Page 3 of 4 Naked Empire by Terry Goodkind
Submitted by Ken 
(Feb 15, 2004) I really enjoyed the Sword of Truth series, up until this book. Approximately 75% of the book described what had happened in the last 7 books. There are several new charecters that needed to be informed about past events. They may not have known what had happened in the past, but I did, and I did not need to read about it again in a very long and drawn out fashion. It was a huge disappointment.
Submitted by Matt Grimes
(Jan 20, 2004)Naked Empire, An Allegorical Tragedy by Terry Goodkind
I have been a fan of the Sword of Truth series from the very beginning, and in fact even enjoyed 'Pillars of Creation', which many readers did not. It introduced important characters and plot elements to a series that was beginning to regurgitate itself slightly.
But with 'Naked Empire', I have lost faith almost entirely in Goodkind and his stern countenance. After the long break from Kahlan, Richard, and Cara in 'Pillars of Creation', I was looking forward to once more spending some time with the well-loved characters whose plights and feelings I had come so closely to identify and sympathize with.
Instead, I spent five-hundred plus pages being preached to. I certainly am glad to know once and for all how conservative Mr. Goodkind is. His political affiliation was obvious to me when the Imperial Order was first introduced several books back, but at that time I didn't care, as it wasn't the theme of the book. I watched as Goodkind, much like his own character Nicholas the Slide, sucked the warmth and spirit out of characters that I knew and loved, turning them into political ideologues who were obviously meant to reflect a very slanted view of current situations in the world.
I was depressed particularly by Richard, who seems to have taken on a new, cold, emotionless, chauvinistic personality who shuns peace as a weakness. Where there once was the loveable Richard, with whom I deeply sympathized, there is now only the cold, empty Lord Rahl, preaching a doctrine of reactionist extremism.
It is beyond me to see how even conservative readers could enjoy such an allegorical creation, which by it's very nature attempts not to tell a reader a story, but instead to take advantage of them. Granted, every narrative has a slant, but most of them acknowledge that they are telling a story and not writing a sermon.
This series has only recently failed me, and I plan to give Goodkind the benefit of the doubt in his next book. If, however, I am given another tragedy of political maneuvering such as 'Naked Empire' has been, this series will once and for all lose my faith.
Submitted by Nicholas
(Jan 20, 2004)Naked Empire is an utterly butchered novel for those of us who have come to appreciate the intimacy of the storyline and wonderful character development that novels one through six harboured.
If you enjoy cheesy plot twists, utterly unrealistic scenarios, a loss of respect for the intellect and sophistication of characters that you've come to love, do read this. It was, as always, a delight to read from the perspective of Zedd. Much of my appreciation for his character stems from the way in which he copes with an oppressive world. The world in Naked Empire is an utter joke, as has become Jagang and the Imperial Order. This novel is so bad that it made me laugh - IMO it should honestly be filed under the comedy section.
Submitted by Anonymous 
(Jan 20, 2004)Overall, "Naked Empire" was a good comeback from the disappointing "Pillars of Creation", which was more of an introduction of new characters rather than a sequel to "Faith of the Fallen". Richard Rahl's character in Naked Empire not only included continuing adventures but finally the development/use of his special additive/subtractive magical powers that make him the special Lord Rahl. Hats off to Terry Goodkind!!!
Being the 8th book in a continuing series, there are 2 recommendations: 1) Update the map, book 8 was based primarily in Bandakar, which is not even on the map.
2) For a long running series that does not have sequels out on a regular basis, a description of the characters and a recap of their status at the beginning of the book would be a great way to re-orient readers to the series.
Again, Naked Empire was a good return to the action and adventure story Terry Goodkind readers look forward to reading!
Submitted by Tim K. 
(Nov 30, 2003)I love this book. Okay to be honest I love all Terry Goodkinds books i've read so far. And this book did not disappoint me. After reading so little about Richard and Kahlan in book 7, it was a welcome suprise to find them having a central role again in this book.
As is usually the case with any book from this series I was heart broken when I reached the last page. I seemed to be over so quickly.
You'll be swept away again with the logic tought processes of Richard in this book, and you'll find some new evil wizards and villins and be reunited with some old friends. In short it has everything a good Sf series book needs to have. You won't be dissapointed. :-)
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(59 ratings)