Death's Mistress

January 16, 2017
Goodkind’s series launch, a tie-in to his well-known Sword of Truth series, is more of an episodic ramble than a classic fantasy quest. He begins this chronicle with two familiar characters going in search of Red, a witch woman. Nathan Rahl, kin to the new ruler of D’Hara, is tasked with spreading the news of the liberation of all peoples while the sorceress Nicci protects him and gathers information on the far reaches of the world. The pair learn from Red that Nicci “must save the world” and that Nathan needs to travel to Kol Adair, where he will “behold what he needs to make himself whole again.” At Tanimura they board a ship heading south and meet Bannon Farmer, an eager, naive young sailor on his first voyage. The trio battle vicious selkies, boatloads of Norukai slavers, and assorted magic users. Along the way, Nathan loses his magic but not his taste for fine clothes. Little ties together the challenges that the three characters face. Goodkind’s name guarantees an audience, but they’ll find this installment unsatisfying. Agent: Russell Galen, Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary.

January 1, 2017

The Imperial Order has been defeated, and the D'Haran Empire rises under Lord Richard Rahl and Kahlan. Serving as "Death's Mistress" under Emperor Jagang, Nicci was converted to Richard's following, standing as one of his closest friends--and an unrequited love. Now Nicci is ready for new adventures, accompanied by the wizard and former prophet Nathan. Her first task is to inform other lands of the new regime, but an initial stop with the old witch and oracle Red reveals more obstacles than expected. While prophecy may no longer exist, the power it wrought is still in play. The wizard must discover how to make himself whole again. And the sorceress Nicci? She just needs to save the world. VERDICT Goodkind returns to the world of "The Sword of Truth" with this series launch featuring a favorite character. The addition of Nathan serves as a charming foil to the reserved Nicci. This action-packed book will delight epic fantasy enthusiasts.--KC

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2016
After a great victory comes rebuilding, and in a land under a new ruler and new constellations, the outlying lands must be informed of new leadership. Nicci, known as Death's Mistress, and the wizard Richard Rahl travel together, ambassadors of the D'Haran Empire. Their journey begins with a visit to the witch woman, Red. She tells them to travel to Kol Adair, somewhere to the south, where Nicci will save the world, and Richard will see what he needs to make himself whole again. Along the way they gain another traveling companion, a young man fleeing his awful childhood. Ultimately, they arrive at a valley drained of all life; this is the first time Nicci must save the world, from the slow death brought by the man called the Lifedrinker. There are broadly painted lessons here about ill-used and poorly comprehended knowledge, but ultimately our heroes are victorious, at great cost. Their story is not over yet, as they have only just discovered Kol Adair. The world is expansive, and fans of Goodkind's work should be well pleased with this new perspective exploring distant parts of it.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)