Now that the Sword of Truth series has ended, we have all waited impatiently for what Terry calls his Richard and Kahlan novel……The Omen Machine begins what we hope will be more then just one book, perhaps another trilogy or more. On to The Omen Machine……
The Omen Machine by Terry Goodkind
The Omen Machine is not a sequel to Sword of Truth. Terry Goodkind calls it a Richard and Kahlan novel. From the start, we got to see Richard and Kahlan together walking around meeting people outside of the Palace. The mystery begins immediately. It was wonderful to see them, Cara, Zedd, Nathan, Nicci and Benjamin again. It was like a family reunion and this to me is what makes this book an enjoyable read. It was great for a change that Richard and Kahlan were together for most of the book.
The Omen Machine was fast paced, moves quickly into the plot, though a bit redundant at times (prophecy..prophecy), but it was a dark, and mysterious plot. The two main villains (though other villainous sub characters/creatures), both sort of creepy, but you don’t really get to see them too much. One mostly at the end, and the other a bit throughout, but he will most certainly be the main villain in the next book.
Though I really enjoyed reading the book, and it was well written, it did have a different feel then most of the Sword of Truth novels. Not sure exactly what it was, something seemed to be missing, as it reminded me more of Law of Nines, then the wonderful final book (Confessor) in SOT. Do not get me wrong, it was still an excellent book, and it was a joy to be with my favorites again. Perhaps because it was a shorter book, with less detail, it did seem a little rushed towards the end.
There were lots of things I thoroughly enjoyed, besides Richard & Kahlan together; Cara & Benjamin, Kahlan standing up to the Midland & D’haran leaders, Nicci being called in to stand by Kahlan and reading out of the rules how they would have to sacrifice their lives, was funny, as the page was blank, but it did work; the strange evil thing that was watching them; not one but two evil people that match some of Terry’s previous villians.
Another key point in this book, and I can be happy about that, is the torture element was used sparingly and not to main characters, so you did not get to see much of that. It was an exciting ending, but again seemed rushed. I kept looking at how many pages that were left when it was near the end, wondering how the hell was Terry going to complete this. The ending was sort of a cliffhanger, but not in a way that I hated in other cliffhangers. Though it wasn’t set, you knew it would be ok. But it was this ending that ensures another book, and shows how it seemed cut off. It shows that Terry has much more in store for us, especially with one of the villains still to be met and dealt with, as well as the Omen Machine. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, but for me it did have something missing from the at least the last three books in Sword of Truth. But I cannot wait for the next book for more on Richard and Kahlan.
Reviewed by Barb
Another great review. I had no idea this book wasn’t technically part of the series.
Well Sandy, technically it is, but it isnt. lol Confessor ended the arc of Sword of Truth. But so much could still be told about the lives of Richard & Kahlan that would carry on after the terrible events in Sword of Truth. Terry did not want to be anything other then a Richard & Kahlan novel. The Omen Machine begins with this mystery, and it will continue to another book, that he is currently working on now. How far will this one go, I think he has a third book possible, and with all the fuss over ebook only for The First Confessor, who knows.
This was a great book and i can’t wait until the next addition to it. Great Review of the book . I felt bad for Richard he was lost but in the end he always figures it out. This story had a great setting and was placed just right in my mind for the continuation of Terry’s writing. I have to say my favorite books would be WFR. , with his last 3 , The Omen Machine and The first Confessor. I think the more he rights the better he gets so when the 2nd part of Omen machine comes out it will be as great or better.
Great review Barb… I remember when I bought this book thinking that there was no way Terry Goodkind could live up to the SOT series, but he did. I loved it. I loved the pace, and the connections that had been established and carried through from the series. I am looking forward to the next installment with great anticipation.
What I loved about The Omen Machine was being able to pick up where we left off with Confessor. As Barb said, this is a new series, with different villians, but with our same super characters. To be able to continue anything with Richard, Kahlan, Cara, Nicci and Zedd is terrific.
Another phenomenal review Ms. Barb, as always. I cannot express how wonderful it has been sharing this literary journey with you, and the other ladies. I never could have suspected that you all would have loved this series as much as I have, having never read in the Fantasy genre before. It has been a joy reading your thoughts. Thank you.
I remember thinking upon sitting down to read Omen Machine how it was wishful thinking to hope for a different mood to this book, than the Sword of Truth novels. I remember saying to my brother how perhaps Goodkind is tired of putting Richard and Kahlan through the ringer, and this book will give them some down time. He basically told me I was delirious for thinking that a possibility. I held out hope, because of Terry stating that this was “a Richard and Kahlan novel to the fullest extent of the term” and how the story arc of Sword of Truth has ended, but it marked only the beginning for Richard and Kahlan.
I know some long time fans found this book disappointing, but it held everything I was hoping for and more. I loved the familial banter between our little family of hero’s. I loved getting to spend time with Benjamin and Cara. Nathan making a Mord Sith blush…imagine that….I loved the stolen moments of Richard and Kahlan, away from their role as Lord Rahl, and Mother Confessor–as simply husband and wife. I loved the mystery, and fell hard for Nicci’s character, where I had been unable to before. I hope we see her find happiness in the future.
I loved how Terry changed up his writing style. You were one of the people that told me he would never do that, if he hadnt in 11 books, but he did. 😉 Despite the differences, the characters we have all come to know and love were exactly the same, the villians were as terrifying, and multi-demensional as ever, and the holy crap ending was classic Goodkind. I cant wait for the next sequel.