Phantom (2006)

Once again I love these characters and plot lines. I think the story is portrayed as very real while still being epic. This book I enjoyed but as many people there wasn’t much that happened. When that doesn’t happen Goodkind is great at giving us character development instead but there wasn’t much of that here either. It seems to be more of a transitionary book, the weak middle book between he really good first and third. The first is a favorite of mine and I remember the third being very good as well. These last books bring back the edge where someone with a weak stomach may have a hard time reading certain scenes. It’s been prevalent but in the first few books and these last books it is seen more often. People do cruel things to people and not much is held back in this rendition of life in the Midlands and Old World. I still enjoyed the book. My one recommendation is to not read the book when you are in a bad mood because it will cause that bad mood to plummet even further :) Other than that, I will always recommend this series to anyone. ( )

I think this is the worst book in the series, and the only one (other than the stand alone novella Debt of Bones) where I'm giving it one star. I actually used to love this series. I'd give the first one, Wizard's First Rule five stars. No, not because it's an undying classic, or I don't see flaws, but it was a terrific read I just sprinted through madly turning pages--I didn't feel it's hefty length. I liked the characters, in some cases loved them, and was fascinated by Goodkind's world and themes. That liking started dropping off after the seventh book for me (some point to the fifth as the book where it jumped the shark) but I didn't find these tedious until the book just before this one starts the "Chainfire Trilogy" that ends the "Sword of Truth" series. (Well, actually the Pillars of Creation before that dragged too.) The next and concluding book after this, Confessor doesn't quite redeem the series for me, but I'd still point to Phantom as the low point.

Why? Because as pointed out in review after review, NOTHING HAPPENS. Oh, there be word after word on the page, there's lots of people talking things to death. But advancement of plot? Character development? What is this you say? And like others, here is where I really, really got tired of the zillionth time Kahlan has to ward off rape. If you skipped to the last book, I don't think you'd miss anything. ( )

The Sword of Truth series continues in this volume, picking up right where the previous book Chainfire ended. Kahlan remains unknown to most people and Richard is determined to find her, even if others have no memory of her. However, others, namely the witch woman Shota, urge Richard to lead the fight against the Imperial Order, which continues its brutal and relentless march into the New World. A great book and a great series, I can't wait to read the next volume! ( )

See review of Goodkind's "Wizards First Rule" for a review of the series. ( )

After a long break, I resumed this series where I left off with Phantom. I feel very comfortable in this world with these characters and it felt like I hadn't left it. I love the whole Sword of Truth story but Goodkind continues to make me roll my eyes by using 10 words for every 1 that is neccesary. Still...I did enjoy the continuation of the story. ( )