Customer Reviews

Naked Empire (Sword of Truth, Book 8)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Terry Goodkind's books have been like some great recipe that you loved the first time. The second and thrid times you ate, it was still good but there were some things that you didn't like. By the fourth, fifth, and six times, you were just putting food in your belly, and the seventh time you could barely put it in your mouth.

Well, I'm happy to say that I tried the eighth time with Naked Empire and I liked it again (although I didn't mind Faith of the Fallen, either, so maybe that tells you what kind of Goodkind fan I am. Then again, maybe not). At first, I thought that Naked Empire was the same boring crap that Goodkind had passed off as plot development in the previous novels -- "Oh, Richard's talking about freedom.....Again.....And he goes on for 20 pages....Oh, happy day..." (Part of why I liked Faith of the Fallen was because he actually did something about it).

But the second half of this book is ACTION! The same kind of action which made the first book (and, okay Blood of the Fold had some good movement in it as well) so good. The best thing is that some old characters reappear...I won't spoil the surprise and tell you who (but, no, Darken Rahl doesn't come back from the Underworld again). If only Goodkind hadn't filled the middle of the book with a lecture on freedom and evil it might have rated higher than three stars.

I only hope that the next installment will wrap everything up neat and tidy, without any more boring drivel about relative morality.

I refuse to read another Terry Goodkind book again until I read reviews that say they are actual BOOKS, not sermons. I'm not sure I ever read books as good as the 1st four in this series. After that, I could scream out loud at every one. But I kept on in the vain hope I could quit hearing about society's evils, and start reading fantasy again. Terry, are you listening to me and a majority of your other reviewers????? WE JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS, especially when hit over the head by them. You are one of the best writers out there. Start writing again.

A great book for the fans that was disappointed with the Pillars Of Creation. This book really rapped it up. I personally thought that the talks about freedom and what it takes to earn it shows allot of insight. I would hardly call it a libertarian or anti-government. I could not put the book down and really looked forward to getting off of work just to read it. I can wait until the next one. Thank You Mr. Brooks for another masterpiece...

Ok, I have been reading, and to be honest re-reading this enitire series since the beginning. Great story lines, great characters. I even loved the Pillars of Creation. It seemed like a great way to branch out and explore other characters without ruining the whole story line.

In this book however, I think that Terry falls prey to what many artists have fallen prey to in the last couple of years..a reaction to 9-11. Using his medium to work out how he feels about what happened, and how he feels we as a people should react. It wasn't bad, just repetitive. I think that if I hadn't already had a good sense of the characters and had their personalities fixed in my head, I would not have finished this book, because there was not a lot of additional development that took place.

But I still had to find out what happened, and toward the end of the book, things picked up and we were back in the saddle again.

So, hopefully all of Terry's feelings have been worked through, and in the next book maybe there won't be so much time spent philosophizing? Philosophy is not a bad thing, however sometimes we just want a good sword fight. Although if you enjoyed the views expressed in this book, may I recommend Ayn Rand's 'The Virtue of Selfishness'.

p.s. in one previous review, someone mentioned that his views were Republican? harrumph...maybe you should spend some time reviewing your political history.

I didn't understand all of the negative reviews on this book. People tend to like an author who writes the same feel throughout a series (why have that kind of monotone?). Terry Goodkind brings originality to each book. Just like pillars of creation! Richard and Kahlan were hardly in the book at all....SO?! That doesn't mean the book was written horribly or the plot was no good!! It was original, it gave you a feel of the enemies side!

This book was awesome as well. Considering the book wasn't his "best" I give it four stars and only because it wasn't his best. The book was great, original, and it was another chapter that helped further the overall plot (unlike Jordan's pathetic attempt to stretch out his wheel of time stories). I trully believe Goodkind has yet to lose his touch. This book proves that theory. Goodkind is still hitting it strong. Maybe in the past couple of books Goodkind might have jogged a little bit, but no doubt he is beginning to pick up speed and make the final run!!!

I do like this series but, he seems to be re-using the same old plot line over and over... They start together then, they are split up because of some foe, then one of them looses the ability to use their power then,.....AND What happened to the wizards rules?? Do they just stop at four?? Also, We all know that Kaylan loves Richard and Richard loves Kaylan. Can we move on?? I like charictor devlopment but, they are not going anywhere... Just in love... We are not learning any more about them just how very very...VERY much in love they are. It is cool to have a sub-story to off set the blood and gutts but, this is not supposed to be a love novel...I don't think... A little less talk and alot more action please. Really those are the only problems i see. I still enjoy the books very much. Thanks Terry!!

I was a just a little disappointed in Pillars of Creation, but in Naked Empire, Terry Goodkind got back to his main characters. It was good to find the focus is mostly on Richard and Kahlan once again.

I've noticed some review calling this book 'preachy'. Well, it is in some parts, but I thought it was conducive to the story.

All in all, a fine entry in the Sword of Truth series.

Enough with the preaching! Way past time to kill off the evangelist and get on with the story. First book in the series is a classic but could not get past the "Sermon on the Mountain."

Shudder!