Faith of the Fallen (Sword of Truth, Book 6)

Rating:
Summary: From fun fantasy to politic preaching
Review: While this book is readable, it isn't as interesting or memorable as earlier additions to this Fantasy series. It could be just a way of passing time while Terry figures where he wants to take the rest of the series. I certainly hope so since I don't want the next book to be just as self-righteous and preachy as this one. Terry is letting the original fantasy world, whose intricate construction and internal logic took this series through the first 5 books, fade into background. In its place he seem to be setting up a caricature of socialist distopia for use as a platform from which Terry can give vent to his political beliefs.

This is disappointing. While Terry is good at laying out a internally somewhat consistent fantasy land, he is not good at using the real world constraints to vet moral concepts espoused though this imaginary world. This is of no consequence when he writes a pure fantasy novel. It becomes a serious problem if the novel becomes just a venue through which to preach a political view point. He is neither clever about his allegories, nor insightful or even thoughtful about what he preaches. He comes across as just a fervent and uncritical convert who is willing to overlook any problem in his theology and push it on anyone as hard as he can.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent writing and vision
Review: Terry Goodkind's writing has improved dramatically. I read this book in two days and am once again excited to read the remainder of the series.

To be honest, I was not thrilled with the beginning of this story and had to scratch my head, wondering why Richard had to go on his little journey, how easily he was forced into 'bondage', and just why the Order had to be so invincible.

In addition, some of the numbers just did not make sense. Not to be too picky, but come on, 2.5 million soldiers on what is essentially a medieval field of battle? Now that would certainly be hopeless, but it decreased believability for me. However, I used my right to willingly suspend disbelief and was glad I did.

By the time I made it half-way through the book, the pieces came together in an exciting way (something I thought this book was going to lack). When you see why he must be there, it makes sense. I thought the ending was absolutely perfect. It was emotionally laden, and beautifully described. I was more satisfied with this book (by the end) than with any other in this series. Bravo.

One word to readers, don't generate your opinions too early in the book. Have some faith that Goodkind has a purpose with some of the things he writes. He does.

Is this story original? Probably not completely. Is it a theft of others' work? Not that I have seen. Remember, William Shakespeare did not create every idea he wrote about. He just did it better. I am not saying that Goodkind is a Shakespeare, but that you can make your own mind up about whether he does a good job with the story he tells. I think, in this book, he does.

Now about the political commentary issue. Yes, there is a conflict between collectivism and individualism. Yes, this represents the worst of collectivism. Yes, some people live(d) this way. No, not everyone in collectivist (communist) societies did. It's a story. A Story.

If you are a fan of collectivist governments and communism and cannot put that aside for a while, I can assure you that you will not like this book. However, this is not a book of political or social philosophy, it is a fantasy novel.