Duistere wezens

Children of D'Hara #2

by Terry Goodkind

Duistere Wezens is het tweede verhaal in de novellenreeks De Kinderen van D’Hara van De Wetten van de Magie-auteur Terry Goodkind.

De aanval van de krabbelman was nog maar het begin. Terwijl Schalie de wonden van Kahlan probeert te helen, ontdekt ze dat de Biechtmoeder zwanger is van een tweeling: een jongen en een meisje. Maar in een wereld waar niemand meer veilig is, zou hun geboorte tegelijkertijd hun doodvonnis kunnen betekenen.

Angstaanjagende dingen roeren zich in de donkerste uithoeken van het Volkspaleis. Altijd wachtend, altijd wakend. Ze verschijnen vanuit het niets en verdwijnen compleet nadat ze hebben toegeslagen. De enige sporen die ze achterlaten zijn de verminkte karkassen van hun slachtoffers.

Ondertussen tast Richard Rahl volledig in het duister. Hij heeft nog geen idee dat Kahlan zijn kinderen draagt – en weet al helemaal niet hoe hij weerstand moet bieden tegen de wezens uit de schimmen. Wat Richard wel weet, is dat hij de enige ter wereld is die iedereen kan redden.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Audiobook, Epic Fantasy, Ebooks, Novella, Magic

171 pages, Hardcover

First published July 20, 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

[Mick Dubois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit is het tweede deel van ‘De kinderen van D’Hara’ en volgt direkt op het vorige deel. Ik denk niet dat je dit gewoon los kan lezen omdat het deel uitmaakt van 1 verhaal dat doorloopt. Schalie, de heks/tovenares ontdekte in het vorige deel dat Kahlan zwanger is van een tweeling. Ze wil niet dat Richard het te weten komt voordat er is afgerekend met de monsters uit een andere wereld. Het zou hen extra kwetsbaar maken omdat de Gouden Godin erop uit is om een einde te maken aan de magie en het op hem en Kahlan heeft begrepen. Hun kinderen zouden haar nog kwader maken.
We komen meer te weten over de aard en het uiterlijk van de ‘Krabbelmannen’ en hun Gouden Godin. Ze heten: ‘Het Vree’ en manifesteren zich eerst als een soort krabbels voordat ze volledig materialiseren. Ze zijn groter dan mensen en hebben een zwarte slijmerige huid die aan amfibieën doet denken.
Dit deel is net zo dun als het eerste en dus is het wachten op deel 3 en 4. Ik hoop dat het verhaal dan uit is want de schrijver is ondertussen overleden. Misschien kan een andere auteur het overnemen zoals bij ‘Het wiel des tijds’ is gebeurt. Als iemand daar meer over weet, hoor ik het graag.

This is the second part of the serial ‘The children of D’Hara. I wouldn’t read it on its own as it is a story that continues throughout the serial. In the previous book, the witch/sorceress Shale discovered that Kahlan is pregnant with twins. She doesn’t want Richard to find out yet as it would make them extra vulnerable for the wrath of The Golden Goddess who wants to end all magic and searches to destroy Richard and Kahlan as the holders of that magic. Any children would enrage her even more. We also discover more about the nature and looks of these Scribbly creatures. Once they materialise completely, they’re bigger than humans and have amphibian-like skin. But they can be hurt and killed by steel and by magic.
As part of a serial, the story is frustratingly short. I don’t know if the story is finished after book 4 as the author has since passed away. Maybe another writer can take over as has happened with ‘The Wheel of Time’? If you know more about this, please inform me.

[thebonebreaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel to The Scribbly Man. The 2nd book in the Children of D'Hara Novella series, told in an episodic format. The continuation of Goodkind's Sword of Truth saga.

Hateful Things is slightly longer than The Scribbly Man, clocking in at 210 pages. I know that I said it last time, but I must reiterate how nice these small hardcovers are, published by Head of Zeus. Superb quality.

With the size of these Novellas, I can't really review too much without giving anything away. All you need to know for this one is that Kahlan is pregnant and Richard does not yet know it, as he has been busy attempting to find a way to thwart the new creatures threatening their world. (These creatures have the ability to suddenly appear, tearing apart and slaughtering people, and then departing back to where they came from.) Goodkind continues to ratchet up the tension with this one!

I am not sure what happened, as this book's release was originally scheduled for August 8th. (I am in no way complaining that it was released earlier than originally planned.) I have Episode 3 [Wasteland] scheduled for release on November 14th. So it may be sooner than then, or not. I will be waiting with great anticipation!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back for PartTwo

The second novella in the series picks up where the last one left off. This time we are brought to understanding of the Golden Goddess an her minions. Action apleanty. Where is the next book?

[itchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

brief synopsis:
richard learns more about the current threat and begins to take steps.

setting:
the people's palace

named personalities:
kahlan - the mother confessor
shale - a sorceress from the northern waste
richard - the lord rahl; the shiny man; a war wizard; the seeker; the bringer of death
vika - a blond mord-sith; richard's self-assigned personal guard
nolo - a diplomat
shota - a witch woman
merritt - the wizard who originally created the confessors
magda searus - the first confessor
darken rahl - richard's father
cara - another mord-sith
cassia - a tall, muscular, and blond mord-sith
rikka - ditto
nyda - ditto
vale - ditto
berdine - a short mord-sith with wavy brown hair
dolan - a lieutenant of the first file
burkett - a palace official overseeing the administrators of each section of the people's palace
barclay - a sergeant of the first file
dori - a gifted woman's daughter
zedd - richard's grandfather
wyborn - kahlan's father

grammar:
p32: "...this what you were born to do."

really?:
p95: the blade, steel blackened from touching the world of the dead, flashed as it came up into the air.

a short piece made longer to retell salient points.
i guess we'll get there eventually.

[Lacosta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This honestly reads as though it is a rough draft of a story. It has potential. The premise is terrifying and interesting I admit. But the finer details are lacking. Why do all the female characters read as though they are just madly in love with Richard? Why did Richard kill an innocent child just to send a message to the Godess? He did not even attempt to spare her, he coldly shoved her ashes at Shale to deliver to the mother, and then never really expresses any real remorse or sadness for what he's just done. This doesn't fit with Richard's character as he was originally written in the Truth series. Mordsith have all become interchangeable to me. Nikki is replaced with Shale. Khalan is suddenly a secondary character who does nothing other than sit and wait for Richard and his "crazy ideas" to solve their problems. Please give the woman something to do! She was a very strong and active character in the past. It all reads as though Richard is the only person who can possibly do anything to help and everyone else must just cater to him as he runs around not bothering to explain anything to anyone else until after all the action has passed.

[Dale Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kahlan has survived the attack by the Scribbly Man that threatened to end her life. Now, the Golden Goddess is escalating her demands and her actions against Richard and Kahlan. Men... women... children... have begun disappearing from the court and Lord Rahl is desperate to find out why and to where. And, there is a secret related to the abilities of all the gifted that could be a clue to the Goddess and her attacks.

Terry Goodkind has returned to his amazing universe of the Sword of Truth, and in this, the second novella in the CHILDREN of D'HARA once again uses his well crafted characters... both heroes and villains... to spin a story of strength and hope intertwined with weakness and despair, to hold onto your emotions and imagination and having you wishing he could write just that much faster.

Readers new to the world of the Sword of Truth can jump into this new adventure and see it as just that without having read any of the rich background that Terry has produced... but... you'll want to go back later to read all the marvelous adventures that led to these books.

[irv Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to read.


The book is well worth reading the author does what he usually does when he writes, the story are always great to read. You always on edge for what will happen next this way you cannot stop reading, this is what I expect from the author. Great job like always thanks.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down! I love these charcters, they have been in my life since I was in high school. I am so glad Terry Goodkind decided to bring them back in this new series. The book was way to short, the story keep building and making you want to read more and more. I can't wait for the third one to come out.

[kat.loves.books_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das Cover ist mal wieder ein Traum und sieht in echt sogar noch hübscher aus :D es passt natürlich auch sehr gut zum ersten Teil. Die Karte muss ich natürlich auch noch kurz erwähnen, denn die sieht wirklich toll aus.

Auch der Schreibstil hat mir wieder gefallen, denn er ist wie gewohnt flüssig, relativ leicht zu lesen un da das Buch ziemlich kurz ist, fliegt man nur so durch die Geschichte - also perfekt für alle, die nicht allzu viel Zeit haben. Hin und wieder hätte ich mir ein kleines bisschen mehr Spannung gewünscht, aber ich kann auch so schon sagen, dass es mir tatsächlich besser gefallen hat, als Band eins, was zum Teil am Schreibstil liegt, der mir in diesem Buch einfach etwas mmehr zugesagt hat. Ich bin wieder schnell und leicht in die Geschichte reingekommen.

In diesem Teil erfährt man noch ein paar DInge und Hintergründe zu den Charakteren, aber nicht nur zu den Protagonisten, was mir gut gefallen hat. Durch die Kürze des Buches fehlt mir zwar noch immer ein bisschen die Tiefe bei den Charakteren, aber das scheint sich gerade ein wenig zu ändern. Ich bin schon sehr neugierig, wie es mit den Charakteren weitergehen wird.

Insgesamt ein gutes Buch, das mich definitiv neugierig auf den nächsten Teil gemacht hat und mir tatsächlich besser gefallen hat, als der erste Teil der Reihe. Ich würde auf jeden Fall empfehlen, die Bücher in der richtigen Reihenfoge zu lesen, da sonst einige Ereignisse keinen Sinn machen würden. Die Bücher könnten allen Fans von ihm, aber auch denjenigen gefallen, die neugierig auf seine Bücher sind.

[Karin Diricx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kan niet wachten tot het vervolg er is.Alleen spijtig dat het zo een dunne boekjes zijn.

[Jordy_DM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het verhaal komt op gang.

[Marco Lima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard's life was never the same after Kahlan walked into it and the roller coaster ride never ends. I'm so glad Terry Goodkind has taken the time to give Richard and Kahlan time to develop, especially now when his usual safety nets of Nathan, Nicci, Verna, Zedd, and Ann not being around to add their wisdom, forcing them to rely on their instincts and on one another. Richard's sense of responsibility and the burden it places on him just jumps out of the page and the whole issue about children being so sensitive to him in light of what is going on is something I can completely identify with. This was always a bridge that would one day be crossed and I cannot wait to see what happens when "it hits the fan" with a certain witch woman. D'Haran devotion to the Lord Rahl is amazing to read and you can understand how much mutual respect there is. Can't wait to see where this all goes!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terry Goodkind has done it again. He has created a capitvating story with well loved characters in a familiar and unique world. Spooky enough to keep me turning the pages to find out how Richard, Kahlan and the others survive this dreadful and dangerous being.

If you are a fan of Goodkind, this is just as beautifully written. If not, the first book is Wizards First Rule and it will lead you down a glorious rabbit hole.

[Kenny Gastmans · Rating 3 out of 5]

171 pagina's, waarvan minstens één derde ronduit herhaling... Zeer beperkte focus, houdt op geen enkel ogenblik enige verwijzing in naar de Kronieken van Nicci. Jammer dat Terry Goodkind niet even de tijd neemt om de verhaallijn even sterk te maken als bij De Wetten van de Magie of zich focust op bijvoorbeeld de Tovenaarsoorlogen.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this next installment to the Children of D'hara saga, there were some major things that also annoyed me greatly - apart from getting what is basically chapter 2 of what should be a complete novel, sold to us all as a novella, of course.

Firstly, what the heck has Goodkind done to Richard? He seems to have been changed from a man of utmost strength and morality, to someone who would cold-bloodedly kill an innocent child, just to remove the Golden Goddess from the child's mind!

This is totally unlike the Richard we've all got to know and love - expecialy when he hands Shale the ashes, and coldly tells her to give them to the mother, without a whisper of compassion, or regret!

Richard was always someone who would risk his own life to go out of the way in saving innocent lives. He would investigate absolutely everything, in the hopes of finding a solution to such a problem as this one but, instead, he ignores the people around him - including Kahlan, who would always be there to brainstorm with him, so that they could cover all the angles of a problem, which would then lead them to find a better solution to said problem - and yet, he immediately did the one thing he always swore not to do - he used an innocent as a trap, and then coldly killed that same child!

It also annoyed me that Kahlan is portrayed here as some weak and feeble woman who, against everything we've seen, where her relationship with Richard is concerned, hides the fact of her pregnancy from him, with a weak excuse that it might divert him from thinking about a solution to the Golden Goddess problem!

The whole series of SoT, has been one where Richard and Kahlan learned, through many trials, that communication was the key to their strong relationship - and now Kahlan is supposed to go against what she basically taught Richard was the best thing for them both? I don't think so!

The whole premise of this very-drawn-out - as usual - story, is a good one, but it's being spoilt by the author's redrawing of the way in which it's main characters, Richard and Kahlan, react to both each other, and to those who always surround them.

The new character in this set of novellas, Shale, is much like a mix of Nicci, the sorceress, and Red, the witch woman, from the SoT series, which isn't a surprise to me, really, as Goodkind very often uses the traits of his characters as the basis - or even the complete thing - for other 'new' characters, as if there's only a finite set of character traits to be used in his books, which might have been fine with a series of 3 books but, when it's reaching 22 with this 'book', is getting VERY repetitious!

For a new series labelled Children of D'hara, I had fully expected to be much further along in their story, even from the first novella - at least to where the children have actually been born but, instead, Kahlan has barely been told she's pregnant, here in book 2! I really dread to think it, but I think we'll be really lucky, to see them born by book 5.

Like I said, I feel very short-changed with this series, and feel that it's really just one novel, stretched as far as the author, and the publishers, could take it - and we've been conned into buying it chapter by chapter!

That said, I do have all 5 of the books in this series published so far - so will read them all but, in spite of enjoying the theme of this story, it's really been spoilt for me by the long, unecessarily drawn out plot, and the changes made in the characters of Richard and Kahlan.

But I guess I can always hope that the next 3 novellas will bring them back, somehow, hey?

[Seitenzauberin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bevor ich zum Inhalt komme will ich noch schnell ein Wort zur Buchgestalltung sagen. Diese gefällt mir nämlich wirklich sehr gut. Das Büchlein wirkt sehr hochwertig und ich persönlich finde die Karte im Innenteil wirklich klasse.
So nun aber zur Geschichte. Denn es knüpft nahtlos an den Geschehnissen aus Band zwei und und man ist beim Lesen schnell wieder mitten in der Handlung.
Von Shale erfährt Kahlan das sie mit Zwillingen schwanger ist. Allerdings will Kahlan das vor Richard geheimhalten, denn sonst würde dieser vor Sorge um sie und seine ungeborenen Kinder, nicht immer die richtigen Entscheidungen treffen. Bzw wäre er zu abgelenkt um sich den Problemen durch die goldene Göttin richtig zu stellen.

Und diese werden immer schlimmen, denn der Feind kommt ihnen immer näher und beginnt Menschen in Richard und Kahlans Umfeld zu töten. Dabei ist es ihnen zunächst nicht möglich ihn zu sehen. Doch zum Glück hat Richard eine Idee wie er die Gabe der anderen magisch Begabten Menschen nutzen kann. Ob es klappt dürt ihr aber gerne selber lesen,denn ich möchte nicht spoilern.
Für mich war es wieder ein kleiner Leckerbissen der mich zurück an die Seite von Richard und Kahlan gebracht hat. Wieder stehen sie einer großen Herausforderung gegenüber und diesesmal geht es um viel mehr als ihr eigenes Leben.

Das Ende war diesesmal ein echter Cliffhanger und ich bin natürlich nicht nur deswegen sehr neugierig wie es weitergehen wird. Ein Wort noch zum Schreibstil. Ich bin es von Terry Goodkind längst gewohnt das er manchmal ein wenig mehr ausschweift um seine Geschichte zu erzählen, hier hat mir das aber echt gepasst. Die Spannung ist die ganze Zeit über da gewesen und ich bin wie gesagt neugierig wie es weitergeht.

Wieder ein Leckerbissen für mich als Fantasyfan, wenn ich auch sagen muss das die Novellen gerne in einen Band gepasst hätten. Man liest das Büchlein einfach sehr schnell durch und will natürlich wissen wie es nun weitergeht. Also Spannend ist es auch hier wieder und ich MUSS nun unbedingt wissen was als nächstes passiert. Das noch einiges auf unsere Helden zukommen wird, ist schon mal klar und ich bin schon gespannt was da noch so kommen wird.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had one of the most stilted narrative flows I've ever read, containing some of the worst written dialogue I can imagine. Strangely, Goodkind makes the active choice here to remove the reader from all of the book's action and explains what happens to the reader through dialogue spoken from one character to another.

In the book's climax (the only part that really drew my interest), you are taken along with one character into a room where all the action is surely about to happen. Then, the book's perspective cuts outside of that room to a room full of women who do nothing but talk about that character and his "crazy ideas", and repeat that over and over again until something happens inside of the room. Then, that character emerges from the room to explain, through dialogue, everything that happened inside the room to great detail - but because we've already experienced what happened from outside of the room, it completely neuters the gravitas of the moment. What could have been an action-filled climax instead becomes 40 pages of unnatural dialogue.

What follows is a remarkably predicable plot twist that is unbelievable not only because the foreshadowing throughout the book is too on point, but also because surely the characters would not be stupid enough to not see it coming. It's as if Goodkind knew he wanted to reveal something to the readers in this specific way, but didn't feel like doing the work to properly set it up, conveniently forcing his characters to forget how very simple concepts of this world work in order for it to play out the way he wanted it to.

Hopefully the rest of the series will redeem this book, but I don't have my fingers crossed. Two stars instead of one because there was a short section of exposition in this book that answers questions from The Scribbly Man, so the book does at least serve some purpose.

[Jo Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Het boek De kinderen Van D'Hara, deel 2 duistere wezens.
het boek is geschreven door Terry Goodkind.
Ik zelf geef het boek 2 sterren want ik vond het wel oké maar ik had er veel meer van verwacht.


Het boek gaat samengevat over dat er een aanval is geweest van de krabbelman op de biechtmoeder.
De biechtmoeder genaamd Kahlan word gesteund door een heks. De heks verteld tegen haar dat ze zwanger is van een tweeling. Kahlan wou dit totaal niet vertellen aan haar man Richard.
Ook worden er moorden gedaan in hun paleis. ze gaan op onderzoek uit en de moordenaar is de grabbelman. de koning Richard verslaat hem met zijn magische krachten. Het boek heeft geen einde maar wel een klifhanger want er komt nog een deel.
Zelf vind ik het boek niet zo goed, het leest niet fijn. Ik vind het zelf lastig om te lezen.
Ik had er meer van verwacht. Ook ik vind het een saai boek. De personages waren wel leuk verzonnen, dat het verhaal over een zwangere vrouw gaat en dat er dan problemen mee komen doordat ze zwanger is. De plaatsen waar alles werd beleefd was redelijk origineel met toch een beetje verzonnen dingen. zoals een koning in een paleis is heel normaal maar dan moet hij wel op avontuur gaan naar een magische burcht. Dit vond ik dus best wel goed. Het thema op zich vond ik leuk verzonnen. ik hou enorm van fantasie enzo dus dit vond ik leuk, maar ik had er meer van verwacht.

Ik zou het boek voor mensen die enorm veel van fantasie houden niet aanraden want dan valt het enorm tegen. Ik had zelf ook veel meer verwacht van het boek. Het boek was ook lastig voor te lezen voor mensen die weinig lezen net zoals mij. Dus als je niet veel leest raad ik het je niet aan.

[Jonathan O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is #2 in the Children of D'Harra series and we still have not seen any actual children, but they are expected. Still, like I said about the previous installment, the novella form seems to reign in some of Goodkind's characteristic redundancy and over-explanation, so the story is flowing much better for me. I am not really sold on the "problem" of creatures from another dimension invading D'Harra because of the star shift, but I'll suspend disbelief and try to enjoy the ride. That said, there are two major problems with this book. First, when will the main characters ever learn not to withhold information from each other? Kahlan hides per pregnancy from Richard. It's just ridiculous at this point. They have been through enough together to destroy any sane person's rationality but they still refuse to share pivotal and personal info. Second, for the first time, I really did not like Richard in that he willingly killed the young girl being possessed by the Golden Goddess and did not even seem remorseful. Goodkind wipes this away with a what could you have done comment, but for the first time, Richard easily destroys innocent life. It seems like he has lost perspective on what is important as a character and one must lay this fault at the foot of Goodkind. We enjoy Richard for his moral clarity among other virtues, and the way he cavalierly took the girl's life really was disappointing. Goodkind is quite bloodthirsty as a norm, but at least it was always the blood of the villainous. No more. Do better, Goodkind.

[Shaun Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate to admit it, but I am really enjoying this series so far. Again, I love the horror fantasy aspect of this story as it wasn't at all what I was expecting when I started the series. The pacing is decent even for these relatively short novellas, and, again, the story here is short enough that most of Goodkind's usual writing problems don't have enough time to crop up.

It's not perfect, and he still manages to find a way to repeat himself every so often, but Goodkind's foibles are kept relatively in check here.

There are two scenes in this particular novella that stand out (and if you read this, you know what I am talking about). The so-called Golden Goddess ups the stakes, but Richard ups them in kind as well. I can't say a lot without making things spoilery, but I will repeat that I really enjoy the horror elements to this story. Plus the ending this time is at least slightly more cliffhangery than what we got in The Scribbly Man.

I also appreciate that Richard's crazy schemes kind of get called out by Kahlan and the mord-sith as they speak to Shale (who I still like as a new character to the series.) Even Kahlan is like, "Yeah, he does crazy stuff sometimes. No clue why we let him. We just go with it, and it usually just works out." At least they can admit it now.

With the 5th and final book in this series just coming out (and it being 688 pages from what I am reading?) we still have a lot of story left, and unless things just nose dive, I'll be riding this one out.

Onward to Wasteland!

[Remy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second entry of Terry Goodkind’s sequel novellas to The Sword of Truth, Children of D’Hara, continues where its precursors left off, with the revelation that Kahlan, the Mother Confessor, is pregnant with a twin boy and girl, having back in the preceding books lost her first pregnancy, and she doesn’t want her husband, Richard, the Lord Rahl, to know, for fear that her unborn would be vulnerable. The gifted of the People’s Palace are gathered in hopes of combating the forces of the Golden Goddess, specifically the phantasmal “scribbly men” and what are identified as “the Glee.”

One of the gifted’s ungifted daughter, Dori, proves significant among them, and plays a role in the twists on in the story, which ends with the need of Richard, Kahlan, and their gifted companion Shale, to use the sliph, which helped Richard plenty of times back in The Sword of Truth novels. Ultimately, I found this a fairly enjoyable, quick read, decently continuing the storyline of Richard and Kahlan from the prior novels in which they starred, although there are some odd stylistic choices such as referring to adversaries as “the Glee.” Regardless, I will definitely read the next Children of D’Hara novellas.

[David Fontana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Has some fairly good moments, but above all it just feels so repetitive at this point, not only story-wise, but with Goodkind’s endless streams of exposition. Yes, we understand that the Mord-Sith are deadly and make people nervous, we get that Richard is reckless yet somehow always achieves what he wants, and that Kahlan is the all-powerful and respected Mother Confessor. This is the 20th-something book in the series, I’m pretty sure those of us that have been along for the ride this whole time would know of the minute details of Goodkind’s world.

The new enemy here is at least somewhat compelling, but even here it seems to be headed in the same direction as every other storyline in past novels. It’s not poor enough that I won’t read the next few novellas, but enough is enough already! I really just wanted to see what would happen with Richard and Kahlan’s kids more than anything, since that was hinted at from the very first novel all those years ago. I mean, it is called The Children of D’Hara after all. Hopefully the next few novellas will pick up the pace.

[Brita Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome back, this is the sequel to The Scribbly Man and the 2nd book in the new Terry Goodkind series Children of D'Hara. This is, Hateful Things. And I can only say that this is truly a continuation of the Sword of Truth Series.

Hateful things is a bit longer than Scribbly Man coming in at 210 pages. So it is a bit longer than your normal novella. But, I still call this a novella. It is nice not to have the normal huge Terry Goodkind tombs that we normally have.

This one is a bit harder to really say much about with out giving away the game. What you have to know is that Kahlan is now pregnant and Richard doesn't know yet. He has been busy after all attempting to find a way to keep this new creature threatening their world from destroying everything they know and killing everyone they love. And Terry is continuing to up the tension in this novella and is doing a great job of it.

I am enjoying these novella's and the shorter format. It really does seem like Terry was called to write novella's and keep his work short and sweet. These are the perfect lengths for him.

[Kara Prem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 picks right up where the first book left off - more in depth knowledge about the Golden Goddess and the Glee is revealed. Richard does what Richard does best - find solutions rather than worrying about problems, and helps to at least make the Goddess somewhat wary of magic. I read the first 4 books in a week, so I'm not sure if my summaries are running over from one book to the next. The book is full of throw backs to the previous novels which appeals to me as I loved reading them. However, I'm already tired of Shale's fish out of water "golly gee how did you do that" questioning of everything Richard does. The book is full of massive full scale attacks that are brutal and quickly ended.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd episode in this series finds Kahlan recovering from her attack. Meanwhile, Richard struggles to figure out who the Golden Goddess is and how the creatures she sends are appearing and disappearing in our world at will. He finds, even worse, that the creatures (hateful things) have been killing people in the palace and have a midden heap hidden deep inside. I really enjoy Terry Goodkind's stories, and I don't have a problem with these. My only issue is that often times the author describes things too much; sometimes over and over. It seems a waste of words. Other than that, a good read.

[Dakeyras · Rating 3 out of 5]

My main complaint about The Scribbly Man was that it was clearly written as part 1 of a novel instead of as a self-contained novella. There was no true ending. Just a break in the story.
Same goes here and I have a feeling this will be an issue throughout the whole 5-part story.
The writing is decent enough.
Richard, of course, is still basically infallible and everyone else just goes along with his plans, compliments him, serves as plot points to show off how much better he is than everyone else.

[Kirstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second novella literally picks up a sentence after the end of the first one ended with. So I’m gonna guess this is told in episodes rather than a book for a reason. Even tho I still don’t know why.
In this one we learn more about the golden goddess, but not much more. It is also super short, so not much space for much development. I felt like one of the conversations was a little useless to have and a trope that often happens in books surrounding a certain topic. I don’t like it, so I wasn’t a fan, but I will keep going to find out the end of this story.

[Barb Lie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hateful Things was a very good addition to this new series by Goodkind. It is always wonderful returning to Richard and Kahlen. This series is short stories that Goodkind will release every three months that continue the storyline. Though I did enjoy this quick read, it is a difficult review to write, as pretty much anything is spoilers. If you are a Terry Goodkind and a Sword of Truth fan, than you should be reading this series.

[Gordon A · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Children of D'Hara series and very gripping. I had a job to put it down at times. I think this series is going to be a winner if Mr Goodkind keeps writing like this. I reached the end of the first book and I just had to get the second, and guess what? Now I've reached the end of this I just have to get the third one. The only thing is I know I am going to have to wait for no.4 after I finish that. I think Terry Goodkind may have found a winning formula here.

[Charmaine Ohl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second part to follow on the chaos of The Scribbly Man. Perfect continuation from part 1 with no time jumps or even skip scenes or change of POV. Very easy reads with lovely hard covers to make carrying around much easier. Story wise, if you love Richard & Kahlan and enjoyed part 1... keep reading. If you are not a huge fan of the couple, Terry's writing or part 1. Don't read as it is the same same. I enjoy this continuation of the journey and can't wait to see where part 3 takes us.