Rating: 
Summary: Auspicious beginnings!
Review: I usually dislike starting a new series when I know that it will be years before some kind of closure is reached with the characters. However, this book does a good job of introducing you to a new world, but still wrapping up a story arc in the first volume. Terry Goodkind is a welcome addition to the ranks of fantasy's top storytellers - Raymond Feist, Robert Jordan, David Eddings, and Terry Brooks (some of my other favorites)
Rating: 
Summary: Not the worst I've read
Review: The worst is probably the other books in this series. The only reason I gave this book 2 stars is for the interesting creatures and magics that are revealed. In the other books all of that isnt exciting anymore and all we're left with is too perfect characters and horrible dialogue. Also, the level of sex in this book makes it almost a fantasy porn. yuck
Rating: 
Summary: I had mixed feelings about this one...
Review: I am very ambivalent about Terry Goodkind's writing. On one hand, the world that he has created is very well-developed, the plot is interesting, and the characters are very likeable. On the other hand, the writing is just not that great. This is especially evident in the dialogue, which just doesn't read like real people talk. As I was reading this book, I was both enthralled by the plot and at the same time, put off by the flat, unrealistic way the characters spoke. Definitely not among the top ranks of fantasy series - but to Terry Goodkind's credit, I was interested enough to buy the second book so I could find out what happened next!
Rating: 
Summary: Waste of time and money
Review: I had been looking for a decent fantasy series to read for a while, and someone told me that Goodkind's Sword of Truth series was a good read. I was very excited to beging reading Wizards First Rule. However, right from the beginning, I was dissapointed. The characters are weakly developed, we jump right into the adventure without much backstory, ect. Goodkind's writting style is weak, at best. He uses many cliche's and is very unoriginal. I rarely give up on books, but this book had so many bad aspects, i had to put it down. I couldn't even imagine trying to read the entire series. I do not recomend this book to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: An Epic of Adventure and Danger
Review: This is the first book I have read in the genre of fantasy and therefore didn't really know what to expect nor have anything to compare it to. I was pulled into Goodkind's world of magic and danger. This being my first fantasy novel, I did have to keep an open mind about wizards and talking dragons, as much of the story did seem far fetched. I found it difficult to put this book down as I kept wanting to know how Richard would overcome his next obstacle. Even though some scenes dragged on for too long and the dialogue was a bit cheesy at times, this is a very well thought out and engaging story where I experienced many different emotions while reading it. I admired Richard's courage, Kahlan's unselfishness, Zedd's Witt and little Rachel's bravery. It is now a goal of mine to read each book in the series as I have just begun to read STONE OF TEARS.
Rating:
Summary: Horrific writing. Downright drivel
Review: I picked this book up while travelling to Australia. I am sad to say, I was very dissapointed by it's writing. It was predictable in the extreme... it's characters were terrible and the world Goodkind has conjured up is trite and unimaginative.I actually threw this book away.
Rating:
Summary: Average writing, but interesting world
Review: After reviewing several of the comments made by readers of this book I'm a bit surprised at the negative reaction to the Mord-Sith passages (labeled as disguised S&M by many reviewers). I have to admit that it wasn't until the book introduced this "race" of people that I really became entranced. The M-S were frightening and disturbing, and yet this evil brought home the book's central plot point regarding good vs. evil (and the often times grayness between the two) like nothing else did. To me, that juxtaposition (love and hate, life and death, good and evil) and the way one's perspective can change your definitions of each was facsinating. People who want absolutes should look elsewhere. Those who believe there may be a reason for everything (even an objectionable one), will like this book. Unfortunately, the rest of the book was simply an above average fantasy yarn. Many times the dialogue was weak and cliched, usually when the book lapsed into the "hero mode." The betrayal by one character was obvious (I believe) at practically the introduction of that character very early in the book. It was shockingly clear soon after and annoying that the main protagonists didn't see it. This book was good enough to try #2 in the series. Perhaps the writer will grow and that, combined with the world that was created, will in the end create a memorable series.
Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING!
Review: A good friend of mine told me about this series. I have heard alot about it but never actually read any of the books. I'm sorry I did not read it sooner. It was great, the story line kept me guessing, and the characters were well constructed.The plot moved well and there was an equal mix of action, romance, intrigue. I can't wait to read the 2nd book(STONE OF TEARS). I love large books, some folks might say 800 or so pages is a bit drawn out, I disagree. The longer the better as long as the writing is good and in this case it's great! Pick this one up you will not be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: overrated, derivative tripe
Review: A waste of paper and time. The book is a thinly cloaked S&M fantasy dressed up as an "epic." Wooden characters, stilted and monotonous writing, a plot that develops no original ideas, and an excess of violence that often seems to have no clear relation to the plot (such as it is). The appeal of this book is frightening--and doesn't speak well of the market for fantasy. This is the only book I've gotten rid of in a long career of reading.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely impressive debut for Goodkind!
Review: I loved this book. It was endlessly imaginitive and creative. Wizard's First Rule is great! Every part was full of magic and made you want to read on and on! I read it in only a few days it was that good! All TRUE fantasy lovers will enjoy this! SO READ IT AND LOVE IT! (also read all of the other Sword of Truth books too! )
|
