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anaffpereira's review
4.0
A very entertaining and intriguing reading.
While Wizard’s First Rule seemed more plot-driven, this second installment was a lot more character-driven.
I never found the plot dull, even though some events didn’t seem to contribute to the main story. I actually found the conspiracies at the Palace of the Prophets quite intriguing, and I enjoyed learning more about prophecies, which are a key element in this universe.
It does contain a lot of references to rape and depictions of it to the point it was getting tiresome to say the least. On the other hand, since this is set in medieval times, it was something to be expected… still, there is so much a reader can endure.
Overall, it was a solid follow-up that introduced fresh elements and left me excited about the next book.
While Wizard’s First Rule seemed more plot-driven, this second installment was a lot more character-driven.
I never found the plot dull, even though some events didn’t seem to contribute to the main story. I actually found the conspiracies at the Palace of the Prophets quite intriguing, and I enjoyed learning more about prophecies, which are a key element in this universe.
It does contain a lot of references to rape and depictions of it to the point it was getting tiresome to say the least. On the other hand, since this is set in medieval times, it was something to be expected… still, there is so much a reader can endure.
Overall, it was a solid follow-up that introduced fresh elements and left me excited about the next book.
kathydavie's review
5.0
Second in the Sword of Truth fantasy adventure series (you may know it by its television series name, Legend of the Seeker).
It's one of those epic stories...979 pages is pretty epic! And, fortunately, Goodkind covers so much ground and we get a big chunk of resolution. Of course, he does set us up with two new challenges for future installments. I know it will be worth it though as Goodkind has created a huge cast of amazing characters with a wide range of values from truly evil to incredibly good and all the human foibles in between. Even if it is a bit callow in its presentation. There is a naive simplicity to sentence construction; too abrupt in its transitions. Still it is a story I could not put down. It took all night and I still had to read a bit of another book to bring my heart rate down!
The basic fight is between Additive and Subtractive magic with the Additive used by living magic users and Subtractive by the Keeper and dead magic users. Extremely rarely, one person may use both. In Stone of Tears, it's up to Richard to repair the torn Veil that prevents the underworld from entering the world of the living, to prevent the Keeper from emerging and destroying all life. In his zeal, Richard simply makes things worse and worse.
It's fascinating to watch Richard change the perspective of those around him. He learns so much on this journey of his as do those who come into contact with him.
Reading of the tactics of a woefully outnumbered force of 4,500 children against 50,000+ hardened warriors is an absolute treat---I cheered as I read!
A series of events have triggered Richard's magic and the headaches he suffers are increasingly debilitating. The Sisters of the Light tell him that he will die very soon unless he submits to the Rada'Han, a collar of control. After his experiences with such a collar under Denna's tutelage, Richard will never accept it. Until Kahlan orders him to. A betrayal of such depth and anguish for both.
But Denna's lessons stand Richard in good stead when he is on the road with Sister Verna and he slowly converts her to his ways including changing her attitudes about horses. On their journey, he acquires an unexpected companion and sets the conditions for several prophecies to be fulfilled. You'll love the commotion he creates once he does reach the Palace of the Prophets! Not to be missed!!
Kahlan's journey is much more fraught. To escape notice, she leaves the Mud People with only three men. And those three learn a great deal about the world: its size as well as its cruelties. They also learn Kahlan's true role in the world. The cruelest is the massacre and destruction of Ebinissia while the most illuminating is the revenge and betrayal in the mountain pass. However, that is not the last betrayal Kahlan suffers or in which Chandalen aids her.
Meanwhile Zedd and Adie have their own set of life-threatening adventures however minor their appearance in the story.
There is a cast of thousands, almost literally, so I'm simply going to list the more important.
Kahlan Amnell is the Mother Confessor, the head of the Central Council of the Midlands in Aydindril that orders Kings and Queens, vetoes their actions, keeps the peace. It is her responsibility to represent the interests of everyone and every country but especially those who have no representation on the Council. Queen Cyrilla of Galea is Kahlan's unacknowledged half-sister. Captain Bradley Ryan is the commander of what remains of the Galean Army. A child. But a child bent on destroying the Army of the Imperial Order which destroyed his home city of Ebinissia.
Richard Cypher has just learned that George Cypher was not his father. Instead, the tyrant he just killed was his true father, Darken Rahl. Richard is the new Lord Rahl of D'Hara. The man who raped his mother, Zedd's daughter. His actions in Wizard's First Rule have set tripped his magic and he will die unless he receives training in his magic.
Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander is the First Wizard. The most powerful mage in their world. He is also Richard's grandfather and he needs the help of Adie, a sorceress who lives in the Boundary to help Richard repair the Veil. Lady Jebra Bevinvier is a servant whom Zedd rescued in D'Hara whom he has sent on her own journey to use her visions to aid the Midlands.
Sisters of the Light are a rigid religious group who believe they are justified in doing anything to train the men who have magic. They're bad enough but there are also the Sisters of the Dark some of whom set sail from. Like Denna, they also use a collar to control their charges. Sister Ann is the Prelate; Nathan is the Prophet who has quite a few enlightening facts for Richard. Pasha Maes is a novice promised the charge of training Richard. Warren, a.k.a., Mole, is a mage whose specialty is prophecies; he helps Richard learn more about the prophecy that applies to him.
The Mud People adopted Richard and Kahlan; now three of their own will escort Kahlan back to Aydindril: Chandalen, Prindin, and Tossindin.
Scarlet is a dragon to whom Richard gave aid and befriended in Wizard's First Rule; she plays a cameo role here. Denna was a Mord-Sith who tortured Richard horribly teaching him valuable skills for this story. Shota is a witch goddess who pushes Richard onto his path
The cover is bordered in black with an ominous desert landscape. An isolated castle in the background highlights the aloneness of Richard and Kahlan with Gratch in the forefront amongst large stones. If only the artist had made the woman Sister Verna, it would have been accurate.
The title is the key to salvation.
My Take
It's one of those epic stories...979 pages is pretty epic! And, fortunately, Goodkind covers so much ground and we get a big chunk of resolution. Of course, he does set us up with two new challenges for future installments. I know it will be worth it though as Goodkind has created a huge cast of amazing characters with a wide range of values from truly evil to incredibly good and all the human foibles in between. Even if it is a bit callow in its presentation. There is a naive simplicity to sentence construction; too abrupt in its transitions. Still it is a story I could not put down. It took all night and I still had to read a bit of another book to bring my heart rate down!
The basic fight is between Additive and Subtractive magic with the Additive used by living magic users and Subtractive by the Keeper and dead magic users. Extremely rarely, one person may use both. In Stone of Tears, it's up to Richard to repair the torn Veil that prevents the underworld from entering the world of the living, to prevent the Keeper from emerging and destroying all life. In his zeal, Richard simply makes things worse and worse.
It's fascinating to watch Richard change the perspective of those around him. He learns so much on this journey of his as do those who come into contact with him.
Reading of the tactics of a woefully outnumbered force of 4,500 children against 50,000+ hardened warriors is an absolute treat---I cheered as I read!
The Story
A series of events have triggered Richard's magic and the headaches he suffers are increasingly debilitating. The Sisters of the Light tell him that he will die very soon unless he submits to the Rada'Han, a collar of control. After his experiences with such a collar under Denna's tutelage, Richard will never accept it. Until Kahlan orders him to. A betrayal of such depth and anguish for both.
But Denna's lessons stand Richard in good stead when he is on the road with Sister Verna and he slowly converts her to his ways including changing her attitudes about horses. On their journey, he acquires an unexpected companion and sets the conditions for several prophecies to be fulfilled. You'll love the commotion he creates once he does reach the Palace of the Prophets! Not to be missed!!
Kahlan's journey is much more fraught. To escape notice, she leaves the Mud People with only three men. And those three learn a great deal about the world: its size as well as its cruelties. They also learn Kahlan's true role in the world. The cruelest is the massacre and destruction of Ebinissia while the most illuminating is the revenge and betrayal in the mountain pass. However, that is not the last betrayal Kahlan suffers or in which Chandalen aids her.
Meanwhile Zedd and Adie have their own set of life-threatening adventures however minor their appearance in the story.
The Characters
There is a cast of thousands, almost literally, so I'm simply going to list the more important.
Kahlan Amnell is the Mother Confessor, the head of the Central Council of the Midlands in Aydindril that orders Kings and Queens, vetoes their actions, keeps the peace. It is her responsibility to represent the interests of everyone and every country but especially those who have no representation on the Council. Queen Cyrilla of Galea is Kahlan's unacknowledged half-sister. Captain Bradley Ryan is the commander of what remains of the Galean Army. A child. But a child bent on destroying the Army of the Imperial Order which destroyed his home city of Ebinissia.
Richard Cypher has just learned that George Cypher was not his father. Instead, the tyrant he just killed was his true father, Darken Rahl. Richard is the new Lord Rahl of D'Hara. The man who raped his mother, Zedd's daughter. His actions in Wizard's First Rule have set tripped his magic and he will die unless he receives training in his magic.
Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander is the First Wizard. The most powerful mage in their world. He is also Richard's grandfather and he needs the help of Adie, a sorceress who lives in the Boundary to help Richard repair the Veil. Lady Jebra Bevinvier is a servant whom Zedd rescued in D'Hara whom he has sent on her own journey to use her visions to aid the Midlands.
Sisters of the Light are a rigid religious group who believe they are justified in doing anything to train the men who have magic. They're bad enough but there are also the Sisters of the Dark some of whom set sail from. Like Denna, they also use a collar to control their charges. Sister Ann is the Prelate; Nathan is the Prophet who has quite a few enlightening facts for Richard. Pasha Maes is a novice promised the charge of training Richard. Warren, a.k.a., Mole, is a mage whose specialty is prophecies; he helps Richard learn more about the prophecy that applies to him.
The Mud People adopted Richard and Kahlan; now three of their own will escort Kahlan back to Aydindril: Chandalen, Prindin, and Tossindin.
Scarlet is a dragon to whom Richard gave aid and befriended in Wizard's First Rule; she plays a cameo role here. Denna was a Mord-Sith who tortured Richard horribly teaching him valuable skills for this story. Shota is a witch goddess who pushes Richard onto his path
The Cover
The cover is bordered in black with an ominous desert landscape. An isolated castle in the background highlights the aloneness of Richard and Kahlan with Gratch in the forefront amongst large stones. If only the artist had made the woman Sister Verna, it would have been accurate.
The title is the key to salvation.
mikaelaball's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
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
queenquinn84's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
alonelyjanuarynight's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
daniobsessivelyreads's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but I had some issues with it. It's probably more 3.5 stars.
This story is a continuation of the Epic Fantasy in Wizard's First Rule. These books are THICK. I can appreciate that. However....
Spoilers ahead....
Kahlan and Richard are split apart early in the book. They have such love for each other and they seemed to be pulled apart relatively easily and quickly. I understand that they get back together, but I would have liked to see them together more.
Richard's time travelling and with the sisters DRAGGED. I needed this part to be sped up A LOT. There was a lot of misused paper space here.
I did agree with and enjoy seeing Kahlan as a battle commander. She really comes into her power in those chapters.
The end seems to go very fast compared to the slowness of the rest of the book. The travelling and defeating the evil all goes very quickly.
I will continue on to the next book, but I hope Kahlan and Richard are a team in the next book.
This story is a continuation of the Epic Fantasy in Wizard's First Rule. These books are THICK. I can appreciate that. However....
Spoilers ahead....
Kahlan and Richard are split apart early in the book. They have such love for each other and they seemed to be pulled apart relatively easily and quickly. I understand that they get back together, but I would have liked to see them together more.
Richard's time travelling and with the sisters DRAGGED. I needed this part to be sped up A LOT. There was a lot of misused paper space here.
I did agree with and enjoy seeing Kahlan as a battle commander. She really comes into her power in those chapters.
The end seems to go very fast compared to the slowness of the rest of the book. The travelling and defeating the evil all goes very quickly.
I will continue on to the next book, but I hope Kahlan and Richard are a team in the next book.
sassblaster's review
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
j3r3's review
4.0
Really liked it!
Another great fantasy adventure from Goodkind. I didnt want to put it down! While often these larger and longer series can be hard to keep up with Goodkind does a great job of keeping you engaged and making the story easy to follow.
Another great fantasy adventure from Goodkind. I didnt want to put it down! While often these larger and longer series can be hard to keep up with Goodkind does a great job of keeping you engaged and making the story easy to follow.
mhshokuhi's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
یک مدل از فانتزیهایی که بسیار بهش علاقه دارم: فانتزیهایی که جادو و شمشیر و اتفاقات هیجانانگیز به میزان قابل توجهی داشته باشه و شبیه یه رمان عادی نباشه که از ۵۰۰ صفحه یدونه اژدها یا چیز جادویی هم نبینی بعدش بهش میگن هم فانتزی :وی
جلد دوم مجموعه شمشیر حقیقت با تمرکز روی ریچارد و کِیلِن و زِد سه داستان رو روایت میکنه که در نهایت به هم میرسه وقایع مستقیم یا غیرمستقیم، اتفاقات هیجانانگیزی میوفته، ریچارد بیشتر قدرت خودش رو پیدا میکنه، کِیلِن استراتژی جنگی باحالی میچینه و زِد هم در حال شوخی وسط بدترین موقعیتها که کاری هم از دستش درست بر نمیاد :دی کلا اکشن خیلی بیشتری داره این کتاب، سرعتش هم مناسب بود و بقیهاش همون توضیحاتی که برای ریویو کتاب اول نوشتم 😅 البته ویلن خاصی نداره اونقدر این کتاب با اینکه خطر خیلی خیلی بیشتر از قبل هست و یا کلا پشت صحنه هستن یا حضورشون خیلی کمه برخلاف کتاب قبل. دیالوگهاش بهیادموندنیتر بودن و نکات ریز اینور اونور هم داشت که البته دفن هم نشده بود کشفشون نکنی بعداً و کلا تجربه خیلی خوبی بود این کتاب با اینکه ابدا چیز ابرشاهکاری نیست و خودش رو هم خیلی جدی نمیگیره در نهایت. واقعاً خوشحالم این جلد و جلد قبلی رو بعد از چند کتاب اخیری که تقریباً دوستشون نداشتم خوندم.
جلد دوم مجموعه شمشیر حقیقت با تمرکز روی ریچارد و کِیلِن و زِد سه داستان رو روایت میکنه که در نهایت به هم میرسه وقایع مستقیم یا غیرمستقیم، اتفاقات هیجانانگیزی میوفته، ریچارد بیشتر قدرت خودش رو پیدا میکنه، کِیلِن استراتژی جنگی باحالی میچینه و زِد هم در حال شوخی وسط بدترین موقعیتها که کاری هم از دستش درست بر نمیاد :دی کلا اکشن خیلی بیشتری داره این کتاب، سرعتش هم مناسب بود و بقیهاش همون توضیحاتی که برای ریویو کتاب اول نوشتم 😅 البته ویلن خاصی نداره اونقدر این کتاب با اینکه خطر خیلی خیلی بیشتر از قبل هست و یا کلا پشت صحنه هستن یا حضورشون خیلی کمه برخلاف کتاب قبل. دیالوگهاش بهیادموندنیتر بودن و نکات ریز اینور اونور هم داشت که البته دفن هم نشده بود کشفشون نکنی بعداً و کلا تجربه خیلی خوبی بود این کتاب با اینکه ابدا چیز ابرشاهکاری نیست و خودش رو هم خیلی جدی نمیگیره در نهایت. واقعاً خوشحالم این جلد و جلد قبلی رو بعد از چند کتاب اخیری که تقریباً دوستشون نداشتم خوندم.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Rape and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts