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bequibuho's review against another edition
4.0
Now that the war is over Nicci and Nathan have set out to spread awareness of Emperor Jagang’s death. Early on in their journey, Nathan discovers a way to regain his prophet abilities which leads them on an epic adventure where we meet new characters, find mermaids, and lost libraries.
Now I did receive this book in exchange for an honest review, so thank you so much @torbooks for providing me a finished copy.
I must confess I didn’t read the Sword of Truth series, but luckily I can assure you that you don’t have to finish that series to appreciate this book.
We follow Nicci who was once known as a Death Mistress. She is a very powerful sorceress, she has lived a long difficult life. Along with Nathan, a now ex-prophet but still skilled sorcerer, they aim to spread the news of Richard rising to power.
I really enjoyed the odd couple dynamic these two had. Nicci is far more reserved while Nathan has more of an playful outlook. They are joined later on by Bannon a young man who is setting out from home for the first time. Bannon is so naive about magic and the world around him. He was another great compliment to Nicci. I really enjoyed this trio of characters and I thought they offered a unique look at the world.
While I did enjoy the characters. It was the villains that really caught my interest. We had multiple bad guys throughout the book, pretty much a baddie for every leg of the journey. We had humans, creatures, and magic going askew.
This book completely captivated me. I read this 500+ page book over two days.
However, I am giving this book a B-.
There were so many graphic depictions of sexual assault, sex, and violence. I had a tough time reading some of those scenes, especially all the abuse that Nicci went through while she was in service to the old Emperor. Her sexual history both positive and negative was used to show how far she came as a character. And that really bothered me.
I am sure that Nicci had a lot of character growth over the Sword of Truth series. We catch glimpses of her darker side via flashback throughout this book. I just we could have seen more character development throughout this book. There was so much non stop action that the development took a back seat.
Now I did receive this book in exchange for an honest review, so thank you so much @torbooks for providing me a finished copy.
I must confess I didn’t read the Sword of Truth series, but luckily I can assure you that you don’t have to finish that series to appreciate this book.
We follow Nicci who was once known as a Death Mistress. She is a very powerful sorceress, she has lived a long difficult life. Along with Nathan, a now ex-prophet but still skilled sorcerer, they aim to spread the news of Richard rising to power.
I really enjoyed the odd couple dynamic these two had. Nicci is far more reserved while Nathan has more of an playful outlook. They are joined later on by Bannon a young man who is setting out from home for the first time. Bannon is so naive about magic and the world around him. He was another great compliment to Nicci. I really enjoyed this trio of characters and I thought they offered a unique look at the world.
While I did enjoy the characters. It was the villains that really caught my interest. We had multiple bad guys throughout the book, pretty much a baddie for every leg of the journey. We had humans, creatures, and magic going askew.
This book completely captivated me. I read this 500+ page book over two days.
However, I am giving this book a B-.
There were so many graphic depictions of sexual assault, sex, and violence. I had a tough time reading some of those scenes, especially all the abuse that Nicci went through while she was in service to the old Emperor. Her sexual history both positive and negative was used to show how far she came as a character. And that really bothered me.
I am sure that Nicci had a lot of character growth over the Sword of Truth series. We catch glimpses of her darker side via flashback throughout this book. I just we could have seen more character development throughout this book. There was so much non stop action that the development took a back seat.
bequibuho's review against another edition
4.0
Now that the war is over Nicci and Nathan have set out to spread awareness of Emperor Jagang’s death. Early on in their journey, Nathan discovers a way to regain his prophet abilities which leads them on an epic adventure where we meet new characters, find mermaids, and lost libraries.
Now I did receive this book in exchange for an honest review, so thank you so much @torbooks for providing me a finished copy.
I must confess I didn’t read the Sword of Truth series, but luckily I can assure you that you don’t have to finish that series to appreciate this book.
We follow Nicci who was once known as a Death Mistress. She is a very powerful sorceress, she has lived a long difficult life. Along with Nathan, a now ex-prophet but still skilled sorcerer, they aim to spread the news of Richard rising to power.
I really enjoyed the odd couple dynamic these two had. Nicci is far more reserved while Nathan has more of an playful outlook. They are joined later on by Bannon a young man who is setting out from home for the first time. Bannon is so naive about magic and the world around him. He was another great compliment to Nicci. I really enjoyed this trio of characters and I thought they offered a unique look at the world.
While I did enjoy the characters. It was the villains that really caught my interest. We had multiple bad guys throughout the book, pretty much a baddie for every leg of the journey. We had humans, creatures, and magic going askew.
This book completely captivated me. I read this 500+ page book over two days.
However, I am giving this book a B-.
There were so many graphic depictions of sexual assault, sex, and violence. I had a tough time reading some of those scenes, especially all the abuse that Nicci went through while she was in service to the old Emperor. Her sexual history both positive and negative was used to show how far she came as a character. And that really bothered me.
I am sure that Nicci had a lot of character growth over the Sword of Truth series. We catch glimpses of her darker side via flashback throughout this book. I just we could have seen more character development throughout this book. There was so much non stop action that the development took a back seat.
Now I did receive this book in exchange for an honest review, so thank you so much @torbooks for providing me a finished copy.
I must confess I didn’t read the Sword of Truth series, but luckily I can assure you that you don’t have to finish that series to appreciate this book.
We follow Nicci who was once known as a Death Mistress. She is a very powerful sorceress, she has lived a long difficult life. Along with Nathan, a now ex-prophet but still skilled sorcerer, they aim to spread the news of Richard rising to power.
I really enjoyed the odd couple dynamic these two had. Nicci is far more reserved while Nathan has more of an playful outlook. They are joined later on by Bannon a young man who is setting out from home for the first time. Bannon is so naive about magic and the world around him. He was another great compliment to Nicci. I really enjoyed this trio of characters and I thought they offered a unique look at the world.
While I did enjoy the characters. It was the villains that really caught my interest. We had multiple bad guys throughout the book, pretty much a baddie for every leg of the journey. We had humans, creatures, and magic going askew.
This book completely captivated me. I read this 500+ page book over two days.
However, I am giving this book a B-.
There were so many graphic depictions of sexual assault, sex, and violence. I had a tough time reading some of those scenes, especially all the abuse that Nicci went through while she was in service to the old Emperor. Her sexual history both positive and negative was used to show how far she came as a character. And that really bothered me.
I am sure that Nicci had a lot of character growth over the Sword of Truth series. We catch glimpses of her darker side via flashback throughout this book. I just we could have seen more character development throughout this book. There was so much non stop action that the development took a back seat.
ashleyk50413's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Somehow this was entertaining despite some major flaws.
There were lots of references to world details that weren’t explained, perhaps because many readers are already familiar with the world from other books. If these details were occasionally more descriptive and differed I would have enjoyed them. Instead, they are often the same detail from the same angle. It felt like if I needed to understand a character’s motivations better, that character would suddenly think, “Ah yes, tragic backstory detail” in a fairly wooden way. When I needed the same reminder again, the character would pretty much repeat the earlier tragic backstory detail, but it read more like narration than a character recalling traumatic and formative experiences.
The magic in the book didn’t really make sense. Characters at their weakest seemed to perform magic to similar effect as the same character at peak strength toward the beginning of the book. The author often gave the same minuscule glimpse into the magic system with no further explanation, and I got annoyed with seeing that same glimpse over and over, nothing new.
I did not enjoy the book’s treatment of rape.
The main character did not feel realistic. This is a powerful heroes on an adventure, plot focused fantasy.
These were my biggest complaints. If you like fantasy, you’re probably already used to wading your way through them. You probably already know if you enjoy reading Terry Goodkind or not, but I wanted to share my experience as a first time Goodkind reader starting with this book. I’m now desperate to go read some female written fantasy.
There were lots of references to world details that weren’t explained, perhaps because many readers are already familiar with the world from other books. If these details were occasionally more descriptive and differed I would have enjoyed them. Instead, they are often the same detail from the same angle. It felt like if I needed to understand a character’s motivations better, that character would suddenly think, “Ah yes, tragic backstory detail” in a fairly wooden way. When I needed the same reminder again, the character would pretty much repeat the earlier tragic backstory detail, but it read more like narration than a character recalling traumatic and formative experiences.
The magic in the book didn’t really make sense. Characters at their weakest seemed to perform magic to similar effect as the same character at peak strength toward the beginning of the book. The author often gave the same minuscule glimpse into the magic system with no further explanation, and I got annoyed with seeing that same glimpse over and over, nothing new.
I did not enjoy the book’s treatment of rape.
The main character did not feel realistic. This is a powerful heroes on an adventure, plot focused fantasy.
These were my biggest complaints. If you like fantasy, you’re probably already used to wading your way through them. You probably already know if you enjoy reading Terry Goodkind or not, but I wanted to share my experience as a first time Goodkind reader starting with this book. I’m now desperate to go read some female written fantasy.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
halfmanhalfbook's review against another edition
3.0
She has been called Sister of the Light, and even Sister of the Dark; Nicci has been the lieutenant of a tyrant and pledged to destroy a man who she then fell in love with. But that was in the past. It is a new and safer world out there, and Nicci’s new role is telling the people of how Lord Rahl’s rule will bring peace and prosperity to their world. But the first job is keeping the wizard and prophet Nathan out of trouble… Nathan wants to visit the witch called Red, whom he wishes to get to tell him his life story.
She does, but issues a cryptic message to him; He must seek the place Kol Adair, where the answers and solution to his fading magic will be answered. It is a place that no one has heard of, and its name appears on no chart. They make haste their preparations to travel south and whilst getting provisions, Nicci saves the life of a traveller called Bannon who is being robbed. He is so grateful that he recommends the ship he is sailing south on and pledges his services to her. So begins their perilous journey south to find this mystery place. They will face threats from the sea, the land, bargain with dragons and face the greatest threats to the world that they know.
I do read some fantasy every now and again. It is a genre that can either be excellent, full of intrigue and political shenanigans or can fall a bit flat as it is broadly similar to other stuff that you have come across. This is the first of Terry Goodkind’s books that I have read, and overall it wasn’t too bad. There was plenty of pace to the story, with a mix of dramatic events and the standard tropes from the fantasy genre. It did suffer from being a bit formulaic, though, but that is the problem that I have with a lot of the quest style fantasy. Not bad, though, might even read the sequel!
She does, but issues a cryptic message to him; He must seek the place Kol Adair, where the answers and solution to his fading magic will be answered. It is a place that no one has heard of, and its name appears on no chart. They make haste their preparations to travel south and whilst getting provisions, Nicci saves the life of a traveller called Bannon who is being robbed. He is so grateful that he recommends the ship he is sailing south on and pledges his services to her. So begins their perilous journey south to find this mystery place. They will face threats from the sea, the land, bargain with dragons and face the greatest threats to the world that they know.
I do read some fantasy every now and again. It is a genre that can either be excellent, full of intrigue and political shenanigans or can fall a bit flat as it is broadly similar to other stuff that you have come across. This is the first of Terry Goodkind’s books that I have read, and overall it wasn’t too bad. There was plenty of pace to the story, with a mix of dramatic events and the standard tropes from the fantasy genre. It did suffer from being a bit formulaic, though, but that is the problem that I have with a lot of the quest style fantasy. Not bad, though, might even read the sequel!
ndsr's review against another edition
1.0
Wow this book is bad. It is hard to believe a less sympathic and likeable protagonist could be written than Richard Rahl, but here we are. The only thing that makes this book readable is the unrelenting pace at which the plot unfolds, but it amounts to just one thing after another.
halfmanhalfbook's review against another edition
3.0
She has been called Sister of the Light, and even Sister of the Dark; Nicci has been the lieutenant of a tyrant and pledged to destroy a man who she then fell in love with. But that was in the past. It is a new and safer world out there, and Nicci’s new role is telling the people of how Lord Rahl’s rule will bring peace and prosperity to their world. But the first job is keeping the wizard and prophet Nathan out of trouble… Nathan wants to visit the witch called Red, whom he wishes to get to tell him his life story.
She does, but issues a cryptic message to him; He must seek the place Kol Adair, where the answers and solution to his fading magic will be answered. It is a place that no one has heard of, and its name appears on no chart. They make haste their preparations to travel south and whilst getting provisions, Nicci saves the life of a traveller called Bannon who is being robbed. He is so grateful that he recommends the ship he is sailing south on and pledges his services to her. So begins their perilous journey south to find this mystery place. They will face threats from the sea, the land, bargain with dragons and face the greatest threats to the world that they know.
I do read some fantasy every now and again. It is a genre that can either be excellent, full of intrigue and political shenanigans or can fall a bit flat as it is broadly similar to other stuff that you have come across. This is the first of Terry Goodkind’s books that I have read, and overall it wasn’t too bad. There was plenty of pace to the story, with a mix of dramatic events and the standard tropes from the fantasy genre. It did suffer from being a bit formulaic, though, but that is the problem that I have with a lot of the quest style fantasy. Not bad, though, might even read the sequel!
She does, but issues a cryptic message to him; He must seek the place Kol Adair, where the answers and solution to his fading magic will be answered. It is a place that no one has heard of, and its name appears on no chart. They make haste their preparations to travel south and whilst getting provisions, Nicci saves the life of a traveller called Bannon who is being robbed. He is so grateful that he recommends the ship he is sailing south on and pledges his services to her. So begins their perilous journey south to find this mystery place. They will face threats from the sea, the land, bargain with dragons and face the greatest threats to the world that they know.
I do read some fantasy every now and again. It is a genre that can either be excellent, full of intrigue and political shenanigans or can fall a bit flat as it is broadly similar to other stuff that you have come across. This is the first of Terry Goodkind’s books that I have read, and overall it wasn’t too bad. There was plenty of pace to the story, with a mix of dramatic events and the standard tropes from the fantasy genre. It did suffer from being a bit formulaic, though, but that is the problem that I have with a lot of the quest style fantasy. Not bad, though, might even read the sequel!
lesiajoukova's review against another edition
2.0
Thank god I'm done. I'm not even going to bother pretending this didn't happen. Thank god it's over though.
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