Faith of the Fallen (Sword of Truth, Book 6)

I'm in the last 50 pages, and I can't wait to finish. The transformation of Nicci so far and Richard's internal struggle are amazingly complex. The complex, competing overtones of faith and depression really create something deeply psychological. At the same time, the Orwellian tale of the Imperial Order, the frantic pace of battle, and the heart felt love story really craft a "something for everyone" story that maintains its depth and soul.

While things in this series started in such a strictly archetypal fashion, after the last hundred pages of that first book, the series has blossomed into something so deeply personal and moving that it hardly fits into the action based backdrop of contemporary fantasy.

Definitely the most unique story in a series that continually evolves.

Easily my favorite book out of the Sword of Truth series. Everything Terry Goodkind does best: medieval battle sequences, detailed settings from the exotic to the mundane, riveting plot and pacing, and the masterful interplay of characters and their loves, fears, and dearly held beliefs, feature prominently in the sixth book of the series.

The story of Richard and Kahlan's struggle against the forces of the Imperial Order spans meanings both world-defining and intensely personal. In one sense, the book is about Kahlan's fight to rally the armies of the Midlands and clash against the innumerable legions of the Order's troops. And in another, the book is about Richard's personal defiance and eventual triumph against the Order's more subtle but equally pervasive ideologies, about man, reason, and the right to live with freedom.

Unfortunately, the only real let-down of the book is knowing what comes next. Where the balance between Goodkind's exposition and ideas is finely honed here, the scales shift painfully in the next two books, which become exercises in tedious, self-righteous dialogue. Disappointing follow-ups notwithstanding, Faith of the Fallen stands out clearly among its brethren, leaving readers enraptured and ennobled.

I thought this one was the conclusion at first, and its ending would be worthy. I'm glad he didn't stop, though. This book has my personal favorite concluding sentence.

My favourite book in this series, and one of my favourite books of all time. I can't say enough about the philosophies Goodking purports through his books. He uses his characters, specifically Richard and Kahlan, to display to his readers the beauty of the lives we have. This book shows how humankind has close to infinite potential for beauty or evil, and how we must work to strive for what is right over those who would try to deny it from us. I recommend this book to everyone.

if you like Ayn Rand then this book will especially appeal to you. Mirrors some of the basic tenets set forth by Ayn Rand in Atlas Shrugged. Goodkind at his best!

Much better than the previous book, though it's sad that the end of this books marks the start of the philosophical self-righteousness painfully evident in the later books of the series. This book celebrates the unconquerable strength of the human spirit and the triumph of personal morals and achievements over what seems uncannily like a perverse form of communism/socialism. Terry Goodkind has lost none of his skill in depicting the emotional travails of his characters and the complex facets of their personalities, making for another dark and engaging read.
The book also introduces a concept found in Sun Tsu's art of war. War's not just about military victories, for the hearts and minds of the enemy are another equally, if not more important battlefield to conquer.
Richard's personal triumph, culminating in the hopeless yet inspiring destruction of his sculpture of the human spirit was, to me, the most enjoyable part of the story.

Great continuation of the Sword of Truth series. Offers a great perspective on a wide variety of themes from socialism to personal exploration

I read all eight of these and have the Chainfire Trilogy to read also. They were good enough to keep reading, but just barely. They are kind of trite and a little boring. Makes me wonder if they are meant to be young adult books??

All of the Libertarian propaganda got a little preachy at the end, but this is still a good book. I definitely enjoyed the shift in focus back to Richard and Kathlan after Soul of the Fire.

Richards capture takes you to the edge of your seat. You must admire his strength of character and courage.