When I first read this book, it wasn't one of my favorites in the series. I recently re-read it, and I liked it a lot better after the second reading. Unlike the previous books, Richard and Kahlan do not make a tremendous amount of progress in uniting the Midlands and restoring order. However, Richard does prove his qualities as a leader, earns the loyalty of his followers, and shows them what a real leader is all about. This is the primary purpose of the book, and it also serves as an introduction to the Imperial Order, which will dominate the rest of the books. ( )

A plague has been unleashed that only Richard can stop. This is again a quick moving read. I found the elements about prophesy and the history of the world particularly interesting. ( )

I continue to make my way through a series which demands completion. The characters presented make all the difference; they inspire either complete loving adoration or, in some cases, disgusted ire. While at times the author becomes bogged down in inconsequential description of detail (do we really need to know from what stone every individual surface in the palace is constructed of?), the story flows in such a way that putting the book down becomes a test of will.
Beyond all this, Goodkind seems to have invoked in his writing a healthy mix of philosophical insight. For example... if saving the lives of everyone on the planet required the sacrifice of one live, would you willingly accept the death? The general opinion at this point in the argument is one of approval. What happens when the person to die becomes the one you hold most dear? Would the approval still hold? It is a rare person that can still say yes. Most of the questions presented in the books are not quite this dire in nature, but still increased my enjoyment in reading.
I am, however, a little floundered my the sheer number of editing errors residing between the pages which, at times, force a pause to consider what the attempted sentence is. Who exactly has been editing these books? Epic fail. ( )

again an awesome book. Well rounded characters, lots of action. ( )

after the 4th book it`s getting litte old, a lot of repetitons-wars, tortures- misunderstandings..... it seem the don`t get forward at all, but it`s still exciting to read ( )