I am finally done.
Thriteen years, eleven books and roughly 8,000 pages later....it is finished.
The saga is the Sword of Truth series, created by fantasy genre New York Times best selling author, Terry Goodkind.
It started out with Wizards First Rule and ended with Confessor, each book building upon the previous to create incredible worlds of differing levels of magic, commonalities, half-hidden truths, thought provoking riddles and philosophies, and heart breaking sacrifices.
True, some of the books were criticized for being too political and "preachy" and there were times when I personally felt that certain passages could have been entirely left out. However, having said that, the writing, dialogue, characters, concept, and continuation of a single story line held firmly through this much time and change is worthy of praise.
Mr. Terry Goodkind - you have one freakin' impressive, mind-numbing imagination.
It was a long journey - roughly seven and a half years for me since the first time I opened Wizards First Rule and was enveloped not only by the developing theme of the story, but by the strength and uniqueness of each character.
The story is much to long to detail here, but suffice it to say that it is a series revolving around the strength of mankind and free will, using magic as the backdrop as well as both an adversary and opposition to the fight for that free will. And the well-developed characters throughout the story serve him well in telling that story to its finality.
At times I was incredibly tired and frustrated at (but thankful for) the stubborness of Richard - the war wizard, the Seeker of Truth - who never lost faith in those he cared for, nor gave up on his mission (no matter how dangerous), proving exactly why he was the Lord Rahl, Ruler of D'Hara, and one incredibly wonderful, central character.
I was fascinated by his wife and steadfast companion - Kahlan, the Mother Confessor - who with not only her skill in battle but with her spirit, grace and numerous sacrifices for the safety and prosperity of the land she ruled and the man she loved, was more than inspirational.
You had me awed by the insane loyalty of Nicci and Cara who, even with all their strength, skill and powers of magic, willing suffered so much both physically and mentally all in the name of friendship and love...for Richard, for their own people, for the freedom of the nation they stood to protect.
I was touched by the change of heart in the witch woman, Shota, and the conversion of the wing men of the Ja 'La dh Jin who chose to stand by their 'point man' instead of their Emperor, on and off the field, even in the face of unimaginable torture and certain death.
You impressed me by giving unique personality and voice to Scarlet and her son, Gregory - the massive, feared, red-scaled dragons, as well as Gratch (the gar), all of whom could have easily snuffed Richard out of existence instead of befriending him with their own brand of humor and devotion.
You wrote the books on what we should all strive to be, even in the face of incredible opposition, and gave us characters who all turned out to be exactly what the Old World, the New World, and the Midlands always need them to be. Themselves.
No more, no less.
They all helped us to remember the central theme throughout the story that no one has the right to tell you how your life should be lived; you always have a choice - no matter what the consquences might be, you can always choose to do the right thing.
"Your life is your own. Rise up and live it."
I am left reeling by the fact that I caught myself on numerous occassions inadvertently smiling at passages, cheering with the crowds I felt myself being drawn into, nodding to myself, witnessing the 'silent thunder' and power of truth.
I lived the story...felt each blow taken (and given) by Cara, every flow of magic unleashed by Nicci, heard every strike of steel on steel, every hoofbeat of every horse of the Imperial Order bearing down on those in 'opposition to the Creator', shed a tear for every person lost in sacrifice for someone they loved and stood by until the very end.
Should it have been any different, I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much.
I am thoroughly and whole heartedly impressed.
Well done, Mr. Goodkind. Well done.
I am positive that in the world that still exists beyond the veil where war wizards and confessors reign...where dragons and gars still roam the countrysides...where witch women of the Rang Shada and Sisters of the Light rule their lands with mery and justice...where mord-sith willingly and lovingly serve, and palaces created through and protected by woven shields of magic rise up out of jagged mountainsides, that they all stand looking out at our world and wish for us the same things: truth, mercy and abiding love.
It was a long, tiring, exciting, nerve-wracking, wonderfuly frustrating, all-encompassing beloved journey, indeed.
And I am thankful for the ride.
