Rating: 
Summary: Despite the reviews, this is a great series....
Review: Despite what others say about this book and the series that follow it, Goodkind does an amazing job of storytelling. There is a saying, "there is nothing new under the sun," and this holds true in writing fantasy as well.
There are only so many ways you can tell the story of one destined to discover himself and overcome evil. What sets books apart are the authors and their delivery of the story. In this book and the Sword of Truth series Goodkind writes in a style that doesn't drag the story down with too much detail (something Stephen King is bad about, and in the world of fantasy, something I couldn't get past in George R. R. Martin's first book) but he doesn't leave so much detail out that you dont have a connection with the book.
Throughout this entire series Goodkind makes a connection between the reader and the characters. I've tried reading all sorts of books only to find myself put off by complicated names of an author trying to hard to distance their book from reality, too much detail that bores me and drags the story down, and the like. George R.R. Martin is the latest offender in this. Granted it may be a great book and series but I cant get past the story jumping around every chapter and following different lines.
With all of that said, Terry Goodkind's works are the only books I've ever been so involved in that I go to bed much later than I should reading them, only to find myself waking up an hour or two earlier than I normally do just to get more reading in before school or work. Maybe this book doesn't appeal to older people, but I started reading this series when I was 16 years old in high school, and now I'm out of college and intensely in the middle of Chainfire, Goodkind's latest book in the series.
The ONLY thing that seems repetative about any of Goodkind's books is the constant folly that Richard faces through the series, but Goodkind pulls it off. Maybe those who think Goodkind is being preachy in his works have no morals or are of such a simplistic mindset that they cant entertain and appreciate thoughts and beliefs that dont parallel their own, but if you're an educated and open minded person who likes a great story that is a bit more "real world" with a twist of classic fantasy (magic and the like) then Goodkind's series should be right up your ally. Do yourself a favor and pick up Wizard's First Rule.
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Summary: Suspense, Drama, Romance, Horror, Fantasy...its all here!
Review: Every once in a while something special happens...
Often you have no control over that event, occasionally you do.
If you want to read something that will leave you spellbound (pun intended), and asking yourself questions way after the book is complete then this is the novel for you.
As much an encapsulation of most popular genres of fiction all rolled into one this book is not for the faint hearted, containing many suspenseful scenes, much horror and gore, packed with drama and a beuatiful love story in the making.
Be warned the novel is quite lengthy, and may have you burning the midnight oil to reach its dazzling conclusion.
Goodkind has an uncanny and rare talent for making you care about the fate of the characters and leaving each chapter craving you for more. Additionally, there is a fantastic fan based site on www.terrygoodkind.com where you are welcomed to discuss and debate all aspects of the book.
This is the first novel in the 'Sword of Truth' Series and the tenth (including a brief prequel) is soon to hit the shops.
Some people might be put off by the length of the novel (over 700 pages) but almost from the onset its an incredible tale and one which continues to build as the adventure unfolds.
Some people might compare elements in the storyline to 'The Lord of the Rings' or 'Star Wars' or a few other classics. I'd beg to differ - Its a tale that works on so many levels - there is an underlying philosophical structure, a multi layed intricately woven storyline and something that will appeal to teenagers and adults alike, each finding much to appease their interest.
Try it for yourself.. what have you got to lose?
Rating: 
Summary: Great book, horrible series
Review: Great book, one of my favorites and the reason that I loved Goodkind so much. In fact, his fist four books are extraordinary, they really are. Well written with great dialogue.
Then something happened. His series turns to rambling lectures and long two page, one sided, uninterrupted dialogue. Explanations that were meant for two year olds. The series is now to a point where is is the opposite of what was the beginning. In the beginning his books made his career, made him someone that was looked to as the benchmark for fantasy. Now, with his last two to three installments, he is destroying his career, digging his grave just so that he can make a few extra bucks and prolong the series. Maybe he exhausted all his good writing and ideas in the first few books. Who knows, but what is certain is that he certainly lost it somewhere.
If you are considering starting to read this series, don't. As good as the first few books are, the series will suck your intelligence from you and leave you bewildered, wondering why you even wasted the time to read Goodkind's books.
Rating:
Summary: Wizard's first rule
Review: I absolutely LOVE this book! I've enjoyed fantasy books for a while, but this book really cemented my love of that genre. It's exciting, fun, intriguing... everything you could possibly want in a fantasy book! I got totally immersed in the world and couldn't put the book down. My only complaint is that it eventually came to an end!
And even better, the rest of the series is just as good!
Rating: 
Summary: Not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach.
Review: I had a lot of trouble putting this book down. The times when I did were times when I absolutely could not stand the torture being put on characters I loved.This novel, as far as genre novels go, is pretty cliche. There aren't a whole lot of big surprises. You have your ranger, your wizard, your evil baddie who's so strong they have to work up to him, yadda yadda yadda. You have your impossible quest, your beautiful woman, and even a dragon. Yippee!! All that being said, this was a wonderful, character-driven piece that had me on the edge of my seat. Every single character lived and breathed with his or her own personality, and there wasn't a weak character in the batch. The good guys were *so* good and so charismatic that at times I had to get up and walk away because I couldn't stand what was happening to them anymore, and with one exception, the bad guys were *so* bad that I rejoiced when bad things happened to them. I have no problem with black and white, and there was no doubt in this one who the good guys and bad guys were. The sole exception was the Mord-Sith, Mistress Denna, who had more layers than you normally see in a genre novel. At first, I hated her and really wanted to hurt this fictional character. But by the end, I nearly wept for her and what her life had been. Warning: The torture and murder scenes are graphic. If, like me, you have a vivid imagination and can't stand the thought of someone being in pain, open the book at your own peril. If you love children and can't stand the thought of anyone hurting them, think twice before you read the book. But if you love a good, character-driven story where you really get to know the people in the book, it's a wonderful read, and a fast one, considering it's an 800-pager.
Rating: 
Summary: Worthy reading for adults
Review: I just want to add my two cents to the myriads of reviews already posted here. I am in my late 20s and I thoroughly enjoyed this book so if you are an adult you can pick this book up to satisfy your need for some fun fantasy reading. A Song of Ice and Fire it is not but I will continue to read books in this series while I wait for Feast. Goodkind was able to make overdone fantasy elements such as wizard's fire and dragons seem fresh but the real treat of this book is the pacing of the plot. This is the most evenly paced fantasy book I think I have read. Goodkind's world and plot development offset the action moments perfectly unlike Jordan's books which get too bogged down with goofy character interactions.
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Summary: Good essay on the morality of war
Review: I see all these complaints about the soap box of the author... Cha... That is the point of reading, to engage the mind! Now when a movie does that well, yes, that is irratating, when an author invites you to examine the way you think through his story he has done his job. Now if the characters don't generate your interest, simpathy, or antipathy, then you won't continue to read. Then you will have changed the way the author writes, or he/she will go broke.
That being said, I think that certain members of congress, and senate, not to mention our allies, could stand some of the preaching in this story. Now while I will admit, that some of the writing seems to be dumbed down, and that some is way too gruesome,(the whole details on the mord sith I could have done without), and it would be infinately more readable, if the author would take a class in being concise (it seems like he might get paid by the page sometimes),I have enjoyed each of the stories and started on each one since the third, the week they come out. And finally, as to the Jordan comparison, the wheel of time and the Sword of truth stories are basically the same story, no doubt about it. Guess what? The sword of Truth stories are better, precisely because of the preaching. So there you go.
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Summary: Worst dialogue EVER.
Review: It really was painful to read. The plot was fine, despite being incredibly typical. The dialogue, however, was childish to the point of being absurd. Read any of the exchanges between the two main characters out loud and you'll see what I mean. Many passages where characters conversed in this book were so unrealistic they were unintentionally funny... NOT recommended
Rating: 
Summary: Flat, dull, and cliched
Review: Okay. I started reading this book without knowing that Goodkind apparently feels he has "transcended" the fantasy genre. On his website, he spends great amounts of verbiage stating that he is "more than a fantasy writer". We are treated to such insight as:
"Terry's first goal, and any author for that matter, is to tell a story. Whether the story is fiction or non-fiction, the story always follows a specific formula: beginning, middle, climax, end."
This is just a sample. Read throught his website, and you'll find an unceasing flow of pretentiousness that this reader found overwhelming.
All this could be forgiven, perhaps, if Goodkind actually wrote something which comes even close to actually doing what he thinks his books do. Rather than "transcending" the genre, this book is a completely tired cliche of a fantasy book. The young man who against his will is pulled into an epic struggle. The mysterious woman he falls in love with. The magical object he must wield to save the world. The powerful wizard, disguised as an old harmless man. Please.
On top of this, the writing is flat and dull. And the main characters are stupid. Literally. Richard's brother has become First Councilor of Westland. He gives a speech about the "boundary" with the Midlands one day falling, about "peace" with those in the Midlands, and, seeminlgy at random, about the evil of fire.
In the next chapter, the mysterious woman Kahlan tells Richard that the boundary between D'Hara and the Midlands has disappeared, the evil armies came and somehow the people had been brainwashed to want "peace" with them, and rather than fight gave in to them; and that the evil leader, Darken Rhal has banned fire.
And Richard (and Kahlan), see no connection between Michael's speech and the events that took place in the Midlands. Like I said, stupid. Which is what this book is.
Read George R.R. Martin. Or even early Robert Jordan. Just not this crap.
Rating:
Summary: LONG...SLOW...DULL AND NO FUN AT ALL
Review: Terry Goodkind is the greatest thing to happen to fantasy since Tolkien. Just as him, he will tell you so. I remember when I first read this book many years ago. i got the first three in the series when I joined the Sci-Fi book club. I thought i was in for a grand epic fantasy. Boy was I wrong. I made it through the first two books but that's as far as i could get through this tedious display of fantasy self-gratification. Goodkind has evidently decided to race Robert Jordan to see who can put out the most books in a series that tired long ago.
Wizard's first Rule presents nothing original, which in an of itself is no crime. Nothing wrong with borrowing a basic plot of simple guy who's prophesized to become the hero by questing for and wielding the powerful artifact and destroying the evil bad guy...We've seen the plot done many, many times. But never has it been done so dreadfully, painfully boring as in Goodkind's story. The biggest drawback to the series for me is that I just didn't like either of the main characters, Richard or Kahlan. I found nothing about them that made me care about them or their quest. His world of the Midlands was as bland as his characters and seemed lifeless.
I cannot imagine having stayed with this series for six more books. I'd be willing to give Goodkind another try if he started a new project but as it is now, he seems more interested in cashing his royalty checks than making anything original.
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