We are now in the final two books of our Sword of Truth 13 Night Marathon. Tonight we start the second of the trilogy that will complete the Sword of Truth arc….Phantom.
Phantom by Terry Goodkind
Even thought I enjoyed Phantom, I thought it had some slow parts, some sadistic parts, but a great second half. The beginning was somewhat slow, Goodkind spent a lot of time refreshing everyones minds with what happened in Chainfire; or Richard repeating how he misses Kahlan, and has to find her.
But at least we got to see Kahlan a bit, though so much of it was a horror show. I hated the Sisters of the Dark; so hated Jagang and how he treated Kahlan. I undertand that Terry Goodkind was showing how evil can be, but to take a much loved character like Kahlan, and humiliate her (walking around the camp naked, beating her unmercifully), and stopping short of raping her was a bit too much for me. It was bad enough to continue to read about how the women are being treated, and Jebra’s vivid details. Villains are normally bad, but sometimes there is some humanity in them. Not so with Jagang, or for that matter the Sisters of the Dark.
The Beast was a good bad character, and it was great to see Sliph again. I enjoyed seeing Berdine (too bad she wasn’t around more often, instead they used Rikka). Richard’s speech to the Army was good, it is a good plan to destroy the enemy behind the scenes, removing everything they would need to survive. I liked seeing Rachel get back Chase, but did not like nor did I see a purpose to bring her back to Violet. Why punish her again, not crazy about this part. Do not see why Six needed Violet to begin with. My guess, Six will be back in Confessor, and hopefully it will Shota who will destroy her.
Richard discovering the book, but still cannot read it, having lost his gift, was interesting. This will be dealt with in Confessor. The wisps will also come back I think to help in Confessor. Richard becoming a top ja la player will lead to something, for him to kill Jagang or just to get Kahlan back.
This book has three views. Richard..Kahlan..Nicci. Richard with Nicci was good, not as a romance, but as a team with Cara. I hated what was happening to Kahlan, but admired the strength that she began to find. I thought this book was saved by Nicci. But she says openly…she loves Richard, knows his heart belongs to another (Kahlan), but is happy just be part of his life. She would gladly give up her life to make Richard happy. Why fans would think they would make a great couple doesn’t make sense. All of SOT is Richard & Kahlan, and their love for one another. But Nicci makes a great partner to fight Jagang and evil. I respect Nicci now that she has changed, her friendship with Cara, and her devotion to Richard.
I enjoyed Phantom for the most part, was very tense during some parts, but overall I did enjoy it. But I have say, two books without Richard & Kahlan together was to me a major mistake. I know Terry wanted to keep people on the hook until the final book, but he could have had Richard or even Nicci save Kahlan, then start the plan to fight Jagang. They could have worked toward eliminating the sisters of the dark in this book, or even Six, then make confessor the final step towards Jagang. Oh well, I guess that’s why I didn’t write this. Lol Finally…finally on to the end and Confessor…I am so looking forward to reading the last book. I need closure. I need to see who dies, and who survives.
Reviewed by Barb
Another amazing review….. 😉
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Ms Barb’s reviews of this series, in fact so much that I am inspired to reread the series. I came late to te SOT series and so read all of them in a row. Took me 6 months but well worth it. While I too liked some more than others, looking at the series in total, what I most liked was the way all of the characters developed and most important how Richard changed the many characters such as Cara and Nicci by just being himself and thru his example. It’s amazing that characters we hated in the beginning became the ones we loved by the end due to how they developed thru Richard’s influence. Isn’t that how we should all teach others….by example!
Thanks, Pat. I too came to this series late, and I had the benefit of reading them all in a row, which was great. I don’t think I could have handled the wait like many had.
What you say is so perfect. Richard was so amazing, and his effect on both Cara and Nicci, even all the mord sith girls, shows how great he was. I loved Cara early on, but by the time I read Confessor, I loved Nicci too. Very well said.
The wait for The SOT series wasn’t near as bad as it is for the game of thrones… lol. 😀
Amazing review Ms. Barb. I cannot say enough how much you blow me away with your astute, and honest reviewing. I love how eloquently you state what you loved about a novel, and what you didnt.
I agree, two books without Richard and Kahlan is too much. I suppose this comes from the fact that Sword of Truth, while showcasing one of the most Epic of love stories–is not a romance. The heart of the series is the love Richard and Kahlan share. Every individual plot tier is woven together to make the breathtaking tapestry of Confessor. Each thread shows us that everything that happens always leads back to Richard and Kahlan’s love, but the fact that this is of the Fantasy genre, not romance–Goodkind can keep them apart, showcasing their seperate trials and tribulations–without going against the rules of that genre. It is still unbelievably frustrating though. 🙂
This book was very dark. As long as I have read in the Fantasy genre, even I had great trouble reading about Kahlan’s time spent with Jagang and the camp of the Imperial Order. However, as bad as it got at some points, I am so thankful Terry did not go with what is becomming mainstream (even in the romance genre) with literature. Terry did not have his all poweful Heroine, raped in order to bring her down several levels, and add shock value. Goodkind showcases the evil of Jagang, in many dispicable ways, but he never crosses that one critical line.
I still find it interesting how different people have different tolerance levels in what they read. For example, I was able to get through all the darkness of this series, knowing there would be light at the end of the tunnel, and with the balance of the many tender, and humorous moments in these books. Yet the first novel of the Black Jewels trilogy sucked the life right out of me, and left me feeling nothing but despair, and hopelessness. I would never say that any book of the SoT was as bad as that book with darkness. LoL
Phantom showcases the unbreakable will of Kahlan. Nothing done to her can break her despite having no memory of her life, her love, or who she is. The innate benevolence of her soul shines through in the way that she protects that child. The power of her spirit cannot be supressed, snuffed out, or erased. Very powerful.
I will never forget that moment at the end, when the two wagons are passing each other, and Kahlan see’s the dirt streaked face of a man with startling gray eyes….she hears the man call her name in a sharp cry. There is someone in the world who recognizes her. The need and emotion in that voice filled her with the fear that Jagang fails to instill within her. In that moment Kahlan is terrified to remember who she is. I still get chills when I think about it.
Cannot wait for your Confessor review Ms. Barb.
I love love reading your thoughts, Miranda. You truly are amazing, and show all your love of this series.
I have heard about this series, as a friend of mine loves fantasy. I have been reading the reviews, and have to say that both Barb & Miranda have almost convinced me to give this a try. lol Almost,not sure I have time to get into such a big series. Maybe one day.
This was really a great ending of the series. I agree with all your sentiments. I can’t wait to see what you have to say about Confessor, which was one of my favorites, close behind Faith of the Fallen.
A little late to the party here sorry, this early shift is kicking my butt. Not a early morning person 😉 Anyways, great review again Barb, hitting all the highlights for me and pretty much feeling the same way I did. My major pet peeve was the lack of Richard and Kahlan together as well, and way too much time sucked up by Jagang and the Sisters of the Dark. Evil has it’s place in stories, but doesn’t need to suck up so much of a storyline IMO.