Rating: 
Summary: A total flatliner...
Review: After having read the long line of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time books, I decided to start reading a new series while waiting for book ten to emerge. So I picked up Wizard's First Rule. From the beginning, and all throughout the book, I kept getting the feeling that Goodkind doesn't know a thing about humanizing his characters. Their dialogue is so formulatic and flat, I thought it was written by a ten year old. As for the world itself, I was hoping for something more akin to a tapestry of different customs and cultures. Sure, there is a whole variety of different folk in this book, however, they were like cardboard cutouts. The only character where Goodkind shows a spark of complexity was with the Mord-Sith Denna, but the repeated torture scenes were beginning to lose their last breath very quickly. I found nothing remotely original, and the ending played out like the conclusion to a Scooby Doo episode. And there was a lack of continuity with Richard's transformation between a bumbling woodsman and a super warrior type. There wasn't enough of the moral struggle that wasn't spurred on by the effects the sword has on its user. And I could see from a mile away the betrayal of his brother Micheal from the very first scene. Richard was apparently so intuitive throughout the entire book, but he could not bridge the gap between Darken Rahl's desire to have the boundaries broken and the outlawing of fire, and the same things his brother was spouting in his speech in the first quarter of the book? I can't say exactly what drove me through this book. It was either my dislike for leaving things unfinished. It could also have been that I was a victim of Wizard's First Rule- people are stupid. And I guess Terry Goodkind has a point there, as his publishers seems to have fallen victim to the same rule.
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing fantasy!
Review: Wizard's First Rule is the first in an ongoing series by Goodkind. This is a truly wonderful book on many different levels. Our hero Richard is a well developed character with a mysterious lineage. His grandfather Zed is also an enigma but an enjoyable character with his magical antics. Being a woodsman, Richard stumbles across a beautiful woman who is being attacked by 4 large men. That is where the story begins and takes the reader through some interesting adventures with Richard, Kahlan and Zed. It's definitely worth reading if your a fantasy fan. I recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Great!!!!
Review: This is the begining of a great series. Right now there are six books, and they are all amazing. Goodkind's books are completly diffrent then Tolkins, or Robert Jordans, or J.K. Rowling. They are much better, which is hard to belive. The first book immeditly hooks you with its fast paced action, and a love story entwiend with a fight against evil. Goodkind shows a great understanding of the way that fantsay books should be written. He does not put too much or too little magic into his books. The main charecter is wonderfuly done, as are all the other charecters. One of Goodkind's streanghts is that unlike almost any other Good/Evil fantasy book, he makes the bad guy not totaly evil. There are times when you want Richard (the main charecter) to join him (the bad guy), because he is so cool. The bad guys in the books, also unlike others are made so that you know that they think that they are doing good, and the good guy by your perspective is bad. These twists, and all the other things that make this book so good are well done. Almost anyone would like this book. I know that I sure did. :-)
Rating: 
Summary: Bad at what it does, good at everything else.
Review: An unforgettable book, al;though a tad cliched at times. Goodkind has a go at creating his own fantasy world, but falls short by an inch. He "creates" everything from his own mind, but it is mostly the same things we've always seen, with new masks painted on. Same err.. poop?... different laxative. His wizards can use "additive" or "subtractive" magic, adding onto, and subtracting from what already exists. Thats just mentioning one of the many detailed creatures in his world. A very good book from front to back, even if it may be a bit repetitive in some locations. The bottom line: Good book, but not quite Tolkien
Rating:
Summary: An original work
Review: I had been reading fantasy for quite a while, and I got this book at the local library. it hooked me from the first page, and I never let go till I reached the end. Goodkind manages to turn upside down most of the clichés of fantasy ( the hero ususally turns out to be a secret heir to some crown or another, but i had not expected Richard to be the villain's son), and to deliver an original plot in a genre that has been much overworked. One drawback,though: it can sometimes get a little too violent. I am not particurlarly squeamish, but there were times when it was too much violent, too much reminiscient of a horror story. Those were the points when I was tempted to put the book down. But on the whole, the book is definitely on my list of 'must-read'
Rating:
Summary: Wizard's First Rule-A Magnificent Work
Review: To read Terry Goodkind's work, is to read of a world as equally real and more enthralling than that which we live in. As the pages turn, you see what the characters see, feel what they feel, and you are truly there with them every step of the way. I have read the entire series now, lacking only Faith of the Fallen, and I can barely wait to get my hands on that one. If you don't read this book, and the others by Goodkind, you miss a rare opportunity to find an astonishingly real world. Excellent Work!
Rating:
Summary: Not a Tolkien Ripoff
Review: What I liked best about this 1st novel in a series is that as fantasy series go, this one is not a slavish imitation of Tolkien. You know the formula, group of questers from multiple races, a child or small creature who will show great power, immense unstoppable evil. The villain of the piece reminded me of some Ian Fleming Villain with a bent for magic. There's no innocent waif bonding with a magical creature as depicted in Norton or McCaffrey (with style) or Lackey (with none). I just found it to be an exciting fantasy with original touches. Yes, as pointed out, there is some sex but given the total lack of it in fantasies until now, it was bound to happen. Give it a try.
Rating:
Summary: I can't wait for the next books in the series to arrive
Review: I am new to fantasy novels. When a friend recommended "The Hobbit" I read it and loved it. I then read "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and thought that it was OK. This book blew them away by far. I read about 2 hours a day while I sit on a commuter train. This book caused me to miss my stop more than once. I actually have found myself looking forward to the commute because I know that I have the book in my bag waiting for me to delve back into it. I have never read anything like it. This is a book that some day I will pass down to my children for them to enjoy the way I am.
Rating:
Summary: Wizard's First Rule
Review: I was really surprised by the all of the nasty reviews that some of Terry Goodkind's books have recieved. I just finished this book and absolutely loved it! While laid up, I'm also going through Jordan's WoT stuff too so I can probably make a couple of good comparisons. 1) The whole relationship between Richard and Kahlan was one of those things that kept me reading this story. It didn't seem to be the run of the mill story where you know that they are going to get together. Their relationship seemed doomed from the start. 2) Unlike Rand al Thor, Richard does not seem to constantly be screaming into the sky and is willing to suck it up and accept what cards are dealt to him. 3)There is a definite sense of humor that doesn't distract from the story. The lighter moments were spaced enough to be enjoyable without taking away from the sense of urgency on the quest. The fact that both series seem be outpacing three trilogies does make me wonder about quality of the writing as you near book 8. The criticism's about copying plot devices abound in fantasy settings (how different are basic plots in Conan stories vs. Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser?). Terry Goodkind is able to spin his tale and make you forget about the fact that are sitting in a chair rather than standing in a forest in the Westland. If you find that happening (and I do!), then he has done an admirable job.
Rating:
Summary: truth
Review: This was a very good book that kept me guessing and hoping.....
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