Wizard's First Rule (Sword of Truth, Book 1)

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Summary: Goodkind demonstrates what is wrong with sci-fi and fantasy
Review: The #1 problem plaguing sci-fi and fantasy is stalenessand shameless cliche--and no one shows this to be the TRUTHmore than Terry Goodkind. Everything--his characters, his plot, his world, his magic, his writing style--is filled with cliche, and is, plainly, quite boring. It amazes me that anyone would pay $25 for something with this much hair on it. Read Tolkien, Jordan, Brooks, Eddings--that's who Goodkind takes everything from.

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Summary: Transparent stupidity
Review: I could see through every damn character and device in thisbook. By throwing together The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars,and a whole host of other stories, he comes off like a childish hack. And he's not even an entertaining hack; he's just plain stupid.

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Summary: More interesting than blank newsprint, but not by much.
Review: The reviews on the back sounded good, the cover was all right (puffy letters, et al.) and it was nice and thick. Unfortunately it's trite, predictable, and full of kindergarten morality. The characters are transparently borrowed from any other pulp fantasy: the protagonist is a boy-king-sorceror with a MAGIC SWORD (gasp). Two words: "Luke, I am your father". Everyone portrayed in the novel seems to be incredibly stupid ("We must ban fire!" "Duh, good idea, George!"), and the sensual parts of the book were so corny I started laughing. Normally I try to review only the books I feel are worth buying, but this one was so hyped up by reviews, I feel a warning is order. Stay clear of Goodkind -- stale, uninteresting and some episodes of horrible writing. He gives fantasy a worse name than it already has (thank Anthony and Eddings for that)

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Summary: Characters cliched just like the world
Review: Yes, the world of WFR is heavily cliched, but so are thecharacters. What makes Richard any different from FrodoBaggins, Rand Al'Thor, or Garion besises a few trappings Goodkind layed on him? What distinguishes Kahlan from any other mysterious heroine? What keeps Chase from blending into Aragorn or Lan? What is the difference between Zedd and Gandalf or Belgarth? Sure, Goodkind can tell the stories of OTHER charcters clothed in new names, but he can't throw in any of his own.

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Summary: Great characters and adventure, but the world needs work.
Review: I must admit, after reading some of the bad reviews on this page I almost quit reading Wizard's First Rule (WFR). I am gald I didn't. I imagine the people who gave WFR bad critiques are more interested in the world of the story than the characters. Nothing is wrong with that. In fact, I also feel that the world this story uses too many cliches and should have been more throughly detailed. Still, it is the characters that drive a story, and this one has superb ones. Very rarely in any type of fantasy are the characters as believable as in this novel. You will cheer for the heroes and will despise the villians, I promise. The love that develops between Richard and Kahlan is as real and tear wrenching as in real life. You may find the world of WFR boring, as I did, but the characters will keep you glued to the book.

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Summary: Writing & Plotline poor
Review: I give this book a 3. It's not the worst I've seen, butit's worse than most. The writing just doesn't grab me.It's too hacklike and I can't actually SEE anything he describes. Also, the plot is WAAAAY too derivative. It's just a matter of good vs evil, with no special twists thrown in. It's not really intelligent. It's just boring, mostly.

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Summary: Ugh
Review: This is a very, very trite and boring book. Goodkindobviously thinks he knows something about life, and whenhe tries to teach his readers, he ends up sounding preachy and dull. "People are stupid"...well, duh! I learned that in 1st grade!

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Summary: Originality!!??
Review: This is the most strikingly UN-original fantasy I haveever read. Why would anyone waste their time readingdrivel like this???

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Summary: This is a GREAT book in the fantasy genre!
Review: This is one of the best stories I've read in awhile. If you like fantasy books by authors such as Robert Jordan and Melanie Rawn, you'll love Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodking. You'll love the characters and get trapped by the story.

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Summary: Goodkind, the best around.
Review: I loved this book. Goodkind is in no way "BrainCandy". This book is pure perfection. I could not improve on any facet of this book. His strong character development can be equalled only by his superb story development. Goodkind is among the best fantasy authors ever. I would truly consider him on the same plateau as Tolkien and Jordan. I have my own Terry Goodkind page. Email me further inquiry