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veraann's review against another edition
4.0
It was a good forward moving installment of the series. The recap throughout sometimes became a little much. There was some parts that were very repetitive. I found some parts to be overly descriptive or detailed and seemed to have no real point in the story to have it be that way other than the author wanting to fill space.
This one started out in one PoV, in a small part of the world before splitting off to other parts or other PoVs which made it easy to get back into the story and follow along. At times things became thought provoking for the reader in the world build and the choices not only the main characters or side characters had to make but what people of this world had to make. Though sometimes when the decisions were being made it became almost preachy to read their thoughts or dialogue.
At this point the characters still do some stupid things and don't pay enough attention to warnings given to them multiple times. Yet, in they always seem to make things work eventually. That seems to be the same with every book so far. It has been the thing that sometimes makes me have to put the book down for a minute while I roll my eyes at it, but it isn't completely bothersome to me either.
This one started out in one PoV, in a small part of the world before splitting off to other parts or other PoVs which made it easy to get back into the story and follow along. At times things became thought provoking for the reader in the world build and the choices not only the main characters or side characters had to make but what people of this world had to make. Though sometimes when the decisions were being made it became almost preachy to read their thoughts or dialogue.
At this point the characters still do some stupid things and don't pay enough attention to warnings given to them multiple times. Yet, in they always seem to make things work eventually. That seems to be the same with every book so far. It has been the thing that sometimes makes me have to put the book down for a minute while I roll my eyes at it, but it isn't completely bothersome to me either.
samanyana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Fourth in the Sword of Truth fantasy series of Richard Rahl, the Seeker, and Kahlan, Mother Confessor, trying to save their world from a dream walker.
My Take
I got a few chapters in and I had to put this down. I just knew too much sadness was coming and I didn't know if I could bear it. But, I do hate being beaten and I sat down to read at last. I was right. I cried so many times in this story, but it was definitely worth it. Have faith. Keep reading. just push through to the end, the absolute end. it certainly helps to have a prophet in the family.
Goodkind just twists this story and its characters in so many directions. He does make good use of the sleight of word to keep us wondering. Although, after all the work leading up to the denouement, I'm surprised at how quickly it all resolved. It was like a line of dominoes that someone set tumbling.
The sealing of the marriage vows at the Temple of the Winds flies in the face of what the winds commanded and yet it is allowed? I thought this was supposed to be adhered to strictly? Sure, I love the eventual outcome—although Richard's immediate reaction was just too useful for Goodkind and absolutely reeked! Kahlan is a woman accustomed to diplomacy and quick thinking so I can't believe she couldn't come up with more persuasive words than "wait!". It's almost as if Goodkind got tired of being inventive. Well, okay, honestly, he generally is so inventive, how can I not expect it?
Nadine's character is too forthright with Kahlan. She IS a country bumpkin and I wouldn't expect her to lash out as she does unless she were under some sort of spell. She's just not believable. If Richard and Kahlan don't trust Nadine or Drefan, why are they willing to take potions they prepare?
Lovely bit of back history on how the Confessors evolved and why there are so few wizards today.
Kahlan's reason for seeing Shota is specious. Hasn't she anything better to do? Oh, like deal with threats to Richard, the empire, plague?? Sure it was useful as Shota's reasoning for what she's done is very good, but why is she wasting this time?
I did love Zedd's plan to get away from the Nangtong, too bad his plan to escape the Si Doaks backfires!
The Story
Richard and Kahlan are preparing for Jagang only he's several steps ahead of them. Threats come in different guises, bearing down upon them with some more hidden than others. Help is also hidden until truly needed.
The Characters
Richard Rahl is a war wizard with Subtractive and Additive magic, the first in many centuries. He is also the Lord Rahl, the ruler of D'Hara and its new empire. He is betrothed to his love, Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor, Queen of Galea, and the former overlord of the Midlands.
Richard's former torturers, the Mord-Sithe, are now his bodyguards: Cara who becomes a go-between for the winds and Raina and Berdine; Ulic and Egan are also bodyguards.
Nadine Brighten is a friend from Richard's childhood. A healer and a right bitch. Sliph was a whore who serviced the wizards at the Keep. Many of the wizards tried to get her to reveal what other wizards revealed as pillow talk, but she always refused. Only, Lothain didn't trust her. He hurt her. He turned her into Sliph, ignoring her whore's nature which means Sliph will take anyone if they have the price of both sides of magic. Andolians are an odd people, yet they are trusted with messages. This particular message is from the winds and cannot be ignored.
Emperor Jagang has conquered the Old World and now seeks to conquer the new. Using magic. Then he will eliminate magic and create a lack of balance. Most of the Sisters of the Dark are his now. Marlin Pickard is one of Jagang's assassins. Sister Amelia became a Sister of the Dark and then betrayed her oath to the Dark.
Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander is the First Wizard and Richard's grandfather. He has been collared by Annalina Aldurren, the "dead" Prelate to help her hunt for Nathan Rahl, a prophet. Shota is a long-lived witch with the ability to see the future. Sister Verna is now Prelate of the Sisters of the Light, determined to fight Jagang, and rescue her imprisoned sisters. Warren is one of the Sisters' wizards, a prophet, and he and Verna are in love. So in love, that Verna removed his collar too soon.
Drefan Rahl is a bastard son of Darken Rahl. Like Richard, but without the Gift. He is a good healer and claims to be High Priest of the Raug'Moss.
Clarissa is an older woman. Not beautiful. Trapped as the Abbot's unwilling mistress simply to survive. Nathan's saving her during the sack of Renwold will be one of the best events in her life. Tristan Bashkar is effete, dangerous, and the Jarian minister returned to Aydindral to surrender or not to D'Hara. Chandelan was one of the skeptical Mud People, now he's a friend, and an Elder. Bird Man is still chief.
The Cover
The cover is a very tidied-up entrance to the Temple of the Winds with its black statues guarding an imposing doorway, tall but narrow banded in brown marble, black, and carved gold. Richard in his gold cape, sword in hand, entering after Cara in her red leather.
The title is the entity lost centuries ago, the Temple of the Winds, and now holds the key to man's salvation.
My Take
I got a few chapters in and I had to put this down. I just knew too much sadness was coming and I didn't know if I could bear it. But, I do hate being beaten and I sat down to read at last. I was right. I cried so many times in this story, but it was definitely worth it. Have faith. Keep reading. just push through to the end, the absolute end. it certainly helps to have a prophet in the family.
Goodkind just twists this story and its characters in so many directions. He does make good use of the sleight of word to keep us wondering. Although, after all the work leading up to the denouement, I'm surprised at how quickly it all resolved. It was like a line of dominoes that someone set tumbling.
The sealing of the marriage vows at the Temple of the Winds flies in the face of what the winds commanded and yet it is allowed? I thought this was supposed to be adhered to strictly? Sure, I love the eventual outcome—although Richard's immediate reaction was just too useful for Goodkind and absolutely reeked! Kahlan is a woman accustomed to diplomacy and quick thinking so I can't believe she couldn't come up with more persuasive words than "wait!". It's almost as if Goodkind got tired of being inventive. Well, okay, honestly, he generally is so inventive, how can I not expect it?
Nadine's character is too forthright with Kahlan. She IS a country bumpkin and I wouldn't expect her to lash out as she does unless she were under some sort of spell. She's just not believable. If Richard and Kahlan don't trust Nadine or Drefan, why are they willing to take potions they prepare?
Lovely bit of back history on how the Confessors evolved and why there are so few wizards today.
Kahlan's reason for seeing Shota is specious. Hasn't she anything better to do? Oh, like deal with threats to Richard, the empire, plague?? Sure it was useful as Shota's reasoning for what she's done is very good, but why is she wasting this time?
I did love Zedd's plan to get away from the Nangtong, too bad his plan to escape the Si Doaks backfires!
The Story
Richard and Kahlan are preparing for Jagang only he's several steps ahead of them. Threats come in different guises, bearing down upon them with some more hidden than others. Help is also hidden until truly needed.
The Characters
Richard Rahl is a war wizard with Subtractive and Additive magic, the first in many centuries. He is also the Lord Rahl, the ruler of D'Hara and its new empire. He is betrothed to his love, Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor, Queen of Galea, and the former overlord of the Midlands.
Richard's former torturers, the Mord-Sithe, are now his bodyguards: Cara who becomes a go-between for the winds and Raina and Berdine; Ulic and Egan are also bodyguards.
Nadine Brighten is a friend from Richard's childhood. A healer and a right bitch. Sliph was a whore who serviced the wizards at the Keep. Many of the wizards tried to get her to reveal what other wizards revealed as pillow talk, but she always refused. Only, Lothain didn't trust her. He hurt her. He turned her into Sliph, ignoring her whore's nature which means Sliph will take anyone if they have the price of both sides of magic. Andolians are an odd people, yet they are trusted with messages. This particular message is from the winds and cannot be ignored.
Emperor Jagang has conquered the Old World and now seeks to conquer the new. Using magic. Then he will eliminate magic and create a lack of balance. Most of the Sisters of the Dark are his now. Marlin Pickard is one of Jagang's assassins. Sister Amelia became a Sister of the Dark and then betrayed her oath to the Dark.
Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander is the First Wizard and Richard's grandfather. He has been collared by Annalina Aldurren, the "dead" Prelate to help her hunt for Nathan Rahl, a prophet. Shota is a long-lived witch with the ability to see the future. Sister Verna is now Prelate of the Sisters of the Light, determined to fight Jagang, and rescue her imprisoned sisters. Warren is one of the Sisters' wizards, a prophet, and he and Verna are in love. So in love, that Verna removed his collar too soon.
Drefan Rahl is a bastard son of Darken Rahl. Like Richard, but without the Gift. He is a good healer and claims to be High Priest of the Raug'Moss.
Clarissa is an older woman. Not beautiful. Trapped as the Abbot's unwilling mistress simply to survive. Nathan's saving her during the sack of Renwold will be one of the best events in her life. Tristan Bashkar is effete, dangerous, and the Jarian minister returned to Aydindral to surrender or not to D'Hara. Chandelan was one of the skeptical Mud People, now he's a friend, and an Elder. Bird Man is still chief.
The Cover
The cover is a very tidied-up entrance to the Temple of the Winds with its black statues guarding an imposing doorway, tall but narrow banded in brown marble, black, and carved gold. Richard in his gold cape, sword in hand, entering after Cara in her red leather.
The title is the entity lost centuries ago, the Temple of the Winds, and now holds the key to man's salvation.
trangmar's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
daniobsessivelyreads's review against another edition
4.0
This book is much more interesting than the previous in the series. However, I still do not like the plot device where Kahlan and Richard are prevented from being married...again. The plague that visits the lands and the power players in motion kept me on the edge of my seat. I will definitely be reading the next one.
psoglav's review against another edition
3.0
UKUPNA OCENA (overall rating) ★★★✫
Radnja (story) ★★★✫
Likovi (characters) ★★★✫
Pripovedanje (writing style) ★★★★
Okruženje (setting) ★★★✫
Pozitivno (pros) - interesantna radnja (posebno za fanove serijala), lako za čitanje
Negativno (cons) - predugačko, premalo akcionih/borbenih scena, previše priče o ljubavi i osećanjima Ričarda i Kejlan
Radnja (story) ★★★✫
Likovi (characters) ★★★✫
Pripovedanje (writing style) ★★★★
Okruženje (setting) ★★★✫
Pozitivno (pros) - interesantna radnja (posebno za fanove serijala), lako za čitanje
Negativno (cons) - predugačko, premalo akcionih/borbenih scena, previše priče o ljubavi i osećanjima Ričarda i Kejlan
85wbullock's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
swoozyc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
hidodey's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content