Rating: Summary: Amazing read Review: i know a lot of people have been putting this book doen, calling it a "political pamplet" or "a series killer." all i have to say to them is if they want lots of meaningless violence like the kind of thing a ten year old boy enjoys, thats your choice. what goodkind rights is deep and meaningful. it is inspiring and beuatiful, but it still manages to be exciting. as for the politicial side, i can't really talk. im only fourteen, and i read the book for the first time one or two years ago. it may be that im just reading with what some call child like innocence, or in this case ignorance. but honestly, who cares if goodkind decides to include his political views? he doesn't really include anything other than inciteful views, which if you think about them, are true. it doesn't exactly harm the story. this is my favorite book of all time. i admitt that book 7 was rather dull and book 8 seemed to just be a repeat of old plots, but Faith of the Fallen took my breath away. so keep it up terry.
Rating: Summary: A great fantasy book and comment on human spirit... Review: I really enjoy reading the Sword Of Truth series. After I finished reading this book, I found myself smiling with pleasure. Terry Goodkind has again masterfully advanced the story of Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, and all of the other characters in this book. True to form, Goodkind develops the main characters of this book to the extent that you, as a reader, can understand their motivations and actions. The pages of this book (as well as the entire series) are full of captivating content and rich story lines to keep the reader reading way past bed time. As others have said, there is a very prevelant social comment about humanity and its spirit running through the entire novel, which serves as the perfect backdrop for this story. So, be it there to open people's eyes, or just to create background and motivation, the comment fits perfectly into this tale. If you like to read fantasy full of well developed characters, rich and continuing story lines, suspenseful and emotionally captivating action, then this book is one to own and read several times over.
Rating: Summary: wizard's four thousandth rule Review: someone, i think it was harlan ellison but am perhaps mistaken, once noted that all fantasy literature is necessarily fascistic. this is not so unusual as it may initially sound; people crave strength, they crave inspired leadership of the sort that is all too rarely found in life. mythology provides that, anyone who reads fantasy fiction is obviously an escapist (myself included). what is to be absolutely avoided in fantasy literature is the urge to be didactic. my chief complaint is that goodkind has turned what was, in the first book, a remarkable world, into a platform for ideological warfare. furthermore, had mr. goodkind been intent on being remotely artistic about this unfortunate process, he would have done so in such a way that his own obvious opinions regarding the matter didn't distort the narrative. if you think this is impossible i suggest you re-read 1984. in addition to this i feel compelled to add that it is truly saddening when a friend whom you've come to love and deeply respect begins to do foolishly wicked things. what was initially a rather lovable rugged provincialism/individualism in richard cypher has morphed into an authoritarian madness which in turn, through some utterly implausible twist of the plot, turns into a sort of selfish apathy. mr. goodkind has given us a hero who is no longer heroic, a heroine who is no longer sympathetic, and a world that, now so steeped in a war of ideologies that it closely resembles our own, is no longer magical. just thank the good spirits that you still have dune.
Rating: Summary: this book is a rare experience...please do not pass it by Review: I cannot express to you the satisfaction I received as I read this book. Terry Goodkind, in my humble opinion, is simply a wonderful writer because he evokes emotions out of his readers. I love his characters. They are the opposite of wooden and flat. After reading through the Sword of Truth series up until now, I feel so familiar with Richard and Kahlan, and Cara and Verna, and all the characters - when they feel pain, I feel pain, and when they feel joy, I feel joy. Mr. Goodkind brings out so many themes in his books...Faith of the Fallen does it in such an outstanding way it left me shocked and completely in awe. When I closed the book, I felt like I had just finished one of the best experiences I've ever been lucky enough to have. An excellent book is not meant to be read passively. An excellent book connects the world and characters and story with you. It weaves a web that leaves you completely spellbound, and the thread for that web comes from your own thoughts and emotions that the book draws out of you and that you put into the story as it progresses in your head. Faith of the Fallen is an excellent book, and much, much more. I cannot recommend this book enough - this is THE highest recommendation possible - 100%. People may judge a book by how well themes are worked with, or how well this or that is portrayed, or any other standard... To me, the important standard is how REAL the people in the book seem. The evidence for that realness in Mr. Goodkind's book is that REAL HUMAN EMOTIONS are felt for these fictional characters, as if they were standing before me instead of conjured creations from someone's imagination. The fantasy and the reality mixed together, and they blended and meshed into one. It was so inspiring to feel that power of his words come to life inside my head. Mr. Goodkind should be applauded for his efforts. YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. IT IS TOO RARE TO MISS.
Rating: Summary: More Story Please. Review: I like this series, I really do. Normally, I don't even buy hardbacks, but I bought this book the first day it came out and here I am writing about it six days later. And, I intend to read it again. But, with that said, this will be a mixed review. Still, if you have enjoyed this series, you should enjoy this book too. Faith of the Fallen, begins, more or less, where the last book in this series ended. Richard Rahl has taken Kahlen back to his home so that she may recover from her injuries. When he returns, however, he learns that the people there are scared of him and, after a brief encounters, he flees to the Northern Mountains to avoid bloodshed. After Kahlan has almost recovered a Sister of the Dark, Nicci, attacks her and forces Richard to abandon everything to protect Kahlan from injury. Richard goes to the "Old World" with Nicci while Kahlan, without Richard's knowledge and against his wishes, returns to the Midlands to fight against the Order. The battle scenes are inventive and intense. Mr. Goodkind decribes these events as if he was there. We can hear the screams of the fallen and smell the blood and carnage, as we shiver in the cold winters he has described. But, I wish the story had been a little different. I had trouble with some of the actions of the heroes and heroines. Richard, in the very beginning of the book, says he will not fight or lead others in the fight anymore-until they will fight for themselves. And he does not. I understand his reasons, but I disagree with many of them. So does most of the other charactors in this book. Kahlan fights and fights hard and then fights again, until she quits. During the fight she shows no mercy to anyone, uses torture, and kills children. (who are wizards.) We saw this cruel side of her earlier, but it is exposed in more detail now. According to her, trained by her father, these are sound tactics and are based on logic, reason, and her hatred of the enemy. Without being to preachy, I disagree. During the end of WWII, German surrendered more quickly to the Americans, because the American and allies showed mercy. The war on the eastern front was vicious and almost never ending. Kahlan actions, in a normal world, would lengthen this war and would alienate many potential supporters. Richard Rahl's actions are worse. The chosen leader of many nations, he leaves all his people to save his wife's life. Sure it is romantic, but is it plausible? The fact is, this is the third time that Richard Rahl has been "kidnapped" The other times this occurred, when he was taken by the Mord-Sith and by the Sister of the Light, it fit well within the context of the story. Here, it did not. Worse, due to the nature of the attack, Richard cannot use magic without Kahlan being killed. Magic isn't the only interesting thing about these stories, but it does make them more fun. The lack of magic from Richard, from this point on, takes some of the charm away. Furthermore, it is at this point in the story that this book takes an unusual turn. Mr. Goodkind talks, in depth, about the horrors of communism, without naming it as such. Indeed, since the political system of the Order is never given a specific name, the book can also be seen as an attack on the medieval church. But, whatever he is attacking, he does it at length for large parts of the book. I enjoyed it! I just wish it took up less of the book and the story. If Mr. Goodkind wants to write a philosphy book, I will buy it! If he wants to write a different fantasy book, I will buy that too. But if he wants to write another word of Truth novel, as opposed to one on philosophy, could I request more story please? And, a little more magic too.
Rating: Summary: 6 down and still strong Review: I have read the whole series up to this one (7th is on the way to me.) and I'm not in the least disapointed. Goodkind does a very good job at writing a good classic epic fantasy. The books in this series as of yet have almost never let me down and I finished this one off in one day of lazyness. This series is definately in in my top 5. Start at the beginning of the series though as it fills in the background. I would have to say my review is more directed at the series rather than the individual books, but it is the individual books that make the series.
Rating: Summary: Faith of the Falle Review: I loved the book, Faith of the Fallen, by Terry Goodkind. This is my most favorite book. This book is romantic and adventurous. It sucks you in and holds you there throughout the whole book and even after your done reading, making you want to read more. The story itself is amazing. Even though this book is fiction, I start to believe in it. It feels so real. It has its up and downs, like real lives. While reading this book I found myself falling in love with Richard, Kahlan, and Cara. These three Characters are so detailed that I can feel the pain and joy they all go through. I find myself crying when Kahlan cries and overjoyed when Richard sees Kahlan, after thinking they would never see each other again. I also found myself hating Richard and Kahlan's enemy's, Nicci and Jagang. I can just feel the evil pouring out of the book from them. This book is so detailed that I don't have to picture what is going on or where the characters are. I feel like I'm there with them. I can see myself standing in the middle of the woods, looking at the beautiful trees. I can see myself walking around the army's camps searching for Kahlan. Reading this book, I have learned many new things. I learned of war and politics. Throughout the book Kahlan leads an army and Richard leads a war. They are looked up to and followed by billions. I learn what it takes to be a great leader and things about the government and how it works. Faith is a huge topic in this book. Richard speaks to people about faith and pride. I love this because it helps me out in life all the time. Richard says in the book, "Every person's life is theirs by right. An individual's life can and must belong only to himself, not to society or community, or he is then but a slave," (515). Richard shows commitment and determination will get you so far. Richard is broke; he works hard to make money. He found one way to get it, and it wasn't easy. Richard works hard, unloading bars of iron. A blacksmith needs more bars badly. Richard tells the man, "I don't have a wagon, and I want to earn the money. It's not all that far. I figure I can carry five at a time. That only makes ten trips. I can do that by dawn. I'm used to walking," and he does, until he earned enough money to buy a wagon (373). Richard is very wise as well. He tells Nicci once, "Knowing when not to fight is just as important as knowing how," and I think of this all the time when I'm angry (350). All these things help me out so much in life. When reading this book you can find yourself rooting for the characters. You get attached to them and feel all of their feelings. You start to think about what they would do if they were in your situation. You are no longer reading a book, but watching the journey of two people in love going through life.
Rating: Summary: an 8 hr read Review: The first time that I read this book it took me 8 hrs to read. It was simply that good. Contrary to some peoples' opinions this book is not a rant against communism or any other faulty premise. It is simply a fine example of escapist fantasy literature. The characters are deeply involving and love or hate them you want to find out what happens to them. If you want a book to read to simply depart everyday reality and take a vacation in a far away world this book may be for you. If you are looking for a book with deeper life lessons go read the Illiad, Oddessy or Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. And yes I have read them. BTW If you think that you can write a better book feel free.
Rating: Summary: Zero Stars! Review: If I could give a book negative stars, I would. This is definately what I call an "author in love with his own words and characters" and halfway through the book I was rooting for the bad guys to pulverize both lead characters (Kahlan and Richard). By the end, I was at least liking Richard a bit, but I still say the world would be much better off without Kahlan in it. When your favorite character is the villainess (Nicci) for most of the novel, you know you're in trouble. It took me three months to read it for a reason, I suppose. I will not bother with another of this series - a waste of my time and money.
Rating: Summary: Emotionally stirring & exciting with a grand ending! Bravo! Review: What a great addition to a wonderful series! Mr. Goodkind has again brought forth adult characters whose lives are rich and exciting. The reader (if he or she is willing) is drawn in to a very intimate level with each character, and for this reason, can truly feel the joys, pains, fears, hopes, and dreams throughout the tale. The story seamlessly continues from where it left off, and the pace never slows. I really loved the ending,too! There were many wonderful character interactions, and it tied up all the necessary loose ends, which I personally love to experience! Bravo says I!
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