The Omen Machine (A Richard and Kahlan novel)

Terry Goodkind

Aug 2011 · Sword of Truth Book 14 · HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

A Kahlan and Richard fantasy novel from bestselling author, Terry Goodkind.

An accident leads to the discovery of a mysterious machine that has rested hidden deep underground for countless millennia. The machine awakens to begin issuing a series of increasingly alarming, if minor, omens. The omens turn out to be astonishingly accurate, and ever more ominous.

As Zedd tries to figure out how to destroy the sinister device, the machine issues a cataclysmic omen involving Richard and Kahlan, foretelling an impending event beyond anyone’s ability to stop. As catastrophe approaches, the machine then reveals that it is within its power to withdraw the omen . . . In exchange for an impossible demand.

Ratings and reviews

It's easy to look amazing when everyone else in the world is numb skull stupid. Richard and Khalan solve their problems with effortless prowess because everyone else is exceedingly dumb. Other characters lack agency or will or thought of their own. Women fawn and fall at Richard. People tremble at Khalan without a thought she might be lying - people who are apprently top politicians in their own rights. Maybe it's growing up, I loved this series when I was a teen. Maybe I've been spoiled by Game of Thrones. But every chapter I just find myself thinking of background characters, well why did you do that? Why let the protagonists get away with that? Why not question or think for yourself? The politics are easy, factions and interests none existent, adults are easily tricked and swayed like children, all bowing before the protagonists undenyable wisdom without any real challenge. Do I believe there are really vast Kingdoms in Kingdoms here happily falling into line behind a ruler who self confesses he knows nothing about them, who is often bored with rule, easily angered and frustrated? Where are the schemes, the backhanded deals, the splinter factions, the realms vying for independance and position and prominence. Where are the hard decisions Richard has to make as a leader? What's his tax policy? What does he do with rebellious lords? How does he heal the vast political rifts and scars of traumatised, indoctrinated and war-torn nations? Who would suceeed if he died? Why is noone vying to be named or positioned as his clear heir? Why does Aydindril still pay Khalan a blind bit of notice when she's not been back in years, and messaging is far from instantaneous. How does Richard raise the money to maintain his palace and legions of servants and great weddings and dinners? Who runs the judicial and infrastructure policies of his realm? Who manages the harvests and runs this huge completely loyal bureacracy that serves the Rahl family honestly and without hitch, even though the Rahl's don't moniter, check, understand or often even know much of it's existence? There's not even consequences of causing emnity or long term bad relations when threatening to have all the leaders of the realm taken off and beheaded? Really? They just take it? Noone's hatching a plot now? Come on people, you're not babies to be swayed by her claim "Prophesy". Is noone going to demand their own copy to look at? If Darken Rahl had people threatened with execution for asking to see important documents and have oversight from representatives, he would be a vile villain for it. Hasn't Richard's whole point been people should think for themselves, why should they trust Richard and Khalan are right at face value? Because they're the protagonists? In a world where Richard apparently encourages everyone to think and answer and choose for themselves, ultimately in Sword of Truth, the only correct answer to choose is Richard. There is no question, everyone else is provably, definably wrong, and will either put on a tight outfit and fall in love with him or die some horrible death. The universe revolves round Richard. And I can't enjoy it as I once did because I can't help wonder at the stupidity of such a universe.

Read the series. This book read in 24hrs. I think the series has been over done and should have stopped at the first 4! This 1 felt a bit pointless. Extra star 'cause I love the scope of the world its set in.

Poor writing by goodkind. I've read the entire sword of truth series twice, which I absolutely loved! But, this I'm afraid is shockingly bad, so much so I feel like someone else wrote it and stuck Terry's name on it....what happened??

About the author

Goodkind was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, where he also attended art school, one of his many interests on the way to becoming a writer. Besides a career in wildlife art, he has been a cabinet maker, violin maker, and he has done restoration work on rare and exotic artifacts from around the world – each with its own story to tell, he says. In 1983 Goodkind moved to the forested mountains he loves. There, in the woods near the ocean, he built the house where he and his wife Jeri live, and came at last to tell his own stories.