I am one of the rare novel readers who hadn't opened a book by Terry Goodkind. That has now changed with my reading of The Children of D'Hara. I have read many sword and sorcery (particularly Fritz Lieber) and fantasy books, so I waded in. The action scenes' pace is swift, of course, with Richard's sword zinging out of its scabbard each time. The story pivots on the need to move pregnant Kahlan, his wife, to the Wizard's Keep where she will be safe from the monstrous, world-traveling Glee and the Golden Goddess who is attempting to kill her (and Richard) and take over D'Hara as a feeding ground for the Glee.

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the new world and the power that the War Lord and Mother Confessor wield. However, for me the long descriptions Richard gives to his devoted guards, the Mord-Sith, of the use of his Additive and Subtractive magic and other arcane knowledge dragged my interest from the mounting suspense. Giving Kahlan as much power as Richard is a good choice in fantasy novels these days; their real concern for the people of D'Hara is appealing.

I am glad I read this novel, an advanced ecopy which was given to me by NetGalley, and recommend it to readers who enjoy going deep into a fantasy world of wizards, witches, and wonders. It looks like this advance ebook is a combination of the five novellas which begin with The Scribbly Man.