Blood of the Fold: Book Three of the Sword of Truth

Between reading the books of this series, I've read a few other books as well, and after plodding through several other authors works, I came back to this series with a newfound respect for Goodkind's prose and plotting. Personally, I don't see what more a reader could ask for in an epic fantasy- there's romance, suspense, plenty of action, and enough mystique about the world Goodkind has created to keep a person wanting more. It's not as though I hand out five star reviews all that often either- this is the only book I have ever given five stars (And though I haven't written a lot of reviews, I have read a lot of books and would covet perhaps only one other with a five star rating.) For whatever reason, it seems that there is a flux of mixed reviews, both of people who really enjoy this series and of people who don't appreciate it. Accusations of copycating other author's works seem to be a common theme amongst those who don't like it, but when all is said and done, every author borrows ideas- there is no shame in studying prose and reading books to guide you along the way in your own storytelling. It's the extent to which it is done that would be indicative of outright plagurism. Overdoing the so called "borrowing of ideas", of course, would actually implicate plagurism, but I think when "borrowing ideas" for a story is done in proper measure, the resulting story would more appropriately be termed as being "inspired as a result of" or a "work in the spirit of it" rather than a "ripoff" or a "copycat." Technically, according to the standards some reviewers have deemed appropriate, almost any author who could have a book placed into a particular genre could be classified as someone who copies ideas, because there are common themes that run in certain books that allow it to be categorized into one genre or another, and the very fact that it can even be categorized at all is proof that it is "unoriginal." You could probably name the fantasy books that don't have either some form or appearance by either a dragon, a king, or a castle on one hand. Take this review for what it's worth, this book and the whole series is definitely original enough in its own right, and it is well worth reading.

I'm new to the fantasy genre and just recently stumbled upon the SOT series -- and I'm hooked. I'm finding that I'm staying up all night more and more because I can't wait to find out what happens next. I'm currently on the Temple of the Winds, and Blood of the Fold seems a distant memory -- even though I only finished it last week. While Blood of the Fold has not been my favorite, it was great nonetheless. One of the things I love about this series is that Goodkind manages to constantly introduce new characters -- I thought I only cared to read about Richard and Kaylan -- but now I'm also excited about Verna, Warren, etc. and look forward to Goodkind developing those characters. (I probably have the spelling wrong because I'm only listening to the audio tapes). I also love the humor via the Mord Siths. And I don't want to give too much away, but the way Richard takes control of things is very satisfying. There are, unfortunately, subplots which I did not take to. I thought too much time was wasted on the blood of the fold -- it didn't really lead anywhere. The storyline about the Mriswith was also not very well developed -- it was tossed into the mix with little explanation. Oh well, I better stop before I give too much away.

I will try to be the mediator here. Please, those of who who say these books are for mindless adolescents, could you try to refrain from insulting people who buy this book, and start insulting the book? That is what a review is; you are not supposed to review the people who buy it. If you can't think of anything to say about the book, you should not be writing a review. And those of who who rate the book excellent, don't demean others for their opinions. I enjoyed the series. I must say, however, that there are only so many things a fantasy novel can contain. One of these things is impossible odds. The army of 5000 defeated the army of 50000 because it is a FANTASY NOVEL. FANTASY. Also, did you ever think that maybe what Goodkind is getting at is that it isn't numbers that always counts. It is strength of character and the brain power to come up with something you don't even know will work. They didn't know, but to protect the people, they were willing to try. They won for their good intentions. And yes, this might not be possible, but that is why the book is a FANTASY NOVEL. Okay, maybe the 'eating genitalia' part could have been edited out, but that is one of only a few things that doesn't need to be there. Once you get past the veneer, you begin to find deeper meanings than the words on the page. I have read all the Robert Jordan books up to this point, and like them very much, but why does the Dark One do what he does. We see him precious little, he doesn't have a personality, you can't relate to him, yet he is the main antagonist. He fights against 'the Creator' if you will, for balance. The same as the Keeper. There must be a balance in all things. Without life, there is no death, and without death, there can be no life. Quite simple. Some of you look too deeply into things, others of you not deep enough. All I ask is that, if you didn't like the book, criticize the book, not the people who buy it. That's a cheapshot.

First of all, I don't understand all the harsh reviews of Terry Goodkind's SoT series. Perhaps the themes in his books have appeared in other stories, but that's true of every author. Any fantasy author who has written about magic, wizards, beautiful women, elves, dwarves, dragons, swords, quests, traveling, a great evil foe, etc. has copied that theme from someone else. Many reviewers compare these stories to Robert Jordan's. They may have similarities, but the biggest difference is that Goodkind's books are INTERESTING. If Robert Jordan came up with these themes first (which he didn't), he sure didn't know what to do with them. I'm glad that Goodkind did. It takes Jordan a whole book just to get his characters to finish breakfast.Others have recommended Terry Brooks over Terry Goodkind while in the same breath complaining that Goodkind copied the themes in his books. Did any of you ever read the Sword of Shannara? The first 100+ pages were a rip-off of The Fellowship of the Ring.One reviewer, who ranked this book with ONE STAR wrote, "The evil emperor simply wants to control the world, wow...that's so amazing. We have no idea why he wants to control the world or how he got in a position to do that". If this reader had actually bothered to read the words INSIDE the book, he/she would know that why Jagang wanted to rule and also why he has the power he does. If you're going to rank a book as ONE at least read it. If you can't understand it, that's your problem, not the book's.My last tirade is concerning the repetition others have complained about. He does fill you in on things you might have forgotten from previous books, but it is not overdone in the least. I think it is very helpful, especially if you read the books as they were published and had to wait a long time between each one.My comments on this whole series can be summed up in the phrase, "it's great"! I read the books; I enjoyed them thoroughly and would recommend others read them.

I can't say which of this set I think is the best... they are all great books. This one I would like to say is the best, but then again they are all great. I have read through most of the others reviews and I am learning very quick not to believe everything I read. I have enjoyed reading the first three books in the series and fully intend on reading every single one until the end of the series. As for Terry Goodkind coping others story lines and ruining it for us well take it as you will but he has great twists and if you ask me a apple is a apple but each has a different taste, so don't judge so harshly!Once again Richard, Kahlan, Zedd and the rest of the gang are back tring to save the world from evil. This time the threat isn't the keeper or the evil wizard Darken Rahl, but Emperor Jagang and clan of mriswith. While Kahlan is hiding with the death spell on her ( the death spell was put there by Zedd) waiting for Richard to meet up with her, Richard is once again distracted with his instinct and draws the midlands together to fight against the new evil team the "Imperial order". The blood of the fold, believing anthing with magic is evil is after the mother confessor, and abducts her and takes her to the sisters of the dark.Once again I will say it as I have in my past reviews, if you liked the first two books you will like this one just as much if not more!