Naked Empire
The Sword of Truth, Terry Goodkind's wonderfully creative, seamless,
and stirring epic series, has captivated readers across the globe. Now, this acclaimed storyteller delivers another extraordinary
novel set in a richly realized world alive with all the complexity and
taut characterization we've come to expect from this master of fantasy.
Richard has been poisoned. Saving an empire from annihilation is the
price demanded for the antidote. With the shadow of death looming near,
the empire crumbling before the invading hordes and time running out,
Richard is offered not only his life, but the salvation of a people, in
exchange for delivering his wife, Kahlan, into bondage to the enemy.
With the stakes higher than life and death, Richard and Kahlan face
possibly the most devastating choice they will ever have to make.
The Naked Empire is a truly spellbinding tale which explores the strength of the human spirit and the sacrifices made for love.
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Terry Goodkind
In the sprawling landscape of epic fantasy, where morality twists through magic and kingdoms fall with the weight of a whispered truth, Terry Goodkind carved out a path that was wholly his own—bold, uncompromising, and unafraid to challenge the genre’s conventions.
Best known for The Sword of Truth series, Goodkind didn’t just write about heroes—he built a philosophy into their bones. At the heart of his sprawling saga is Richard Rahl, a woods guide turned reluctant leader whose journey unfolds not merely as an adventure, but as a study in reason, free will, and personal responsibility. Where many fantasy authors lean into myth and fate, Goodkind leaned into choice. He wove moral clarity through moral complexity, demanding that readers grapple with not just what is right, but why.
The Sword of Truth
The Sword of Truth is #1 New York Times bestselling author Terry Goodkind’s epic fantasy series chronicling the heroic journeys of Richard Cypher, a Seeker of Truth, Confessor Kahlan Amnell and First Order wizard Zeddicus “Zedd” Zu’l Zorander as they battle against dark forces and evil overlords seeking to subjugate the land.
The Sword of Truth consists of eleven primary books, and includes two additional books that complement the series but are not considered mandatory reads. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Related series Richard and Kahlan
Related series Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles
Related series Children of D'Hara
Reviews and Comments
Naked Empire is one the worst fantasy books I've ever read. This book is amazingly boring and there's too much philosophical talk and annoying preaching. I honestly don't understand what happened to Terry Goodkind. He used to write entertaining and interesting fantasy books for adults, but not anymore. He should never have begun to write about his own philosophical views, because fantasy fans aren't interested in them. In my opinion a small amount of philosophy is okay, but when the pages are full of it, nobody wants to read about it. I can't recommend Naked Empire to anybody. If you've read Goodkind's earlier books and liked them, you'll be very disappointed with this book.