Rating: 
Summary: Must Read
Review: Well, I seriously just finished this book and was compelled to write a review. I've read through all the Goodkind books and I must say he kept pace with soul of fire. I admit that not seeing the beloved characters of the previous books was a bit of a dissapointment, the addition of the new villains was, to me, invigorating. I loved to hate the characters from anderith although you had to forive poor Dalton at the end. Poor Beata I'm excited to see what becomes of her. Who could't get excited about the Chimes? and I honestly found myself holding my breath as Richard was breathing his life breath into Kahlan. Not to mention the deep breath I took when He revealed the sword of truth at the very end " I kept wanting to tell them to go back to anderith and retrieve it. The book was great and kept me wake for a couple nights cracking through it. It leaves space to expand the story. Mr Goodkind if you ever come to Amazon.com to read your reviews I'd like to say you have an incredible talent keep up the good work, because Im sure many of us will be waiting paitintly for book 6. In my opinion Robert Jordan was left in the dust around chapter 3 of Wizards first Rule. Aloha a hui hou
Rating: 
Summary: He is DEFINITELY wandering
Review: Firstly I thank Mr Goodkind for explaining his last book. At LEAST I now know why he did it! I got his first book as a hardbound and did too with his next two books. But I waited for the paperback (one and a half years!)on his 4th and this 5th novel as I noticed the quality of the books were decling. I of course also read and love Robert Jordan's TOW and have also started to noticed his (RJ) decline in quality. BUT the main difference in the two series' is that The Wheel of Time has a LEGITIMATE reason for continuing, the main plot of the book isn't finished yet! But with The Sword of Truth books I would have been happy if Mr. Goodkind ended his series when he should have (about two books ago) and started a new one. His series has now become sorta like a soap opera where people will read it only to find out what happens to the characters and not to any storyline, to be blunt about it, you could skip any of the last three books and NOT miss anything important in the series which wasn't mentioned (in a couple of sentences) in the following book! I will of course continue buying his books, but I am one of those readers who agree that if he had wanted to introduce totally new characters, then he should have done so in a different series, this is The Sword of Truth series and Richard Rahl IS the holder of the Sword so PLEASE write about him! I do hope Mr Goodkind will listen to the majority and improve on the next book. Or start a new one (series). I have no doubt that his next book will be an improvent as I don't don't a writer a good as Mr Goodkind can get any worse than this 5th book.
Rating: 
Summary: Soul of the Fire
Review: Though I agree with ,what seems the majority of, the readers that this was kind of a disapointment I read it eagerly, wondering how all of it would come into play in the next book. I have impatiently awaited each book after the third, when I caught up to Terry Goodkind. I'm sure I will enjoy the upcoming book and remain an immence fan of his books and the characters in them. Terry Goodkind is very skilled at getting his readers involved in his writinhg. Never before have I laughed, cried, and literally sat on the edge of my seat, while reading a series! I strongly recommend the Sword of Truth series to all fantasie readers.
Rating:
Summary: Beating a dead horse . . . . .
Review: I'm not exactly what happened along the way, but somewhere this series has unfortunately degraded into an unforcused, unexciting and uninspired mess. This book was absolutely painful to read. I promptly purchased it (in hardcover) the day it first came out, but I must confess I was only able to get through 2/3's of the book. The book had no direction, little excitement and introduced new characters who I cared little, if anything about. This series started off so promising. Granted, the Jordan critcism's are valid, as there are a great deal of similarities between the books. And like Jordan, unfortunately, the series is becoming progressively worse. This book had absolutely no clear direction and left a sour taste in my mouth. I still plan to purchase the next book, but I am certainly going to wait and see the initial reaction of readers instead of just blindly purchasing the book based on the past exploits of Mr. Goodkind. I still believe this series can be rehabilitated and I sincerely hope Mr. Goodkind realizes the real poor quality of this book and does not let his readers down in his upcoming book. Time will only tell. To those who have yet to read this series (though I doubt there are many who have not, reading this review) I still recommend the series. This book, however, you can probably even skip and not miss a significant thing. Let's hope the future for this series is brighter.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful tribute to the genre
Review: This return to the Sword of Truth saga captivates the reader as it's predecessors did so wonderfully. This book was written differently than the other volumes, but it gave the reader insight into the characters and explored the world which encompassed them. This volume provided the portion which completed the submersion of the reader into the world of Richard and Kahlan.Some readers may miss the continuous excitement of Blood of the Flood and Stone of Tears, but Soul of the Fire was a necessary and wonderful installment which made the Sword of Truth become more realistic than fantasy. I can not wait for the next installment, and in the meantime, I have enjoyed re-discovering the previous volumes.
Rating:
Summary: Worst one yet
Review: I loved Wizard's First Rule, but each following book has steadily gotten worse. It's the Raymond Feist/Robert Jordan syndrome. This has to have some of the clumsiest plotting, the most awkward characterisation, and the worst meandering conversing of them all. Firstly, just allow Zedd and Richard to get together properly, already! Let them teach and learn, instead of forcing them apart all the time just so you can keep some mystery and self discovery in there! Secondly, why is 'Lurk' a silly name, but 'Chimes' and 'Dominie Dirch' perfectly acceptably okay? Thirdly, 'The Mud People'? The *MUD* People? That's their actual name? And they're right smack dab in the middle of the world where every civilization has to cross, yet somehow haven't been influenced by any of them in any way? It's the most simplistic, unbelievable, and downright offensive representation of primitive culture there could be. The one redeeming factor is the other story elements, the new characters in Anderith are interesting and nicely written. But Richard and Kahlan are driving me bananas. I hate it when Editors start neglecting their job in fear of ruining the sacred written words of a popular author. *sigh* Why does Richard have to repeatedly say the same thing three times over a six page rant? And about five times during the book this happens! We get the point, Terry, no need to go on and on about it!
Rating:
Summary: Extremely disapointed
Review: I thought the first 4 books were absolutely fantastic although I was getting fed up with TG's obsession of extreme brutality towards women. The series was to intense to stop. The last, however was to boring and stupid to put up with the absolutly unneccessary violence. When I got to the Claudine incident, I just about called it quits, then when Stein took his next scalp, I threw the book into my closet saying "THATS IT I'M THROUGH WITH GOODKIND". (I can't help wondering if this is how he realy veiws women) However, since I was near the end, I managed to force myself to finish it. It started to get much better, even 2 stars, then the finish completely took that one star away. Ebinessa happening all over again and Richard wetting his pants and running away? A hero turned into a Pantie waste. It would have been better if Kahlan used her power on Stein and made him reveil Jagangs plans to the minister and the people. 30 pages describing how a feast was prepared, 20 more on how it was presented, 1 page on how the people chew their food? These are peopole we don't know or even care about. Most of the books are far too negative with the villan and all the horror they inflict on women and children, and in the end, Richard barely gives them a tummy ache. Note to Goodkind: Get rid of Jagang. Get a new villan if you have to. Also include a glossery and stop interupting paragraphs with lengthy definitions we are all aware of. If I do decide to continue, I will get his next book from the library and I do mean IF I CONTINUE.
Rating:
Summary: good attention to detail in character
Review: This book was quite good as usual. The attention shifted in this volume to other protagonists, in the decadent culture of Anderith, which bears an unpleasant resemblance to aspects of many of our cultures now. Some may miss the sword-play and sorcery of the former volumes, I enjoyed the humanizing of Richard and Khalan as well as the intrigue of the new characters, and the details of their natures. can't wait for the next one. As with any novel of this genera, there is little excitement if there is no real danger if the characters involved may just "blast away all opposition" with no restraint, vulnerability or fear. This novel kept the basic rules intact, but added a new threat, and a better chance to see Khalan and Richard and the others as whole beings. Greg Haley
Rating:
Summary: A fine return to form
Review: "Soul of the Fire" is a great improvement over "Temple of the Winds", the tired-seeming fourth installment of Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. The author displays a surer hand than ever at multi-stranded plotting and mature characterization. New delights include penchants for political intrigue, apposite social commentary (with a touch of satire), and subtle humorous touches. The restraint from titanic magical displays this time around is a real tonic and the culminating idea that the experience of magic for a great master could be fundamental to human expression rather than strictly prescriptive is unexpected and profound. The reviews which pan this integral part of Mr Goodkind's series seem ridiculous.
Rating:
Summary: Negative Five Stars
Review: Funny how writers these days can write a bunch of fluff, or even out right rip off a best selling author like Robert Jordan and get by with it. The first book held promise "The Wizards First Rule", however, after this it was all down hill. I only read up to the fifth book, because books two through five and great books for how not to be a good writer. I was totally disappointed in Terry GoodKind. Still wondering if TOR just handed him Robert Jordan's outline and told him to try and make it original! I only put one star becuase Amazon Made me!
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