Rating: 
Summary: It was ok.
Review: A 400 page book streched to 800... I don't see the need for so many pages. The book could have been half as many pages and accomplished the same thing. Why is it that my favorite authors are disappointing!?
Rating: 
Summary: Three words: waste of time.
Review: Goodkind is an author of great potential. His first book in the SoT series proved that and established him as an important author in the genre. I read that first one in one day... This is the second book in the SoT series that I take and have to leave out of disappointment and disinterest.All the characters in the book have become repulsive. They keep babling moral issues, do stupid stuff [drink liquids handed by suspicious people], say "Well, we all make mistakes", talk about philosophy, etc. What is this, a meeting of the UN? What really puts off the reader in this book is that when you get four highly intelligent folks (Richard, Kahlan, Jehnsen, Cara) in one place you get four pages of dialogues and philosophy before anything happens. Too much philosophy, too little action. EXAMPLE: nothing happens, nothing until page 300 [don't know after]. The gang of four travells from the Pillars of Creation. Richard gets poisoned and is going to die [what else is new here?] Kahlan is desperate and acts like a fool. Enter Nicolas The Slide, he can rip people's souls [booo]. He is bad, but mind you, he is a complex character, since he was crafted by a couple of the sisters of the Dark [he was hurting in the process of his creation, and thus he is compelled to kill]. He has taken control over a piece of land that was non-existent in the series. The locals are highly moral non-violent people who put their principles before their self preservation. Of course, they need Richard to save them. The book is very much out of focus. The stories become repetitive, and the tension buildup is fake. Nathan's dialogs are a cliche. Ann has an epiphany: locking Nathan for a thousand years was a baaad thing! Nathan forgives her. PLEASE!!
Rating: 
Summary: Great book with EXCELLENT characters!!
Review: I have read all 8 of Terry Goodkind's books and each one of them has been a fantastic ride. I think what most people don't understand about this story is it is a battle for freedom which takes several life times (and even longer). Freedom to an oppressed nation does not come easily and ridding the evil that infects it is nearly impossible. I think what Terry is portraying in his books is similar to what is happening in our world today. Sure we dont have magic and wizards, but we do know what it is like to be free and unoppressed and that is our biggest ally. Terry does a great job in bringing these characters to life, long speaches and all, and I can hardly wait for the next book to arrive!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book!
Review: I loved this book...I loved all of Terry Goodkind's books, except for Pillars of Creation. Call me crazy, but I even love Richard's speeches...they contain a lot of good common sense, and as we all know common sense just isn't that common. Without spoiling it too much, Richard is forced to go help these people whom magic doesnt' affect in the least...they can't even see magic. It is as if it doesn't exist for them. So he helps them, and he also lifts them out of a terrible apathy they have...while at the same time destroying the Slide. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series...and I sincerely hope he doesn't end the series anytime soon. I want to watch Richard come in full command of all his powers, and then destroy Jagang along with his armies. If you liked all the other books in the series, you'll love this book. I'd recommend that new readers start at the beginning though...so you can truly understand Richard and Kahlan.
Rating:
Summary: "For cry'n out loud!"
Review: That's what I said when I finished the book.
I'm going to tell you how much I enjoyed it first. Terry goodkind is a very good writer, he is a good storey-teller. I really like the characters. I would say that is Terry's forte-characters. He's really thinking about what is going on in his book. From all perspectives of humanity. It is a complete story. I think he must just have this whole fantasy world thought out down to the runes in the books, he can really pull you in and I think that's what I enjoy the most. I like how magic in his books is like a science, there is cause and effect and reason. Magic is not just an escape in a tight situation or an excuse.
It looks like alot of people are upset though, that the story is still not resolved. Honestly, I was a little too. I will admitt, also that at times, it was hard to keep enough attention span together to get through some of Richards speeches. If you pay attention, I think there are some situations that make good political discussions in real life. The Banished are the most obvious!!! Hate is not the opposite of love, apathy is and its just as destructive.
I will buy the next one and cross my fingers before I read in hope that justice will finally be met.
Rating:
Summary: Same Stuff, Different Book
Review: Terry Goodkind is certainly one of my "must read" authors based upon his past history with this series. However, I do agree with other readers who have reviewed him that his repetitive political/philosophical rants are way out of control and are fast becoming quite boring. Been there, read that. The Naked Empire title was abundantly clear in the storyline as that of people naked of psychic/magic powers. The villan in the story was sufficiently gross and cruel to satisfy the lust for blood some need in a story. And I am forever glad that Richard and Kahlan have finally gotten rid of that annoying, whining cry baby Jennsen by leaving her with the people who are psychically naked. Thank you Terry. Of all the characters he creates, this one was simply a teeth grinding annoyance. I agree also with other reviewers that it is time to finish this story and move on. I want to see the Emperor Jagang brought to his knees and destroyed along with his sick religious dogma. One more book should do it.
Rating:
Summary: Naked what?
Review: Ok first off, much better than Pillars of Creation, I'd only give Pillars two stars if that. This one gets an extra star for the inclusion of all the main characters and the reintroduction of an old good one...Not telling who. The action, what little there is of it, is well thought out really. One thing the series seems to be running low on is NEW plot ideas. This is just a filler book to extend a series that is dying. Its a shame cause the series started so well. But the constant preaching and cramming the philosophies down my throat via the main characters...Gets old fast...especially when its repeated throughout the book! I deffinately got the feeling Goodkind was trying to prove his ideals to himself rather than just the readers. So...time for some serious action...bring this series to a close before it dies out wastefully!
Rating: 
Summary: Kept my attention
Review: I agree with another review I read. I don't know what everyone's beef is either. I personally loved the book. As with the previous 7 (and "Debt of Bones"), I couldn't put it down. It does get political at times and a bit preachy, but it's necessary to the story. Did anyone read "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair? He was political and preachy, but that didn't stop his book from becoming a staple in modern high schools! Plus, it's interesting to see someone else's views, even if you don't agree with them (as was my case with Sinclair). I can't wait for the next book!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed, once again
Review: Another book in the Sword of Truth series and another disappointment. Once again Goodkind has occupied countless pages with his philosophical discussions on good vs. evil and the need to fight for freedom (I happen to agree with him but this is a STORY, not a lecture!). I found myself actually scanning past these paragraphs frequently since they were already so comprehensively covered in previous books of the series. There were times when the story became interesting but, in my opinion, Terry doesn't show us any wonders as he did in the first few books. There's nothing really new here plot-wise if you've read the last few books. A lot of people have claimed that Goodkind ripped off ideas from Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series. While there are definitely similarities between the two, the worst idea he has ripped from Jordan is that of turning an otherwise very good fantasy series into a cash cow. I don't think I'll read the next book....
Rating:
Summary: Another disappointing political rant!
Review: Having loved the first 4 books in the series I had high hopes that Goodkind might have learned to refrain from pushing his political/social views and focus on giving his loyal readers a great story and great writing. Unfortunately not. This time it isn't "greed is good" but that "might is right". Although I might disagree with his extreme and simplistic preaching on these topics , that isn't the real problem. The fact is he lets it get in the way of telling the story and developing the characters. You also can't help but wonder if Goodkind isn't a serious misogynist - the female characters are timid or stupid or as an alternative evil.
It's a shame to see a story and series that left me eagerly awaiting the next installment - reduced to something I almost dread to read. Shame on you Mr Goodkind.
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