Wizard's First Rule (Sword of Truth, Book 1)

Rating:
Summary: Readers' Digest Condensed _Wheel of Time_
Review: I read this book and its sequel on the recommendation of someone I thought had better taste. The books are sophomorically written, and utterly devoid of originality. It's one thing to say that all epic fantasy draws on certain core myths and hero cycles, but quite another to draw whole aspects of the imagined world straight, in whole cloth, from other sources. Quite aside from the poor quality of the writing, the unidimensionality of the characters, and the unoriginality of the story, I found the treatment of women in the books to be rather disturbing. Is there a woman in the books who is not raped? Though Kahlan is not herself raped (though she barely escapes that fate in book 2), she turns out to be a sadistic castrator who forces a man to eat his own testicles. Frankly, the books' view of women as either victim or castrator is sick. I could imagine reading Jordan to my kids someday, but not these books. Oddly, I thought the whole S&M thing with Denna, though way over the top for mainstream, even, dare I say, juvenile fantasy fiction, was probably the best done part of the books. I would say Goodkind reveals more than a passing familiarity with the S&M scene in his depiction of the relationship between Richard and Denna. But note: even Denna is a victim. Women's sexuality is a tool, nothing more. (This point is made again in book 2, with the Black Ajah, uh, Sisters of the Dark I mean.) If you're looking for something good, stay away from these and get the Paksenarrion books by Elizabeth Moon.

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST!
Review: Wow, anyone who says this book is bad needs to get their head checked. There is a group of friends at my school who've read this book. You don't have to read it to be their friends but you are extremely awesome if you do. They are letting me read the book now. I've had it one day and I'm on page 156. I can't put it down hardly at all. I'm think I'm going right back to reading it after I get done typing this. It's so awesome. Great Job Mr. Goodkind!

Rating:
Summary: Nothing magical, just use your head.
Review: Terry Goodkind's spectacular fantasy novel centers around the First Rule of Wizardry: stupid people will believe anything. It sounds slightly power-hungry, and much like something from a Dilbert comic strip. But there's merit to it. The unwilling hero, Richard Cypher, is appointed Seeker of Truth by retired wizard Zeddicus Z'ul Zorander. Somebody's got to kill off the powerfu, slightly senile Darken Rahl, and Richard's drawn the short straw. Like a play, this book has a strong supporting cast: passionate heroine Kahlan Amnell; a future-seeing witch named Shota; a wise-cracking dragon, and an evil princess, among others. What comes out is an enthralling, mesmerizing masterpiece, with a dab of humor here and there; and a useful lesson: you'll be itching to find a stupid person and see if you can master the Wizard's First Rule.

Rating:
Summary: Very indepth and I thought a more unique plot line than most
Review: Overall I was almost completely pulled into this book. I read tons of fantasy and this is one of the best series I have come across. I liked the depth of emotion, the psychological twists and turns, the moral dilemas, the magic and the storyline. There is plenty of magic, suspense, excitment, attention to detail and power.

Rating:
Summary: Good- but kinda a play-off
Review: This book was an excellent book, and held my attention for a long time. It and it's sequels are wonderful. However, I thought it sort of a play off of Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series. I noticed many similarities and other things in it and the others. I enjoyed it immensely, and hope others did as well. I would definately recommend this book if you are an avid fantasy reader, who reads a lot or quickly.

Rating:
Summary: TOTALLY ADDICTIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Compared to my coworkers at a bookstore in downtown Chicago, I'm a fairly recent convert to the fantasy genre. Sure, I read Tolkien and the Narnia books when I was a teenager--who didn't?--but my three years of attachment to fantasy pales in comparison to that of my colleagues. Well, guess what! I got them--all of them--irretrievably hooked on Terry Goodkind! We are now anxiously (and impatiently) awaiting the publication of volume 4, TEMPLE OF THE WINDS, having devoured the first three in record time.I was amused to see so many commentaries critical of Goodkind's having borrowed plot elements from other writers. He did. So what? There are really only a handful of plots in all of literature (the mystery, the romance, the thriller, the epic, the saga, the slice of life) so borrowing is practically a given. What TG has done in his story is create tension, romance, adventure, and struggle between good and evil (which happens in ALL fantasy novels, folks!) that keeps you on the edge of your seat, breathless, wishing your bus ride to work was fifty miles longer!So far I have recommended the Sword of Truth series to over a dozen customers and coworkers in my store, and each person has told me that they love the series and are effervescent in their thanks for my having told them, "Oh, but you MUST!!!" I even nailed a few people who haven't read fantasy since the first editions of Lord of the Rings.Terry--keep 'em coming. I want more. LOTS MORE!!!

Rating:
Summary: Average, but likeable anyway
Review: Unlike the mostly polarized reviews of others, I'm right in the middle- it's an average book. Not as great as the 9's & 10's some have given it, nor as bad as the 1's and 2's of others. Yes, some of it is certainly lifted from other authors, but that's not totally unheard of in this genre. In any case, I still thought it was enjoyable

Rating:
Summary: The ultimate fantasy book!!!
Review: I am only 13, and have not had the experience of reading as many books as most of the people who commented, but this is most certainly the best book I have ever read. Just as Mr. Goodkind stated in the acknowledgements, Kahlan and Richard's tears and triumphs have touched my heart. I will never be the same again. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series. I agree totally with all those who rated this book a 10, and to all those boring, un-imaginative people who rated it below 6, well, if you hated it so much, why did you bother to finish it??? I have read The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, and although they were very good, I believe this is better. It is much eaiser to read, and doesn't have all the drawn out details and explainations in it. I couldn't put it down, and had it finished in three days. Well done, Mr. Goodkind

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book.
Review: I have not read much fantasy lately, but started getting back into it by reading Wizard's First Rule. This is an excellent book. Those who love to compare it to other books and claim that the ideas are not original can do so, but for a book to fit into the "fantasy" genre it has to abide by a set of rules and thus is some form of plagerism. This is an excellent book that is a page-turner, but the romance aspect of it is a little sappy and high-school. If you can overlook that part of it, it is an excellent book that I would recommend without hesitation

Rating:
Summary: One of the best!
Review: If only there were more books that kept me reading for hours on end the world would be a better place. Goodkind's book was what I think of as "the best". I loved the book and have bought the "Stone of Tears" and "Blood of the Fold". I can't tell you anything else about the book except for that it is the best and the second book of the sword of truth "Stone of Tears" is definetly "Wizard's First Rule" sequal