It was with some anticipation that I purchased Confessor. Goodkind seemed to regain some of the urgency of the story in Chainfire and Phantom. Pillars of Creation was intermittent at best and did little to move the story forward. It was after this story that Goodkind lost his momentum. Richard's continuing adventures moved forward at a similar pace through the next five books, culminating in what is, in my opinion, the finest novel of the series, Faith of the Fallen. Instead it was a fast, brutal, well told story. There were no bespecled youths with glasses and abusive parents, nor were there any silly incantations or other such items. It was a novel in the vein of Tolkein and Brooks that was just the kind of jump that the world of adult-oriented fantasy needed. Wizard's First Rule entered the world of epic fantasy with a bang. I no longer collect them in hardback and read the newer books from the library having to forego paying even though time is money. The writing has degraded through the series. This isn't fantasy with magic and monsters but fantasy with monologues. Might have been reasonable not calling him a War Wizard but a Weak Wizard or maybe a Babbling Wizard. He's been handicapped throughout other than the occasional magic to remove a collar or other minor event. Richard did not learn or utilize magic but used his gift for gab and magnificent powers of deduction. What exactly is a War Wizard? I didn't ever witness anything of significance. Several anti-climatic deaths sloppily dispose of characters and plots. No clue what happens with newcomer Bruce.
Other than the surprise ending, Chapter 33 contains the best combat in a forest of mediocre events. Expect every character from Richard and Kahlan's past make an appearance in the series finale.
Even Rachel in Chapter 45 logically counters questions of which she has no education or foreknowledge, a trait notoriously found in Richard. Yet the characters basically argue the same, think the same, and behave the same other than Adie's strange manner of speaking. Outside of the author's idealistic protection of Richard and Kahlan's love and virtue, evil touches every other character in some cruel manner. Chapter 62 has a short paragraph of three lines within four pages of a babbling wish by Richard. Somehow the tyrannical and big-tempered Jagang quietly listens to Nicci lecture him on life for three pages in Chapter 23 without any narrative breaks of raised eyebrows, angry gestures, or deep breathing. Ann and Nicci discuss Nicci and Richard's relationship over seventeen pages in Chapter 18, there are shorter battles providing more plot substance than this minor conversation. Then the incessantly endless monologues provide little substance. I would change the above example to, "I doubt you would believe all the sparks the first day when I saw him and instantly swore to myself I would become one of his teacher." Of course I am not paid by the word or the size of my review but it flows much better after a quick adjustment. It is not uncommon for the author to use the word "that" four or five times over two sentences. When I first saw him THAT first day I swore to myself THAT I would become one of his teachers.", (Chapter 18). "I doubt THAT you would believe all THAT was sparked on THAT day. Furthermore, the word "that" is applied so often I found it very distracting. The awful editing repeatedly allows catch phrases such as "raptor gaze", "penetrating eyes", "coiled fury", and especially "value of life" and "living life" dozens of times, one might wonder if any grammatical variation even exists. The passable environmental descriptions and character interaction offer little depth in a world developed over twelve novels. Regardless if it is Jennsen, Nicci, Ann, Richard, or Kahlan, the values are interjected at every possible opportunity, whether it is during a torture or a walk through some catacombs. "Confessor" concludes the "Sword of Truth" saga, amazingly four years after the initial installment " Wizard's First Rule", by giving reiterated speeches by the same characters readers are accustomed to spouting the "life is worthy for living" philosophy.
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