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)

A Stereotypical Fantasy Story, But Well-Written...

The sign of an exceptional author is one that can write around his or her own worn plot, and still breathe life into it, In this case, Goodkind can really write a novel, despite the somewhat tired premise. Once again, an unsuspecting hero comes into his own, as his future destiny will shape and save a nation. Hmmm. We've heard this before from other audiobooks, but in this case, Goodkind takes the prize. You'll look past this issue, and love the way he brings the story, characters and magic together to create a powerful listen. And even better news - there are MANY other audiobooks in this series, and the plot DEFINITELY gets better at times.

So, this sweeping epic saga begins with this single audiobook, and is well worth your time.

my fav book of all time

i was never a big reader, when i was introduced to this book by my cousin i payed him no mind. one day at work a friend of mine was on break reading the last book to the series. i figured if two people i know liked it maybe it was worth getting into. im so happy i did! this book/series changed the way i feel about reading and listening to books! sam tsoutsouvas is amazing too, i wish he would have done all the books! GET THIS BOOK!!

Ignore the Vanillalites!

It is unfortunate that a lot of readers get obsessed with the torture of a Mord-sith, but if anything that goes to show that the torture was haunting for both the protagonist and the reader.

Where Terry Goodkind's writing shines is in foretelling. He creates events and that are connected that are revealed sometimes chapters later other times books later. A good example of this is that in the first chapter we see a dragon soar over the mountain. Then halfway through the book, we find that the dragon has been flying the villain in and out of the world sections. Finally, in the last chapters, our hero befriends this same dragon and rides it.

Reading any book in the series is like watching a line of dominos that branches and recombines in order to display a picture when everything has fallen together.

TL;DR: Ignore the people that call what the Mord-sith do BDSM. They are sick if they see that as kinky and not torture.
Don't stop at one because they do get better and the reveal of what was set up has only just begun. This after all is only the Wizard's First Rule.

Excellent book

This is definitely the best of the series. Good ideas and fun to read. Too bad the tv series is butchering it! The voice actor does a good job.

Great story.

If you could sum up Wizard's First Rule in three words, what would they be?

Touching and Epic

What other book might you compare Wizard's First Rule to and why?

Wizard's First Rule is as good, in my opinion, better than Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, but only because it is a bit more realistic in detail. But the magic and adventure in both are fantastic stories.

Which character – as performed by Sam Tsoutsouvas – was your favorite?

I loved the way he performed Zedd. Zedd is the story's comic relief, but a very important character at the same time. Sam gave him a voice that was funny, and went well with his humorous deeds or words, and at the same time could be taken seriously when need be.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely. If i'd had the time, and didn't fear falling asleep from lying in my bed so long, i would have.

1980's style story line

Bland at times with plot holes, first book ties up ending nicely. Not preteen friendly

Wizards First Rule; Sword of Truth book 1

I thought this book was very creative and was full of action, turmoil, relationships, family and morales that we seem to be losing in todays world. This book shows that you are not what your job is but that the choices you make in your life are what define you.

Great narration, okay story

Definitely entertaining from start to finish, although characters sometimes behave on odd ways, at least in my opinion.

This has been my favorite book for over a decade

I have loved this book from the first time my brother introduced it to me when I was about 15 years old. I have the hard copy as well as I've listened to it on audio book a few times. I never get tired of it and how it pulls me in when I read/listen to it. The way it reads, I always feel my mind drift into the book as if I were there experiencing everything they are experiencing.

Rape rape rape

I love these stories and Terry Goodkind’s ability to create his really remarkable world and characters but my god, every other sentence is about rape. It completely overwhelms and distracts from the story which is such a shame because, as I said before, I really enjoy the overall story arc. It seems like the sexual assault theme has just gotten worse throughout the series and I’m having an increasingly difficult time finishing.