Rating: 
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: After anxiously waiting to see what Richard did with his new position of power and Khalan by his side in the old world, this book was vastly disappointing. If it had been hyped as an introduction to a new character I would have been slightly more willing to read 400 pages about some character I didn't know, or really care, about. Plus I think Terry went a little overboard on depicting Oba as a sick character and wrote some very repulsive sections. The introduction of new characters is well and good for the perpetuation of the story but the author seemed to fail to realize that the reason most people would buy the 7th book in a series is the see the continued development and possible conclusion to the story of the main characters. I usually read the Sword of Truth books in few days as a sort of reprieve from my usual studying. However, this book took me well over a week to finish because I just didn't feel motivated to read it. Especially after being grossed out by Oba and then looking ahead to discover none of the main characters get evolved till very late in the book. If the chapters had spent more time early on getting Richard and Khalan involved and letting the readers know what they were up to, this would have been a much more enjoyable book. As is I would highly recommend either waiting for this book to come out on paperback before buying it or trying to find it at your local library.
Rating: 
Summary: *shakes head* how could so many people be so shallow.
Review: I am a huge fan of Terry Goodkind works, almost to the exception of all else, when I read this book, I couldn't put it down, I don't know what anybody here is talking about. It's true, that Richard: noble, amazing, in all ways exceeding everybounds Richard, didn't show up too much, but they introduced two new characters which were imaginitive, enjoyable, utterly lavish with psychological wonders (from an analyzing point of view) true and sensitive insights into the human mind, I don't know about you, but the moment that Jennsen starting talking (...) about Richard's evil, and as soon as you start to CARE about sebastian, from the other side, I was just stunned with the implications and dedications required to peer unpredjudiced from the other side of things. Never once did I get bored, and never once did I find it lacklustre, I tell you, with Oba, it really balanced it off, I found myself the entire time absolutely childishly giddy in anticipation of when they met the master of all things, exceeder of all expectations, Richard Rahl. And I wasn't dissapointed especially with the dramas at the end of the revelation of Jennsen, of course we know that Zedd, Richard, Kahlan are supreme, and could take on Jagang any time (smiles in rememberance of a certain magic scene) but they gave it some perspective and I got a serious amount of satisfaction from the start to the finish in this wonderful tale.
Rating: 
Summary: Not What I Was Expecting
Review: This wasn't exactly what I was expecting. The dust jacket and the blurb (...) led me to believe that this was a story about Richard and the gang. It was not. In that regard, I feel somewhat let down. On the other hand, I very much enjoy Goodkind's writing style and his ability to tell a good story. Pillars of Creation was a fast, fun read. I just hope that this story, and its main character, become main players in the next three novels for which Goodkind has been contracted. In the end, I enjoyed the book and enjoyed seeing a different side of the land and people we've come to love during the previous books, but I wish it would have stated itself as "a novel set in the realm of..."
Rating: 
Summary: Oh what might've been...
Review: Yep, I'd have to agree with most of the other reviews on here.. I didn't truly care about this character and I was constantly waiting for Richard to appear in at least some form, but, nope.. He's in about 1/20 of the book and even then he doesn't have much to say/do..
The ending seems to come out of nowhere, the whole first half of the book is a small journey across D'Hara with few interesting developments and yet the journey to the Old World which should be 5-10 times as far is not even given one page to describe..
The ending also had a bunch of holes and didn't really flow with past descriptions of events.. But obviously jennsen was introduced to be a part of the series from now on.. However, she could've been introduced and fully flessed out in less than 500 PAGES!...
I read sword of truth to hear about richard and the sword of truth, this book contained very little plot moving events other than jennsen appearing..
It's too bad..
Rating:
Summary: I feel very betrayed....
Review: As an avid reader of this series, which I deem as one of the very best fantasy series going. I felt very let down, not only after reading this book but during the course of the read. Goodkind who usually keeps me in utter awe by his daring and cutting-edge "don't hold back" approach to adult fantasy, really blew it in Pillars of Creation. In introducing two new characters, he spent 500 pp. detailing the most boring journey (and I literally mean journey) of a half-brother and sister of Richard who share the seed of Darken Rahl. This book is about these two people on the road, traveling through deserts and swamps; and really not doing a whole lot. Goodkind cheats us of a story line with any depth, characters who matter, and the twisted violence that the cruelties of D'Hara vs. the Old World which has really trademarked this series for me. I mean the main characters Richard and Khalan don't even show up until the last 50 pp. The Emperor has a personality change and now has a conscience and is willing to tell Jennsen all his secrets and let him into his inner circle. Come on! He would have put the ring through her lip, tossed her to the soldiers and enslaved her, teaching her barbaric obedience. And how come nobody ever tells Jennsen that she's (troubled)-in-the-head, in regards to her hate against Richard; which could have, and should have, happened on numerous occasions (i.e Tom, both witches, the healer, anybody at the People's Palace). It's just ridiculous. This book is an aweful addition to this series, and doesn't even come close to standing up with the other books. This is the most disappointing sequel I have ever read, and should never have been released. I can't believe Terry Goodkind would even let us down, with this horrible piece of (work).
Rating:
Summary: Another disappointed fan
Review: I'm not finished with this book, but I really wanted to speak my mind now, because I'm just not a patient person. Like most of you, I was surprised and disappointed to realize that Richard and Kahlan aren't focused on in this book. About 100 pages in, I began to have this sinking feeling that they wouldn't be in it much. So I flipped ahead and skimmed for key names, and discovered that I was right. I was angry at the time. It seems to me that this book is filler, so he can postpone concluding his series for a while longer. I've heard people complain that Robert Jordan does this. I personally can't stand Robert Jordan (sorry), and I don't want Goodkind to take on his habits. He's better than this. I actually wouldn't mind reading a book of his that didn't focus on Richard and Kahlan if he did focus on some of the other excellent characters he hasn't done a great deal with. Such as Ann's search for Nathan. I love Nathan. I want to read more about him. And Sister Verna. I'd love to see more of her. Maybe even Du Chailu. Oh, and more of just about any of the Mord Sith. :) My point is, he has a large number of wonderful, neglected characters, that it seems unfair to create new ones. I find Oba and Jennsen to both be way too one dimensional. I understand that Oba pretty much suffers torture-induced insanity from what I've seen, but I believe this can be written in a way that makes one sympathetic to the character. But I don't find the character interesting or believable in the least. I have similar problems with Jennsen. I understand her trust issues. But she seems to me to be a selfish character, and not particularly smart. I can see every flaw in her logic, and I personally feel I should be able to understand the thinking of the main character. I was particularly disturbed by her childish declaration that someone unable to help her in her plight was being selfish. Jennsen just strikes me as nothing more than a selfish child. I know Goodkind can usually make far better characters than this. I'll finish this book, even though it's just filler. And I'll impatiently await the next one, and hope that it focuses on more of the other pre-existing characters.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting book
Review: Just like everyone else, I'm a Goodkind fan. I pre-ordered PoC and then I read some of the reviews. The book was ok, but the dustjacket summary is a bunch of BS. This book is not about Richard and Kahlan. It's about 2 new characters, and they aren't very interesting or even memorable characters. The only reason I'm not returning it is because I like to keep intact books of a series. I hope the next book is much better.
Rating:
Summary: In Pursuit of the Almighty Dollar
Review: I have read every book in the series, and I am really starting to wonder what is going on with TOR and Terry Goodkind. The first 5 books were awesome. (Personally, I think the first Wizard's First Rule, Stone of Tears, and Temple of the Winds are the best.) Anyway, Goodkind is a great author who develops a great storyline with two great characters -- Richard and Kahlan. With such great characters, he can draw fans. However, it is obvious that he is starting to run out of material for the main storyline. While most authors would conclude the story when faced with this situation, TOR and Goodkind decide that they want to squeeze every dime they can out of the fans. In so doing, Goodkind offers a book that has almost nothing to do with the main characters -- Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, Verna, Cara, Ann, and Nathan. By cheating his fans in this way just to get more money, Goodkind and TOR forget those who made them rich in the first place -- the fans. I am very disappointed and particularly surpirsed in Goodkind. In the media, Goodkind always presents himself as a man who has values and ideals that are beyond reproach. With this offering, he does show what he values. Money.
Rating:
Summary: Misjudging Artwork
Review: To begin a series with the depth and sense that Goodkind did is rarely done and should be greatly prized. To follow it up with 6 extraordinary novels each as good as or better than the first is to paint 7 Rembrandts. With what energy and genious this author has captivated us. To those that would wish to judge he who shared this, look deeper into this latest installment before you pass a verdict you dont understand. We've all read them. They've all left an impression and a sound sense of leadership in our midst. They have all delt specifically with Richard and Kahlan. I believe its time to stray away, if for a while, from a ceaseless pattern of imprisonment and love reunited. The new charachters are just as strong as those before, and add a dimension into Goodkinds lush world that we didn't see before. In this dimension we see Richard as doubtless many do: A tyrant, spawn of an evil inheritance, and oblivious to those ruled by it. Regardless of what you want to read, goodkind has delivered in 557 pages, a novel risky and compelling enough to keep me believing in a world some of you seem to take for granted. Give it and him a chance before you throw Pillars of Creation on the chopping block, its a gift, from the only man who truly knows the Hero's that we wish to be.
Rating: 
Summary: Sure beats Soul of the Fire
Review: While certainly not the best of the Sword of Truth (that honor still goes to Temple of the Winds), this one manages to be much better than Soul of the Fire and gets the series back on track again. It's a fun read, albeit with the usual Terry Goodkind gruesomeness. Unfortunately, it doesn't have nearly enough Richard and Kahlan in it. Like Soul of the Fire, this one follows other characters, bringing Richard and Kahlan in only at the end. Unlike Soul of the Fire, this time the characters the book follows are actually interesting and sympathetic, and you look forward to their return in later books. Finally, Terry Goodkind has finally managed to absorb Objectivism (the philosophy of Ayn Rand, which he very obviously discovered right before writing Faith of the Fallen) sufficiently to write about it well. He manages to get across the ethics he wants (Richard's emphasis on reason and personal responsibility) without being as heavy-handed and, well, Ayn Rand-like, as he was in Faith of the Fallen. This feels like a Sword of Truth book again, rather than like a bizarre hybrid of Sword of Truth and Atlas Shrugged. Now, I LIKE Atlas Shrugged, but I don't need it handed to me again in fantasy form for book after book, so I'm glad to see this phase starting to pass.
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