Rating: 
Summary: disappointed in Goodkind's latest
Review: Faith of the Fallen, latest in the series, does not live up to its predecessors at all. I began to feel dissatisfied with the series by about the third installment. The latest hits bottom. My major complaints are related to character, theme and the author's lack of subtlety.Richard, the protagonist, is often a two-dimensional character with an annoyingly childlike view of the world. He is never wrong, and the author has created a universe that conveniently is in awe of Richard's simplistic perspective. The theme of this latest work is, perhaps, well-intentioned, however it is such an obvious rant against communism that it's almost embarassing. Goodkind's message doesn't really bother me; it is his complete lack of subtlety that ate away at any enjoyment I might have felt while reading. Additionally, a minor complaint: How could there have been such a short period of time within the plot of the series from the first novel to the present one? Way too much has happened to these people for only approximately two years to have elapsed.
Rating: 
Summary: See the pages fly
Review: Book six finally arrived. After 4 months of waiting for the book, it finally was released. I held it with caution, not wanting to harm the cover. I slowly opened it with care and began to read. The beginning, like most books, wasn't the most captivating thing, but still was interesting enough to keep the reader involved. I stayed up last night to finish it, reading over a hundred pages. I finished at midnight. I closed the book, looking at another chapter of the sword of truth gone. Two things immediatly arose, both gripes about the book. One: Having to read the filth of the order's beliefs was a bit sickening, and I was forced to put the book down on a couple of occasions, lest I become angry. Second: My one real problem with Goodkind's writting is that he doesn't write fast enough. I knew that this time I had a good year before the next book. *sigh* I guess I can read Tolkien again.
Rating: 
Summary: Faith of the Fallen
Review: I thought this book was great ,but i would like to see Richard get together with Zedd and learn more of his power and see how strong he realy is .
Rating:
Summary: The strongest of the series.
Review: Whew. 6 long books and yet another to go, so I've heard. I read WFR quite a few years back, and I was enchanted, by far, it was the best book I'd read. Sure, it had a couple of plot holes, but it's fantasy, so you're supposed to suspend your disbelief and give yourself over to the author's way of doing things. Stone of Tears became my favorite, but I dropped off in interest with Blood of the Fold. Temple of the Winds caught me off guard, and by the end I was biting my nails and becoming a bit too emotional over the ending situations. Soul of the Fire was good in its own right, but none of the books set me up for the strength that this newest novel had. The characterizations, by far, are Terry Goodkind's strongest selling point. Their emotions are your emotions, their revelations are a dawning on you, too, and you are always picturing their faces clear as day. When they cry, you're apt to be doing the same thing. I didn't look at this as a rehash when Kahlan lost Richard to evil again, but what I did feel was a knot in the pit of my stomach for Kahlan because she was losing him again, this time never knowing if she would see him ever, and ultimately, vowing that she would, but knowing the days inbetween would be hell. Nicci is an invigorating character, she appropriately naive, yet nasty, you can sense the aloofness and the fear and the questions behind her mind. She's not like Pasha, expendable, and I thoroughly hope her character will be expanded in the next novel. I was glad for the introduction of new Mord-Sith, and was upset at the death of a friend from several books back. The book expanded on Richard's talents as a carver, and hinted at the possible magic within such talents, this may be a hint at what's to come, and I'm glad he took the time to expand on Richard's character in such a fashion, because, as the books roll along, we see Richard realize many truths about the world and peoples around him, and he's growing up into the man he never dreamed of being. Richard's becoming, ultimately, will lead us to the series' conclusion, because Richard is what the series is about. Goodkind's next talent lays in the way he builds his situations. He can string you along for quite a few pages and chapters, maybe, and then drop the results on you like a bomb. Many of us know how easy it is to put our trust in Goodkind and allow him to lead us along...I had a sense of doom throughout the entire novel that it wouldn't resolve, and as usual, Goodkind delivers right when you're on the edge of your seat. He's also not squeamish about allowing some scenarios to occur, which, in my opinion, is a good thing, because sometimes it's better to not peddle to the public rather than go with your original vision. World building is another of Terry's strong delivery points. I absolutely love the world he's created. The lands are a focal point of the stories. He doesn't just place a character here, or there, and go with it, he makes sure you remember where they've been, and where they're going. He makes the world as tangible as our own, therefore the characters are very much grounded in their lands, which makes them all the more believable to us. Kahlan cares about her Confessor's Palace, Zedd his Wizard's Keep, and Richard his Hartlands. Home makes your hero. Lastly is Goodkind's sense of suprise. In this novel, every other page seemed like a new battle idea, i.e., for those who have read, the "magic glass." I was delighted by this. I'm no tactician, nor do I pretend to know the first thing about war, but I was stunned by the logic involved in the army movement and battle tactics. Each side warring on the other seemed like they gave crushing blows, and Goodkind doesn't just allow himself to focus on one side, he displays both, and you understand their weak points and their strong points. I was incredulous at the numbers of the Imperial Order. It's a smart battle, truly a step above the one in Stone of Tears. This novel has definitely usurped the others in their ranks among my favorites. I don't think this was written so much as to further the war along or to lead the characters into immediate action against Jagang. This might deter many from reading the novel. But I believe it was an engaging story, and written to stall the action so that we might get to know our favorite characters better, and maybe all over again. Next time, I think we might be thrown headfirst into war, and will be thankful for this fresh diversion.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: This is great book, from a great series. I think Goodkind did a much better job this time around of not boring a reader who has read all the books with too many of the details from the previous Sword of Truth novels. That is the only flaw I found in books 2-5. The characterization in this book is exceptional. I was in tears twice during this book, especially when Richard and Kahlan were separated, the second time I won't give away! Read this book! But read the first 5 first!
Rating: 
Summary: Same, but...
Review: I would agree with many of the reviewers, there is nothing terribly new in this book. It is filled with the same plots as seen before and you just have to wonder how many times can a man be captured and tortured. The book is a summer sequel. It is the same plot, same characters, but with more killing and more fighting and in some ways this is what makes it entertainment. The book is fun to read, it is fast paced which is a nice change from the last book. I would recommend it for the true fan of the series, but with the reservation that the story needs to move on.
Rating:
Summary: The master storyteller comes forth again
Review: What can I say! He did it again! This is one of the best books of the series! Lets just hope it doesnt stop!
Rating:
Summary: incredible storytelling
Review: I've just read several reviews of Mr. Goodkinds new book and am sincerely saddened by the vacancy of thought and absence of imagination in the negative reviewers opinions of this fine work. Faith of the Fallen was one of the best reading experiences and a fluid passport to another world which we can only hope exists in some reality somewhere, though existing in book form in this world. As always, Mr. Goodkinds words create a visual picture in my mind of these characters and the situations they face which is certainly a quality severely lacking in many of the books on shelf that perhaps the negative reviewers absolutely enjoyed. This book is like its story for it is a piece of art that can be pleasurable only by those open enough and with hearts willing to savor its incredible seamless freedom and beauty. This is a rewarding story and my wait for his next book will be difficult.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting themes, but this is getting way too dragged out
Review: I started reading this book a short while after finishing Robin Hobb's excellent Liveship Traders series, and I must say the contrast was striking. A few pages into Faith of the Fallen I started asking myself, "Why am I reading this?" For people that haven't read truly GOOD fantasy lately, this book may come off as at least a very good, if not stellar book. But coming off of Hobb's beautiful writing, this was downright drivel. Now, this isn't to say that Goodkind has nothing going for him - each author is good in their own respective right. Jordan is the overall storytelling master in terms of creating a believable world. Hobb's skill lies in creating believable characters and in general descriptive skill, and Martin excels with plot lines. Goodkind, I have come to learn, is not the best in any of those areas. The phrase "Jack of all trades, master of none" applies perfectly to him. As many have said before, the plot is old and predictable, and it is becoming painfully obvious that Mr. Goodkind is running out of things to say and is dragging this series out longer than it needs to be. If this series is not concluded within 1, at most 2, books, I will completely lose interest in it. Granted, Jordan's Wheel of Time is even more drawn out, but I never really felt like I was reading the same story over and over again with different words. I did with this book. And, as I hinted at earlier, in my opinion Goodkind does not nearly have the skill with language I once thought he did. His sentences are short and boringly constructed, and his lack of a varied vocabulary makes me want to send him a thesaurus. I also found the page-long speeches made by characters in the middle of conversations most annoying and distracting. As I read more and more of this book, at times I thought I was reading Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead, which was basically 50 pages of her personal philosophy with a 650 page story as a wrapper. While I don't think Goodkind is necessarily spouting his personal philosophy for all to see, I do think those speeches become much to preachy to be palatable to the average reader. As far as characterization goes, I think his character interactions are adequate, but what I find annoying are the actual personalities of the characters. Richard and Kahlan are almost perfect people in every way imaginable. Miracles seem to abound all around them, and they can do no wrong. The only times Richard and Kahlan are believable characters for me is when they succumb to such basic human emotions such as rage and hatred. I get tired of reading about the endless good that Richard brings people or the love that everyone feels for him and Kahlan. It serves a purpose to a point, but after a while it becomes rather sickening. **spoiler** I could have almost felt something about Nicci's change at the end of the book had the same thing not happened with Denna. Once against Mr. Goodkind falls back on old plot themes **end spoiler** The only real strong points of the book were the ideas tossed around about freedom and what "living" really is. While I think Mr. Goodkind may have been trying to be a little too philosophical for his own good, I do believe he makes some valid points. But as I said earlier, speeches are not the way to get your point across, but rather the way to bore readers. Was this a decent addition to the series? Yes. The series is finally rushing towards the climax as I see it, but only time will tell how much longer Mr. Goodkind decides to drag the series out for. Was this a decent overall fantasy book? No. If you haven't, read either of Robin Hobb's series - the Liveship Traders or the Assassin books. After reading them and getting a taste of what a true master of the English language can do, it's hard to look at the Sword of Truth series in the same light. If you haven't started the series yet and are deciding whether to or not - don't. Wait and see how it turns out. For those of us who have already invested time and energy into reading this series, we must keep reading and hope the books get better, which seems to be the latest trend. Maybe the authors will finally take the hint and start writing true fantasy once again.
Rating:
Summary: parable, sword and sorcery, or both?
Review: I love this series. Faith of the Fallen highlights Kahlen, showing her a strong character in her own right. I was sort of disappointed that magic played such a small part this time, with exception of the spelling and despelling of Kahlan, but we found more of the strength of both Richard and Kahlan as they both fought against impossible odds. What amazes me most about the series, especially the last two novels, is Goodkind's social commentary. The whole idea of Jagang's empire is the lack of importance of the individual and the deification of the Order. It seems to me, (and I admit to being prejudiced) that he not only describes a nation such as the former Soviet Union, but also a warning to our nation, as we seem to be more and more dependent on the government. Whether Mr Goodkind has this in mind or not is irrelevant, as the story stands on its own as a great fantasy novel, and the characterizations of Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, Cara, etc. I feel that I now all of these people, and care about them.
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