The Pillars of Creation

Another superb offering from Terry Goodkind, set in the fantastical land of D'Hara, this novel is peopled with the colourful array of heroes and villains that we have come to expect from this bestselling author. We follow the journeys of young Jennsen as she flees an enemy who has been hunting her since the day she was born. Accompanied only by a beneficent stranger, Sebastian, and her beloved goat, Betty, her quest is to find the source of the threat and destroy it forever - she must kill Lord Richard Rahl, successor to the throne of D'Hara and the dread Lord Darken, Rahl's only known son. Haunted by an inner voice that demands her complete capitulation, she visits sorceresses, battles with swamp monsters, and outwits the might of the royal household to rescue the man she loves, crossing half a continent to complete her intended assassination. Beautiful and resourceful, Jennsen uses her loss and pain to arm herself against those she believes to be persecuting her, setting off a series of events that will have significant consequences for the future of D'Hara. Many miles away, an ox-like young man surrenders to the same demonic voice and begins a slow but methodical series of murders to achieve what he believes to be rightfully his - the throne of D'Hara. Oba moves steadily but relentlessly though the story, bringing death and misery to those he encounters. But the death he is most intent on is that of the new king of D'Hara. Meanwhile, Richard Rahl and his wife, Kahlan, struggle against an invading army, on a fanatical crusade to destroy him and the magic he wields. Opening with bloody murder and finishing with righteous vengeance, this novel forms a bridge between the wonderful Sword of Truth series and whatever future delights Terry Goodkind has planned for us. The ending leaves us in no doubt that there is more to come. (Kirkus UK)