After Pillars of Creaton I was hoping Goodkind would get back on track, and concentrate this newest book on Richard. Unfortunately, he did. Don't get me wrong, there were good parts too; every section without Richard in it was good. Goodkind is becoming absolutely obsessed with having Richard do nothing more than spew out Goodkind's own philosophy on life. Every time Richard started "preaching" his doctrine of reason, I got a mental image of Goodkind wearing a filthy monks robe and foaming at the mouth while screaming at the top of his lungs that reason will be your salvation, and anyone who doesn't agree should be put to the sword.