Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind

(238 ratings) Submit Review / Comment 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 Kara
(Nov 24, 2000)

Although I may be only fourteen, I found the Sword of Truth to be fascinating. The characters are so life-like that you feel that you have known them your entire life. Goodkind's words pull you into the story and makes you want to never put the book down. I especially love his devopment of the villans. Goodkind does not merely present them to his readers, but explains why they are villans and shows what it is like from their pointof view. I especially loved Faith of the Fallen, I believe that this is the best one yet. I am hoping that this is not the last one, it semd like it might have been, but who knows? I think that Terry Goodkind is an amazing author. I have read every single one of his books at least three or four times. I have gotten my friends to read them too, and they love them. Terry Goodkind develops characters so well that, well I just can't explain it, it almost seems like they were part of your history. Terry Goodkind has inspired me to write a fantasy book as well. Sword of Truth rules!!!

The Sword of Truth novels are the best I have ever read, and yes!  That includes Lord of the Rings.  Everything that frustrated me in LOTR were magically remedied here.  There is no 50 page description of one person and all their relatives for the past six millenia; but instead gives a perfect harmony of length to important info.  Goodkind has almost managed to introduce many many charachters.  While that is not always so impressive, he also makes them so real and deep that you cant help but remember all of them with a vivid clarity.  Even with his minor charachters you cant help but have a pefect picture of what this person looks and acts like.  In my view that is a very impressive feat, the likes of I have never seen before.  Tolkein also had a vast array of chacters, but his many of his secondary chacters lacked a fimiliarity, and you therefor quickly lose interest and forget them.
As for Robert Jordan, I dont even think he is in same leauge as Goodkind.  I have never been albe to interact or get to know his characters or his enviroment. I have tried many a times to get into it, but it is like the books reject me.

Overall Terry Goodkind has created a series that none rival. He is the master of fantasy

Why is this author so popular? His sentence structure and grammar is dodgy at best, his characters are occasionally sickening (ie the relationship between Kahlan and Richard), the names are contrived-sounding (Zedd), and  the author's source of inspiration seems to be more STAR WARS than any classical or ancient source. Also, the plot, while exciting in places, did seem, as another reviewer mentioned, to be a series of events strung together--each time the 'greatest danger' was overcome, another greater danger would rise up. Terry, you've done well, you've captured the imaginations of the public, that's obvious, but it's time to grow as a writer .

I have read most of the books in the sword of truth series and find that Terry Goodkind does not have the calling to write but the gift. His gift has allowed him to write an epic story that not only entertains but holds within it unequivocal truths about life. I have definitely been inspired by his works and hope all readers will look between the lines to Seek the Truth.

The Sword of Truth series are amazing - Terry Goodkind makes his characters so real, you feel as if you're there watching. I loved the Temple of the Winds, it was the best in the series. It really got to the hearts of the characters. Soul of the fire was a little disappointing (what WAS that thing with the chicken??), but it still beats Jordan any day. Richard and Kahlan are so life-like, I feel like I've known them forever. I wish Zedd was mentioned more - I really like him, and I wish he was featured with Richard some more, so he could teach him about the gift. I'm getting Faith of the Fallen in a few days - apparently it's the best yet, so fingers crossed. I really identify with Richard - he's not perfect, he has his faults which just make him more realistic. I can just lose myself in the books for hours.