Temple of the Winds: Sword of Truth, Book 4

This continues the great storytelling and wonderful characters of the series. I love stepping into this world and getting closer to Richard and Kahlan as they mature in the sequence of books. I've been doing the read/listen but from now on will only read the books and not buy the listen. The narrator fully denigrated the strong female characters by narrating their voices in a high, quavering, weak, unconfident pitch - he seemed to think that was his "women's voice". It was infuriating - particularly when Kahlan spoke and extremely so when a Mord Sith spoke. I mean come on, Mord Sith would not whine or sound unconfident. His male voice was great and commanding but the women were horribly done. I do not understand why narrators feel they need to pretend gender or age in their narration. It's silly and embarrassing - we are not children. When I read in my head the voices don't change, so why must narrators think they need to sound like them. The best audible books I've listened to were read straight, with emotion, but not as an amateur acting studio.

Not going to lie 90% of this book was incredibly frustrating and depressing with not a whole lot of action. Why I am giving it 4 stars and not 3 is because even though I thought I knew exactly how the horrible things that were written in prophecy we're going to happen it totally surprised me. Also unlike the last book and more like the first two this one felt like it ended at the end which makes it feel more worthwhile. If I had to rank all the books thus far it would be 1,2,4,3. Not sure if I am going to read the next, just so much sadness and torture have been making up the majority of the books lately with great payoff at the end but idk if it compensates enough.

I loved the first book in this series. The second book was more difficult to get through, but eventually I did. The third book had some interesting story lines, but I started to lose interest. Then this book. Goodkind has stripped his main characters of any interesting characteristics they had. Richard used to be a humble woods guide, but now is an unforgiving, ignorant ass. Kahlan used to be a strong, level headed character who has completely fallen apart (she cries in almost every freaking scene it seems like). All Kahlan worries about is Richard and when/if they will be together, completely forgetting her role of Mother Confessor--leader of the Midlands. Ultimately, I couldn't deal with the over the top sex/rape and torture scenes and the misogynistic undertones throughout the book. If you want to keep your love of these books, stop at the third one.

I liked this one quite a bit more than the previous volume, the story seemed to flow better and no matter how bad things got, everything worked out in the end.There were a couple of holes in the story that bothered me, such as how did people with no magic get into the Wizards Keep near the end, but overall I really enjoyed the tale. The villains in these books seem to get nastier with each book and I keep wanting Richard to just kill everyone who comes along with some sob story.

http://readfantasybooks.wordpress.comEven though the reviews are not positive about Temple of the Winds I had to read it for myself because I enjoyed the other three books in this series. I didn’t have any problems reading the book. There were parts that were very well done and entertaining, but it also had some major issues (mostly with the series as a whole)In this novel Richard and Kahlan spend the entire book trying to save Aydindril from a magical plague, and Ann, with the help of Zedd, continue their search for Nathan. We also get to meet Nadine and Drefan. Nadine is annoying and Drefan is a dark and nasty character. Goodkind did a fantastic job writing them the way he did. He really made me hate them.The story is slow going at first, but as usual it does pick up eventually. This book goes away from the main plot (destroy Jagang) by creating a sub plot (Jagang unleashes an epidemic) that is solved by the ending of the book. I didn’t find this sub plot to be necessary to the overall story even though it was still entertaining.There was tons of excitement and action, and I was always interested in reading the few chapters with Zedd and Ann because they were so funny. Really kept me going. The scenes involving the sick children and other people that die around Richard will bring tears to your eyes! I also liked reading about the history of the Confessors and why there are so few wizards.Although I liked the book there are some things that are just getting old. Everything that is keeping Richard and Kahlan apart has been going on for too long. When will they ever get to be together again like they were in the first book? I also don’t like that Richard is so lucky when it comes to avoiding the consequences of his actions. Everything ends up being happily ever after for him no matter what he does! Additionally, Goodkind’s fixation on sex and violence is starting to become distracting. There is just no end to it.Even with all the negatives of the book, I still enjoyed reading it and I read the next one in the series.At least the ending of the book (and the beginning of the next) involves the one thing I have been waiting to read about for a long time!

Terry Goodkind delivers another great book, of which still suffers the same kind of problems the Sword of Truth series has ALWAYS faced.Terry's writing can really drag on endlessly. He also has a real problem with jumping around a lot, needlessly forcing the book to be longer then what is needed. These books are LONG. If you think you are going to knock them out in a day you are wrong.There's almost always too many characters to remember and too many subplots going on all at the same time. In the end they usually end up blending together for a good conclusion, but I really wish Terry would start thinking about going a less confusing and complex route. Sometimes I am just not in the mood for Terry's brand of writing.

Got a bit of a like/hate relationship with this series. I like the story and events can be quite grim and detailed which I find most authors avoid. It's not at Warhammer levels. Unfortunately I find the writing style grating and Evey now and again I just want to chuck it in the bin. Evey book recaps previous books in the series excessively and I find myself skipping paragraphs which I have never done with any previous book just in case I miss something. characters have unbelievably detailed conversations at the oddest times like in moments of peril or when making/justifying decisions. For some reason this really gets to me. How people can compare this to the wheel of time or tolkein I do not know. There's lots of words and info but then so has an encyclopaedia

This is the fourth book in the "Sword of Truth" series and is yet again an incredible read. I got interested in the "Sword of Truth" books after watching "Legend of the Seeker" on tv. Being a Tolkien fan and, realising that this was a fantasy in a similar vane, I bought the first book "Wizards First Rule" Since then I've been well and truly hooked. Whilst I think nothing can top "Lord of the Rings" this comes a very close second.Richard (the seeker and now Lord Rahl) and his beloved Mother Confessor Kahlan are again fighting the evils that threatens the Midlands. Now a new threat arises in the form of Jagang, a tyrant who wants to kill Richard and take over the D'haran empire which Richard now leads. Using his cohorts, the sisters of the dark and his ability to enter peoples minds whilst they are asleep, Jagang, known as the Dream Walker, releases the plague into the Midlands.Richard and Kahlan struggle to stop this disease but it costs them dearly and their faith and love in each other is pushed to the limits. Richard is only just begining to understand his powers as a War Wizard and without his grandfather Zed, a Wizard of the first order, to help him he learns that he must find and enter The Temple of the Winds to put back "that which has been taken" if he wants to stop the plague from destroying his empire. To enter the Temple he and Kahlan have to make the ultimate sacrifice.I wont spoil the story by revealing what they must do and the outcome of their devotion to each other and to their duty. Suffice to say that yet again I could not put this book down and am now on the fifth book with numbers 6,7 and 8 waiting in the wings.Whilst this series of books, at 11 volumes in total, seems incredibly long, believe me it is worth every minute that you spend reading it. I lent the first book to a friend who in turn lent it to her sister. Now they are both badgering me to read quicker so that they can borrow the follow-on books.Loose yourselves in the Midlands and D'hara, cheer on Richard and Kahlan, I assure you that you will not be disappointed.

I enjoy Terry Goodkind's work, though I know there are a lot who don't. I see nothing wrong with his writing, and he has created some very interesting characters along the way. The Mord-Sith for example, surely among the finest fantasy creations to be found in any book. Their blend of evil combined with loyal, devoted service, all joining the Seeker of Truth as soon as he becomes the new 'good' Lord Rahl (which they did back in the 2nd volume of the series), going on to be his finest protectors as well as close friends, is a brilliant format I think. I really like the idea of these women who have given such superb but totally evil service to the former ruler who, on finding that Richard treats them with kindness, all go over to serve him and follow the path of good. Cara, the leading Mord-Sith, is a wonderful creation, her constant caustic comments to her master being really amusing. Other interesting characters pop up in this volume as well, but you'll just have to read it to find out. A large book pagewise, but I think an very interesting read. I would recommend it.

Having finished the first three books off in quick succession I was so looking forward to getting right back into the action with Richard and co. Unfortunately this book didn't quite deliver for me as well as the story had in the first three. Yes it was written almost as well but I found the back story didn't develop as well as I would have hoped at the end of the book and that in all honesty the main theme for this book was almost not developed or written about as well as it could have been.Unfortunately, I get the feeling this was a book more for the money making machine now, than the love of the works that have preceded it.

I don't often write reviews but feel I have to with this series. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these books and love the characters and the lands they created. Apart from a little bit of repetition of certain points they are a really good read and I could not wait to read the next book in the series each time I finished one

As always Terry never fails to deliver. This latest in the Sword of Truth volume of books is as hood as the last 3. The mixture of stories blend together very well and the narration is exemplary. Can not Wait to read the nest book.

Like the others in the series so far, it's a solid read with great characters who are likeable. I can't wait to start the next one.

Full of twists

Very good condition, well worth the money.

Thoroughly enjoying this series of books. This particular book was interesting and I still remember the plot, even though I've read 8.5 books in about 3weeks. Next book, soul of fire, is a slog but then book after, faith of the fallen is the best yet! Keep reading guys, it's worth it!!

I enjoyed the plot and rushed towards the end, reading huge chunks in one go and couldn't wait to get to the end. However, there were sections in the middle i found to ramble on a bit; I felt there were sections that didn't tie in very well, and hope they become important in a later novel.

Good series

The kind of book that you don’t want to end. Only one problem , it takes too long for the next book to be written , can’t wait.

Gives an understanding of the ability of one to sacrifice through choice for others

good series of books