We continue our Sword of Truth 13 Night Marathon. In our 6th night, we bring you what many consider the best book of the entire series……Faith of the Fallen
Faith of the Fallen by Terry Goodkind – a Review
Faith of the Fallen …..I loved this book. What a difference from the last book (Soul of the Fire). I loved almost everything about this book. It was great right from the beginning, with Richard & Cara taking care of Kahlan, helping to bring her back to health. The camaraderie of the three of them was super to see, and fun to watch them force Kahlan to fight back. It was different from earlier books, enjoyable, relaxing, and fun (even when the men earlier came after them & Cara rescued Kahlan. It was precious to be able to spend time with them.
Then came Nicci, as Death’s Mistress. As much as I did not like her, she made a good villain. But later during their traveling to the Old World, she was not as interesting, and more annoying. This part of the story was actually dull to a point. At least until Richard began working with Victor and Ishtag (sp?), then it got better, and I liked the people, who became his friends including Kamil.
The best part of the book (other then the ending), belonged to Kahlan, Cara, Zedd and the others, as they fought one battle after another against the Imperial Order.
Some of those scenes were awesome & memorable. Loved them.
- Kahlan & Cara working so good together, especially when they grabbed hold on each other as Kahlan jumped to Cara’s horse.
- Kahlan & Verna with the disbursing of the glass. Then them hugging later, when the enemy began to fall apart from that.
- Warren & Verna – the wedding (so upset that he died).
- Zedd finally breaking through to Kahlan, and her letting her emotions through.
- Kahlan pushing Cara with Benjamin- Cute.
- The betrayal of her sister and brother was a nice twist. The four gifted ones (one of whom killed Kahlan’s brother) and her response to them was great.
- Gadi getting his due first from Verna, then from Cara for the punishment dealt by Verna
- Though not during the battle, Kahlan’s fury at Ann was well done. Though we don’t know if there was any truth to that theory. But Kahlan’s anger at that time was justified.
The storyline at the end was very exciting. The statue theme was excellent. The wonderful message hits home…”Your Life is Yours Alone…Rise up and Live it”. It was great to see all the people helping Richard. Of course it was Nicci, who started that by unveiling the statue to Victor & Ishtag, that led to others coming at night to see it. Nicci’s revelation was surprising and good. But then all the people looking at the statue of Life had the same reaction, as Richard effected them all. However, Nicci was already beginning to change, and where she fits in later books will interesting, as she now recognizes Kahlan as Richard’s true love and she is now “Just Nicci”.
Loved the ending, Richard almost letting Kahlan kill him, Richard fighting Brother Narev (couldn’t stand him),Cara saving Nicci to save Richard, and all the people helping tear things down. Funny scene with Victor not believing he was indeed the real Richard Rahl.
What I loved the most about this book, even with so many people dying throughout, Goodkind played it straight, and we did not have to witness a torture of either Richard or Kahlan, or any of our favorites. We heard about them, but did not have to witness it. Warren’s death was sad, and was not necessary. It did nothing to change the story….this was a waste. But overall this is one of the best books of this series. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Bravo Terry Goodkind for this fantastic return to awesomeness.
So many people picked this book as their favorite, do you agree?
Reviewed by Barb
This was, without doubt, my favorite of the Sword of Truth series. I especially loved the build up to the unveiling of the statues and the effect they had on the world about them. The change in Nicci was also interesting to see happening. So enjoyed your review Barb, it made me remember a lot about the book that I had forgotten.
During the contest, Maryann, everyone chose their favorite book. It was a hard choice for many, but Faith of the Fallen was the winner. It reached out to so many people. Wizards First Rule, being the first and Confessor, being the last were the consensus of that poll.
I really enjoyed this book and it is my fav of the series. However, Wizard’s First Rule will always hold a special place in my heart since it’s the book that started it all. I loved this book for so many reasons. Most of which you mentioned Barb. I really liked how Mr. Goodkind brought Richard along in this book, building him back up to be stronger and wiser then ever. I can’t say it as eloquently as Miranda can, but the transformation that Richard undertakes really sets the pace for the rest of the series. I loved watching him go from being pretty much broken and brought to his knees at the end of Soul of the Fire, to who he is now. A man sure of who and what he is, isn’t afraid to stand up for himself and those who matter to him no matter what. I loved Richard before, but by the end of this book I loved him even more.
The one really interesting part of this book for me is watching Nicci(whom I loathed to this point) go through her transformation. She went from a character I couldn’t stand at all to a character I didn’t mind having around and eventually liked in the end. She really become a breakout character for me and enjoyed her throughout the rest of the series.
I totally agree, Marcie. I hated Nicci, as Death’s Mistress. I hated when she took Richard away from Kahlan. But by the end, you could see her change, and when she put the collar on Jagang at the end. I loved Nicci. She got so much better in the final trilogy, and she became one of my favorites by the end. We had some great female characters in this series, and Kahlan, Cara and now Nicci became my favorites, and we got to see them in The Omen Machine. Which Terry is working on the second book of that.
Wow, another amazing review for such a wonderful series.
Another great review Barb! Now that I am nearly to the end of my TBR again, this marathon is making me want to go back and re-read again. *sigh*
Faith of th Fallen was truly amazing. For all the reasons you listed above, and that others have commented on. I utterly adored the beginning with three of our favorite characters in Westland. One of the rare times in their harrowing journey, that allowed our two hero’s to simply be two people in love. Not the Lord Rahl, and the Mother Confessor, just Richard and Kahlan. I loved the contented moments, humor, and love of famiily that we were shown within Richard’s woods, and the cabin he built for them with his bare hands. *sigh*
****Spoilers****
Then Nicci had to ruin it all. Death’s Mistress. Although annoying at times, I cannot dispute the unique nature of this villian. The originality of Goodkind in his conception of the different weapons, magic, and beings of power–as well as his terrifying, multi-dimensional villians–is mind boggling.
A maternity spell….something I had never heard of even in my many years spent within the fantasy genre. What happens to Nicci, would happen to Kahlan….and so Nicci has Richard without even lifting a fingure in battle. Richard would die to protect this stranger from harm, because if Nicci falls, so too does Kahlan.
And so, the lone man they have failed to silence, is in the grasp of the Imperial Order. This moment begins the plot to convert their most powerful adversary to their way of thinking. Richard really has no choice but to do as ordered…live in the manner they command, build the statue….oh how it backfires upon them all in such a glorious way. Did I ever mention how much I love Richard? I dont think I have……*cough*
I know that this book has inspired so many people all over the world beause of the actions of Richard in this book. It makes it the most memorable, and arguably the greatest novel of the series. I can certainly agree, although the one that started it all will always be my favorite, because FotF would never have been, if not for WFR. I do have to mention the “fantasy” elements that made this book so phenomenal to me. The ending….not just Richard’s spectacular creation to restore faith to the people, not just Nicci’s moving realization that she truly IS on the wrong side, and that Richard can save them all….
The moment that burns brightly within my mind, and always will, is when Kahlan arrives on the scene to find her man, and instead is engaged in battle by a fierce warrior in disguise. She does not know that it is the man she loves. That he knows her so well, helped hone her own skills with a sword. He draws her attack in an intense, single minded focus….with one outcome in mind. Kahlan of course draws the Sword of Truth, and you could pratically hear the ring of steel…
I will never forget this moment when Richard forced Kahlan to run him through with his own sword, bringing him to the cusp of death, so that Nicci would be forced to release Kahlan of the Maternity spell in order to save him. Holy humdinger of an ending Batman!!!
You know me Ms. Barb. Although knowing Nicci to be loyal to Richard ever since this novel, it took me until Omen Machine to actually truly adore her character, and accept her as the fifth member in our little family of hero’s. Fans raving at how they wanted Goodkind to kill off Kahlan, in favor of a Richard and Nicci pairing did not exactly instill fond feelings for her within me. *laughing* Alas, rambling again….
Stellar review Ms. Barb. Thank you so much for sharing these with us all!
Miranda, you are simply amazing. You always talk about me, but you are totally sensational with your thoughts. wow
I’m glad to see Nicci is not one of your favorites, a member of our select group. lol
Credit goes to Terry Goodkind, who took a villain like Death’s Mistress, and over the course of the rest of the series, totally changed most peoples mind. By the end of Confessor, I loved Nicci. But well wait for our review on Confessor to discuss more. 🙂
*blushing* Thank you Ms. Barb. Dont know why you ladies always have to say that. LoL.
So excited to discuss Confessor. The best novel to ever end a series. Period. So amazing.
Holy Cow-so many books, so little time.
Barb, you really make this book sound exciting. Excellent review.