Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I am a fan of Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series. So naturally, I was attracted to the "Sword of Truth" series as well. It is well written and something I've enjoyed. Until now, that is. This 6th volume just dragged along without mercy. I wanted to stop and put it away on several occasions. I think of it as the 'pothole' of the bunch. I did barely manage to stop myself from returning it to the bookstore and have nothing further to do with the series. Thankfully, I gave it the benefit of the doubt due to past experience, and my patience did pay off near the end of the book. I do feel that I should've just waited for the paperback issue. Anyway, I just hope the next volume is able to live up to my expectations.
Rating: 
Summary: A good read, but...
Review: I must begin by stating two things about this book: firstly, I found it somewhat disappointing, and secondly, I wouldn't have missed reading it for anything. This may sound contradictory; let me explain. Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" series has captivated me ever since I picked up "Wizard's First Rule". Imaginative and magical stories, an unobtrusive yet enjoyable style that lets the reader enter the story and makes compulsive reading, sympathetic and human characters- all of these produce an irresistible combination. In "Faith of the Fallen", Richard and Kahlan must once again exercise their considerable talents and powers to save the Midlands and D'Hara from the incursion of the Imperial Order of the Old World. But when Richard is captured by a sorceress of the order- held hostage by a magical threat to Kahlan's life- it seems that nothing can help them stave off defeat at the hands of Jagang's army. Richard must journey deep into the heart of the Old World at his captor's bidding, for reasons he can only gradually begin to understand. For a book of several hundred pages, that doesn't seem like much of a plot. Indeed, the story doesn't travel nearly as far as the characters do- both physically and emotionally. Goodkind's novels have always contained a healthy dose of philosophy along with dashing adventures, but this latest book outstrips all the others by this measure. "Faith of the Fallen" is primarily about character development, which is something I consider essential for a good novel of any genre; however, in this case it comes at the expense of some of the wonderful storytelling displayed in the previous volumes. I reached the end feeling as if the book should be only half over. The character development itself is also awkward at times. Readers of the series will already be familiar with Richard's astounding strength of character and phenomenal personality. This is fantasy, after all- but he is an extremely likeable hero as well as an admirable one. I felt, though, that his perfection was pushed to the limits of credibility in places, rendering him less believable rather than a stronger character. On the other hand, the character of Nicci (the Sister of the Dark who holds Richard captive) was rather well portrayed. Far from perfection, she became a character with a true sense of identity through her flaws that a reader might sympathise with and understand, if not condone. The other prominent and sometimes irritating theme of the book is Goodkind's merciless anti-socialist propaganda. I happen to agree with most of his views (although his illustration of a socialist Order collapsing under its own indolence is rather extreme) but that by no means excuses what comes across as blatant author interference in many places. The events and scenes of the book make a clear enough point without the author standing over the reader's shoulder explaining the point over and over again! Yet despite these criticisms, how could I not enjoy another epic from Goodkind's prodigiously talented pen? His characters are people whom I have grown to know and love as I share their adventures and watch them develop: how could I be left behind as they embark on this journey? I enjoyed reading it greatly, even as I was criticising it en route for the flaws above, and I am eagerly awaiting the next volume (with a secret hope that the story will be more exciting than this one). The ultimate verdict? If you are a fan of the series, don't miss it. If you are a new reader, start at the beginning of the series and give yourself a chance to know the characters first....
Rating:
Summary: Same Old Story
Review: First, let me say: I enjoy Goodkind's work. I really do. WFR was the first Fantasy book I ever read and got me hooked on the genre. In my opinion, WFR and SOT are two of the best books I've read. Period. That said, I was very disappointed in FOTF. How often must we read the same story? Richard and Kahlan are together. They get separated. Richard is held captive. Kahlan has to engage in battle. Richard uses his wits to rescue himself. Richard and Kahlan are back together again. Ho hum. Goodkind is an excellent writer. I just wish he would write something fresh and new. Continue to write about Richard, but let's see him act like a wizard.
Rating: 
Summary: A acceleration of his downhill slide
Review: I didn't get into the Sword of Truth series until the second novel came out, but as soon as I found it I instantly fell in love with it. And as such, I have eagerly anticipated the release of each subsequent book. Alas, they haven't lived up to the standard set by the frist 2. 3 & 4 didn't quite make the quality of their predecessors, and by the 5th, the lessons and ideals that were so nicely couched in story in the first 2 books were more spoon fed right to the reader. In this one, Goodkind despences with the spoon and preaches it right at you. No sublty, just BLAM! The character are shallow, one-dimensional, cardboard cut outs. There is no origionality as we saw in Demmin Nass or Darken Rahl. Story wise, Richard and Kahlan get seperated... again. Richard has his magic rendered useless... again. They go on a quest that takes them away from the war... again. There is also what is probably the most sensless killing of a very cool main character (not telling who) that I have ever had the displeasure to witness. All in all, this was a very poor effort for an author of Goodkind's origional promise. Don't get me totally wrong; interspersed with the horrid character, the repetitive plot, and the excessive preaching, there were a number of very cool ideas remensisant of his earlier works. They were just never properly realized. I can only hope Pillars of Creation will redeem this series... and if not, I'll read it just to see Jagang's reaction upon reaching Aydendril and the surprise waiting for him there.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing Creativity
Review: This is one of the most creative books I have ever read. In this book Goodkind takes all of the powers and skills Richard has learned so far in the series away from him. Thus leaving Richard in an almost impossible situation that he only survives because of his character. If you've liked this series you must read this installment for it is truly amazing.
Rating:
Summary: one of the best in the series...
Review: Despite reading some very critical reviews of this book, I still think it's definitely one of the best in Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. It deserves 5 stars as although the 'Richard and Kahlan have to save the world from evil and get separated along the way...again' storyline is getting a bit repetetive now, I still think it's a really good read.
The plot was quite simple and there wasn't as much action as we've seen in the earlier books. Even so, the the story was well-paced and kept my interest - even though some of the anti-socialism focus in the Old World got just a bit pretentious. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the battle in the New World (but am still in shock at the death of one of the characters - I won't say who as I don't want to spoil it). Terry Goodkind did a wonderful job of getting what are obviously his own beliefs across, how we should believe in the nobility of man,our own self-worth, etc. etc.
Faith of the Fallen is a really uplifting, inspiring book, and although some people might say that Terry Goodkind has no right to be preaching his views of life at us in what is just a fantasy book, I totally agree with his ideas and morals (take the Wizard's Rules for example).
Having said that, hey, it IS only a fantasy book so I guess I shouldn't start getting too high-minded about it. Even if you don't agree with the stuff Terry Goodkind says in this book, you will have to admit it is a brilliant read and in a completely different class to most other fantasy series that we see on the shelves. Go on, read it...!
Rating:
Summary: As good as it gets!
Review: The sixth book in the sword of truth series by Terry Goodkind is again a masterpiece. Unlike for example the Wheel of Time series it keeps interesting. I think this is because Terry Goodkind doesn't make the book unnecessary difficult. In the Wheel of Time books there are just too many story lines. And as I am not interested in all of them, the books get boring at a certain point. Especially the later ones. Anyways as I was saying Faith of the Fallen doesn't suffer from this. On the contrary. I couldn't stop reading. The story was fast moving and the characters introduced in the previous books keep getting more interesting. The story: Richard Rahl becomes the prisoner of a Sister of the Dark known as 'Death's Mistress'. Unfortunately he can't use his power against her, because everything that happens to her also happens to Richard's wife Kahlan. And then there is the war against the imperial order, which doesn't go well at all. I don't have to tell you of course, that everybody who has read the first five books should also read this one. And for the lucky bastards who haven't started on Wizard's first rule yet: start reading!
Rating:
Summary: Goodkind back on track
Review: I think that the first two books in this series are still far and away the best. In the past couple novels Goodkind has gotten away from the characters and the story line , but in Faith of the Fallen he returns. He stays away from the Kahlan and Richard love affair, which at times is sickening, and he concentrates more on developing the plot and the storyline. I rather enjoyed the symbolism and the objectivism that Goodkind has portryaed in this novel. I wonder if he has any inklings towards Ann Rynd. He has developed good characters and he has a talent for developing tension at very preceise moments, when you aren't expecting it. He is also finally becoming comfortable enought to lay waste to some of the mainstream characters which I think is a wonderful thing to do. It shows that he is not afraid to create more characters when these become boring. I cant wait for the next text out this year. RECOMMENDATION: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Rating: 
Summary: Boring and poorly written
Review: cheesy homage to Ayn Rand
Rating:
Summary: Even for a fantasy, a little bit incredulous
Review: Although I enjoyed reading the book, I just can't get over how unrealistic the plot was even for a fantasy. Come on folks, even if Richard's statue was the most beautiful and inspiring piece of work, I doubt it would have been able to single handedly start the revolution and topple the Order. The reversal of fortune in the last few chapters of the book were a little to much for me to handle. I was also disappointed about not learning the fate of the magical creatures we have come to love such as the gars, the siph, and the dragon that helped Richard out in the previous books. If the Siph was still around, Kahlan could have saved herself about four weeks on the trip to the Old World. Unfortunately, things were not all entirely wrapped up, however if this is the last book in the series, I think it is an acceptable ending to an enjoyable series. I don't care if I don't get to live through R & K having their first kid and all the problems that can come with that. I think it will be tiresome. I hope Goodkin starts something new instead.
| 
