Book Review: Phantom (Chainfire Trilogy, Part 2) [Sword of Truth Series] by Terry Goodkind

Phantom (Chainfire Trilogy, Part 2)
Sword of Truth Series Book 10
by Terry Goodkind

Synopsis:

In the previous book -- Chainfire -- the final trilogy of the Sword of Truth series began. Richard was desperate, Kahlan had disappeared and he had to convince his most trusting and loving friends and relatives that he was not going crazy. That it was indeed they who were mistaken. He finally was able to give the mystery a name: Chainfire. A spell created by ancient wizards who were trying to find a way to sneak into the enemy camps without being seen. They had abandoned it as too dangerous to magic and possibly life itself. Now four evil Sisters of the Dark have not only found the spell, but they have ignited the chain reaction focused on Kahlan, the last Mother Confessor to walk the New World.

In Phantom, Richard's friends and allies now know he is not crazy or cracking under the pressure. The varying pieces of the puzzles are flung wide and surprises are once again found around every corner. Each character is searching and searching for his or her answers to help Richard realise the solution to dissolving the Chainfire spell and effect which is steadily destroying the world -- both magic and life itself.

Richard is again flung on another quest when Shota the Witch Woman visits the Wizard's Keep also bringing news of the near fatal stabbing of a friend. Richard finally decides that to win the war he must make a drastic and horrifying decision and implements it before any more of his men must die.

Review:

I didn't like Chainfire, it was only slightly more interesting to me than Pillars of Creation (which put me to sleep everytime I picked up the book. It took me MONTHS to read.) I was annoyed at the amount of repetition in the book that seemed to become just fillers and was ready to not care what happened to Kahlan.

Thankfully, I have a brother who is more interested in the series than I am and he read Phantom first. He assured me that I would like it. Being disappointed too many times recently, I was reluctant to pick up the book at all. He intrigued me by telling me that Goodkind had started picking up every stray storyline he never came back to. But still, it was a few more weeks before I actually picked it up to read. When I did, I was blown away.

The story starts out a little slow, but with stuff I like. Richard expounding upon difficult ideas and Wizardly arguments and discussions with the sorceress Nicci. Just as it was about to get old and boring again, Shota brings in some horrifying information. Which gets repeated. This was a tad annoying, but I stuck it out, and I was glad I did. The rest of the book was reminiscent of the early days of the series and kept me enthralled until the very last page of the book. I really recommend this book to fans of the Sword of Truth series. It has the feel of finality to it and it is great to know that all the answers will come out in the next book. I can hardly wait until November, although I know I will wait until the paperback is printed or run to the library if I am that curious.

Discussion:

Has anyone read this book? What is your opinion?

What do you think Six did to Richard?

What is your speculation of what Confessor reveals and how will Kahlan be affected?

Add your own questions!