Debt of Bones (Sword of Truth Prequel Novel) by Terry Goodkind
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Book Reviews of Debt of Bones (Sword of Truth Prequel Novel)
Book Review: Not needed for series
Summary: 3 Stars
This book cost more than it was worth. It is not needed to complete the series. It is just a side bar with no new information.Book Review: Still worth reading
Summary: 3 Stars
Written a bit out of phase, this book does add depth to the whole series. I would have enjoyed reading it sooner, than later!Book Review: Debt of Bones
Summary: 3 Stars
Good background for a few main characters. Would have liked a little more in a couple of areas.Book Review: Disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
I love the Sword of Truth Series, having just finished Soul of The Fire, but this book is disappointing. I would have liked to know more about Kahlan's mother, who was the Mother Confessor in this book.
****POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT***
****POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT***
About the only characters in this book that fans of the SOT series will recognize are Zed, Panis Rawl, and Kahlan's mother, who had apparently not yet chosen her mate. Richard's mother was only a child. Since Richard is only a little older than Kahlan, neither had yet been born.
The only really new information is regarding Zed: his amazing intelligence (Oops, wait, we already knew that!)and how he came to be known as the wind of death (Oops, wait, we already knew that too!)
Other than the fact that Abby saved Richard's mother's life, she is a completely forgettable character.
I tend to believe the rumors that this work was originally unauthorized fan fiction, 'cause the writing style does not seem to be Goodkind's. Furthermore, it is doubtful that Abby would have been successful at pretending to be a Mord-Sith in a D'Haran army camp. The D'Harans would have immediately spotted an impostor because of their bond with the Lord Rawl, so this doesn't fit either.
To its credit, the book does have some excellent artwork, albeit in pencil or charcoal, including a great illustration of a Grace, described in detail in Soul Of The Fire.
The only really new info in this book is how that Zed came by his gray hair, which is not completely because of natural aging. Also, Zed is not as old as one might think.
More backstory of the characters and history of the Midlands would have been great. More backstory about the real "Lurk" would have been humorous. Darken Rawl is not mentioned, though we know from Wizard's First Rule that he was a young boy and was injured by the Wizard's fire sent by Zed in this book. More backstory here would have been good as well.
In short, the book is just an OK read, but nothing great. Save your money and borrow this book from a library rather than buying it. If you are such a fan of the SOT series that you want this book for your collection, as do I, buy it used and save a few bucks.
Book Review: a little perspective here
Summary: 2 Stars
I am writing to provide a little perspective after reading other reviews of Debt of Bones. I own the book Legends (several wonderful stories by several great authors including Goodkind). If you are familiar with Legends you will know that this is where Debt of Bones was originally published. It was published several years after Wizards' First Rule. While I cannot say definitely I think that Debt of Bones may have been the beginnings of Terry's ideas for SOT. It feels like he was a new writer learning his craft and testing out concepts. Also if you read Wizard's First Rule, or any of SOT, Debt of Bones doesn't make a lot of sense. Nowhere do in SOT do Zedd and Abby seem to have any prior knowledge of each other. Even after Zedd removes the wizard's web in Wizard's First Rule, which may have prevented Abby from recognizing him at first, none of their subsequent encounters seem to have the feeling of a shared past. Honestly I think that when Legends was published they asked Terry to contribute and he polished up his original notes a little and it became the story we read in Legends. Of course with SOT becoming so popular and now with the TV series, Legend of the Seeker, the publisher is looking for a way to make even more money out of us readers. My advise - read DOB in Legends as it was originally released. Even if you don't like it you'll get some other good stories with it. But take DOB for what it is, the bones (pun intended) of an idea for an epic fantasy which when fleshed out became SOT. Only if you are a collector and want it for your library should you spend $8 to buy it new. Of course if you are really interested in having it as part of your collection try to find the original illustrated edition.