Rating: Summary: A relaxing read Review: This novel is brilliant. Goodkind's grasp of characterization and setting are the clearest I've seen in any fantasy novel. The main character, Richard, develops believably throughout the novel, although Richard's companion, Kahlan, seems to be a bit too ideal. Nonetheless, this is a great story that kept me rapt for two days straight (I read it in 2 sittings). I most highly recommend this book to beginners in fantasy; it is a non-complex and very smooth read. But I think all fantasy fans could enjoy this. It will, I'm sure, become canonized in future fantasy tomes.Word_Ninja
Rating: Summary: Great Read! Review: This probably deserves a 3 and three-fourths rating. I just gave it 5 stars because too many people gave it one or two. (This book doesn't deserve that, lol) I liked it and I do have to say it's better than Tolkien's work. At least it was more interesting than Tolkien's work. I believe that people think that anything that's old and considered 'holy' is the best thing in the world. His writing is nice and whatnot, but come on. I think that once a 'train' is started, many people 'jump' on not even knowing what it's about.
Rating: Summary: men are from mars women are from venus Review: the story is quite straight forward and it is enjoyable for a while. i called it the hugging book (the female charator just want to sit down to cry over some masculinity's shoulder and then hug everybody!). the female charator is real pathetic. the book offended me and i am not a female. well enough said already. still this will be a best seller!
Rating: Summary: More than what I expected Review: I'm not much of a reader, let alone fantasy or series reader, so it might be hard for people to take in what I say as eligible for being an important review. The only fantasy books that I HAVE read are from J.R.R. Tolkien. A friend of mind told me a couple of years ago that this series was a great series to read, and while searching for some more modern fantasy I picked Wizard's First Rule from the SoT series over the Wheel of Time series. The main reason was that the Wheel of Time's first of the series wasn't available, but a friend's reccomendation also helped sway my decision. And so I read it in due time... The plot starts off with a woodsman named Richard who saves some out-of-place woman named Khalan only to be swept in a storm of events after meeting her. He finds out he is The Seeker and has to stop Darken Raul from taking over the world with his forces of magic and steel. He bumps into wizards, dragons, witches, warriors, dominatrices (i think that's what they r), and cannibals throughout the story. The characters are really brought to life in my eyes. What really intrigues me about Terry Goodkind's style of storytelling is that he shifts point-of-views almost every chapter, still keeping it in third person throughout. Being able to read what the person is thinking makes it more real, and it's always fun for me to try and guess who one person is, while the other person (who's p-o-v you are reading) doesn't know who it is. Well, since I liked it so much, how come I gave it a 4/5? I'm not much of a fan of some of the adult themes in it, although I know the other books in the series have way more than this one. It could be my lack of reading some of the sex, brutality, etc., but it wasn't bad for me. I actually feel more grown up being able to read through those parts and actually not get all "Oooo, they're getting naughty, Hehehehe". The main downside to that is I fear for telling others I know to read it, and maybe not as much at this one, but for sure about the rest of the series. Growing up in a family that rarely watch R-rated films, especially with the nudity, I get broken up when I keep myself from trying to get the rest of my family to enjoy the books. Maybe when my bro gets older. The cover picture flat out made me close my eyes right before I opened the book at first...i hated the picture. It's a good thing that I didn't judge this book by it's cover. I kinda got use to the cover after a while anyways. I was overall lured by the story-telling, and glued my eyes to the pages. I quickly bought the second of the series, only to finish that, and go out to buy the third and fourth. I finish each in around 4-5 days just because i can't put them down. I once spent a whole saturday reading in my bed and on a couch. This book that started the series opened my eyes to the joy of reading. My sister's happy about that, too, since now she won't have to fight with me over the computer as much.
Rating: Summary: Great book! Review: From the beginning to the end, Goodkind tells a griping story that won't leave you bored for a minute. This has got to be the best love story/fantasy combination that exists. I completely disagree with the frothing review that contends Goodkind is some sort of sick person. The story contains adult and mature content indeed, both qualities of which I suspect the previous reviewer does not have.
Rating: Summary: The most amazing book ever written Review: Terry Goodkind is the most amazing author. and iam not inexperienced in the field of fantasy books. His books are long, but u r so into them 200 pages go by before u realize that u have turned a page. He makes his characters so realasitic it wouldnt surprise u if u bumped into them. They r amazing books, he is my fav author. I cannot wait until the next book comes out.
Rating: Summary: Amazing Fantasy Review: To be completely honest, I read the first third of this book and almost stopped because there was nothing special about it. The reader finds out pretty much everything in the form of who is who within the first hundred pages and there is very little character development, if any. Luckily, I decided to tough out the book and finish it. I couldn't have been more sorry if I hadn't. Goodkind sends the reader on a journey though a very corrupt world of hidden magic. Unlike most other epic series writers, Goodkind tells a very good story and does not leave loose ends untied while still leaving the reader wanting more. There is a dark way that one sees the story told in Wizard's First Rule and suspense will keep you reading if nothing else. Throughout the story, the characters do take on a life of their own and become very unique and different. Also, it is not hard in the slightest to keep up with what is happening or who is who, but that does not mean that the book is too simple. If anything it makes the story better because one does not have to go back and reread or try to remember who every character is and where they stand every time there is a scene with them. All in all, this is a great and well told epic fantasy that all should read. And while Goodkind seems to have borrowed from Robert Jordan for the Sword of Truth series, don't let that discourage you into thinking that Goodkind does not tell a enthralling and distinctive story.
Rating: Summary: Gripping Love Story!!!!!! Review: Thw Wizard's First Rule is a wonderful Fantasy Book! It has everything a Fantasy fan would want. The central character is of course thrown into his new role of "The Seeker" with the usual cast of fantasy characters a Wizard a Beautiful Woman the evil Darken Rahl and an assortmant of belivable side characters. I have read Jordan and Terry 's book have a little more of an edge to them, what I mean is there is a little more adult content. That gets me to the love story between Ricard and Kahlan. This sub-plot of the book made me turn the next page in a way no other book has. There relationship just grabs at your gut and makes you care for the characters in a real and personal way. It really makes a good fantasy epic with all the usual exotic worlds and exicting characters into a more real life experiance. If you like Jordan and Tolkein BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!! You will not regret it.
Rating: Summary: Mediocre! Review: I decided to give this series a try. In the Netherlands the amount of Fantasy series is less then in some other countries, and this is one of the series that is in nearly every bookstore. So it probably sells decently. Now that unfortunately is not a measure of quality. What i did not like about this book! I am about 50 pages from the end, but decided to give my review anyway. For all i disliked its simplicity. There is one storyline. And only one! It all circles about our hero Richard. (Some very small diversions to other characters but those can be neglected) And some of the things that happen are very coincidental, like the finding of a certain magical object. A bit too coincidental in my opinion! Futhermore the author drags on some scenes until the point where i got the feeling "Oké, now we got the idea", like the whole Denna-thing. The whole concept/plot is rather cliche. But on the other hand. It is a fairly easy read. And i have seen worse. I'm not sure whether i will read on in the series. Maybe if the library has them, and i'm out of other thing to read.
Rating: Summary: Beating a Dead Horse Review: More tired fantasy for a literate audience of readers desperate for decent prose. The same old elements: youth with magical powers discovered during adolescence (calling Dr. Freud...) , a plucky girl who puts him in his place but needs saving CONSTANTLY, and a Gandalf wannabee. Deliver me from this tired old recipe. Puhleeese. The thing that makes this book catchy is that it combines a 6th grade writing style with sado-erotic scenes inappropriate for anyone with a brain. Just right for all those 8th graders lapping this up. Sigh.
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