Rating: 
Summary: Gotta keep the faith!!
Review: Just finished reading Soul of the Fire. And I'm going to have to say that I felt disappointed with the story as a whole. Sorta like Blood of the Fold, I have a gut feeling that this book is only acting as a bridge to the next installment of the Sword of Truth Series. Just that. A bridge.While I'm in the negative, I'd also like to say that this is the first time that I was annoyed at Kahlan's behavior. She's so whiny now as oppose to what she used to be. And the whole Chimes thing was a bit weak. Once again, Goodkind manages to create characters, develop them some, try to think of ways to fit them in the story, finds out he can't and have them killed-- in the most gruesome way imaginable, of course. Violence is one thing Mr. G here has a talent for describing. Okay, on to the good parts... There is no doubt in my mind that Goodkind is a masterful storyteller. I reluctantly admit that I was hooked and really wanted to know what was going to happen to Fitch, Beatta, and that whole Dalton crew-- mainly to find out which side the Anderiths were really on. I realize that this was a book of talk, not blood gory action and it does seem appropriate. Afterall, I think this book was an extension of the fact that Richard did not have the Sword of Truth with him. And would you believe it? No major prophecy this time! Just a vision/warning or two and for once, Richard and Kahlan were acting on their own; no prophecy drove them to either fulfilling it or avoiding it. You gotta admit, Soul of the Fire was certainly DIFFERENT. Perhaps that is why so many readers (including myself) were disappointed. The book went at its own pace and there were no feelings of suspense that Goodkind was normally so good at. I'm going to wait for Goodkind's next book. Afterall, he's a pretty good writer and I'll put it on faith that he knows what he's doing. Never bash a pro unless you're a pro yourself. And believe me, I personally would have a long way to go before I even attempt to send any of my stories to a publisher. Goodkind knows what he's doing. Let's all be patient and see what's gonna happen next.
Rating: 
Summary: The question: How can I make mo money?
Review: Publish another book that merely stretches the story line out a meager step foward. I've kept up with the series, but with each book Goodkind makes it clear that this series' popularity will be milked to the detriment of enjoyment. How to read this book: 1- GO TO THE LIBRARY AND READ THEIR COPY! Why add to this trend by spending money on it? 2- Read only the parts specifically pertaining to the main characters Kahlan and Richard, the rest is utterly pointless chaff. (this will save you 3/4 of the book, which will make you alot happier than I am right now) Lastly, Goodkind obviously put alot of effort into one part of this book: Mixing in the recapping of previous stories into the opening chapters. Unfortunately, such misspent energy is typical of this book. Better to recap with a prologue and allow the continuing readers the opportunity to skip to the new stuff and use some of that writer's energy to create a plot that isn't plodding, tedious, and more than a little insulting.
Rating:
Summary: I had to stop reading
Review: After reading about 150 pages of this book, I just had to quit. Terry Goodkind seems to have fallen into the same trap that has snared writers like Robert Jordan. He seems to have decided to keep the series opened ended and just kick out as many Sword of Truth novels as he can. The focused story that was present in Goodkind's earilier works is no longer there. This book is just something to bridge the way to books six, seven, and eight. The writing itself is not bad, but much like the Wheel of Time series, the Sword of Truth series is picking up a lot of dead weight. We see an ever multiplying cast of characters and the story itself just gets bigger and no end is in sight. I will waste no more time on this series. I like stories that have an ending.
Rating:
Summary: Had everything except a plot
Review: I liked Goodkind's first 4 books, but this one dissapointed me. The beginning of the book was alright. The reader met Fitch and Beata and thought....ok, they'll grow up, become powerful wizards, etc. and become main characters in the story later in the book or in future books. When Fitch says he wants to grow up and be Seeker, you figure he will because when a child says that in a book, 9/10 the child does. However, halfway through you grow to detest Fitch and wish he'd have been killed at the Keep along with his friend. As for Beata, there is far too much time spent on her...she doesn't end up doing anything to alter the plot of the story and ends up leaving. The whole deal with the Sword of Truth being left behind was completely pointless...so much riding on him getting it back and nothing happens when he does. I don't know what ever happened to Nathan...he's mentioned once in the story when the Prelate is talking to the sisters. If he's so dangerous, you'd think he might play a bigger role. As for the chimes...it was bleeding obvious that Richard was going to find them and banish them. Zedd did pretty much nothing in the story and for that matter, neither did the Prelate. Chapters are spent describing Dalton Cambell, Ministor Chamboor and company...it turns out they do nothing and end up dying. Kahlan, who I didn't mind in previous books, spends half the story being a little brat. Incidently, she also accomplishes nothing. The whole book leads up to Jagang's army attacking either Anderith or somewhere else in the Midlands but it never happens. The chimes didn't affect the story in any major way. In fact, not a single major character was killed (permanately) during the book. At the end nothing is resolved except the problem with the chimes. There's no war, no final battle between Richard and Jagang, and no real resolution. The end is one of the most pointless things I've ever seen...our heroes just go back to Richard's homeland and leave the armies to sort themselves out. When Richard said "I Quit," I got the feeling that was Terry Goodkind telling us he quit. He had no resolution, yet destroyed future plots by killing their baby, ruining Fitch's character, and killing the rulers of Anderith. The only string left is Nathan. Because you can't make a book that's just about two sides fighting with no sub-plots. Well you could, but it would be awful. It will be hard to write a good sixth book and I have a feeling this is the last one there will be.
Rating: 
Summary: It doesn't get ANY better than this!
Review: I have been a devoted fan of Goodkind's and love how he takes complex every day issues and makes them into intracate plots for his Sword of Truth Series...I think I read the whole thing in no more than 5 days! He still leaves yarns untied from the end of the 4th book, Temple of the Winds, but thats fine by me...leaves yet another outstanding tale yet to come...Hope it's out in less than two years though!
Rating:
Summary: OK, I PAID, I READ, THEN I SLEPT
Review: I just couldn't wait for this book and I bought it the day it came out and I started reading it. The first 40 pages were quite good and seemed to me like Goodkind has done it again. However i was wrong oh boy was I wrong. This book is just plain bad, it has 300 pages with chracters that doesn't even matter, some parts of the book is pretty good [hence the 2 stars]the ending was quite good although a little to fast. I just wish that the book was focused on the main chracters and the problem more ALOT MORE.
Rating:
Summary: Another Excellent Book by Terry Goodkind!
Review: This book has all the main charachteristics of Terry's writing put together in his creative style. I felt the plot flowed nicely and the Anderith political maneuvering and intrigue helped to make it even better. I am disappointed by those who have given this book bad reviews merely because it is not written the way they wish it to be written. Terry did an excellent job and I am looking forward to his next book!
Rating:
Summary: What happened to the magic?
Review: After reading _Temple of the Winds_ I was really looking forward to reading the next installment of Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. What I read was as exciting as watching the grass grow. In all of his previous books there was magic, maniacs, and mayhem, but with _Soul of the Fire_ it gets completly boring with all of the politcal jumble and what not. The most boring part was the story of Beata. He (Goodkind) could have filled up the empty space with something more attractive to the senses. I definatly hope that the next book will be much better than its predecessor.
Rating:
Summary: Great Work
Review: I Think that any author who spends his/her time writing a book(s) should get all the credit they deserve........sometimes people forget how hard an author works to create something from thier imagination and put it all on paper......I am sure it is not an easy job......really they must not be trying to impress all of the critics out there......they are mearly trying to write an entertaining story.........if you don't like the story...keep your mouths closed.....I bet you couldn't do half as well... WAY TO GO TERRY!
Rating:
Summary: argument, and review type thingy...
Review: I can't believe the rating some of the other customers gave this book! I mean, okay, Soul of the Fire is not quite as "actionish",raging battles and all that like Terry's other four books, but it's still far beyond most other fantasy writer's books. In this one, yes Kahlan and Richard take a break of sorts, but the plot... it twists and turns all over the place. There are some points in the book, when conversations get slightly boring, but in the next chapter things pick up. The ending is different than the endings of the other Sword of Truth series books, but the key word here is DIFFERENT, not worse. Who knows, the ending was vague, so it might be (hopefully not), an ending for the Sword of Truth series, or it might be the beginning of a new book. Like all other Terry Goodkind books Soul of the Fire was exciting, romantic and had a good plot. Overall, this book, though not the highlight of the series, was definetly worth the read and the money. (and as for all those people who said this book had more perversion in it than other books - A. No, it didn't and B. If you can't handle it, then don't buy the books)
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