The Pillars of Creation

by Terry Goodkind

Book Overview

New York Times bestselling author Terry Goodkind has created his most lavish adventure yet. Tormented her entire life by inhuman voices, a young woman named Lauren seeks to end her intolerable agony. She at last discovers a way to silence the voices. For everyone else, the torment is about to begin. With winter descending and the paralyzing dread of an army of annihilation occupying their homeland, Richard Rahl and his wife Kahlan must venture deep...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765300265
• ISBN13: 9780765300263
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 560 Pages
• Weight: 2.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 6.5" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

good book

good book, as goodkind is a fabulos epic storyteller. my only complaint? the book gets a bit churchy. not necessarily in a bad way, just not interested as he was. fabulous continuatin in the series, and it all becomes more important as the series comes to a close.

i still liked it.

a lot of what the other reviewers are saying are understandable and valid, but i personally kind of liked this one. i liked the way it introduced and followed completely new characters, and those new characters are fairly interesting, especially obha. plus the anticipation is deadly when it comes to waiting for richard, and when he finally comes, it doesn't disappoint. maybe try to read it again?

An interesting departure

The fact that Goodkind follows a new set of characters in this novel instead of the main heroes of the series is not, by itself, a good reason to rate the book poorly, yet it seems to be the main reason given by most of the critics here. If anything, Goodkind should instead be praised for trying something a little different after the ambitious and successful Faith of the Fallen. As for how successful he is here, it's true that this is not among the best books of the series--some of the new characters are better than others, and some parts of the story more engrossing than others--but it is still quite good. I especially liked Althea and her husband Friedrich, and Tom. Jennsen is a mixed case, but more good than bad. Oba was a bit annoying. Sebastian is one of the best new Goodkind characters, good or evil (perhaps in this case not obviously either), in a long time. The section when he takes Jennsen to meet Emperor Jagang for the storming of Aydindril stands up to almost anything in the series thus far. And, as usual, Goodkind's story illustrates important political and philosophical themes. Here we have a novel about the crucial need of, appropriately enough in light of 9/11, good intelligence agencies (though this is hardly an Ian Fleming novel), and more deeply of using your own judgment rather than relying on what others tell you is the right or wrong thing to do. A worthy message well told.

The Truth

If you've read the rest of the Sword of Truth series, this book might be a let down, that is, if you don't like new characters and if you aren't into seeing other points of view. If you're bland and boring and enjoy the same hum-drum tale all the way through a series, then this exciting book isn't for you. However, if you're a true lover of books, as I believe myself to be, you'll appreciate the interesting change of pace and the wonderful detail put into a side character that will come into the main plot. Excellent work.

A truly good book with a fresh perspective

i don't know what the other reviewers are talking about, but this book directly addresses the criticism of the previous books while introducing a breath of fresh air to the series.1) it provides a new iteration to the generic plotline of the series, i.e., richard and kahland get separated, defeat the enemy and reunite.2) it puts the whole d'haran/old world in a new perspective3) you get a better sense of what is going on in the different worlds, the daily struggles and the ways of life4) there is suspense. you know something is wrong but you don't know what.5) new characters, new tensions, new conflicts.Terry, this book is great! not the best (the second and third were) but definitely worth a read and worth the time.