Historical fiction set in Scotland in the 900s. A change from Duncan's usual swashbuckling fantasies, there is no magic and no swordplay (although plenty of swords). This read like Duncan was setting up a premise for a historical adventure series. If that's the case, I'll gladly read it. I was just getting really engaged and enjoying myself when it ended. ( )

This book was received free in the early reviewers program in exchange for an HONEST review. Please keep in mind that this is my opinion...yours may be different.

Dave Duncan's style makes the book easy to read but the story itself is boring. The story is extremely simple without any major conflict and didn't generate many feelings for me but I did keep asking, "when will this end?"

It's a basic linear story about a boy who becomes important by delivering a few messages to people who happen to think he's rather good at delivering messages. At the end of the story he rides off...
There is no real purpose to this story, no interesting events, no "anything" at the end other than the feeling of wasted time.

It seemed like it was the first chapter or two of a long and boring "coming of age" story where the boy happens to do everything right and wins the favor of everyone he meets.

If you like fiction with lots of conflict and twists that keep you on edge...then skip this one for sure!

The book would get rated lower but Duncan's writing style wasn't bad:
2.5 stars ( )

Duncan always does coming of age fantasy well, and this is no exception. As usual, the right mix of humour and action to keep you entertained throughout. A nice read for a sunny afternoon. ( )

I received a copy of this book through the LT early reviewers program. The review is somewhat spoilery.

A very nicely produced ebook with a clean, working design.

I really liked the book at first. The setting seemed interesting and the writing was very good. The introduction of characters was slow and suspenseful yet not overly long. I liked how the author used old words and terms to describe people and concepts in a way that allows you to surmise their meaning from context alone. However, despite the initial well written revelation of the main character, it soon became obvious that this is nothing more than yet another coming of age story about a boy who is sort of an underdog but actually rather clever and brave who becomes a man literally in a day and has everything falling into his lap without having to pay any price for it at all. I completely lost interest in the story by the time it was confirmed the tension between the two powerful guys was about who gets the princess. Thankfully the book is so short. I'm willing to give the writer the benefit of the doubt that the plot might be more complicated in the following parts (there are a few tiny hints that the main character might not be as carefree and self-centered as he seems if you squint), but to be honest I'm not curious enough to keep reading.

I wouldn't really tag this book with fantasy. A potentially self-fulfilling prophecy and an odd character titled "wizard" by superstitious folk who doesn't really seem to possess any supernatural powers doesn't really count as fantasy in my opinion. ( )

Quite fun for a short novel, Runner and the Wizard effectively made me laugh and kept me interested to the point I wouldn’t have minded it being a little longer — although I think the length is perfect. I have been meaning to read Dave Duncan for a long, long time, and thanks to this, I am motivated to finally do so!
Recommended for a light fantasy read. ( )