We continue our Sword of Truth 13 Night Marathon. Tonight in our 7th night, the book we will discuss is ………The Pillars of Creation.
The Pillars of Creation by Terry Goodkind – a Review
The Pillars of Creation by Terry Goodkind, is the 7th book in his wonderful Sword of Truth series. I have mixed feelings about this book. So here we go.
The beginning of the book wasn’t bad, as we got to know Jennsen, as well as meet her mother. Sebastian at the beginning seemed a nice guy, though I am always suspicious of nice strangers early on. Early on you knew he belonged to Jagang, so no mystery there. The voice Jennsen kept hearing, we knew it was not Richard and once we found out that Sebastian worked for Jagang, we then knew the Keeper was back.
The story began to drag for me 1/3 into the book, as they traveled, hid, then Sebastian gets arrested, and Jennsen makes a trip in the swamp (where no one goes) to see Althea. The only interesting part was the snake, when she talked to it and he let her go; then later he saves her. Cool Hated when Oba killed the snake. (mind you I hate snakes).
I liked Althea, but it was confusing at times when she tried to explain to Jennsen. I did like Tom, and was happy she ended up with him at the end. The part with her rescuing Sebastian was totally unrealistic. Back to Jennsen in a minute.
As for Oba, couldn’t stand him. Did not even like him as a villain, he was too crazy, killed anyone he came into contact with and was totally over the top. Sure his mother was bad, and she made him the madman that he became later, when he thought he would rule the world. Of course, it was the Keeper who gave him even more power. Oba got his just due at the end.
Back to Jennsen, during the middle, I didn’t like her a bit, because she jumped to conclusion that Richard was the voice, and let her self be totally trusting of a total stranger, did not try to find out who Richard Rahl really was, and was willing to kill him with such fierce passion.
As much as I was not crazy about part of the book, I did very much enjoy the end. A lot of excitement, Zedd and Adie were great, and Jennsen, though suspicious something was wrong, was stupid. Lol. But the end was great, and I was happy to see Richard and Kahlan again. This is what made this book not great. Waiting til the end to see them both, and just when you see them, we lose Kahlan right away. But it all ended well, and I did enjoy the end, liked Jennsen better, and look forward to her being part of Richard’s family. Cara was funny when she said another Rahl she had to watch.
I will continue my journey with Richard & Kahlan by reviewing Naked Empire next. Feel free to tell us your thoughts on the many negative reviews on The Pillars of Creation…did you agree or disagree? We really do want to hear your thoughts.
Reviewed by Barb
This is the book that I disliked the most of the whole series. You know how it seems as if there is always one that you felt had no real purpose? This one was it for me. I knew that wasn’t the case, but boy did I think it could put me to sleep faster than a sedative. 😀 I won’t say it was a total waste of paper, it wasn’t… it had meaning to the storyline. But for me it was never anything more than a filler.
I felt the same way.
i have been reading each of these reviews. i am surprised that this is the first critical review. but that is good to know that not everything can please everyone, and this is a long series. i’m thinking when i’m off next month, i will give the first book a try. not sure, depends on the distractions. lol
Another wonderful review Barb-keep up the great work.
Great review Barb. I am looking forward to all of your thoughts on Sword of Truth.
Phew. It has been quite a day, within this hectic week. Apologies for always being late to the party Ms. Barb.
Another solid review. I must say, I enjoyed Pillar’s of Creation the second time I read it years after its release. First time around, I disliked everything about it, aside from the last quarter of the book…and any who have read this novel know that is because we FINALLY see Richard and Kahlan. *laughing*
If this had been a book that gave us the perspective of our hero’s, or any of our other favorite characters, I am positive Pillars of Creation would have had better reviews. Instead it was a book solely dedicated to a woman we had never met. Aside from the fact that I was happy for Richard to finally discover he had a sibling that was not psychotic, why did the entire book have to be in Jennsen’s POV? Why not introduce her as a side character like in the past?
My reaction upon waiting over a year for the next installment of the SoT series, after the phenomenally written Faith of the Fallen is as follows:
“No Richard and Kahlan until the last quarter of the book???!!!!!! What!!!!” *HUGE curse word* *grumble grumble*
That pretty much sums it up.
Like I said, I was better able to appreciate seeing the world of the Midlands through someone else’s eyes, upon a re-read, but it was quite uneccesary to dedicate a whole book to a brand new character. At the same time, I understand some author’s must write what the characters show them.
Great review Barb. Still love Richard’s adorable reaction to finding out he has a sister. Priceless.
I really hope that at the end of this series Richard and Kahlan have their HEA.