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gentlemangamer's review against another edition
4.0
Just finished listening to this book. It seemed MUCH shorter than his other books. I liked it, but it just didn't seem to grab me like the earlier sword of truth books. I am, of course, looking forward to the next book, and hoping it is as good as the earlier books.
angelahayes's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
The Omen Machine is the Twelfth book in the epic fantasy series- Sword of Truth- but also the first book in the Richard and Kahlan Series by Terry Goodkind. I was rearranging my bookshelves recently when I came across this series hidden behind some newer purchases. I haven’t read them for quite some time and remember really loving the series when I first read it. So I thought I would re-read the books- and the best thing about that was I got to read them pretty much back to back- no waiting in-between for new books to release. I have enjoyed the series, almost as much as I did the first time- although there were a few minor issues I noticed this time around that I didn’t the first time I read them. These issues didn’t really detract from my enjoyment of the story- but proved that our tastes and expectations do evolve over time.
There is intensity, great characters, fantasy, adventure, action, drama, magic, danger, suspense, good vs evil, and so much more. I found it to be original and well written- with wonderful world building- Mr. Goodkind creativity resulted in a truly fascinating world, where every detail came to life before my eyes.
A great adventure that I am happy to have rediscovered again.
Thank you, Mr. Goodkind.
The Omen Machine is the Twelfth book in the epic fantasy series- Sword of Truth- but also the first book in the Richard and Kahlan Series by Terry Goodkind. I was rearranging my bookshelves recently when I came across this series hidden behind some newer purchases. I haven’t read them for quite some time and remember really loving the series when I first read it. So I thought I would re-read the books- and the best thing about that was I got to read them pretty much back to back- no waiting in-between for new books to release. I have enjoyed the series, almost as much as I did the first time- although there were a few minor issues I noticed this time around that I didn’t the first time I read them. These issues didn’t really detract from my enjoyment of the story- but proved that our tastes and expectations do evolve over time.
There is intensity, great characters, fantasy, adventure, action, drama, magic, danger, suspense, good vs evil, and so much more. I found it to be original and well written- with wonderful world building- Mr. Goodkind creativity resulted in a truly fascinating world, where every detail came to life before my eyes.
A great adventure that I am happy to have rediscovered again.
Thank you, Mr. Goodkind.
vlynnk89's review against another edition
3.0
***UPDATE***
In talking to a friend I realized that this addition to the series is forgettable. I hate when a book is forgettable. I couldn't even remember the plot to tell him what the book was about. Going back and reading my review, I'm shocked that I could forget a book I "loved" until I realized that I really didn't love it. I can still summarize every other book in the series, but I couldn't even recall the overall plot of this book. That makes me very sad and nervous for the next book.
**Original Review***
I absolutely adored Richard and Kahlan in the first 11 books of this series and this book was no different. They have gained peace after fighting war for years. However, everyone is suddenly obsessed with prophecy. Richard has always hated prophecy, partially because of what it makes people do.
Representatives from all the lands that are part of the D'Haran Empire are at the People's Palace to celebrate Cara's wedding. While they are there, they demand that Kahlan and Richard tell them ancient prophecies to help these leaders make decisions. Richard & Kahlan, having dealt with prophecy for years understand the dangers of those without the gift hearing prophecy and trying to figure it out. However, nothing they say can dissuade the representatives from wanting to hear prophecy and two women killing their children because of "prophecy" does nothing but affirm the representatives beliefs that they should be able to hear the prophecies.
This was a fantastic addition to the series with enough loose ends that there may be another book in the works.
In talking to a friend I realized that this addition to the series is forgettable. I hate when a book is forgettable. I couldn't even remember the plot to tell him what the book was about. Going back and reading my review, I'm shocked that I could forget a book I "loved" until I realized that I really didn't love it. I can still summarize every other book in the series, but I couldn't even recall the overall plot of this book. That makes me very sad and nervous for the next book.
**Original Review***
I absolutely adored Richard and Kahlan in the first 11 books of this series and this book was no different. They have gained peace after fighting war for years. However, everyone is suddenly obsessed with prophecy. Richard has always hated prophecy, partially because of what it makes people do.
Representatives from all the lands that are part of the D'Haran Empire are at the People's Palace to celebrate Cara's wedding. While they are there, they demand that Kahlan and Richard tell them ancient prophecies to help these leaders make decisions. Richard & Kahlan, having dealt with prophecy for years understand the dangers of those without the gift hearing prophecy and trying to figure it out. However, nothing they say can dissuade the representatives from wanting to hear prophecy and two women killing their children because of "prophecy" does nothing but affirm the representatives beliefs that they should be able to hear the prophecies.
This was a fantastic addition to the series with enough loose ends that there may be another book in the works.
jordan_mihailov's review against another edition
4.0
Книгата не е чак толкова лоша, колкото я определят някои. Определено има разлика с предходните му творби. Постоянната битка с Джаганг, проточила се толкова много страници, определено беше изтощителна... за читателя. Героите, досега представяни като велики магьосници, пророци и т.н., изведнъж се оказват не чак толкова надарени, според образа, който сме си изграждали за тях. Единственото, което наистина ме подразни повече е моментът, в който се обяснява как Калан притежава само едната страна на магията ???
Едно от условията за пътуване в Плъзгата беше да се притежават и Адитивна и Субстрактивна магия. Калан пътуваше в Плъзгата, съответно ги притежава.
Едно от условията за пътуване в Плъзгата беше да се притежават и Адитивна и Субстрактивна магия. Калан пътуваше в Плъзгата, съответно ги притежава.
bjfgood's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED IT! Best Richard and Kahlan book. It was the one book that I actually almost gave up hope for them, but at the last minute Richard came through as always!
bdplume's review against another edition
3.0
This book serves as a sort of object lesson in why fantasy epics usually end when the heroes "win" without dwelling for very long on the loose ends. While the story was an entirely new threat, it was hard to take seriously after all of the long-standing villains were no longer in the picture. I did still enjoy it, but there just wasn't the same sense of immediacy. The compelling struggle on behalf of humanity was really absent.
I suppose the point of all that rambling is that recreating the feel of the Sword of Truth series was a tall task. It's hard to blame Goodkind for falling short of that, except that it feels somewhat lazy. This would have worked much better had he created a new cast of characters (and perhaps even a new world) to move through this plot. However, he - and his fans - are so in love with his two principal characters that that, too, may have been a difficult sell.
The book also felt sort of unfinished. I'll avoid spoilers, but it seems obvious that there will be a follow-up, and since this one was so much shorter than his other novels I am left to wonder why Goodkind didn't finish the story here. Even in this shorter format, the story seemed to contain a whole lot of unnecessary conversation about what might be happening in between the events. About two thirds of the novel felt like exposition, which is somewhat perplexing in a well-established world with a broad and deep cast of characters. Then again, I suppose there was a lot of information that needed to be conveyed about the landscape of the world following the events of Confessor.
Now, with all those negatives, how did I still enjoy the book? Richard was still Richard, Kahlan was still Kahlan, etc. I also kept feeling the potential for new beginnings. What new hardships may come for Richard, Kahlan, and their world? If this story continues I could see it working in much the way the second volume onward worked as a continuation of Wizard's First Rule. The newly introduced villain is certainly interesting, and the book does serve as a reminder that life doesn't end simply because one has achieved a major triumph. It also seems to be making the point that one can never know everything about one's world, or even one's immediate surroundings.
I eagerly await Terry Goodkind's next novel, and I do hope that he continues the story from this one's final page. However, I remain skeptical that this new set of adventures can come close to matching the feel of the prior installments.
I suppose the point of all that rambling is that recreating the feel of the Sword of Truth series was a tall task. It's hard to blame Goodkind for falling short of that, except that it feels somewhat lazy. This would have worked much better had he created a new cast of characters (and perhaps even a new world) to move through this plot. However, he - and his fans - are so in love with his two principal characters that that, too, may have been a difficult sell.
The book also felt sort of unfinished. I'll avoid spoilers, but it seems obvious that there will be a follow-up, and since this one was so much shorter than his other novels I am left to wonder why Goodkind didn't finish the story here. Even in this shorter format, the story seemed to contain a whole lot of unnecessary conversation about what might be happening in between the events. About two thirds of the novel felt like exposition, which is somewhat perplexing in a well-established world with a broad and deep cast of characters. Then again, I suppose there was a lot of information that needed to be conveyed about the landscape of the world following the events of Confessor.
Now, with all those negatives, how did I still enjoy the book? Richard was still Richard, Kahlan was still Kahlan, etc. I also kept feeling the potential for new beginnings. What new hardships may come for Richard, Kahlan, and their world? If this story continues I could see it working in much the way the second volume onward worked as a continuation of Wizard's First Rule. The newly introduced villain is certainly interesting, and the book does serve as a reminder that life doesn't end simply because one has achieved a major triumph. It also seems to be making the point that one can never know everything about one's world, or even one's immediate surroundings.
I eagerly await Terry Goodkind's next novel, and I do hope that he continues the story from this one's final page. However, I remain skeptical that this new set of adventures can come close to matching the feel of the prior installments.
katemiller41's review against another edition
3.0
A typical book from Terry Goodkind. I'm not really sure if that's a good thing, or a bad thing, but atleast I knew what to expect.
Just when a time of peace, hope and love start to bud in D'Hara, something dark and unwanted creeps into the lives of Kahlan and Richard.
What a surprise!
Goodkind stretches this book out (like almost all of his others) to be a touch too long, even though the story is fairly entertaining. Somehow, he manages to keep me on the edge of my seat for another 500+ page book, and leaves me wanting the next one to come out.
Overall I wasn't disappointed with the book. It had many of the hallmarks of a Goodkind book, and the way he writes, he could stretch this out into one of those 50+ book series.
So, I guess that means we have alot to look forward to...right?
Just when a time of peace, hope and love start to bud in D'Hara, something dark and unwanted creeps into the lives of Kahlan and Richard.
What a surprise!
Goodkind stretches this book out (like almost all of his others) to be a touch too long, even though the story is fairly entertaining. Somehow, he manages to keep me on the edge of my seat for another 500+ page book, and leaves me wanting the next one to come out.
Overall I wasn't disappointed with the book. It had many of the hallmarks of a Goodkind book, and the way he writes, he could stretch this out into one of those 50+ book series.
So, I guess that means we have alot to look forward to...right?
stargrace's review against another edition
4.0
By far one of the better books of his, but VERY dark and just .. evil. Not what I expected at all. It was a fast easy read but holy smokes.
kcclark03's review against another edition
2.0
By far the worst of the series. So very disappointing.