Rating: Summary: Waiting for more Review: Terry Goodkind's books are getting better and better. Loved "Wizard's First Rule" and the others following that. Can't get enough of them. I recommend this to all fantasy readers. A wonderful series of books.
Rating: Summary: The Forth Rule is the hardest to learn. Review: Although in disagreement with others, I must say I think Goodkind's Sword of Truth series to be improving with each addition to the fold. All are well written, though I concede each has weak parts structurally. Goodkind, started out in Wizard's First Rule by essentially handing the reader the theme. He obviously learned his lesson, and instead of calling the second book Wizard's Second Rule he changed the name thus making the reader work a little harder to find it's meaning. The forth book continues this, and although it's easy to see that the fourth rule Richard must learn is forgiveness, it nevertheless is presented more subtly than in the first book, being only mentioned once in the narrative. Goodkind's realist twist to his works is not original, indeed all contemporary fantasy seems to be abandoning the tropes of conventional fantasy, and trying to create a more believable world if still a fantastic one. This is good since it makes the work more immedtiate to present day readers, and allows one to more easily "suspend one's disbelief", which is important, even in fantasy, in order for a story to flow. The only reason I gave this incredible book a 9 is that this series like many from Brooks on, seems to be a fantasy planted on a Science Fiction foundation. Don't get me wrong I love SciFi as much as Fantasy, but the only author I've found able to succesively mix the two is L. E. Modesitt, Jr. Goodkind, and others, by referring to an Old World in which magic doesn't exist is underestimating the imagination of his readers. We don't need to feel like a fantasy world is a possible future of our own, as long as the world follows its own laws and the characters act consistently we will give a fantasy world the respect it deserves and if well written will feel the joy's and pain's of the characters, no matter how different they are from ourself. This type of character development, of course, Goodkind is able to do, and the relationship between Richard and Kahlan is certainly the most dynamic and moving in fantasy.
Rating: Summary: Creative and witty-quick ending Review: Terry Goodkind did a fantastic job on the character development of this novel. However, the ending was much too quick and neat. It could have used more explanation, and could have been written to more adequately reflect the rest of the book (ie. lengths of descriptions and events).
Rating: Summary: Temple of the Winds is fantastic Review: Terry Goodkind once again has managed to write a masterpiece of modern fantasy literature. It is truly a wonderful book. I can't wait to read his next novel.
Rating: Summary: The best book in an amazing series Review: Temple of the Winds is the crown jewel in this incredible fantasy series. The action and emotions in this book far surpass the previous books in the Sword of Truth saga. There are times when I was affected so profoundly by the events in the book that I had to stop for a moment, put the book down, and catch my breath. Nothing prepared me for the way this book would make me feel. I felt I knew the characters, moreso than ever before. I felt happy when they were happy, felt sad when they were sad. It was incredible. Terry Goodkind is a master at his art. He can make things seem utterly hopeless, and then find a way to make everything work out. He is the new fantasy god, and this is his Bible. Every fan of fantasy novels must read this. It is not just a novel, it is an experience.
Rating: Summary: The Sword of Truth series is ultimate! Nothing compares! Review: Goodkind is simply the best author of all-time. The Temple of the Winds is another fine work of art that keeps me looking forward to Book 5. I cannot put to words the joy of reading his works. Goodkind leaves no room for dead ends and has developed, to the point of maturity, an incredibly fascinating story line that I'm sure would make Tolkien green with envy. I have never found a dull moment in any of the books of Richard and Kahlan's adventures. There are times to laugh and times to cry and times that just make you feel good all over. Not to mention the excitement of new characters, new places, new magic, and new Wizard rules with every book. The only bad thing about Terry Goodkind is that he doesn't write fast enough. I didn't think the Temple of the Winds was ever going to get here! But I'm thankful that quality is not sacrificed for speed. I can reread the whole series for the fourth time while I'm waiting. Thank you Terry! I am greatly appreciative.
Rating: Summary: Very Interesting Review: I found this to be the most interesting of Goodkind's books so far. I think that overall, it is the third best book, behind No 1 and 2 in the SOT series but better than No.3. The plot was a little slow at times and did not grip me in the same way that Wizard's first rule did, but I think I was expecting too much. I think the best part waswhen richardwasin the temple of the winds, it was the most interesting, the rest of the book was a bit to frustrating. As for his use of violence in sexual situations, I found this to be disturbing and a little over the top, he should use it the same as he did in WFR, like when Richard comes to Horner's Mill and they learn the girls have ben raped, yet it is not described in graphic detail. This book seemed to be a sort of sub-plot or 'filler' book, but I was disappointed as nothing major was acheived, at the end of the book they are back where they started. I was also left frustrated by the fact that Richard's power had not developed, and some interesting characters were only given small sections or left out altogether. I would still recommend this book to any Goodkind fans however, as it is still a very good book, just wait till it comes out in paperback. I still rate Terry Goodkind as one of the bestfantasy authors as Ifind his work highly original and refreshing. I just hope that he can recapture the magic of WFR in the 5th installment, I can't wait.
Rating: Summary: Great, Inventive Review: I have been a Terry Goodkind fan from the very beginning along with Robert Jordan. The Temple of the Winds is a great book, just when is Zedd going to sit down with Richard to teach him how to use his gift. This has dragged on for the whole series. I found the part with Richards brother, a little unimaginative. Once he came into the picture, Kahlan would betray him in his own blood. I was able to antissapiate what would happen next, and ended up being right. The whole idea of the Temple of the Winds was one of the best I have even heard or thought up. The Temple holding all of the worlds magic, and anyone entering could expliot this magic to their own purposes, for good or evil. This was a great book and I can't wait for the next to come out.
Rating: Summary: The best yet Review: I read Blood of the Fold and Temple of Winds back-to-back and Temple was definitely the best of the two. This book was gripping, and, unlike a lot of books now out there, it actually surprised me at times. Even so, is there anyone out there who is also getting tired of the overuse of prophecy, the overuse of characters stumbling around trying to escape their fate? For once, I'd like to see him write from the point of view of the people who really know what's going on. Like the prophets (Nathan or Warren). Or Zedd.
Rating: Summary: Enjoyed it, but....... Review: I've just finished the book and found it to be the least enjoyable of the four Goodkind books. It has just been released in Australia in hardback, and to show how much of a fan I am, I paid $40 for it. Now I wish I had waited for the paperback. It took me a while to realise what was missing - and that was humour. It was far darked than the other books, and I too found the sexual violence a turn off. There seemed to be no joy in the characters. I missed Zedd, who hardly featured, and where was Gratch? I hope the next installlment is an improvement.
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