Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Tor Books (2007), Edition: 1st, 608 pages
Description
With the world on the brink of total chaos and the people on the verge of savagery, Richard Rahl confronts his own guilt over the situation and struggles to deal with the loss of the one person he loves.
User reviews
LibraryThing member sedelia
Finally, it’s over. And how anti-climactic it was.
Given the past five books or so, I wasn’t really expecting something spectacular, but I was hoping that Goodkind would make a comeback and give us something as amazing as the first book. Especially the ending. I was expecting an intense,
Another downside to this book is the way it’s written. Most of the story is revealed by dialogue, making it seem more like a script rather than a story. The characters speak to each other as if they have hours to have a conversation (and we know quite well that the one thing they don’t have is time). Nicci and Richard are prone to given sermon-like speeches about living life and making choices. I get that Goodkind wants to send us a message, but could he please not beat us over the head with it? Every time I turn the page, some character or other is telling another how they should have the freedom to live life.
It also seemed kind of rushed. Major events happen or things happen to major characters, and they’re just kind of brushed off. There may be a line or two describing the consequences or effects, and then on to the next thing. And for as long as we have been with these characters, I think that thoroughness is necessary.
I will admit that there were some really good parts that reminded me of books one and two; when Richard plays Jagang’s Ja’La team, for instance. But for the most part, I was bored.
Given the past five books or so, I wasn’t really expecting something spectacular, but I was hoping that Goodkind would make a comeback and give us something as amazing as the first book. Especially the ending. I was expecting an intense,
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awe-inspiring ending (after all, we have gone through ten other books to get to this point), but it fell flat. Not much emotion, not a great surprise twist at the end, just an ending.Another downside to this book is the way it’s written. Most of the story is revealed by dialogue, making it seem more like a script rather than a story. The characters speak to each other as if they have hours to have a conversation (and we know quite well that the one thing they don’t have is time). Nicci and Richard are prone to given sermon-like speeches about living life and making choices. I get that Goodkind wants to send us a message, but could he please not beat us over the head with it? Every time I turn the page, some character or other is telling another how they should have the freedom to live life.
It also seemed kind of rushed. Major events happen or things happen to major characters, and they’re just kind of brushed off. There may be a line or two describing the consequences or effects, and then on to the next thing. And for as long as we have been with these characters, I think that thoroughness is necessary.
I will admit that there were some really good parts that reminded me of books one and two; when Richard plays Jagang’s Ja’La team, for instance. But for the most part, I was bored.
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LibraryThing member lewispike
Parts of this book were, frankly, awful. Particularly at various points where people were ranting about the choices between life and death, good and evil and the like. The first time I didn't mind it, it fit well, but so many characters said basically the same things that it got dull. Fortunately
Other parts of this were compulsive page turner material, with unexpected perils, nice twists, some well written fight scenes and the like.
I find I'm undecided about the conclusion. It felt, in part, like he'd suddenly decided not to write another book and so had to squeezed in unexpectedly, but at the same time there was an appropriate and quick ending that wrapped it all up nicely. There's an interesting little slant on justice without mercy waiting to be written about the end of the story too, but so be it.
Overall a satisfying conclusion to an above average series. It could have been better, but it was good, and I think the conclusion was at about the right time, so I'm prepared to live with it feeling a bit rushed.
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these parts were mercifully short.Other parts of this were compulsive page turner material, with unexpected perils, nice twists, some well written fight scenes and the like.
I find I'm undecided about the conclusion. It felt, in part, like he'd suddenly decided not to write another book and so had to squeezed in unexpectedly, but at the same time there was an appropriate and quick ending that wrapped it all up nicely. There's an interesting little slant on justice without mercy waiting to be written about the end of the story too, but so be it.
Overall a satisfying conclusion to an above average series. It could have been better, but it was good, and I think the conclusion was at about the right time, so I'm prepared to live with it feeling a bit rushed.
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LibraryThing member dk_phoenix
It's over! It's over!!! Ring the bells! Sound the trumpets! I'm DONE!!!
...and what a finish it was. In fact, I almost feel inspired to go read the first book of the whole series again *just so I can remember why I loved these books in the first place*... and so I can remember them with a good
a) sloppy
b) inconsistent
c) repetitive
d) poorly edited (seriously - sometimes people say the same line twice on the page, NOT on purposes, with perhaps ONE pronoun changed. WTH.)
e) unoriginal... a far, FAR cry from the first few books in the series
In all, I was very disappointed with this ending. My husband, who is also reading through the end trilogy right now, doesn't seem to be faring any better. When I recommend Goodkind's writing from now on, I will specifically tell people to stop reading after book 3 or 4, because that seems to be where the originality that characterized the first few ran out, and the Goodkind Preaches His Worldview aspect began to creep in. Don't get me wrong - I understand that an author's worldview probably should pervade everything they do... but in this case, talking down to your readers and giving long, soapbox diatribes is really NOT the way to present things. *sigh* I really wanted this end trilogy to be good. I did.
So like I said: Wizard's First Rule, here I come. You still stand on my favorites list... and I'd like to keep it that way.
...and what a finish it was. In fact, I almost feel inspired to go read the first book of the whole series again *just so I can remember why I loved these books in the first place*... and so I can remember them with a good
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taste in my mouth, instead of the bile that rose up during this last trilogy. Seriously. Goodkind: the end of your series is *not* the place for you to get on your soapbox and preach your own sad beliefs. Why did you feel the need to tear others down with your own unfortunate view of the world? I get the sense that Goodkind has, somewhere in his past, been terribly hurt by organized religion, and hasn't ever recovered from it. Okay, I understand, but is HERE really the place to take out your sufferings? Please. You're a good writer, but these last 3 books were:a) sloppy
b) inconsistent
c) repetitive
d) poorly edited (seriously - sometimes people say the same line twice on the page, NOT on purposes, with perhaps ONE pronoun changed. WTH.)
e) unoriginal... a far, FAR cry from the first few books in the series
In all, I was very disappointed with this ending. My husband, who is also reading through the end trilogy right now, doesn't seem to be faring any better. When I recommend Goodkind's writing from now on, I will specifically tell people to stop reading after book 3 or 4, because that seems to be where the originality that characterized the first few ran out, and the Goodkind Preaches His Worldview aspect began to creep in. Don't get me wrong - I understand that an author's worldview probably should pervade everything they do... but in this case, talking down to your readers and giving long, soapbox diatribes is really NOT the way to present things. *sigh* I really wanted this end trilogy to be good. I did.
So like I said: Wizard's First Rule, here I come. You still stand on my favorites list... and I'd like to keep it that way.
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LibraryThing member dbhutch
Goodkind draws his epic to a close with Confessor. (or does he? I hear rumors there is another book coming in 2011 on Richard and Kahlan.) The Order is about to swallow all. Jagang has found a way into the People's palace, Richard is a captive of the Order and playing Ja'La - against the Emporers
Goodkind ratches things up in his last book, and does an amazing jobs of pulling all the threads back together as one, makign one wonder just how a tale of this magnatude can accomplish such a cohesive ending.
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team. Rachel is on the run, the Keep is breached, and Six is helping Jagang.Goodkind ratches things up in his last book, and does an amazing jobs of pulling all the threads back together as one, makign one wonder just how a tale of this magnatude can accomplish such a cohesive ending.
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LibraryThing member graspingforthewind
Confessor is the logical conclusion to the series, it just isn’t really all that fun. There are a few good action scenes, and of course we are glad for Kahlan and Richard, but sadly, Goodkind misses the point of faith. His disdain is a big turn-off and anyone who believes that faith is part of
Full Review at Grasping for the Wind
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life is unlikely ever to enjoy the story. I appreciated the opportunity to read the series, and as a teen it was in some ways motivating, but as an adult I see the fallacy of the philosophy, the recycling of the plots, and the out-of-character actions of some of the characters. Would I go back and read The Sword of Truth series again? Yes, but only out of nostalgia, not because I believe the novels are of great value.Full Review at Grasping for the Wind
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LibraryThing member Juneflowers
Amazing, epic to the extreme.
LibraryThing member Wiszard
Anti-climatic end to a promising series. I was hooked after reading the first several books. However, this series stalled amid the ramblings of Goodkind's philosophy. Book 11 seems like it will never end and then in the last 50 or 60 pages it wraps up way to fast.
LibraryThing member mcclean_
I couldn't wait for this one to come out.I reread all the others in the series waiting for it, and would read them all again and again. Before this series I would not have said I was a fan of Fantasy but this has converted me. I never wanted the books to end. Are you listening Terry.. write
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more..lol.. Show Less
LibraryThing member harpua
Well I feel like I've just lost an old friend. The Sword of Truth series has come to an end. I started my second path through the series almost a year ago and while I've read other books in between, this has been my main focus for 2008. Plowing through 11 books of 700+ pages was a daunting task at
Book 11, Confessor, wraps up the series in fine fashion. For the most part I was in the dark about how this would wrap up until the very end. Most books or series will end weakly because they try to just tie up loose ends within a certain word count, leaving the reader less than satisfied. This was the exception. Not many loose ends left over. Everything wrapped up nicely and made complete sense when looking over the entire series. While some may not like the ending for Jagang, if you look at thephilosphies that Terry was trying to portray through his story his end fit oh so well.
I'm saddened yet relieved that the series is done (I don't think I will be doing any huge long series in 2009). I can't wait to see what Goodkind produces next and hope that at some point he returns to this world in a new novel / series either expanding on some back history or telling all new stories moving forward in this world. While this series is long and will take some time, I recommend it to anyone even to non-fantasy readers.
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times, but well worth the time. These kind of series only come around once in a while. Those that you are truely drawn into the plot, you feel empathy for the characters and in fact kind of see them as old friends.Book 11, Confessor, wraps up the series in fine fashion. For the most part I was in the dark about how this would wrap up until the very end. Most books or series will end weakly because they try to just tie up loose ends within a certain word count, leaving the reader less than satisfied. This was the exception. Not many loose ends left over. Everything wrapped up nicely and made complete sense when looking over the entire series. While some may not like the ending for Jagang, if you look at thephilosphies that Terry was trying to portray through his story his end fit oh so well.
I'm saddened yet relieved that the series is done (I don't think I will be doing any huge long series in 2009). I can't wait to see what Goodkind produces next and hope that at some point he returns to this world in a new novel / series either expanding on some back history or telling all new stories moving forward in this world. While this series is long and will take some time, I recommend it to anyone even to non-fantasy readers.
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LibraryThing member 666omega666
Overall, a pretty good book. However, I was rather unsatisfied by the way Goodkind ended the series. It felt too... I don't know, happy? It simply seems like an overly clichéd ending that is way happier than necessary and seems to solve everything.
Also, [SPOILER] the fact that Richard didn't kill
Oh yeah! Reading some other reviews, I remembered something I really loved about this book that really redeemed it in my eyes: Ja'La. Quite simply put, the Ja'La matches were effing awesome. I wish Goodkind had put more in there, because just everything about those matches were BA.
Also, [SPOILER] the fact that Richard didn't kill
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Jagang - no, not even that. Richard's reasoning behind not killing Jagang bothered me. I found it clichéd and unsatisfying because, quite honestly and frankly, I wanted Jagang to die. Jagang NEEDED to die. But he didn't. This sentence is here for people who did not want to be spoiled, because people, even trying not to, tend to read the last sentence of a paragraph when skipping it. You know it to be true.Oh yeah! Reading some other reviews, I remembered something I really loved about this book that really redeemed it in my eyes: Ja'La. Quite simply put, the Ja'La matches were effing awesome. I wish Goodkind had put more in there, because just everything about those matches were BA.
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LibraryThing member dw0rd
The author did a good job of pulling together the plot elements of the previous 12 books. Sometimes gruesome, sometimes silly, sometimes sappy, always readable, it reflected its predecessors. I disliked the simplistic preachiness throughout which I thought was overdone. This is after all, fantasy,
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so if I can accept superhuman feats of endurance, swordplay, and, of course, magic, I can accept repetitious sermonizing. The Sword of Truth series could have ended several times. It certainly could have generated many spin offs. Like Stephen King's Gunslinger series, I enjoyed the journey but was glad to see it end. Likewise, I'd consider taking a similar voyage in the future, if offered. I'll make the same offer to Robert Jordan and George R.R. Martin when they follow suit. Show Less
LibraryThing member edecklund
The author did a good job of pulling together the plot elements of the previous 12 books. Sometimes gruesome, sometimes silly, sometimes sappy, always readable, it reflected its predecessors. I disliked the simplistic preachiness throughout which I thought was overdone. This is after all, fantasy,
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so if I can accept superhuman feats of endurance, swordplay, and, of course, magic, I can accept repetitious sermonizing. The Sword of Truth series could have ended several times. It certainly could have generated many spin offs. Like Stephen King's Gunslinger series, I enjoyed the journey but was glad to see it end. Likewise, I'd consider taking a similar voyage in the future, if offered. I'll make the same offer to Robert Jordan and George R.R. Martin when they follow suit. Show Less
LibraryThing member AzhriaLilu
People complain a lot about the way Terry Goodkind is trying to force his views on certain political/philosophical subjects via his books... I'm NOT one of them! I read his books for the enjoyment I get from his characters and from the stories he tells.
Confessor is the final book in the Sword of
Confessor is the final book in the Sword of
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Truth series and Terry has written an ending worthy of the series. Without giving away any spoilers, while tying up all the loose ends he has also managed to leave the way for us to return to the world of Kahlan and Richard or to visit some of the other characteres and I, for one, wouldn't be disappointed to find a new series set in the same world appearing in the future. Show Less
LibraryThing member pmtracy
Overall, this was a satisfactory ending to what amounted to a 14,000 page endeavor by the author.
While the chapters detailing Richard's captivity could have been shortened, I suppose they were necessary to fill all of the details behind the Order's motivations and what was to come in the rest of
Since this was the last book in the series, it was interesting to see how the author reincorporated characters from early on in the story like the Mud People and Gregory, Scarlet's son. (Richard knew him when he was just an egg "this big.")
It may sound trite, but everyone "got what they deserved" in the end -except possibly Warren and the Prelate.
We discover the true purpose behind the Sword of Truth and a world is created, reflective of our own society today, where people must live without magic and hope to only succeed by making the right decisions to accept and honor life above all else.
While the chapters detailing Richard's captivity could have been shortened, I suppose they were necessary to fill all of the details behind the Order's motivations and what was to come in the rest of
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the story.Since this was the last book in the series, it was interesting to see how the author reincorporated characters from early on in the story like the Mud People and Gregory, Scarlet's son. (Richard knew him when he was just an egg "this big.")
It may sound trite, but everyone "got what they deserved" in the end -except possibly Warren and the Prelate.
We discover the true purpose behind the Sword of Truth and a world is created, reflective of our own society today, where people must live without magic and hope to only succeed by making the right decisions to accept and honor life above all else.
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LibraryThing member GrievousAngel
Terrible ending to a series that ran about 6 books too far. A very sudden Star Trek type ending where its all over in the blink of an eye.
LibraryThing member capetowncanada
Did not think that the last book of the series would be the best one, but this is! I think every singe main character in any one of the books in the series is in "Confessor" and presented in a way that flowed effortlessly. There is almost none stop action with battles against the Imperial Order,
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Jagang, Sisters of the Dark, Six and the Beast. It's good to see something that started in 1994 end on a high note. Favorite quote "Violence on an apocalyptic scale can only be born of faith because reason, by its very nature, disarms senseless cruelty. Only faith thinks to justify it." Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
Once upon a time I loved this series. If you've got this far, either you still loved it, or like me at the time this book came out you were a completest. (Goodkind and LK Hamilton cured me of that with their series.) If you still loved the series thus far, I doubt this will disappoint. If you've
Take Ja'La. A game that reminds me of ulama, played in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica to the death. Yes, it's cool, and if this were the first I'd read of Richard I'd probably find the game and Richard's role in it awesome, even if too reminiscent of the film Gladiator. But Richard-fatigue set in for me after he became the master-sculptor in Faith of the Fallen. OK, master tracker, natural leader, magical genius, but c'mon! Can we say Marty-Stu? I know we can! Not even Leonardo da Vinci was this multifaceted. On the other hand, I rather did like the ending. Goodkind painted himself into an ethical and plotting corner with The Pillars of Creation and I did like the neat way Goodkind resolved that--and tied his world to ours.
Someday I'm going to have to reread Wizard's First Rule though and see if It's still as awesome and enjoyable as I remember. Because I can't believe the same author produced something I found so good, only to wind up with something so annoyingly mediocre.
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been hanging on hoping Goodkind would somehow redeem himself, abandon hope, all ye who enter here.Take Ja'La. A game that reminds me of ulama, played in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica to the death. Yes, it's cool, and if this were the first I'd read of Richard I'd probably find the game and Richard's role in it awesome, even if too reminiscent of the film Gladiator. But Richard-fatigue set in for me after he became the master-sculptor in Faith of the Fallen. OK, master tracker, natural leader, magical genius, but c'mon! Can we say Marty-Stu? I know we can! Not even Leonardo da Vinci was this multifaceted. On the other hand, I rather did like the ending. Goodkind painted himself into an ethical and plotting corner with The Pillars of Creation and I did like the neat way Goodkind resolved that--and tied his world to ours.
Someday I'm going to have to reread Wizard's First Rule though and see if It's still as awesome and enjoyable as I remember. Because I can't believe the same author produced something I found so good, only to wind up with something so annoyingly mediocre.
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LibraryThing member tillywern
An interesting solution to the problem and wonderful culmination to a great series.
See review of Goodkind's "Wizards First Rule" for a review of the series.
See review of Goodkind's "Wizards First Rule" for a review of the series.
LibraryThing member janemarieprice
The final book of the series sees the characters put into some of the more impossible situations. Very glad to be done with these.
LibraryThing member Iudita
Okay I gave this 4 stars, not because I thought it was brilliant but because I had a hard time putting it down. I thought it did a good job of wrapping up the 1000's of pages that came before it in the series. I have to say I am extremely relieved to be done with this series but I also must say
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that I will miss this world and these characters. I feel like I have spent a lot of time with them over the years. The Sword of Truth series was always a love/hate thing for me. It drove me crazy but I was always compelled to see what happened next. Show Less
LibraryThing member jms001
The last book in the Sword of Truth series. The two things I didn't like about the Chainfire trilogy was 1) not enough of the Kahlan that we all know and love. I understand that even without her memory, she is still the smart and intelligent woman that we have grown to love and cherish, but at the
Anyways, great ending to a series. It will be in my heart forever and always.
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same time, it was awful to feel the isolation that she felt during this time. I'm just glad that she was finally reunited with Richard in the end. 2) Way too much philosophy in these last few books. And violence and gore. Without the magic of the Midlands, this would have turned out to be a non-fantasy book.Anyways, great ending to a series. It will be in my heart forever and always.
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LibraryThing member LindaLiu
Finally, the story moves along at a much brisker pace. If the action had been evened out a bit over some of the previous books (where not a lot happened) then this one might not have felt so hectic. True, there was a happy ending, and some of my favourite characters made an appearance, such as
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Gratch, the red dragon, and the mud people. However, some key characters were killed off, without much ceremony - General Tremmick of the first file... He was not mentioned at all after he was consumed by a lava-hot Beast. Not a thought was spent on him. But yes, there was a lot to get through which I was pleased with in general, All the loose ends were tied up, and there was no time for dragging out any unpleasantness that was happening to Richard or Kahlan or anybody else for that matter. Show Less
LibraryThing member amuskopf
I know I could write a lot about this book and series, but I'll keep it short. The main thing is that all books need a message, but that message doesn't need to be on every page. While reading this book I ended up skimming paragraphs or whole pages, because I had read it all before in several
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previous books of the series. But still the book had moments, and it was good to see it all wrapped up. Show Less
LibraryThing member magickislife
An excellent listen, I had a lot of times where I went out walking after work just to finish a good bit.
LibraryThing member jrg1316
It's finally over! I am very happy to be done with this series. Goodkind really brought the quality of SOT down with the last few books, but the Chainfire Trilogy was the absolute worst of it. There were so many contradictions and so much preaching in this that I seriously considered giving up a
So anyone who is thinking of reading this series, do yourself a favor and don't.
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few times. So anyone who is thinking of reading this series, do yourself a favor and don't.
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2007-11-13
Physical description
608 p.; 8.6 inches
ISBN
0765315556 / 9780765315557