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Faith of the Fallen (Sword of Truth, Book 6)

Faith of the Fallen (Sword of Truth, Book 6)

List Price: $7.99
Your Price: $7.19
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best Book Yet
Review: This book was amazing. The story hinges around the character of Nicci, instead of being entirely reliant on the actions of Kalahn and Richard. Although they are the main characters of the series, and very prominent in the book, Goodkind shifted his focus slightly which gave this book burst outward into some really intriguing statements and have much more depth than any of the previous, but keep all the magery and adventure that made them so awsome. I absolutely would recommend this book to anyone.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: LITTLE SPOILER INSIDE!!!!
Review: This is a great book, and would have earned 5 stars, except that it is pretty boring. Mostly it is the same as Soul of Fire, except that Richard dosnt have a change (the plauge, darken rahl, the chimes) ect. All he needs to do is excape from a sister of the dark. However the plot is much more completcated. Overall, this is a good book. If you liked any of the first five books, then you should buy this one. It can be read more then once, and so it is a good deal. :-)

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Another sequel
Review: Well, yes, since the storyline clearly hadn't ended, a sequel seems necessary, and as long as you've read the rest of the series, you might as well read this one.

Never one for subtleties, Terry Goodkind pushes the characters around again, but this time with an explicit capitalist manifesto, complete with Slavic names for the evil characters.

Nor does Terry break his own formula of brutalize, brutalize, brutalize, and rather than build anticipation and suspense, the narrative weaves between events, building the odd feeling that while you're reading this part of the plot, more interesting things are going on elsewhere.

The signature dramatic-end-to-the-chapter is here, static yet interesting characters, and gushing expressions of love and violence. The intense feeling of deja vu is probably due to strict attention to the formula and the occasional cliche.

That being said, the narrative isn't bad at all, and only sometimes veers into the strained or stilted.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wow! Goodkind did it again!
Review: I can't believe it! The Wheel of Time is no longer my favorite fantasy series! Faith Of The Fallen is the best in a line of great books. Even as the kind of person who's always looking ahead to when I know the hero will worm his way out of the current predicament, I hung on every word in this book. I simply could not fathom how in the world Richard would get free, and I wasn't disappointed. One of the most powerful endings I've ever read. I highly encourage you to start with Wizard's First Rule, and work your way up to this book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: How in God's holy name, can anyone rate it less?
Review: I am a 17 year-old male, and this book elicited extreem emotional reactions from me in that it put me on the verge of tears. Terry entwines the emotions of the reader with the characters, you feel happy for them, sad for their defeats, and exilirated with their victories, as though you the third unmentioned character- living out the experiences with them as their best friend. As for an anylitical book review, i say this is the apex of the series thus far, and though i wish Richard would learn how to control and harness his god-like magic that we have seen glimpses of throughout the books, it doesn't happen. But besides that, for you of the other gender buy this one with a box of kleenx because the end will send you on an emotional high unlike anything you have ever felt. Do not hold me responsible if you fall off that high and right down into flat depression when you have to return to reality. happy reading =D buy this book!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent exposition on religion and politics
Review: After reading several opinions condemning Mr. Goodkind for expressing his beliefs in fiction, ie: how DARE he?, I was pleased to find this book both enjoyable and thoughtfully provocative. This sixth of the series is definitely not for the religious or politically intolerant for it exposes the underbelly of all too many institutions in society here and abroad which is guaranteed to tweak the vested.

Richard remains entirely sympathetic as he faces extremely hard choices while under captivity by Jagang's mistress, the dark sister Nicci. He is forced to leave his beloved Kahlan to deal with her own desperate challenge to save their new world from being overthrown by the Order. It is a wrenching story of loss of freedom and self determination as they face betrayal by alleged allies, and desperation when they realize that they cannot win the war and must help their people flee the ravenous juggernaut of the Order's army ruled by a craven religous fanatic, the Emperor Jagang. Richard states the story's main theme when he says: "Freedom requires effort if it is to be won and vigilance if it is to be maintained... People just don't value freedom until it's taken away."

This bedrock is the concept of freedom from tyranny, whatever its form. Richard makes the single most powerful statement that defines his character and his actions throughout this story: "The only sovereign I can allow to rule me is reason...what exists, exists; what is, is...this is the foundation from which life is embraced".

The story is one of unravelling the lies, the terror of power in the hands of the corrupt and the question of whether a person is ruled by emotion or logic, fear or choice. It is a powerful image of courage. This book is for the thinking person for it is very deep and a welcome change from fantasy that tells a story but has no story.

Richard's sculpture of the man and woman called "Life" becomes the symbol of hope and a call to the people of the old world to break free from the Order's crushing tyranny. "Your life is yours alone. Rise up and live it." He does not want to supplant one form of tyranny with another, nor is he interested in ruling. Richard's call is for individual self empowerment.

Faith of the Fallen is a modern story within an ancient story in the context of fantasy. And, perhaps, Mr. Goodkind's invitation for each of us to examine our own concepts of freedom, quality of life, self determination and courage. If so, BRAVO.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: NO SWORD OF TRUTH
Review: I LOVED THE FIRST FEW BOOKS OF THE SWORD OF TRUTH NOVELS HOWEVER THE LAST TWO BOOKS "SOUL OF THE FIRE" AND "FAITH OF THE FALLEN" HAVE LITTLE OR NO ACTION WITH RICHARD EITHER USING HIS SWORD OR USING HIS MAGIC. THE SWORD AND THE MAGIC WERE THE REASONS WHY I LIKED THE SERIES IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE LAST TWO BOOKS FOR ME HAVE BEEN A REAL LET DOWN. I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE VACATION IS OVER AND THE NEXT BOOK WILL GET BACK TO WHAT MADE THIS SERIES GREAT IN THE FIRST PLACE!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It really makes you THINK
Review: Terry Goodkind is an incredible storyteller!! As I have read some of the previous reviews I CAN see some of the similar ideas from his previous novels carried over into this one...however I can forgive this because the emotional level he sustains throughout this book is so powerful, it nullifies any negative feelings this book may spark. All I can say is Richard's turmoil continues, as well as his penchant for being tortured at the hands of others. At times this poor character seems like a fantasy re-telling of Biblical Job. Everything bad that can happen to him seems to...times ten. And to top it off, he has a vision that tells him if they attack the Order, they WILL fail for all time. Not exactly the start to the book I was looking for...even so, it works--and well. His travails in the 'Old World' never seem to stop his resolve to do the best he can, and the way that Goodkind describes the Order as a somewhat less civilized Communist regime, it made me think that it isn't far from what life IS like in China, and cold-war Russia. It isn't EXACTLY the same, but living a life like this HAS been a reality for some unfortunate millions in other parts of the world. We generally disregard that because we don't live there, and since it isn't on the news every single night, the phrase 'out of sight out of mind' tends to take over. REAL people suffer, and all it takes to make a difference is one person like Richard who helps when he doesn't have to, gives a kind word probably when someone doesn't deserve it, goes the extra mile when it isn't required and therefore makes a difference. Goodkind is fine-tuning his writing skills and even though he disappointed me with 'Soul Of The Fire' I felt he redeemed himself with this fantastic story. It really makes you THINK. He also taught me a great lesson about the LIFE I live. Kudos to Goodkind. 'Faith Of The Fallen' is a spectacular novel, and a GREAT addition to the incredible 'Sword Of Truth' series (one of the best series in print bar none).

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Excellent writing and characters but a tired plot
Review: Terry Goodkind is an excellent writer and each installment of The Sword of Truth shows steady improvement in his style and ability to craft interesting characters doing things I care about. Most particularly, he gets his characters into situations so impossible that I cannot imagine how they will get out and I find myself genuinely worried about them (even though I know that it will work out in the end) - always a solid sign that an author has succeeded.

But that points to the problem, as well. As other reviewers have noted, the outline for this plot is not much of a stretch from previous entries in the series. Richard is taken by an enemy while Kahlan is in dire straits facing impossible odds. Richard's straightforward honesty wins over seemingly implaccable opponents and learns a skill many take a lifetime to master in almost no time at all so that everything works out just fine. Fantasy tends to be formulaic as it is, and a fantasy author who does more than merely move his characters around map meeting exotic beings is always to be commended, but an installment series should strive for more variety of plot.

One thing worth noting about Faith of the Fallen is that the political/sociological message that was left more or less to the allegorical level in previous novels is now blatant. No-one familiar with the work of Ayn Rand or Robert Heinlein will find the insights offered all that new; rather, they'll be nodding their heads throughout. Personally, I think it's marvelous that a fantasy author has the courage to bring such ideas to the forefront of his work - and perhaps expose them to many who would otherwise never have a chance to encounter them. But if you prefer to keep your politics and your novels separate, this book will frustrate you. Goodkind never goes so far as Ms. Rand, but there are times when Richard's speeches begin to seem like Francisco D'Anconia's in their length.

I waited anxiously for this book to appear and snapped up a first edition almost as soon as it was available. I am glad I read it, and I encourage anyone familiar with the series to buy in and keep reading because Goodkind has definitely delivered another page turner full of interesting people. But I cannot give it better than three stars because of its derivative plot.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Good Episode in The Sword Of Truth
Review: I think the main problem with this series is that Terry Goodking is telling the story in a series of episodes rather than a World-Building book in the usual fantasy big saga mould. Each book introduces new bad guys and new 'friends' and normally wraps up their story within the bounds of the book. It is a bit like Buffy and Star Trek - they both rely on very basic plots and then use characterisation to fill in the gaps. Something like the Wheel Of Time is there to create a living breathing world.

Temple Of The Winds and Soul Of the Fire were very bad episodes in this saga, and I did actually look at reviews before buying this book, and then only when I saw it for £8 at a local bookshop. Personally, I did enjoy the pseudo communism - a rare thing to have dealt with in normal western fantasy. I think some reviewers have taken it a tad too seriously.

The only thing that I would say is that, even though I found this a very enjoyable book, there is nothing in the ending that even remotely makes me think "another year to the next one... what will I do...". But I suppose that is the downfall of an episodic series with a years gap in between.


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