Certain statistics such as combat skill and endurance attributes are determined randomly before play (reading).
This number depends directly on how many books in the series have been completed ("Kai rank").
Chris Read reviewed Rune War for Arcane magazine, rating it a 6 out of 10 overall.
[1] Read comments that "the book is nicely illustrated and the narrative is generally good with plenty of decision-making and 'interaction' with NPCs.
Naturally, Lady Luck plays her fickle part, but your skills and common sense are much more relevant to your success.