Rating: 
Summary: OK, but.....
Review: First of all I want to say that the first four books held my attention completely. This one however did not live up to my expectations. I kept waiting for the "new" Mordsith to enter the picture and was disappointed when they did not. I hope they do in the next one. I, like many others, was disappointed with this book to some degree, but it is still one of the best series to come along for quite awhile and I wait eagerly for the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, but other installments were better.
Review: Okay... I DO like this book. I do. But... Why was there so much time spent on other characters that we've never seen before? Richard, Kahlan and Zedd were hardly in this novel. Nevermind the others we started to know in the previous 4 novels. Also, did anyone else feel let down with the ending? I guess I just kept waiting for something fun to happen, and the number of pages left for me to read kept getting less and less. However, I like this series and enjoyed reading more about this world. I just would have rather read more about the main characters.
Rating:
Summary: Solid story, but weakest of the series
Review: Soul of the Fire takes much longer to get into than the rest of the Sword of Truth series. The plot is more in depth, and the extensive background information on newly introduced characters is overwhelming at times, especially when considering the outcome. The book does pick up near the end, although I couldn't help but feel that the climax was rather rushed after the lengthy build up. Overall, it was an enjoyable enough read, and I would recommend it to anyone who is familiar with the series. To those who haven't read previous novels in the series, start at the beginning (Wizard's First Rule) before picking up this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A 'little' story lost and in search of an end...
Review: Terry Goodkind takes a major detour into the realms of parochial politics and loses his way. In 'Soul of Fire', Goodkind attempts to recreate something of the charm of earlier instalments, but fails because he does not have a story to tell. The plot evaporates about half way through and he spends most of the second half desperately seeking an end, which unfortunately does not come soon enough. I was left bewildered by the sudden conclusion. Is it really so necessary to link this story to the sequel in such an obvious and clumsy manner? Does this book carry the taint of 'contractual obligation'?
Rating: 
Summary: Goodkind Rocks
Review: I Loved this book. The sword of truth series is the best series of books I have ever read, and this one is my favorite one. The struggle to stop the chimes is a breathtaking adventure for those of us who have shared Richard and Khlyon's adventures. With another Clasic Goodkind ending that has us waiting until August holding our breath and waiting for Faith Of The Fallen.
Rating: 
Summary: All righty then
Review: OK. I enjoyed the book. Except (oh, you knew there was an "except" coming) I think there were some things that could have been better. Another reviewer pointed this out, and I agree. There seems to be a little too much back-story. Something Tad Williams does in his books is include a synopsis of the last book before he starts a new one. This would definitely be a good idea. Certain things just require too much time and too many words when they come right in the middle of a scene. Plus, the editors have to realize that only dolts will pick up the fifth book in the series without having read the others before it. So it kind of sounds cheesy when Richard says, "I was always good friends with Zedd, but I didn't realize for the longest time that he was my grandfather." Well duh! Anyone reading the series knows this! You don't have to include it! *Deep breath* Well, I have that off my chest now. Other than that, I really enjoyed the political workings and machinations with the Anderiths. It was really cool how Fitch was written as an easily influenced character. That is exactly how someone in that situation would have reacted. I also enjoy Cara's character and the way she is growing. All in all, a good addition to the series. I'm really looking forward to the next volume.
Rating:
Summary: In a word..Blah
Review: This was the worst fantasy book I've ever read. I mean, itwould have been more at home in a meeting of Congress. Sure thepolitical polices of a land in the Midlands was interesting, but come on, where were Richard and Kahlan. Fitch, a boring little milk-slop, seemed to be the main character. I could care less about this little would be seeker. Where were Gratch, Berdine, the inroduction of Richard to the rest of the Mord-Sith. This book had little forward action, and for the life of me, I can't remember the ending! I read the book 4 days ago. One thing I do remember is Richard heading back to the Westland. Just read the the parts about Richard and Kahlan. Unless you like politics of course. END
Rating: 
Summary: Review of Unabridged Audio
Review: I am sure the book is wonderful, however the reader Buck Schirner is the worst audio book reader I have ever heard. My husband and I are frequent listeners to audio books and have made it a nightly ritual of going to bed an hour early to enjoy a good story. We have found having a good reader is just as important as the content of the book. We have experienced poor readers in the past, but never had to stop listening until now. We didn't make it past the first tape and I am returning it to request the paperback.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the previous four, but still a good read
Review: This book seemed more like a diversion from the main Sword of Truth story, but it was still an interesting diversion. A few things could have been improved though. When we are first introduced to Fitch, I thought that this was going to be a prime character and possibly a young apprentice for Richard since he seemed so curious. He turns out to be a side note, and I can't quite figure out WHY he was in the story, except perhaps to show that even people with good hearts can be corrupted with a few nice words from people in power. I do hope tha we see Beata again in the next book. I would like to see what happens to her after the betrayal by the Anderiths. One thing I really did like about the book was that, while the minister was a complete slimeball with no redeeming qualities, his cohert, the highly intelligent Dalton Cambell, while ruthless, had a few good qualities. He actually loved his wife, and cared for his friends. It is good to see a bad guy that has feelings for other people. I did not think the "chimes" were sufficiently explained. Other than being from the underworld, what were they? I did not quite understand the concept of the "new" magic Richard used. And if he figured that much out, does that mean he can finally use his magic for something other than stabbing blindly in the dark? This book would have been better if there would have been less about Fitch's story and more about Ann's attempt to free the Sisters from Jagang. Even with the faults, the writing is compelling and it leaves me wishing Faith of the Fallen was already written. I just hope that the next book brings some actual confrontations with the army of the imperial order. Now that they are in the Midlands, SOMETHING has to happen.
Rating:
Summary: Some questions and comments
Review: This book left me with some questions: -What is the "soul of the fire" ? -How did Joseph Ander catch the chimes and what is this total new magic he came up with? The answer to the latter question should have been the crux of the book. However, Goodkind withholds it from us. Richard meets an ancient brilliant wizard who went beyond additive and substractive magic, but Richard and the reader gain no larger insight in magic. That really hurt. I also thought Goodkind focussed too much on Anderian politics and culture. -Why was the Wizzard's fifth Rule so dopey? "look at actions not words." Come on Terry, you can do better than that! Goodkind's obsession with rape also gets tedious. In SoT, the soldiers of the Imperial Order start raping even before they have won the battle. Do they only recrute rapists or what. At the end of book four, Berdine meets the rest of the Mordsith. One of them says she really needs to have a word with Richard. Where was she in SoT? I might have forgiven Goodkind all this but he dealt me one last blow: the ending of the book. Richard turns into a whining child because the Anders turned him down and he goes back to Westland. Without his leadership the Imperial Order will probably crush the Midlands. Why must Richard's allies pay for what the Anders did? Does he not care about all the innocents that will be killed, tortured and raped? I have given this book two stars because SoT offered some interesting concepts and because the previous books were good. "Faith of the Fallen" better be very good. However, I will make him eat the manuscript if learn that the Wizard's sixth rule is: "Do not cry if you bumb our knee"
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