Rating: Summary: A classic redone Review: Alright. I finished this book, thick as it is, in three days. I had to know what happened to the characters. Besides the whole Good versus Evil ploy, which happenes SO often, this book also had elements of humanity. Surprise surprise, no one is perfect. I liked Richard, I though he was learning along with the rest of us just who he is. I like Kahlan, a strong, though idealized, female character. I thought the book reflected both the darkness and light of people, to risk sounding cliched. If ya like Guy Gavriel Kay, read this book. If ya like a twist on Jordan/Tolkien (who, although a fantasy master, I DO NOT think is a writing master)/Eddings/who ever writes Dragonlance series, read this book. And if ya just want to identify and escape, read this book. It's worth it.
Rating: Summary: I enjoyed it. Review: If you are debating whether or not to pick up the Sword of Truth novels, please let me offer my supplication. I have noticed that these novels seem to elicit extreme responses from readers. Either a person hates them for one reason or another, or he/she loves them fiercely. I find myself in the latter category- I can't quite make up my mind whether they will ever come to be considered "timeless classics" or just another series of New York Times bestsellers, but I suppose it really does not matter. I have enjoyed these books more than any other that I can remember. I can't recall ever reading books that stir such visceral emotions- Terry Goodkind takes you on an emotional roller coaster for all it's worth. If you're sitting on the fence, I'd say give it a try. If you don't like it, you can always put the book down. If you like it, well, you have at least six more delightful books to look forward to.
Rating: Summary: The best Fantasy opener to date... Review: I was absolutely marveled by the new visions that Goodkind has given us in this, the first volume of the Sword of Truth series. As an avid reader and a fantasy lover, I am more moved by Terry's works than any other fantasy author-including Tolkein-primarily because his characters are so brilliantly written. I think Goodkind has made a very human world for us to imagine and relate to. Each individual has a face and their own values and beliefs, and when I read Goodkind I can picture these people doing exactly what they are doing in each given scene. Goodkind proves that, while he might not be the greatest writer out there, he is one of the best storytellers of our time.
Rating: Summary: entertaining as long as you dont think too much Review: This is actually my first fantasy and I found it... entertaining. Although the hero Richarch Cypher was very whinny and the dialogue is not that good ("friends"?), I was still engrossed till the very end. Goodkind did a good job in maintaining the pace, though as another reviewer said, It did reminded me of an anime :) I also agree with the other review about the book as a male fantasy (sadistic fantasy actually if you count the mordsith torture scenes). I'm giving it 4 stars because I enjoyed reading it. My advise to others: go ahead read it, just don't take it too seriously or you'll go carzy, afterall its just fanasy.
Rating: Summary: Great Story Review: Wizard's First Rule is a well put together story that will keep you flipping pages to get to the next chapter. I finished this book then moved on to Stone of Tears and am now reading Blood of the Fold. Each book contains themes that will be answered as the books unfold, but each book is complete with a satisfying ending and won't leave you hanging until the next book. I don't know how he does it but these books will make you want to spend more time outdoors instead of sitting in front of the TV. Also, Truth, Honor, and Loyalty and the ability to make hard decisions is a major focal point of these books. So if these things still matter to you, hop on board for a thrilling ride.
Rating: Summary: 821 pages of action Review: I have only recently started to read books again, and this book is one of the best stories I have ever read, watched, or heard. The action, and intrigue begin around twenty pages or so and dont stop until the ending. This authour has a wonderfull way of showing different perspectives of the same events, and an exceptional talent for keeping the reader from putting down the book. I would recomend this book to anyone and everyone!!
Rating: Summary: A BLOODY GREAT BOOK Review: I believe that Terry Goodkind has done a fantastic job on this book. Even if the story is a TAD predictable in places, most of the book kept me on the edge of my seat, wanting more. I really liked the character Kahlan. She was a very complex character, which added another dimension to the story. Zedd, well he is a dead boring character really. I NEVER guessed that he was who Kahlan was looking for at the start. But really, who, in the real world would have a beatiful women following you around, rare and amazing powers and a whole country of people willing to give up their lives for you, like Richard? Thats what books are for though, to create situations like that, arent they? stuff like that aint gonna happen in the real world. But the book was amusing, and i have now read all of the Sword of Truth books.I have enjoyed them immensely, despite the points i have metioned above! Overall this book is FAB!
Rating: Summary: Masochism, anime, and a major migraine. Review: It's been a while since I've read this book, perhaps a few years back, actuually, but I do remember why I got it. Imagine this: I'm in a book store with a limited amount of money, maybe enough for two paperbacks. Wanting to get my money's worth and passed over smaller (but much better) books to try out this monster of a novel, what a great deal! I figured that even after I finish this one, Mr. Goodkind has other books in the series to keep me interested for a good long time. I soon realized that I should've listened once again to the age-old morals I've been taught as a child but never listened to. Quality, not quantity. To give the author proper due, he does describe everything in full and rich detail, painting a picture of the scene before you. Unfortunately, my praise has to stop there. Every character within the story happens to be a flat, one-dimensional stereotypical person, with changes in personality that doesn't make any type of sense. As another reviewer mentioned, a lot of focus was placed on 'friends' and what they do for each other. Oh oh, I'm getting queasy just remembering this. It was very painful to read, but I spent money on it so I will damn well read the whole thing even if it made me physically ill. The only thing that made it tolerable and maybe even a bit more enjoyable was imagining the whole book as an anime (and I do love anime :) ).. then all the melodrama and posturing made more sense, not to mention all the kinky S&M + over the top torture. The only redeeming thing about this novel is that it is a fairly enclosed book (ie. doesn't end with a cliffhanger) so I wouldn't be forced to read another just to finish the 'story'. I did finish the book, however, and it is now with a friend somewhere on the other side of the continent with the hope that she reads a bit of it and tell me if it is really that bad or that I am just nuts. I think it is rightfully still gathering dust on a shelf somewhere.
Rating: Summary: Wizard's First Rule Review: This book was my first experience with science fiction fantasy. I couldn't have made a better choice. Wizard's First Rule was spellbinding from the first page to the last. The characters were real and extremely likable. I look forward to reading each book in the series.
Rating: Summary: One-sided characters and overt politcal views Review: This book disappointed me for several reasons. Firstly, it seemed too clever and too perfect, especially when it came to the static main character, Richard. Through the whole book, I got the feeling that this was Terry Goodkind's fantasy: to be perfectly clever and all-powerful (Richard) and travel with a beautiful woman (Kahlan) who wanted nothing more than to follow him around and tell him how clever he is. At the end of the book, when Richard became involved in a some sexual S&M, my suspicions were confirmed. This books is nothing but a male fantasy created by Goodkind, right down to the overt political views he expresses in it. There is a distinctly anti-feminist vein. All of the women in the Midlands hate Kahlan because they are jealous of her, because she is the only woman there who is not subordinate to a male. Kahlan, on the other hands, thinks their wishes for independence are stupid, because she admits to herself that being ruled by a lover is all she really wants. I won't even get into the blatant Anti-communist, pro-republican dogma Goodkind tries to force on the reader with about as much tact as Richard himself. Plenty of the other reviews cover that. This novel may fulfill male sexual fantasies- I wouldn't know, being female. as just a fantasy-reader, however, it did nothing for me. Most the world Goodkind introduces to us is bland and unoriginal, with distinct Terry Brooks overtones. Some scenes drag on, while other important ones are written in a choppy style which is probably to make it more suspenseful, but only leaves the reader feeling unfulfilled. One thing I did like about this book is that it ended in a satisfactory manner, and it can be read alone rather than as just part of a mammoth series. It leaves an opening for the novels that follow, but still gives the readers closure. This is lucky, because although it made for an interesting read, I don't feel compelled to read anymore about these shallow characters.
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