The Pillars of Creation

Terry Goodkind

This is the seventh book in the Sword of Truth series by Goodkind. I've read in any number of places that the problem with series lies with the author's inability or desire to keep the story crackling along like a good fire. I personally have really enjoyed all the other books, some more than other's, and at this point my favorite in the series remains "Faith of The Fallen". Which brings us to number seven. Goodkind spins out 557 pages of, well, not much of anything in regard the previous books. All your favorite characters make very weak appearances and those only in the last two chapters. Instead, what you encounter here are two new characters in the Darken Rahl family, a son and a daughter. I found neither of them particularly interesting or captivating and spent far too many moments wondering what they could bring to the series overall. Granted, Goodkind brings a slant to their characters which has not been encountered previously, but even that is not enough to give fire to the story. This book, unlike the previous six, is kind of like eating a cold dessert which is supposed to be served warm. I turned the pages and kept hoping for some vital connection from these characters which would return me fully to the world of the previous books. There is a tedium which accompanies this book and the characters. The plot never twists enough to give you a thrill and it's very predictable. A reader could forego this one and likely not lose anything. There is an 8th novel planned, but I don't think I'll jump on the first release, I'll wait to see if Goodkind plans to continue with this character line, if so, I may have to turn my attention to other writers and other places.