Book 4), Temple of the Winds (Sword of Truth

You can pick this book up and read it and not be lost in the series. But, I would strongly suggest you start at the first book, so you get the full effect of what the main character, Richard and his allies go through to save their world from being consumed from the Underworld. You can literally watch the characters grow and change with the passing of each page. No wading through pages of boring detail. Action-packed from the first page. He also does an excellent job of incorporating the details while the plot moves. The other great thing about this series is that one book starts that same day, or within a 24 hour period.(No 20 years later, type thing. I could go on about how great these books are, but I think you get the idea. So, READ THEM! :-)

"Temple of the Winds" is brilliantly written and i believe to be well thought out by Terry Goodkind. Since i've read "Wizards First Rule" Terry Goodkind has moved to my number 1 spot of best authors. I believe that Terry has yet again outdone himself. This 4th tale presented to us is very, very well written. Terry has laid the foundation for many books to come by using his unique talent for looking ahead. It is almost like he knows how the story ends before he even begins to write it. This gives the adventures of Richard Rahl a sort of unearthly effect. I am one fan that will definitly be outside of the bookstore before opening day of book five. Terry has created a new world for me and many others to escape into. Thanks Terry!!

I have enjoyed Goodkind's other books in the Sword of Truth Series, but I loved Temple of the Winds. The irony is that at one point I was so mad at the way the story was progressing I could have literally thrown the book down and written my own ending, but I wanted to know what actually happened. Goodkind's characters are so real and vividly described that I truly cared what happened to them. I don't remember the last time I felt that way about a book I was reading. Goodkind is also excellent at showing how good or evil his characters are, not just telling. He shows how evil the villians are, but there deeds and how much they enjoy their twisted acts. I highly recommend this book, even if you have not read the previous three books in this series.

I thought the book were goin' to be this great fantsy novel where the prince saves the princess and get's the other half of the kingdom. I was wrong. Goodkind manage to do something I think only Tolkien managed to do and that was to make his characters out of the ordinary life, for
example a simple woodsguide and therefore I think oneself could think oneself into the character a lot easier. I like the way he builds up the
plot in this book even though he misses it himself a bit. The book's clearly worth byin' even though it may cost you some bucks it's still
worth it. I hope all of you Goodkind fans out there buy this book because you surely wouldn't wanna' miss the greatest fantasy novel
of this decade so far, would you?

First off, I dont seem to comprehend how some people call this novel a dissapointing sequel?
In my humble opinion, this novel was by far the most emotional and suspenseful one among the first 4 books.
Chapter 64 gets my prize for the greatest chapter in the series so far.
The book really seems to aim at probing how much the readers can take. Without giving away too much, when you get to about 3/4 of the book, Kahlan's betrayal will take your breath away. Had i not known there are more books in the series, i would have thought that it was the end of Richard's and Kahlan's world as we know it. It marked the biggest test of my trust in the main protagonists of the series. Every new page I read put a new thorn in my heart. However, if you believe in Richard and Kahlan's goodness, you will come to enjoy the book more than anything in the series up to this point.
The only complaint : It took me 5 days to read this one. Maybe i'm just too eager to find out what happens.
Great job Mr. Goodkind!

Goodkinds SOT series is the best I have ever read. It has all the elements of a fantastic story, all brought together to run smoothly along at a fairly good speed. A lot of people seem to disagree with his seeming overuse of rape and sex in his books, but I feel that he is simply using one of our most raw, basic emotions to stir deep, strong feelings in us all. We can all agree that rape is a terrifying thing. It stirs feelings of insecurity and fear. It is the demented, sexually perverse people that we find easy to hate and fear. I also feel he is perfectly developing his characters in a way that allows the reader to grow WITH them, and learn as they learn, and almost feel what they feel. Keep it up, Terry! I'm eagerly awaiting book #5!

Terry Goodkind, Temple of the Winds (Tor, 1997)

I didn�t think Terry Goodkind could outdo the second novel in the Sword of Truth series, Stone of Tears. I was wrong.

Temple of the Winds is the fourth Sword of Truth novel, continuing the adventures of the many people we�ve come to know and love over the course of the last twenty-five-hundred-odd pages of the series. While the main drawback of Blood of the Fold (the constant retelling of previous events, as if Goodkind expects people to read this one who haven�t read the first three) remains, the book is larger enough that it becomes no more than an annoying background buzz, and it detracts far less from what�s going on this time around. This time, the ratio of buzz to action is greatly diminished, leading to a far more satisfying reading experience than in the last novel. And much does happen (all of which contains major plot spoilers for those who haven�t read the first three novels).

If you haven�t started the Sword of Truth novels yet, what are you waiting for? It�s a big investment to make, but at least this far in, Goodkind has yet to bungle the payoffs, and they keep getting better. **** ½

When I first picked up this series, I did so with a heavy bias toward Robert Jordans "Wheel of Time" series. I looked upon Goodkinds series as a blatant rip-off, but I picked it up to satiate my hunger between "Wheel" books. Well, I was wrong. Every time I thought Goodkind was doing something predictable he managed to turn me around. I love it!
There's nothing beter than a book which turns out better than you expected. And with this, the fourth in the "Sword of Truth" series, I am completely addicted. I tore through it hungrily, and watched with agony as my bookmark moved through the pages. I didn't want it to end. It moves along with feeling and suspense, possibly the best so far in the series.

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS:

Only extremely fervent fans of Mr. Goodkind should read this book. We mean the kind of fans that have somehow misconstrued earlier works as important in their lives. And these stalwarts only if they can stand some truly sadistic stuff. Although the novel is self-contained, there is absolutely no reason to read this book without having read the first three. 

WHY YOU SHOULD PASS:

If you didn't like where Blood of the Fold was going as far as sex and violence (or lack of plot development), stop. End your acquisition of Truth novels. Certainly if you're squeamish about sexual torture, do not read this book.  This is a pretty good example of what happens to a pretty decent series when it gets drunk on its own success.

READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW AT INCHOATUS.COM

Another typical installment in The Sword of Truth series. I get done with each book wondering why I even bothered to finish it, but then for some reason read the next installment. Very poor character development. Richard is the only one I can stand. Anyone who didn't see that Drefan was going to be the killer was asleep at the wheel. Does anyone else have a tough time picturing this world? I can never seem to get a clear picture of anything. I do see similarities to Robert Jordan, but Jordan uses these motifs masterfully while Goodkind just throws them in whether they fit or not. I should give this book 2 stars if only for the fact that I actually made it to the fourth book in the series. In conclusion, I'll probably still read the next book

I have been reading fantasy for about 15 years now and only one word comes to mind with this book.. PATHETIC.. With that said I would like to comment also on a few specific parts that make this story the reason why I stopped buying his books.
I was caught up in the story after the first book. Now it seems like the author has just decided to continue to write pasty characters and a lacking story line.
And what is with this rape fetish of his??
I don't buy fantasy to read about the sexual exploits of the characters involved. Good authors know how to HINT at what happens while Mr. Goodkind has to go into detail. If you want to write about that line of stories TERRY.. work for Penthouse.
The whole book has the same feel as the others.. Richard must accomplish something feels betrayed by whoever.. does what he needs to.. and then a sappy and lame ending..
I guess the last book is going to be a storyline involving some wild B&D orgy with a touch of lesbian threeways????
All in all this was not a very good fantasy novel

OK, so Goodkind understands he has a franchise and is going to milk it for whatever it's worth. There is enough life in this series to keep me reading found or borrowed copies though I certainly wouldn't buy it. The characters are relatively engaging and flawed though of course oh-so-heroic. The world gets saved every single time--there's no pretense of an actual arcing story here, every single doorstop-sized volume brings the characters and their entire world to (and beyond) the brink of utter failure before (somewhat cleverly) pulling all the chestnuts out of the fire. Goodkind's weird obsessions with S&M are considerably less evident here, and in fact the odd warrior/bodyguard/dominatrices are curiously endearing in this volume. And the 850 odd pages do whiz by.

One of the problems with reading a series in progress is the annual bout of anticipation anxiety. I had a BAD case of it awaiting TEMPLE OF THE WINDS, and my hopes were completely fulfilled.
I thought BLOOD OF THE FOLD was a little thinplot-wise as well as page-wise (I love this series so much I was astonished that BOTF was so short!) but Terry has made up for that (minor) shortcoming admirably with this fourth volume, a gripping yarn that shows his talents at their fullest flowering.
No one is able to make your adrenalin pump more strongly, and the last hundred pages of TOTW went by unbelievably fast. Terry pays for our breathless anticipation by making us read breathlessly. I am always scared to death every time Richard gets into a scrape, and the conflict in this book is masterfully presented. The resolution brought forth a loud "WOW!" from me.
I can't wait for the fifth volume. Having started the series less than two years ago, I was able to slake my thirst pretty regularly. Now I'm in for a lethal dose of anticipation anxiety!

I greatly enjoyed reading the first 3 of the series, but was very disappointed at Temple of the Winds, listening to it during my commute. This was the first epic fantasy volume I've tried as an audiobook, and it just didn't work. It's easier to write long than write short, and I find myself listening to 20 minutes of long-winded prose or dialog that I would be able to skim through in a book. I don't know whether I would be more positive about it if I had READ the book instead. Give the tapes a miss. (I recently listened to a long series of tapes for a book of another genre, The Hunt for Red October, and was captivated -- I LOOKED FORWARD to commuting and listening to the tapes).

First, let's just say this: to those of you who claim or like to imply that Goodkind has ripped off Jordan, here is a little education for you; Jordan's books have no original ideas. Rather than tell you, I will let you scrounge through the Fantasy books on the shelves of libraries. Jordan has nothing new, I have read his plots many times over the years, long before he was born.
Now, that aside, let's talk about Goodking. This man can be called a Master Storyteller. At points there are minor critisisms on all 4 books, but TOTW is an excellent close to the first part of the SOT series. This book is excellent, Goodkind has placed himself among the Masters of the genre.

The Temple of the Winds is, as you probalby know, the fourth book in the Sword of Truth trilogy. This trilogy is excelent, by far my favorite, and Terry Goodkind is a writer with talent that rivals that of the great Piers Anthony. Now, while all of the previous books may have had stories of such a great caliber that one could read them without reading their pedicesors, this does not fall into that catagory. This book, great as the conflicts are and the story interesting, does little more on its own for the Trilogy then to provide background for the anciously awaited fifth book. That is all I have to say, thanks for taking the time to read the views of a 14 year old. Paul

Wel I read Temple of the Wind and it was not bad. Richard and Kahlan's relationship to a turn for the worse when a girl shows up from Richard's home town and excpects to marry him, plus Shota the witchwoman is causeing nothing but trouble. and Richard has to find the Temple of the Wind and get into it to save the world. Ritchard also finds out he has a half-brother who has his own plans. I really think that after all the trouble they have been trough that he knows that Kahlan loves him and only him. Ok I know that they had to marry other people and consumate the marriage and they were sick over it, but the like Cara said later that they should have trusted her and find a way to beat the the Temples prophasie, so Ritchard find out that Kahlan or thinks that she loves his borther and enjoyed the love-making. Personally Kathlan reaction was normal and she truely felt there was no hope. all in all a great book.

Again Goodkind gets five stars from me. Story is epic and never fails to invoke strong emotional connections to both the characters and events unfolding. As Richard unravels his abilities and gleans lost knowledge from wizards long past, events attempt to outpace him and those he loves, the heartwarming undercurrent to the story shines through, leaving me certain to purchase the next book in moments, and no doubt continue finishing each book quicker than the last. As to my previous complaints about the e book conversions of these, this one is better than the last two, but still containing issues, such as jumps in story without so much as a line in between passages, much less asterisks or anything else to show the story shifting from one area of characters to another. But thankfully, spelling and grammar errors are much fewer in number this time around, if n o t non existent.

I was immediately captured by the first two books of Goodkind's the Sword of Truth series. Yet the latter books missed that something that makes a book a great read. His characters gradually developed into established figures, one of the powerful wizard and his beautiful lady. Although their determination to stay together even though it seemed impossible is mildly entertaining, it is not enough to ensnare the reader to pore over the pages just once more. Books three and four showed little character development, if any. The ending was also a tad disappointing, leaving the reader with many unanswered questions as to what happened to other characters in the novel.

GET A CLUE PEOPLE!!! Life is a spin-off ok, get used to it!
SoT is the best series I have ever read. It has kept me enthralled the entire time. I re-read the whole series over this spring break. Yes, Goodkind makes me angry. Real angry. He doesn't write fast enough. I want the next 5 books NOW!!! (if there is 5 more)
I would suggest these books to everyone. Make sure you have plenty of time to read or I promise you, you will make time once you start this series. Watch out, it seems to get you emotionally involved with the characters too. Warren is the best character! Hehehehe. I think we will be seeing much more of him in the series in the future.

Excellent book in an excellent series... But it's hard to get past this narrator calling Kaylan / Collin. In the first three they called her Kaylan, as it was clearly written to be pronounced. Did nobody involved with this listen to the first 3 books? I listened to the first 5 minutes of it 3 times in confusion wondering who in the heck Collin is.

I can't see why most of the other reviews for this book call Temple of the Winds the best book in the series. All of the flaws of the other books seem to come to a peak in this. The Sword of Truth series has a very unrealistic, weak plot -- every book has a new threat about to destroy the world, worse than the one before it. It gets repetitious after about the second book. This time there's a plague -- arguably an original idea, but it seems that Goodkind's just running out of ideas on how the world can be threatened in a new, worse way. The characters have cliched personalities -- Richard makes me sick with his being good, honest, and a 'seeker for truth'. He has the 'Rand al'Thor' syndrome of becoming irritatingly over-powerful -- how could he have ever been a woods guide? But he's even worse than Rand al'Thor -- he's like a -god-. Complete with people praying to him.
Temple of the Winds, however, is worse than all of the previous books. The rape and torture never bothered me -that- much before this book. Before, it actually helped with the plot. Now, it seems he just includes it for its own sake, with no purpose at all behind it. Is he really such a messed up person that he needs to include all of this in his books? I'd expect much better from a leading fantasy series. He makes Robert Jordan look like a good author! I read up to this book in the Sword of Truth series before putting it down in disgust. And I did so again. If that happens twice, usually it's enough to mean that the book isn't worth reading.
Don't waste your time on this. Go for Zelazny, Tolkien, and Williams.

Well this book didn't have the ending I had hoped for, but that aside... It was well written. Here's my thing though... Richard and Kahlan are constantly getting screwed in these novels, and it's always somehow their fault! It's depressing and tiresome. By the fourth novel you would think that Richard and Kahlan could battle something that wasn't going to destroy their lives and everyone around them. It's always a no-win situation. If I was Richard I'd be like "F-it!"

And I can't continue the series, because the NEXT novel is about how they screwed up YET AGAIN, and unlocked some spell by getting married. I mean they're such benevolent characters it makes you want to puke or pull your hair out, and they still get jacked no matter what they do! Come up with something NEW! sheesh!

Honestly, this is the best book in the Sword of Truth series up to this one (meaning out of the first four, this one is the best, I haven't read the rest yet). I just finished it a few minutes ago. This book has a very original plot, involving a sentinent place (The Temple of the Winds), explains a lot about the war 3000 years ago, and general good stuff.
The story is plenty full of betrayal, emotions (I actually cried and stuff when reading this book, the only other book I've done that is Return of the King), action, and plot twists.
Here is what I've rated the series thus far:
Wizard's First Rule - 5 Stars
Stone of Tears - 4 Stars
Blood of the Fold - 3 Stars
Temple of the Winds - 5 Stars.
I guess if the pattern continues, Soul of the Fire will be 4 Stars, and Faith of the Fallen will be 3.
Anyway, the book somehow manages to surpass Wizard's First Rule in just plain general greatness. Definately an original story here.
No sign of Chase, again, my favorite character. So Nathan has to be my new favorite character. Adie seems to have disappeared from the story too though.

Over 3 HUNDRED reviews! Whats the point, right? Well, I just have to put my 2 1/2 cents in. If I've read a book, then by God I'm gonna review it!
Temple of the Winds is a very satisfying 4th installment in the very very good SOT series. This Book brings back everything we liked in the previous three novels (the love, the danger, magic, etc.), and is extremely difficult to put down. Goodkind continues to engross us with his masterful description, excellent characterization, and gratifying use of dialogue. It's all here folks. I would certainly recommend this to those of you not sure whether to continue shelling out the cash on the series after the (in some people's opinions)lackluster Blood of the Fold.
Now book five on the other hand...talk about offensive...

An incredible book; very realistic unlike most; this is just a point adding to the incredible power. Helps me wish I was out of this boring world into the story. Too good for words. Forget other books. This kicks them off the mountains. I, Jairn Deathharp, Last of the Warrior bards, must and do stand along with the rest. This opens the window. Help me home. I am desperate. And I'm sick of all the technical, critic reviews that many of the rest are. Reading and experiencing is three dimensional, unlike you, mindless followers of Jagang, willing followers. Send your souls to the KEEPER. I AM DESPERATE. HELP ME THROUGH THE WINDOW AND TAKE ME HOME.

By far worst than books 1 to 3. I almost gave this book two stars, but I settled on three because, at the end, the story takes an interesting twist that in my opinion saves it, but you have to read 54 chapters out of 70 before it happens. While I was reading I had the feeling the author was struggling to fill in blanks and write something. I would recommend it only if you have read the three first books of the series and you really want to know what's happening next.

I do not have any idea why everyone keeps bashing "The Temple of the Winds," in my opinion the storyline is still fresh, and so what if there is some sex and violence? It is definitely not "pornographic" as it was labeled by some, I would call it "realistic." The characterization is excellent, no two ways about it, Mr. Goodkind makes you feel as if YOU are each of the characters, from Richard and Kahlan to Zedd and Ann, I take my hat off to him...and if you can't take the violence/sex (it is by no means the worst you will find out there) then just quit reading his books and let the rest of us enjoy them.

Wizard's First Rule was just about the best piece of fantasy writing I've ever enjoyed. As a result, I immediately went out and bought Stone of Tears, which I thought was about a 7, and Blood of the Fold, which I thought rated a 5. Most of my problems with the second two books were with the degredation of the quality of dialogue and increase in predictability of the novels. Nevertheless, I was still eager to continue following the Richard/Khalan/Zedd, et al, saga, and so bought book #4.

I was *much* more pleased with Temple of the Winds. I actually read the last 250 pages in a four-hour middle-of-the-night page-turning frenzy. I'd have given the book a higher rating than 7, but for the fact that TG's foreshadowing in TotW was about a subtle as a sledgehammer to the back of your head. Who's the unnamed guy murdering the hookers? Duhhhh. What's Nathan really up to? Duhhh. Will Khalan *really* betray Richard? Duhhh.

Also, the dialog is still unfortunately not much better in many portions of the book. Try reading some of it aloud (that includes you too, Terry). It doesn't sound natural, even given the nature of the characters. Nevertheless, I remain a dedicated fan of Goodkind and intend to keep on reading his works.

As for all the individuals criticizing the use and amount of violence: read deeper and/or grow up. When you truly read the episodes of violence in their context (war, psychopathological psyche of a particular character, revenge), the actions and descriptions are what lend credibility to what is going on in the story. Try watching Braveheart on video; then watch the butchered version on broadcast television and tell me which one had a greater impact on you: the version that shows war in its brutal, unadulterated, gory reality, or the fluffed up edit that was designed not to offend delicate sensibilities?

All I can say to Terry is: You bring 'em on, we'll keep reading 'em!

Mr. Goodkind has done it again...he is truly a master at his work and I simply cannot figure out why people get so upset over a BIT of violence and sex here and there. It only makes the story more interesting, after all. We must remember that not every literary work should be edited for a six year-old, there are enough of those as it is. Some of the reviews are from angry parents declaring that they will not allow their children to read any more of Mr. Goodkind's books...I must say that this is totally unfair, and I would proudly let my grandchildren read "The Temple of the Winds" and any other books of the same fashion.

First of all, I just want to say that Terry Goodkind could never be compared with Robert Jordan. He's way better than Robert Jordan. I think that plot is fantanstic. It's never predictable and always has twists and turns that keep you reading. And that's more than what a lot of fantasy writers can say. I defy anyone who claims Goodkind's books are boring! Plus, Goodkind has a great sense of humor. How could anyone not think Zedd is funny? I think he wavered a little with the Blood of the Fold, but overall, his series has been hugely successful for good reason. I am eagerly (and impatiently) awaiting Soul of the Fire.

I bought TOTW a while back, in hardback of course, as I could not stand to wait for a paperback version to find out what happened to Richard and Kahlan. I love the series, and I read a whole lot of fantasy. I think Goodkind's characters are very human, and througout the books I have come to love them as friends. I cried when Raina died and I laughed out loud at Zedd and Ann's "madness". One of the things that bothered me some is the sexual violence, before you yell at me, yes, I understand the use of it, I just think it needen't be described in such detail. I also think it's a bit sad that every time a family member of Richard turns up, it has to be a psycho. I think Drefan mentioned a sister as well, will she turn up in the fifth volume wreaking havoc? Those are the reasons for me giving the book an 8. Otherwise, I loved the book, and I love the way we hear about all the different characters, Nathan, Verna, Ann etc. I'm eagerly awaiting the fifth book, and I do recommend the Sword of Truth-series to everyone.

I have read through some reviews from other people, and they are extremely ignorant and rude. You criticize Mr. Goodkind's work, and I will bet that a single one of you can't even do a fraction of what he does. I think you only criticize because you are ignorant and you know that you could never come close to doing as superb a job as Mr. Goodkind has done. In short, I loved all his books, and I think that the people who criticize his book only do it because they couldn't understand the big words that he used. He is a fantastic writer and I think he has accomplished more than most writer's can even dream to.

I have read all three previous books and this one is the one that really made my heart break. Terry Goodkind pulls you into the story in such a way that you live the characters feelings. Rarely do I express my own emotions that a book prevokes, but Terry Goodkind has repeatedly been successful in this accomplishment. During one scene in particular, I found myself holding my breath and my heart pounding hard and fast. I often found myself laughing out loud, much to my own embarassment. If you love to read about characters who prevoke an emotional response, please do yourself a favor and read this book.

This is the best of the series thus far! From the get go, Goodkind has you at the edge of your seat, and surprises you with unanticipated twists and turns. This fourth installment is made more enjoyable because, uncharacteristically, very little is devoted to developing new characters or introducing new cultures, freeing up more of the book for the fast-paced stories surrounding the existing characters. SOT fans will be left feeling as if they have been allowed to cash in all of the chips earned through the first 3 installments.
It is also satisfying that Goodkind has, for the most part, kept Kahlan and Richard in the same place and focused the story on the couple.
For those listening to the audio tapes, I was thrown off by Dick Hill's pronunciation of Kahlan's name, which is different than in prior books. When I first heard it, I didn't know who that was. I would have thought Brilliance Audio would at least insure consistency in this regard. Aside from that, Dick Hill's read was convincing. ... A great read.

After defeating the Blood of the Fold army, Richard has still to figure out how defend against Jagang, ruler of the Imperial Order. While Richard is studying away on a journal of an ancient wizard, Khalan confronts an assassin sent out to get Richard. Things turn for the worst when a terrible plague is sent throughout the Midlands and Richard gets trapped in a double-bind prophecy by Jagang, where he dies no matter what (kinda like Richard rolling di that have only ones on it, and getting snake eyes everytime...kinda). Well, while Richard is discovering what the prophecy has to do with the "winds", Nathan goes off on his own trying his best to fulfill the only possible destiny best suited for the freedom of people. Zedd and Ann are stuck searching for Nathan, only to be told that they should quit and search for the Jopoco Treasure. Not only that, but Verna and Warren set off to save Warren's life by taking a certain fork in the prophecy and trying to save Sisters of the Light who are enslaved by Jagang. Whew! what bunch of enjoyable stuff to read...
what's new with this book from the rest?
so many innocents die, my goodness, i nearly shed a tear reading some of this, but no...i'm a man...i don't cry *wipes lower eyelid clean*
who's up for some travel through the sliph? the silverish creature is more described in this book, so yeah...interesting.
fighting?
well, not much really, but the story doesn't need it.
this book is about 200 pages longer and i finished it in a shorter amount of days than the one before it. I was totally hooked that i read it in a span of 23 hrs. over 3 days of the weekend. This is a great book and has a couple grand twists. One failed twist tho is who Richard's brother is, but maybe I'm just clever...or not, but the point is that some of the twists are expected, no worries tho.
Great book, I reccomend it for SoT readers. And for those who never read the series? I suggest start with the first one, but don't stop til at least after this book...I love it...that means you'll love it, too...maybe not, but that's not the point. The point is this series has controlled what I do with my time. The only reason I'm on here typing my review on this is because I just finished this book and haven't gotten the next in the series...did I mention that by reading these books I was almost grounded from reading? well, i was...almost. Great end to it, too...could have ended there if need be, but who cares if it hasn't.

Having read all the reviews (on this website) until today of the four books in the 'Sword of Truth'-series (SOT) Terry Goodkind has published to date I fairly soon noticed something all of you seem to have missed entirely or just barely touched upon, but which adds significantly to the very special quality of this Fantasy series: I think Terry Goodkind writes with a rare mastery of suspense, in the way Hitchcock showed us all before in film. Many of his suspense scenes are intensely throat-gripping, not so much in the actual descriptions of the dangers at hand, but much more in the unnamed threats and almost physically felt dreads, like you are right there in the scenes yourself. When reading I found all four of his books very hard to put down, eager as I was to find out what would happen next to my two great heroes, Richard and Kahlan, and all of the characters surrounding their incredible tale. The sheer inventiveness Goodkind displays describing their fast-paced, thriller-like, compelling and extremely engrossing adventures hardly ever disappointed me. More and more I came to admire the caleidoscopic range and sometimes quite humorous encounters they had on their great journey covering Westland, the Midlands, D'Hara, and the Old World, in these four books now spanning slightly over a year. You almost automatically come to like the heroes and hate the villains he puts on the stage, which is no small feat to accomplish. On one occasion I even found myself becoming emotional, when one of the Mord-Sith died of the plague (as well as a lot of other people) as a result of the Andolian Legate Rishi's love of sustained drunkenness taking him a lot of time extra on his journey to arrive at Richard with 'a message from the winds', thus finally giving him a clue on how to conquer the plague's horrors (Book 4: Temple of the Winds). Goodkind does not shy away from being graphic and explicit in some of the scenes he describes, though they too are sometimes a bit hard to swallow. Right now I'm wondering whether it would have been be a great miss from the story-line if they wouldn't have been there. But then I also realize that there would be no Mord-Sith, and I would never have learned to love Denna the way Richard learned to do, thus finally giving him salvation of her dominance over him. Now that would have been a miss! So I conclude that these scenes are there to at least show some interesting character development, but also to show what people of all time (and Universes?) are probably capable of doing to eachother (think of the origin of Mord-Sith: them being created and trained to be this way by Darken Rahl, Richard's evil father). I also do think that Goodkind is not of a 'sick' mind in this, but quite realistic, if not soft. Don't be put off by it though, because that's what life in reality also is, even in Fantasy. In all of the four books, only two episodes I found to be somewhat disturbing or incomplete in the way they were depicted (Book 3: Blood of the Fold). First, when Kahlan and her Mud People protection officer Chandalen walked through a once-great city which had only just been wasted by their enemy, the army of the Imperial Order, finding bodies of men, women and children sprawled all over, the dead witnesses of the terrible atrocities the soldiers of this army had done to these people, they were talking at length on economics and politics. Well, I found this to be in no way fitting the shameful, painful and gruesome situation they were dealing with at that point in time. The next one (in the same book) was when Kahlan got a report from her soldiers of an older man and woman travelling their country, possibly threatening Kahlan's and her army's secret position to their enemy, the Imperial Order, for which she ordered them to be executed. Unknown to her, these two people travelled incognito, and were in fact Richard's grandfather, wizard Zedd, and his temporary companion, bone woman Adie, escaping their mutual enemy (at least, that's what I read, or thought to have read, between the lines in the story). I really found their imminent death to be a great loss in the story and mourned their ending this way, however strangely surreptitious it was (by the hand of Kahlan, who, at the same time, was so desperately seeking Zedd to save Richard!). However, much later in the book Zedd and Adie reappeared without so much as a scratch! But in no way Goodkind explained how this could have been, apparently having escaped the execution. So, that was a bit disappointing to me. All in all I have thoroughly enjoyed these four books and eagerly look forward to the next one in the series coming up shortly. After some 15 years of not seriously having read any book at all until, a few years back, I finally succumbed to the charms of Clive Barker's 'Imajica' (which I then thought to be the best book ever) I must now admit that even Raymond E. Feist's 'Magician'-series and his and Janny Wurts' 'Empire'-series (so much loved by the audience and quoted often next to Robert Jordan's 'Wheel of Time'-series), which I subsequently read, are well overpowered by the by Terry Goodkind's SOT. 'Imajica', 'Magician', 'Empire', and SOT are all very different from eachother, however, only SOT has the fast-paced suspence that I have not enjoyed so much in any of the others listed. I still like 'Imajica' very much because of its daring and ground-breaking survey in religion (none of which I found in SOT). I still like 'Empire' very much because of the fantastic survey in an alien civilization with strange customs and a Japan-like culture and a great heroin (hardly any magic there). Now I only still like Feist's first one ('Magician') and dislike to ever have read or tried to read its sequels (but gave up in the middle of his third), because the level of writing became worse and worse and the action was getting slower and slower. I've tried Robert Jordan, but don't like his writing style. Too much page-filler for me there, too little action. Yes, Goodkind develops the scenery and his characters exceptionally well, making them have all kinds of very recognizable human traits. They can be very smart and sometimes decidedly stupid in their actions, but I love them for it. In the past three months I have read the 4 books in the series all one time now and will probably reread them within a year (it's not my habit but for some very special books I have found to make exeptions for, e.g. 'Imajica'). Mr Goodkind, keep up the good work! And to all people choosing to be disrespectful with Mr Goodkind in their reviews I would say: grow up! You should first READ the book(s) before reviewing them!

The SoT series was a drink of water in a famine of good stories. I have read many stories that I have very much, (ie:Jordan,Brooks, Fiest). This series has been the most riveting for myself. I have not had a series making me so anxious for the next book. Thnak you Mr. Goodkind. I am in the process of writing a five part series of books (Lost Magics) and have enjoyed the insights of this author. I just hope that my books are as riveting and enjoyable as these have been. Again thanks to you Mr. Goodkind. I am looking forward to any continuations to this series. I would be intersted to know of any.

First, you need to know what you're dealing with in this series. Goodkind is an Objectivist (hence, the Sword of Truth), which means he's a disciple of Ayn Rand and the Objectivist movement she started. There's nothing right or wrong with that in and of itself, but his politics suffuses his writing more than any other fantasist writing in the 700+ page per volume/multivolume series aspect of the genre. The political backdrop is mild in book one, a little stronger in book two and really gets brought to the fore in book three.

Temple of the Winds was the stop point for me with the Goodkind series and not because of his politics. The first two books were solid adventures, the third added intrigue with the rise of the Imperial Order and the war against a foe only Richard could truly see. But this one was interminable: lengthy dialogues more appropriate for a therapy session with a tough psychiatrist, a maudlin self-flagellating relationship between Richard and Kahlan, a protagonist whose self-pity reaches preposterous proportions, and revelations at the end that were basically obvious throughout the book. Once it became obvious to me that Goodkind was not advancing the story and was merely writing a bunch of morality tales before the finale of the series (which now runs more than 10 books long), I decided to cut my losses.

No regrets.

This is one of my favorite books of this series. Very creative and suspenseful. There is some redundancy as Goodkind re-hashes what he already told us about, but so creative that it does not detract from the book's quality. Well worth reading.

The first chapter was so desperately bad, it seemed to be written by an aspiring author . . . painfully lame prose and corny dialog. If this was a sample on my Kindle I would have deleted it. Since it's a paperback, I'm still reading, and it gets better, but I'm not impressed by the characters or the plot so far after over 200 pages. This a very long book! I'm not sure I want to invest the time to finish it. Fortunately I bought it at the thrift store for about 75 cents so I didn't waste a lot of money. I will not be reading any other books in this series or by this author. How on earth has he sold so many copies of this drivel?

I love this Sword of Truth Series. The characters are complex and I got really involved with them. It holds my interest. I can't wait to read the next page to see what happens. This series needs to be read in order so that it can be easily followed but each book is better than the next. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy type settings. Amazing!

Temple of the Winds is an extremely riveting book and well worth the money. To the author of the online review posted on 10/6/98 (provo, utah); grow up and get a life!! what are you after, a series of authors who all have the same style? its what makes this country great, noone is the same. to shoot down someones work and make it seem pornographic is not only rude and arrogant its deplorable and reeks of a lack of self-respect. To write this review and not leave a email adress (so others can respond directly) reeks of cowardice, but i guess you already know that.

Best book of the series by far. Know that when you reach the last 200 pages, you will not be putting it down again. This book made me feel like I had personally witnessed The Revolution. It was cathartic, breathtaking, a revelation in every way. Also spookily prophetic of current political events. I had to keep checking the date it was written, as I could not believe that it was really written before 2008. This book is a must read for pretty much everyone.

Ever since I read The Lord of the Rings, I've been captivated by the fantasy genre. Seldom do I read authors that I enjoy as much as Tolkein. Goodkind is one of those who writes with flair and passion that is reminiscent of Tolkein. Goodkind manages to keep me engrossed in every page of each book that he writes. He blends humor and romance and danger and magic together so seemlessly, that few other authors can compare with him. The Temple of Winds follows Goodkind's tradition of entertaining, easy-to-read story telling. I would recommend Goodkind to anyone.

I don't know how of all of you fantasy buffs can POSSIBLY think that cool writers like Terry Goodkind and Robert Jordan play second fiddle to J.R.R. Tolkien! It's WAY IMPOSSIBLE. It is my firm opinion that any single book of the Sword of Truth Series is better than the whole of the Lord of the Rings series combined! THAT series was the most boring that I've ever read and Goodkind's books are so interesting. I really love it how there is always something new, another enemy to face, while the Lord os the Rings series takes three books to come to the point!

He did it! Terry Goodkind beat Robert Jordan!
Of the two major fantasy epics with new installments in '98, Goodkind's Temple of the Winds was far better than Jordan's Path of Daggers.
The reason: this one had a plot.
While ever developing his fanastic characters, Goodkind continues to make each book better than its predecessor. His best aspect is the intelligence of his main hero, who overcomes the toughest adversity in the cleverest way possible.
Which is why I'm voting for Goodkind as this era's fantasy master. Where do I sign?

While I enjoyed the other books in the series I was disappointed with this one. Goodkind fans will find much to like, as I did, but this book by itself will win few converts to his work. I found the dramtization of the relationship between Richard and Kahlan to be tiresome. It seems like the first 100 pages was a discussion of who loved Richard and why. Furthermore Zedd, a great persona, seems to have a much smaller presence in this work then the others- it takes Goodkind over 100 pages just to get to him. I greatly appreciate the characters and the places- but found the plot dull and slow to start. The book didn't seem to know if it would be a romance, a mystery or fantasy and it ends up not being a satisfying bit of either.In repsonse to the thread on Goodkinds treament of women and women characters- I do applaud Goodkind's strong female characters and how violence towards and control of, women are both a seminal apsect of warfare. We need look no further then Bosnia as one recent example to see this. It also gives his work a much more realistic feeling. Warfare in fantasy often tends to be almost abstract- as an apocalyptic meeting of the forces of dark and light. The violence towards women takes the romance out of the big battles and makes the possibility of a lost battle all the more horrifying.In short the books continues on with the same great characters and compelling places like Wizards Keep. But the slow developing plot, overall lack of action and diversion away from some of the more interesting characters like Zedd are disapointing.

I loved this book, and the entire series. The book has everything. I say it belongs with great stuff like "Star Wars" and "Lord of the RIngs". But one thing is that I have noticed that he is starting to slip a little. Now, true it is a great book, but to me it did have what Wizard's First Rule had. I am glad that Richard and Kahlan finally got married. Jang Jang needs to die in the next book, he is getting old. This book had something that most books now a day dont have. A plot. I would love to see it as a movie.

Well, I only have one thing to say here...This book is great. A great fantasy novel that incorporates many different subjects and incidents. I was personally glued to this for most of a Saturday because of the whole plot. I am anxiously awaiting novel #5 in the SoT series. Now, I will briefly say something about the whole issue about the whole adult content issue. This book was obviously written for Adults....So There is no need for it to be appropriate for kids. If parents are upset over this, then monitor what the kids read.....

Now don't get me wrong - I like Terry Goodkind as much as the next fantasy afficionado. The first part was very good, and the second outright excellent. The third, however, started to show that Terry is not about to give up the gold mine he established with the series. So Blood of the Fold was far less intriguing and interesting than the previous two parts, mainly because the plot started dragging, probably so more parts could be produced. Thus we come to the fourth, and nowhere near the last part, in which Kahlan and Richard are finally joined in holy matrimony, but have to traverse many difficulties before this bliss is obtained. It is horrendously obvious Terry is artificially prolonging the series' life, because the plot isn't nearly as thick as in Wizard's First Rule and Stone of Tears, the characters are substandard (except, I feel, for Kahlan), and the happenings are so evident that it hurts, adding to extensive plot holes and failings that chew heavily at Terry's credibility and the good name of the whole series. The violence is now grossly overdone and almost totally gratioutous - we might have felt that the feat Kahlan pulls when under influence of Kon Dar in part one is justice, but the happenings in Temple of the Winds are simply here for shock effect. Which might satisfy the more simple-minded (not in a bad sense, of course) and younger among readers. Fine - but why so, if it was obvious that Terry is set out to bring some literary value into the fantasy genre???

I have only just bought this fourth book and not yet had a chance to start, but I think Mr. Goodkind is an excellent writer. He keeps me reading even between the intense action sequences. There are very few authors that can keep my interest without constant action and Terry is one of them. The first three of the series are great. And I felt obligated to add my opinion when reading some of the other poor reviews. I feel they are unfounded. Plot and character development are key, and the books are nearly impossible to put down.

Temple of the Winds continues the stellar writing and story line that has been put out in the Sword of Truth Series. It was nice to finally see Richard and Khalan finallly get married. I also like how he puts out a rule in each of the books dealing with human nature. When you apply those rules to everyday societies you relize just how true they really are. Take a look at how popular tabloids are today, people will belive what they want to belive. I read the book in about a day and a half I couldnt put it down, and for the past year I have been waiting for the fifth book in the series. As always Richard kicks butt and Kahlan is as regal as and yet down to earth as she has been in the other books. I also liked the dialogs between Zed and Analina they are always amusing. All in all this was a stellar book, carrying on the richness and fullness that I have come to expect in The Sword of Truth Series. If TG keeps writing them I will keep buying them Bravo Zulu Terry keep up the fine work

This has got to be the best book I have ever read. For all the people that say there is to much graphic stuff, they are soo wrong. It makes the book more interesting. I have never had a book change me in so many ways before. We need a sixth book and in it we need to see more Zeed and Nathan. Richard should finally learn how to use his magic and become first wizard. That would be rad. Zedd has impressed me but not enough to name him first wizard, I would defianlty put Nathan as first wizard. Man this was a GREAT book!!

Nothing in this book is quite what it seems. you may have already read the previous books in the sword of truth series, if you thought they were good, you wont be dissapointed. As with the previous books, there is a general theme running throughout, this one is ... that you have to look beyond your first impressions in order to understand.
There are some new characters in this book, very different from the present characters but they fit in beautifully with the still developing story line. there are also a few old characters that i was afraid goodkind had forgotten.
Each character faces a personal challenge that alters te very way the reader perceives them... as is the authors intention (...to look beyond what you first see).
In this way goodkind yet again brings his lessons to the reader, and yet again we are wiser for it.
Ps ... trust nobody in this book...!

A lot of people prefer to get into arguments when talking about Terry Goodkind's work. But the simple fact is that if you want to read Robert Jordan, you should go read it, and the same applies to Tolkien. I read Goodkind because I like Goodkind, and any complaints I have aren't because I also read other works. As to Temple of the Winds, this is perhaps the weakest book in the series so far. I've always thought the biggest problem with these books is that it looks as if he set out to write a stand alone novel, only to have it become so popular that he was asked to do sequels by the publisher. The proof of this in my mind is that nowhere in Wizard's First Rule is there and mention that it's Book 1 of the Sword of Truth series. But, conversely, Wizard's First Rule and Stone of Tears sat very well together. Blood of the Fold was thinner, but here in Temple of the Winds, the first real knots start to come undone. Significant characters pop into this book out of the main characters pasts, having never even been alluded to before, and as is Goodkinds most irritating wont, these turn into red herring plot lines that endup being closed again before the end of the book. Meanwhile, little or no progress seems to be happening with the furthurance of the supposed current main plot point having to do with Lord Richard Rahl's battle for supremecy over the Dream Walker Jagang. Without the hype and without the comparisons to others, this was the least satisfying of the series. I WOULD recommend it to anyone who asked, and will continue reading the books myself, as I'm a big fan, but I can't see myself re-reading this book over and over again, as I do with the previous three in the series.

The characters have always been a bit melodramatic, but there's only so many times I can stand the protagonists crying, lifting each others chins, telling each other how much they love one another every damn 2 pages, and generally acting like emotional (and sometimes physical) abusers with a whole host of serious mental problems.

I mean honestly, Richard has turned into a giant a-hole, Khalan is either crying or constantly on the verge of tears, and they're so miserably co-dependent on each other that their lives will be JUST OVER with no point of carrying on at all if they can't get married.

It's hamfisted, schlocky, over the top and eyeroll inducing. I found myself sighing every page or 2 and skipping ahead of their endless crying/"romance"/Richard being a dick to everybody like a petulant teenager scenes which, frankly, encompass about 2/3 of this book.

I'm not even finishing it, I've moved on. The first 2 novels in this series were quite engrossing and you could forgive some of the Star Wars Prequel level romance dialogue. The third wasn't bad, but started to drag. This one, frankly, is just.. it's like the author hates the characters at this point but managed to toss in some BDSM girls and have a second Death Star repetition with bringing the villain from the first/second books back again.. and then wrote 4 or 5 more novels which I will not be reading.

I`ve read the first novels of "The Sword of Truth" and was fascinated.Especially "Wizard`s First Rule" and "Stone of Tears" were great and phenomenal pieces of imaginative writing. But sadly not this one. The problem is: nothing happens! There are about 800 pages, and the history develops on about 100. Goodkind has made the same mistake as Robert Jordan, who started with extreme addictive books and then only wrote for writing`s sake, but not for the story. And besides, the Richard/Kahlan lovestory slowly but sure gets on my nerves, it`s always the same with swears of never-ending love and then -ouch- betrayal! and after that again "oh, darling, I will never leave you again!" That`s what the first 400 pages are about. Ah, sorry, I forgot: and feeding chipmunks. There seems to be no end to the series, but Mr Goodkind, I beg you, stick to the story and don`t write again such boring nonsense. Your first two books were brilliant and the "Temple of Winds" can`t compete with them. To all other readers: Get yourself these books and you will be pleased, but forget about the "Temple of Boredom"!

The series that Terry has begun is by far one of the best of all times! I do however have one question for all who read this and to those this pertains to. I have noticed alot of people slamming Mr. Goodkind for "The constant rape scenarios in his books" If these people would bother to read the whole book they would understand that for these charecters it is a way for them to mature and have more depth I grant you it may not be everyones cup of tea to read these parts ,but let's be honest in the time these books would have been set if it were our time it would have been a common place thing for women to be raped. Also the women who keep complaning about these senarios why didn't you complain about the way the little boy got killed in the first book (Wizards First Rule) or the way the boys were raped in the first one???? So in short get off your soap boxes and either read the books or don't just don't complain about the senarios!!! For everyone else I would highly suggest this series it is very well written and very very full.

Temple of the Winds is, without question, one of the most riviting books I have ever read! I am a HUGE fan of Terry Goodkind and I continue to be impressed with his work. Many people have acused this book of being too strong with the sexuality. I disagree. This is not a child's book. Goodkind's novels have always had adult themes, and it fits within the bounds of the story perfectly, as it always has. I missed days of productive activity reading this book and I believe that would be my only complaint.

This series grows more tedious with each book. The Kahlan/Richard storyline was really, really tired by the end of book two...and you get to read about it again in book 4.

Unfortunately, Goodkind has a penchant for repetition. In this latest volume, the characters do the same things they have done in each previous installment: Richard professes his undying love for Kahlan....Kahlan professes her undying love for Richard...when they are apart, Kahlan and Richard each lament how they wish the other was there....on the political front, Richard overreacts to some problem...Richard then apologizes...Richard then sermonizes about something...Kahlan cries and swears she will never betray Richard...Richard and Kahlan talk about getting married and sharing Kahlan's big, big bed...Richard somehow thwarts the advances of every hot woman known to mankind but listens to Kahlan prattle on and on about some nonsense...other characters become angry then apologize...someone else cries...someone else apologizes for crying...someone else apologizes for yelling...Richard theorizes about this, that and the other thing....We get the 15,000th recapitulation of the history of the Confessors, the Wizards, the Palace of Prophets, the Keeper, Darken Rahl... we read the 1,000,000th inartfully drafted prophecy which mysteriously works itself out by way of some tortured plot twist...Richard befriends more enemies and inexplicably converts them into longtime friends...the Mord Sith prance around in red leather, grab their Agiel and make cute comments but do little else...Richard grinds his teeth for the umpteenth time and grabs the Sword of Truth and lets the rage flow through him...Richard, a sister of the light and a wizard each agonize about using people in the interest of humanity...

There are also several plot "twists" which are unique to book 4 and which provide a lot of unintentional comedy: Kahlan, a war-tested battle captain, leader of the Midlands and Queen of Galea and Kelton ("Confessors don't have love. They have duty") becomes so consumed with 7th grade jealously because of Nadine that she leaves Aydrindril in the dead of night so she can kill Shota. In the meantime, there is a plague raging through the city but I guess that's not important to the leaders of D'Hara. Even funnier, when Kahlan returns to Aydrindril and tells Richard what she did, Richard threatens to leave Aydindril so he can kill Shota. That silly plague!

Then there is my personal favorite: the ultra ridiculous dual-wedding scene which fulfills an equally ridiculous prophecy. Forgetting for the moment how contrived this was, wouldn't the good spirits be a little miffed by Cara's bedtime switcheroo after demanding that Kahlan and Drefan marry and consummate their marriage? I guess the spirits cannot see behind closed doors.

If I had not seen the covers of the "Chainfire" books, I might keep reading with the hope that Kahlan will somehow get eaten by a pack of hungry wolves or, even better, Richard accidentally kills Kahlan by boring her to death with one of his morality sermons.

Thank you for reading my review.

Reggie the Chipmunk.

I picked up Temple of the Winds at a local store, since one ofmy friends recommended the Sword of Truth series. I understood thatthis was the 4th book in the series, and that I hadn't read the first 3 books yet, but I figured the author would keep me updated on what has previously happened so I wouldn't get lost. Terry Goodkind does an AMAZING job at keeping things fresh while still keeping everything clear for people like me who hadn't read the first few books. Many complain that Terry goes too much into detail about previous happenings, but you have to understand that from my perspective, since I was new to the series, Terry did an immaculate job of introducing a new story while still keeping things up-to-date.
This is quite frankly one of the finest works I have ever read. I just picked up Wizard's First Rule and Stone of Tears, since I loved this 4th book so much, and I still believe Temple of the Winds to be the best so far. Things are consistently moving around so the reader doesn't get bored with a long-stretching scene. Things are always kept fresh and the pace of the book moves along nicely.
Many people complain about the excessive violence and sexual content in Terry's books. Who cares? No other fantasy author has ever been this blatantly graphic. Terry's just keeping readers interested, and the sex scenes DEFINITELY kept me interested. =)
Also, Terry is continually compared to other fantasy authors (namely Robert Jordan). Well, Terry has never read other fantasy authors in the past. ( ). Terry has kept his fantasy ideas fresh by staying away from other fantasy authors. So, basically, any comparison that you can think of is coincidence. SO STOP COMPARING THEIR NOVELS ALREADY!
I recommend any of the Sword of Truth series to any fantasy reader out there. Terry's plots are amazingly fresh and the characters have a life of their own. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed.

I must admit that Goodkind seems to have, well, copied isn't the word, but thought up some things in his series that is very similar to the Wheel of Time series. His first two books were good - going quite well, I thought, but the next two were a little disappointing. I must say that he should raise the caliber of writing, just a little, and go back to the excellent promise of his earlier books. But anyway, I thought it a marvellous read and I simply can't wait for the next one out.
Rikki.

First of all i'd like to point out that i enjoyed this book as well as others of the series quite a bit. It is hard to put down, full of action... However, that does not mean i didn't see the things i rather disliked.For one thing, very predictable plot intrigue. The winds and all say that Richard and Kahlan have to marry others, yet we know that they are 'destined' to each other. S what's the simplest way to have them married to others and then be together again? Right , kill off the 'others'. Or at least maybe, a "fake marriage spell"? What has Zedd been doing all this time? All that was kind of strange. Two arguably most powerful magic persons get in all the ridiculous situations and all they accomplish is a small fire in a cave. A lot of stuff is severely unclear to me. The whole magic setup is too confusing and shrouded in mystery. By book 4, surely we could be given more insight on how it works. I never have an idea of whether the character is in big trouble or he/she is just going to wave his/her hand and let the Han take care of the problem. What i mean to say is that i have no idea of the relative power of the people involved nor of the absolute. On the positive side, the prophecies are more or less better explained, using a bit of "prophesiology" Anyways, this book is very entertaining and a good read, even though it has a number of drawbacks

Terry Goodkind has once again given us a vibrant tale of love and war, sacrifice and greed, loyalty and betrayal. Our family now has 2 copies of each of the books in this series. My husband read the series first (paperback) and recommeneded them to me, unfortunately all 4 books had been packed away during our move. Wizards First Rule was so intriguing and wonderful I had to buy the other 3 immediately. This series and particularly TOW are so enthralling I will buy the entire series in hardcover to keep in my permanent library. For those who have read TOW did anyone else note the dedication in the front.---Makes you wonder if Mr. Goodkind's tales of woe are a metaphor for some of his life experiences. This is a MUST READ, however expect very little sleep due to Mr. Goodkind's outstanding writing abilities. The only downside is that Mr. Goodkind is such a newly published author, I have nothing else of his to read to get me through till Book 5 of the series is finally published. To all the readers who didn't appreciate the rehashing of previous events from the earlier books, remember that when you read a series book, if the book can't stand alone,the book is not high quality. The time span between the books in the series, must give the writer the latitude to rehash certain events. Mr. Goodkind, you have 2 more loyal and devoted readers who are EAGERLY awaiting your next wonderful tale. PLEASE HURRY!!!!

Terry Goodkind is becoming an amazing writer. While his books may have gone down in size they went up in quality and plot line. I can't wait for his next book in the series (if there is one) because he left a perfect cliff hanger in Temple of the Winds. Here is a little ego bost for you Terry (if you happen to read this): I frequent yahoo chat (almost 3 times a day) and I came across a call name you would like, R.Rahl and yes it stood for your character Richard. I love your books.

I started this series aprox. 4 years ago. The first book reeled me right in. Out of all of them thus far, (with exception to Wizard's First Rule), this book is the best! A definite page turner from the beginning. The relationships between Kahlan, Richard, and Cara the Mord-Sith are riveting and fun. This book makes you hold your breath, laugh and cry. Goodkind has a flair for detail, capturing every movement of the characters as they speak and think. I would love to see this book adapted to a screenplay. There are so many interesting characters and plots weeved in. I know it would be a blockbuster hit.

I haven't enjoyed reading Temple of the Winds as much as the other books of the series, I really think Terry Goodkind spends too much time lingering on very graphic descriptions of violence and sex.
Terry Goodkind has a god-given talent for storytelling, but he really shouldn't be "wasting" it on these scenes.
I don't really think it adds atmosphere to the books, take Book 1 for example: There was almost no violence or sex, and in my oppinion it's one of the best fantasy novels ever written.
But when you get right down to it, nothing really happened since the first to books! The caracters haven't evolve even a little and all Richard does is telling Kahlan how much he loves her and all that sweet "I'll never leave/betray you, no matter what *fill in a bad guy* does..."
Richard keeps running from one catastrophy to the next, and his solutions get more and more improbable.
I really think that Terry should sit down and think about in what direction he wants SOT to move. Of course he could keep writing some more novels like this one and milk the series for more money, but I think Richard Kahlan and the world Goodkind created deserve better...

As always, Terry Goodkind has mesmerized me once again. Since being introduced to him in November, I have read the entire Sword of Truth series. I have never read material so fulfilling. The Temple of the Winds, for me, was the most captivating. He is a very descriptive writer and it is this eye for detail that draws you so in. Everything counts when he writes. He doesn't do it to take up empty pages of a book but rather to fill the empty pages of our minds and imagination.

Unlike some reviewers, I do not think Terry "copies" The Wheel of time, as suggested. Especially as they are published by the same company !! Terry Goodkind, found a way to keep to his writ and keep Adult readers "fantasy" alive. For my money I would read Goodkind over a very tiring R. Jordan anyday. I have read them all in case that is in doubt. The story is solid and reaches conclusions, not always the most "obvious" conclusions. Great stuff.

Terry Goodkind is often compareed to and sometimes accused of ripping off Robert Jordan. However this is not the case... Yes, Goodkind fans will enjoy Jordan's work and Jorda fan's will enjoy Goodkind's work... However Goodkind's work is unique. Temple of the Winds is one of the best books in the Sword of Truth series in my opinion and if you haven't read it, or any of the series I suggest you do so. Obviously you will only appreciate this book for its full value if you have read the books up to it, and continue to read the books that came after it and the few that are yet to come.

What can i say...this is without question one of the greatest books i've read. I don't agree with some of the bits (i hope you can figure that one out) but as many have said, it just brings more humanity to the whole thing. The fifth (if the rumors are true...) is anxiouly awaited. I just fear that Goodkind dosn't follow in the footsteps of Robert Jordan (great beginnings, but by the 6th and 7th it gets a bit boring) But no doubt, this is a worthwhile read....

Goodkind seems to have borrowed a lot of concepts and ideas from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series (sisters of light and aes sedai for just one example), despite the many new creative fantasy concepts he has developed. I don't think this fact takes away from the book at all though, its more like a comfort for those used to Robert Jordan and other fantasy writers. Goodkind is a very talented writer and he takes you deep into the characters' minds and makes you feel their sorrow and joy. Like the previous books in the series, I found myself on edge during the suspenseful endings hoping that things would turn out alright in the face of complete hopelessness. Goodkind has the ability to turns things around like that. Not to give away the ending I'll say that I always believed things would work out in the end. You can't help but smile when the characters go from the depths of despair to joy, even when you think there is no possible solution. Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series was a very well done epic but it never took me on such an emotional ride or let me come to know the characters so well like this book and the others in the series. Thumbs up to Goodkind. Keep the adventures of Richard and Kahlan coming.

I like the Sword of Truth series, I liked the first three books but I think that the fourth is much worse. First of all it gets predictable. I guessed all the big ''suprises'' in the book. Maybe it is because I now know the way the author thinks a bit better but still I think it isn't so ''inventive'' as the first ones. I think it also gets confusing with all the new characters and I still don't really understand what a dream walker really is. I liked the first one much better. The fact that whatever the characters do to save the world just gets them in a much worse mess is also quite disturbing. I wish somebody would finally GIVE THEM A BREAK! I belive it gets a bit far fetched. I mean - Richard and Kahlan have to save the world four times in just half a year. And every time Richard and Kahlan get together something comes between them. Come on! Decide already - can they be together or not? And I don't like if the story just goes on and on and on. It has to end eventualy. And I hope the last book will be better than this one. Don't get me wrong - I have read much worse books but comparing to the previous books Temple of the Winds just isn't the same.

Alright, I've said it before but obviously you people don't read other reviews. Maybe it's just cause I'm 14 an don't understand or something. You guys/girls must not read the book carefully enough... There is a quote in his books that has made me see things differently "We can all be who we are, no more, no less." Stop your bickering about how bad you thought the book was, I happened to think it was just as good as the other ones. And they all got 10's from me. His books have done to me what no others have....it has given me understanding and I could not put down any of them. Not a one. The first book I read in two days. I don't know if that is fast to you people butit is for me. When I was reading the books all other things were almost non-existant. Well enough of me taking up time......for those of you who haven't read it, do so and make up your own mind. Lord Chaos

Not bad...Not as good as I was hoping. I'm starting to see the trend going on here. Goodkind is extremely talented! But his type of story seems like the same thing over and over! WFR was very good with interesting characters and a good story. Then so was SoT but only slightly less because of boring scenes. Then BotF dropped way down but was still a really good but with less interesting villains more boring parts and and those annoying sexual scenes that drives the nerves crazy! Make it a story not a porno. There is some things about the characters you really don't want to know about like ALL their pleasures! And please Terry try to come up with a origional story and please can we advance the story more with all those pages?
Still I really like Goodkind he makes books of the "good kinds" I love his works anyway I just wanted him to use his talents for their best. And I think he can still do better, just give him a chance!

Once again, a fantasy author looks up at the clouds and sees big bank accounts instead of good plots. Just like Robert Jordan, Goodkind has fallen into the moneypit and I'm thinking he will never get out. His series is starting to get long, but more importantly, the books are just really bad.
I liked the books in high school, before a college education gave me some real taste in good literature. Then I realized that what I had been reading when young was pretty bad writing, especially the sci-fi and fantasy.
The prime example is Goodkind (and Jordan). His plot is really bad, characters are unoriginal and repetitive (oh yay, very evil Jagang, Richard and Kahlan in true love, etc), and on top of all that, the books are like 800 pages long. And no, contrary to some reviews here, Goodkind's writing is not the most graphic, nor is he the most original, nor does he have the best characters, best plot, anything.
For some real literature, read stuff like Marquez or Nabokov, or if you still want fantasy/sci-fi, the good ones are George R.R. Martin, Asimov, Clarke, Zelazny, etc. Not Goodkind, and not Jordan!

Although, Terry doesn't get the same impact as in Wizard's First Rule, It should be seen for what it is. A great book. I've got all four parts in Hardcover (Authographed copy of Blood of The Fold) And I've read them from front to back three times now, and it just keeps getting better. I did find Temple of the Winds the most confusing part. Even the Dutch Translations are good (Which is a miracle) I just hope there one day may be a part five.

This is a very good novel by Mr. Goodkind. However, the majority of the story was just information and discussion. Aside from some quick action at the start and near the end (when Richard went into the Temple of the Winds), there's nothing much. It needs more action. I have read the series in order and loved everyone of them (including this one) but TOW lacks action. But I still look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I just completed Temple of the Winds this evening and was absolutely enthralled by the last 100 pages. I don't confess to support graphic violence, but I could have easily stood in Richard's shoes as he tickled Drefan's spine. While you couldn't help but to suspect him from the beginning, Goodkind did an excellent job in helping the reader to despise the character. Even Darken Rahl did not inspire such emotion. Overall, I was quite pleased with this book and felt that it held true to the overall series' excellence. I must admit I grow somewhat tired of the constant strife between Richard and Kahlan and hope that Goodkind can find away to transition the overall story away from those characters in time. I think the real value of the series and his writing is the wonderful world that has been created and his ability to bring his characters to life, not just these main characters themselves. Nonetheless, I believe it is time for me to start the next one....am I the only one that loses themselves in these novels?

It is a good book, i realy enjoy it most out of the 4, we get to find out more and more about what richard is and more Lore about the odd world that the world in this book is.

However the quality is not improving at all! There are still a lot of dull arguments that are uneccesary, constant apologies and a lot of recolecting from other books.

Richard and his friends are supposed to be leaders of a huge nation, he has no time to visit representatives from other countries but he can visit some little peasant boy. One of Richards exuses in the book is that he cant visit the representatives from other nations because he is affraid his friend might bring in deseases from a whorehouse in town...

Also the boook still uses ultra violence with constant rape and violent rape, infect Terry seems to like the idea of torturing women and raping them. There will be about 2 pages of violence in a battle and then about 6 about how badly soldiers are raping women, he ought to go easy on that.

Anyway despite the huge stupidity of the charachters and silly prohecy buisness i keep want to find out mnore about the mysteries of this world that Terri made.

I enjoyed this book, as I have the others in the series so far. The Characters are likeable, and the story line is good. Although this is a 4 star book because I am judging it on its own merit, the series as a whole is getting a little tired. The story's and characters are great, but they are becoming more and more predictable. You know the good guys will win and no one important will die, and Richard and Khalan will end up together at the end of every book. So while this is a good book, I hope Goodkind will shake things up a bit in the future books I have yet to read.

Yet another amazing addition to Terry Goodkind's sword of truth series. This volume tends more towards a romance novel than science fiction, which annoyed me at first .. almost to the point of not buying the next volume. I can assure you though, this is still an amazing escape into the lives of fantasy, magic, love, and relationships. The next volume in the series return to the true form of the sword of truth. Be warned, these books are addictive, and will not leave your hands and eyes until the last word has been read.. and then you may be tempted to read it again!
This series is a MUST for everyone, not just scifi enthusiasts.

I've read many books in my life, but there's never been a book series I've finished as fast as the 'Sword Of truth'!
After I had read "Wizard's First Rule", the first book of the 'Sword Of Truth' series, I thought it couldn't get any better. The second book, "Stone Of Tears', to my surprise, held the niveau of its precedant, and the thrid book, "Blood Of The Fold" even exceeded it! Along comes this masterpiece, "Temple Of The Winds", which is so great that you must wonder what fascinated you about the former 3 books book in the first place... This book alone is worth reading the three prequels!
I can't say the same about the fifth book, "Soul Of The Fire" or the seventh and latest book "Pillars of Creation", but the sixth book, "Faith Of The Fallen", again tops Goodkinds up-till-then masterpiece "Temple Of the Winds".
Terry Goodkind's books are of a unique quality! When I think back of how I read his stories, I can't remeber looking at pages of a book - It is more like trying to remember scenes from a movie! It is as vivid as storytelling can get!
If you like books and if you like fantasy, you won't want to miss The Sword Of Truth!!!
Forget Tolkien, forget Brooks - Goodkind forever!!!

Perfect. Absolutely perfect. When Warren began having his gift headaches again, I almost cried. When Raina died, I got more than a few pages wet. When I found out exactly who Drefan Rahl was, I felt like killing him myself. I love the way the prophecies are written, the way I have to sit and try to figure out what they mean along with Richard and Kahlan. The absolute best book yet, with Wizard's First Rule a very close second.

The first three books were like fantasy horror. Terry could give Steven King a run for the title. This book ruined it. Terry Goodkind turns Kahlan stupid. The Mother Confessor doesn't use her powers to interrogate a wizard who wants to kill Richard. She had been trained all her life as a confessor and now she doesn't use it. Why wouldn't a reader expect her to be an expert at getting information? Wasn't this part of her career???

Kahlan is minimized further when Richard doesn't let her confess a man he thought killed women in a "Jack the Ripper" fashion. I thought Richard was "Seeker of the Truth". Any reader could see the man in question tried to kill Kahlan for political reasons not enjoyment. Did Richard think Kahlan didn't see blood and guts before? Will a man tell a female examiner not perform autopsies? Kahlan had seen war and now the writer is reducing her to what Richard wants.

Kahlan releases her sexual frustrations on another man she must marry, then after the fact ask the guy not to tell Richard. The guy is Richard's brother who they really don't know. Wow, how foolish can he make her??? Sounds like bad drama.

Richard on the other hand requires all of Midlands to surrender to him, and he will protect them. After the betrayal, he states he is not coming back from the temple. It seems he forgot all the people he promised to protect. The war just got started.

When I was done with the book, the only character that I found interesting was Nathan.

This was definately one of Terry Goodkind's better works. There were several times in reading this that made me want to laugh or cry right along with the characters. Terry Goodkind does one of the best jobs I've seen to make you feel like one of the characters. The only downpoint in this edition to his series is that Gratch isn't in it. But that's just because I like Gratch. A definate must read and an easy 5 stars.

Well, although I did read the book in one sitting, I do think that there are definite flaws in this book, and in the series as a whole. How many times do we have to see Kahlan betray Richard, but, it all turns out to have been necessary? It's getting repetitive folks! Plus, what with the Sisters of the Light, the fall of the Prelate, who is *supposed* to be dead, but instead, is off trying to twist the world to fit the prophecy, I just keep getting flashbacks of Aie Sedai in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Actually, if you look at the whole series, there seem to be *many* essential plot elements that have been *borrowed* by Mr. Goodkind from Mr. Jordan's (IMHO) FAR better written series. Check out the real thing folks - Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. Then read this series to laugh at the stolen concepts.

I tried to read Jordon fantasy but I couldn't get into his story for some reason, I tried him first because he suppose to be a big writer maybe he is for some so I had to put it down. So I decided one more try with the fantasy if I can't get into this then forget it and was goodkind wizard series I have enjoy every book he put out . I think its depend on your taste of writing to me this guy is the best compare to Jordan. Now I'm trying r.r. Martin he pretty good to but Goodkind would be my favorite.

I am in the process of reading the Sword of Truth series. I am currently on book number 5, Soul of Fire. I really wanted to comment on this 4th book, though, Temple of the Winds, because it stands out among the rest of the book. The first thing that comes to my mind to describe this book is mental and physical torture. There is so much anguish throughout this book I almost had to stop reading it for a while. I expect this kind of thing in fantasy books, but this one was almost too much, Goodkind just unleashed it all on you non-stop. Toward the end of the book, I was just hoping it ended quickly, I wanted to be done with this book. I am giving it three stars. The other books were all great, but the storylines are redundant at times, and Goodkind likes to repeat himself a lot with things you already have heard over and over about what happened in past books. Still, I do recommend this series, because the characters formed in these books are simply marvelous. You will never forget the characters of Richard and Kahlan.

I was vey disappointed when I finally received the audio cassette.The story itself was entertaining however the actual recording was awful.I don't know who came up with the brilliant idea to use the single speaker story play but they obviously didn't consider the common walk man user.Most stereo headphones don't come with a balance knob!I would tell you to read the book instead and avoid the audio cassette altogether.

I am a big fan of the Sword of Truth series. I have read Wizard's First Rule a few of times and slowly got through Stone of Tears and Blood of the Fold. I must admit that those two were a bit slow but the story and the characters kept me faithful. I bought Temple of the Winds and Soul of the Fire to read on the plane to and from Germany car trip from Germany to Florence this summer. By the time I got towards the end of Temple of the Winds I couldn't leave the house! Everyone else would go sightseeing and I insisted on staying in and reading. I sat around for almost an entire day stopping only to eat trying to finnish that book. And keep in mind I don't read a lot. I was so captured by what happened to Kahlen and Richard that I couldn't put the book down. I was still in awe even after I finnished it. I cannot compare this one with the first one but it has to have been one of the absolute best books I have ever read. I havn't gotten far into Soul of the Fire for lack of time but I hope I find time soon.

I have not even finished reading Temple of The Winds and already I think it is Goodkind's best book. This book brings new heights to character and plot development. Temple of the Winds is permeated with a anxious hopelessness that gives a sense of great urgency to everything that happens. You never know what will happen next, the Light is always in danger of being overwhelmed by the Dark but not quite; DON'T MISS IT!

What an interesting person Mr. Goodkind must be. His Sword Of Truth series continues to keep me on edge. You never know who will be killed or raped next. I can appreciate his style. He writes with authority. There is action. There is progress. Every novel is whole on its own. There are common elements in his series and Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series (another great series). Except that Goodkind's story is moving at full pace at all times. Book 2 was the best. I was so worried about the Mother Confessor that I couldn't put it down (a protective male, I am). I would prefer that she not be raped or killed. I hope he continues his work and is not afraid to be even a little "sicker" in the future.

I actually have been listening to this series of books on audio. I spend over an hour and half to and from work everyday and it makes the drive seem much less. Infact sometimes I will sit in the garage and finish listening awhile. As everyone says the frist two books are by far the best. The 3rd bood was good, however it seems to me like he got tired of writing it and just killed off a few of the characters to finish it faster. This book dragged on for a long time and like other reads say was easy to figure out. Toward the end of the book it picked up and became much more interesting again as the books before it were.
The biggest problem I have with the book was actually the publisher that did the recording of the book. Apparently the reader nor the director listen to any of the books that came before or did any research on the series. While voice will be done differently its not ok to miss pronounce the majority of the caracters names. Whats worse is that Kahlan is mentioned in this book far more than anyone and the reader didnt get her name correct the entire book calling her colin. I spent the first 20 discs rolling my eyes due to this simple fact. Besides those facts as long as you can deal with the voices of the random people in the book sounding like they should be doing a lucky charms commercial you'll be fine. Worth reading once but I did not keep these discs around as I know I will never listen to them again.

I liked these stories because I think Mr. Goodkind is a very skilled writer and puts alot of detail into all of the books. You can really see in your mind what is going on. The series had a really good storyline and made you not want to put these books down. I can't wait for the next book!! It's the kind of book that has the right amount of action, mystery, romance in it and it all flows into a great story!!

Terry Goodkind just continues to get better as a writer. Temple of the Winds is a gripping tale of despair, lost love, betrayal and redemption. The main characters are the same as Richard Rahl, Kahlan, Zedd, Nathan Rahl, and the evil dreamwalker Emperor Jagang fight in this world and the underworld for posession of the Old and New Worlds. New to this tale is Richard's half-brother Drefan, also the offspring of the wicked Darken Rahl. The plot is similar to the other three books, but I found Temple to be particularly riveting. If you are a fan of the series, don't expect to get a good night's sleep for the few days it will take you to zip through the 525+ pages. There are a few chapters of brutality that some readers may find overpowering. Jagang's army is merciless. Now all we have to do is grudgingly wait for the fifth installment.

It is a very rare writer that actually pulls tears from my eyes the way that Terry Goodkind does with each new installment to his Sword of Truth series. I have never actually thrown a book across the room, but when faced with the perils of such loved characters I found that I was unable to bear them at times and there was a great flutter of pages. I think that future readers with less heart could not do else but add to the tears that I shead upon the page(and can you believe that I actually screamed at Richard when he was so sure that he had been betrayed by his love?). This installment also brought about my admiration for the Mord Sith, they turned from being feared enemys into the adored characters that I cryed for in their times of suffering.I can without a doubt say that Goodkind is one of my favorite writers ( that includes Mercedes Lackey and Elizabeth Haydon- at least in the Fantasy field) and I hope that his writings live on, both in the Sword of Truth series and beyond.

I think people who like magic and dragons would love to read this book. I like how its not boring but intersting through out the story. It is a good secqual to The Sword of Truth Novals. I can't wait to read the next novel that comes out, i am hopping it comes out soon. I think a lot of people who like magic would like Zedd because he is a neat person. I like him the most out of all the other chariters.

After reading book one I was afaird this would be just a "one hit series" however after reading the first four books in this series I found out how wrong I was! This book was a page turner I stayed up till 1 in the morning without putting it down. Mr. Goodkind leaves no unanwsered loose ends in his books. He writes everything with an individuality that seems so differant from lots of other modern fantasy. This book is a tale that at first glance seems simalar to the other three books (ie- Richard and Kahlan breaking up, solving a problem, and then getting back together) However, Temple of the Winds provides a new twist and some completely unexpexted ideas and actions of certain people. This book is a continuation of what will hopefully one day be a well remembered series.

Terry Goodkind has outdone his-self with this series. I was getting tired of the hohum fantasy and stumbled on these books, I am still waiting for more. Zedd is the greatest, serious but comical, very lovable. The Mord-Sith are brave and give readers intense action and a chance to learn together. Finally Richard and Kahlan go together. Thier fight for humanity and true love is a lesson in itself.

As in Peace of Mind since it finally convinced me that there was no hope for the series to ever improve, and that they would continue to dissapoint and be a relentlessly painful read. And since I dropped the series I've slept peacefully ever since.

Honestly, there really wasn't much of the books that I ever actually enjoyed, save for the Mordsith. The reading was choppy, almost like he wrote the story then went back and randomly plugged in descriptive sentences to make the book longer, and it had been like that since book one! The story and plot line are the same in every book. "Oh no, Kahlan, my love, you are supposed to betray me! But fear not, I know you never would and we'll work through it" And so they cry for about 50 pages. And then at the end when she does betray him, he can't believe she would ever do it and they cry again for the another 50 pages.

Character developement is a little lacking, and the different groups, societies, and organizations are practically torn and plugged in from other fantasy novels, and he doesn't even smooth out the torn edges first.

The Sword of Truth is the McDonalds of Fantasy, and Terry Goodkind is the clown.

I have both the book and audio CD for when my hands are going to be full for a while and the book for when I just want to sit down and read it works well for me in that I don't miss a thing. But this is the 4th book in the series and this guy cant even get the basic pronunciations correct and this just angers me. Colin who the hell is Colin oh wait does he mean Kahlan. Aside from the reader the book is merely okay and the authors reiteration is getting very old. I hope the next book is better.

Which book would you take with you to a desert Island? The question is which book would inspire you to find a desert island so you may read uninterrupted? Temple of the Winds, of COURSE! I have been scheduling vacation time since I found out Richard and his beloved Kalhan were coming back on October 1st. Terry Goodkind's words are pure magic. From the first spell, this Wizard of the First Order entices you to a colorful world of his own. Richard, Kalhan and Zedd are so vibrantly human, and passionate and so desperately fighting to make the world a better place. They leap out of the pages and grab your guts, and call you to come along, and fight and weep and laugh, and hug, long after the finishing spell. Forget about the desert island! I am taking Richard, Kalhan and Zedd with me!

I have listened to this entire series so far on tape. I love the series mind you - but the audio publisher switched readers in this fourth book and he pronounced the names of the characters totally different than in the first three. Sounds minor but it was reallllly annoying, I kept having to try and figure out who the heck he was talking about. How hard would it have been for the new reader to listen to at least one of the previous versions.

Terry Goodkind writes so well that you feel for the characters. My favourite characters are (apart from the main ones, ie. Richard, Kahlan, Zedd) Gratch (Book 2) and the Mordsith. The Mordsith make me laugh at their teasing of Richard and their discovery of life. It also actually made me cry when Raina feed the chipmunks before she took her last breath. Very heartrenching.
Well written to bring out all the different types of emotion.
Love the series

I enjoyed the first three books in the series. However, I've read about 500 pages into the 4th injenction and I must say it has some good points, but not nearly enough to fill out the amount I have read so far. He's beginning to be very redundant; not just about reiterating events from pasts books, but even the ideas fairly indigenous to this book are just about beat to death! I don't think I care to even finish the whole thing, its just too boring and lacking overall.

With this, like Robert Jordan's voluminous series, I think you can put only so much into such a hugely continuous story centered around the same characters, and not have it peter out eventually.

It's a very small thing but it a driving me insane and detracting from the story. This voice actor pronounces Kahlan as "colin" rather than "Kaylyn" and I just can't deal. It already bothers me when they switch voice actors for books in the same series but it's even worse when they pronounce names of key characters differently. Everytime he says "Kahlan" I wonder who the hell he is talking about before remembering. Just obnoxious. Throwing it out there in case anyone has the same weird pet peeve as me.

I have decided that due to my love of this series, he shall be known to me as Mr. Goodkind. His telling of the story matched that of Wizard's First Rule, though I am getting bored of his continually retelling of the previous books. I must admit that Drefan Rahl seemed a bit obvious, in name and nature. I still have faith that one day this guy might be as well remembered as J.R.R. Tolkien.

Read this book, but then do yourself a favor and stop
and save yourself from a hard fall.
The ending, 'Confessor', most awful ending I ever read in my life!
And worse, bad writing!!!
And worse because many of his books in this series were so awesome.
I really loved most of his books.But...I just read finished the last book last night.I got it from the library. I'm thanking God I didn't buy it.When I got it from the library, I noticed the spine was all broken and torn. I was intending to fix it...but now I realize it must have been because the last reader threw it against the wall.
I was tempted to as well, but didn't.
It was as monotonous and amateurish. Where the heck was his editor??
I should have listened and not read the book and just made up my own ending.

The one thing I think I hated the most was the way he ended it the whole boring slog.... It was COMPLETELY obnoxious.

His theme in most of the books was to protesting religious zealotry. Those in the Order where following some misguided notion that they were killing in the name of the creator and lived under very communistic conditions.

As I read Confessor the preaching and reminding got so irritating I ended up simply skipping pages and pages of 'reminders'.

Through out the series there seemed to be an acknowledged basic natural(and good) desire to connect with the Creator and the spiritual connection in all of us. And that there was indeed an afterlife and he seemed to be pointing out that those killing in the name of the Creator are wrong.

Also, Goodkind spends many chapters explaining the 'theology' of his fantasy world....how magic works and is connected with the underworld etc etc..But then he completely trashes it AND connects his fantasy world to our real world!!! The whole effect was disconcerting and took away from the 'fairy tale ending'...because you know in this ending the Creator is dead, or consigned to some corner and told not to bother anyone ever again.

In the end Richard destroys the entire afterlife for those banished to the non magic world, where he conveniently alludes to those formally of the Order are now the 'building churches'!!! What?)
Not mosques, not temples, not circles...but CHURCHES! (and not just any Churches, but CATHOLIC churches because they use medals and 'talismans'. What?)

Excuse me? Is Terry Goodkind really this ignorant, or is he just another patsy for the secular order that is encroaching with the culture of death? I think both.

Does anyone want a link to pictures of happy young jihadists brandishing the hands of Christians and other kaffirs they collected for allah???? Those of the Order where more like militant islam and the Saracens of history and militant communism and nazi's rolled up in one!! Knowing that as of this minute while I write this thousands of Christians are being executed for 'blasphemy' and oppressed with well documented sharia dhimmi laws in muslim countries or as in communist China's case, having children ripped from their wombs because they value life and would want to welcome a new child among them,...but it's against the godless of laws of china. Or what about the mass graves of Orthodox and catholic priests and nuns from Communist Russia and it's former satellites??

What an insult to those really truly have and are suffering on behalf of the values of life and liberty.

Ugh. I was completely irritated that I even read the series to begin with. I will not bother to watch the TV series.

My advice is save yourself aggravation and money and skip this series.
It's a garden path to nowhere even if slavish anti-catholicism and Nietzschism doesn't bother you, the ending is so horrifically disjointing and boring after so many really good books, you come out of it feeling like you were slapped...hard.

M~

Once again, he doesn't let us down. This fourth book in the series expands on the adventures of our dynamic duo and makes their stories that much more real.

Just the fact that Goodkind is so good about creating, maintaining, and expanding a universe full of different peoples would keep me coming back, even if the stories weren't as good as they actually are.

I have the whole series up to this book. I love the entire series. Goodkind is able to keep you turning pages all night. The story not only involves love and romance but also magic and mystery. It has something to offer for any science-fiction lover out there. I strongly reccomend reading the entire series. Be sure to start at the beggining or you will be lost the whole way.

I just finished Temple of the Winds after a couple of hours of intensive reading, and I can only say one thing--WOW!!!!
This book was an emotional rollercoaster for the last hundred pages--Goodkind kept my emotions running high, and at times I was alternately hyperventilating, screaming at the book, or just crying.
Gosh, I couldn't help but thinking : what this man does to his characters is absolutely criminal! I've read a lot of fantasy, and I don't think I've evere seen such a high level of tension maintained so well. Kudos!
For all of you who say this is trashy writing, you're entitled to your opinion, but I think you missed the whole point of the book: it's not supposed to be *good*. It's supposed to be a thoroughly enjoyable adventure, full of emotions and heart-stoppers and unforgettable characters. In that, Terry Goodkind succeeded beyond even my highest expectations.

Jolly Good show old boy. I would have to say that the murderer Drefan Rahl's character was good at the end but his sexual violence was pointless to a certain extent. Kahlan betraying Richard wasn't what the audience wanted though, even to get into that magical temple. Still, good book, read worse, not a patch on tolkien though, sorry. Oh More Nathan please he's the best character.

I was reading this book in my high school Biology class many moons ago and I got so immersed into it that I lost touch with my surroundings. I came across the part where Richard awakened the sliph and I just started shouting in excitement. Needless to say, my teacher wasn't as thrilled.

Maybe my imagination is just vivid, but I have never come across another book that has sucked me in so deeply.

Great read, great buy!

The plot of this book is somehow annoying - take, for example, the troublesome events that always prevents Kahlan and Richard's marriage - but still you can't hold it down.

the betrayal of the one in white blew my mind away! wasn't expecting that part and loved it!

but the thing is, Goodkind is very repetitive during the descriptions, especially when describing Richard's looks and Kahlan. Also, he is explaining the events in the former books and that could be boring sometimes.. maybe thats because I read the books without giving a break, one by one... still, I beleive there is no need for such reminders.

Overall, the series is great and I loved this book.

I haven't read this book yet, but that's only because I'm collecting the series in paperback. I like being left in suspence. Theres nothing that thrills you more.His last three books were magnificent. Especially Stone of Tears.It is the best I've read so far. The most exiting was Blood of the Fold though. This is truly a series to surpass Jordan and Tolkein alike. A masterpiece.

All the young kids reading these and crying about it being too sad or frustrating just stop. This is literature and its great. The fact that it can make u feel that range of emotions is the exact reason why it is good. You dont read a book like angelas ashes and give it a bad review because it was too sad.

I love Goodkind's SoT series. I can't put the books down. I'm only thirteen and I have to thank my friend for introducing me to this series. Temple of the Winds is the best book in his series. The plot is so exciting and suprising. He builds up the plot very well. Goodkind sure can fit characters in and use suprising ways to save the main characters. The ways Richard and Kahlan are always saved are unfathomable to me. They always seem at first to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and then, in the right place at the right time. I can't wait to read the book 5 of the SoT series, Soul of the Fire. I think Goodkind is the best fantasy writer ever. His books take me to another world where it seems that I am at peace and time doesn't matter. I could read for hours at a time and not get bored. I hope Soul of the Fire is as good as this one.

While I am an avid fan of Terry Goodkind and I await each book with some anticipation, I must admit that this book was a little...windy (forgive the pun, please). The beginning was a little slow, and was it just me or did anyone figure who the sicko was w/in the first 5 lines of the first murder scene? The evidence was placed in this person's belongings too soon and the excuse they made was a little pathetic. Couldn't the evidence have shown up later in the book, just to sort of throw the reader off, and delay the eye-rolls?

Anyway, there were also sappy love scenes that sort of made me want to put the book down. I understand Goodkind may have been trying to evoke some sympathy for Richard and Kahlan's frustrating (and overly drawn out) wait to complete and consummate their love, but the stolen-kiss scenes sort of dripped with sap. Also, Richard's dealings with Kahlan and with the lords and delegates from different countries were a little drawn out and preachy. His long philisophical explanations, and Goodkind's seeming need to continuously refer us to Richard's "raking raptor gaze" and Kahlan's "sparkling green eyes" and tight, white, regal Confessor's dress, get repetitive and you end up skipping large chunks of the dialogue. The stubbornness of the main characters will at times frustrate you, and after all the waiting and yearning and restraint the main duo has endured, how could the writer snatch away the sanctity of their first union by turning it into such a horrid experience? It was so terrible, it worked. That part just killed me...

But after all this passes, the book begins to pick up and roll with the formula that made Goodkind's first book such a riveting story. He did a good job at evoking irritation and murderous inclinations towards a new character, Nadine. There are parts that draw out giggles and appreciation for the humorous and angry sides of Richard's loving personality and seemingly deep well of patience with stupid or insipid characters. And again, I must stress that, for the typical female, Nadine will boil your blood. The scenes involving the sick children and some of the characters close to Richard dying, were just enough to make me misty-eyed (I am a sucker for well-described death scenes).

It also made you appreciate the love, devotion, and trust in the developing relationship between the Mord-Sith (mostly Cara and Berdine) and Richard. The overall story is good and you're able to forgive some of the flaws in this book. Richard is still one of the best characters developed in any science fiction I ever read. Goodkind makes him a handsome, strong, sensible, likeable, and intelligent hero, but at the same time he allows Richard to make mistakes, admit to them, and learn from his mistakes, without making apologies and enemies. In other words, a man that will never exist in real life.

Distracting and disorienting. The reader of this audio book didn't bother to learn how to pronounce the names of the major characters, which is unconscionable when you are reading the fourth book in a series. It's almost forgivable when he mispronounces agiel, because it doesn't occur once a page. Every time he says the name Colin, I wrack my brain trying to figure out what minor character I've forgotten. There is no Colin.

After Stone of Tears and Blood of the Fold, I very nearly didn't buy this book. I eventually did, and feel at least some faith restored in Mr Goodkind's abilities. Like the previous two books, Temple of Winds is predictable, largely I think due to the inclusion of the prophecies. I presume their purpose is to give some form of structure and direction to an otherwise weak and tenous plot. This was certainly the case with Blood of the Fold, which probably rates as one of the most frustrating books I have ever read. Temple of the Winds however shows that Terry Goodkind can write well despite such constraints. The development of the Mord-Sith is very well done, and I would agree with another reader who remarked on how Richard and Kahlan's relationship has been enhanced with their encounter with jealousy. The sex and violence help to create many enjoyably tense moments, though I don't think it would be too hard to draw a fairly accurate psychological profile of the author. The main weakness though is the absence of Zedd's character. I presume this is so that the series can be stretched out to make more money. Should Zedd actually stand still for 5 minutes and manage to avoid the attentions of bigotted ex-Prelates and gullible inhabitants of the wilds, he could teach Richard how to use his magic! Please don't let the Sword of Truth fall into the same trap as the apply named Wheel of Time.

Spinning a tale should not be this easy. Unlike Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series, Terry Goodkind gives the reader much to look forward to in the coming installments of his "Sword of Truth" epic. Fresh adventures and strong characterizations make "Temple of the Winds" one of the strongest sequels this reviewer has ever read.

This book was unexpectadly my favorite book from the series. i have read the first 4 books over 20 times, and the last 2 7 and twice. yes, i am what you would call an obsessed reader, and yes i do read other series. this one just happened to stand out because of the great displays of character, though a bit chovenist and cavemanish at times. the books have sentimental value for some reason. This one in particular stood out because of the emotional value attatched to it and the understanding of the complications that evolved from the differences on the 2 sides between emperor jagang and richard rahl from D'hara. the part of kahlan being torn from richard took a hard tole, to a realistic fate and caused a lot of amounts of thinking in life and how things are thought through. ive read all 6, awaiting 7 and pillars of creation.

In my opinion, there were some character inconsistencies that pulled away from the plot, as well as a major plot hole that isn't filled. Still a great story, pulling in some things from our world that are set into a less developed world for people to handle.

My review is not about the book itself, but on the audio recording of the book. If you listen to the series from the first book, the characters' names and presence remain the same, even though there is more than one narrator...until you get to the fourth book. This narrator presents the book with completely different characters and pronounces just about every name and place differently than the previous narrators. Certain characters, such as Captain Ryan, gain 40 years because Dick Hill didn't care to learn their parts in the story. Real shoddy work on his part.

I liked the book very much. It was one of my favorites of the series. I can't wait for the next book of the series to come out. The Temple of the Winds is an exciting continuation of the Sword of Truth Series. It takes you further in to the lives of Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell. It is a very in-depth story that draws you in to the Midlands.

TERRY GOODKIND KICKS HUGE @$$!!!!!, The man is a brilliant storyteller, his books keep you hooked from page one. The Sword of Truth series should be handed out in school as a great piece of art.(That way I wouldn't have to scrounge up lose change to buy them.) If you want to forget the stressful world around you, I strongly suggest Mr. Goodkind!

TEMPLE OF THE WINDS is a great book in this fantasic series. The issues here become highly emotional and the book leaves you in horror of what has happened with the understanding of how and why it happened. If you read it, you will understand what I mean by this. Great characters, fantastic plot, wonderful read! RECOMMENDED HIGHLY!

It is a good book. The war starts- a plague sweeps the land and people are forced to either join with the good guys or get blown away. Very good war fantasy book- it is not as good as Martin but still still good in its own way
Yes there is to much kissing and love, but i really didn't mind that bad if terry would not go into so much detail- i didn't mind the torture detail in the second book but this was to much
but i still think that this is a good book and worth reading

Call me sick (and many have), but I don't mind the sex or violence. What I do mind is authors adding unnecissary filler to stories. I loved the first book. It was a full, wonderful novel. The rest of them (2-4) are short stories filled with extra dialogue. Many of the chapters are elongated with redundancy simply becuase this writer thinks he needs to write a 500 page novel.
And who else but me could give a hoot about Richard and Kahlan? Okay the love each other. That was established in the first novel. Now, it's just plain sappy. Each would give their lives for the other. (How many times was that crud said?) Their whole love affair with each other is just corny beyond belief. If I wanted this kind of dung I would have read a Hallmark card. I will not be buying any further installments of this series

Enough with the incessant need to have ridiculous reasons to keep Richard and Kahlan apart/back together. PICK 1 already. This last book really was over the top with irrational behavior, melodramatic drivel, predictable "twists" and times just stupid plot advancements. I enjoyed the first 2 books and the 3rd was ok, but cant understand how this book is even considered part of the same series. It feels like the author just woke up one morning and decided that book 4 should be wrote in one day. Very little thought for long term advancement of the story was put into this book.

Terry Goodkind has outwritten any writer I have ever read. He has once again produced a fine work of literature that was able to both captivate and move you emotionally. He has created characters so beliveable that you could become that character , as in "THE NEVER ENDING STORY". Bravo Terry , another great work of art!

Terry Goodkind is my favorite author. I can't tell you how many nights I've lost sleep because I couldn't stop reading. The stories are inspiring and engrossing. I'd recommend reading all of his work. If you like fantasy novels, then look no further...there are plenty to keep you entertained for a good long while. I don't read too many books more than once, but I've read every one of Terry Goodkind's novels at least three times. Highly recommended!

The story of this book is quite good. The plot was good and there were new characters. I liked the way where Terry Goodkind added Nadine into the story. She completely makes the story desiring to read. The only problem is too much talk and it's the same thing like the other books. It just kept talking about how much Richard loved Kahlan and Kahlan loved Richard. BORING! FORGET THE LOVE! WE ALL KNOW HOW MUCH HE LOVE HER! If you want love, Mr. Goodkind, why not just make all the Mord-Siths fall in love with Richard. Even better, let Richard find his so call "half-sister" in the next book and let her fall in love with Richard, too. Now, that would make the story better!

I read Temple of the Winds and cant help but feel that Terry Goodkind is really going downhill. This book wasn't exciting at all and I can't help but feel that Terry might be disturbed due to his over reliance on rape, castration and gross brutality to furthur the plot. I certainly won't be buying the next book! Poor show Terry.

In Temple of the Winds, one can find the solace of a gentle breeze and the rage of a hurricane. Mr. Goodkind has woven another wonderful installment in The Sword of Truth series. Mr. Goodkind toys with the imagination and molds an exciting tail full of intrigue, and contrast. A must read for all who like fantasy. Awesome!!

I think people should shut up about the criticism; this is so realistic and involving. In my opinion people criticizing about the action are trying to advance the idea that they are better writers, though they may never have published anything. This book, out of all books I have read in my life, moved and INVOLVED me most.

By the fourth book in Robert Jordan's wheel of time series, the story was starting to slow down. Not so with Goodkind. He bounces back from a four star outing in Blood of the Fold with this tale of magic and love with the strong characterization and emotional storytelling that I have come to expect (and love). One of the best fantasy series to appear in recent years.

I started reading The Sword of Truth series totally by accident! I joined the Sci-Fi Book Club and selected Temple of the Winds as an introductory selection, not knowing it was part of a series. Being totally anal, I immediately ordered the first 3 books, I will not start a series in the middle.
From the beginning, I was hooked like a Long Island Sound Bluefish! After ripping through Wizard's First Rule, The Sword of Truth, & Blood of the Fold, I could NOT see how Mr. Goodkind could write a better book. I was wrong! Temple of the Winds was fantastic!
I am left with a small problem, however. When's the next book in the series coming out?? I'm hooked like heroin junkie!!
Dave Carloni

Please stop rehashing the story with every book. It is not necessary. If there are those who did not read the first few they should go out and buy them. For those of us who did take the time and read them, we don't need it retold over and over. Great book anyhow. I would read it again and skip over the rehash.

After reading the first three books in the sword of truth series I thought it humanly impossible to write a sequal that surpasses them all, but that is exactly what this book has done. It is the best book in the series and probably my favourite book ever -- there should be a higher rating for books this good.

The Sword of Truth series truly belongs among the classics of Fantasy. Terry Goodkind is an intelligent and creative writer whose books I truly enjoy. Temple of the Winds picks up right where Goodkind last left off. The trials which face Richard Cypher are interesting to read about. These books are truly unique. I have nothing which I can compare them to. I highly recommend this book, and this series.

I think I stayed up until 3am reading this book, flipping through the pages as fast as I could read them, saying, "I know Richard and Kahlan are going to get out of this...BUT HOW!!??!!" It really looked hopeless and Goodkind did a great job telling this story.

I came into this series from the second book onwards and was at once enthralled by the characters and situations woven by Mr Goodkind. The TOW again introduced us to characters we love and have grown attached to and pulled in a few new ones. I found myself reading this book at every opportunity to the extent of ignoring my husband in order to read another chapter!! Terry's writing gives you the chance to become wholly absorbed into the storyline, feeling every emotion the characters do, this to me is what good writing is about. A truly inspiring read and series. A must for anyone who is a fan of fantasy/fiction. A huge thankyou to Terry Goodkind for creating these characters and making them feel so real. If you want a thumping good read --- BUY THIS BOOK!

Terry Goodkind is brilant in the way he makes the charaters seem alive. The reader is alwese surprised! When you read the book you start out to think Shota is evil, but by the time you finish you know shota is good.
Each charater expresses their feelings exelently. He even adds a bit of comody

This is another great book in the series. Although not as great as Stone of Tears, but definitely a great addition to the series. As with the previous books the twists in the plot are unpredictable and very interesting. I have stayed up for hours reading these books, and were well worth the loss in sleep...

Terry Goodkind is probably one of the most talented writers in the field of fantasy today. He is not Robert Jordan, nor is he trying to be. Mr. Goodkind's stories are original and moving. I have read all of his books published so far and I'm eagerly awaiting his next one. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, and I don't expect anyone to listen to my views about his books over anyone elses. I do however, hope that anyone thinking of reading the Sword of Truth novels to read them and make their own opinions. If you want a story that is new and original, Mr. Goodkind is a good writer to go to. His stories will reach into your heart and tickle your emotions unlike any other writer out there. I strongly suggest his novels.

People who read Mr.goodkinds books instantly compare them to the wheal of time by robert jordan and its obvious why we do this ,the similarities are just to close to be coinsidance,but while i was wating for mr.jordan to finally compleat another book i read these .Its like reading a fast paced exiting all the way through jordan novel. Not once did he(goodkind)devote an entire chapter to a main character sitting in a tavern with a spiced tea watching the people go buy waiting for someone special to show up. read this book and read mr.jordans latest A PATH OF DAGGERS,(witch has no begining and no ending and way to much in the middle.)youll stay awake a lot longer with RICHARD and KAHLAN than you will with RAND and EGWENE!

I am a 38 y/o working mother with a family, and I enjoy reading fantasy novels. However, Terry Goodkind has captured me with his Sword of Truth series, since novel no.1. Reading his novels is my relaxation after work is over and the children are asleep (my time). Thank you Terry.

Good book but not as good as first 3.... To much trash about what happened in last 3 books and too much explanation who is who. Beginning was boring because of this. Middle and the end were great. Give us more action and less explanation about what happened in books before.

Yet again, Goodkind kind amazes this reader with his limitless imagination. His use of multiple character storylines keeps you reading until ridiculous hours of the night. Now that I'm done, I can finally get a good nights sleep. I find myself checking the internet on a weekly basis just to see when the next book is going to be released.

Boy am I glad to see some people who apreciate his books as much as I do. Some reviews on his other books were totaly outrageous. I loved all his books and I know that his next book is once again going to leave me waiting for Mr. Goodkind to pump out a new book. I wish more people loved his books as much as I do. I just wanted to say on behalf of Terry Goodkind, to all the people out there who have read his books and still hate them, "We can all only be who we are, no more, no less" I think that's how it goes. WRITE ON Terry.

It's the fourth part of an story with an open ending which you wonder what next. Before you are at the end you have made an journey through an fantastic world with dragons, wizard's and an couple that are so in love that even dead are not be able to separate them.

I love all of Goodkinds books. He has got something really good here. For those who want to know when his next book comes out, let me tell you this. I heard that TOTW does not come out in paper back until October. If I am wrong or you know more e-mail me please.

I have read the first 3 books to the SoT series and have book 4 coming in the mail!!! I would like to say that I am a sci-fi/fantasy nut and your books are the most intriging and exciting series that I have come across. Keep up the good work and good luck in life.

From the first page...heck, the first word, i was pulled once again into the world of Richard and Kahlan. Willingly, though...this is the 6th...maybe the 7th time i have read this particular SOT novel, and not once did i unglue my eyes from those pages. What an ENDING! One of those finishes where you can't laugh and you can't cry, you just sit there in the chair with the book in your lap and replay it all in your mind, occasionally making sigh-like noises.
Incredible, Terry, incredible.
Oh, if you liked this, read the Sword-Dancer books by Jennifer Roberson.

Temple of the winds is fantastic! If you were just a teenie eensie-weensie disappointed Blood of the Fold, you won't be with Temple of th Winds. You never what will happen next-of course, if you;ve read the other three books, you know this-and you never want to put it down. Plus, out of all four books, it definetly has the best ending. If nothing else, read it so you can read the ending! As much as I'd love to share my joy with you people, Ik won't give the ending away. So I'll just say READ IT!! and leave itat that. =)

I really enjoyed this book, as all the other books of the series, and am looking forward to Soul of the Fire. However, I think that Mr. Goodkind should start making these more epic, as opposed to a problem-and-solution story in each book. I also thought that the Gars were sorely missed in this book, as was Chase.

Sword of Truth Series has given me many sleepless nights. They are so good, I just can't put them down. The bad guys or girls are really bad, and often smarter than the hero, now that's cool. That's what make the story really exciting. I hate it when the bad guys do stupid things, but not in these books my friend. There are many suprises that makes the story unpredictable. I like the sex and the violence. This is not kid's stuff. If you want kid's stuff, go read something from Piers Anthony. Mr. Goodkind, you have done an excellent job. I can't wait for your next book. Please hurry up and finish the next book :-)

Another slain dragon for Mr. Goodkind! While maybe not as good as the others, it was still above the level of most writers. And for those who try to compare Mr. Goodkind to Mr Jordan(Robert, not Micheal), I have this to say: Mr Goodkind is publishing books.

This was the first Goodkind book that I've read (and the last). I hadn't realized that it was part of a series but that really didn't matter as this book is pretty much self contained with many references to the previous books.

While the underlying story had some good points there was too much that subtracted from my enjoyment. There are so many conversations that are completely inappropriate, like discussing philosophical ideas of interrogation in the middle of an interrogation and remarkably long explanations of a plan of escape during an escape when stealth is of the utmost importance. The author seems to feel the need to explicitly state every emotion and thought a character is having at the time they are having it.

There is also the constant insecurities of the main characters and their inability to believe that the other is still in love with them even after s/he said it four times already (in the same conversation). This book is ridiculously repetitive. Another thing that really detracts from being able to enjoy the story is that Richard can't seem to delegate. He personally investigates a gruesome murder and attends to some sick children. He is the King, he has people to do this for him and report back. Plus he had other more pressing things that he needed to do.

While it is probable that Mr. Goodkind wants his characters to be flawed, they are just unbelievable. No one would actually act this way.

The last half of the book improved and the last 200 pages were actually readable with a good flow to the action and storyline. A lot of the plot devices were pretty obvious though and it was pretty easy to see how the story would be tied together. I nearly put this book down after the first 200 pages but I perservered. I have no desire to read through of Mr. Goodkind's books after this trial.

I think that the Whole Sword of Truth series is very good. It is one of the greatest I have ever read. The characters and story are very well developed, and for this I would give it 5 star. BUT, I have noticed SO much stuff that was pulled out of The Wheel of Time series and just renamed. For example, Sister's of the Light= Aes Sedai. The Sisters of the Dark are in the midst of the Sisters of Light and no one knows for sure who they are, JUST LIKE IT THE WHEEL OF TIME! If you read both series and look at it, it is quite clear that many of the elements of The Sword of Truth series are just twisted elements that Robert Jorden thought of. There are many more of the "stolen" ideas throught the books, I just cant type them all.

Terry Goodkind's novel weaves a picture of a mysterious world of wizardry and magic, without using the normal fantasy races --elves, dwarfs, exc--. The unique power of the Confessors in fascinating. This novel and series has a new twist on fantasy!

This book is where the series really moves down a notch. By this book, its nowhere near as good as the Wizards First Rule.

After this it get MUCH worse. Do yourself a favor and stop reading...

2 weeks ago I stumbled into the first book of this series - Wizard's First Rule - and I fell in love. Since then, I have read the first 4 books of the series, completing Temple of the Winds last night. Once started, I could not put down any of the books, but still missed various characters...Scarlet, Gratch, Chase and Rachel, Jebra the Seer....And what will happen with Nathan, Verna, Adie and others? I hope to see all of these characters in the following 2 books and definitely more of Zedd. He needs to teach Richard how to use his magic...(Maybe Nathan could help?)
Love the books...looking forward to the next 2!

The exposition was terribly long. I would suffice to say that the plot was good. The main rising action was emotionally touching; I was brought to tears. Best resolution so far, I'd have to say. The side plots and filter were confusing and mishandled.

3.5/5 - good but not as good as the others
Good series, it was. Unnecessary character development was underwhelming.

Goodkind starts losing his touch. The plot is great but the story behind it is not. Goodkind focuses his mind on too much political issues and it moves the book very slow. I wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about reading this one as I was the previous ones. Bottom line: not that great.

Terry Goodkind realigns his readers faith with this stellar sequel in his Sword of Truth series. This Book is more than just a page turner, it immerses you in the lives and dealings of the D'Haran empire and rulers. Unlike ever before, Kahlan and Richard surface as three dimensional people dealing with lust, jealousy, and betrayal. The Mord Sith are portrayed as never before, and touch the reader as only victims of torture can. I highly recommend this book to any fantasy lover.

Terry Goodkind is probably my favorite fiction author of all time, right next to R. A. Salvatore. This, however, is the worst book of the "Sword of Truth" series. It's all talk and no action. I recommend skipping it and heading straight to "Soul of the Fire". That one's much better.

I'll keep it simple... Too much of Kahlan reiterating the same emotions, not enough Jagang, Nathan, or Zedd. And most important, It needs a faster plotline!!! The first 2 were MUCH better. By the way. . . When's the fifth coming out?

I have been waiting for Terry Goodkind to crank out the series faster. I seem to read too fast and I end up waiting forever for the next book to come out in paperback. I loved this series and I can't wait to read the fourth book!!!

I really enjoyed this book. I admit it wasn't as good as the 1st 2 but it was better than The Blood of the Fold. Terry Goodkind is a really talented writer and this is a great series but, I'm getting a bit tired of the same old plot: Kahlan can't have Richard, Richard can't have Kahlan so lets go out and have sex with someone else bit. It needs a little more of the other characters, though I understand that Richard is the main phocal point he is not the only character in the book. The rest of the plot is still good, throw in some more plot twists and the next books will really be something to read!

I bought the first book in the series at the Orlando Airport to pass the time because of a lay-over. I've always liked fantasy, and it didn't look to bad. After I got done with it, I immediately went out and bought the next one and so on. After I finished Temple of the Winds, I was angry because it was the last book in the series. I'd give it ten stars if I could. It never faltered in the plot and it always left you wanting more. Always wondering what will happen next. An excellant series and hopefully this book will just be another stepping stone in a great sreies.

I really enjoyed this book! I just couldn't put it down. Anyone who starts to read this book will probably end up burning the midnight oil! I can only hope that the next one is as good or(hopefully) better than the first four.

Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series of fantasy novels keeps the reader intrigued and eager for each new page. The author presents his tales in such a way that you feel pulled into the story. Many times you feel like you're in the story, but safe.... a great way to escape from the mundane world for awhile.
I don't recommend reading Temple of the Winds unless you read the first three books first, however, the author does a good job of relating what has already happened and who is who and what is what, so ... this book, by itself is still a great read.
So, if you're into wizardry and sorceresses, the fight between good and evil, and the eternal search for truth, I think you'll enjoy this book. ----------- Glyn Bowles

If you like adventure, fantasy, magic, metaphysic and want to be entertained, you can't lose! Terry Goodkind is an excellent author. Detailed characters and settings, make you feel as you are there. Enjoy.

I am one of those, who like to read fantasy. I read a lot fantasy before the Sword of Truth Series. But this series changes my opinion on whole fantasy world. They are very riveting. This series of books dips the reader into the world of emotions, love, sufferings and disappointments. I like all five books of a series. Sometimes I understood that it is five o'clock in the morning, but I continued to read. Rules of wizards are very close to some bible trues. I really recommend to read these books. They will give a new world - world of emotions and philosophies.

Terry Goodkind continues to reinforce my belief that he is truly one of the greatest fantasy writers of all time. I found Temple of the Winds to be even more exciting than the first three installments in this great series.

This book seems to be one of those books that when your finished with it you realise that it has somehow changed your life. The audible *sigh* after i finished this book is testament to Terry's fast paced writing style which is a great change to Jordans snail paced books. The depth of ideas in Temple of the Winds is exciting and the book keeps you guessing from the beginning. This book has a VIB position on my bookshelf.

for the first three books, because in my mind, they were the same--why should my review be any different.
Dull. Boring. Ponderous. Tedious. Contrived. Overdone. Simple. Derivative. Should I go on? I know, you Goodkind sychophants and apologists out there will now read this review and give it the old unhelpful label. Ha, that should teach me not to review horrid books involving some of the worst developed and contrived characters I've had the displeasure of getting to know.
Here's a tip: Go to your library and check out George R.R. Martin, or Stephen Erikkson, or Robin Hobb, or David Coe, or John Marco, or LWE, and read those author's books and then decide who writes good fantasy. Until you do, keep reading the sword of truth series and the Shannara series to complete your overrated author sweep

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this series. I long for the fifth book and even contacted TOR to determine the publish date. All I can say is, read all TG's books. You will not be disappointed!

I thought this series of books were the bomb. I LOVED sword of truth. I like Zedd and Kathlan alot. I think Soul of the Fire is good, but the chicken thats not a chicken in the beggining was kinda freaky.

The series lost me with this book. It is just meandering on and on without direction. It has become a fantasy soap opera without interesting characters to sustain it. I wish a lot of these fantasy writers would know when to stop. they come up with a good idea at the begining and then just want to wring the idea to death.

I'll give Terry Goodkind credit for a having a decent imagination, but he has a serious problem: He distributes dialogue like a 5 year-old with A.D.D. The characters constantly have long, repetitive, melodramatic, unnecessary conversations at the most ludicrous moments imaginable. Even though the entire world is in peril and there's precious little time to save it, the characters will simply drop what they're doing and talk and talk and TALK, even in the middle of an action sequence. All this talking makes the story seem totally unrealistic. This is a very unsatisfying read that will have you rolling your eyes over and over.

ok, when i first picked up the book and saw the cover i nearly died. why? coz i was waiting for this book for sooo long. this book is what i'll call a 'dark' era, coz it is not so light hearted as the first book.but i guess that it is very gripping and the introduction of Nadine and Drefan adds to the suspense. i was telling myself not to read too fast but the suspense just swept me away. oh boy, start and you'll not stop! happy reading!

From the first book of the series, I grew to love Zedd's all knowing but secretive way of getting things done. The first book left me with such craving that I happily devoured the next two in the series. "Blood of the Fold" left me histerical. I loved the fact that Adie, a nearly 1000 year old prelate, is being duped by Zedd. All the tricks and turns that go on just had me up all night and the next day cause I just couldn't stop reading. This book, to me, had a bit of comedy, mushy love, great heroics, and misguided adventures.

If you gave this book less than a 6 you have got to be one of the most sinicle readers I have ever had the displeasure of hearing or reading about. this was a great way to take the series. I will admit that the marraige should have happend last book and the price for entrance was a little strange. other than that this book was a great achievement. I rank it second in the series with SoT as first.

Bravo to Mr. Goodkind! Fantasy has finally grown up!
I have read, and thoroughly enjoyed, every book of the Sword of Truth series, especially Temple of the Winds. Also, as graphic as some of the contents of his stories are, they are part of his style! It adds the dark realism that I believe the author is trying to convey. If you don't like it, don't read it.
This book (and the rest of the SOT series for that matter) is not for the weak of heart. If you are offended easily, go read a Xanth novel.

A great can't-put-it-down novel, with much of the same flair and funk that the first 3 books contain. Like many other reviewers, however, I question the repeated use of sexual abuse as a plot element, however shocking it may be. I also fear that some reviews may be somewhat biased toward the success of the other novels in the series -- perhaps we all are reluctant to admit it? Overall, a terrific, unique novel in itself -- I find myself counting the days until "the fifth element" of the series appears.

I love this series, since I am so busy I don't have the time to read the books again. This narrator makes me want to scream whenever he says the mother confessors name... He pronounces it "callin" I guess is the best I can get to comparing it her name is Kaylan... I and all the previous narrators pronounce it differently...

An absolute page turner. My favorite book in the series. No author can captivate the mind and emotions of the reader the way Terry does. This book will have you laughing, mad, crying, and on the edge of your seat from the first page. Never a dull moment.

The SOT series starts off as a complete fantasy novel cliché, but the plot is still intriguing enough to have brought me all the way to book 5. I have NEVER given up on a book, but I have finally done it. This series is not worth the time, and this is coming from a person who has read every single epic fantasy/sci-fi series I have ever heard of.

The Sword of Truth series is an Outstanding series. Mr Goodkind you have done a superb job. This series has captured my adveturous imagination. I enjoy traveling with charaters in their world, on their quests. This book and series is an Excellent blend of plot substance, action, magic, Love and friendship. Mr Goodkind I appreciate these stories and thank you for putting them to paper and sharing them with me.
This is a must read book and series!

I was home on a Saturday and picked up the book and started reading and I couldn't put it down. This one and WFR are my two favorites. My heart really goes out to Richard, I can almost feel his pain and anguish at the end of the book (don't want to give anything away) and I found myself on the edge of my chair at the end of the book. Some of the scenes were a bit much with the sex and violence but overall...Definitely a good read!!!!! I am dying for Book 8 to come out next summer from what I have heard as a possible release date.

The continuing soap opera of Richard and Kahlan. I just cannot relate to Kahlan's neverending angst. Much as I loved her in the first book, it wasn't her that made it a success.
Goodkind has joined Jordan. I wisely did not buy this or the 3rd book. I unwisely read them. No more.

Another great book from Terry Goodkind. Once again I was held spellbound in the world of Richard and Kahlan not putting the book down for hours. But one thing started to annoy me, Terry seems to repeat past events over and over which I guess makes it so a reader who has not read the first three books will still enjoy Temple Of The Winds seperately, but for those of us who have it gets boring. As I start the 5th book I just hope he repeats himself less...

Ok, this book was not very good. It was very predictable, and rather far-fetched....I just couldn't get into it. Because of this book, it took me over a year to read the next book in the series....and I wish I hadn't waited so long, cause it was really good! So while this book kinda leaves a bad taste in the mouth, remember that every author has a bad book now and then, and that it is their overall consistancy that makes them remarkable. So read on!

I really enjoyed this book as well as all the books in the seires. I enjoy the paralle plot lines which remind me alot of Terry Brooks and think Goodkind handles them a little better.... For those who have written negitive comments...I would say all the good writers follow a similar outline for each book in their seires... That's why we wait impatiantly for the next installment. Goodkind didn't disapoint me and if he reads this hope he gets the next book out soon.

I read all of Terry Goodkind's book up to this one. I didn't get a chance to read Soul of the Fire, but I hope I will. The fourth book in this series also made it hard for me to stop reading after I started. As conflict rises between Emperor Jagang and Richard, a plague starts in D'Hara. Richard must stop the plague unless he wants all of his people to die. He must go to the Temple of the Winds to solve the problem. A another great book in the series, but sometimes it was confusing.