I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Stone of Tears
by
Terry Goodkind
epic fantasy in a hardcover edition that was published by Tor Books on September 15, 1995 and has 703 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Wizard's First Rule, "Debt of Bones", Blood of the Fold, Temple of the Winds, Soul of the Fire, Faith of the Fallen
Second in the Sword of Truth epic fantasy adventure series (you may know it by its television series name, Legend of the Seeker).
In 1996, Stone of Tears was nominated for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and the SFBC Award for Book of the Year.
My Take
It’s one of those epic stories…979 pages is pretty epic! And, fortunately, Goodkind covers so much ground, and we get a big chunk of resolution. Of course, he does set us up with two new challenges for future installments. I know it will be worth it though, as Goodkind has created a huge cast of amazing characters with a wide range of values from truly evil to incredibly good and all the human foibles in between. Even if it is a bit callow in its presentation. There is a naive simplicity to sentence construction — too abrupt in its transitions. Still it is a story I could not put down. It took all night, and I still had to read a bit of another book to bring my heart rate down!
The basic fight is between Additive and Subtractive magic with the Additive used by living magic users and Subtractive by the Keeper and dead magic users. Extremely rarely, one person may use both. In Stone of Tears, it’s up to Richard to repair the torn Veil that prevents the underworld from entering the world of the living, to prevent the Keeper from emerging and destroying all life. In his zeal, Richard simply makes things worse and worse.
It’s fascinating to watch Richard change the perspective of those around him. He learns so much on this journey of his as do those who come into contact with him.
Reading of the tactics of a woefully outnumbered force of 4,500 children against 50,000+ hardened warriors is an absolute treat — I cheered as I read!
The Story
A series of events have triggered Richard’s magic and the headaches he suffers are increasingly debilitating. The Sisters of the Light tell him that he will die very soon unless he submits to the Rada’Han, a collar of control. After his experiences with such a collar under Denna’s tutelage, Richard will never accept it. Until Kahlan orders him to. A betrayal of such depth and anguish for both.
But Denna’s lessons stand Richard in good stead when he is on the road with Sister Verna, and he slowly converts her to his ways, including changing her attitudes about horses. On their journey, he acquires an unexpected companion and sets the conditions for several prophecies to be fulfilled. You’ll love the commotion he creates once he does reach the Palace of the Prophets! Not to be missed!!
Kahlan’s journey is much more fraught. To escape notice, she leaves the Mud People with only three men. And those three learn a great deal about the world: its size as well as its cruelties. They also learn Kahlan’s true role in the world. The cruelest is the massacre and destruction of Ebinissia while the most illuminating is the revenge and betrayal in the mountain pass. However, that is not the last betrayal Kahlan suffers or in which Chandalen aids her.
Meanwhile Zedd and Adie have their own set of life-threatening adventures however minor their appearance in the story.
The Characters
There is a cast of thousands, almost literally, so I’m simply going to list the more important.
Richard Cypher has just learned that George Cypher was not his father. Instead, the tyrant he just killed was his true father, Darken Rahl, the man who raped his mother, Zedd’s daughter. Now Richard is the new Lord Rahl of D’Hara. His actions in Wizard’s First Rule have set tripped his magic, and he will die unless he receives training in his magic.
Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander is the First Wizard. The most powerful mage in their world. He is also Richard’s grandfather and he needs the help of Adie, a sorceress who lives in the Boundary, to help Richard repair the Veil. Lady Jebra Bevinvier is a servant whom Zedd rescued in D’Hara whom he has sent on her own journey to use her visions to aid the Midlands
Aydindril, the Midlands, is…
…where the Central Council that orders Kings and Queens, vetoes their actions, and keeps the peace is located. Kahlan Amnell is the Mother Confessor, the head of the Council. It is her responsibility to represent the interests of everyone and every country, but especially those who have no representation on the Council.
Galea is…
…the country of which Cyrilla, Kahlan’s unacknowledged half-sister, is queen. Captain Bradley Ryan is the commander of what remains of the Galean Army. A child. But a child bent on destroying the Army of the Imperial Order which destroyed his home city of Ebinissia.
The Sisters of the Light are…
…a rigid religious group who believe they are justified in doing anything to train the men who have magic. Like Denna, they also use a collar to control their charges. Sister Ann is the Prelate; Nathan is the Prophet who has quite a few enlightening facts for Richard. Pa sha Maes is a novice promised the charge of training Richard. Warren, a.k.a., Mole, is a mage whose specialty is prophecies; he helps Richard learn more about the prophecy that applies to him. They’re bad enough, but there are also…
The Sisters of the Dark who…
…answer to the Keeper, think Satan.
The Mud People adopted Richard and Kahlan; now three of their own will escort Kahlan back to Aydindril: Chandalen, Prindin, and Tossindin.
Scarlet is a dragon to whom Richard gave aid and befriended in Wizard’s First Rule; she plays a cameo role here. Denna was a Mord-Sith who tortured Richard horribly teaching him valuable skills for this story. Shota is a witch goddess who pushes Richard onto his path.
The Cover and Title
The cover is bordered in black with an ominous desert landscape. An isolated castle in the background highlights the aloneness of Richard and Kahlan with Gratch in the forefront amongst large stones. If only the artist had made the woman Sister Verna, it would have been accurate.
The title is the key to salvation, the Stone of Tears can save them all.
