TEMPLE OF THE WINDS

Another independently intelligible doorstopper addition to Goodkind's Sword of Truth series (Blood of the Fold, 1996, etc.). This time, sword-wielder and wizard Richard Rahl, his warrior beloved Kahlan, grandfather Zedd, and the rest of the cast are threatened by the Imperial Order and their dream walker, Jagang, who sends a wizard-assassin, Marlin, to kill Richard. Meanwhile, old flame Nadine, befuddled by a witch, shows up intending to marry Richard; close behind comes the healer Drefan, Richard's half-brother. Marlin/Jagang announces gleefully that he's caught Richard in a "bound fork prophesy," a fancy way of saying heads I win, tails you lose. Another one for the fans.