Rating: 
Summary: I Value Reader's Opinion
Review: I haven't read any of the books in Goodkind's SOT series since
Faith of the Fallen. The hiatus for me has been mainly because
of reader reviews, I don't trust the professional ones. For the
Pillar's of Creation I found the synopsis and spoilers interesting
in fact they seem to be far more interesting than the written
work it's almost like a literary Mystery Science Theater 3000
filled with all of the sarcasm and angst borne of the drawn
out repetitive writing filled with ideological overkill.I am waiting for the series to end and then maybe I will read
the last book, which, if 800 pages long, will be filled
with 450 pages of repetitious philosphy, 300 pages
recapping of what took place in the first 50 books
in the series, followed by 25 pages of Richard
realizing his true powers, 20 more pages of him
weaving an interlocking of his powers and philosphy,
3 pages of him walking around staring at Khalen
( is that her name I kind of forgot) and then 2
pages to the final battle with
Jagang. I also found Goodkind's construction of Richard Rahl annoying,
he was/is indeed too perfect. Thank god for readers like you
folks here, one of them--actually a horde, suggested
Stephen R. Donaldson's Thomas Covenant chronicles featuring
a hero with a checkered disposition and self doubt. Another
important fact is that it is a dual trilogy, so it ENDS at the
sixth book. I should have waited before buying Robert Jordan's last book, it
was a bomb filled with unnecessary detail, which many of the
readers here discussed. If I had listened then, I would have
saved about $$$-- I bought the hardcover, couldn't wait to
read it. I will for now on, keep the reviews coming.
Rating:
Summary: Too much philosophy - too little story
Review: I have enjoyed every one of Goodkind's books. Despite popular negative views on Pillars of Creation, I thought it was one of the better books of the series. Naked Empire was terrible. Every time Richard opened his mouth it was to give a speach about some aspect of Nietzchian philosophy. There's nothing wrong with integrating your philosophies into a story, but don't forget about the story! The plot was terrible, you knew Richard wasn't going to die but the way that he survived was ridiculous. Richard being able to randomly use his gift to do the impossible is getting too convenient. If you want to read the same philosophies only written better, pick up a copy of Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzche. If you want to read a good Goodkind epic, stay away from Naked Empire.
Rating: 
Summary: a decent read
Review: This new installment of the Sword of Truth series is a decent read. Large portions of this book are too philosophical(much too "preachy"), and at times too retrospective (he doesn't need to keep on reminding us what has happened in previous books so much) and too repetitive (he keeps on saying the same thing over and over again using different phrases). It takes away from the overall story. Apart from these problems the book has a good plot and quite good action. I feel he rushed the ending. I hope he doesn't degenerate into another Robert Jordan
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: Let me first say that I love Goodkind and his books - the first handful in this series are some of the best in this genre I have ever read. If you haven't started reading this series - do so immediately! However, I have to agree with several other reviewers that this book is a major disappointment. So much of this book (not just here and there, but just about all the time) contains long rambling sermons about right and wrong, good and evil. Only here and there does Goodkind's excellent (adventure) writing shine through. This book is not worth reading - and since the storyline barely moves forward - not even to keep up with the story itself. I too, will give this series one more chance and then give up. Perhaps something happens when a series becomes too long; for me the same thing happend with Jordan's Wheel of Time series. If you haven't yet tried George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" - don't wait any longer!
Rating:
Summary: Good, hoping for a better book 9
Review: Don't read this review if you have not read the book yet. OK, I gave you fair warning. I just finished the book tonight, and I must say it was well written and very interesting. As others have said, the preaching does get a bit old, sometimes Goodkind repeats the same thing over and over and over. I was hoping that this would be the last book in the series, don't you think eight books is enough? I don't think Jagang will ever die, Richard will never learn to use his magic, and Kahlan will be old and gray before she ever has Richard's child that he promised in book 7. What do I know, maybe she will get pregant in book 18!
Rating:
Summary: Captain America does less preaching than Richard Cypher
Review: Naked Empire is the 8th book in the Sword of Truth series, the ongoing saga of two characters who keep repeating the same adventure in every single book. By now, this one-trick pony is tired...so very tired... In this volume, readers are treated to comic-book quality political ideas in the form of Richard Cypher's pseudointellectual monologues. Any school of political or social thought leaning to the left of Mr.Goodkinds's own views is held up as ineffectual and pitiable. Pacifists? Aren't they pathetic? *wink, nudge* Socialism? A system for the weak-minded and lazy! Mr.Goodkind commits a cardinal sin of fiction in using his main character as a mouthpiece for his own philosophy. I read fantasy to be entertained, not to be preached at. All of this may be forgiven if the story itself was compelling. Unfortunately there is nothing new here; Every formula fantasy cliche is here with a liberal dash of gratuitious sex and violence. Terry Goodkind is obviously in love with his own writing, and obviously doesn't feel the need to change the formula of his books. His brand of fantasy is one step below a Romance dime novel; The only thing that keeps him from rising to a Romance writer's level is that he doesn't know when to shut up and just tell a story. Everything with him has to have a (in his mind) clever little lesson. New readers may be entertained, but anyone who has spent any time reading original fantasy will want to look elsewhere. (And yes, I am a conservative. That doesn't make this novel any more palatable.)
Rating: 
Summary: Naked Empire
Review: The eighth edition in the Sword of Truth series has lived up to my every expectation. It reminds me of how I felt when I read the Temple of the Winds, so if you had trouble with that one this one might be a hard read for you.
Rating:
Summary: more preaching than a story
Review: I got this book from the library and I am glad I did. Goodkind spends so much time preaching the same sermon about violence that the amount of actual action is reduced. There are some exciting moments but not many. I agree with those who found the Zedd sections more interesting than the Richard ones; they are. Follow my example and get it from the library if you think you need to read it.
Rating: 
Summary: This books makes me wonder
Review: How many people in this world actually jump into a fantasy series midway? I am sure someone studied this sometime and found out that new readers don't always begin with Book One and work their way into the most recent title. That is the ONLY way I can reason out why this book begins the way it does. Hundreds of pages are spent reminding us of all the things that Richard and Kahlan have been through. It REALLY felt like a series of ads intended for new readers. "See what you have missed? Go back and buy the others now." I am not thrilled with this book but it isn't the lowest Goodkind has gone. I wish he would just take a couple of years off and produce something that reawakens that passion he once had for writing.
Rating:
Summary: Who wrote this book?
Review: Wasn't the same person who wrote the first five books. Terry Goodkind needs a un-reality check. I read fantasy for a reason and that is to be entertained. Not to be bored to death with constant philosophical preaching of what is easily seen as the writers current views of todays problems. If he wants to lecture go on tour or teach at a college but save his book characters from permanent damage of being so very boring. If you take out the constant lectures of current morality and the 300 pages of plot review that you already know if your a fan; you get about 150 pages of good reading out of 600. I say shame on Terry's publisher for letting him publish this horrible book; when Mr Goodkind is such a good writer as we've seen from his earlier novels. I just hope he gets it together for the next book, but I won't be buying hardback.
| 
