5/10
The actual action in this book, the sections that move the plot forward, are well-written and engrossing. Unfortunately, they are interspersed with too much heavy-handed moralizing on both sides, the Imperial Order’s mantra of humans being evil and the needs of others must always be paramount (a rather overdone mish-mash of altruism and communism) and Richard Rahl’s credo of individualism. The author obviously decided that Ayn Rand’s Objectivism is the perfect philosophy and spends too much of the book endeavoring to pound a similar belief into the reader. ( )

I am starting to get tired of this series. Almost every book has something in it that keeps Richard and Kahlan apart, and this one is no exception. Nicci takes Richard away hoping he can provide her with an answer to a question she doesn't even know. Meanwhile, Kahlan leads the D'haran Empire against the impossibly large Imperial Order. While the story itself isn't too bad, the ending comes far too quickly.

Hopefully the next books will bring the series back to what it used to be. ( )

I enjoy the Sword of Truth series but this book I think is my favorite one. It chronicles conditions in a community in which the Order has controlled for a long time. A community governed by rules that control commerce in order to take care of the poor and underprivileged. It sheds light on what it is like to be in a welfare society. ( )

This was the second time that I'd read 'Faith of the Fallen,' and for the second time I have been completely blown away by Terry Goodkind's incredible skill. The new characters we meet in this (The sixth instalment of the Sword of Truth series) are so realistic and relatable. I found myself rooting for both sides at points; both The Order, and the people of the Midlands. It is shocking for me to have re-read something and to have it still be as enchanting and spectacular as the first time I glimpsed such work. The plot was well crafted and I found that in many ways, The Order represented a sort of corrupt religion, inspiring faith through threat and false promises alone (like some politicians as well I suppose.) I loved that we got to explore more of Sister Nicci's past within this stunning volume. The drama hardly ever lets up and keeps you wanting more, more, more. I would definitely recommend this to everyone I know. ( )

Amazing! So Nicci redeems herself...I'm wondering how long tht's going 2 last. Oh and Slave Revolt=awesomeness! ( )

Goodkind is at his best when providing social commentary that feels relevant as well as interesting, wrapping it around a fascinating story that stands out from the rest of the series as the uncontested best of the bunch. Many of the clichés used in his earlier novels are absent, Kahlan escapes the obnoxiously overused role of the damsel in distress for the most part and this is probably as enjoyable as she's ever been and probably ever will be. It introduces us to what is probably the deepest and most tragic character of the franchise and gives us a much needed new perspective of the antagonists of the last three books, and thankfully the underworld and the keeper are barely even mentioned. The primary message of the Sword of Truth series seems to culminate in its entirely in the climax of this book, it's probably the best thing Goodkind has ever written and has yet to be topped. ( )

En av mina favoritseriers bästa bok i mening. Jag älskar fantasy men denna serie är minst lika fylld av politik och religiösa konflikter. Huvudkaraktärernas roll är inte alltid att vara en hjälte i det mest ortodoxa vis, utan finner sig ofta i en roll där de visar omvärlden deras egna missdömmen. Denna boken är det perfekta exemplet.

Having lost any faith in his people, Richard abandons his command of the army and retires into the mountains to slowly nurse Kahlan back to health. The Order is too large to destroy with a direct attack, Richard can see that it is useless to fight them.

But just as Kahlan is recovering from her injuries, Nicci, a notorious Sister of the Dark and Slave Queen of Emperor Jagang, arrives at their remote cottage. Before anyone can attack her, Nicci casts an obscure spell at Kahlan that links their lives. Richard must come away with Nicci or Kahlan will be killed. Nicci's motives are never fully explained, but she somehow hopes to learn the secret to Richard's inner motivation. Her plan for this involves taking Richard into the heart of the Old World.

This book is really REALLY repetitive. This is now the third time that a woman of astonishing power has arrived onto the scene to take Richard as a personal slave. It's getting pretty stale at this point. Also, nothing makes sense, especially not the character of Nicci.

Nicci is supposed to be this husk of a person, someone who has bought into the Order so far that she believes nothing that happens to her matters. She's raped and beaten constantly and doesn't care because she feels and fears nothing. Then ten minutes later she's whining because she's had to stand in the rain for a few hours. One minute she plans to enslave Richard so that she can learn some mystic truth and then murder him. The next minute she's baking him bread and weeping because he doesn't like her soup. The next minute she's in a frenzy of fear because he's being tortured by the government. The next minute she is glad he's being tortured and hopes he dies. It's all nonsense. She's a sister of the Dark but she's also... SOMEHOW devoted to the Creator? She thinks magic is evil and never really applied herself to learn any of it, but she's also brimming full of power and everyone is afraid of her. Geeez.... which is it? I sincerely don't care, but at least pick one at random for consistency.

The Old World also makes no sense as a kingdom. At home everyone is starving because the society is so mired in bureaucracy that crop yields rot before they can make it to market. And yet, this kingdom is supposedly supporting an army of MILLIONS as they invade whole other countries. What do the supply lines look like? The people are too lazy to work an easy job but when they join the army they somehow become super-naturally disciplined killing machines?? You literally cannot have it both ways. The Old World is some impossible combination of North Korea and the Roman Empire.

Also, Richard goes the whole book without doing any magic. Seriously? I'm not reading fantasy epics for their rapier political commentary, that's for sure. Throw us a bone here! I guess we're supposed to believe that his carving skills are magical. And geez they would have to be. He destroyed an entire ingrained, centuries-long philosophy with a statue. Yup.

Nevermind the glaringly obvious fact that this entire book is basically a ham-fisted re-telling of Atlas Shrugged set in a quasi-fantasy universe. This book just sticks out like a sore thumb in the series. I don't get how it fits or why he wrote it like this. Just. No. ( )

It got better in the end, but yet again Richard was kidnapped. I liked the beginning when they were living in the woods while Kahlan recuperated, but the grinding twisted ideals of Nicci and the Order really did my head in. It was draining. So glad things turned around at the end. Final 200 pages were unput-downable, but middle 200 could probably have been tackled in half the pages or less... ( )

How did this drek get published? Richard and Kahlan have become mere mouthpieces spouting the author's insane propaganda, and the writing (never particularly good to begin with) is astoundingly awful. ( )

Kind of frustrating in the extent Terry Goodkind goes to show the ridiculousness of certain people and their views, however, overall this is an entertaining story. ( )

This series was introduced to me by a then girlfriend (my first serious one). My review applies to all of his books that I've read.

His stories are engaging enough, so that's not an issue. They are extremely pornographic in their depictions of sex, rape, torture, and war...if that's your thing. It's just the fantasy element has been attached. They're also very masturbatory (or "autoerotic", if you prefer) when it comes to all things Ayn Rand ("objectivism"). One book in particular (I forget which one) was decidedly anti-democracy in its ethos. There was also the author's justifications for the slaughter of innocent people (because, in his eyes, they're not innocent, even if they're non-combatants). I enjoyed the books well enough as a high schooler, though I've since grown up (and grown beyond them, though I still enjoy the fantasy genre). ( )

Probably the best of the series so far.
The most like Atlas Shrugged - got the objectivism philosophy over more strongly than the rest in the series. ( )

Easily one of the best books in the series thus far, Goodkind continues to expertly explore the indomitable human spirit. In this book, Richard reminds the reader of Howard Roarke, from Ayn Rand's classic work, The Fountainhead, as he remains true to himself and his purpose, regardless of daunting circumstances. Richard and Kahlan find themselves once again torn apart, as Richard is kidnapped by a Sister of the Dark, and taken deep into the Old World. He lives in desperate conditions, but draws on the strength of his convictions to allow him to find success and contentment, greatly inspiring those around him. He utilizes one of his many talents to strike at the heart of the Order, bringing something priceless to thousands of suffering citizens: hope. While Richard is busy in the Old World, Kahlan and others are attempting to divert and resist the Order, and they experience several harrowing ordeals before the book's end. Eventually, Kahlan also finds herself in the Old World, where events reach a fevered pitch, as the plot races to its conclusion. The ending of the book is nothing short of incredible. I highly recommend this book, and I can't wait to read the next one. ( )

My absolute favorite out of the Sword of Truth series. Not only is this a fantasy book, it also incorporates politics and warfare strategies, plus romance between the non-main protagonists of Richard and Kahlan. ( )

Finally! The story starts getting better! It is about as good as Wizard's First Rule! I was interested from the very beginning all the way through to the end. It is definitely one of the better books in the series so far.

The beginning is a little slow, but I was still interested because Richard and Kahlan (along with Cara) finally get to be together without any distractions. Then, all of the sudden their time together was ruined! :( They are separated again throughout the majority of this novel; however, I still found it to be extremely entertaining. Kahlan is involved in many battles when she rejoins with the D'Haran army. Believe me when I say that some of these battles are very interesting. Though her story isn't as good as Richard's, I was still excited to read about the battles taking place. Richard was taken to the heart of the Imperial Order by Nicci, a Sister of the Dark. I don't want to say too much about this and give things away. However, I will say that it was fascinating to read about the Old World and why they are so hated. You get to meet people and read about how they live under the rule of the Imperial Order,and the horrible carvings they have to create. It's no wonder why Richard and Kahlan want to destroy the Imperial Order and save these people.

Throughout the story we get to see a different side of Richard. We always see him destroy with his Sword, but this time he is without his Sword, so we get to see him create! He is very talented with the help of his gift. There was a lot of anticipation and excitement in Richard's story to see how he was going to handle the situation he was in. With Kahlan's life on the line Richard will do anything!

I have to admit that I do not like Nicci! As the story went on I just couldn't believe how ignorant she was even when she gets to the Old World with Richard. Goodkind really brought out my feelings (both good and bad) towards Richard and Nicci in this novel.

Goodkind is a little better with his writing in this novel, though there was some repetition. His detail was amazing! I really felt like I was there with both Richard and Kahlan. You just have to get used to how Goodkind writes his novels and you will enjoy them even more.

Overall, this was one of the best stories so far; I give it a well deserved 5 stars! I found it to be very interesting and especially entertaining. I was engrossed in the novel all the way until the end!

( )

This review refers to the SOT series through book 9.

Terry Goodkind’s first book Wizard’s First Rule was great! Except for the actual First Rule ("People are Stupid"), which was...stupid. The story had so many unique and fascinating characters (especially the secondary ones). I was in love with Richard; I wanted to be a Mord-Sith. The next couple of books of The Sword of Truth were pretty good, too.

Then...I don’t know what happened...it just TOTALLY lost it. The writing style became incredibly annoying and Richard was getting WAY too preachy (constant Ayn Rand-ish humanistic ranting). But, I kept going because I was really invested by this time. And each time I bought one of his $25 hardback books, I found myself rolling my eyes at every passive sentence and starting to fall asleep during the sermons (when did Richard hire a speech writer??).

And the plot really got ssslllllloooowwww (just look at the book covers for Chainfire and Phantom — you can tell we're not going anywhere). But the weirdest thing is that I kept buying these 1 star books! I can’t explain my behavior, except to say that Terry Goodkind is (was) a master at plot and characterization (truly, his secondary characters are so well done). So I kept thinking that things would get better, but they did not. How did he pull off that excellent first booK?? I've learned from this experience that I can put down a book if it's not good. There's too much good literature to read.

According to Mr Goodkind, those of us who have bailed out are ignorant and uneducated. Wow. That is something I have never been called before. I should have realized right from the start ("Wizard's First Rule: People are stupid") what kind of fellow Terry Goodkind is. Here is a quote from a chat session conducted with Mr Goodkind (this used to be on his website, but has now been removed. It is well-documented on the internet, however.):

"Why would they continue to read books they claim are bad? Because they hate that my novels exists. Values arouse hatred in these people. Their goal is not to enjoy life, but to destroy that which is good — much like a school child who does not wish to study for a test and instead beats up a classmate who does well. These people hate what is good because it is good. Their lives are limited to loathing and indifference. It isn't that they want to read a good book, what they want is to make sure that you do not. Ignore them." —Terry Goodkind

I say Terry Goodkind is the one acting like a school child having a tantrum. I regret that he got so much of my money. I hope you won't give him any of yours. If you really want to try a Goodkind book, I would recommend that you go to the library and check out the first few, and then trust me that you don't need to read any further. I will not read the last book. I'm not even tempted. What an ass.
Read more Terry Goodkind book reviews at Fantasy Literature . ( )

It has been a number of years since I read Faith of the Fallen on my journey through the Sword of Truth books, but of all of them, this one stands out the most. To this day, I see the image of the statue and I immediately remember Richard's defiance and Kahlan's tenacity. I remember the evocative nature of the story, the emotions it stirred in me, and no other book by Terry Goodkind has touched me in such a way, through the entire SoT series. ( )

Another great installment of the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. You wouldn't want to be reading any of the books from this series as standalone stories, but as a series they are still going strong. ( )

Reviewers of Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series seem to fall into three camps. There are those who claim he's a rotten writer and right from the beginning. Why they're reading and reviewing this far into the series I'll never understand. There are pleasures in a trainwreck at times, I know. That's why I read the entire Twilight "Saga"- four miserably written books that are mercifully not all that long. But up to six books of doorstopper length? Did they really read all these? Then there are the ones that just lap these up to the end, convinced Goodkind is the greatest, most profound writer of the human condition EVUH. (Goodkind himself given his interviews seems to be one of that number.)

I'm in the third camp. The one that loved this series at one point, then thought it jumped the shark. Some cite the previous book, Soul of the Fire as where the series declined. Most of those readers who found themselves ultimately disappointed with the series cite this book. I'm actually not one of them. (No, for me Pillars of Creation, the next book, is where things became tedious.)

I do get why people are annoyed by this book though. Goodkind makes no bones about being an Ayn Rand devotee on his website. Unsurprising to me when I found that out, since I thought I could detect libertarian themes in the previous books. Something I found more attractive rather than repellant. But this is the book where it becomes overt--for many a reader it seems, far too overt. Yes, at times you can hear the anvils clanging in this parable about the EVILS of socialism.

Although if I were to point to the book's most annoying characteristic, it was the way in this book Richard becomes an overweening Marty-Stu. Yes, he's the hero. The hero of the series. I didn't blink an eye at him being a master tracker. Or a natural leader and general. Or even the greatest magician of his time. But when after all that he becomes a sculptor who makes Michelangelo seem a slacker? That's when I thought, head, meet desk.

So I can see what the detractors are sniping at in this high fantasy Atlas Shrugged. Truly. Yet I still found this book enormously entertaining. And I liked Nicci and her character arc. She's not up in awesomeness with Cara or Ann in my opinion, but she isn't a Jennsen either. For which, much thanks. ( )

Dopo due anni di pausa ho deciso di riprendere le (dis)avventure di Richard e Kahlan. Sono stato premiato con un romanzo a livello dei primi quattro e anche se l'ho letto con gusto devo ammettere che ormai mi sono abituato a libri di altro livello, di fronte ai quali Goodkind appare come un modesto mestierante.
Comunque magie, guerre e amore sono sempre i marchi di fabbrica della ditta Goodkind, piacevole come passatempo disimpegnato. ( )

Dopo due anni di pausa ho deciso di riprendere le (dis)avventure di Richard e Kahlan. Sono stato premiato con un romanzo a livello dei primi quattro e anche se l'ho letto con gusto devo ammettere che ormai mi sono abituato a libri di altro livello, di fronte ai quali Goodkind appare come un modesto mestierante.
Comunque magie, guerre e amore sono sempre i marchi di fabbrica della ditta Goodkind, piacevole come passatempo disimpegnato. ( )

In this installment of the Sword of Truth series, Richard is prepared to give up on his mission of saving the New World from the relentless Imperial Order and retreat into the mountains with his wife Kahlan. However, his hideaway is discovered by Nicci, a Sister of the Dark, who threatens Kahlan's life and ensnares Richard into accompanying her on a journey to the Old World, where the communist-like Imperial Order holds sway. Nicci intends to teach Richard how ordinary people live and struggle with their lives, but Richard retains his belief in freedom, leading to a conflict with the Imperial Order in their very own capital city. A great read, as always, and a series I can't wait to continue! ( )

A wonderful statement of the power of the individual to overcome obstacles. Especially the cancer of socialism/communism.

See review of Goodkind's "Wizards First Rule" for a review of the series. ( )

I'm hooked. Review to come soon. ( )