Wizard's First Rule

Sword of Truth, Book 1

By: Terry Goodkind

Narrated by: Sam Tsoutsouvas

The masterpiece that started Terry Goodkind's New York Times bestselling epic Sword of Truth

In the aftermath of the brutal murder of his father, a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, appears in Richard Cypher's forest sanctuary seeking help...and more. His world, his very beliefs, are shattered when ancient debts come due with thundering violence.

In a dark age it takes courage to live, and more than mere courage to challenge those who hold dominion, Richard and Kahlan must take up that challenge or become the next victims. Beyond awaits a bewitching land where even the best of their hearts could betray them. Yet, Richard fears nothing so much as what secrets his sword might reveal about his own soul. Falling in love would destroy them - for reasons Richard can't imagine and Kahlan dare not say.

In their darkest hour, hunted relentlessly, tormented by treachery and loss, Kahlan calls upon Richard to reach beyond his sword - to invoke within himself something more noble. Neither knows that the rules of battle have just changed...or that their time has run out.

Wizard's First Rule is the beginning. One book. One Rule. Witness the birth of a legend.

Epic edge: listen to more in the Sword of Truth series.©1994 by Terry Goodkind. (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Wonderfully creative, seamless, and stirring." ( Kirkus Review)

Amazing

This is the third time I am reading this series and it is better each time. I actually planned on just skimming through it but found that I couldn't make myself push the fast forward button. I'm not a fan of in depth descriptions since I like to form my own pictures in my mind, but Mr. Goodkind does it so well that I am enthralled. His characters are incredible and I love the way he builds each one and gives them backgrounds to make them feel so real. I also love the way he deals with the politics of the different lands and how the people behave in each realm. I would definitely recommend reading the entire series. As for some of the comments about the terrible writing here...I don't get it...IMHO it is outstanding. I don't even like this genre, but The Sword of Truth series found it's way to my CD player a few years ago from the library and I've been hooked ever since.

Engaging story but the author

Spent such a long and detailed amount of time on sadistic torture that it became tedious, overwhelming and annoying at one very long stretch. I don’t mind some violence but when it is overdone to the point of becoming gratuitous, one wonders about the subconscious of the author.

Excellent narration. Strong female character appreciated.

More sexual fantasy than anything else

The book devolved into a “bondage fan fiction”, for a good percentage of the book. Really just a jumble of fantasy themes melded together, with sadistic bad guys thrown in for effect. Moving on to a different series.

love the book, not the narrator

the only thing I didnt like about this book is that the narrator made all the voices sound the same

Very Good

This series is very very good. Keeps you attention and you can "see" the story in you mind.