Blood of the Fold

Having accepted the fact that this series is basically a ripoff of Jordan's "Wheel of Time", I had more patience with the characters' annoying qualities in this 3rd book. I do like how each book picks up almost immediately after the previous book's ending so there aren't any passages catching the reader up on what had happened in between. The Blood of the Fold were certainly patterned after the Children of the Light but I found the conclusion of their leader in this book very satisfying.

Finished this one in two sittings (although one of 5 hours and one of 9 hours).

I really enjoy reading Goodkind's Sword of Truth series because there is quite some hidden meaning and depth in it. I did not fail to notice some parallels to the appeasement politics of WW2, or rather character's warnings against such tomfoolery.

Additionally, many of the "twists" I can see coming and predict even before the first real clues are layered in by the author. I suspect the reason for this is me intuitively applying Chekhov's gun (didn't hear of this before I asked ChatGPT about it) and narrative logic (i.e., thinking like an author) while reading.

Even while reading fiction, I apply the same strategies I use when reading non-fiction, to an extent. show more This means I think non-linearly in a Luhmannian fashion and write down several notes on my bib-cards. Doing this allows me to both understand the deeper narrative better and apply its principles in real-life. On multiple occasions I've noted in others, and myself, succumbing to one of the 3 Wizard's rules I know thusfar.

Of course, doing this does not suck the joy of reading the story for me; in fact, it only amplifies it when I can deduce importance and coming twists due to my attention to detail (mind you, intertwined with a conceptual understanding of the universe's rules and general principles of writing; attention to detail is useless without the capability to place it in the larger context of a mental model/cognitive schema).

Regardless, I am not flawless and some twists I do not predict. Some others I predict the larger context but fail to predict the precise context of such events unfolding. For example, from the moment it was announced Ann and Nathan died, I already knew this was an illusion or some kind of deathspell, simply because they were logically too well-developed and important to be killed off outside our knowledge. I realized this before even the clues of the gravedigger and horses were presented to prelate Verna. Then, later, I thought Ann was disguised as Millie to guide Verna, which was such an event's context I wrongly predicted.

Another example was this: On page 181 the name of Valdora was mentioned, as well as her being expelled from the palace of prophets and the reasons for them. This was in casual dialogue between Verna and other Sisters. Later Richard met an old woman and her grandchild who reacted a bit suspiciously (in my mind) toward the coin he gave her, and Brogan/Galtero suspected her of being a baneling. I knew at that moment she was important to the narrative somehow and suspected she was some kind of witch-woman or sorceress, but I did not predict she was Valdora. However, on page 320, she introduced herself to Richard as Valdora, and I remembered I read the name earlier, so I scanned all prior pages, having a rough idea where I read it, to find the occurrence, and then it made sense.

Lastly: At several places in the narrative Brogan acted a bit too intelligently for casual characters, relative to the others in the cast. Because of this, I began suspecting he had some kind of gift, regardless of how much he'd hate it, especially because his sister also had it. My suspicions were confirmed when he saw through Zedd's web and realized Kahlan was the mother Confessor. And it was confirmed even moreso when Zedd explained to Kahlann nobody could undo the web but him or someone else with the gift who could see through it. Obviously it was only much later, at the end of the book, when it was shown to us that Brogan in fact had the gift, but I realized it much much sooner.

There are multiple more of such examples, but I don't want to explain all of them.

Another reason I suspect I enjoy reading Goodkind's works and am able to deduce a lot of clues before he places them himself, is simply because it seems our minds are quite aligned. Many of the philosophical undertones and systemic theory in place, are pieces that I too think about regularly and use in my own worldbuilding and non-fiction writing. show less

I think this is the less violent and anxiogenic book so far. As the story goes on, we finally watch our heroes accomplish something in order to achieve their goals. The enemies don’t seem as powerful as the allies, and the situation isn’t so desperate anymore.

Instead of wasting time on describing all the action that leads to a certain end, this time Terry Goodkind jumps to the end itself, leaving us with a feeling that something is missing but that we actually don’t care about it.

Sometimes the dialogues seem misplaced though, as the characters have deep philosophical conversations at innapropriate times. But I guess Terry Goodkind often aims to discuss morality and even politics, exposing his points of view through the «mouths» show more of his characters. For instance, in this book he exposes «Richard’s» point of view on homosexuality. show less

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

This review refers to the SOT series through book 9.

Terry Goodkind’s first book Wizard’s First Rule was great! Except for the actual First Rule ("People are Stupid"), which was...stupid. The story had so many unique and fascinating characters (especially the secondary ones). I was in love with Richard; I wanted to be a Mord-Sith. The next couple of books of The Sword of Truth were pretty good, too.

Then...I don’t know what happened...it just TOTALLY lost it. The writing style became incredibly annoying and Richard was getting WAY too preachy (constant Ayn Rand-ish humanistic ranting). But, I kept going because I was really invested by this time. And each time I bought one of his $25 hardback show more books, I found myself rolling my eyes at every passive sentence and starting to fall asleep during the sermons (when did Richard hire a speech writer??).

And the plot really got ssslllllloooowwww (just look at the book covers for Chainfire and Phantom — you can tell we're not going anywhere). But the weirdest thing is that I kept buying these 1 star books! I can’t explain my behavior, except to say that Terry Goodkind is (was) a master at plot and characterization (truly, his secondary characters are so well done). So I kept thinking that things would get better, but they did not. How did he pull off that excellent first booK?? I've learned from this experience that I can put down a book if it's not good. There's too much good literature to read.

According to Mr Goodkind, those of us who have bailed out are ignorant and uneducated. Wow. That is something I have never been called before. I should have realized right from the start ("Wizard's First Rule: People are stupid") what kind of fellow Terry Goodkind is. Here is a quote from a chat session conducted with Mr Goodkind (this used to be on his website, but has now been removed. It is well-documented on the internet, however.):

"Why would they continue to read books they claim are bad? Because they hate that my novels exists. Values arouse hatred in these people. Their goal is not to enjoy life, but to destroy that which is good — much like a school child who does not wish to study for a test and instead beats up a classmate who does well. These people hate what is good because it is good. Their lives are limited to loathing and indifference. It isn't that they want to read a good book, what they want is to make sure that you do not. Ignore them." —Terry Goodkind

I say Terry Goodkind is the one acting like a school child having a tantrum. I regret that he got so much of my money. I hope you won't give him any of yours. If you really want to try a Goodkind book, I would recommend that you go to the library and check out the first few, and then trust me that you don't need to read any further. I will not read the last book. I'm not even tempted. What an ass.

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature. show less

Having accepted the fact that this series is basically a ripoff of Jordan's "Wheel of Time", I had more patience with the characters' annoying qualities in this 3rd book. I do like how each book picks up almost immediately after the previous book's ending so there aren't any passages catching the reader up on what had happened in between. The Blood of the Fold were certainly patterned after the Children of the Light but I found the conclusion of their leader in this book very satisfying.

Blood of the Fold is the third in Goodkind's Sword of Truth series, and continues the epic struggle between good and evil, the magic and those who would destroy it. With all respect and affection, I must admit I have come to mistrust every word Terry Goodkind writes. He is adept at creating the seemingly hopeless situation, only to resolve it in an unexpected an creative way. To save myself the tension and stress, I have begun to trust that he always has a plan and that things will turn out all right in the end. Nevertheless, he still always manages to surprise me in every volume of the series. Very satisfying.

7/10 Third book of the Sword of Truth series.

What I liked: the ongoing story at the Palace of the Prophets, with Verna & Warren and Anna & Nathan. Oh, and Millie... Really, that whole storyline was the best part of the book. I also liked some of the interplay of dialog with Richard and his bodyguards. And Gratch has become quite the important player.

What I disliked: the unending apparent need for torture, especially of a sexual nature. I get it—the Sisters of the Dark, Jagang, and Tobias Brogan are depraved and evil, but I would prefer to not wallow in their cesspools. I also don’t care for the way characters with the gift can suddenly, inconveniently not be able to access or use their power, just to add to the dramatic tension or show more to heighten the danger, or, conversely, can dig to unknown depths after exhausting their power to suddenly have just enough to smite that last foe. There just seem to be too many inconsistencies in using magical power. And just once, could Richard not make the most obviously stupid choice?

Questions I still have: what truly is the sliph? What happened to Zedd and Nathan? How many more books will we have to wade through before Richard and Kahlan are wed? show less