I want to recommend Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth Series (of which I’ve read the original 11), bringing special attention to my favourite in the series, Faith of the Fallen.
Never have I read a fantasy, nor any novel for that matter, that sticks so fastidiously to upholding the honour and value of truth, logic and reason. There is a strong case for Goodkind’s argument that his books are not fantasy due to his honouring human nature before the fantastical elements. The magic he introduces is very natural and works with the humanity of his characters, never against it.
And let’s talk about the hero: what a dream! Meet Richard, a humble woods guide turned wizard as he discovers the truth about magic, the world, and who he actually is, The Seeker. His nobility is uncovered throughout the series which is a marvelous allegory of the complicated struggle between good and evil. Through the development of the protagonists, Richard and Kahlan, we see how they work to restore peace, balance and truth to the world.
Goodkind’s series is exciting, dark, light, easy to read, and masterfully crafted. Despite its criticism, I have fallen in love with The Sword of Truth series and especially Faith of the Fallen.
I first read Faith of the Fallen over six years ago. In particular, this installment touched me because of the strong parallels it draws to our present bureaucratic quicksand, governing hypocrisies, the hopeless despair and laziness of modern man, and how, in the end, Richard moves people to take action to free themselves from their own enslavement. As the back cover describes, the book really is “a novel of the nobility of the human spirit.”
Freedom requires effort if it is to be won and vigilance if it is to be maintained. People just don’t value freedom until it’s taken away.
Terry Goodkind
I’m sitting down for a re-read right now! How are you spending this glorious sunny day?
The Halfwit Writer 