NAKED EMPIRE

Terry Goodkind fans will enjoy this eighth volume in the Sword of Truth fantasy series. Richard and Kahlan continue their struggle against the imperial order. This time a twisted wizard enslaves a mountain kingdom that's been sealed away from the wider world for three thousand years. Richard must win both freedom for the people and the antidote to a poison that's slowly killing him. Jim Bond has a pleasant low-tenor voice. He makes Terry Goodkind's characters, and their convictions, come through strongly and clearly. Bond smoothly handles the thrust and parry of the story's philosophical debates, as well as the actual swordplay and sorcery of the explosive combat scenes. R.G.M. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 04]