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Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles #3
Siege of Stone
The sorceress Nicci, the wizard Nathan Rahl, and the young swordsman Bannon are under siege. Having liberated the legendary city of Ildakar from the despotic reign of the wizard's council, they now face the council's final act of vengeance : an ancient spell has been revoked and half a million hostile warriors released from fifteen centuries of stone-bound stasis. Surrounded, trapped inside the city walls, the companions must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the newly-freed citizenry to repel an ancient foe sworn to the destruction of their city . But Nicci, the one-time Sister of Darkness , knows that there more at stake than just Ildakar. If she can't destroy the approaching army at the city gates, there is nothing to stop it sweeping into the Old World and laying waste to D'Hara itself.
557 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2018
635 people are currently reading
2992 people want to read
About the author
Terry Goodkind
277 books12.3k followersTerry Lee Goodkind was an American writer. He was known for the epic fantasy series The Sword of Truth as well as the contemporary suspense novel The Law of Nines (2009), which has ties to his fantasy series. The Sword of Truth series sold 25 million copies worldwide and was translated into more than 20 languages. Additionally, it was adapted into a television series called Legend of the Seeker, which premiered on November 1, 2008, and ran for two seasons, ending in May 2010.
Goodkind was a proponent of Ayn Rand's philosophical approach of Objectivism, and made references to Rand's ideas and novels in his works.
Goodkind was a proponent of Ayn Rand's philosophical approach of Objectivism, and made references to Rand's ideas and novels in his works.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
May 5, 2025
Are Nicci’s “diplomacy”, magic and military skills up to a mandate to spread peace, freedom, and prosperity in Richard Rahl’s Old World D’Haran empire?
There’s nothing even remotely subtle about the plot in Terry Goodkind’s SIEGE OF STONE, the third installment in his THE NICCI CHRONICLES!
Suffice it to say that the former Sister of Darkness, sorceress Nicci, and her companions, newly re-minted wizard Nathan Rahl, (once again in possession of his vaunted magical skills), and the young warrior, Bannon, are faced with a global war. It’s going to be an all-out battle to save the Old World from the evil predations of the Norukai slavers; from Emperor Kurgan’s ancient army led by their brilliant battle commander, General Utros, recently awakened from their centuries old petrification spell; and from the self-serving Ildakaran wizards plotting with the recently deposed queen to sacrifice hundreds of their own citizens to release the blood necessary to power the spell to once again remove the city from the passage of time and hide it under a shroud!
The obvious themes in such a fantasy – good vs evil, friendship, loyalty, bravery, courage, and heroism, redemption, and, of course, love and romance – are relentlessly front and center and in your face. But, despite the fact, that they’re WAY over the top SIEGE OF STONE manages to remain a thoroughly entertaining and quite gripping fantasy (if somewhat in need of some modest editorial pruning).
The stage is set for the final outing in the tetralogy HEART OF BLACK ICE in which, unless the moon turns blue and hell freezes over, I’m sure good will out and emerge as the final victor.
Paul Weiss
There’s nothing even remotely subtle about the plot in Terry Goodkind’s SIEGE OF STONE, the third installment in his THE NICCI CHRONICLES!
Suffice it to say that the former Sister of Darkness, sorceress Nicci, and her companions, newly re-minted wizard Nathan Rahl, (once again in possession of his vaunted magical skills), and the young warrior, Bannon, are faced with a global war. It’s going to be an all-out battle to save the Old World from the evil predations of the Norukai slavers; from Emperor Kurgan’s ancient army led by their brilliant battle commander, General Utros, recently awakened from their centuries old petrification spell; and from the self-serving Ildakaran wizards plotting with the recently deposed queen to sacrifice hundreds of their own citizens to release the blood necessary to power the spell to once again remove the city from the passage of time and hide it under a shroud!
The obvious themes in such a fantasy – good vs evil, friendship, loyalty, bravery, courage, and heroism, redemption, and, of course, love and romance – are relentlessly front and center and in your face. But, despite the fact, that they’re WAY over the top SIEGE OF STONE manages to remain a thoroughly entertaining and quite gripping fantasy (if somewhat in need of some modest editorial pruning).
The stage is set for the final outing in the tetralogy HEART OF BLACK ICE in which, unless the moon turns blue and hell freezes over, I’m sure good will out and emerge as the final victor.
Paul Weiss
January 8, 2019
Now that I am reading Terry's books through the lens of #MeToo and current lack of consistency in the conservative movement -- morals easily cast aside for convenience of wins in a different arena, I have confirmation that he writes from a super mysogynistic perspective (female characters are strong - only because they survived violence against them - rape, being beat up and abused)
The plot continues to be interesting. The characters keep disappointing.
The plot continues to be interesting. The characters keep disappointing.
January 8, 2019
This book is better than the first two, but the escalating events gives a Lord of the Rings feeling to it that's Alien to this series. Still, I'm really glad this series exists despite its up and downs, I can't just drop this series after 20 years.
January 9, 2020
Classic Terry Goodkind. Looking forward to book 4.
August 13, 2020
De Tovenares Nicci en de tovenaar Nathan Rahl zijn door meester Richard Rahl op weg naar de Oude Wereld gestuurd om ook daar zijn boodschap van rechtvaardigheid en vrijheid te verkondigen. Ze verblijven in de stad Iskander, die 1 500 jaar achter een sluier verborgen was. Er is ook net een revolutie achter de rug. De autoriteire stadsraad moet nu wel samenwerken met de bevrijde slaven, want er staat een oeroude vijand voor de wallen. De rancuneuze tovenaar Maxim heeft het versteende leger van generaal Utros terug tot leven gewekt, een leger dat niet eens moet eten of moe wordt.
Maar ook de Norukai, een wrede stam piraten en slavenhalers wil de wereld veroveren.
Er zijn ook nog de verhaallijnen van de mozareth Adessa die de opdracht kreeg van sovrena Thora om het hoofd van meester-tovenaar Maxim terug te brengen. De sovrena zit ondertussen wel zelf in de gevangenis plannen te smeden. En ook priores Verna en kapitein Zimmer in Kliftwand zijn van de partij.
Dat is een van de dingen die ik zo leuk vind aan heel de serie. Personages verdwijnen niet zomaar uit beeld, als je een tijd niets hoort, kunnen ze wel verschillende boeken later opnieuw opduiken.
Je hebt wel een sterke maag nodig, want er komt heel wat bloedvergieten en gruwelijke onmenselijkheden voor in deze boeken. Dingen waarvan je wil dat ze enkel in een boek bestaan, maar aangezien de oorlogen in de echte wereld elkaar maar blijven opvolgen, is dat “wishful thinking”.
Op de omslag staat dat dit het laatste deel van de trilogie is, maar waarschijnlijk zal het een tetralogie of een volgende trilogie worden. Het verhaal van Nicci is immers nog lang niet uitverteld. Er staat alweer een geduchte vijand aan de poort te trappelen. De tovenares moet de wereld nog steeds redden.
Maar ook de Norukai, een wrede stam piraten en slavenhalers wil de wereld veroveren.
Er zijn ook nog de verhaallijnen van de mozareth Adessa die de opdracht kreeg van sovrena Thora om het hoofd van meester-tovenaar Maxim terug te brengen. De sovrena zit ondertussen wel zelf in de gevangenis plannen te smeden. En ook priores Verna en kapitein Zimmer in Kliftwand zijn van de partij.
Dat is een van de dingen die ik zo leuk vind aan heel de serie. Personages verdwijnen niet zomaar uit beeld, als je een tijd niets hoort, kunnen ze wel verschillende boeken later opnieuw opduiken.
Je hebt wel een sterke maag nodig, want er komt heel wat bloedvergieten en gruwelijke onmenselijkheden voor in deze boeken. Dingen waarvan je wil dat ze enkel in een boek bestaan, maar aangezien de oorlogen in de echte wereld elkaar maar blijven opvolgen, is dat “wishful thinking”.
Op de omslag staat dat dit het laatste deel van de trilogie is, maar waarschijnlijk zal het een tetralogie of een volgende trilogie worden. Het verhaal van Nicci is immers nog lang niet uitverteld. Er staat alweer een geduchte vijand aan de poort te trappelen. De tovenares moet de wereld nog steeds redden.
August 5, 2019
Following on directly from the ending of Shroud of Eternity. General Utros and his massive army lay siege to the almost invincible city of Ildakar, Nicci, Nathan and Bannon are trapped there and need to come up with a plan to save the city. On top of the obvious threat all is not well withing the walls of Ildakar and there is another external threat looming on the horizon.
I found this to be a good conclusion to the story arc started in the previous book and much better than the first book in the series, which I found a bit lackluster. All the players eventually come together in the end for the climatic battle. Things did not turn out quite the way I expected and of course there are major unresolved problems that will continue to the next book. Volume four will be out early in 2020 so I do not have to long to wait.
I found this to be a good conclusion to the story arc started in the previous book and much better than the first book in the series, which I found a bit lackluster. All the players eventually come together in the end for the climatic battle. Things did not turn out quite the way I expected and of course there are major unresolved problems that will continue to the next book. Volume four will be out early in 2020 so I do not have to long to wait.
February 18, 2019
A thrilling end made up for a lack of real suspense all through, but it's still getting just 3 stars from me.
The author's style of writing every book as a standalone is a big convenience, as there's hardly any need to go back to previous books for forgotten bits of plot and action.
The story is much less intriguing, however. The storytelling is good enough, with the simple, easy writing ensuring a swift read. There's not much by way of real suspense until the final few pages. I felt tempted to add one additional star, but I thought it would be unfair to the books I've rated 4/5, so there you go...
The author's style of writing every book as a standalone is a big convenience, as there's hardly any need to go back to previous books for forgotten bits of plot and action.
The story is much less intriguing, however. The storytelling is good enough, with the simple, easy writing ensuring a swift read. There's not much by way of real suspense until the final few pages. I felt tempted to add one additional star, but I thought it would be unfair to the books I've rated 4/5, so there you go...
March 19, 2019
I’m sorry to say that after years of reading TERRY Goodkind his writing has become lazy and predictable. He has not put out a good book since Mother Confessor And I keep finding myself hoping that his next one will be great again but they continue to fall short. Perhaps a bit if it is my fault after getting used to a great authors like Brandon Sanderson and Melissa McPhail his writing just does not compare. Storyline in this book is simple and the magic is just too convenient for the enemies at every turn. I find that TERRY repeats himself over and over again in the book like he has run out of things to say so must continue to see the same things in a slightly different way chapter after chapter. I am so tired of reading how Nicci is the most powerful sorceress ever and yet can never defeat an enemy. The scene with the Dragon is so laughable that I almost stop reading the book even though it was almost done. Literally made no sense and even though all magic is made up, the tenuous link to controlling the dragon was absurd!
Sorry Terry, big miss on this series and especially this book, I won’t read the follow up!
Sorry Terry, big miss on this series and especially this book, I won’t read the follow up!
August 16, 2018
My rating system.
* Probably didn't finish and I finish 99% of the books I start.
** Not a fan. I finished just on principle.
*** Pretty good and worth the read.
**** Above average. If there is a sequel I will read it.
***** Created a good memory, very informative and I may actually read it again one day.
* Probably didn't finish and I finish 99% of the books I start.
** Not a fan. I finished just on principle.
*** Pretty good and worth the read.
**** Above average. If there is a sequel I will read it.
***** Created a good memory, very informative and I may actually read it again one day.
March 21, 2019
I am really really hoping there isn't a Nicci #4.....
September 10, 2019
(2,5 stars)
Okay, I got to admit something: I never liked Nicci to begin with.
There I’ve said it. Yeah she was a good companion to Richard and his quest, but I never actually liked her character. But because Goodkind is one of my favourite writers I had to read this series. And during it I still didn’t like Nicci, but Nathan was there and he made up for it. And the new character Bannon was also rather interesting. I enjoyed the first two entries of the series so I continued with Siege of Stone. And all I got to say, I am rather disappointed. Siege of Stone is mediocre.
First of all, Nicci has no character development what so ever. She starts perfect and she ends perfect. She learns nothing new and immediately solves a problem when one is presented to her. And halfway through the book you don’t even worry about the half-stone army because Nicci can solve anything. But not only Nicci can miraculously solve problems, the rest of the cast can do that to!
Besides that, there is an army knocking on the doors of Ildakar, with the greatest general known in history as their leader. And he is an idiot. He doesn’t strategies, he just let two people use magic all the time. He attacks the city because that are his orders (even because his emperor died 15 centuries ago). If he were a smart guy, why does he still follow orders of a dead man whose empire is long gone?
There are too many POV’s. And some of them weren’t even necessary for the story. I remember the Goodkind books as books where every POV had a purpose, and where all the storylines in the end came together. But not here. In the past few years I feel like Terry Goodkind is more focussed on pumping out a book every year then really thinking about his stories. And in my opinion he doesn’t have to. I rather read a good book every other year than read a mediocre one every single year.
Okay, I got to admit something: I never liked Nicci to begin with.
There I’ve said it. Yeah she was a good companion to Richard and his quest, but I never actually liked her character. But because Goodkind is one of my favourite writers I had to read this series. And during it I still didn’t like Nicci, but Nathan was there and he made up for it. And the new character Bannon was also rather interesting. I enjoyed the first two entries of the series so I continued with Siege of Stone. And all I got to say, I am rather disappointed. Siege of Stone is mediocre.
First of all, Nicci has no character development what so ever. She starts perfect and she ends perfect. She learns nothing new and immediately solves a problem when one is presented to her. And halfway through the book you don’t even worry about the half-stone army because Nicci can solve anything. But not only Nicci can miraculously solve problems, the rest of the cast can do that to!
Besides that, there is an army knocking on the doors of Ildakar, with the greatest general known in history as their leader. And he is an idiot. He doesn’t strategies, he just let two people use magic all the time. He attacks the city because that are his orders (even because his emperor died 15 centuries ago). If he were a smart guy, why does he still follow orders of a dead man whose empire is long gone?
There are too many POV’s. And some of them weren’t even necessary for the story. I remember the Goodkind books as books where every POV had a purpose, and where all the storylines in the end came together. But not here. In the past few years I feel like Terry Goodkind is more focussed on pumping out a book every year then really thinking about his stories. And in my opinion he doesn’t have to. I rather read a good book every other year than read a mediocre one every single year.
July 3, 2019
This is book three in The Nicci Chronicles. It’s another strong entry into the series but I did find it dragging in parts. The storyline continues to switch between perspectives and Nicci doesn’t actually feel as much of a central character this time.
We get to see more of Cliffwall and the Prelate. We follow Maximus on his journey to escape. We have the partially stone army, although we really only follow their main camp and not any groups of soldiers who leave. Then we also have different wizards including Nathan who does not go with Nicci when she leaves.
There was just so many different storylines and not all ended up converging. I know there will be more to this series and eventually it will all tie together. I was still able to follow everything that was happening it just felt a bit scattered.
You will need to have read the first two books in this series to understand the characters and the storyline. I would also recommend having read The Sword of Truth series for a better sense of Nicci, Nathan, Zimmer and Verna as well as the sliph but it’s not required.
We get to see more of Cliffwall and the Prelate. We follow Maximus on his journey to escape. We have the partially stone army, although we really only follow their main camp and not any groups of soldiers who leave. Then we also have different wizards including Nathan who does not go with Nicci when she leaves.
There was just so many different storylines and not all ended up converging. I know there will be more to this series and eventually it will all tie together. I was still able to follow everything that was happening it just felt a bit scattered.
You will need to have read the first two books in this series to understand the characters and the storyline. I would also recommend having read The Sword of Truth series for a better sense of Nicci, Nathan, Zimmer and Verna as well as the sliph but it’s not required.
January 30, 2019
Another great book by Goodkind
Once again Goodkind takes us into a very complex world full of excellently conceived characters, sprawling cities full of detail, unknown lands and cultures, powerful new enemies, and massive ever changing military situations. Lots of familiar, well developed characters from the Sword of Truth series have converged in a new continent (which is technically the "old" one) along with some new faces who bring unique personalities and talents which makes for lots of new possibilities in this series. I think the books have just been getting better since the start of the series so I'm really looking forward to what comes next.
Once again Goodkind takes us into a very complex world full of excellently conceived characters, sprawling cities full of detail, unknown lands and cultures, powerful new enemies, and massive ever changing military situations. Lots of familiar, well developed characters from the Sword of Truth series have converged in a new continent (which is technically the "old" one) along with some new faces who bring unique personalities and talents which makes for lots of new possibilities in this series. I think the books have just been getting better since the start of the series so I'm really looking forward to what comes next.
August 4, 2019
I know that Mr. Goodkind isnt everyone's cup of tea but something about his books always keeps me coming back for more.I think part of it is the main characters in his books never have a easy go of things.Their struggles become the readers struggles.The sheer variety of enemies in this one kept me turning page after page.I love that the battle scenes are brutal and anyone could die at any moment.Considering how many Sword Of Truth books that have been written the author always finds a way to introduce what i believe to be a interesting storyline.I be lying if i didnt say i cant wait for the next installment in the series.
March 13, 2019
OMG I'm sick. With worry now.....
I'm so worried about where Nicci is, what's gonna happen to Bannon and his Morzadeth.. And let's not forget ALL of the other's Nathan Rahl, Prelate Verna, the memmors and the sisters of light and also the Ildakarians they're naive about the world as it is today.. and how long will Ildakar stay shrouded. I think they got some monsters enshrouded with them. That should be interesting.. we'll DEFINITELY see WON'T we.. can't wait. I have so many Questions ..Okay.
I'm so worried about where Nicci is, what's gonna happen to Bannon and his Morzadeth.. And let's not forget ALL of the other's Nathan Rahl, Prelate Verna, the memmors and the sisters of light and also the Ildakarians they're naive about the world as it is today.. and how long will Ildakar stay shrouded. I think they got some monsters enshrouded with them. That should be interesting.. we'll DEFINITELY see WON'T we.. can't wait. I have so many Questions ..Okay.
February 5, 2019
Nicci and Nathan are still on their mission from Richard Rahl to spread the word when they became stick in Ildakar which has reappeared after 1500 years. This novel picks up where the previous one ended. The city is under attack from General Utros’s newly awakened stone army. The wizards and sorcerressesare trying to come up with solutions. I enjoy the characters and escaping into another worlds.
February 9, 2019
The Nicci Chronicles are a lot better than the last Richard & Kahlan books. I spent those doing a lot of "wait what?" but read them anyway.
My irritations over the series is that I'm tired of reading about Nathan being a peacock, Nicci's time as a SoD or her black dress, and any mention of Richard.
I do feel like Bannon is the true star of the series.
My irritations over the series is that I'm tired of reading about Nathan being a peacock, Nicci's time as a SoD or her black dress, and any mention of Richard.
I do feel like Bannon is the true star of the series.
January 13, 2019
Terry good kind does it again!
I have read his First series and this one does not disappoint. With old and familiar characters, and new and interesting ones I ha e come to love, and am now waiting with baited breath to read the next installment.
I have read his First series and this one does not disappoint. With old and familiar characters, and new and interesting ones I ha e come to love, and am now waiting with baited breath to read the next installment.
January 26, 2019
A great book to read.
Once again you write a great book to read again like you always due , you leave me wondering what is going to happens next. You have done it again a book that leaves you wondering what will happens next. I am looking forward to your next book.
Once again you write a great book to read again like you always due , you leave me wondering what is going to happens next. You have done it again a book that leaves you wondering what will happens next. I am looking forward to your next book.
May 24, 2019
I hear negative comments about the author from a personal perspective. I adore
His story tellin. “Why so serious Batman...”. I’ve always been fond of Nicci so this is right up my keester!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
His story tellin. “Why so serious Batman...”. I’ve always been fond of Nicci so this is right up my keester!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
June 13, 2020
Okay, a few things. I'll begin by saying there was a lot of recapping and repeating from past books, including Richard and Kahlan series. A lot. Lots of repeated content by characters saying the same thing over and over again. Every time a chapter came to Thora, Maxim, Adessa they said the same thing. King Grieve, again just kept repeating himself! It's overkill. I can't tell you how much I hate that Goodkind feels the need to repeat everything from other books, explaining it all again. Or keeps repeating content again in another chapter (from same book!) We don't need recaps! Stop this madness! I found myself skimming... a lot. A lot of wasted pages, characters repeating content from Richard and Kahlan series, making it the very reason I swear to never read another Goodkind book. It makes the story just suck. I only return out of invested time I spent on particular characters and curiosity to where they may go. He's the only author I've ever despised by his writing skills, yet I enjoy his plots and some characters. His books are only thick from repeated content. Just garbage writing.
And now the actual story, content.
1. Stay with me here... Maxim released the stones warriors HE petrified by releasing everyone he ever petrified. alright. sounds legit. This, I followed... But then apparently because HE created the spell, he can somehow dominate over anyone else who used this spell by unpetrifying EVERYONE's petrification spell??? This is where I got lost and had a WTF moment. That's what went down. He undid everyone's victims that ever cast this spell. By Undoing his own petrification spell, he also unraveled the 3 other gifted Dumas spell that they cast to petrify Thora into a statue making her now some half statue, more lethal. He shouldn't have been able to undo Thora since he did not cast her petrification spell. Apparently he has some patent over the use of the spell. Made me rethink every person that ever creates a spell and others use it. Wouldn't that mean they can just take it back or undo its usage, too, by this theory, if they created the spell?? Other gifted clearly are strong enough to cast it and use it, because they did and by Maxims own admittance, it's easier to remove it. So what, Maxim is more powerful than the 3 other gifted wizards combined, to override them??
Maxim doesn't seem to have the power to over rule every wizards spells in that form when, he is clearly a coward. how can you be the most powerful wizard and be a coward who runs from a single mordsith *cough* I mean morazeth. He seems more of a trickster. I had trouble believing Maxim was so powerful and could just undo everyone's usage of this spell.
2. Female rant: What is the deal with making like every female characters some sexual play thing for men in these books (minus Verna)?! So many men use woman for their own sexual purposes in Goodkinds books. Maxim even took PRE TEENS in a village he took over! PRE teen means before 13...which is pedophilia!!! Maxim even complained about their inexperience. Is it necessary to keep repeating this theme in every book as if woman are mostly worthless? At any age even. (Can we just leave at least female children alone? ) It's repeated SO much that I have no other conclusion other than to assume this turns Goodkind on sexually, to constantly be demoralizing, raping and belittling woman in his stories or he's writing it for a targeted, male, audience that gets turned on by it.
The undertone was always there in the Richard and Kahlan novels. this book was written in 2018...and there's been no progression to ease from this. How many men say disgusting, sexual things to Nicci?
There's even an implication of incest between Uteros twin sister sorceressess that just worship him, pleasure him (and fight his battles for him while he does basically nothing). Verna, Elsa (Elsa gets killed off) are the exception to all these things. You didn't ever hear Verna or Elsa worshipping anyone, including, Richard Rahl. They act normal. Get treated normal. (because older woman are undesirable in Goodkinds views, clearly) Nicci is constantly repeating that everything she does is for Richard... I mean, come on already. It's a total turn off for female readers. Nicci at this point should have love and respect for Richard as a whole, as a leader and friend, not him be her reason to breathe and all she does like she's trying to impress him. This worshipping of Richard needs to go. Self respecting, powerful people don't worship anyone. Men are constantly worshipped in these books. Goodkind even made Lila pathetically worship Bannon, following him like a puppy, protecting him... is there a single main male character that isn't being ridiculously adored by some alleged powerful (or plain) female like a robot, Other then Ian (but even he snapped out of his Stockholm syndrome) and was killed off, or Nathan? how many males in Goodkind books become a mindless robot, only living for the female-worshipping her? Apparently you have to be a confessor and magically force men into this role. I'd actually think Lila and Bannon are cute, if not for Lila raping him (and Bannon just enjoying it like all the male characters who get raped)being the bossy, dominant, yet can't be without Bannon like a dog, undermining her actual dominance.
3. Another sliph? I thought they were spirits from the underworld? Is that not sealed too? Just another Sliph that magically appears yet no one knew it existed. Just like the grumpy sliph (Lucy) that magically appeared in the last Richard and Kahlan novels to save the day, and was also just placed there conveniently... This sliph apparently serves the evil wizards of the past... so there's now a grumpy sliph, a bad political one who serves enemies and a prior prostitute.. how many masters and sliphs are there? Why are they not retired in the underworld in a closed veil? Why would Nicci in the end put her life in the hands of such an untrusting Sliph that clearly loathes her? Now, she's stranded, alone in a place she doesn't know because she tried to force an unwilling Sliph to travel(this kind of behavior Goodkind writes for Nicci diminishes her from being the intelligent, powerful, bad ass, Death's Mistress she's suppose to be) Nicci would never of been so careless in previous series.
3. This whole world of Ildkar read to me like a copied Lord of the Rings meets the Roman Empire. Noble first class citizens to lower. Slaves who fight in pits to the death. (The movie Gladiator comes to mind).
Non magic against people with magic. Slaves want freedom. In the end, they slaughter the lower class anyways for sacrificing and Ildkar just disappeared again. WTF
Here's where I'm also confused: I thought Richard separated the people without magic, from this magic world and gave them their own world? Yet, here we are, with a ton of societies, abusing the non magic people, using them as slaves and like nothing Richard did effected anyone outside of his backyard. This would have effected everyone, everywhere, just like the stars in the sky.
Ildakar could get away with not being affected because they were in a time capsule world, hidden (I'll give them that excuse)
4.The twins being able to see into the veil of the world of the dead and speak to them? STOP. Sealing the veil means sealing the veil. period. there's no window shopping. This part was so stupid. again, undermining his beloved Richards work from previous books. There was no loopholes...The veil is sealed, permanently... until Goodkind decided to just change it. Just like the secret sliphs scattered everywhere. Hearthounds exist, again. How? The veil had to open for this and it was not even explained. Why repeat this story line? It's exhausted, finished...
5. Lila and her female companions are just copy cat versions of mordsiths from previous series. only they repel magic instead of stealing it from enemies. I found Lila only slightly less annoying then the others and wish Goodkind didn't lazily invent more Mordsiths and call them by another name. They all say and act the same. it gets old reading the same arrogant demeanor without human emotions. like robotic children. It feels like Goodkind is just recreating the same characters from Sword in the stone series but calling them by different names. Lila is no Cara!
6. how is Chalk seeing the future when prophecy is dead? It's definitely current and the last book in sword in stone made it clear that no one could predict futures or see them anymore... yet here's Chalk. Contradiction again.
7. King Grieve... honestly was not invested in this character or his people. A savage who intends to take over the world (how unoriginal), who feeds his own people to a sea monster for luck and occasionally eats them himself- who has an insane future, seeing, albino sidekick. Wanted them to die in this book but nope- Goodkind combined them in the end with Utro's army so they will conquer together. um.. okay.
8.I genuinely liked the plot. Just hated the writing. Felt like nothing really was accomplished in this book. It dragged on and no one was defeated. people just died and Ildkar just disappeared again. now all the good characters are separated. I like Nathan, Renn, Bannon, Capt. Zimmerman and Verna and was intrigued to see where the story takes them. I'm invested in these characters and am glad Goodkind brought them over from previous series. This book just wasn't delivered
Agree to disagree from the 4* rating this book currently holds.
And now the actual story, content.
1. Stay with me here... Maxim released the stones warriors HE petrified by releasing everyone he ever petrified. alright. sounds legit. This, I followed... But then apparently because HE created the spell, he can somehow dominate over anyone else who used this spell by unpetrifying EVERYONE's petrification spell??? This is where I got lost and had a WTF moment. That's what went down. He undid everyone's victims that ever cast this spell. By Undoing his own petrification spell, he also unraveled the 3 other gifted Dumas spell that they cast to petrify Thora into a statue making her now some half statue, more lethal. He shouldn't have been able to undo Thora since he did not cast her petrification spell. Apparently he has some patent over the use of the spell. Made me rethink every person that ever creates a spell and others use it. Wouldn't that mean they can just take it back or undo its usage, too, by this theory, if they created the spell?? Other gifted clearly are strong enough to cast it and use it, because they did and by Maxims own admittance, it's easier to remove it. So what, Maxim is more powerful than the 3 other gifted wizards combined, to override them??
Maxim doesn't seem to have the power to over rule every wizards spells in that form when, he is clearly a coward. how can you be the most powerful wizard and be a coward who runs from a single mordsith *cough* I mean morazeth. He seems more of a trickster. I had trouble believing Maxim was so powerful and could just undo everyone's usage of this spell.
2. Female rant: What is the deal with making like every female characters some sexual play thing for men in these books (minus Verna)?! So many men use woman for their own sexual purposes in Goodkinds books. Maxim even took PRE TEENS in a village he took over! PRE teen means before 13...which is pedophilia!!! Maxim even complained about their inexperience. Is it necessary to keep repeating this theme in every book as if woman are mostly worthless? At any age even. (Can we just leave at least female children alone? ) It's repeated SO much that I have no other conclusion other than to assume this turns Goodkind on sexually, to constantly be demoralizing, raping and belittling woman in his stories or he's writing it for a targeted, male, audience that gets turned on by it.
The undertone was always there in the Richard and Kahlan novels. this book was written in 2018...and there's been no progression to ease from this. How many men say disgusting, sexual things to Nicci?
There's even an implication of incest between Uteros twin sister sorceressess that just worship him, pleasure him (and fight his battles for him while he does basically nothing). Verna, Elsa (Elsa gets killed off) are the exception to all these things. You didn't ever hear Verna or Elsa worshipping anyone, including, Richard Rahl. They act normal. Get treated normal. (because older woman are undesirable in Goodkinds views, clearly) Nicci is constantly repeating that everything she does is for Richard... I mean, come on already. It's a total turn off for female readers. Nicci at this point should have love and respect for Richard as a whole, as a leader and friend, not him be her reason to breathe and all she does like she's trying to impress him. This worshipping of Richard needs to go. Self respecting, powerful people don't worship anyone. Men are constantly worshipped in these books. Goodkind even made Lila pathetically worship Bannon, following him like a puppy, protecting him... is there a single main male character that isn't being ridiculously adored by some alleged powerful (or plain) female like a robot, Other then Ian (but even he snapped out of his Stockholm syndrome) and was killed off, or Nathan? how many males in Goodkind books become a mindless robot, only living for the female-worshipping her? Apparently you have to be a confessor and magically force men into this role. I'd actually think Lila and Bannon are cute, if not for Lila raping him (and Bannon just enjoying it like all the male characters who get raped)being the bossy, dominant, yet can't be without Bannon like a dog, undermining her actual dominance.
3. Another sliph? I thought they were spirits from the underworld? Is that not sealed too? Just another Sliph that magically appears yet no one knew it existed. Just like the grumpy sliph (Lucy) that magically appeared in the last Richard and Kahlan novels to save the day, and was also just placed there conveniently... This sliph apparently serves the evil wizards of the past... so there's now a grumpy sliph, a bad political one who serves enemies and a prior prostitute.. how many masters and sliphs are there? Why are they not retired in the underworld in a closed veil? Why would Nicci in the end put her life in the hands of such an untrusting Sliph that clearly loathes her? Now, she's stranded, alone in a place she doesn't know because she tried to force an unwilling Sliph to travel(this kind of behavior Goodkind writes for Nicci diminishes her from being the intelligent, powerful, bad ass, Death's Mistress she's suppose to be) Nicci would never of been so careless in previous series.
3. This whole world of Ildkar read to me like a copied Lord of the Rings meets the Roman Empire. Noble first class citizens to lower. Slaves who fight in pits to the death. (The movie Gladiator comes to mind).
Non magic against people with magic. Slaves want freedom. In the end, they slaughter the lower class anyways for sacrificing and Ildkar just disappeared again. WTF
Here's where I'm also confused: I thought Richard separated the people without magic, from this magic world and gave them their own world? Yet, here we are, with a ton of societies, abusing the non magic people, using them as slaves and like nothing Richard did effected anyone outside of his backyard. This would have effected everyone, everywhere, just like the stars in the sky.
Ildakar could get away with not being affected because they were in a time capsule world, hidden (I'll give them that excuse)
4.The twins being able to see into the veil of the world of the dead and speak to them? STOP. Sealing the veil means sealing the veil. period. there's no window shopping. This part was so stupid. again, undermining his beloved Richards work from previous books. There was no loopholes...The veil is sealed, permanently... until Goodkind decided to just change it. Just like the secret sliphs scattered everywhere. Hearthounds exist, again. How? The veil had to open for this and it was not even explained. Why repeat this story line? It's exhausted, finished...
5. Lila and her female companions are just copy cat versions of mordsiths from previous series. only they repel magic instead of stealing it from enemies. I found Lila only slightly less annoying then the others and wish Goodkind didn't lazily invent more Mordsiths and call them by another name. They all say and act the same. it gets old reading the same arrogant demeanor without human emotions. like robotic children. It feels like Goodkind is just recreating the same characters from Sword in the stone series but calling them by different names. Lila is no Cara!
6. how is Chalk seeing the future when prophecy is dead? It's definitely current and the last book in sword in stone made it clear that no one could predict futures or see them anymore... yet here's Chalk. Contradiction again.
7. King Grieve... honestly was not invested in this character or his people. A savage who intends to take over the world (how unoriginal), who feeds his own people to a sea monster for luck and occasionally eats them himself- who has an insane future, seeing, albino sidekick. Wanted them to die in this book but nope- Goodkind combined them in the end with Utro's army so they will conquer together. um.. okay.
8.I genuinely liked the plot. Just hated the writing. Felt like nothing really was accomplished in this book. It dragged on and no one was defeated. people just died and Ildkar just disappeared again. now all the good characters are separated. I like Nathan, Renn, Bannon, Capt. Zimmerman and Verna and was intrigued to see where the story takes them. I'm invested in these characters and am glad Goodkind brought them over from previous series. This book just wasn't delivered
Agree to disagree from the 4* rating this book currently holds.
April 20, 2020
This third instalment lands us in the midst of another war, while the different classes of citizens are still trying to adjust to their new status and learn how to work together.
Old familiar characters and newer ones are brought together and have to use all their resources to try to defeat their enemies.
As always, the world-building, character development and storytelling are amazing.
Looking forward to the fourth novel in this series, when I can get hold of it.
Old familiar characters and newer ones are brought together and have to use all their resources to try to defeat their enemies.
As always, the world-building, character development and storytelling are amazing.
Looking forward to the fourth novel in this series, when I can get hold of it.
January 12, 2019
I loved the Nicci Chronicles & this book especially, but the ending is puzzling. Amazon advertise this as book 3 of 3, but the ending does not seem to be an ending of a series. Terry Goodkind is somewhat repetitive & this book is nowhere near a good as the early Sword of Truth series were, but still well worth reading. My big question is does Terry intend to write further books in this series or is he just going to leave it in mid air???
February 20, 2024
Nicci has more of a back seat in this book. It's more of a group effort, bouncing between Nicci, Nathan, Bannon and many other sub-storylines.
It is made up of many battles, with a few character based chapters interspersed.
It is made up of many battles, with a few character based chapters interspersed.
September 11, 2019
Un bon tome, mais comme le tome 2 j'ai l'impression que c'est un tome de transition.... le 4 promet avec cette fin donc je me réjouie quand même ^^
May 4, 2020
Meer van hetzelfde, maar hoog tempo en minder van de hak op de tak.
October 16, 2020
Very good. Cant wait to start the 4th book
June 18, 2020
Strategics - Enchantments - Obligations
#3wordresume
This third book, not as good as the other two...
Somehow I expected more.
#3wordresume
This third book, not as good as the other two...
Somehow I expected more.
December 17, 2019
A thrilling end, but lacked suspense throughout the book which is why I am giving this third installment in the Nicci Chronicles 3 stars.
February 9, 2019
As t
As the subtitle says this is The Nicci Chronicles part 3. I thought had good development in the plot of telling the story making me want a fourth book be on the near future horizon.
As the subtitle says this is The Nicci Chronicles part 3. I thought had good development in the plot of telling the story making me want a fourth book be on the near future horizon.
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