reader would be expected to know and remember these things. This causes the pacing to be a bit confusing as I found myself lost and wondering why things were happening or why a character was the way they were.
And Aidan? Why was he so 'power hungry'? I understand fire might influence him in that, but not that much. Look at Tenn. He was a water user but didn't cry every five seconds, so why does Aidan have so many fire issues? It was just, "I want it" and that was the only explanation the reader got. The whole "I used to be weak" thing grew old too. So is that why he tortures and murders people? I just don't understand this character and why we're meant to care.
Also, the whole issue with the dark lady was actually really good! I liked that he was speaking to the 'big bad', but that was few and far between. Why would he work for her? It doesn't make sense. He kills Howls and other demonic creatures because he wants Scotland/UK free of these things. Then the person who creates them is just fine?
Also, he was meant to be in Scotland but pretty much struts to London in a few days? Come on, give me a break. I'm sure with a country that small it's possible to cross it very quickly, however, remember your world author! Things would attack them! Roads would be destroyed and unusable! Your world would NOT allow your characters to cross this easily. You had a great moment to have your characters bond as they crossed Scotland to London where they could fight off enemies together and get closer which would mean the 'lighter scene' (I won't spoil that for you) would have been more emotional for the reader. They would have remembered the good times with those characters and actually be invested in this. Instead, all we remember is Aidan "shagged" one of them and... that's it. That's all their character development and personality in one bowl.
Altogether, this could have been a really great book. I think it lacked direction, motivation and an interesting protagonist. Tone down the angst, amp up the regret and addiction, and we'd have ourselves an interesting tale! Strengthen bonds with other characters and really feel free to extend the novel beyond the linear creation it currently is. Give it some meat. Please.
July 28, 2018
I couldn't. I tried, but this is the first book I have DNF'd in years. Right form the start it felt forced with gratuitous tropes.
February 4, 2019
Well, at least Kahler's author's note at the end of the book directly addresses one thing that bothered me about reading this one: how bloody unlikable our protagonist Aidan is. Nowhere near as emotionally open as Tenn, or as loving, Aidan - likely because he's open to Fire instead of Water - is self-absorbed, destructive, and manages to be even more susceptible to the sinister machinations of a certain incubus. And he has a way of basically burning almost every bridge that he crosses, losing tons of friends and lovers in the process. But then when he's really in over his head, it shows, and that's when I can't help but sympathize with him. And luckily, this isn't the end of the road for this series yet, I'd hope - because the ending of this book promises, at long last, a combination and possibly conclusion of the stories begun in this book and in Runebinder. Bring it on, Kahler!
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August 1, 2022This is the second book in the Runebinder chronicles by Alex R. Kahler. I was excited when I received the ARC of this book as I loved the first book in the series, Runebinder. I assumed that this story would be a continuation of the first book, but it wasn't at all.
Though it's set in the same world, Runebreaker follows a different main character named Aiden, and the story takes place in Scotland. I have to admit that I was a tad disappointed as I was looking forward to reading more about Tenn's story, who was the hero in the first book. This book does connect back to Runebinder briefly at the very end but not really in any satisfying sort of way.
So Aiden -- the protagonist in this book -- is a Hunter just like Tenn in the first book. Hunters attempt to liberate the world from the evil Howls and Necromancers who have pretty much destroyed the planet. Aiden's magic is ruled by the element of fire so as such, he is hot-headed, arrogant, power-hungry and self-serving. The only thing that matters to Aiden is Aiden, and all he seems to want out of life is to rule, no matter what the cost. And he's ready to burn the world down to achieve his goal and destroy anyone who stands in his way.
So I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was super excited about reading this book. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed. I ended up absolutely hating the main character. He was an unbelievable asshole — murderous, treacherous, loathsome with not one redeeming quality.
He wasn't at all an anti-hero who redeems himself by doing the right thing at the end. Nope. That never happened. Aiden is 100% asshole. When he finally ran into a bit of trouble in the story, I couldn't muster up even the tiniest bit of sympathy for him. In fact, I found myself thinking, "Oh my god, would someone just kill him already." This character was neither someone I could root for nor someone that I ended up caring about.
It's nearly impossible for me to connect to a story when I hate the main protagonist and that was the case with Runebreaker. The main character wasn't at all relatable and was wholly unlikeable, which caused me not care about the story at all. I honestly had to slug my way through it. It also didn't help that the eBook formatting was problematic which keep yanking me out of the story. This was not the book for me.
A big thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book will be out on November 27th.
Though it's set in the same world, Runebreaker follows a different main character named Aiden, and the story takes place in Scotland. I have to admit that I was a tad disappointed as I was looking forward to reading more about Tenn's story, who was the hero in the first book. This book does connect back to Runebinder briefly at the very end but not really in any satisfying sort of way.
So Aiden -- the protagonist in this book -- is a Hunter just like Tenn in the first book. Hunters attempt to liberate the world from the evil Howls and Necromancers who have pretty much destroyed the planet. Aiden's magic is ruled by the element of fire so as such, he is hot-headed, arrogant, power-hungry and self-serving. The only thing that matters to Aiden is Aiden, and all he seems to want out of life is to rule, no matter what the cost. And he's ready to burn the world down to achieve his goal and destroy anyone who stands in his way.
So I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was super excited about reading this book. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed. I ended up absolutely hating the main character. He was an unbelievable asshole — murderous, treacherous, loathsome with not one redeeming quality.
He wasn't at all an anti-hero who redeems himself by doing the right thing at the end. Nope. That never happened. Aiden is 100% asshole. When he finally ran into a bit of trouble in the story, I couldn't muster up even the tiniest bit of sympathy for him. In fact, I found myself thinking, "Oh my god, would someone just kill him already." This character was neither someone I could root for nor someone that I ended up caring about.
It's nearly impossible for me to connect to a story when I hate the main protagonist and that was the case with Runebreaker. The main character wasn't at all relatable and was wholly unlikeable, which caused me not care about the story at all. I honestly had to slug my way through it. It also didn't help that the eBook formatting was problematic which keep yanking me out of the story. This was not the book for me.
A big thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book will be out on November 27th.
January 21, 2019
1.5 stars..maybe..I am on the fence here between not liking it and it was ok. *I received a copy of this via NetGalley and the publisher Harlequin TEEN in exchange for an honest review.* I originally wanted to read this book because I had read the first in the series and I was hoping and praying for maybe some explanations or some sense to be made in this book that the first one lacked. I will tell you right now you will get no answers from this book to questions from the first book. You will only end up with more questions and an intense dislike for the MC, Aidan who is probably the most selfish, self absorbed, and just mental MC I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. Being in his head was disturbing. Despite my dislike for him.. his sidekick Kianna was the bomb. She was ruthless as well, super strong character. I found myself fantasizing what her story would be.
I had the same problems with the missing world building and absolute lack of backstory that I had in the first book. I just feel like someone should have told the author upfront that without these details your story doesn't make the sense that it could. I feel like this story was supposed to be "the making of the antagonist" so to speak even if the actual antagonist is some barely known entity "The Dark Lady." I sincerely wish there was some myth or lore or explanations explaining this entity and her goals because her actions do not meet up with what she says she desires to this MC.
This book does not pick up where book one left off really.. we start a whole new adventure with a new MC, Aidan. Aidan starts his story by murdering one of his fellow hunters and having the intense desire to take over and rule the world.... yea nice to meet you Aidan. From there, Aidan gets into one awful mess after another driven by his greed and selfishness getting everyone around him killed or killing them himself. Pushed along by his desire for the incubus demon and whispers and vision of The Dark Lady to do their bidding while promising him all that he wants, he continues into a trap of brutal torture both mental and physical. It really seems as though he is being groomed to be the bad guy... of course I have no freaking idea where this is headed or even why...
I am still super confused on what is going on, and I'm now at the conclusion that it is not going to get better. It is really unfortunate, but I won't be trying to complete this series. The anxiety and confusion just isn't worth it to me to cater to my "must finish" OCD on this one lol.
I had the same problems with the missing world building and absolute lack of backstory that I had in the first book. I just feel like someone should have told the author upfront that without these details your story doesn't make the sense that it could. I feel like this story was supposed to be "the making of the antagonist" so to speak even if the actual antagonist is some barely known entity "The Dark Lady." I sincerely wish there was some myth or lore or explanations explaining this entity and her goals because her actions do not meet up with what she says she desires to this MC.
This book does not pick up where book one left off really.. we start a whole new adventure with a new MC, Aidan. Aidan starts his story by murdering one of his fellow hunters and having the intense desire to take over and rule the world.... yea nice to meet you Aidan. From there, Aidan gets into one awful mess after another driven by his greed and selfishness getting everyone around him killed or killing them himself. Pushed along by his desire for the incubus demon and whispers and vision of The Dark Lady to do their bidding while promising him all that he wants, he continues into a trap of brutal torture both mental and physical. It really seems as though he is being groomed to be the bad guy... of course I have no freaking idea where this is headed or even why...
I am still super confused on what is going on, and I'm now at the conclusion that it is not going to get better. It is really unfortunate, but I won't be trying to complete this series. The anxiety and confusion just isn't worth it to me to cater to my "must finish" OCD on this one lol.
July 7, 2018
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I could not get into this book at all. I found the writing to be subpar, the plot to be a bit boring and the constant grammatical errors and ebook formatting issues to be distracting.
Aidan was not a very intriguing and relatable character to me. As much as I tried to like the story since I tend to gravitate towards this genre, it feel flat for me.
Unfortunately, I could not get into this book at all. I found the writing to be subpar, the plot to be a bit boring and the constant grammatical errors and ebook formatting issues to be distracting.
Aidan was not a very intriguing and relatable character to me. As much as I tried to like the story since I tend to gravitate towards this genre, it feel flat for me.
December 31, 2018
3.5 stars. I didn’t realize upon starting this book that it wasn’t a direct continuation of the story. That it could in theory be read as a stand-alone. I think that threw me quite a bit. I knew the story followed Aiden from reading the description but I really thought it would jump between him and Tenn. it does not. Aiden is a basically brand new character in a whole other country.
Aiden is the opposite of Tenn. Aiden is an asshole who wants power and has no regrets about anything. He kills as he pleases and doesn’t feel bad about it. All he cares about is himself.
The story is okay. Aiden definitely is. It my favorite character ever. I can see the appeal of a completely unapologetic character such as him, but it’s not for me.
I really hope Lukas comes back in the next book. I enjoyed his character for the short time he was in the book. I’m so glad Tenn is back. I figured they would converge at some point and I can’t wait to see what happens next now that Tenn and Aiden are together and unbeknownst to Tenn enemies.
I think the author made the right decision to start the series with Tenn’s book. I’m not sure I would have moved onto the second book if Aiden had been the main character of the first.
I am curious who the POV will be in the next book or if it will alternate between the two. If it has to be one character I’d prefer Tenn, but I think alternating would be ideal.
Aiden is the opposite of Tenn. Aiden is an asshole who wants power and has no regrets about anything. He kills as he pleases and doesn’t feel bad about it. All he cares about is himself.
The story is okay. Aiden definitely is. It my favorite character ever. I can see the appeal of a completely unapologetic character such as him, but it’s not for me.
I really hope Lukas comes back in the next book. I enjoyed his character for the short time he was in the book. I’m so glad Tenn is back. I figured they would converge at some point and I can’t wait to see what happens next now that Tenn and Aiden are together and unbeknownst to Tenn enemies.
I think the author made the right decision to start the series with Tenn’s book. I’m not sure I would have moved onto the second book if Aiden had been the main character of the first.
I am curious who the POV will be in the next book or if it will alternate between the two. If it has to be one character I’d prefer Tenn, but I think alternating would be ideal.
January 16, 2020
5 Hearts Reviewed by Shorty for MM Good Book Reviews
Aidan was not what I expected. He was arrogant and intoxicating all at the same time. His quest to rule was all consuming. He did not let anyone get in his way including those close to him. Intense scenes and gripping events hold the reader captive as you sit there spellbound with the story playing out.
I loved everything about this book. It gave an insight as to who Aidan is and what he hopes to achieve. I was hoping he would mend his ways as he is a little brutal in his quest. But, it went well with the story line as things progressed.
I am looking forward to the next book to see what happens next.
Fantastic read.
Aidan was not what I expected. He was arrogant and intoxicating all at the same time. His quest to rule was all consuming. He did not let anyone get in his way including those close to him. Intense scenes and gripping events hold the reader captive as you sit there spellbound with the story playing out.
I loved everything about this book. It gave an insight as to who Aidan is and what he hopes to achieve. I was hoping he would mend his ways as he is a little brutal in his quest. But, it went well with the story line as things progressed.
I am looking forward to the next book to see what happens next.
Fantastic read.
Read
December 1, 2018Miniseries: The Runebinder Chronicles
May 21, 2019
This read exactly like an NA novel and while it was great, it was supposed to be for a YA audience. Again, publishing: DO NEW ADULT
June 25, 2019
Not as good as the first one, but still really great.
December 27, 2018
Kahler follows up Runebinder with a fiery sequel. While Tenn has been fighting his battles, across the seas Aidan is fighting for power and there is little he won't do to gain it.
Runebreaker has a completely different feel to Runebinder, Aidan is full of rage and the pull of Fire and the whispers of the Dark Lady are hard to ignore. In some ways Aidan is unlikable; he's egotistical, arrogant and there are times when he seems irredeemable. However there is a reason for this and I think it's really important to read the author's note which explains why Aidan is the way he is. And I think it's great that Kahler as given us something of a queer antihero, because the book world has long given straight antiheroes the ok but it seems often queer characters and their personalities are forced to conform to a much more narrow existence in order to be accepted.
I really enjoyed getting to see some new characters (that said a fair few died!). Kianna was a particular favourite. A badass trans woman, Kianna refuses to take Aidan shit and gives back as good as she gets. Kianna, despite fighting with the Hunters, also refuses to be attuned to any of the spheres and strongly dislikes magic. I'm hoping we get to see more of her in Runemaker because she's such a great character.
Runebreaker is a wonderful continuation of the Runebinder Chronicles. It sets itself apart, expanding the universe whilst fate draws Aidan and Tenn paths closer and closer to collision.
Content Warnings: torture (mostly fade to black but some on page)
★★★★☆(4.5)/5
This review and more can be found at https://wildheartreads.wordpress.com
"There was no room in this world for sadness and regret. There was only the flash, the burn, the energy and excitment. Life was a flame, not a flood. You lived and you burned and you burned out. Drowning was not an option."
Runebreaker has a completely different feel to Runebinder, Aidan is full of rage and the pull of Fire and the whispers of the Dark Lady are hard to ignore. In some ways Aidan is unlikable; he's egotistical, arrogant and there are times when he seems irredeemable. However there is a reason for this and I think it's really important to read the author's note which explains why Aidan is the way he is. And I think it's great that Kahler as given us something of a queer antihero, because the book world has long given straight antiheroes the ok but it seems often queer characters and their personalities are forced to conform to a much more narrow existence in order to be accepted.
I really enjoyed getting to see some new characters (that said a fair few died!). Kianna was a particular favourite. A badass trans woman, Kianna refuses to take Aidan shit and gives back as good as she gets. Kianna, despite fighting with the Hunters, also refuses to be attuned to any of the spheres and strongly dislikes magic. I'm hoping we get to see more of her in Runemaker because she's such a great character.
Runebreaker is a wonderful continuation of the Runebinder Chronicles. It sets itself apart, expanding the universe whilst fate draws Aidan and Tenn paths closer and closer to collision.
"Why do you serve, when you were meant to rule."
Content Warnings: torture (mostly fade to black but some on page)
★★★★☆(4.5)/5
This review and more can be found at https://wildheartreads.wordpress.com
October 6, 2020
Wow.
Okay, so I don't recommend waiting the two years I did between reading book one and book two. Don't do that. Don't be like me and wait so long that you have little idea what is even going on at the start of this book. Seriously, all I could even vaguely recall were the broad strokes from the first book. I meant to reread it before this book, but I have a habit of saying I'm going to and then not doing it. My reason for waiting so long was that I actually genuinely like Tenn and discovering that we would have a different protagonist for the second book left me uncertain about it.
I was right to have worried because Aiden is ... well, Aiden is a lot of things. The first one you're probably going to notice is messed up in the head. He's just not... I think some of his wires are crossed. That being said, I actually do like him. He's messed up, has a great sense of humor and is going to be an interesting character in the third book, I'd wager.
I continue to like the world building, I think the magic is all kinds of awesome. The secondary characters... Well, I'm three-quarters of the way in love with Kianna already, because that girl is everything awesome. And, you know, I love the fact that the important relationship in this story, pretty much the last link in Aiden's crumbling morality chain, is his best friend. I like the fact that they are not interested in each other (in fact, their sexuality is mutually incompatible).
I really have nothing I can say about the story here - that isn't a spoiler - except: wow. And, in truth, my mind is so blown by this story that spoilers would probably devolve into incoherent mumbling. Just an awesome book and I am super excited for the finale.
(Side note: Yes! I actually managed to land on an audiobook that I could finish! See, it's not my fault. *coughs* Top marks to the narrator. He did a spectacular job. We have unique voices for the characters, including accents and women and none of the voices are annoying!)
Okay, so I don't recommend waiting the two years I did between reading book one and book two. Don't do that. Don't be like me and wait so long that you have little idea what is even going on at the start of this book. Seriously, all I could even vaguely recall were the broad strokes from the first book. I meant to reread it before this book, but I have a habit of saying I'm going to and then not doing it. My reason for waiting so long was that I actually genuinely like Tenn and discovering that we would have a different protagonist for the second book left me uncertain about it.
I was right to have worried because Aiden is ... well, Aiden is a lot of things. The first one you're probably going to notice is messed up in the head. He's just not... I think some of his wires are crossed. That being said, I actually do like him. He's messed up, has a great sense of humor and is going to be an interesting character in the third book, I'd wager.
I continue to like the world building, I think the magic is all kinds of awesome. The secondary characters... Well, I'm three-quarters of the way in love with Kianna already, because that girl is everything awesome. And, you know, I love the fact that the important relationship in this story, pretty much the last link in Aiden's crumbling morality chain, is his best friend. I like the fact that they are not interested in each other (in fact, their sexuality is mutually incompatible).
I really have nothing I can say about the story here - that isn't a spoiler - except: wow. And, in truth, my mind is so blown by this story that spoilers would probably devolve into incoherent mumbling. Just an awesome book and I am super excited for the finale.
(Side note: Yes! I actually managed to land on an audiobook that I could finish! See, it's not my fault. *coughs* Top marks to the narrator. He did a spectacular job. We have unique voices for the characters, including accents and women and none of the voices are annoying!)
June 10, 2020
Runebreaker is the second and penultimate book in The Runebinder Chronicles series written by Alex R. Kahler. It centers on Aidan, a hunter, living in a post-apocalyptic world gone mad.
Unlike Tenn, Aidan is full of rage and the pull of Fire and the whispers of the Dark Lady are hard to ignore. In some ways Aidan is unlikable as he's egotistical, arrogant and there are times when he seems irredeemable. However there is a reason for this, which makes Aidan such a compelling antihero.
Aidan is aligned with the Sphere of Fire and as such, he is tempestuous, impulsive, and ambitious. He seeks to destroy the Kin who is occupying Scotland and establish himself as the King. He wants glory and power, two things that Tomás keeps whispering he can give him, and Aidan is quite susceptible to his siren song. Aidan cares for only one person in his life, his best friend and travel companion, Kianna, who is quite like him in nature, but is not rash like him.
Runebreaker is written somewhat well. The narrative feels rather short as not much really happens, but written rather well. At first the narrative is quite confusing at first as it jumps right into an action scene without any additional information and a new character the reader has never met. Eventually, details slowly trickles about when and where the story takes place in relation to the first installment, but it made the first half rather confusing. However, the diversity is represented rather well as we have a queer antihero and a strong trans-woman in Kianna.
All in all, Runebreaker is written rather moderately well and is a somewhat good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.
Unlike Tenn, Aidan is full of rage and the pull of Fire and the whispers of the Dark Lady are hard to ignore. In some ways Aidan is unlikable as he's egotistical, arrogant and there are times when he seems irredeemable. However there is a reason for this, which makes Aidan such a compelling antihero.
Aidan is aligned with the Sphere of Fire and as such, he is tempestuous, impulsive, and ambitious. He seeks to destroy the Kin who is occupying Scotland and establish himself as the King. He wants glory and power, two things that Tomás keeps whispering he can give him, and Aidan is quite susceptible to his siren song. Aidan cares for only one person in his life, his best friend and travel companion, Kianna, who is quite like him in nature, but is not rash like him.
Runebreaker is written somewhat well. The narrative feels rather short as not much really happens, but written rather well. At first the narrative is quite confusing at first as it jumps right into an action scene without any additional information and a new character the reader has never met. Eventually, details slowly trickles about when and where the story takes place in relation to the first installment, but it made the first half rather confusing. However, the diversity is represented rather well as we have a queer antihero and a strong trans-woman in Kianna.
All in all, Runebreaker is written rather moderately well and is a somewhat good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.
November 7, 2020
I read Runebreaker even quicker than the first book, but I'll be honest in saying that it wasn't as good. Sure, the incubus stuck around to wreak some more delicious havoc, and a post-apocalyptic Scotland was a refreshing change to that of America, if not just as bleak, but it was the MC of Aidan that rendered it the inferior book. Aidan was an anti-hero at best, even a villain, and while it was actually quite amazing to have such an unapologetically callous and cruel protagonist in a book rather than just the same mould of young warrior hero, it was difficult to be on his side. Especially as the MC from the first book was so caring and selfless, this reckless little Fire mage came across as just...bratty. He spent whole paragraphs lamenting about the loss of Scottish culture and buildings, but didn't care about people. Even it was intentional and important to the story (and acknowledged by the author), it weakened the readers' connection.
I'd been hoping for the anti-magic Church to rear its zealot head since they were introduced in Runebinder, and their creepy fanaticism was even better than I'd expected. No punches were pulled by this author!
It felt like a short book, and I'm already a good chunk into the third of the series, looking forward to getting Tenn back and seeing where the world ends up. Worth a read, but only if you're invested in the series, as it doesn't really give any resolution.
"A part of him marveled at the destruction. At the heat that had melted windows and peeled apart foundations, turned roads to rivers and families to dust. It was beautiful, in the way that all broken things are beautiful - pure and raw, twisted and without affectation."
I'd been hoping for the anti-magic Church to rear its zealot head since they were introduced in Runebinder, and their creepy fanaticism was even better than I'd expected. No punches were pulled by this author!
It felt like a short book, and I'm already a good chunk into the third of the series, looking forward to getting Tenn back and seeing where the world ends up. Worth a read, but only if you're invested in the series, as it doesn't really give any resolution.
"A part of him marveled at the destruction. At the heat that had melted windows and peeled apart foundations, turned roads to rivers and families to dust. It was beautiful, in the way that all broken things are beautiful - pure and raw, twisted and without affectation."
February 20, 2023
“It was beautiful, in the way that all broken things are beautiful—pure and raw, twisted and without affectation. It was damaged, destroyed, and it couldn’t pretend to be anything else.”
I almost put this book down. I feel victim to catching a phrase in a review as I added this book to Currently Reading (I was already 100 or so digital pages in). It sounded AWFUL. But I thought abt it and knew it had to be read. Aidan’s story had to be read.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Aidan is a Class A d1ck. He’s fueled by anger, self-absorbed, and a brat. He’s only loyal to one person other than himself. He gives zero ducks abt who he has to mow down in his path.
I can’t say I hated him tho. I’ve been reading and watching dystopians for quite some time now. There are always those humans that turn so dark you wonder what their motivation is. You watch as the number of humans dwindle, but they continue to cut them down. Or eat them 🤷🏽♀️ My point is, we keep watching and reading even with the d1cks involved because we need to see it get better or feel redemption or that the world can still move forward.
Maybe humans just overall suck and it won’t get better and there is no redemption and the world BURNS.
Pretty gloomy, but hey. Aidan represents a part of us that wants to be seen and known. (Yes and duh “but we’re not burning our boyfriends to ashes.” But maybe there’s a part of us even teeny tiny that would…) Anyway, IF you find yourself trying to DNF this book because you feel like you shouldn’t enjoy is as a work of fiction, SKIP FORWARD to the Acknowledgments. Read that. At least give Aidan that much.
And can we talk abt the horrors of the church? I’ll just leave it there, actually, because it’ll make me crazy.
I almost put this book down. I feel victim to catching a phrase in a review as I added this book to Currently Reading (I was already 100 or so digital pages in). It sounded AWFUL. But I thought abt it and knew it had to be read. Aidan’s story had to be read.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Aidan is a Class A d1ck. He’s fueled by anger, self-absorbed, and a brat. He’s only loyal to one person other than himself. He gives zero ducks abt who he has to mow down in his path.
I can’t say I hated him tho. I’ve been reading and watching dystopians for quite some time now. There are always those humans that turn so dark you wonder what their motivation is. You watch as the number of humans dwindle, but they continue to cut them down. Or eat them 🤷🏽♀️ My point is, we keep watching and reading even with the d1cks involved because we need to see it get better or feel redemption or that the world can still move forward.
Maybe humans just overall suck and it won’t get better and there is no redemption and the world BURNS.
Pretty gloomy, but hey. Aidan represents a part of us that wants to be seen and known. (Yes and duh “but we’re not burning our boyfriends to ashes.” But maybe there’s a part of us even teeny tiny that would…) Anyway, IF you find yourself trying to DNF this book because you feel like you shouldn’t enjoy is as a work of fiction, SKIP FORWARD to the Acknowledgments. Read that. At least give Aidan that much.
And can we talk abt the horrors of the church? I’ll just leave it there, actually, because it’ll make me crazy.
February 11, 2023
Overall, having read the whole trilogy, I think this is the best of the three (Runebinder, Runebreaker, Runemaker). I, personally, found Aidan to be the most compelling of any of the characters in this series. I loved the added depth to the magic system, and the contrast that I was able to see between Tenn (water-user) and Aidan (fire-user).
Again, loved the queerness, which I already talked about in my Runebinder review.
spoilers below
What did I love?
1. The main character is short.
My main complaint about Runebinder was that every. single. character. was short. I did really appreciate that Aidan was short. I know this sounds silly, but it was something that irritated me in book 1, so seeing that rectified was really nice.
2. the fact that aidan loses his powers? amazing. *chef's kiss*
I don't know why I loved this particular plot point so much, but I did. I found it to be a really compelling part of the story, and I just!!! I had so many feelings about it. I was texting my friend while I read, and everything about this plot point was in all caps.
Brother Jeremiah? Despicable man. Awful. But also loved him.
What didn't I love?
This book should have been adult. Honest to god, I think this whole series should be written as adult, because DAMN do I want these characters (especially Aidan and Tomás) to actually do ~activities~ with each other. But maybe that's just me.
But overall, I felt that this book improved upon a lot of my beef with the first one. Like I said, I think it's my favorite in the series.
Again, loved the queerness, which I already talked about in my Runebinder review.
spoilers below
What did I love?
1. The main character is short.
My main complaint about Runebinder was that every. single. character. was short. I did really appreciate that Aidan was short. I know this sounds silly, but it was something that irritated me in book 1, so seeing that rectified was really nice.
2. the fact that aidan loses his powers? amazing. *chef's kiss*
I don't know why I loved this particular plot point so much, but I did. I found it to be a really compelling part of the story, and I just!!! I had so many feelings about it. I was texting my friend while I read, and everything about this plot point was in all caps.
Brother Jeremiah? Despicable man. Awful. But also loved him.
What didn't I love?
This book should have been adult. Honest to god, I think this whole series should be written as adult, because DAMN do I want these characters (especially Aidan and Tomás) to actually do ~activities~ with each other. But maybe that's just me.
But overall, I felt that this book improved upon a lot of my beef with the first one. Like I said, I think it's my favorite in the series.
January 30, 2024
Ok so at first I was put off by the book following a different character than the first, BUT, I really ended up liking Aiden as well. I like that he's a believable sort of villain that doesn't really WANT to be bad deep down, but the circumstances made him power hungry/want revenge/get his life back. Even though I was screaming DON'T DO IT a lot of the time, for the most part I could see why he did them. Also, in my review of the first book, I said I loved Tomas. Let me just say it again. I LOVE TOMAS. If I ever felt like the plot was dragging, boom! Tomas scene and I'm all hype again. I love that even though the first two books are written in different perspectives Tomas is still my favorite character. I know everyone hates on Aiden but, shrug, I agree he was horrible, but i disagree when people say being in his head is disturbing. It lets you see where he's coming from(Even if where he's coming from is kinda meh) and I feel like thats why you can't entirely hate him because he doesn't want to BE a monster. I listened to a song called Man or a Monster by Sam Tinnesz and I feel like that captures Aiden fairly well because he doesn't want to be a monster, but even so, he can't help his emotions and ends up acting in a horrible way. I feel like there's more depth to Aiden than people are even willing to look into because they were already disappointed by the fact that it wasn't still in Tenn's perspective. So if you haven't read the book yet, please give Aiden a chance. Also I loved Kianna <3
August 13, 2018
So, I had no idea that this was actually book #2 in a series, which to me says that the author did an excellent job ensuring that new readers were able to keep up with what was going on in the book with no prior knowledge.
As for the book, it's an urban dystopian fantasy book where there are four basic factions. The Kin (the evil people), The Hunters (most of whom have some kind of magical ability), The Church (self-explanatory), and regular humans stuck in the middle of all of the above. The main character is an anti-hero named Aiden who starts the book off by killing someone (not too much of a spoiler), but then it kind of all goes downhill from there.
You end up rooting for the hero even though you realize he's a huge asshole and has some real baggage he needs to deal with. You're never quite sure if Aiden is evil now or going to be evil in the near future. He definitely has reasons for all of his actions, as misguided as those often are.
Overall, I found the entire book a fun read and I would definitely enjoy seeing the rest of the series when it comes out.
Just as an FYI - I read an advanced copy of the book for the purpose of providing an honest review. I do not know the author, editor, or publisher, so my review is totally mine.
As for the book, it's an urban dystopian fantasy book where there are four basic factions. The Kin (the evil people), The Hunters (most of whom have some kind of magical ability), The Church (self-explanatory), and regular humans stuck in the middle of all of the above. The main character is an anti-hero named Aiden who starts the book off by killing someone (not too much of a spoiler), but then it kind of all goes downhill from there.
You end up rooting for the hero even though you realize he's a huge asshole and has some real baggage he needs to deal with. You're never quite sure if Aiden is evil now or going to be evil in the near future. He definitely has reasons for all of his actions, as misguided as those often are.
Overall, I found the entire book a fun read and I would definitely enjoy seeing the rest of the series when it comes out.
Just as an FYI - I read an advanced copy of the book for the purpose of providing an honest review. I do not know the author, editor, or publisher, so my review is totally mine.
November 22, 2018
I won an early arc from goodreads and let me tell you I was so excited. I really loved Runebinder and the world Alex built. A world in which the apocalypse has come and all that was left behind were empty souls called the howls(once-human beasts spawned by magic) and people who were intuned with the elemental magic.
This book was completely different than Runebinder. Set in the same magically system world, but with the backdrop of Scotland, we no longer follow Tenn but Aiden. Aiden is an outcast and burning with the fire magic that he can’t seem to control or is completely controlling him. He’s set it upon himself to take down Calum, the Howl King of Britain, alongside his only friend Kianna.
I love how complex but real the characters are. I also love that Alex isn’t afraid to explore sexuality within his characters; Aiden’s gay and reading from a gay mans perspective was very enlightening.
Though I can’t lie, I did miss continuing with Tenn and his story from the first book. You grow so in love with a character that it kind of takes a step back when it’s someone else’s story you’re reading and the last is left unfinished.
This book was completely different than Runebinder. Set in the same magically system world, but with the backdrop of Scotland, we no longer follow Tenn but Aiden. Aiden is an outcast and burning with the fire magic that he can’t seem to control or is completely controlling him. He’s set it upon himself to take down Calum, the Howl King of Britain, alongside his only friend Kianna.
I love how complex but real the characters are. I also love that Alex isn’t afraid to explore sexuality within his characters; Aiden’s gay and reading from a gay mans perspective was very enlightening.
Though I can’t lie, I did miss continuing with Tenn and his story from the first book. You grow so in love with a character that it kind of takes a step back when it’s someone else’s story you’re reading and the last is left unfinished.
March 29, 2019
Audiobook review. Narrator - Zach Villa
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first, although it was still good. Aidan is not a likable character at the beginning of the story, so I found it difficult at first to care about him. We end up getting glimpses of the past so we eventually know how he got to where he is and what motivates him.
What happened between him and his parents, especially him and his mother, really gets to me, mostly because I'm a mother and can relate to how much I want a good relationship with my son. I'm not sure how many readers can get into that part of the story, though.
I also have a problem with the abrupt ending. I was listening to the audiobook and was quite surprised when I heard the closing info on the book, indicating the story was over! Had I known it ended like that, I probably would have waited for the third and final book to come out.
The narrator did a very good job of voicing the characters. I really do look forward to the next book, which hopefully will be available as an audiobook.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first, although it was still good. Aidan is not a likable character at the beginning of the story, so I found it difficult at first to care about him. We end up getting glimpses of the past so we eventually know how he got to where he is and what motivates him.
What happened between him and his parents, especially him and his mother, really gets to me, mostly because I'm a mother and can relate to how much I want a good relationship with my son. I'm not sure how many readers can get into that part of the story, though.
I also have a problem with the abrupt ending. I was listening to the audiobook and was quite surprised when I heard the closing info on the book, indicating the story was over! Had I known it ended like that, I probably would have waited for the third and final book to come out.
The narrator did a very good job of voicing the characters. I really do look forward to the next book, which hopefully will be available as an audiobook.
November 14, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley for the electronic advanced reading copy to read and review early.
This is the second book in the Runebinder series, and even though it takes place in the same world as Runebinder and Tenn's story, Aiden's story is much different. Tomás is a common character in both stories. Aiden's attuned to Fire and a much different Hunter than Tenn. He's passionate, arrogant, selfish, and everything else you'd expect a fire user to be. He lets his fire sphere burn away his doubts and regrets. He's done many unforgivable things, and is in no way likable, so I see why some people who liked the first story will not like this one. But I liked it. It felt like a strong second story in this series and I can see how things are setting up for the next one, especially with the ending, bringing all the characters together. I can't wait to see where this series goes.
This is the second book in the Runebinder series, and even though it takes place in the same world as Runebinder and Tenn's story, Aiden's story is much different. Tomás is a common character in both stories. Aiden's attuned to Fire and a much different Hunter than Tenn. He's passionate, arrogant, selfish, and everything else you'd expect a fire user to be. He lets his fire sphere burn away his doubts and regrets. He's done many unforgivable things, and is in no way likable, so I see why some people who liked the first story will not like this one. But I liked it. It felt like a strong second story in this series and I can see how things are setting up for the next one, especially with the ending, bringing all the characters together. I can't wait to see where this series goes.
November 16, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed Runebinder, and I was excited to start the second book in the series. Unfortunately, this main character, Aiden, wasn’t nearly as compelling as Tenn was in the first novel. These stories happen right after one another, but Aiden’s story is all over the place. There are weird time gaps, missing information, and plot holes that just make you wonder if your book had a chapter torn out of it.
There aren’t any, and I mean ANY, redeemable qualities for Aiden by the end of the book. He kills multiple people, changes his mind about twenty times, and reading the last book’s summary makes me hope Aiden was the bad guy all along and Tenn will put him in his grave. I’m not exactly thrilled to read the next one, but I suffered through the second half of this book just so I could move on to the next book on my reading lists.
There aren’t any, and I mean ANY, redeemable qualities for Aiden by the end of the book. He kills multiple people, changes his mind about twenty times, and reading the last book’s summary makes me hope Aiden was the bad guy all along and Tenn will put him in his grave. I’m not exactly thrilled to read the next one, but I suffered through the second half of this book just so I could move on to the next book on my reading lists.
December 17, 2019
Yes. YES! This is why I always read the second book! Runebinder was so bad but I love this one so much. Lets get into what this book did right, unlike the first. To start off, the characters are good! Aidan and Kianna were compelling and had so much character, unlike the ones from the first one. Their only defining character traits were that they all had tragic pasts. Besides that they were bland and burning. Another thing was the relationship with Thomás. It felt so out of place with Tenn, but here it feels realistic like it could happen if all this was real. And another thing was the plot. It held firm on, aside to the first one where the were just kind of hopping from location to location. One thing I didn't like though is the world building. Because theres really none of it. The world is just there, a world that I love, but it's not expanded upon. Which kind of sucks.
September 28, 2021
First, if you include ALL the pages of this copy of "Runebreaker," by Alex R. Kahler (the second in "The Runebinder Chronicles"), then you have a grand total of 336 pages. I have yet to figure out why the page count seems so incorrect, even now when I enter a book by its ISBN, but I digress.
After I began reading "Runebinder," I became an immediate fan of Mr. Kahler. Which is why I AM very much looking forward to reading "Runemaker," the final book in "The Runebinder Chronicles."
Aidan is a lot. Angry, ill-tempered, hungry for power, but also hungry for love. Frustrated at the world, frustrated with himself. He gets what he wants, halfway through the book, and still very much dissatisfied. He is the anti-hero and the principal character of this book. And destined to meet Tenn, whom we met in "Runebinder."
I cannot wait to see what happens with both of them.
After I began reading "Runebinder," I became an immediate fan of Mr. Kahler. Which is why I AM very much looking forward to reading "Runemaker," the final book in "The Runebinder Chronicles."
Aidan is a lot. Angry, ill-tempered, hungry for power, but also hungry for love. Frustrated at the world, frustrated with himself. He gets what he wants, halfway through the book, and still very much dissatisfied. He is the anti-hero and the principal character of this book. And destined to meet Tenn, whom we met in "Runebinder."
I cannot wait to see what happens with both of them.
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