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