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lindzy 's review for:
Soul of the Fire
by Terry Goodkind
The next book in Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series reveals the next stage of Richard and Kahlan’s adventure to free the Midlands from the newest threat and plague.
With the ever growing threat from the dream-walker, Emperor Jangang, the two lovers finally manage to escape their duties for a short time in order to have the wedding they have been preparing for over a considerable length of time. But their new found happiness and ability to finally be with one another is threatened when it is revealed that the Chimes – a magical curse designed to rid the world of all magic – has been set free when Kahlan uttered the words in the book before in order to save Richard’s life. They now have a race against time before the elements of air, fire and water lure people to their deaths.
Their race across the Midlands is hindered by Jangang’s approach and the threat he poses to all free people. Richard must face the harsh truth that lies can sometimes sway people more than the heartfelt words he is offering them and come to terms with stopping the chimes being his priority rather than winning them over in the upcoming war.
But as events are forced and Richard has no choice in how to act, his story is not the only one being told. Throughout the last few novels Goodkind has branched off into following other people’s adventures. Yet the people are all those who are close to Richard and have a key role in shaping who he has become and the events that have been unfolding. In this book, however, Goodkind follows some seemingly insignificant characters. Events take place that do have a part to play in the journey that Richard is undertaking, but not so much of an impact. While the characters are not necessarily unlikeable, it does mean that the majority of the book is focusing on other people.
This is by no means a bad thing, especially when the characters are loveable and have a key influence on the story being told. Not to mention the reader genuinely cares for what is happening to them. It shows how much bigger the plot has become now that it is unfolding as the books have progressed from basically just following Richard to branching out all over the place. It has worked in previous books, but this one had the feeling that it was slightly too stretched. Some of the characters you want to hear more about aren’t mentioned, and others you share no back story with are shown in detail – right at the crucial moments when you want to hear what the others are doing.
It shows that Goodkind is a master story-teller, however, for it means that you are left eagerly turning the next page in order to find out whose story is going to be told next. As Richard is exploring the lands and his powers, the reader too is learning more about the world it is set in.
Another brilliant read.
With the ever growing threat from the dream-walker, Emperor Jangang, the two lovers finally manage to escape their duties for a short time in order to have the wedding they have been preparing for over a considerable length of time. But their new found happiness and ability to finally be with one another is threatened when it is revealed that the Chimes – a magical curse designed to rid the world of all magic – has been set free when Kahlan uttered the words in the book before in order to save Richard’s life. They now have a race against time before the elements of air, fire and water lure people to their deaths.
Their race across the Midlands is hindered by Jangang’s approach and the threat he poses to all free people. Richard must face the harsh truth that lies can sometimes sway people more than the heartfelt words he is offering them and come to terms with stopping the chimes being his priority rather than winning them over in the upcoming war.
But as events are forced and Richard has no choice in how to act, his story is not the only one being told. Throughout the last few novels Goodkind has branched off into following other people’s adventures. Yet the people are all those who are close to Richard and have a key role in shaping who he has become and the events that have been unfolding. In this book, however, Goodkind follows some seemingly insignificant characters. Events take place that do have a part to play in the journey that Richard is undertaking, but not so much of an impact. While the characters are not necessarily unlikeable, it does mean that the majority of the book is focusing on other people.
This is by no means a bad thing, especially when the characters are loveable and have a key influence on the story being told. Not to mention the reader genuinely cares for what is happening to them. It shows how much bigger the plot has become now that it is unfolding as the books have progressed from basically just following Richard to branching out all over the place. It has worked in previous books, but this one had the feeling that it was slightly too stretched. Some of the characters you want to hear more about aren’t mentioned, and others you share no back story with are shown in detail – right at the crucial moments when you want to hear what the others are doing.
It shows that Goodkind is a master story-teller, however, for it means that you are left eagerly turning the next page in order to find out whose story is going to be told next. As Richard is exploring the lands and his powers, the reader too is learning more about the world it is set in.
Another brilliant read.