Stone of Tears (Sword of Truth, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Terry Goodkind (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This satisfying sequel to Goodkind's powerful debut novel, Wizard's First Rule, has everything one could ask for in an epic fantasy. In the earlier book, Seeker of Truth Richard Cypher tricked the sorcerer Darken Rahl by using Wizard's First Rule (that people are stupid and can be easily misled) into opening the wrong Box of Orden. Though this saved humanity from the evil mage's tyrannies, it also tore the veil between worlds, so the diabolical Keeper of the Underworld can now reach through and seize permanent control of the living. To stop this from happening, Richard must now learn how to be a wizard. The Sisters of the Light promise they will teach him to wield his powers, but they require that he wear a collar of obedience, something he has sworn he would rather die than do. Events sweep Richard and his betrothed, the Mother Confessor Kahlan Amnell, apart from one another; later, in one of the most vigorous battle sequences written for a heroine in modern fantasy, Kahlan leads her underage troops against battle-hardened soldiers, the young warriors naked except for a spectral coat of whitewash intended to make them look like "spirits." Those who like their fantasy big and brassy will revel in this exemplar of the genre.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal
After the death of Sorcerer Darken Rahl, Richard Cypher?a woods guide turned reluctant hero?finds that his responsibilities have only just begun. He seeks a teacher to help him control his magical gift but is caught in a difficult struggle to retain control over his destiny. Goodkind's talents for world building and characterization are again featured in this sequel to Wizard's First Rule (LJ 9/15/94). He explores not only the deeds but the innermost thoughts of his heroes and villains. Graphic depictions of sex and violence, though integral to the story, limit this powerful saga to mature audiences.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 992 pages
• Publisher: Tor Fantasy (August 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812548094
• ISBN-13: 978-0812548099
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (355 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,652 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #8 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( G ) > Goodkind, Terry
  #8 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Series > Sword of Truth
  #85 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Epic

• This is item 2 in The Sword of Truth Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It moved me, April 22, 2003

By	James Bach (Front Royal, VA USA) - See all my reviews

I read Wizards First Rule in one extended sitting during a 30 hour trip from Sydney to Frankfurt. I wanted a book that would take my mind off of being cooped up in airplanes. It worked really well for that.

I read Stone of Tears because WFR got me hooked on the characters, particularly Richard, the hero, and I wanted more. For me, Stone of Tears was an even better story. Do you know that feeling when you identify with a character so much that you start writing your own dialog for him? I hope that's not just me who does that...

I agree with a lot of reviewers who talk about wooden dialog and some unbelievable situations. Most of the men and some of the women in the story seem to have physical abilities and endurance that would sweep the olympic games if they ever tore the veil between that world and ours. But, listen: that's not important. To me, emotions are important, and intelligent characters. I don't want to be yelling at dumb characters, in my head.

I identify with Richard. He's an angry young man with a strong personal code. He's no wuss. He's smart. I once was a young man like that, too, so it felt good to slip into his skin.

Ultimately, my test for a good book is whether it changes how I experience the world. This series is doing that. I'm thinking about my own experience as a Seeker, and my own personal Sword of Truth. Sound silly? In 1999, I quit a safe job and became a consultant. I had no savings, nor equipment, nor preparation. This was a Sword of Truth moment, I now realize. It's a moment that comes rarely in life-- when you see what you must do and you do it despite the pain it will cause you. We're caught up in so many complicated threads in our modern lives, Terry Goodkind is the kind of writer who helps me reflect on how I can maintain my moral compass.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Brilliant effort By GoodKind, August 8, 2000

By	Dilanjan Karunaratne "dilwinkle" (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I noticed somebody giving a review on this after reading 1/3 the book. Such a review should be given only 1/3rd its weight in value in my opinion. First of, the so called "sexual situations" are directed at adults. Goodkind say's he writes these books with adults in mind. If there is so much evil in these fantasy type stories, its only common place that such gory sex acts might exist too. I don't have a problem with that. If the reviewer continued reading, he'd know the Sisters of Light are nothing like the Aes Sedai of Jordans world. In conclusion, this is a fabulous tale, and I give it 5 stars. I have read all the books in this series and their wonderful. Each book is nicely concluded and we're not kept hanging.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as the first, September 1, 2002

By	C. Paprocki "grumfrum" (The Overthere) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ok, maybe my rating of 3 stars is a little harsh, it would be 3.6 if I could do that, but I tend to round down.

Don't get me wrong, this book was good. It has all the great elements of the last book, but there were two fatal flaws in it.

1. The story is VERY loose. Not much that really matters happens at all. It could've been half the size that it is, and I almost felt like I was wasting my time when I know that Richard won't be much further along when I stop reading.

2. The way the dilemma was solved was craaaapy. It must've been a total of 5 pages or so. I felt cheated. I felt like "I read all this for a 5 page ending?". I was expecting something better. Not only that, it didn't seem very hard to do what he did.

To me, this book seemed more like a "character development" novel. The characters become more in-depth and then there are new ones.

I really REALLY disliked that Goodkind got rid of Chase. He was my favorite character from Wizard's First Rule (don't worry about me giving that away it happens early in the book). I'm currently reading Temple of the Winds and Chase still isn't back, so I think he is gone, never to appear in the series again.

Not all is lost though. After I finish this review I'm going to go and review Blood of the Fold, which was actually pretty good. I'm giving it 4 stars. And Temple of the Winds is, by far, the best book in the series (even better than First Rule! I'm only like 1/3 into it though).

Read this book, but don't just give up on the series because the other ones are good.