The Omen Machine: Book 1
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Liked It “Hmmmm...not exactly my favorite out of all of Mr. Goodkind's books but still a good read. Felt that it dragged a bit but then started moving fast towards the end.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Ok, Terry Goodkind was the guy who brought us the Sword of Truth series, and, after eleven books, promised us it was over. Then, after five years, he just couldn't resist the itch and had to start a new series in the same timeline, following immediately after what he promised to be the...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Incomplete. Much of the plot that was built up never had a true climax, much less any form of resolution. The climax of the book had no backstory, and was pretty out-of-the-blue.
Casey wrote this review Thursday, March 15, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I was also disappointed in the fact that much of Richard and Kahlan's traditional values and fire is lost. Spoiler: When the leaders in the outlying regions of the empire begin to act mindless and stop thinking for themselves, Richard and Kahlan do nothing but try to scare them into cooperating. None of the intelligence of the Faith of the Fallen is there.
I hope the Sequel that is to come out this year will be MUCH better...”“Ok, Terry Goodkind was the guy who brought us the Sword of Truth series, and, after eleven books, promised us it was over. Then, after five years, he just couldn't resist the itch and had to start a new series in the same timeline, following immediately after what he promised to be the last book. So, now we're stuck with yet another Richard and Kahlan book by a very mediocre author (with more to come).
LeoDaVinci wrote this review Monday, February 6, 2012. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Richard and Kahlan can't seem to catch a break. Not one week after they finally win a war, Richard is faced with even more upheaval in the kingdom of D'Hara. They find a sentient machine that produces omens, and the people are convinced that due to these predictions, and others by random people in the kingdom), Richard is ill-suited to be the leader of the D'Haran Empire.
Goodkind is setting up the stage for a new series, and this is felt. Without much background from the previous series, the first few chapters are all dedicated to trying to making this novel a stand-alone novel, however, to those who have read his previous eleven, it's very tediously written and boring. As per Goodkind's style, the novel is filled with repetitive ideas (sometimes it takes several paragraphs of repeating by one character to get their point across when they can simply sum it up in half a paragraph) and slow plot twists that culminate in a less-than-thrilling climax that happens (as per usual) in the penultimate chapter.
The only reason I gave this novel two stars is that it's not as bad as some other pop-fantasy novels out there, and that it was over fairly quickly.”“Hmmmm...not exactly my favorite out of all of Mr. Goodkind's books but still a good read. Felt that it dragged a bit but then started moving fast towards the end. ”
Aisha Thomas wrote this review Thursday, January 12, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Who are you and what have you done with Richard and Kahlen? Sorry, but I found this book disappointing. It felt like Richard, Zed, and Kahlen had all taken "stupid" pills or something. Most of the action takes place in the People's Palace. There is a lot of running around from room to room, but not really much forward motion. There were times when it felt like the description of the swamp and the hedge maid's quarters were simply duplicated (maybe triplicated) by using cut and paste. I really expected better.”
Monika R wrote this review Sunday, January 1, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“It's a little weird to go back to Richard and Kahlan after Confessor which was supposed to be an end to their travails finally. But I can't lie, it's good to see them again, and the Mord Sith!
Megalion wrote this review Tuesday, December 20, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
ETA: It was a little weird as an overall book. Probably because from the first book to the Confessor, there were lots of elements that crossed over between books to knit them together into one complete epic. This one is fully stand alone.
I did enjoy it. ”
“This is an amazing book. Lots of action. It is one of Goodkind's shorter books but it will be part of a trilogy. Can't wait for the next one.”
Marc W wrote this review Monday, December 12, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I like Goodkind's writing in general but this is not his best effort. A long time is spent building up the conflicts and then they are resolved in a few pages. The ending seems incomplete and one wonders if yet another book in the saga is in the making. ”
wiley wrote this review Tuesday, October 11, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“SPOILERS PROBABLY
Ben wrote this review Monday, October 3, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Ch 14. Once again, TG makes a very clear point to bring philosophical discussion with contemporary relevance into the book. In this chapter, Kahlan puts forth a very thought-provoking statement: pg 111, par.2. Essentially, people who believe in fatalism guided by God should logically be pleased at the misfortune that befalls innocent and helpless people. Perhaps it's unfortunate, but there's satisfaction in knowing that God's plan is being carried out. What a convoluted, misguided, bullshit cop-out. All this philosophy justifies is that people suffering don't deserve to be helped. But then again, this suffering might be deliberate so as to encourage (a) those not suffering to help out charitably, or else (b) those suffering to band together and find strength regardless of circumstances. Nonetheless the idea is that it's actually good that people suffer. As a general statement that's just preposterous, although if the goal is being close to God, it might pan out to be plausible. The philosophy justifies the idea of suffering in the name of God, which i find disagreeable.
There's probably some application of the general philosophical topic of the "problem of evil," but it doesn't need examining here. Oh well, reading on...
Ch. 68- TG might be getting careless- Zedd shouldn't have been able to conjure Wizard's Fire while in the People's Palace.
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OK, just finished reading the book. Took 2 days to read - 500 pages with big print. I'm honestly a bit conflicted. I love the series and the characters. I think that this story contributes meaningfully and adds a great arc for future books. But this one just honestly didn't seem as carefully thought out as the others, didn't seem to flow seamlessly with previously established rules... I dunno.
Positives- great concept for the plot --] setup great for future books. I like how even in peacetime the people now need something to focus their attention on for the future: prophecy. That's great. This turmoil of loss of faith in Richard's ability to lead sets up a great premise for an upcoming defense of the throne (if there were a throne...).
I've noted before that TG spends too much time with explaining the backstory. This volume didn't have that. While short allusions are made to what's happened, it's clear that this can be a stand-alone book in the series. But, that said, there's no excuse that certain rules and things previously established can be discarded. Cf. Zedd's use of the power in the People's Palace. But TG can't seem to decide this - there are points in the book where they specifically talk about diminished power in the palace. And in previous books, zB with Anne in, I believe, Naked Empire - where she couldn't even muster enough power to do more than light a candle in the palace.
This definitely feels like the start of another trilogy or arc. I hope they're a bit longer and more thought out in terms of continuity than this one, though.
TG may have mentioned the Law of Nines (like his other novel not in the SOT universe), but it didn't seem relevant really here.
What's coming in the series: definitely a battle for control of the empire. Nature of the Omen Machine (i.e. Richard's return to the Temple of the Winds). These have been set up reasonably well. Although the characters involved (Hannis Arc and Ludwig) seemed to just abruptly fall out of this book. Despite its shortcomings, TG should still be applauded for the philosophy he brings in. The conflict between divine guidance and free will and individual liability deserves exploration, and for that, this book did not disappoint. Ludwig's arguments (proponents of action justified by divine guidance) seem to be too problematically black and white. If one doesn't believe in, zB, the Bible, then they are a satanist in his opinion. Obviously that claim is bogus, because other options seem to exist. Richard, zB, is an empiricist. Rationalism also is another way to knowledge. Divine guidance is not the only way, as Ludwig would have us believe.”
“Return to Richard and Kahlan! Setting up a whole new series, this promises to be just as grand in scope and with perhaps I stronger social commentary as the heroes of reason and free-will battle against superstitious prophecy and the desire of others to submit to an authority outside themselves due to fear of the unknown. ”
David Teachout wrote this review Tuesday, September 6, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I have a love/hate thing going on with Terry Goodkind. I love his characters, I love the plot lines, I love Richard and Kahlan. From the very first page, I'm transported to another world. I hate that I stay up way too late because I can't put his books down.
Annie A ~*Peace*~ wrote this review Tuesday, August 30, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Fantastic writer. Mr. Goodkind, you're an addiction.”
