2006-05-26
Blood of the Fold
Author: Terry Goodkind
Sword of Truth-3 is a necessary conclusion to the events begun in Stone of Tears, but the series may be in decline. While this is still a good page turner -- I read it in four days -- the page count is down and it really felt like only half a story. All the setup was in the previous book and it seemed like only an inevitable conclusion was left to be written.
The story covers a massive change in the world order. The Midlands alliance is no more, the barrier between the Old and New Worlds is gone, and invading armies from both east and south threaten the peace. Richard Rahl just wants to settle down somewhere quiet with his bride -- if they can actually fit in the wedding -- and see his grandfather again so he can learn to control the gifts he has. He doesn't want to rule the world, but he may have to just to get a moment's peace.
The characters that enjoy development this time are from the Palace of the Prophets: Sister Verna, Prelate Annalina, the Prophet Nathan, and young nerd Warren. The main storyline of interest is in the Palace, while Richard has things under control in Aydindril by the halfway point. Kahlan and Zedd don't even appear in the first 300 pages and have very little "screen time". The reunion of the original magic trio is teased, but nothing happens until the very end. I find this series needs a prequel featuring Zedd, much as Eddings would capitalize on his elder sorcerers by giving Belgarath and Polgara their own biographies.
The novel is less than satisfying in that it just falls to a conclusion dictated by the events in Stone of Tears. It does clear the table enough that Sword of Truth-4 (Temple of the Winds, which got an obligatory mention in this book) can start a new story. In a couple months, I'll tell you if it recaptured any of that First Rule magic.
Sword of Truth-3 is a necessary conclusion to the events begun in Stone of Tears, but the series may be in decline. While this is still a good page turner -- I read it in four days -- the page count is down and it really felt like only half a story. All the setup was in the previous book and it seemed like only an inevitable conclusion was left to be written.
The story covers a massive change in the world order. The Midlands alliance is no more, the barrier between the Old and New Worlds is gone, and invading armies from both east and south threaten the peace. Richard Rahl just wants to settle down somewhere quiet with his bride -- if they can actually fit in the wedding -- and see his grandfather again so he can learn to control the gifts he has. He doesn't want to rule the world, but he may have to just to get a moment's peace.
The characters that enjoy development this time are from the Palace of the Prophets: Sister Verna, Prelate Annalina, the Prophet Nathan, and young nerd Warren. The main storyline of interest is in the Palace, while Richard has things under control in Aydindril by the halfway point. Kahlan and Zedd don't even appear in the first 300 pages and have very little "screen time". The reunion of the original magic trio is teased, but nothing happens until the very end. I find this series needs a prequel featuring Zedd, much as Eddings would capitalize on his elder sorcerers by giving Belgarath and Polgara their own biographies.
The novel is less than satisfying in that it just falls to a conclusion dictated by the events in Stone of Tears. It does clear the table enough that Sword of Truth-4 (Temple of the Winds, which got an obligatory mention in this book) can start a new story. In a couple months, I'll tell you if it recaptured any of that First Rule magic.
