Soul of the Fire

Year: 1999

Abstract:
Kahlan and Richard have finally married, and all hell breaks loose. At the end of the last book (Temple of the Winds), Kahlan loosed the Chimes to save Richard's life. This, of course, caused lots of problems, not the least of which are murday, mayhem, and the death of magic. Not only that, but Emporor Jagang is bringing his armies into the midlands to take over the place. Richard and Kahlan have to wonder around the countryside for a long time in order to banish the chimes and bring peace to the midlands.

Advanced Mind
Exploration/Quest
Military/Fighting
Horror
Magic
Advanced Technology
Time Travel/Alternate History
Science
Aliens/Beasties
Contemporality

Other books in this series: Sword of Truth
Wizard's First Rule [1994]
Stone of Tears [1995]
Blood of the Fold [1996]
Temple of the Winds [1997]

Spectre's Review
This is definitely not good literature. I classify good literature as not breaking several cardinal rules, not the least of which is switching perspectives in the middle of a scene, and other obtuse times. This really throws me off, and adds a degree of ambiguity to the story. In my opinion, an author should do what I call enforce disambiguance: write so the story becomes clearer, not more distorted.
The middle 500 pages was long and drawling as usual, which appears to be Goodkind's trademark. I quickly became disenchanted with the story line, and got bored with many of the side plots that eventually went nowhere. There were a couple of out of character things that happened, too, but not too serious.
Very little as far as beasties were concerned, I wouldn't have minded something about how the magical creatures were affected by the Chimes, especially Richard's friend Gratch.
As usual, though, the world of Goodkind was very well created, and it incredibly appealing, even with the literary troubles. It's a soap opera, with exagerated expressions, and twists and subplots left and right that don't make sense, but it is still very enjoyable.
The surprise beating of Kahlan near the end was very well done, and I gave him a bonus point for that. Not everything always works out for the hero. It was one of the few occurrences, too, that you didn't see happening right away, but looking back, the history made sense.
Definitely add it to your collection, just be prepared to skip a bunch of stuff. I look forward to reading the next one.
Date posted: 2001 06 22

Spectre's Rating
Minus one wizard for switch perspectives at obtuse times. Minus one wizard for putting too much history behind a weakly used character. Minus two wizards for wasting my time for two thirds of the book. Minus one for ending the book in the last four pages (but plus one wizard for beating up Kahlan).

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