Rating: 
Summary: Engrossing
Review: Rarely do I find a book that keeps my interest going. This one does. One characteristic of Goodkind's writing is that you really empathize with the characters. I really felt the joy and anguish that Richard and Kahlan went through. Most books written only cover the surface of events and do not go to this level of emotion. I finished the first book within 3 days and immediately went out and bought the next 2 in the series. Well done!
Rating: 
Summary: Potential but Poor
Review: While this novel has all the right elements for a great fantasy story, it fails to follow through. The characters are weak, dialogue is terrible, and the "deux ex machina" rules and ruins the novel. While readable, it is neither enthralling nor a masterpiece. The author either tried to do too much or simply didn't do enough, however certain ideas and situations were interesting; resulting in a book with incredible potential but which fails completely to build a sustaining, intigruing, and original fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN!
Review: Goodkind, is a brilliant writter. His imagination is great! You can picture all the characters perfectly. The scenes are very visual.
Rating:
Summary: You either gonna love him or hate him.
Review: Well, for me its the former rather than the latter. Ive read almost every fantasy series I can get my hands on, including The Wheel of Time, the Mallorean, the Belgariad, the Elenium, the Tamuli, Most of Terry Brooks stuff, and of course, most of Tolkiens books as well. I have to say, Goodkind is my favorite fantasy artist. There are many paralells with Jordans work especially, but Goodkind does something that Jordan does not: Actually makes his characters DO something. They dont just sit in the same place for three books, the action is very fast-paced. I cared about the characters, and always wanted to see what happened next. I guess Ill put it this way. The Temple of the Winds (the fourth book in the series) is the only book Ive bought in Hardcover in the last two years. If a slightly higher level of violence and sex dont offend you, read this book. I think you'll enjoy yorself.
Rating: 
Summary: Subversive
Review: Having had a glance at the other reviews, most of my opinions have already been articulated - mediocre, derivative, poorly written, slightly less painful than a frontal lobotomy... However, what annoyed me the most about Wizard's First Rule was the thinly disguised political propaganda. The blatant Commie-bashing was really shocking. If you don't believe me, glance through the early chapters of the book - there is a speech about how some people like to drag down those who are more successful than them, and how this sort of thing has to be stopped! Could someone please tell Mr. Goodkind that the Cold War is over? And that if readers want to have political propaganda shoved down their throats, they'll let him know...
Rating:
Summary: Single greatest book I ever read!
Review: I don't see how anyone who really read this book can write negative comments about it. This book, which I picked up for $5 (hardcover), has become my favorite of all time. I have read all the books so far. The series is well constructed and I am dying for Terry to finish the next book. I bought the book because the cover looked interesting and I had finished most of the military books. I had given up fantasy and switched to military fiction a while back because the fantasy books were too drawn out and boring. This is not the case with WFR. I know the people who did not like WFR are the same ones that already have a favorite author and are feeling the pressure of having Terry Goodkind springboard right past their favorite. The truth is Terry is challenging Tolken for the number one spot. He might not dethrone the KING but a coup is definitely in the making. READ THIS BOOK AND SEE FOR YOURSELF. You will not be able to put it down! 800+ pages goes by really fast when you live in a fantasy world. Trust me, that is exactaly what it feels like to read any of Terry Goodkind's books. He will put you through all the emotions and leave you exhausted! What a ride!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Fantasy
Review: To a mother of seven the Goodkind series of books were the best get-away I could have ever hoped for, and it only cost me a few dollars and a few minutes of my time. Actually late nite get-aways, into a land of love, deceit, and unabounded adventure. Wizards First Rule came alive for me, and I became part of the story. I traveled with Kahlan and Richard and Zedd on their treks. I wanted to be a charater in there too. i found myself cheering them on and wanting to warn them of danger. I went soaring on the back of Scarlet the dragon with Richard. i read excerpts to a few of my children, and before I knew it I had to share the reading with them. Each book got better, and better. I anxiously await the fifth book, I am continually checking Amazon book releases for the new one. Please hurry Terry, I am in need of a good get-away right now.
Rating:
Summary: Wizard's First Rule is way up there with Lord of the Rings.
Review: This book, as well as the entire series, is a classic. The way the characters and events are woven together, and the occasional surprise twisted into these books makes them very hard to put down. This book series, I'm guessing, will change this genre as Lord of the Rings did in the '70s. I'm on my edge waiting for the 5th novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Could Be Better; Could Be Worse
Review: All in all, Wizard's First Rule is a good book--not stellar, but good. It could be worse; it could be better. Whether the reader will enjoy it depends on how he or she reads; those who are not affected by the emotions displayed by the characters will find themselves bored or disgusted, but those who are easily caught up by said emotions will find themselves unable to put the book down.
In this novel, Goodkind gives us a story which, at first glance, seems typical of fantasy, with what some claim are cardboard characters.
No, wait. You aren't getting off that easily. Cardboard characters act according to a very simplistic pattern and their actions are often quite easily categorized as "good" and "bad". Darken Rahl might be classified as cardboard; however, the protagonists cannot be. Richard, Kahlan, and Zedd keep secrets, tell lies, and even kill. They are forced to do bad things--sometimes for "good" reasons, sometimes not.
This is not to say that the book is a masterpiece. In fact, the style and parts of the plot fall very much short of Robert Jordan, whose writing the series has been compared to. This is nothing like the Wheel of Time; then again, it doesn't appear that it was intended to be. There are things that are just a little too convenient, things that are a little illogical, and of course far too much graphic violence. The style is flat and sounds unfinished, perhaps a little stilted. It needs polished. The whole book needs polish.
On the other hand, it's not all bad. Goodkind may need work on style, he may throw in "coincidences" that are no such thing, but he has the gift of storytelling. In spite of the annoying parts of the story, the reader is drawn into the world that he has created. With or without "polish", certain scenes evoke a strong response in the reader and draw them farther in. This is the "hook" of the whole thing--not an outstanding plot or creative magic (although it is) or witty dialogue or complex characters, but excellent storytelling.
Rating:
Summary: The book Critic
Review: This is an outstanding book as well as a great series. If you like fantasy you will love the way Terry Goodkind writes this novel. It has so mch detail and action that you end up losing yourself into the world of Richard Cyper. I give this Book a perfect 10.
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