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
Soul of the Fire
by
Terry Goodkind
epic fantasy in a paperback edition that was published by Tor Books on March 2000 and has 788 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Wizard's First Rule, Stone of Tears, "Debt of Bones", Blood of the Fold, Temple of the Winds, Faith of the Fallen
Fifth in the Sword of Truth epic fantasy series revolving around Richard Rahl, the Seeker of Truth.
My Take
This story is split mostly between Richard and Kahlan’s search for answers and Goodkind filling us in on the culture of the Anders and Haken. If any of the Midlands countries deserves to be ground under the Imperial foot, it’s this one. At least all the Anders and their Minister of Culture! What a load of lies in this country! The time Richard and Kahlan spend trying to get through to the people and then to be undercut by the rulers who are supposed to have their best interests at heart is just so depressing. Makes ya wonder what the parallels are between them (a fictional group of people) and us.
Most of the short interruptions take the form of Annalina, Zedd, and Cara’s separate adventures.
I just don’t understand why Zedd demands that Richard not use the Sliph. At first it seems a sound reason, but later it appears to have just been an excuse.
These Anders are disgusting. The claptrap they force down the throats of the Haken. I guess they never heard that history tends to repeat. Of course, I do have a hard time understanding how the Haken can take what’s thrown at them. How can they be that accepting?? Beata’s statement when Richard and Kahlan show up at the Dominie Dirtch is just so typical. I wish I could say that not all the ruling party of Anderith are bad. As long as they uphold the propaganda being spouted, they’re as corrupt and evil as the Minister of Culture and his aide. But, that said, there are a few directors who don’t seem as manipulative and evil. Just unsuspecting and rather cowardly.
Oh, poor, unsuspecting, trusting Ann. I will be very curious to see if she does carry through on her threat. Or if the Sisters remember what she said about freeing themselves.
My bloodthirsty side agrees with Richard about Anderith. They deserve it.
I’m conflicted between feeling sorry for Dalton at the end and rejoicing at his just deserts. I do appreciate his efforts to make some amends. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when the new Sovereign and his lady learn how lengthy their reign will be. As for Teresa. That’s where I feel sad for Dalton even if he does deserve his fate.
Oh, give me a break! How dare Richard?! He’s just going to up and run??
The Story
It’s Richard and Kahlan’s wedding and the horror unwittingly unleashed by Khalan to save Richard’s life attacks during their wedding night. A day of rejoicing soon ends in tears with Annalina and Zedd forcing Richard and Kahlan back to Aydindral. They hope.
It really is so much better to tell the truth, for Richard soon realizes the trick and splits their party still further, sending Cara for the Sword of Truth while he and Kahlan make haste for Anderith. They have allies to gain and knowledge about the chimes to seek.
Meanwhile, the chimes will merrily lead people to their deaths until they receive the soul they were promised.
The Characters
A war wizard with both sides of the magic, Richard Rahl is also the Lord Rahl, the ruler of D’Hara and its new empire and the Seeker of the Truth. His value lies in his instincts, his curiosity, and his heart. He has just married his love, Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor, Queen of Galea, and the former overlord of the Midlands. Unfortunately, Kahlan is NOT his first wife; Richard has been a busy, busy boy.
Du Chaillu of the Baka Tau Mana is their spirit woman, the keeper of their laws, and considers herself Richard’s wife — he is their Caharin (see Stone of Tears, 2). And she’s pregnant. She has brought six blades with her, including Jiann.
Cara is the only Mord-Sithe who accompanied Richard and Kahlan for their wedding. Sliph is a transformed human who will transport those who have both Subtractive and Additive magic over great distances. “The chimes are a work of threes: Reechani, Sentrosi, and Vasi” and they are from the world of the dead. They see Kahlan as their mother. General Reibisch is leading Richard’s army, trailing Jagang’s.
Emperor Jagang‘s Imperial Order army is moving into the Old World and sending out envoys to cajole the greedy into aligning with him. Stein is one of his perverse men with a penchant for a cloak made of the hair of witches he has scalped before he kills them. His assignment is Anderith. Most of the Sisters of the Dark are his now and they are barely better treated than the Sisters of the Light whom he also holds prisoner.
Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander is the First Wizard and Richard’s grandfather. He believes he knows what he must do to banish the chimes. Annalina Aldurren, the “dead” Prelate probes the lines of the army of the Imperial Order to rescue the Sisters of the Light. Sister Alessandra is the Dark Sister ordered to see that Annalina is fed.
Chandelan was one of the skeptical Mud People, now he’s a friend, an Elder, and the fiercest of their hunters. Bird Man is the one who sees the chicken that is not a chicken. Nissel is the elderly Healer for the tribe.
Inhabitants of Anderith include:
The Anders are the ethnic group currently in power while the Haken are the very downtrodden invaders who made a mistake and offered compassion. Joseph Ander, a.k.a., Mountain, is the wizard sent to deal with the chimes and he stayed on in the land, forming his own concept of the ideal country. Their main defense is a line of bells called the Dominie Dirtch. When their sound is released, it spreads forward and skins a man’s flesh from his bones. It’s only limit is distance.
Dalton Campbell is the Minister of Culture’s aide, an ambitious man willing to do anything to rise. Part of that desire is his love for his beloved wife, Teresa. She is just as ambitious but much more gullible. Fitch is a lowly kitchen boy who rises for a short time to work for Dalton Campbell. His greatest mistake is not thinking through his desire to impress Beata whom he loves. His friend and fellow is Morley. Both are encouraged toward evil. Dalton also releases Serin Rajak, one of the Blood of the Fold; how he doesn’t realize what Rajak will do, I’ll never understand. Franca Gowenlock is a witch with a Gift for listening and is employed by Dalton who considers her a friend. Some friend. Franca is also sought out by Zedd.
Beata is Haken and one of the Ander butcher’s assistants. She has mooned over the minister for ages and is quite excited when taken to see him. Not so happy once she arrives in his rooms. But Beata goes on and enlists in the army — even Haken can prove themselves there.
Minister of Culture Bertrand Chanboor is a perverse letch who should not be in his position, yet, he’s also scheming to replace the Sovereign. His wife, Hildemara, is worse in some ways. There is a council of sorts, Directors, who must be consulted, but Dalton has all sorts of ways to force them to vote for the issues he wants. These three lie, cheat, manipulate, and murder to get their way and consider it normal.
Claudine Winthrop is one of Chanboor’s victims and intends to complain. Only, she shouldn’t have been so vocal about it. Edwin Winthrop is her wealthy husband who has worked his way up. A decent man with a part to play later. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for him. I think Director Linscott is one of his friends.
The Cover and Title
The cover is lonely and beautiful with its black background softly deferring to a landscape of mountainous rifts surrounding a small lake into which a very high waterfall pours as Kahlan and Richard hail the dawn from their perch on a rock above the waters.
The title only addresses a third of the primary issue in this particular installment, the Soul of the Fire with the other chimes being air and water. Beings from another plane who seek the death of all, but most especially the death of magic.
