Heart of Black Ice

Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles #4

by Terry Goodkind

Set in the world of the Sword of Truth saga, the sorceress Nicci, the wizard Nathan Rahl and the young swordsman Bannon, fight to save the Old World from an existential threat.The dramatic conclusion to Terry Goodkind's New York Times bestselling Nicci Chronicles. As Richard Rahl's emissaries to the Old World, sorceress Nicci and her companions have travelled far into uncharted territories, battling tyrants, monsters and strange magics. Now in the wake of a brutal war unleashed around the once-shrouded city of Ildakar, they must face a terrible new threat posed by an old foe.The Norukai, barbarian raiders and slavers, have been gathering an immense fleet among the inhospitably rocky islands that make up their home. With numbers greater than anyone could have imagined, the Norukai are poised to launch their final and most deadly war.As foretold by the witch-woman Red, the fate of the world rests on Nicci's shoulders in the dramatic conclusion to Terry Goodkind's New York Times bestselling Nicci Chronicles.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Audiobook, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Action, Science Fiction Fantasy

528 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Terry 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.

Reviews

[Paul Weiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nathan “reached the bottom of the last page” in his life book. “His final lines were cramped and dense, and when there was no more room he simply wrote, “And thus was the Old World saved.” ”

HEART OF BLACK ICE is the final entry in a very lengthy chunkster trilogy so I’m sure it comes as a no-spoiler variety of revelation that “thus was the Old World saved” and all is ultimately returned to a state of calm under the hand of benevolent emperor Richard d’Haran and Nicci, his indefatigable right-hand peacekeeper and strong-armed magically enhanced enforcer.

General Utros and his limitless army of stone warriors has been defeated after their release from a millennia old petrification spell. King Grieve and the seafaring Norukai slavers have been soundly routed and their navy has been thrashed. Nathan’s heart has been repaired and his command of wizard’s magic restored. And young Bannon, erstwhile galley slave on a Norukai galley and gladiator-to-the-death in their arenas has found an entertaining and genuinely heartwarming version of true love.

HEART OF BLACK ICE earns an average 3-star rating by virtue of its brutal fantasy global war entertainment value but fails to earn any higher rating by virtue of its interminable length without ever adding anything that was not predictable and totally expected.

That said, there were two brief segments that stood out to me as being particularly entertaining, notable, and even eyebrow raising!

The first was a short commentary on a demagogue wizard who thought to release magical power that, ultimately, he was unable to keep under control. Given today’s global flirtation with right-wing politics in general and (IMO) the perilous US situation under Trump’s second presidency, the comment on the wizard’s attempts was appropriate indeed, “Too foolish even to know how great a fool he was … That is the most dangerous kind.”

The second was a brutal, graphic and singularly gruesome depiction of the marine Norukai slavers doing homage to their undersea gods:

“He pressed down on the scales, then rested his scarred cheek against the wet form. He closed his eyes and tried to draw the power into himself, absorbing what he could from the magnificent creature. “I am the serpent god. We all are the serpent god,” … Norukai swarmed around the floating body, butchering the creature. They removed the multiple hearts, some of which were charred and blackened, others still fresh and filled with blood. Every morsel contained the essence of the great deity … You have eaten the heart of the serpent god.”

Is it just me or does anyone else see a metaphorical pagan version of the Christian crucifixion and their doctrine of transubstantiation and the sacrament of communion?

Paul Weiss

[Jeff Lucas · Rating 2 out of 5]

The good news is, it's as least as good as the last book in the series. The bad news is that us a really really low bar.

My biggest issue is given the known magic system, almost every situation has a very obvious solution that no one ever seems to remember. The entire struggle could have ended several times with simple spells used countless times in other books in the series.

I have a hard time getting past the "oh come onnnnnn" feeling while reading it.

[AndrewP · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first picked up this book I was assuming that this was just a continuation of the series, but then on the inside of the dust jacket I read 'The conclusion of the Nicci Chronicles'. So this is the final volume and I'm glad that Goodkind got to finish the story before he passed away unexpectedly last year (2020).

After a lackluster start, this series improved all the way through, concluding in this action packed finale. Reading this reminded me why Goodkind is one of my favorite authors. The scenes shift around between several POVs and each one is a page turner. You just have to keep reading to find out what happens next. There wasn't a dull moment, or pages of meaningless dialog anywhere to be found.

My only complaint is one that is common to many of Goodkind's works. The main characters often miss the obvious, or take a long time to work things out. The solution to the problems at the end of this book was one that I had more or less figured out earlier on.

It's sad that this will be the last Nicci book, but at least it wrapped up and didn't end on a cliffhanger. There was an opportunity written at the end that could be followed up with further adventures, but as the cover says 'conclusion' I assume Goodkind never intended to do that. Nicci was a fan favorite and the character who ultimately showed the most growth throughout the Sword of Truth series and subsequent books.

With Goodkind gone I'm almost done with the books set in the Sword of Truth world. Just the mini series that started out as a couple of novellas left to read. That will be release this year in a massive 1,000+ page compendium version 'The Children of D'Hara'. Looking forward to it.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 and this also reflects my enjoyment of the series overall.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging from the first page! Terry Goodkind is a powerhouse in the fantasy genre. When I read the Wizard’s First Rule, I had no idea just how prolific this world and it’s characters would become. The story of Kahlan Amnell and Richard Cypher has grown into one of the most beloved stories within this world. However, even the most morally questionable characters within this world are appreciated, without conflict, there’ would be no heroes. Nicci provides some of the most intense and blushing reads of her pursuit of Richard. This female anti-hero yet enemy-turned-loyal-companion of Richard and Kahlan, has become even more of a loved figure within their realm post Emperor Jagang, Nicci follows her purpose in protecting Richard. She becomes a trusted friend of all. Now that the world ever has been resolved and peace rules the land, Nicci follows her own path. What follows is another grand adventure that only Terry Goodkind can write in this an amazing land he has created. Heart of Black Glass is an apt title for Goodkind’s latest novel concluding the Nicci Chronicles. It goes out with a ride you will never forget but will definitely enjoy!

[itchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

brief synopsis:
Our heroes are largely separated but continue the fight, sometimes with unlikely allies, as Utros' army team up with the Norukai in conquering the New World.

setting:
Ildakar
Orogang
Hanavir
Gant's Ford
the Killraven River
Kol Adair
Cliffwall
Serrimundi
Norukai Islands
Bastion
Tanimura
farming settlements west of Cliffwall
Renda Bay

named personalities:
Nathan Rahl - a wizard with long, white hair; a prophet
Utros - a legendary general from Orogang who was petrified 15 centuries ago along with his army
Jagang - the late emperor of the Imperial Order
Richard Rahl - a war wizard
Nicci - the blond, blue-eyed Death's Mistress
Verna - the bloodthirsty prelate of the Sisters of the Light
Renn - an Ildakaran wizard
Elsa - an Ildakaran wizard who had sacrificed herself in an inferno of transference magic
Zimmer - a D'Haran general
Bannon Farmer - a ginger-haired swordsman from Chiriya Island
Oron - an Ildakaran blond-haired and narrow-faced lord
Olgya - an Ildakaran lady
Rendell - a former Ildakaran slave
Leo - a skinny, narrow-faced, shaggy-haired, goateed Ildakaran wizard
Lani - a late Ildakaran wizard who was petrified
Thora - an Ildakaran sovrena
Ava & Ruva - Utros' twin sorcerers
Brock - Oron's son who was killed by Utros' soldiers
Jed - Olgya's son who was killed by Utros' soldiers
Oliver - a young Cliffwall scholar
Peretta - ditto
Amber - a novice Sister of the Light
Kurgan aka Iron Fang - Utros' violent and capricious late emperor
Thorn - a fierce morazeth
Lyesse - Thorn's companion; another fierce morazeth
Perri - a gifted fighter; a sorceress; a shaper
Sulachan - an emperor who was defeated by Richard
Kor - a Norukai captain killed by Nicci
Grieve - a Norukai king
Chalk - Grieve's albino shaman
Enoch - Utros' first commander
Majel - Kurgan's empress who had an affair with Utros
Gara - a muscular Norukai shipwright with gray braids
Ian - Bannon's best friend who was seized by the Norukai
Lila - a morazeth
Maxim aka Mirrormask - the late haughty leader of Ildakar; a wizard commander
Adessa - a morazeth leader tasked with taking Maxim's head
Keeper - of the underworld
Trevor - an Ildakaran captain
Quentin - ?
the Sea Mother - a sliph
Cora - an old woman of the Hidden People
Cyrus - a square-jawed man of the Hidden People
Asha - a pretty but pallid, young woman of the Hidden People
Halders - one of Utros' second commanders
Arros - ditto
Ivan - an Ildakaran chief handler who provided Nathan his heart
Roland the Lifedrinker - a hapless gifted student who had triggered more magic than he could handle
Victoria - a violently uncontrolled sorceress
Thistle - a girl with large eyes and positive attitude who sacrificed her heart's blood to give Nicci the weapon she needed
Mrra - a big sand panther with tan fur
Bosko - a Norukai oar master prone to flatulence
Erik - a big, miserable man captured by the Norukai from a small, peaceful village
Cal - one of the Hidden People who recently drew the marked token
Red - a Dark Lands witch woman
Andre - an Ildakaran fleshmancer who replaced Nathan's heart with Ivan's
Clarissa - Nathan's beautiful friend
Ann - Verna's predecessor
Alice - possibly a sweetheart or wife of one of Enoch's men
Jane - ditto
Camille - a barmaid in an Orogang tavern; Enoch's sweetheart
Aaron & Alex - Enoch and Camille's sons
Gloria - the matronly leader of the memmers
Franklin - a scholar-archivist; a studious, serious man in charge of all the students inside Cliffwall
Hannis Arc - a traitor
Rhoda - a Sister of the Light
Elbert - a foolish student who attempted the Weeping Stone spell that melted the prophecy archives
Otto - Serrimundi's harborlord
Ganley - the Mist Maiden's captain
Shira - possibly Otto's sweetheart
Jared - Otto's brother; the cocky captain of the krakener Chaser
Lars - a Norukai captain
Norcross - Amber's brother; a Renda Bay captain
Warren - a studious and warmhearted scholar who captured Verna's heart
Atta - a Norukai woman with a physique of a bear
Emmett - a crippled Bastion slave
Linden - a Tanimuran general
Eldine - a Sister of the Light
Thaddeus - Renda Bay's town leader; a bearded, strong-backed fisherman
Stern - Grieve's predecessor
Kenneth - the Daisy's pilot
Choo & Loo - two goats that are treated like people by their owner
Maggs - the old woman who owns Choo and Loo
Mills - a Renda Bay ship captain
Straker - ditto
Donell - ditto
Loren - the best wishpearl diver
Brom - a dragon whom Nicci fought
Ura - a muscular Norukai woman who was too ugly even for Lars
Sharon, Lucia, and Heather - slain Sisters of the Light
Kalef - a champion; a slave brought from afar who reigned in the arena until an opponent hacked off his hand at the wrist
Argus - the emperor of Altur'Rang

titular line:
p42: She concentrated on the hardness inside her, the heart of black ice that was Nicci's strength when emotions were a vulnerability.

This is an abattoir. Ava and Ruva are simply no match for the slew of gifted on the other side. Their armies are just cannon fodder.

[Vagabond of Letters, DLitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

Climax is a textbook deus ex machina and thus a letdown.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic insight into their world

Terry Goodkind never disappoints. The only thing that I don't like is that now that I'm up to date with all of his novels, I have to wait for the next one to come out like everyone else.📘 I miss the days when I first started reading The Sword of Truth series and I could continue one right after another.📚
I can honestly say without a doubt that this world that he has created is my all-time favourite out of the hundreds, or more likely thousands that I have been taken to.
Thank you for sharing their lives and adventures with us...

[Paul Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series got better with each book and this was an excellent end to the series - and, for me, the best Mr Goodkind book since "Confessor". This won't be the last I read of this author, as I need to get hold of the "Children of D'Hara" series - but it was sad as I was reading the closing chapters after the passing of the author a couple of months ago. I read "Wizard's First Rule" to "Confessor" back-to-back and it will take something very special to eclipse this as the best series I have ever read. Thank you for many hours of being transported to your universe, Mr Goodkind, and may you rest in peace.

[David Staniforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Goodkind. Best of this spin-off series.

[Michael Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book says it is the conclusion of The Nicci Chronicles being Volume IV. In it we find Nicci, Nathan, & Bannon separated as the result of the previous book. There is also Prelate Verna with all the gifted scholars and sisters of the Light at Cliffwall.The city of Ildakar has vanished. Through their individual pluck, courage, determination, obstacles they overcome, and circumstances these people manage to reunite and come together a party and fellowship again. Good thing too because they have King Grieve of the Norukai fleet on the water. And then General Utros on the land. Nikki finds shadowy "hidden people" whom she helps. Will they return the favor? What other help will come to the aid of the people to help in the battles on 2 different fronts coming at them and for them ? Since this is her book does Nicci have something up her sleeve so to speak ? Find out when you read this thrilling conclusion?

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who may be worried, this is not the end of the Nicci chronicles. She and Nathan will have another war to fight as soon as Terry writes the next book.
This saga ends in a satisfactory way. I hope that the characters that headed off on a different road will find their way back to Nicci and Nathan as their next mission evolves.
Terry teases us with the word that Richard and Kahlan have some kind of crisis to deal with at home. Maybe he will return to them for a couple of books before he rejoins Nicci in the Old World.

[Kyle Bell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terry Goodkind should have stopped writing this series after “First Confessor”. In this final book he wrote himself into a corner so suddenly a sorceress was able to do magic that no one else could ever do but it was a one time thing and she could never do it again. In another instance the main character could have easily defeated the main antagonist by doing something she does multiple times throughout the book but for some reason doesn’t. Other than that it was an entertaining book and ended satisfactorily.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I drug my feet in the beginning with this, but I think it was because I knew it was the last one. And it was a good note to end on. I enjoyed their storyline and appreciated the ending, although I was flabbergasted that Nicci couldn't figure out Richard's coded message sooner. Goodkind was my first book into the world of fantasy as a kid and I'm sad to see him gone. However I'm profoundly grateful I found him and discovered my love for reading again through his books and so many others. So thank you.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another action packed, page turning adventure from Terry Goodkind. Nicci, Nathan and Brannon get separated, but fight their way back to save the world. Some friends are lost and Richard is having problems of his own in D'Hara. This was supposed to be the last book in the series, but it ends with another threat to the Old World with the rise of a New Imperial Order by an Emperor Argus, so no rest for the weary.

[Andrew R · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best

Another thrilling book action packed brutal in places heart racing and emotionally draining this book puts you through the wringer along with the characters FANTASTIC 😀please please please let the good spirits bring more

[Jessie West · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm only still reading the series because I've read so much of it at this point. It's exactly what I've come to expect from Terry Goodkind.

[Ceasar Lourenco · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent conclusion to an absolutely enjoyable series

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the wonderful world of The sword of truth. Too bad it is over now 😢

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad to see this series come to an end, Out of this entire series I found that this book was finally giving us a real look at who the characters were supposed to be only for it to come to an end. I have a feeling this was not supposed to be the end but sadly since Terry Goodkinds passing I do not see any more books being released. Sad to think about since I have been reading about these characters for over 20 years.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conclusion of the Death's Mistress series may have been the last book from Terry Goodkind after his untimely death in 2020.
Nicci will have to love up to her nickname to survive and prevail against both the Norokai and the 100k+ revived from stone warriors of General Utros.
A fitting wrap up for the four book series featuring one of my favorite characters from the Sword of Truth series.

[David]

Met het vierde boek komt er een einde aan het verhaal van de eerste vier boeken. Wel staat er meer te gebeuren zoals in de laatste paar pagina's word onthuld.
Ik ben een groot fan van elk boek in deze reeks (al vanaf de Wetten van de Magie) en ook dit boek doet niet onder voor de anderen.

[Ellis · Rating 1 out of 5]

my first 1 star book ever.

[Sanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️

[Μυρτώ-Σωτηρία Οικονομοπούλου · Rating 4 out of 5]

Τελείωσε και αυτή η ιστορία...
Η Νίκι συνεχίζει τις περιπέτειες της με τον μάγο Νέιθαν στο πλευρό της προστατεύοντας αυτούς που αγαπούν, έστω και αν είναι μακριά τους...
Προβλέψιμη ροή της ιστορίας και δυστυχώς, για εμένα τουλάχιστον, το ship της Νίκι με τον Ζίμμερ δεν έπλευσε ποτέ...

[Gea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit was een fijne afsluiter van deze serie. In ieder geval een stuk beter dan deel 3.

[Leonard Ratliff · Rating 1 out of 5]

All I can say to all the reviews here that are four and five star is, have any of you ever actually READ a decently written book before? I mean, honestly? Or maybe you are all in the fifth grade? Because all four of the Nicci chronicles books, and in truth I'm not sure how I managed to get through them, were so full of poorly developed characters making obviously cliche decisions, and plot holes, and unbelievable (Even for the most lenient of fantasy literature fans) resolutions to situations, and just plain nonsensical writing, that I seriously wonder if they were written by Terry Goodkind at all.

I mean to tell you, that when I first began reading the Sword of truth series of books it was ABUNDANTLY clear that he was blatantly ripping off many other, better writers, including Jordan, Brooks and others, that I nearly stopped after the first book. I am glad, somewhat, that I didn't because he began to develop into a much better writer with some actual original content and ideas in subsequent books, but that basically ended with The omen machine. After that, and maybe even WITH that book, the quality and believability of the writing again went into the toilet.

But I could tolerate and even appreciate some of The omen machine, enough to be satisfied with having finished it. Kind of anyhow. The pure laziness of "because, occult reasons", as mentioned in another review, for me, completely destroyed any credibility Goodkind had as a writer of substance. I guess I had hoped that with the release of the Nicci chronicles he might have taken all the criticism to heart and put out some more worthy work, but unfortunately that was not the case.

If you simply have to read any of the books after The omen machine, do so without high expectations and only because you've already read the rest of the books and can't stand not to finish all of an author's work whether it's good or not, and not because you are hoping for something worthy. You won't find it here. The stories are weak and unbelievable, the plot holes and timelines are unrealistic and the characters are just plain badly written. All of the Nicci chronicles are right up there with some of the worst fantasy books I've ever read.

Even Terry Brooks who has rehashed the same plot over and over again throughout the entire Shannara catalog, at least has the decency to put a little work into character development and provide decent writing, even if it's often the same writing using different characters and words, over and over again. I admit I am glad I finished the last of the books and am doubtful I will ever revisit his works again and if I ever DO, it will only be from Wizard's first rule through Confessor. I couldn't bear to read the others ever again. They are THAT bad.

[Xanxa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I got this book a while ago, I've been putting off reading it because it's the last one by the late great Mr Goodkind currently in my collection.

It contains all the elements I've come to expect from my favourite author - superb world-building, memorable characters and intriguing story-telling.

Throughout this series, I've seen the characters growing and developing to meet each new challenge. The villains are as well-developed as the heroes, which makes for greater impact when they pit themselves against each other. The villains believe in their cause as much as the heroes believe in theirs.

There was a lot of foreshadowing, some of it quite obvious and some a bit more subtle. The story reached a satisfying conclusion ... BUT (I don't know how to hide spoilers so don't read further if you don't want to know)
...
...
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...
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It seems to me that the ending was left open for another adventure. As I read what seemed like a set-up for a new threat, I felt immense sadness, knowing that the story will never be written.

Thank you, Mr Goodkind, for all the amazing stories, and the life-lessons contained in them.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This book is bad-ass awesome! I'm still all riled up with all different kinds of emotions from it. The Nicci Chronicles will be a series I come back to read again and again. The magic is both destructive and terrible. Red and Chalk's prophecy follow Nicci and Nathan as they try to save the land from being conquered by two armies, aided by two sorceresses, hundreds of thousands of troops, and barbaric animalistic desire to destroy everything in their path. I don't believe that I appreciated Terry Goodkind's writing until this book, which repeats certain phrases throughout the storytelling. I could not read this book fast enough. The things to come were so intense, thrilling, and definitely suspenseful. I was almost brought to tears for one character while another gave me goosebumps. I am so happy that this book lived up to my expectations and surpassed them by far. I'm sad to know that the Nicci Chronicles are at an end, but the books will always be there waiting and ready for me to experience this quest to save the world.

[Elena Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can honestly say that Terry did an outstanding job of bringing us into the Old World. Much older than the New World, the land, people, magic, motivations, and history are mind boggling. There seems to be no limit to his imagination. And the pace, plot, detail? Better than I had hoped!
Last night, I sat alone, no distractions, and devoured the final chapters of Heart of Black Ice. I was there... I knew the characters... I actually EXPERIENCED every scene, every hope, every success, and cheered when justice was served. Emotions ran a full spectrum. It was truly as if I were there.
When I finished, I was exhausted... thoroughly exhausted. And, when I looked up from the printed page, it was a struggle to bring the reality of my den, my home, the quiet of the room into focus. I love this series and will, without doubt whatsoever, re-read it this summer. My hope is that anyone reading it will mirror the same experience.

[Katherine E. Soto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicci is once again on an adventure across the Old World on her quest to bring Richard's laws to the people. She is on the run from a vast army commanded by the commander of a newly revived army and the sea going, evil Norukai. Will Nicci manage to figure out the magic she needs to save the Old World from Destruction?

This is the fourth installment in Goodkind's series The Nicci Chronicles. He writes a good adventure story filled with interesting characters. This book is written by groups of characters in each chapter. It is easy to keep up with the story. This series of four books does not have to intensity or the majesty of Goodkind's first books in his series. He is killing off favorite characters and this can make his reader's unhappy. I recommend this adventure as a good read.