Rating: Summary: Mediocre! Review: I decided to give this series a try. In the Netherlands the amount of Fantasy series is less then in some other countries, and this is one of the series that is in nearly every bookstore. So it probably sells decently. Now that unfortunately is not a measure of quality. What i did not like about this book! I am about 50 pages from the end, but decided to give my review anyway. For all i disliked its simplicity. There is one storyline. And only one! It all circles about our hero Richard. (Some very small diversions to other characters but those can be neglected) And some of the things that happen are very coincidental, like the finding of a certain magical object. A bit too coincidental in my opinion! Futhermore the author drags on some scenes until the point where i got the feeling "Oké, now we got the idea", like the whole Denna-thing. The whole concept/plot is rather cliche. But on the other hand. It is a fairly easy read. And i have seen worse. I'm not sure whether i will read on in the series. Maybe if the library has them, and i'm out of other thing to read.
Rating: Summary: Beating a Dead Horse Review: More tired fantasy for a literate audience of readers desperate for decent prose. The same old elements: youth with magical powers discovered during adolescence (calling Dr. Freud...) , a plucky girl who puts him in his place but needs saving CONSTANTLY, and a Gandalf wannabee. Deliver me from this tired old recipe. Puhleeese. The thing that makes this book catchy is that it combines a 6th grade writing style with sado-erotic scenes inappropriate for anyone with a brain. Just right for all those 8th graders lapping this up. Sigh.
Rating: Summary: Good read! Review: I enjoyed this book. It was a nice read. I guess I enjoy it more because I had read it when I was younger. However, if you want some good fantasy, check out Hobb, Herbert, etc.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Beginning Review: This book is absoslutely great. I have always enjoyed Jordan's fanatsy novels, but the superflous plotlines and his dragging out the plot gave me headaches. The world and its magic in the Sword of Truth series is similar to that of Jordan's. Although Terry Goodkind does not have the mastery of plot that Jordan possesses, this book is nevertheless great for its own reasons. The characters are amusing, the plot intriguing, and the world is astounding as well. Every part of the story is important and connects well with the rest. Plot twists are also suprising and yet believable. The characters are also likable and real, although they tend to get a little too mushy at times. Overall, I think this book is wonderful and a must-read for any fantasy lover.
Rating: Summary: The one book that is head and sholders above the rest Review: Great loved it it is what made me start reading to finish aook so I could readconstantly if you have not started the sieres the do it you owe it to your self
Rating: Summary: Uninspiring and Rehashed Review: Overall, I must say that this is the best book in the series thus far. Unfortunately, I cannot give the other books less than one star, so this will have to do. What is truly evident in this book series is that Goodkind has virtually no world building skills and even fewer character building skills. Top this off with his grand ability to skirt his own poorly created rules and you have a book/series that remains in almost constant chaos while the main characters somehow "become" the great world changers they are in the later books. Add to this the fact that Goodkind's overall writing style leaves me with more questions about how something happened than answers, and you have a book/series that gives the reader virtually nothing that has not been done or said before. Basically, if you enjoy reading the same story that virtually every other fantasy author has written, Goodkind is for you.
Rating: Summary: Definitely entertaining Review: I must preface this review by saying that I have not read many fantasy books. I've read Tolkien, a few Piers Anthony yarns, and, when I was seven, a glorious tale called something like "There's A Dragon Under My Bed!". With that said, I suddenly found myself wanting to break away from my usual reading proclivities. I walked past the Hemingway and Mailer and Pynchon and headed to the fantasy rack of the bookstore. The size of the book was a little intimidating at first, but the cover and summary were intriguing, to say the least. I have to admit, I ate this book up. The characters are consistent and likeable, the plot is engaging, and the story moves along like a snowball turning into an avalanche. It's a quick read. If you have the time, you'll find yourself knocking out hundred-page chunks in no time. If you want a plot summary, read elsewhere. I don't feel the need to describe what goes on. I do want to praise this book, however, for its overall scope. It's a thoroughly entertaining book, and now that I'm on the fifth installment, I can tell you it only gets better. Lots of action, thought-provoking conflict, and all in a very creative and interesting world. "Wizard's First Rule" is definitely worth it.
Rating: Summary: Not that good.. Review: I made the mistake of reading this book after I had completed the first three books in George R R Martins a Song of Ice and Fire series. I was looking for somthing to read while I am waiting for book 4, A Feast for Crows, to come out. Martins supreme writing really shows through. I will suggest this book as a good beginning book to anybody who is new to the fantasy genre. But if you want the best in the business then look toward Martin.
Rating: Summary: The first chapter in an exciting series. Review: Fantasy. A genre of novella and short stories I have had little faith in. That was until I was browsing through a friends bookshelf and came across books entitled, A Sword Of Truth Novel. I picked out the first of the series and read the back and become slightly interested. I read through six chapters of this novel and it lept right off the page. It was compelling, suspenseful and had characters which actually act like adults, and not a bunch of little gnomes, fairies and elves prancing about. I found myself hooting and shouting due to the suspense and excitement of reading this engaging story. Staying up in to the wee hours of the morning wanting to know what happens to the heros Richard Cypher and Kahlan Amnell. The characters are wonderfully realistic, and have their own perfectly detailed mannerisms and traits, and the humor is quite pleasing, thankfully not hammy. The world is rich and diverse which will have your imagination reeling with images of the Midlands. The only displeasure I had about the story was the sudden, abrupt finale. Throughout the story, this horrible figurehead character who can summon beasts and use the subtractive magic was built up as the ultimate evil of all evils. Yet the final battle was predictable, and par at best. If you are leery toward the Fantasy genre, I suggest you take a look into this series. You will be enthralled with a story that will keep you flipping pages for hours, through puzzling plot twists, robust action, struggling forbidden desires, heroic jubilation and boundless imagination. please do look into this series, it will not dissapoint.
Rating: Summary: Fantastic Review: Wonderfully detailed, deep plot with many twists. Every character is amazingly alive and real. The book will have your imagination in heven with the descriptions and vivid images it leaves. Something seemingly insignifigant, is important, so the author really got everything. Not for the very weak stomach, although it's better than the others. Blood, turtore, murder, and rape are brought up, but it brings more life and a real sensation to it. Terry Goodkind didn't make this a fantasy novel that is all goodness, he brings real human emotions and feelings to it, to the whole series. Every mature fantasy reader should read this.
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