Terry Goodkind's Phantom (Review)
(I will warn you before I get to spoilers, so read on without fear)
Ah, yes, I went book shopping yesterday with Adrian. Book shopping is a wholly satisfying thing in almost every way, even if you buy nothing. But this trip was a success because I bought the new Phule's Errand book (sure to be an empty but satisfying read), the new Dave Barry Peter Pan & The Shadow Thieves book, and Terry Goodkind's Phantom. I also bought a Holiday gift for someone but will leave the details out hence the person read my blog.
I started reading Phantom last night around 7:15 and with two breaks -- dinner and a shower -- read it from front to end, fishing just after 12:20am. I barely noticed the time. There were pauses while I zoned out and thought of things -- I'm funny like that -- and also to try and recollect the previous tome, Chainfire which I read nearly two years ago I think.
This book is the next to last in the series. The end of the book clearly says to look for the next and concluding book in this series. That's good because it's gone on too long. Most of it's good but there have been some missteps. Not nearly as bad, though, as Robert Jordan, who I've entirely given up on as an author.
This book is an engaging read front to back, which is good because that's what a summer read is about and at 587 pages, it's hard for many authors to keep the pace going. Like all Goodkind books, you normally see everything coming before the book gets there -- but there is one surprise that definitely laid me flat.
(SPOILERS BEGIN)
I won't reveal that surprise here, because it's a good one. However I will say that some old characters seem to becoming more two-dimensional with age, and that's not a good thing. Cara and Bernedine pretty much are there as decoration and serve no purpose, and there is nary a mention of Vera, Ann, Zedd, and Nathan. I don't like Nathan so I don't care. This story is Richard and Kahlan from front to end and it's just about those with them while they get where they need to be. (This is not a criticism, but it's certainly a 'middle book' syndrome here).
I like what happens in the book because it feels right and with a fantasy novel that's very important. Nothing like a 'doesn't feel right' to ruin a good story. Like the last one, this just ends with a cliffhanger, though it's pretty obvious what's going to happen next. The surprise here is going to be zero simply because he's written himself into a Richard meets XXX next corner, and that's just fine.
What I find a bit unsettling, and I am not sure if it's an intentional metaphor or not, is Goodkind's war solution for the D'Haran army. From a tactical standpoint, I make no arguments (but Richard's speech very well could have bored the enemy to death saving untold bloodshed). However the Order is a religious movement and Goodkind's characters advocate bringing the war to the Order's soil in a "just kill them all" approach. The more I read the more it sounded like he was advocating using American troops to wipe out the Muslim Terrorists while trying not to kill the Muslim People. This plan doesn't work in real life, though it's perfectly fine for a fantasy novel. However the overriding sense of having a message rammed down my throat never left me and that's my biggest complaint about this novel.
Labels: Book Review, Phantom, Terry Goodkind
posted by Rev. CMOT TMPV @ 7/30/2006 12:01:00 PM (permalink)
Stumble It!
17 Comments:
i haven't had a chance to read this particular novel yet, but the sense of having a message shoved down my throat has been with me in this otherwise engaging series since the third or fourth book.
i've only come to the 12th chapter or so, and so far my only impression is that richard talks entirely too much. but hey, even though terry tends to state the obvious far too often for my taste, i still love the series, and i have to say: faith of the fallen was the best book of them all! i'm looking forward to the conclusion of the whole thing. oh, and btw, I LOVE THE WHEEL OF TIME!
Faith was decent, yes. As for WOT -- Jordan is madly obsessed about what people wear to the point of distraction. He rambles. As I said, I've given up. Goodkind, I've not given up on -- big difference.
I absolutely agree that Faith of the Fallen was the best book in the series. Phantom's ending was so suprising, I am wondering if Goodkind remembers that when Darken Rahl put the boxes in play for himself he was guarentted certain protections from magic and was given specific information about which was the correct box. We'll see. I can't wait for the last book.
I did notice that the story that Jebra, Shota and Nicci told was way too long (two chapters) and too intense for my taste.
If Phantom and the struggle against Jagang is a metaphore, it's one fo the just and outnumbered against the big imposing threat.
I sometimes like to think Jagangs troops are the US and israeli troops in their sometimes senseless fight against Arabs. After all, the US is bringing 'freedom' and 'death' to the middle east. Bringing their message, like Jangang is.
Thankfully only a fantasy novel is be black/white. Real life has no good guys/bad guys. Though real life has problems just as big..
Reading I feared Goodkind would advocate a guerilla war. I'm halfway through the book and so far he has not.
For me this book Phantom is better, the series is coming back from mediocre, building up tension. I'd give Richard his sword back though by now :-)
I've been a a fan SOT series since the beginning and this book is certainly entertaining. But I think this whole chainfire trilogy should be one book. Im tired of rereading the entire series in every book, and i definitely agree that jebra and shota's stort went on too long and was intense without good reason. Although I did find that terry goodkind still writes suspense with the utmost skill and inventiveness. Even if a few of the new twists annoy me, there are still those little things that keep me wondering where he comes up with some of his great concepts. I may be annoyed that I bought a book without a conclusion but he kept me turning the pages and I certainly enjoyed hearing about Kahlan and Richard aain.
I have come into the Sword of Truth Series late in it's development but I really enjoyed reading the books and have whipped right through them all and was desperatley awaiting the Phantom release. The main concept I do not like with regards to Terry's style of writing is that it gets rather boring to be really getting into the story just to start reading an entire review of what has gone on before in alomost every new introduction - it is like he is trying to re-explain everything that has happened in the past every time he mentions something so that, if the reader never read about it in a previous book, they wouldn't ever have to go back to see where the idea originated. I think he could probably cut each book down to about 200 pages if he would leave out the hash and re-hash every time he changes the subject. I was totally disappointed in the Phantom book as it seems to me as if he is just trying to string us all along for another novel just to make more money. He could have definitely made Phantom a bit more fast paced and got on with the story. It was sad to have had to read all the way through to page 554 to finally see some real action taking place when the messenger rode to tell Jagang about the destruction the D'Haran army was finally wreaking on the Order. Oh well, I like to read so I guess that is okay, but now I will have to wait for HOW LONG?? to see what the future holds for Richard and Kahlan when the next (and final - we hope) book comes out.
Good grief! You people compare and think way too far into these books. It is a fantasy for a reason. NOT REAL. Unlike life. And you stupid, stupid critics. I have come to realize that the world would be far better off if it weren't for you friggin' idiots. I think all critics are pessimists, because they try to find every single reason they can to tear someone's work down, or hate something.
Why don't you guys just sit down and enjoy something, rather than tear it to shreds with your critisism? Good grief!
Mr. Anonymous- where to start? Not only have you labelled yourself as ignorant; you have also proven to be stereotypical. Statements like 'It's fantasy for a reason. NOT REAL' not only doesn't make sense, but as far as I am concerned everybody who has posted here most likely realizes that they are in fact, reading fiction. Most people here seem to be commenting on the author. I started SOT in 1998 and am now up to reading Phantom. For clarification and to prevent further uneducated and irrelevant rants like yours, people (these are not necessarily 'critics') are expressing how slowly the series is moving. Had you been following the series I am quite sure you will feel the same way, the books are long and move slowly, sometimes leaving the reader with an unsatisfied feeling. I continue to read because I personally have fallen in love with the world of Richard and Kahlan and will not stop reading until I finish the series. As for your comment in regards to these books being fantasy, this is obvious. However any story needs to follow the rules of logic, an attempt otherwise will probably leave the reader feel deceived or mislead, so in a sense, a story should be 'like life'. After reading these posts and hearing about other people's intelligent and educated views in regards to this line of books, I feel the world is better off without people like you posting comments on books they have never opened.
Have a nice day!
Where do i begin. First of all, i find it quite amazing to read reviews made by dimwitted readers, who have the imagination of a gnat. To many of you pick at the book while reading it. Instead of just reading it. None of you understand the concept of imagination and are all hell bent on perceiving the D'Haran forces as American troops. Honestly if that is what you believe then i would not bother even finishing the series if that is what most of you base the book on. This is not real life, it is a novel. A very good one at that, and in my opinion one of the best in the series. After reading the first review i was so disgusted that i couldn't bring myself to read the others....Anyone who calls "Berdine", Bernedine and "Verna" Vera, obviously has no concept of the series at all. I have complete faith in Terry Goodkind and his ability to make this series end on a superb note.
I did enjoy the book, Phantom, butat the same time I felt that the "magincal" part of the SOT series died too quickly for me.
As for the Terry Goodking making Jagang's army like that of the U.S. army, I think that's STUPID to think so.
Actually, if you think abou ti, I actually think Jagang is like the Korean leader (I can't spell nor will I try to spell his name). Jagfang is taking over his people and forcing HIS beliefe apon them while at the same time, as he sends his people to death and says there are no leaders, he gives himself the most luxurious of luxuries.
Although this may seem (to critics of American's) like the American army going into Iraq, I think it more so shows Korea.
When I read the SOT and I read about Jagang, the Korean leader is the only one I think of.
As for the next and last book, I di hope Terry Goodkind brings back many of my favorite characters. i for one ADORE Nathan.
In comment to the views of one anonymous "critic".
We criticis because we've been given a chance to, GET OVER IT AND CALM DOWN!!!!!
I say that Jagang reminds me of Korea's leader because I can, because he does, some other person says Jagang reminds them of America, because tyo them, he does. AGAIN, GET OVER YOURSELF!
you don't have to FLIP OUT over what we say....If you don't like what we have to say, don't read it, STUPID!.
We are given a chance to say wether we liked the book or we didn't, so we're going to say wether we liked it or we didn't.
It's not because we didn't ENJOY the book, and we're not saying IT'S REAL LIFE, we're just making comments on how we connect the story to REAL LIFE. Again, ANGERY PERSON, it is not us who are the MORONS, it is YOU!
Hey, believe it or not, US is not the center of the world, and not all novels revolve around their troops and invasions. These books are a great series, and have nothing whatsoever to do with US, muslims, or any other crap you may dream up.
I'm sure you know that these books aren't real. If you are aware of this, stop trying to compare them to reality; these books are not about US, they're about fiction, and the war between Jajang and Richard's armies..stop being so self-centered.
I really enjoyed this book. I miss the "creatures" that Goodkind added to his earlier books.
Best book series I've ever read. Don't care what anyone has to say. Though this book is fiction, the lessons of the book that Richard learns become helpful in life itself. The wizard rules, for the most part, all can be used in present day. Another thing is that this book reminds me of certain parts of history. Or historical elements anyway. The D'Harans struck me to be like Hitlers master race in WFR the Aryans, blonde hair, blue eyes, a very centered group, with everyone else not considered true D'Harans. The imperial order lifestyle in the Old World strikes me as a dictatorship trying to use communism, badly. Basically reminds me of Stalin and the way he controlled the USSR. The war aspect wasn't like the tyrant, obiously, just the old world rules reminded me of it. Regardless, go Phantom for a smashing success, (I love how Richards sics the D'Haran army on the Old World) and thank you Terry for the best book series of my life. These are weeks and months of reading I dont want back.(Also i miss Scarlet and Gratch)
While Goodkind's novels are fantasy fiction, it's obvious that he talks through his characters... ad nauseam. The first few books really felt like stories about fictional characters, but now all of the characters, nations, and locations seem to be thinly veiled metaphors; symbols for things that the author wants to make a philosophical point about. By his own admission, Terry Goodkind does not consider himself a fantasy author, that he instead uses fantasy as a medium to convey his message.
That said, he is still an excellent writer, I've just lost faith in him as a story-teller. I'm about half way through Confessor now and I just wish Nicci would fall through a plot hole and that the rest of the characters would shut up and solve their problems. I'm starting to feel insulted by Goodkind's endless repetition of simple ideas, as if the readers are too dumb to catch on. I'd like to think that anyone who reads books as a hobby has enough intelligence to catch his drift without four chapters devoted to "the Order is bad". I've gotten to the point where I skim over paragraphs and entire pages because NOTHING happens. The conversations are all circular and only the first and last sentences add anything to the story. He could save hundreds of pages by simply replacing his dialogue with the line "They argued for five minutes."
At this point it just seems like he's trying to make money and preach his philosophy.
If I wanted every character to deliver a monologue every time they spoke I would read more plays. Plus he stole 90% of his good ideas from WOT.
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