Rating: 
Summary: Masterpiece of the series
Review: I must admit I wasn't very impressed when I started reading the 1st book of the series. In Wizard's First Rule, Goodkind's writing just didn't seem to possess a certain sophistication and polish, and at times it had such a wooden quality that I found myself squirming. Now after having read through the 5th book of the series, I'm glad I've stuck around! As the tale progresses, so does the author's mastery of his craft. Now I find myself swallowing up every word. This book is my favorite of the series. It has all the adventures and mysteries of the previous volumes, at the same time has a surprising emotional edge, not only between the main characters but between some secondary characters as well. Richard and Kahlan will have to face their most severe trial thus far, and it wasn't a result of them doing something annoyingly stupid like running off alone into unknown danger. All the twists and turns building up to the climax will glue your eyes to the pages. The last 100 pages or so are as masterfully executed as any. Even if the previous volumes have taught you to expect the unexpected, the unmasking of the villain may yet surprise some. Goodkind's handling and manipulating of story threads are perhaps his greatest asset. Nevertheless, I'm somewhat dismayed at his penchant for killing off characters, even those he had painstakingly portrayed, by the end of the story. This book is perhaps the pinnacle of the series; the subsequent volumes just don't come close to matching its thrills and excitement. Expect many a sleepless night once you pick this one up.
Rating: 
Summary: Book is good audio version is not
Review: I have listened to this entire series so far on tape. I love the series mind you - but the audio publisher switched readers in this fourth book and he pronounced the names of the characters totally different than in the first three. Sounds minor but it was reallllly annoying, I kept having to try and figure out who the heck he was talking about. How hard would it have been for the new reader to listen to at least one of the previous versions.
Rating:
Summary: Another Masterpiece
Review: I couldn't put this one down! It was absolutely thrilling from start to finish. It is a great read over and over again.
Rating: 
Summary: not as good as the first two
Review: Goodkind starts losing his touch. The plot is great but the story behind it is not. Goodkind focuses his mind on too much political issues and it moves the book very slow. I wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about reading this one as I was the previous ones. Bottom line: not that great.
Rating: 
Summary: A good read with a few faults
Review: This is definately a good read, but I cannot give it a higher score than this. One reason is the relationship between Richard and Kahlan. Yes, we know they love each other; how many damn times does Goodkind have to tell us? It is much too sappy for my taste. Also is Goodkind's heavy handed writing style. Several times I felt like Goodkind stopped trying to tell us a story, and instead was trying to indoctrine us into his philosophy. Forgiveness and healing; nobility of self sacrifice, etc... Yes, I know these themes have a place in the story, but Goodkind was so overbearing it felt like I was reading some dogma garbage. This book had potential but falls far short.
Rating:
Summary: first time i've read a fantasy series...
Review: This is the first fantasy series I've read...and I admit to getting hooked because of the last book out so far, The Pillars of Creation. I went right out and bought the rest of the books to try and catch up. Temple of the Winds was good....I can't give it 5 stars tho. While I liked seeing Nathan as more than some loony wizarde - finally! - and I did enjoy the repartee between old Zedd and Ann I was definitely turned off with the whole Richard and Kahlan love thing. I mean it....I honestly don't know if I can take much more of this "i love, i'll love you forever, i love, i'll love you forever". We all get it Mr. Goodkind: Richard and Kahlan love each other and would never, ever not love each other...even though they always very conviently have doubts to "further" the story. Then, of course, those doubts magically disappear in about two seconds. That is just too stupid for words. And it's getting old. I will be giving this series a chance to redeem itself in the next book I read. I look forward to seeing how some threads work themselves out and I do like the way that the characters can all be tough as nails when necessary and yet be sensitive and feeling when called for. There were moments in reading the series when I had tears in my eyes... Anyway, while the books can be picked up and read at any point along the series - I bet that if you don't start with Wizard's Frist Rule you'll go back to the bookstore and buy it and all the others you missed. Don't let Temple of the Winds dissuade you...it's not the best of the lot.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This is the best of the series thus far! From the get go, Goodkind has you at the edge of your seat, and surprises you with unanticipated twists and turns. This fourth installment is made more enjoyable because, uncharacteristically, very little is devoted to developing new characters or introducing new cultures, freeing up more of the book for the fast-paced stories surrounding the existing characters. SOT fans will be left feeling as if they have been allowed to cash in all of the chips earned through the first 3 installments. It is also satisfying that Goodkind has, for the most part, kept Kahlan and Richard in the same place and focused the story on the couple. For those listening to the audio tapes, I was thrown off by Dick Hill's pronunciation of Kahlan's name, which is different than in prior books. When I first heard it, I didn't know who that was. I would have thought Brilliance Audio would at least insure consistency in this regard. Aside from that, Dick Hill's read was convincing. ... A great read.
Rating:
Summary: Mordsith
Review: Terry Goodkind writes so well that you feel for the characters. My favourite characters are (apart from the main ones, ie. Richard, Kahlan, Zedd) Gratch (Book 2) and the Mordsith. The Mordsith make me laugh at their teasing of Richard and their discovery of life. It also actually made me cry when Raina feed the chipmunks before she took her last breath. Very heartrenching.
Well written to bring out all the different types of emotion.
Love the series
Rating:
Summary: BEST book in the Sword of Truth Series thus far
Review: Honestly, this is the best book in the Sword of Truth series up to this one (meaning out of the first four, this one is the best, I haven't read the rest yet). I just finished it a few minutes ago. This book has a very original plot, involving a sentinent place (The Temple of the Winds), explains a lot about the war 3000 years ago, and general good stuff. The story is plenty full of betrayal, emotions (I actually cried and stuff when reading this book, the only other book I've done that is Return of the King), action, and plot twists. Here is what I've rated the series thus far:
Wizard's First Rule - 5 Stars
Stone of Tears - 4 Stars
Blood of the Fold - 3 Stars
Temple of the Winds - 5 Stars. I guess if the pattern continues, Soul of the Fire will be 4 Stars, and Faith of the Fallen will be 3. Anyway, the book somehow manages to surpass Wizard's First Rule in just plain general greatness. Definately an original story here. No sign of Chase, again, my favorite character. So Nathan has to be my new favorite character. Adie seems to have disappeared from the story too though.
Rating: 
Summary: Artistic wreckage
Review: This book is proof that God has forsaken the fantasy genre. Boring, contrived and juvenile, this dreck should not be read by anyone over the age of 16, unless you are serving a life sentence in prison, and have nothing better to do.
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