Wizard's First Rule

Sword of Truth, Book 1

By: Terry Goodkind

Narrated by: Sam Tsoutsouvas

Length: 34 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

Beautiful classic fantasy!

A favorite series of mine, read beautifully. Sam Tsoutsouvas has captured the Seeker and his friends perfectly.

LOVE IT!!!

I love this book!!!! Terry Goodkind creates characters you can relate to. It is magical with unexpected twists and turns.
#magical #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

great narration of a good story.

the only real problem I have with the story is that is really seems like a fantasy version of starwars. The plot feels pulled from the movie. I don't want to give anything away, and it's not exactly a copy, but it feels pretty close.

amazing book

I love this series! I am listening to it again for a second time and it only gets better after each reading.

Steller narration makes this a great listen!

This was my first experience with Terry Goodkind. Enjoying Tolkein and Card, was told this was a similar genre. I can not honestly say if it captured my attention because of the outstanding narration by Tsoutsouvas, or if it was the author's story, but I found myself sticking the earphones in to continue the story every chance I got- even while drying my hair and getting dressed in the mornings. The story line is not for wimps. There are some 'mature audience' areas suggestive of perverse sex and of torture (and from reading reviews of later titles in this series, the torture is mild in comparison), so this is not a title for youth. I enjoyed the saga and the developing of the characters. I felt Goodkind did a great job giving just enough information to hint that critical information was coming, but held back enough that you knew you didn't want to stop til you reached the end. And by the way, although you know the story continues in the next book and it is stated as well as hinted there are many more perils facing the characters you've come to love and enjoy, the ending feels complete enough that you don't feel like you're hanging off a cliff. I can honestly say that in all the narrations I've heard over the years, that this is the best paring of Story to Narrator that I've experienced. Sam Tsoutsouvas is brilliant and a perfect voice to this genre. I will be interested to see if other books he's narrated are as enjoyable as this.

awesome story

read well the character voice i feel could have. been a little better but it didnt take away from anything

slow start

this book takes a while building up but once it gets rolling, its non stop suspense.
the narrator does an amazing job adding excitment with speed and tone

loved it

such a wonderful story, I can not wait to continue on with the rest of the story.

Great Story!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I totally would recommend this book to anyone. The book is long, 4 parts but Terry Goodkind and Sam Tsoutsouvas make a great team. All around, story, performance, and experience is well done and worth the credits. I am off to listen to book two. Hope you enjoy. :-D

Wizard's First Rule

I thought Sam Tsoutsouvas' narration went perfectly with Terry Goodkind's gritty story. I had read the series previously and things I had missed in my own reading really popped out in this rendition. Good job.