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Children of D'Hara #5
De duisternis in
Deze zinderende afsluiting van De Kinderen van D’Hara is het laatste boek dat Goodkind schreef voor zijn onverwachte overlijden in september 2020. Richard Rahl en Kahlan Amnell worden geconfronteerd met een laatste beproeving. Een breuk in de wereld van het leven. Een opening naar de wereld van de dood. Om deze apocalyptische nachtmerrie onder ogen te komen, moet Richard... de duisternis in.
558 pages, Hardcover
First published March 2, 2020
301 people are currently reading
2547 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 177 reviews
July 4, 2020
Ugh
With each book in this series, the writing devolves more and more. This installment was basically fan fiction in desperate need of an editor. The story drawn out where it didn't need to be, compressed where it should have been expanded, and padded throughout with useless dialogue and pointless exposition. The story of Kahlan and Richard is done. Wish he'd just move on to other works.
With each book in this series, the writing devolves more and more. This installment was basically fan fiction in desperate need of an editor. The story drawn out where it didn't need to be, compressed where it should have been expanded, and padded throughout with useless dialogue and pointless exposition. The story of Kahlan and Richard is done. Wish he'd just move on to other works.
July 7, 2020
While this book satisfied my need to know what happened next, I also found it as frustrating as the other 4 in this series.
Yes, the ending was good, in that everyone survived who we wanted to survive, but there were so many glaring holes in the plot, it made it frustrating to read for me.
There were so many issues, especially where magic is concerned, that seem to have been mentioned as intrinsic to the plot, but any explanation is then totally skimmed over or, in some places, contradicted by different explanations further into the book - to the point that it would jar me out of the story, and then I couldn't concentrate on it from then on.
But one of the most disappointing aspects, for me, was that this whole series was called Children of D'hara, which had me all excited, and thinking about all the kinds of adventures any children of Kahlan and Richard could get into - but then I find that the twins themselves took all 5 books to actually be born! The series might as well have been called Kahlan's pregnancy!
But there was also a problem for me, as to how the Golden Queen's death was accomplished - considering the death and destruction caused by the Glee, on her behalf, it felt that Richard's solution to the problem was far, far, too easily accomplished, and that her followers seemed to revert back to their original nature, with an ease that was almost insulting, considering how much grief Richard and Kahlan had been put through.
Even the solution to Shota felt insultingly brief and unplanned, and
every argument or solution seemed far too simplistic, considering the length of the books - to the point where I felt that Goodkind looked at his readers as if we were children, needing to be guided along the story.
But, even though this book was actually novel sized - as if, once again, Goodkind had realised too many things needed an explanation, so he hurriedly tried to fill us all in on the plot - I also felt that, if you took away all the repetition of conversation and description, it would probably have been half the size that it is, which is consumit with almost every book I've read of Goodkind's, so far, unfortunately.
What kept me going back to his books, despite all of this, was that the basic premise of the story was great, with the 2 main characters being so likeable, that I couldn't help rooting for them, even though I had to endure far too much padding, in order to get to the meat of the story.
I've read 26 of his books, so far but, if a good editor was allowed to really edit them the way they deserved to be - and making money wasn't the object - I can imagine they could all have been whittled down to around 10 books, and still be as entertaining for the fans of SoT.
As it is, the way in which the story ends, makes me think it was done this way, to leave a door open for yet more books in the future.
I don't think that I'll be buying any more though, as I've a finite amount of space for books on my shelves, and there are far better authors out there, that don't insult their readers by excessively padding out their stories with extraneous stuff, to the point where contradictions and plot holes abound!
Yes, the ending was good, in that everyone survived who we wanted to survive, but there were so many glaring holes in the plot, it made it frustrating to read for me.
There were so many issues, especially where magic is concerned, that seem to have been mentioned as intrinsic to the plot, but any explanation is then totally skimmed over or, in some places, contradicted by different explanations further into the book - to the point that it would jar me out of the story, and then I couldn't concentrate on it from then on.
But one of the most disappointing aspects, for me, was that this whole series was called Children of D'hara, which had me all excited, and thinking about all the kinds of adventures any children of Kahlan and Richard could get into - but then I find that the twins themselves took all 5 books to actually be born! The series might as well have been called Kahlan's pregnancy!
But there was also a problem for me, as to how the Golden Queen's death was accomplished - considering the death and destruction caused by the Glee, on her behalf, it felt that Richard's solution to the problem was far, far, too easily accomplished, and that her followers seemed to revert back to their original nature, with an ease that was almost insulting, considering how much grief Richard and Kahlan had been put through.
Even the solution to Shota felt insultingly brief and unplanned, and
every argument or solution seemed far too simplistic, considering the length of the books - to the point where I felt that Goodkind looked at his readers as if we were children, needing to be guided along the story.
But, even though this book was actually novel sized - as if, once again, Goodkind had realised too many things needed an explanation, so he hurriedly tried to fill us all in on the plot - I also felt that, if you took away all the repetition of conversation and description, it would probably have been half the size that it is, which is consumit with almost every book I've read of Goodkind's, so far, unfortunately.
What kept me going back to his books, despite all of this, was that the basic premise of the story was great, with the 2 main characters being so likeable, that I couldn't help rooting for them, even though I had to endure far too much padding, in order to get to the meat of the story.
I've read 26 of his books, so far but, if a good editor was allowed to really edit them the way they deserved to be - and making money wasn't the object - I can imagine they could all have been whittled down to around 10 books, and still be as entertaining for the fans of SoT.
As it is, the way in which the story ends, makes me think it was done this way, to leave a door open for yet more books in the future.
I don't think that I'll be buying any more though, as I've a finite amount of space for books on my shelves, and there are far better authors out there, that don't insult their readers by excessively padding out their stories with extraneous stuff, to the point where contradictions and plot holes abound!
August 31, 2020
This latest book encompasses one of Goodkind’s worst trademarks: repetition. I enjoyed the shorter stories that came before this, but then Goodkind had to start repeating sentences and ideas to make this one longer. And he goes into way too much detail about what the surroundings look like in each scene, sometimes several pages to describe one area!
July 7, 2020
Extremely frustrating. Trivial items are decribed in excruciating detail. At this point we are all aware of how a confessor's powers work. No point in taking a whole page to decribe it. While areas that should have been focused on more were almost glossed over. I mean the whole series was based on the golden godess and she was dealt with in the most anti-climatic way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2020
***Note Minor Spoilers ahead***
In this, the final chapter of the CHILDREN OF D'HARA saga, Richard, Khalan, and the rest of his party that make up the Law of Nine have found their way to the safety of Aydindril and the Wizard's Keep completely blocked with only one hope to find their way through. And, that way is most assuredly a trap. Yet, Richard WILL find a way, as he always does, but that way may destroy the entire world.
Book 5...Goodkind wraps this story arc in this, the last book in 677 pages, effectively twice as long as any of the other four chapters in the story. This has all the Sword of Truth flavors and feels and the author stays true to his characters development and ongoing story. The only drawback I find is that the threat that has been looming throughout four and a half books is effectively eliminated in less than a moment's time leaving the reader (well...at least ME) feeling a little like...'Wait...is that it?' I will say that there is still some ends to tie up and a few pending story lines that come to a close, but that was a little anti-climatic for me. Even so, this is a fairly typical Terry Goodkind adventure and concludes this chapter in the on going SWORD OF TRUTH epic saga.
In this, the final chapter of the CHILDREN OF D'HARA saga, Richard, Khalan, and the rest of his party that make up the Law of Nine have found their way to the safety of Aydindril and the Wizard's Keep completely blocked with only one hope to find their way through. And, that way is most assuredly a trap. Yet, Richard WILL find a way, as he always does, but that way may destroy the entire world.
Book 5...Goodkind wraps this story arc in this, the last book in 677 pages, effectively twice as long as any of the other four chapters in the story. This has all the Sword of Truth flavors and feels and the author stays true to his characters development and ongoing story. The only drawback I find is that the threat that has been looming throughout four and a half books is effectively eliminated in less than a moment's time leaving the reader (well...at least ME) feeling a little like...'Wait...is that it?' I will say that there is still some ends to tie up and a few pending story lines that come to a close, but that was a little anti-climatic for me. Even so, this is a fairly typical Terry Goodkind adventure and concludes this chapter in the on going SWORD OF TRUTH epic saga.
July 15, 2020
Welcome to the concluding book Children of D'Hara 5 : Into Darkness. In the previous book Kahlan is pregnant and it turns out twins will eventually be born. Though not a smooth pregnancy which sends Richard off in a search of a rare flower to help out his ailing wife. That's a task and a half. Add to that they still have to deal with these Glee popping in from another dimension. So Richard decides to end this fight with the Glee he will have the find their leader, this Golden Goddess. Defeat her and the Glee should lose the will to fight.
As Shota the witch woman was alluded to in the previous book she makes a physical appearance in this book where Richard & her confront each other. The results of that have bring on apologies from others involved. Why? Find out by reading.
The revalence of Into Darkness doesn't show up until more than 1/2 way through the book though won't spoil what it is though for those who hate spoilers. You have to read to find out like I did. One observation this 4book is thicker than previous books.
As Shota the witch woman was alluded to in the previous book she makes a physical appearance in this book where Richard & her confront each other. The results of that have bring on apologies from others involved. Why? Find out by reading.
The revalence of Into Darkness doesn't show up until more than 1/2 way through the book though won't spoil what it is though for those who hate spoilers. You have to read to find out like I did. One observation this 4book is thicker than previous books.
August 9, 2020
titular sentence:
p120: And then, he could feel his mind slipping into darkness deeper than the darkness of where he lay.
eh?:
p57: The portcullis had spikes along the bottom to crush anyone if the heavy gateway were to suddenly dropped on them.
Things have taken a turn for the weird. And Richard has become foul-mouthed all of a sudden.
p120: And then, he could feel his mind slipping into darkness deeper than the darkness of where he lay.
eh?:
p57: The portcullis had spikes along the bottom to crush anyone if the heavy gateway were to suddenly dropped on them.
Things have taken a turn for the weird. And Richard has become foul-mouthed all of a sudden.
September 16, 2020
Would have been 5 stars, but (spoiler alert) when Sang entered the picture and we were taken away from what was happening with Kahlan and the others I really didn’t like that.
Hope there is a next one in the series!
Hope there is a next one in the series!
May 18, 2021
This was the stupidest last chapter and ending to a series I have ever read. I'm glad I'm finally done with Terry Goodkind
October 2, 2021
3,75/5 Sterne
February 14, 2021
This was one bittersweet read, knowing it is the final Terry Goodkind book we will ever see. Despite his being one of my favorite authors, I didn't realize until a month or so ago that Terry had passed away last September. Since I discovered him for myself in 1999 while taking advantage of my Waldenbooks employee discount (purchasing Wizards First Rule) there has always been an upcoming Terry Goodkind book to look forward to. While the books became, at times, preachy, Terry was so endlessly creative I could overlook it. This was a fitting ending to the Children of D'Hara series but it's easy to see that the door was left open for more such stories. While some of it seemed hurried, especially Richard's decision to follow Sang to the world of the Glee, it was pretty much what one would expect from a Sword of Truth book, and I mean this in a positive way. Rest well, Terry and thank you for the joy you have given so many of us.
November 9, 2020
This will not be your typical review.this will be a celebration of the entirety of the sword of truth series itself.its with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to these friends of mine richard cypher and kahlan amnell and everyone else in this world.richard and kahlan bond has been the driving force of this series over so many years and I will miss them greatly.for those of you that don't know terry goodkind passed away recently which made reading these 5 novellas even harder because I wasn't only saying goodbye to this world but mr.goodkind himself.these books will always be special to me.i can remember with the release of each one me and my dad conversing about where we thought the story would go.thank you so much terry for all the memories your magnum opus will never be forgotten.i bid you a very fond farewell sir.
January 5, 2022
I loved reading about Kahlan and Richard's latest journey. Unfortunately, since the author has passed away, I think this will be the last book in the Richard universe even though it ends with an open ended question. Other than that, all previous issues and enemy fights were resolved by the conclusion of the book.
I gave it 4 stars instead of my usual 5 stars because even though there was a nice conclusion to the fight with the "Queen" and a satisfying ending with the fight with the Golden Goddess, Richard and Vika take a detour to a new planet which is just really out there.
=== Update 1/4/2022 ===
Upon further reflection, this book has a very Stargate feel to it.
I gave it 4 stars instead of my usual 5 stars because even though there was a nice conclusion to the fight with the "Queen" and a satisfying ending with the fight with the Golden Goddess, Richard and Vika take a detour to a new planet which is just really out there.
=== Update 1/4/2022 ===
Upon further reflection, this book has a very Stargate feel to it.
July 14, 2020
I'm hoping this is the last book Terry Goodkind writes so I can stop reading them. I am over 20 books in so I can't stop now. I need to know what happens to everyone but wow these books just keep getting worse and worse. I honestly think some descriptions and dialogue were copy and pasted verbatim. It was so repetitive that it became annoying after awhile and every character fell flat. The personalities that have been built up for over 20 books simply vanished. I reserve 1 star for books I can't even finish and this one came close.
July 3, 2020
This was an enjoyable end to the series. The first two thirds were great and kept me engaged with the book. It seemed like the resolution of the main conflict of the series (the Glee) was rushed. I was a little disappointed that the main villain, the Golden Goddess, didn't get much attention. Although, the "novella" this was supposed to be is novel length. I'm guessing the series could have been dragged out for any number of additional episodes if Goodkind had been so inclined.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2025
The fifth and final volume of the 'Children of D'Hara' and for me the final book in the works of Terry Goodkind. It's been a long journey since I first read 'Wizard's First Rule' almost 25 years ago. Overall I really enjoyed all of his books, as he often had a great writing ability to building tension and excitement, creating literal 'edge of the seat' reading experiences. Some of his subject matter is probably objectionable to many people (i.e. more closely aligned with Game of Thrones than the Wheel of Time.)
This final series occurs chronologically after the main series and probably along the same timelines as the Nicci Chronicles. They are in the same world but these books go back to the original characters, Richard and Kahlen, and do form a sort of conclusion t their story. As these were published as a series of novellas (I believe a collected version is now available) there is a certain amount of repetition in the books if you read them back to back. This is probably a criticism of the majority most of his works, going over the same point or concept repeatedly.
Been a fun ride but now it's time to move onto something else, although I will now go and watch the TV series based on this series 'Legend of the Seeker'.
This final series occurs chronologically after the main series and probably along the same timelines as the Nicci Chronicles. They are in the same world but these books go back to the original characters, Richard and Kahlen, and do form a sort of conclusion t their story. As these were published as a series of novellas (I believe a collected version is now available) there is a certain amount of repetition in the books if you read them back to back. This is probably a criticism of the majority most of his works, going over the same point or concept repeatedly.
Been a fun ride but now it's time to move onto something else, although I will now go and watch the TV series based on this series 'Legend of the Seeker'.
December 24, 2025
En dan was dit echt de laatste uit de hele serie De Wetten van de Magie en de opvolging daarvan De kinderen van D’Hara. Tijdens dit laatste boek heb ik me wel gestoord aan de vele dingen die elke keer weer herhaald werden. Maar tegelijkertijd was het toch ook weer spannend en wilde ik weten hoe het uiteindelijk zou eindigen. Mooie serie ❤️
August 16, 2020
Why did the books in the series get longer and longer. First book was 150 pages and this one is 400 pages long. Worse, it didn't need to be 400 pages long if the book had proper editing and writing. The important parts of the book including the showdowns with the witch and then the goddess were done away with swiftly and the rest of the story was just rambling with awful dialogues between the characters (why do they always not explain what they have in mind. )
Overall, the storyline of the series was a decent premise, and could have all been done in a single 300-400 page novel.
Overall, the storyline of the series was a decent premise, and could have all been done in a single 300-400 page novel.
June 3, 2021
Grosse déception, je trouve que ce tome n'est pas à l'image de la saga qu'il conclut. Je trouve que c'est un condensé de ce qu'il y a de plus agaçant dans l'écriture de Terry Goodkind, sans jouïr de ce qu'il a de mieux.
July 26, 2021
Loved the whole series
October 5, 2024
Best book of the series
July 15, 2020
This series is not up to the same quality. The dialog is weak, and the story flow of these “novellas “ belongs in one single book. I have been very disappointed with the series. Nice idea for a story line, but disappointing delivery.
November 10, 2024
And here we are, at the end of an era. Into Darkness is the 5th and final novella in the Children of D'Hara series. But, this novella marks another end. Into Darkness marks the final publication for Terry. It truly is the end of a an era in the Sword of Truth Series, Richard and Kahlan Novels, Nicci Chronicles, and Children of D'Hara Series. Thank you Mr. Goodkind for all the memories, both good and bad. You taught us all so much and you showed us what our world could come to if we didn't pay attention to it.
This wasn't the end I wanted it to be. I was happy knowing what happened next. But, I was frustrated by the plot holes that were left.
There were glaring issues with this novella, especially with the magic system and that's so important to the plot. But, that can be skipped over in some ways. And in other ways that just brings you right out of the story itself.
I have an issue with how the Golden Queen's death was accomplished saying the it was caused by the Glee. Richard's solution was just to easy and it was accomplished far to easily and her followers just suddenly reverted back without a fight and back to their original nature without any further magic or work? Nope, that's a plot hole in my estimation. That's an insult considering what they all put Kahlan and Richard through.
I still don't get why this series was called The Children of D'Hara. I thought with that title. I thought this would take place years after The Sword of Truth series. I thought it would be about the kids of Richard and Kahlan and all the antics they got up to. But to find out that the twins themselves took the 5 books just to be born. The series should have been called D'Harna's Pregnancy or Richard and Kahlan's Pregnancy or something like that.
Even trying to figure out the problem that Shota handed them was handled far to easily and solved far to simply considering the length of the books and I felt like I was being treated like a child.
It felt like this novella was hurried because Terry needed more time then he had in the space he had. He was used to having all this room in a normal sized novel vs now a novella. This just felt rushed.
I had to know the end, despite all the bad, I had to know the end, all the based on the basic premise of a great story with 2 main character's who I loved from the start. I had to end with them and I have rooted from them from the start and I will root for them till the end.
The reality I have been with Terry for all 26 books. I wish he had a better editor. That would have really given us readers what we deserved and let Terry's talent shine the way it should have. They could have all been edited down honestly, Right now they are 26 books. I would imagine a good editor could take them down to 10 to 15 books and they would still be entertaining and amazing.
I imagine the way this book ended that Terry thought he had time left to come back and really fix the mistakes that he had made and I honestly think he meant to return to this world and tell the stories of the twins.
Sadly we will never know what Terry had planned to do and what he had hopped to write in the future. On September 17, 2020 tragically Terry Goodkind passed away, his light was snuffed out and we will never know what stories he might have told next. We never know what he might have done next and we will never know what changes he might have done if he had been given the chance.
This book truly did take us Into Darkness of Terry imagination.
RIP Terry Goodkind
You are Missed
This wasn't the end I wanted it to be. I was happy knowing what happened next. But, I was frustrated by the plot holes that were left.
There were glaring issues with this novella, especially with the magic system and that's so important to the plot. But, that can be skipped over in some ways. And in other ways that just brings you right out of the story itself.
I have an issue with how the Golden Queen's death was accomplished saying the it was caused by the Glee. Richard's solution was just to easy and it was accomplished far to easily and her followers just suddenly reverted back without a fight and back to their original nature without any further magic or work? Nope, that's a plot hole in my estimation. That's an insult considering what they all put Kahlan and Richard through.
I still don't get why this series was called The Children of D'Hara. I thought with that title. I thought this would take place years after The Sword of Truth series. I thought it would be about the kids of Richard and Kahlan and all the antics they got up to. But to find out that the twins themselves took the 5 books just to be born. The series should have been called D'Harna's Pregnancy or Richard and Kahlan's Pregnancy or something like that.
Even trying to figure out the problem that Shota handed them was handled far to easily and solved far to simply considering the length of the books and I felt like I was being treated like a child.
It felt like this novella was hurried because Terry needed more time then he had in the space he had. He was used to having all this room in a normal sized novel vs now a novella. This just felt rushed.
I had to know the end, despite all the bad, I had to know the end, all the based on the basic premise of a great story with 2 main character's who I loved from the start. I had to end with them and I have rooted from them from the start and I will root for them till the end.
The reality I have been with Terry for all 26 books. I wish he had a better editor. That would have really given us readers what we deserved and let Terry's talent shine the way it should have. They could have all been edited down honestly, Right now they are 26 books. I would imagine a good editor could take them down to 10 to 15 books and they would still be entertaining and amazing.
I imagine the way this book ended that Terry thought he had time left to come back and really fix the mistakes that he had made and I honestly think he meant to return to this world and tell the stories of the twins.
Sadly we will never know what Terry had planned to do and what he had hopped to write in the future. On September 17, 2020 tragically Terry Goodkind passed away, his light was snuffed out and we will never know what stories he might have told next. We never know what he might have done next and we will never know what changes he might have done if he had been given the chance.
This book truly did take us Into Darkness of Terry imagination.
RIP Terry Goodkind
You are Missed
October 7, 2021
Showdown. Gleich vorweg, ihr solltet auf jeden Fall alle anderen Bücher der Novellen-Reihe gelesen haben da sie aufeinander aufbauen.
Ein letztes Mal folgen wir unseren Helden auf ihrer Reise. Und auch diesesmal wird es wieder turbulent. In der letzen Minute kann das schlimmste verhindert werden und Kahlan und die ungeborenen Kinder werden noch einmal gerettet. Aber schon stehen unsere Freunde einer neuen Gefahr gegenüber, denn als sie die Stadt im Gebirgspass erreichen steht ihnen niemand geringeres als Hexe Shota gegenüber. Und diese hat schon einmal mehr als deutlich gemacht was sie von Kindern der beiden hält. So stellt sie Richard und Kahlan auch kurzerhand vor die „Wahl“, ihre Kinder hier zur Welt zu bringen und die Welt dann von ihnen zu befreien.
Dabei bedient sich Shota auch einer Person, die Richard und Kahlan sehr lieb geworden ist. Shale.
Und damit wären wir bei den Charakteren, die ich wie schon einmal erwähnt, richtig toll finde. Richard ist als der „Sucher“ in den Schwert der Warhheit Büchern richtig hineingewachsen und legt selbst jetzt noch, einen drauf. Auch Kahlan scheint sich noch einmal zu steigern, auch wenn das kaum mehr möglich ist. Aber beide gehen bis an den Rand des Möglichen um ihre Kinder zu beschützen, und das, obwohl sie doch nur einen Wunsch haben- ein friedliches und ruhiges Leben. Und auch Shale die ich in der Buchreihe echt lieb gewonnen habe, ebenso wie die Mord-Sith die sich die letzten Bänder hindurch als loyale Kämpferinen bewährt haben.
Langsam kristallisiert sich heraus wer auf welcher Seite steht und wer damit Freund oder Feind der beiden ist. An dieser Stelle gehe ich aber nicht weiter ins Detail, denn ich mag nicht spoilern.
Deshalb gehe ich jetzt auch auf die Handlung ein, die im Vergleich zu den Bänden davor zu Beginn eher ein wenig langatmiger daher kommt. Allerdings nimmt sie recht rasch an Fahrt auf und man fiebert mit richard und Kahlan dem Ende entgegen. Gefallen haben mir hierbei die vielen netten Ideen die sich der Autor einfallen hat lassen. Auch der Schreibstil ist wie schon in den anderen Bänden wieder sehr bildhaft und beschreibend. Man kann sich beim Lesen wirklich gut alles vorstellen und wird so von der Geschichte gepackt.
Fazit:
Alles hat ein Ende und so leider auch diese Buchreihe die mir echt Spaß gemacht hat. Es war schön noch einmal mit Richard und Kahlan auf Abenteuer zu gehen und dabei sogar neue Charaktere kennenzulernen. Ich werde diese Figuren sehr vermissen. Für Fans von Fantasy und Schwert der Warhheit eine richtig schöne Geschichte, verpackt in wunderschön gestalltete Bücher die im Regal echt sehr schön aussehen.
Ein letztes Mal folgen wir unseren Helden auf ihrer Reise. Und auch diesesmal wird es wieder turbulent. In der letzen Minute kann das schlimmste verhindert werden und Kahlan und die ungeborenen Kinder werden noch einmal gerettet. Aber schon stehen unsere Freunde einer neuen Gefahr gegenüber, denn als sie die Stadt im Gebirgspass erreichen steht ihnen niemand geringeres als Hexe Shota gegenüber. Und diese hat schon einmal mehr als deutlich gemacht was sie von Kindern der beiden hält. So stellt sie Richard und Kahlan auch kurzerhand vor die „Wahl“, ihre Kinder hier zur Welt zu bringen und die Welt dann von ihnen zu befreien.
Dabei bedient sich Shota auch einer Person, die Richard und Kahlan sehr lieb geworden ist. Shale.
Und damit wären wir bei den Charakteren, die ich wie schon einmal erwähnt, richtig toll finde. Richard ist als der „Sucher“ in den Schwert der Warhheit Büchern richtig hineingewachsen und legt selbst jetzt noch, einen drauf. Auch Kahlan scheint sich noch einmal zu steigern, auch wenn das kaum mehr möglich ist. Aber beide gehen bis an den Rand des Möglichen um ihre Kinder zu beschützen, und das, obwohl sie doch nur einen Wunsch haben- ein friedliches und ruhiges Leben. Und auch Shale die ich in der Buchreihe echt lieb gewonnen habe, ebenso wie die Mord-Sith die sich die letzten Bänder hindurch als loyale Kämpferinen bewährt haben.
Langsam kristallisiert sich heraus wer auf welcher Seite steht und wer damit Freund oder Feind der beiden ist. An dieser Stelle gehe ich aber nicht weiter ins Detail, denn ich mag nicht spoilern.
Deshalb gehe ich jetzt auch auf die Handlung ein, die im Vergleich zu den Bänden davor zu Beginn eher ein wenig langatmiger daher kommt. Allerdings nimmt sie recht rasch an Fahrt auf und man fiebert mit richard und Kahlan dem Ende entgegen. Gefallen haben mir hierbei die vielen netten Ideen die sich der Autor einfallen hat lassen. Auch der Schreibstil ist wie schon in den anderen Bänden wieder sehr bildhaft und beschreibend. Man kann sich beim Lesen wirklich gut alles vorstellen und wird so von der Geschichte gepackt.
Fazit:
Alles hat ein Ende und so leider auch diese Buchreihe die mir echt Spaß gemacht hat. Es war schön noch einmal mit Richard und Kahlan auf Abenteuer zu gehen und dabei sogar neue Charaktere kennenzulernen. Ich werde diese Figuren sehr vermissen. Für Fans von Fantasy und Schwert der Warhheit eine richtig schöne Geschichte, verpackt in wunderschön gestalltete Bücher die im Regal echt sehr schön aussehen.
October 29, 2020
So we draw to the close of the Children of D'hara, and I am full of feelings to feel about it.
The good: This a chonkin' book, almost 700 pages, and the title page quite clearly calls itself a novel instead of a novella, so for all the people that say, how are they calling this a novella? Terry Goodkind didn't nor did the publisher.
The Shota storyline is cleared up around halfway into the book. It's mildly anti-climactic but overall not terrible.
We get to see Chase again.
Richard, as usual, saves the day and all is well. Try not to be shocked.
The Bad: The resolution of the Golden Goddess is extremely anti-climactic. Extremely. And some of our questions about her never get addressed, really.
This book is almost 350 pages longer than the next longest book in the series. It honestly could have been trimmed down to a similar length and not lost much. The Shota stuff lasted a lot longer than it needed to. The stuff with Sang and the Into Darkness section itself could have been a lot shorter. And my god does Goodkind return to being incredibly repetitious in this one. That extra page count came from somewhere, after all. One chapter near the end was literally the same paragraph reworded a dozen times.
I wouldn't have even been mad if the book ended after the Shota portion, or after Sang introduced himself and they went Into Darkness, and the story concluded in a 6th novella. As it is, this book is thick and the binding can barely contain it.
The end of the book was clearly setting up future adventures with Richard and Kahlan's kids, and I am saddened that we will never get to see those stories with Goodkind's passing back in September of 2020.
Overall, this series started off strong but began to ran out of steam near the end. I think if we had ended up with five 200ish page novellas, this story would have been a lot tighter, more digestible and more entertaining. As it is, it's a fine send off for Richard and Kahlan and our Mord-Sith friends.
Whatever your opinions of Goodkind himself (mine are overall mixed as he was not a particularly nice person to his fans, coworkers, other authors, etc. among other things), it is unfortunate that no more works will be done in this world. It's never a good thing to lose an artist to death. Nonetheless, Richard and crew have over 20 books to call home, and I have no doubt fans new and old alike will be reading and rereading their adventures for years to come.
The good: This a chonkin' book, almost 700 pages, and the title page quite clearly calls itself a novel instead of a novella, so for all the people that say, how are they calling this a novella? Terry Goodkind didn't nor did the publisher.
The Shota storyline is cleared up around halfway into the book. It's mildly anti-climactic but overall not terrible.
We get to see Chase again.
Richard, as usual, saves the day and all is well. Try not to be shocked.
The Bad: The resolution of the Golden Goddess is extremely anti-climactic. Extremely. And some of our questions about her never get addressed, really.
This book is almost 350 pages longer than the next longest book in the series. It honestly could have been trimmed down to a similar length and not lost much. The Shota stuff lasted a lot longer than it needed to. The stuff with Sang and the Into Darkness section itself could have been a lot shorter. And my god does Goodkind return to being incredibly repetitious in this one. That extra page count came from somewhere, after all. One chapter near the end was literally the same paragraph reworded a dozen times.
I wouldn't have even been mad if the book ended after the Shota portion, or after Sang introduced himself and they went Into Darkness, and the story concluded in a 6th novella. As it is, this book is thick and the binding can barely contain it.
The end of the book was clearly setting up future adventures with Richard and Kahlan's kids, and I am saddened that we will never get to see those stories with Goodkind's passing back in September of 2020.
Overall, this series started off strong but began to ran out of steam near the end. I think if we had ended up with five 200ish page novellas, this story would have been a lot tighter, more digestible and more entertaining. As it is, it's a fine send off for Richard and Kahlan and our Mord-Sith friends.
Whatever your opinions of Goodkind himself (mine are overall mixed as he was not a particularly nice person to his fans, coworkers, other authors, etc. among other things), it is unfortunate that no more works will be done in this world. It's never a good thing to lose an artist to death. Nonetheless, Richard and crew have over 20 books to call home, and I have no doubt fans new and old alike will be reading and rereading their adventures for years to come.
August 30, 2020
Unlike its precursors, the final entry of Terry Goodkind’s Children of D’Hara series, a successor to the Sword of Truth books, is a full-length novel, opening with Kahlan having issues with her pregnancy that the plant mother’s breath can rectify. Richard and company go to the city of Bindamoon, whose streets are deserted, with its queen desiring to meet them. Glee and a man named Iron Jack hamper their progress, with a meeting with the queen ultimately coming, in whom every member of the company sees a vision of their mother.
Richard is quickly separated from Kahlan, taken by a coven of witches that wants her to birth her twins, in which case they would kill them, given the prophecy that one would be a “monster.” The Lord Rahl and his companions give chase, and the journey soon takes them to the city of Aydindril. A confrontation with the Golden Goddess ultimately comes, and Richard finds himself stuck in the world of the Glee, with one of them, named Sang, helping the Lord Rahl. The fate of the sequel series’ eponymous children of D’Hara is naturally resolved at the end.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed the Children of D’Hara series, having liked its prequel books, and it somewhat goes quickly, given the relative brevity of the chapters, with plenty of addition to the world of Richard and Kahlan. Not all is perfect, however, as Goodkind’s editor overlooked some misused punctuation, and I had a bit of a difficult time imagining the appearance of the Glee. Regardless, if this sequel series was meant to bridge the gap between The Sword of Truth and its chronological successors, The Nicci Chronicles, I’m definitely game for those books.
Richard is quickly separated from Kahlan, taken by a coven of witches that wants her to birth her twins, in which case they would kill them, given the prophecy that one would be a “monster.” The Lord Rahl and his companions give chase, and the journey soon takes them to the city of Aydindril. A confrontation with the Golden Goddess ultimately comes, and Richard finds himself stuck in the world of the Glee, with one of them, named Sang, helping the Lord Rahl. The fate of the sequel series’ eponymous children of D’Hara is naturally resolved at the end.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed the Children of D’Hara series, having liked its prequel books, and it somewhat goes quickly, given the relative brevity of the chapters, with plenty of addition to the world of Richard and Kahlan. Not all is perfect, however, as Goodkind’s editor overlooked some misused punctuation, and I had a bit of a difficult time imagining the appearance of the Glee. Regardless, if this sequel series was meant to bridge the gap between The Sword of Truth and its chronological successors, The Nicci Chronicles, I’m definitely game for those books.
November 11, 2020
I took my time with this novel since it is the last one in the long running Richard and Kahlan story. It is definitely bitter sweet to see this tale end. Overall, I loved the story, I loved being able to finally see the Children of D'Hara, even though it was less than a chapter (it definitely feels like there was supposed to be at least one more novel / novella). And the twins names? *que the waterworks*
That being said, I had a few mild annoyances with the story. Reading it while listening to Wizard's First Rule on audible, I can't help but notice the drop in the quality of writing. Don't get me wrong, you can still tell this is Terry Goodkind's work, there is exquisite detail in the world around the characters, and a lot of it, but there were points when it got too much. And a lot of the long winded paragraphs that bothered me the most were the repetitive descriptions of what we knew from other books (i.e. confessor power, and others). The last chapter also kind of ruined the ending, it made it feel unfinished. But ignoring that last chapter, the ending was as solid as it could have been (I get the feeling it was a little rushed considering the news from September).
If you are a long time fan of the Sword of Truth series and beyond, I definitely recommend reading it. It was a quality story that I fully enjoyed and it leaves a good feeling about the ending of Richard and Kahlan's story. This novel, if anything, made me want to relive this series and I cannot wait to journey with characters long past again.
That being said, I had a few mild annoyances with the story. Reading it while listening to Wizard's First Rule on audible, I can't help but notice the drop in the quality of writing. Don't get me wrong, you can still tell this is Terry Goodkind's work, there is exquisite detail in the world around the characters, and a lot of it, but there were points when it got too much. And a lot of the long winded paragraphs that bothered me the most were the repetitive descriptions of what we knew from other books (i.e. confessor power, and others). The last chapter also kind of ruined the ending, it made it feel unfinished. But ignoring that last chapter, the ending was as solid as it could have been (I get the feeling it was a little rushed considering the news from September).
If you are a long time fan of the Sword of Truth series and beyond, I definitely recommend reading it. It was a quality story that I fully enjoyed and it leaves a good feeling about the ending of Richard and Kahlan's story. This novel, if anything, made me want to relive this series and I cannot wait to journey with characters long past again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2021
I was disappointed in the way this series was ended - the writing was incredibly repetitive; the characters conversations were entirely centered around repeating thoughts back and forth.
The concepts were spoon fed through short useless chapters and repetition rather than trusting the reader to come to the proper conclusions based on the context.
The overall ending was anticlimactic and there is an overwhelming sense that no matter what hopeless odds the characters are faced with - they will come out unscathed.
It's not really worth the read overall, too bad because the environment and concepts could have been really great.
The concepts were spoon fed through short useless chapters and repetition rather than trusting the reader to come to the proper conclusions based on the context.
The overall ending was anticlimactic and there is an overwhelming sense that no matter what hopeless odds the characters are faced with - they will come out unscathed.
It's not really worth the read overall, too bad because the environment and concepts could have been really great.
September 3, 2020
I loved this series of books and story they told. I find I am having mixed feelings about finally finishing this book and the series. The book was very well written and the story told and finished well but my issue seems to center around how I was expecting this tale to end with these books and have a finality to the story but without spoiling anything, I find myself both excited and also sad to know that this is not the end of their story.
January 27, 2022
5 bladzijden over de 'kinderen van d'Hara', na 5(!)boeken en +1000 pagina's over 'de zwangerschap van de biechtmoeder'... Ook aan uitmelkerij komt gelukkig een einde...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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