[OT] Any opinions Terry Goodkind's SWORD of TRUTH series??

[scadgrad]

good work, but probably not for everyone...

Wow what an opinionated bunch you lot are, teeing off on both Goodkind & Tad Williams (what exactly didn't people like about Williams???).

I have to say I've really enjoyed Goodkind, but it's starting to wear. I get really frustrated when after 6K pages the series doesn't seem to be even approaching any sort of closure. Not that I'm expecting a "and they lived happily ever after" out of Goodkind (not bloody likely), but an end to the tale would be nice.

I concur w/ those who recommend that you have a read w/ the first novel (Wizards First Rule). If you enjoy it, you'll probably like the rest. The comparisons to Jordan are a real stretch and eventhough I find Jordan to be the more eloquent writer, I think Goodkind crafts a better tale.

I don't see how you could accuse TG of gratuitous sex. He writes about mature adults who are apparently desirable (in the eyes of members of the opposite sex...a real fantasy I suppose for many of us on this board) & occasioanally wind up in each others beds. We're not exactly talking Anne Rice style soft porn or anything. Sure the Mord Sith are 'naughty', but they certainly are an entertaining bunch.

On the whole though, I'd say skip TG and go directly to GRR Martin. Just flat out good, entertaining, epic (in every sense of the word) work with a real sense of 'place' & a collection of wonderfully intriguing characters.

Just an FYI, Jordan (at least in PB) predates TG by 4 years (90 for EotW & 94 for WFR respectively).

 

[Joust]

Well, obviously there's a lot of differing opinions on Goodkind's books, so I don't know how much this helps, but I would recommend NOT starting the series.

I read the first book, and while it had a few good moments, it was not a very enjoyable read, so I determined not to continue the series. Tad Williams is somewhat better, but, IMHO, George RR Martin is head-and-shoulders above all current fantasy authors.

 

[graydoom]

Of the Sword of Truth series, I've liked the books less as the series gets longer. The first couple I quite like, the next few are pretty good, then it goes downhill a bit IMO. #6, Faith of the Fallen, gets overly ideological, and I just plain didn't like #7, The Pillars of Creation.
Also, as someone noted, the books don't seem to be anywhere near drawing to a close.

Read Terry Goodkind if you want, but make sure to check out George R. R. Martin if you haven't already.

 

[Fade]

In my opinion, the first book should have been two books, the next two books should have been one book, and the books after that shouldn't have been.

 

[dagger]

I have enjoyed all the books especially Faith of the Fallen (?) one,


*very minor spoiler*


awesome Old World Lawful Evil Society....!!!!

 

[CrusaderX]

IMO, I'd rather spend my time RE-reading through George RR Martin's A Song of Ice & Fire series instead of reading through the Sword of Truth stuff for the first time.

 

[Jack Haggerty]

IIRC, wasn't Wizard's First Rule the book about the young, inexperienced man who encounters a woman who is fleeing from a repressive regime? And who brings the woman to the old man who she says is her only hope to make things better? And then the old man turns out to be a mighty sorceror? And then the young man does other things that have already been covered in other fantasy works? And then at the end, the Supreme Bad Guy actually turns out to be the young man's father?

No... That's Star Wars.

Oh wait.

If makes a difference, I'm not particularly fond of anything written by Goodkind, Jordan or Salvatore. And I've tried reading many works by all of them. I don't know what it is exactly, but I just can't read any of them.

 

[MasterOfHeaven]

I wouldn't buy the book. I read Wizards First Rule, and I really disliked it. Not worth the money, or the time.

 

[JDragon]

Well, I can't let this opne pass with out a few comments so here I go.


I have read all the books that are in paperback and will pick up the next as soon as its in paperback as well.

Having not read any of the WoT serries I can't make any comparissons on my own.

I do know that I enjoyed it as a fantasy book/serries and would recomend it to anyone looking for something to read.

THe main thing to remember is even though we all enjoy fantasy novels, does not mean everyone must like Goodkind and Jordan, check it out and see what YOU think, cause its your money and time.

JDragon

 

[Jack Haggerty]

Right on, JD...

That's why I tried reading those authors more than once. I got through half the Sword of Truth series before I finally decided that I just didn't like it. Sometimes, an author has just one bad book, or I don't happen to be in the mood for their particular style of writing at the moment.

And no one should have to spend money to read a book, if they've got a good public library nearby. I will always check out and read a book from the library before I buy it... Unless I really know that author well.