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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I almost didn't finish this book. It was way, way, way too long. The length itself wasn't the problem, but the fact that the plot meandered all over creation. Nothing really happens until 2/3rds of the way through the book!
Writing style wasn't great either. At the beginning we get almost all narration. The narration fades away into action later, but the first several chapters are almost all just narration. I was also really annoyed at the plot device reveals. For instance, the fact that Richard has some kind of plant that he took from his father's house wasn't even revealed to the reader until long after it turned significant, then we are given that part of the backstory.
Writing style wasn't great either. At the beginning we get almost all narration. The narration fades away into action later, but the first several chapters are almost all just narration. I was also really annoyed at the plot device reveals. For instance, the fact that Richard has some kind of plant that he took from his father's house wasn't even revealed to the reader until long after it turned significant, then we are given that part of the backstory.
I get more emotion and adventure reading The Runaway Bunny to my nephews than I got from this immensely unoriginal fantasy
This book is easily my favorite. Magic, adventure, love. This is the beginning of a beautiful series that truly makes you think.
******4.25 Stars*****
THE WIZARDS IN THIS WORLD ARE DUMBLEDORE LEVEL PLUS TROLL LEVEL OVER 9000
If you haven't heard of the Legend of the Seeker, well you should have, cause it’s a funny, fantastical, and sexy show (what more could you ask for), and thus inspired to pick up the book it was loosely based on. It’s the story of a kind, but seemly ordinary forest guide named Richard; a caring and determined Confessor (she can literally force you to confess the truth and obey her will) named Kahlan; and an eccentric trollful wizard named Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander. Oh and did I mention theirs and evil black magical emperor who's trying to enslave the world? According to legend only the a true seeker of truth, with the ability to master a powerful rage riling sword and well... seek out truths, can stop him. Kahlan and Zed must train and aid Richard as they travel across the midlands to stop Lord Rahl, encountering friends, foes, frenemies, and flying pigs alike.
What I liked: As a whole good character development, hilarious when not sadistic situations, great grand plot and magical world weaving. The world was vast and fascinating, with each country having its own history, government and, in some ways, magic. It was interesting to see how this lead to different traditions and social perspectives. For example in one land red fruits were poisoned turning a war and thus feared (imagine if Rahl was the evil queen and everyone knew a kid named snow white), in another hair length is a sign of class and can be brutally enforced. It was fun to encounter these strange laws and the trouble they (often) caused alongside the main character Richard. I have to say I was a bit disappointed in Kahlan's book character, she seemed more of a cool headed and self-reliant character in the TV adaption. She was still an asset but more often fell into the trappings of a damsel in distress and at times so focused on the greater good she had tunnel vision. Kahlan also wasn't involved in as much hand to hand combat in the book, which I guess is not unexpected, but her magic was even more terrifying. Zed was even funnier and more outrageous on the page than he was in the TV show. Richard's character was most similar to his T.V. self, he remained kind hearted, attempting to see the good in everyone, yet willing to execute (get it) the ultimate punishment when a character did something truly unforgivable (which happened a lot).
There were some parts I loved: First Wizard Zed tricking a mob into thinking he vanished their "manhood", a slave girl outwitting evil rulers thanks to a kind wizard and a magic doll, a sexy scene revolving around an apple.... you know the usual.
And a few parts that seemed over complicated or unnecessarily drawn out: The sequence with the wolf and the odd and complex exception he represented for confessor magic, the long periods spent where companions tried to find one another, the mud people... aka the events leading up to the scene with the apple. At times the important character developing events stretched a little too long, resulting in a few pages that felt simply repetitive.
In truth, I feel this book would have been better off a hundred pages shorter, but that still leaves over seven hundred pages that I enjoyed reading and that’s a lot of enjoyment and laughter right there. So if you love the TV show, high fantasy, critically acclaimed authors, epic heroes, witty wizards, or apples, give this book a try!
This book has been one of the main reasons Fantasy is my favorite genre!
I must have been around 15 when I started reading this and ive read them all up to I think Book 8
Due to the huge storyline it is very hard to sum up what it's about, but this has it all.. action, politics and strategies, fantastically thought out world, it had me laughing and crying, and most off all this series has brought such a moving meaning to the word True Love!
This book is one that ill definitely be reading again in the future :)
I must have been around 15 when I started reading this and ive read them all up to I think Book 8
Due to the huge storyline it is very hard to sum up what it's about, but this has it all.. action, politics and strategies, fantastically thought out world, it had me laughing and crying, and most off all this series has brought such a moving meaning to the word True Love!
This book is one that ill definitely be reading again in the future :)
Was a good read if you could get past the over use of the word wizard.
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Surprisingly good book! looking forward to the rest of the series!