Rating: 
Summary: A GREAT beginning to one of the BEST Fantasy series ever...
Review: I had toyed with the idea of picking up 'Wizard's First Rule' on several occasions, but for some reason or another, I kept going with something else. Maybe it was because most of the fantasy available today was (by my own standards) drivel...I was also afraid of wasting another 7-bucks on something that I would eventually give up on after a hundred pages or so. But I finally DID IT -- and after I started it, I suddenly realized how much I had cheated myself during all that time. Rarely will a first-time author have what it takes capture my imagination, AND deliver such a satisfying tale as well, but Terry Goodkind pulled it off.Richard Cypher, mild-mannered wood guide from a small town is suddenly and violently pushed into a battle between good & evil, one that he never even knew existed. All at once Richard discovers a few strange, not to mention difficult-to-accept facts: his friend Zedd isn't what he seems and neither is Richard. This is FAR from the typical Good Vs. Evil fantasy fare available today. Traveling between the Boundaries and meeting dragons, ultimate betrayal and a particularly difficult woman who is bent on torturing Richard to the brink of death -- over and over again...only to be faced with Darken Rahl, who is more ruthless than anyone Richard has ever known, and yet he is much closer to him than he thought possible. The scope and vision that Goodkind has created with this 1st volume in the Sword of Truth series is still my favorite, and to this day ranks as my all-time favorite fantasy novel in print (outside of the impossible to beat Lord of the Rings). Just who IS Kahlan anyway? Is she who she says she is, or is she something more? Can Richard cross the seemingly impossible chasm that ultimately forces all Confessors to live a life without a TRUE & loving mate? How does Zedd fit into all of this? And let's not forget the Sword of Truth given to Richard by Zedd...what can it do? What DOES it do to Richard? I must admit, I absolutely LOVED this book. I have read it several times, which I rarely (if ever) do, and I give it my HIGHEST recommendation to all Fantasy lovers. A quick word of warning to those who have yet to start this series: BEWARE...it gets under your skin. So far (for me anyway) a couple of the books have failed to even come close to some of the other books that follow 'Wizard's First Rule', but do not let that stop you from
starting this amazingly entertaining series (do NOT expect too much from 'Soul of the Fire' or 'The Pillar's of Creation'--otherwise this series is incredibly impressive). Terry Goodkind is simply one of the greatest Fantasy storytellers in print today, and I would even go so far as to say of ALL TIME...but that of course is just my opinion. Give the 'Sword of Truth' a shot and you'll soon see what I mean.
Rating: 
Summary: Something about it . . .
Review: I can't decide if I continued reading this book because I had no others handy (read it at the in laws), or because I was caught up in something about it. The writing leaves something to be desired, and the characters really annoyed me for the most part--I didn't care one whit whether they lived or died. Yet the action and the pace were pretty good--engrossing on some level. The torture scenes with the S&M mistress were awfully exploitive, but upsetting nonetheless. However, my one underlying thought while I read this book was "Dear God I hope the story ends because there is no way on earth I could read 3 more books of drivel like this!" Luckily, it does end, so you could read the first book and never pick up Goodkind again.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid, simple, self-contained
Review: This is a solid, simple fantasy novel with the usual unwitting hero and uber-evil villain. The twist is the actual connection between the hero and villain. There are interesting magics, creepy torture, heinous anti-erotica, and minor twists on cultural archetypes (i.e., the beatific native/aboriginal/tribalist). Goodkind has some strong views that come across in his writing. He obviously believes in good and evil. He detests communism (and its adjuncts, totalitarianism and state-decreed socialism). He places high value upon personal integrity and loyalty and has a true sense of self. This book, and his second book Stone of Tears, are very good. They are also essentially self-contained, as are all the books in the series. The series goes downhill thereafter, however, as Richard and Kahlan's love descends towards the maudlin, dialogue tends towards excessive explanation (the characters explain their motives to each other a bit too much) and the plotlines fray.
Rating:
Summary: Good - but not a must read.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of Science Fantasy and this book drew me in. I couldn't put it down. I found the scenery and the characters to be inventive and exciting. I was however a little disappointed by the end. I enjoyed the book until about the last 100 hundred pages. And, while it was still good, it just seemed to drop a little. The plot seemed a little rushed - or just not a developed as it could be. Some of the scenes were a little disturbing. And the end was kind of chopped - I realize that's because this is series - but you couldn't really tell if there was more to the story or if this was the end. As for the comparisons to the Wheel of Time series (which I think are wonderful). There may be some remote similarities - but I didn't feel that Goodkind copied Jordon's books at all. I think they are similar subject materials - but Goodkind isn't near as intricate as Jordon (you can't compare that). And Jordon is definately the better writer. This book left me curious to read the next book in the series - but it's not a must go out and get the next book!! So - if you are looking for a good read - I recommend it - but it probably won't be the best book you have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Helloo ,lighten up!!
Review: Listen people, any one who gives the SoT series a bad rap needs to learn ONE THING. Terry Goodkind Is a Lawyer Not some Language Professor who spent his whole Life in The library Like warren in the palace of the prophets. So would you people BACK OFF!!! And another thing most of you are saying that he copies Robert Jorden's charecters and plots. Yet you Dont give an Example of what he ripped off...
Rating:
Summary: Terrific!
Review: Terry Goodkind writes an awsome story that involves: great characters, great storyline, and lots more! Richard Cypher (Rahl) and Kahlan Amnell (The mother confessor) set out to stop the D'Haran Ruler Darken Rahl. This book had me on the edge of ym seat the whole time! It is beautifully written and Terry Goodkind has my praise. Read this one and then continue on with the rest of the series!
Rating:
Summary: !!!Amazing!!!
Review: This was an amazing book. I am not an adult. I am 13 years old and the way everyone rates this book as innappropriate is appalling. The plot and detail was extremely intriguing and what do you really think 10 year olds don't know about sex. I mean really. I found this book to be better than all the Harry Potter series although I've only read Wizard's First Rule and don't plan to read the others. This book is no more innappropriate than The Lord of the Rings series which I found to be similar and also very good.
Rating:
Summary: One of the VERY Best!!
Review: I cannot believe how much I love this series! I have read books 1-3 of this series already. I just got book 4 and I cannot wait to get done with the drudgery of my day and just plop myself down and ENJOY! I don't know about anyone else but when I read Fantasy I not only am taken away from life as we know it - but I learn so much about human frailty and how to conquer it! The heros in Wizard's First Rule are so solid and human! I have written some of the beautiful gems from this book and the next 2 to look at again. Terry Goodkind has some very wonderful insights into the human condition. He's an amazing writer and I suggest that if you don't want to spend your time reading until the book is finished - then don't read this because it never, ever gets boring! This is a dynamite series!
Rating:
Summary: Best series I've read
Review: My wife reads those 300 page large print christian romance garbage novels, but I persuaded her to try this one and she is hooked. I started by reading the fourth book in the series, but when I was about half way through it I just went and bought all the rest of them because Goodkinds writng is so good. I read them all straight through and am looking forward to reading them again.
Rating:
Summary: Better than most fantasies,. but not for kids..
Review: I cannot beleive people are comparing George RR Martin to Goodkind's series. I read more than half of a Game of Thrones and was bored to frigging tears by it. I am a fan of David Eddings first 2 series , and Jordan's Wheel of time as well.
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