Phantom: Chainfire Trilogy, Part 2, Sword of Truth, Book 10

Before I read this book, I read many reviews. Many seemed to indicate the book would be tedious at best. I am glad I didn't let their opinions sway me into not reading Phantom. I feel I have to address their complaints in defense of a very good story or at least give a different perspective.First: Several mention the extended texts covering rape and torture. I didn't see them as extended, overly graphic, or unnecessary. It is a common practice of many authors I've read who write several books in a series to retell the core of the story at least once in each book in the series. It is central to the reasoning behind the actions of our heros. Why they do the things they do and think as they do.Second: They complain that we already know the main women are drop-dead gorgeous and don't need to constantly be told. Their looks are often in contrast to their souls, such as Nicci before she met Richard or the Sister of the Dark. I see the descriptions serving several purposes. 1. It is the same as saying they have blue eyes, just describing the person. Not everyone reading the book will have read all preceding books, so in order for them to understand descriptions are necessary. 2. It shows the balance always referenced in the story. That beautiful can be good or evil. 3. As far as Richard goes and some others, it shows a reverence for life much the same as appreciating the beauty of a sunrise.Three: They complain about Richard often thinking about how much he misses Kahlan. To me, it would be natural for someone who has found that person who completes them and gives their life meaning to find many things every single day that would remind them of that person and bring the feelings of sadness and loss to mind.I guess I read books to be entertained and don't try to digest unwritten meaning or intent of the author. I enjoyed this story extremely. It kept me interested and entangled throughout. I was glad Rachel was such an integral part of the story. Six became someone else to hate. Nicci has grown into a strong character and a foundation of support for Richard even though he isn't aware of her dedication to him. Shota is full of surprises. Jagang is finally getting a small portion of what he deserves.

Terry Goodkind has set himself a very ambitious task in this 12-book series: To create characters who exist and function in a world of magic that is intelligent, cohesive, logical and also fascinating enough to make you want more. Goodkind has succeeded admirably, in my opinion.This is an epic tale, and is told in epic terms. Occasionally, just as it seems things are not quite believable and the story does not quite support fully the story-line; it is then that the author lays a choice haunch of new information on you which totally resolves the tensions and thrusts the story far forward. The intellectual pace at times is as rigorous as the story-line. It is very stimulating.In my opinion, this is a masterful series. I discovered the series when 10 books were already in paperback and raced through them right along with the characters. Each book is substantial, draws on prior books and advances the action excellently. I choose to wait painfully for "Phantom" to reach paperback distribution, (since I read while traveling and didn't want to lug a hardbound copy), and I was not disappointed. I may have to purchase the final book, "Confessor," in hardbound.The only small caveat I would offer is to women readers: There is a decidedly dark, evil element running through this series that gives rise to a lot of murder and mayhem in the books. It totally makes sense within the overall context of the series, however, so is acceptable in my view. You will know by the end of Book I whether it is acceptable to you.I recommend these books highly.

All of the reviews I see for this series, especially for the later books such as this one, say pretty much the same thing. Unnecessarily long, repetitive, preachy, etc. I really loved the first 6 books. Books 7 and 8 took me absolutely forever to read, they were very hard to get through. The characters that had previously been so well written had become obnoxious. Richard was always right, the rest of his gang had apparently come to accept this as fact. Kahlan, a previously strong and intriguing character was the worst of them- love sick and practically worshipping of Richard's obvious superiority (which made no sense considering all the whining Goodkind was doing about blindly following orders...then again Richard is perfect, so you know following him will work out in the end. Assuming it ever ends.) Anyways, book 9 got me interested again. I still wasn't fond of the characters in Chainfire (except maybe Nicci. I do like her.) but at least there was story again. I wanted to know what happened to Kahlan, what was going on with the Chainfire spell, etc. It was an okay story so I figured I may as well keep reading. All the reviews I've seen suggested I skip Phantom, but I'd already spent an ungodly amount of time on this series so I figured I may as well read it all. I'm glad I did. It was by no means the best book in the series but it was better than I expected. I like Kahlan better with no memory of Richard. It shows she's still smart, still capable of thinking for herself (again, with as much as Goodkind preaches the value of this, he had been doing a terrible job of portraying it through his characters). It's also a relatively short book, which makes it easier to read considering the actual storyline progresses very little in this one, but what it's lacking in plot progression it makes up for in the simple fact that I'm interested in the story again. I actually do want to know how it ends (although knowing Goodkind I'm guessing Richard & co "live happily ever after").

Picks right up where the last novel left off. . .This is the author's style and it makes the series quite reader friendly!Get on board if you wish to take a magickal journey and enjoy!!

The story so far is very interesting it chops and changes about quite a bit and sometimes it is hard to follow, and you may need to go back and re read sections, but very interesting.

テリー･グッドカインドの「真実の剣」シリーズがほぼ大詰めになりました。リチャードは（またも）最愛のカーランから引き離されて、いつものようにヒドい目にあいます。いよいよ最終戦への緊張が高まっています。惜しいことに日本での翻訳は停止してしまっているので、つづきは原書でしか読めません。

Enjoyed this series

Classed as a filler, could be half the size.

Having read a lot of the reviews I was not expecting much from this book even though I absolutely love all the rest of them. However I couldn't resist giving it a go and I am so glad I did.There are some bits when the explanations go on a bit such as the spell construction and some of the description scenes of the atrocities but I kept going. I realised that the people who go on are the characters who would do that in their lives and as for the other scenes, horrible as it is we need to get the feelings of the horrors.A number of the reviews ask for shorter or less words but I say to Terry Goodkind PLEASE in NO WAY cut down your words. I love the long books and get so involved in them that I just don't want them to stop.A brilliant book and author who really gets into the story and allows us to be part of it.