**WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS LOVELIES!**
"I have heard it told," the old woman confided, "That there be those walking among us who can do more than merely speak with the dead."
The First Confessor is by far, the most engaging and illustrative prequel within my bounds of literature. Goodkind was capable of fleshing out a back-story that lent credibility to the overall story itself. Unlike The Omen Machine, which both answered questions and created more, The First Confessor granted a very vivid glimpse into the ancient workings which set chain effects that Kahlan & Richard endured. It put the Dark Lands on the map for its deathtrap landscapes and legend tied into the fold.
As with other books within the series, it seemed as though after a major battle or success - the social suspicions of the majority of civilians were another cornerstone for the characters to face, and cycle through, but The Confessor, to me -- spoke volumes in the way of the minds within the beginning of the whole dystopic tragedy, which eventually settled into society where their respite was seemingly always short-lived. Perhaps, it emphasized the eventual state of depression war torn lands are, even with success sprinkled in-between hardships. I realize don't break down oppression overnight. There's no immediate cure for something that requires personal/individual contribution, however- in the Sword of Truth series, the people in general, by appearance, took recoveries or wins with just as much chagrin as a major victory. Perhaps it had eventually spread its tentacles deeply into the hearts of people there, in general? Now, I realize the public rejoice was a high point in the turning of the world, when Richard carved the statue and presented it so boldly for all to see, but in the midst of any sort of setback, that age-old misanthrope suspicion was quick to overshadow their revelry. Hence, the whole prophecy and rumor mill plaguing The Omen Machine. Within The First Confessor<, the fight for life itself, was fresh and not as corrupted by consistent turmoil. There was so much hope! It's as if Prosecutor Lothain sent his own ill-fated prophecy down through the ages:
"Prosecutor Lothain is merely giving voice to suspicion and unease, merely speakign aloud what whispers are saying."
I suppose with freedom and the rights to life, you're in a constant struggle to survive, not just in-between conflict. If left unguarded, it gives the wicked their chances to manipulate all the good virtues that would otherwise make him good, for the detrimental; such as with forced charity, blotting out individuality, and so on. What was so utterly poignant and smacked down the maggoty existence of the ones unable to embrace life, and sought omnipotent control of the world, was that the philosophy of Life survived the ages. Sure, they could create a million wizards, Confessors, Swords of Truth, etc--etc...but without the individual dedication, or persons able to embrace their own life, they were all dead leaves frittering in the wind. What I'm getting at is that I feel unless you embrace your own, you cannot truly understand the quality of life, or the value of it either. Goodkind has a very simplistic approach of invoking those thoughts into not only his characters, but the reader as well.
He took a very humbly raised woman, and removed what council sway & title she had attained, lessened her support team(killing off her powerful husband) and left her alone in the world to confront her slight disillusioned view of self-worth, and self-realization that she was probably lacking the other portion of her truest self; The Mother Confessor ability. However, it was necessary as her humble self and seeker of truth, to fulfill that role. Great voices need mouthpieces! I thought the element was perfect, considering we were so accustomed to Kahlan's unwavering salvation and position as a Mother Confessor. We were introduced to an uncut Mother Confessor with these monumental virtues and forthrightness, albeit whose birth distinguished her in a way, she felt it wasn't capable of benefiting anyone, due to the commoner blood affiliated with her. The ability to embrace these powerfully astute and fortuitous women's truest nature; their greatest qualities, and use it in a manner that sacrifices their personal sensitivity, is genuinely epic in itself. The professionalism and quiet dignity Magda possessed is just absolutely precious!
Chapter one was truly one of the most surprising incidents in the book. The apprehension and dread of Magda taking the cliff edge to rid herself of life, had even ME on edge! I believe anyone who's read it, was mentally screaming, "NOOOOO..don't do it!" Compounded with Tilly's little bit about the dead in the Keep, I truly felt my gut twisting to an unsavory degree-- suspecting that Magda would throw herself off the wall/cliff, and be resurrected into the army of dead being puppeteered. Hahah!
Okay.....
I've broken down the remainder of my review in characters, and spotlight quotes here and there. I kept my Kindle Touch's clippings, with personal thoughts throughout its second reading/journey.
Alric:
Lord Alric Rahl was incredibly reminiscent of his descendant Richard. I was immediately attracted to the virtues and good graces of Alric, and felt no apparent foibles in his character, which otherwise paralleled him to Richard.
Lothain:
The Prosecutor Lothain was a dastardly fellow, whose guts I could not have loathed more. He used the insecurities and mindlessness of the masses, to conduct his savagery behind their backs. When Magda finally had him with her Confessor power, I felt as if I was watching his ego slither and dart into a hole in the proverbial wall. Brava brava! When he said; "It will show people that your behavior was only your grief playing tricks on your weak, feminine mind." I wanted to kick his weak, feminine balls inside out. And I mean that with grace and humility, like I always do.
Baraccus:
I believe Baraccus was one of the far more controversial characters in The First Confessor. Whilst I commend him on sacrificing his life for the greater goal in mind, it seemed as though it could have been prevented to an extent. Like, he could have aided in the transition into Magda's Mother Confessor rebirth. I fully embrace the notion that Merritt was her pillar of support, most likely in Baraccus's prophetic scope, albeit the manner of his sacrifice was so definite, and selfless, disturbed me a great deal, despite the thorough exchange concerning his reasoning, etc. Methinks he should have cherished his life far longer, and waited to go out in some heated confrontation. I can understand Magda's weak point, with the dream walker feeding her these subliminal messages, but Baraccus? He acted on his own freewill. In all honesty, I would have damned him and promised to loathe him for all eternity, for the abandonment. 'Tis merely unforgivable. Call me a cynic, but I really think the magic is gone in that relationship...stop grieving, Magda!
I'm aware a myriad of my friends aren't keen on this type of Fantasy fiction, albeit we don't always agree on everything. I don't always agree with my father, nor authority, either. Hell, I don't always agree with my God, for that matter, but I'm humbled Goodkind decided to release this lovely timeswept story and bring Magda to life. She's a magnificent catalyst to the oppressive publishing companies, and keeps them in check! It's an effective means of releasing his work without the drudgery of endless steps of publishing standards.
Favorite quotes:
* My mother would say that adventure was just another name for adventure.
* They're substituting wishing for knowing.
* You're a powerful man. You can have your pick of most any women. A few of them might even be willing; the rest you can easily afford. You don't need me for that.
* A Confessor was about truth, not emotion.
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Reviews with images
Not stored properly
I like the books that's why I chose to go for hard cover. It came with cover but i am not a fan of the cover art. On the bottom end of the book you can see discoloration due to previous sun exposure. This is suppose to be a new book. And it's a little bent as well.
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Bellissimo prequel che funziona davvero
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