This is the third night of our Sword of Truth 13 night Marathon. Tonight we review the third book in this series…..Blood of the Fold.
Blood of the Fold by Terry Goodkind – a Review
Terry Goodkind’s Blood of the Fold, was a great book, as I liked this book as much as the first two. I did feel though that the first half of this book was a little slow, and I wasn’t thrilled to have to wait until almost half of the book to see Kahlan again. Not to mention I could not stand Tobias, and too much time in this book was devoted him and his sister. I didn’t like either of them. Tobias had his own power, used his sister, but he was bad, not even a good bad villain. Glad he is dead.
I do not like Jagang, but he fits in with all the other horrible villains that Terry Goodkind’s imagination runs wild with. I did not like the Sisters of the Dark, but at least they are worthy villains, but when you feel sorry for a villain (who isn’t much better), then something is wrong. I was actually close to being happy when they (sisters) got those men on the boat at the end. Lol Jagang is pathetic, and I know we will see him again. I do not look forward to what will happen in the future to Kahlan.
But there were some great parts in the first half. I did like the part about Verna, it explains a lot. I do like her as a character. It was a little confusing at first with Ann and Nathan, but this with Zedd added will lead I guess to Temple Of The Winds. However, I think Ann is totally misguided about that stupid collar, at least Verna knows better.
The best part of the first half was the mord-sith girls. Loved their interaction with Richard, it was great. Loved Gratch, as he met the others in Richard’s life. Of course needless to say, loved everything about Richard. The way he deals with people, his compassion, his strength, his power that even he doesn’t realize how strong he is, his love for Kahlan, his love and friendship for Gratch.
But as much as I did not like some parts in the first half, I loved almost everything in the second half. Very well done. In this I give Goodkind a lot of credit. The second half was very exciting, emotional, intense and finally ended up with Kahlan and Richard together.
One of the best parts of the book was the part with Berdine. It was awesome, and very emotional that he was able to bring her back. To get all three of these girls crying says something for Richard’s compassion.
The interaction between the girls and Kahlan at the end was hysterical. Loved it. Berdine especially with her “being his favorite, spending the nights, his holding her breast” very funny and Kahlan’s response about Raina was great. Loved the part where Kahlan had a bolt put on the door to keep them out.
The battle at the Palace, the escape for Verna, and later Kahlan was super. Then Richard to the rescue to destroy the Palace. Then back in D’Hara to help the soldiers fighting the mriswith. Richard & Kahlan fighting together, then Gratch to the rescue was a great way to end. The book is left open, with Zedd and Ann looking for Nathan. Jagang is still there to be a horrible villain. The Sisters of the Dark are still there.
So as the first half had some things I did not like, the second half more then made up for it. It made me love the book overall. I absolutely love Richard & Kahlan. Although this is not a love story, it is their story. And without it, you have nothing. Goodkind should have them fight and be together, rather then apart, more often. But I know that is not the case in the future books.
Reviewed by Barb
Another excellent review Barb.. 3 down, 10 more to go…!!!!
wow what a wonderful review. this series sounds so emotional and good. i do want to read this one day, but the books..and i checked are so big
It’s a great series Mari, but yes the books are big and lengthy. Not to discourage you but it took me a year to read all of them. 😉 I’m a fast reader but with these books I think I spent close to a month on each book because of their size and all the information, characters, places, etc that Goodkind puts into these books. I didn’t want to miss anything and took a little longer reading them at a slower pace so I wouldn’t miss anything. However, I still seem to have missed things, or at least confused them as my good friend Miranda pointed out to me on a previous post. *looks around for Miranda, thanks for keeping me on my toes my friend* 😉
Mari Yes these are large books 700 to 1000 pages. But when I started reading again I decided I would read 30 pages a day and I did finish the who series in a year. That was reading this series and a few other books in between while waiting to get another book.
I must say it’s long but worth the read. Try it and enjoy!!!
I have never read any of Terry’s books, but these reviews are peaking my interest. Thank you Barb for the great reviews. You and Sandy do a fantastic job on this site.
Great review Barb. Mari the books look big, but are so riveting you don’t notice it and they read fast because you are just so into it. Read the last 3 of them over a long weekend…lol. Still can’t believe I did that. 😀
Excellent review again Barb. You hit all the points in this book perfectly and I have to agree with you about the 2nd half of the book being better. I loved the action, the intensity and those fun interactions you mentioned between Richard and the Mord Sith’d(sp) I can’t remember how to spell their title/name. *looks around for Miranda, some help here my friend 😉 *
Another fantastic review Ms. Barb. The enjoyment you felt is tangible within this one. I loved reading your thoughts. It seems like so long ago that you, Tricia, Joan and myself had our in depth, lengthy discussions on each of this books.
Mari, as Mary Ann stated, you hardly notice the length while you are completely immersed within this world, and the occurances reavolving around this superb characters. Actually, you find yourself not wanting the books to end. One of the things I love most about this series is Terry Goodkind’s meticulous attention to detail, and vivid descrpitions. Our imaginations kick into overdrive, and can see everything clearly like a movie going on in our heads.
Another thing I adore about this series is that each book focusing on ONE couple throughout. I cannot express the profound emotion, and attatchment you feel for Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, Cara….just to name a few, because with each book, readers learn more, and see more. They are so layered, so larger than life, so fleshed out because we do not only have one book to learn about them, as you see with so many characters in literature. One can almost believe they are alive.
Sword of Truth is an amazing experience. Cannot wait for Barb’s review of Temple of the Winds tonight. That book was truly an emotional roller coaster….with one of the most “Holy Sh*t!!!” endings of the series. *laughing*
I have not read all these books, just the first 6. Yes, they are long. And I’m a fast reader but I couldn’t read these fast. There was too much info, too intense with the storyline to speed read. And if the book got a little scary, it spent a little time in my freezer….. The imagination that he uses to tell this story is unbelievable. I have a vivid imagination anyways, and when I combine that with Goodkind’s writing talent, his characters really came to life.
The freezer….*snort*
Yep….still funny.