Naked Empire: Book Eight of The Sword of Truth (Sword of Truth, 8)

This is a great series! :-) Some may not like the end to this series, but I found it to be rather good. I don't like a lot of loose ends at the end of my stories. Case in point "The Lady and the Tiger". I had to read that stupid thing in School and then you are supposed to "Write your own ending." This series is wrapped up well, and you aren't left hanging on anything. I love it. :-)

In Naked Empire, Terry Goodkind weaves a plot that, through the action of the story, illustrates increasingly deeper themes with great relevance to our culture today. Politically, and most superficially, it is a story about the hopelessness of the doctrine of pacifism for establishing genuine peace, but that it rather leads to tyranny. Ethically, it is about whether people are justified in fighting for their values by retaliating against physical threats to them, or whether it is ever proper to turn the other cheek. Epistemologically, it is about whether genuine knowledge comes by revelation from another world, or by reasoning about our perception of this world. And metaphysically, it is about the doctrine of mind-body dualism versus that of mind-body unity, and the results of accepting each. (There is even a bit about esthetics, though not nearly as a much as in Faith of the Fallen, in which the nature of art played a much more central role.) As usual, the plot advances the stories of the characters and the world in which they live, and Goodkind's characterization is excellent (though Owen is a bit obnoxious at first, but not as bad as Nadine in Temple of the Winds). It is true that Goodkind has begun using somewhat formulaic phrases to introduce familiar characters (but hey, if it was good enough for Homer...). So some of the criticisms about his writing at this point in the series are slightly valid. It is not one of the best books in the series, which is why I didn't rate it five stars. However, the kind of vitriol being spewed by the book's critics--many of whom seem to have a personal grudge against Goodkind--can only be explained by their unthinking bias against his theme, or, in the case of escapists, the fact that his books have themes at all. Goodkind's work is both entertaining and thought-provoking--a rare thing. Ironically, it is perhaps those who find themselves so angered by his books that need his message the most.

I would rank this book up there with Faith of the Fallen as the best book in the series so far. While not as explicitly philosophical as Faith of the Fallen (which, aside from Richard's first premature and out-of-place philosophy speech at the beginning, seamlessly integrated philosophy with dramatic action so that by the climax I was on the edge of my seat not in spite of, but because of the ideas involved), Chainfire cashes in on the reader's love for the characters, and their value to each other, that has been built up since the beginning of the series. The scene in which Richard contemplates suicide is particularly stunning. Publisher's Weekly's complaint that there's not enough action is shallow and stupid. Who needs sword fights when you've got drama like that? Besides, the "beast" that's after Richard is the best antagonist Goodkind has created yet. Can't wait for the next two books in the Chainfire trilogy.

A great book for the fans that was disappointed with the Pillars Of Creation. This book really rapped it up. I personally thought that the talks about freedom and what it takes to earn it shows allot of insight. I would hardly call it a libertarian or anti-government. I could not put the book down and really looked forward to getting off of work just to read it. I can wait until the next one. Thank You Mr. Brooks for another masterpiece...

I've got a problem that I think most of the people who have made it this far in the series share: I'm hooked. No matter how bad the last book was, I'm gonna buy the new one in hardcover simply because I don't have the patience to wait for it in paperback.Having said that. I'm glad I came back and read this one. I was not at all impressed with POC and it kinda left a bad taste in my mouth, but Naked Empire was a joy to read. The main characters and back and the struggle continues. Richard and Khalan are winning friends and influencing people as usual and Zedd and Adie are back, as are Nathan and Ann. You see a Sister here and there and Mord-sith are all over (but where the hell is Gratch? ;-) )Overall, I highly recommend it. It's a quick read. Knock it out in a weekend. Goodkind has once again risen to the top of the genre with his latest.