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)

Sam Tsoutsouvas is the best Narrator ever.

The author was so descriptive and the narrator so engaged that I was constantly entertained by this great book.

Predictable Story Line

I felt there were no surprises in the plot but the overall story was well told and narrated. I think there are very few books that can make a budding romance and never-ending, undying love story feel believable and relatable. I found the romance between the two main characters way over the top but then again this book is full of mythical creatures, so why not throw in a hero who has all the right answers and a heroine who's the "strongest" helpless victim I've ever seen (I mean really, how many times did Richard have to rescue her?) overall it works and I enjoyed the listen. I guess I'll just chalk it up to a guilty pleasure until something better comes along. I will continue the series (for now) by purchasing book two.

my favorite

I love this series it's my favorite!! this voice actor is spectacular also! 😊 thank you for creating books that I love and believe in.

great story

was a wonderful tale and unique characters. glad I didn't listen to bad reviews. narrator told it great but got a little loud at some points.

A very good book

One of the best books I have ever listen to long time. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes to do have Adventures in Syfy, fantasy which Wizards, love and little bit mystery. I have read and listen to this book several times over and over and never get tired of listening to it again.

love this book!

the voice of Scarlett was kind of annoying but everything else was great. this is my 3rd time reading this book and I get more out if it every time.

Love it.

This is my third time listening to / reading this book and I will go through the entire series again. Terry Goodkind is one of my all-time favorite writers and he will be missed. I enjoyed this series so much and I like the characters so much but my daughter is named after Kahlan. I highly recommend these books to anyone who has never read them. These books start out with action and keep going throughout the whole series I've never been bored reading them but listening to them is a whole new experience.

Intense!

lots of wonderful story. a couple of adult content parts. not for kids. excited to read more.

Liked It, Didn't Love It

I agree with another reviewer that this book can be preachy about the powers of Friendship and Truth, and that put me off a touch, but it was otherwise an immensely enjoyable journey. I also think you'll find this book to be a nesting doll of Deus Ex Machina: *this* thing could have destroyed *this* person, but conveniently, there was *this* caveat we had no hint of. There are many caveats, and while some are foreshadowed, others are not (which is why you find me complaining at all about DEM).

The main character, Richard, has so many, "Aha!" moments that I began to resent him a little. Too often he came up with the *exact right answer* he needed, outwitting and outmaneuvering more (intelligent) characters than you'd expect a humble woodsman (even one with such a lineage) capable of. But I admit, that could well be my own bias toward stories of prophesized heroes.

I was also irritated with how often the main character's female companion was ready to kill herself.

Besides those 3 complaints I still enjoyed the book, as I would any with the familiar tropes of an adventuring nobody who goes on to do great things.

Better than the TV series

What did you like best about this story?

The story is unique, it has it's own magicial rules and factions. I thought it was a very well thought out and planned world setting.

Any additional comments?

I discovered this series from watching legend of the seeker great show but as allways the book is leauges better. i'm on book 7 now and it just gets better every book. highly recomend to anyone who likes fantasy, there long books but well worth it.