(174 ratings) Submit Your Own Review More reviews by author A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

Submitted by Julian 
(Jun 26, 2001)

I am, perhaps, the only human in the world who does not like Terry Goodkind. Before you stone me with verbal barbs and insults, enthralled masses, please allow me to plead my case. Terry Goodkind would have been a better author if he had decided to write single books, instead of a series. The original story, Wizard's First Rule, while being slightly immature (especially the ending... Richard defeats the Evil Lord Rahl by not lying to him, but "leaving out the truth"), was a lively read. It was a refreshing change from authors who delved entirely into the political aspects of the literary worlds they have created, such as Harry Turtledove. It was fun, "Fantasy Lite". The following books began to show that Goodkind is, however, a one-trick pony. Book, after book, after book, Goodkind tells the exact same story. Richard ALWAYS triumphs. The bad guy (Lord Rahl, the ghost of Lord Rahl, Richard's evil brother, and assuredly, Jagang), ALWAYS loses. Khalan and Richard ALWAYS break up, then get together again (this aspect is particularly nauseating, especially in the second book... does anyone remember "Thank you, Gratch! She really DOES love me!"?. Richard ALWAYS gains a new political, magical or physical power, be it a magical sword, the fighting abilities of a hundred men, an empire, the abilities of two kinds of mages, not to mention being the "one true love" of the most powerful and beautiful women in the land. This trend has changed slightly for the latest book. Yes, Richard still gets separated from Kahlan (again...), but instead of being the standard Richard-Kills-Everything-and has-the-novel-nicely-wrapped-up-in-under-600-pages, Richard in this novel has his powers stripped from him, and is now facing his deadliest challenge of all. He is single-handedly taking on the forces of Communism. How is he doing this, you ask? Not through his super powers, but instead by being The Nicest, Coolest, Bravest Dude Who Ever Lived. Richard, who was already so overpoweringly unbalanced that absolutely nothing could stand against him, now gains the powers of righteousness and yes, even statue making. He enters the bleak, scary world of the Communists (as evidenced by their VERY biased descriptions and settings: "eyes that crawl around like cockroaches", artwork that OF COURSE depicts the absolute worst things in the world)against his will. He is then thrown into a series of some of the most obviously written make-Richard-look-good situations that it was a wonder that Richard could ever have been captured in the first place, due to his general Greatness not only as a fighter, but as a person as well. Of course he HAS to be captured in the beginning of the novel, or he never would have been able to fight the Evil Forces of Communism. Richard is the character that can never lose. He is the world's greatest guy. He is a character who will always be the purest, greatest good... and that's what makes him so boring. What is the point of having a character that can't change, can't lose, and gets more powerful with every passing second? Richard is the eternal boy scout. He can do no evil and no wrong; he'll stop in the middle of a sword fight to help an old woman cross the street. Real humans have flaws. Real humans commit sins. Real humans will eventually meet their match, not just for the first half of the book to give them a problem to solve in the second half of the book, but permanently. Richard is not a real person. The story ends with all the predictability that is started with: Richard a) defeats the Evil Bad Guys b) banishes Communism, thereby instituting Truth, Justice, and the Rahl-ian Way, c) Teaches some misguided youth about wood working and general floor repair, thereby making them upstanding citizens d) shows Nicci the errors of her mother's Communist ways, converting her into a loving caring person, e) raises a town from destitution to prosperity, f) Unites (once again) with Khalan (Why won't the stupid woman just marry a man whom she can live with for a month without the two of them being separated?) and finally g) Makes the world's greatest statue. Wow! That's one hell of a hero! For those of you who watch Dragon Ball (and there are a few of you out there, I know), this is much the same as Goku. Every time a new saga starts, Goku, fearless hero and greatest warrior in the universe, will meet a villian who is the Greatest Villian the World Has Ever Known! This villian will be much more powerful then Goku, but using some kind of secret raining method, Goku will become more powerful, and in the end defeat the villian. Goku will once again become the most powerful fighter in the universe, or at least until in the next episode where a NEW villian comes along, even more powerful than the pervious Greatest Villian the World Has Ever Known. The cycle repeats. Mr Goodkind, if you ever read this, please PLEASE consider incorporating the following into your next epic: Make Richard lose in a fight, not in a fight with the greatest Mega Slaying Demon of Death, but instead to some average Joe Soldier in the midst of a battle, who happened to get lucky, just like how real humans do. Make Richard lose his arm in the fight, and have it done PERMANENTLY, so that it can't be magically re-attached, just like how real humans can't have their limbs regenerated. Have Richard get really bitter about this. Self pitying bitterness. A bitterness that screws up his perfect relationship with Khalan, just like how real humans have problems in their marriages. And finally make it so that the situation isn't resolved, but simply has to move on, just like how real humans move on. And for the love of god, print out the books in softcover at the same time as the hardcover: they're too big for me to read on the bus.

I have ranted and raved about Terry Goodkind in the past and just when I thought he could not do better, he does! This book is a refreshing look into HOW Richard is so wonderful. After being stripped af EVERYTHING and forced into "slavery", Terry increases the odds against him by placing Richard in the middle of his enemies home, with the meanest one there ever lived, and made sure he could not use his powers. The odds have never been more stacked against a hero... almost like the end was sure to come. The way Terry is able to show the peaceful power of Richard, how by just his actions and determination ONE man can make a difference. A commentary about life today? A victory won without a swing of the sword, "action speaks louder the words", and in this sense the words would have been with a sword. Don't get me wrong... yes there are sword fights and the typical fantasy stuff in this book... but the OVERALL beauty of the book is incredible! I was fearful that the 6th book might not bring anything new to the series and I WAS WRONG! Terry Goodkind is a great author as Faith of The Fallen is evidence to that. Read it... but start with Wizard's First Rule!!

The sixth installment into the sword of truth series is a bit of a departure from the previous books, and in my opinion, a welcome one. The other books had more of a focus on the swords and sorcery theme, with the character development and plot blended into the mix. But the Faith of the Fallen was just the opposite. It dived more into the minds and personalities of the characters than any of the previous books, giving them even more credibility than before. You begin to see all the characters in a much more well rounded way, at the same time, Goodkind fleshes out the villains as well. The plot was just as interesting as the previous books, but this time around, the tables were turned in many ways, giving the book a much different "feel". Personally,I loved the book, finding it to be my favorite of the series(with the first and fourth books close behind). It provoked a lot of emotion and inspiration out of me in a way in which very few books have ever done. The ending was truly amazing. But I don't recommend starting with this one. Read the series from beginning to end, being that they are all great books, and the later books will have all the more impact with knowing in detail what preceded them. Goodkind has made a yet another fantastic book that will not soon be forgotten. Highly recommended.

I just finished the book "Faith of the Fallen" and wanted more!! Terry Goodkind wrote the 6th book in the series Sword of Truth, and I think this book is, by FAR, one of the best books he's written. Richard and Kahlan are in the woods, waiting for Kahlan to recover from her serious injuries when they are taken off guard. Richard is taken "into oblivion" by Sister of the Dark Nicci. Kahlan is left behind with Mord-Sith Cara, and they both know just what to do. They go to find certain people to solve a MAJOR problem...bigger than even the Anderith's and the Hakens. This book can be rated 10 out of 10 among ALL the books I've ever read! If you haven't read any of the Sword of Truth books, DO!! They will shock you, catch you by the eyes and drag you along for a wonderful ride. The nearly non-stop action keeps the pages turning as you look for what's to come next! READ IT TODAY!!!

What shall I say about this book? Truly it is a masterpiece and I have a feeling that book 7 is going to end the series. I believe that mainly because you can only carry this on for so long. Richard and Khalan are separated, they are really sad, Richard always finds a way out of the problem, he is the Seeker after all, and Richard and Khalan get back together. I am currently reading the series over again just to remind myself what has happened and I am still surprised by the ending even though I know what it is. I recommend reading the series again because there is always something that you have missed or forgotten, I just feel I have a better understanding now. Truly the series is incredibly well written I find myself wanting to be like Richard. Especially in Faith of the Fallen. I wish that I could just jump into the book so I can meet Richard and cheer him on against the Order. I think I would prefer to be one of his closer friends. His guards Ulic and Egan would be preferred. At the end of Faith I find myself cheering as the people destroyed the Order. I even was brought nearly to tears when, (pg.508, Kahlan's thoughts when she first viewed the statue)quoteing from the book... 'She felt tears run down her cheeks, and then she was weeping openly, like the people around her, at the majesty, the dignity, the beauty, of what stood before her. It was everything the carvings on the walls all around were not. It offered freely everything they denied. LIFE, it said at the base.' At that moment I was so moved and from then on I committed myself to living my life to the fullest. Without these books I may never have found the woman I love, never gained the courage to approach her and fall in love with each other. On the next page he continues. 'As Kahlan shuffled around the statue, unable to take her eyes from it, she reached out to touch it, as did everyone else. As she was carried past, her fingers met the smooth flesh in stone, knowing it was also where Richard's fingers had been. She wept all the harder. As she moved past, Kahlan saw then that the curve of the sundial had words on the back: "Your life is yours alone. Rise up and live it."' If that does not get your honor rising up the surface I don't know what will. Currently in re-reading the series I am in Winds and I can't wait to get to Faith again. I have left my Email in the far off hope that Mr. Goodkind reads review's from his fans on the internet. However if you wish to email me please do so. It may take a while for a reply but I will get to it.