Book
The pillars of creation
Record details
- ISBN: 97807653407410 (pbk.) :
- ISBN: 0765340747 (pbk.) :
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Physical Description:
print
p. ; cm. - Edition: 1st ed.
Content descriptions
| General Note: | "A Tom Doherty Associates book." |
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| Genre: | Fantasy fiction. |
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Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Holdable? | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibsons Public Library | SF PB G (Text) | 30886000186821 | Speculative fiction in pbk | Not holdable | Lost | 2011-01-04 |
- Publishers Weekly Reviews : PW Reviews 2001 December #1
Fantasy bestseller Goodkind brings his usual strong sense of place and distinct characterization to his seventh sprawling novel in the popular Sword of Truth series, though the action, too often discussed rather than shown, takes a while to warm up. The struggle continues between the New World's Seeker of Truth, Lord Richard Rahl, and the Old World's totalitarian leader, Emperor Jagang "the Just," against the dry and barren beauty of the desert landscape. After deposing his father, old Lord Rahl, Richard lingers in the background at his immense fortress. Meanwhile, battling for power are the bastards that old Rahl has also sired, notably Richard's oafish lout of a half-brother, Oba, who tries to murder his way to the throne. Taking center stage is the vengeful Jennsen, who wants to kill Richard because she blames him for her mother's murder. Of course, Richard isn't the villain she takes him for, though Jennsen is slow to catch on. Amid the interminable sword-and-sorcery in the tradition of Robert E. Howard (Howard would have especially appreciated the huge serpent with which Oba and Jennsen contend), the author spouts his familiar political pieties. Lip service may be paid to public good, but passion arises only in scenes of violence. For all its clumsy exposition, unlikely coincidences and feeble attempts at humor, this latest installment, with its striking jacket art showing a beautiful desert landscape, is as certain to please Goodkind's legions of fans as previous books in the series. (Dec.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information. - Voice of Youth Advocates Reviews : VOYA Reviews 2002 April
Fans of the seven-volume Sword of Truth series, which is strenghtened with the addition of this title, will be thrilled to find the story of Richard Rahl, Lord Rahl of D'Hara, and his wife, Kahlan, the Mother Confessor, extended. Richard and Kahlan are bit players until the very end, as Richard's half sister, Jennsen, and his murderous half brother, Oba, must come to terms with their heritage and their destiny. Raised as fugitives by their mothers, Jennsen and Oba are ungifted children of Lord Darken Rahl. Conduits between the world of the living and the Keeper's world of the dead, they possess a lethal power and the capacity to undo all magic. Neither Jennsen nor Oba is aware of this potential, although both are troubled by internal voices. As Oba increasingly is lost to the murderous bidding of the Keeper's voice, Jennsen is led astray by a devious servant of Emperor Jagang the Just, drawing both out of D'Hara to a confrontation with Richard at the Pillars of Creation. Plot is definitely Goodkind's forte, and the story unfolds compellingly, with near-perfect pacing, well-realized settings, and superior descriptive narrative. Where this novel falls short is in characterization. Jennsen is easily the most aggravating heroine since Scarlett O'Hara and occasionally makes one long for Scarlett's grit. Always just a bit lost, Jennsen constantly leans on some Big Strong Man for help as she bumbles through situations with implausible luck, an unsympathetic and helpless pawn. Oba is completely sadistic, and Goodkind's enthusiastic descriptions of beatings and quasi vivisections contrast with his restraint in soft-focus sex scenes. None of this will matter, of course, to aficionados of the series, who will be eager to read another installment in Richard Rahl's story.-Ann Welton. 3Q 4P S A/YA Copyright 2002 Voya Reviews
