Customer Reviews (2)

Nothing new here... move along... move along...
Reader Beware:

If you have followed the series up to this point, it would be well worth your time to skip this one, because there's nothing new here.Have you ever seen the Disney Movie "The Incredibles" where the heroes make fun of the bad guys' monologue?Well, that sums this book up.Approximately 80 pages of this book (about 20% of the total book, I would estimate, since I don't have a total page count of the entire book, but do remember taking the time to go back and count the number of pages of this monologue).Essentially, Richard must convince the backbone-less people of a strange and foreign land that they must go against all their teachings and...fight for their beliefs.*Gasp*Not only is this NOT a very original idea, the entire series is spent driving home these values up to this point.This book adds nothing new to the story except that at the end **SPOILER ALERT, BUT NOT A VERY SIGNIFICANT ONE** Richard is finally able to eat that big 'ole steak he's been wanting because he finally realizes that it is his own guilt from killing people that prevented him from eating meat in the first place.The whole series has driven into our heads that everything has a price, and Richard's price for his power was that he was unable to...eat meat.I accepted it for the entire series until...now.It seemed like a unique side effect, and then we get this lame story, and worst, something that has plagued him for several books is solved with a few moments' worth of self reflection.And a concept that even millennium old magic wielders were unable to grasp, or hint at.This single book actually made me quit reading the series.A waste of paper, and a big waste of my time.

An interesting departure
The fact that Goodkind follows a new set of characters in this novel instead of the main heroes of the series is not, by itself, a good reason to rate the book poorly, yet it seems to be the main reason given by most of the critics here.If anything, Goodkind should instead be praised for trying something a little different after the ambitious and successful Faith of the Fallen.

As for how successful he is here, it's true that this is not among the best books of the series--some of the new characters are better than others, and some parts of the story more engrossing than others--but it is still quite good.I especially liked Althea and her husband Friedrich, and Tom.Jennsen is a mixed case, but more good than bad.Oba was a bit annoying.Sebastian is one of the best new Goodkind characters, good or evil (perhaps in this case not obviously either), in a long time.The section when he takes Jennsen to meet Emperor Jagang for the storming of Aydindril stands up to almost anything in the series thus far.

And, as usual, Goodkind's story illustrates important political and philosophical themes.Here we have a novel about the crucial need of, appropriately enough in light of 9/11, good intelligence agencies (though this is hardly an Ian Fleming novel), and more deeply of using your own judgment rather than relying on what others tell you is the right or wrong thing to do.A worthy message well told. ... Read more

Product Description
The protective barrier that separates Westland from its neighbors to the east is about to fall, letting loose a monstrous evil upon the world. Only the combined efforts of a young man dedicated to finding the truth, an enigmatic woman intent on concealing her past, and a crusty old hermit resigned to his inevitable destiny can prevent the opening of the three boxes of Orden-an event with the potential to destroy existence itself. The inclusion of graphic scenes of sado-eroticism, though integral to the story, may deter purchase by some libraries. Nevertheless, this first novel offers an intriguing variant on the standard fantasy quest. The richly detailed world and complex characters will appeal to mature fantasy aficionados. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

You're a very special person, Mr. Cypher
I've cleaned out shelves in many a library and bookstore, mostly science fiction, but my fair share of fantasy.Why does this book irritate me so?Because to read such escapism, you have to have some plausible shred of hope -- however slight -- that you could be the hero.This book lays it on so heavily that the protagonist is "a very special person" that it makes me feel like I'm drowning in high fructose corn syrup!

It's the antithesis of Joseph Campbell's hero of a thousand faces.What is Cypher's primary virtue?Perserverence, tenacity, maybe love?Nope.Genetics.The moral of the story:don't go into the woods on an epic quest, unless you were born it.Give me Tolkien any day, where the hobbits asked themselves "why me?" because they were ordinary mortals playing a part is big things.

I guess that's why I find this book so offensive.It devalues the heroic struggle of ordinary people in turbulent times.And that isn't fantasy; it's how history is written.

Wonderful Thought Provoking Fantasy
When starting this series I was only looking for an entertaining read.This series is so much more than that.As you get to know the characters they begin to inspire your confidenct to stand up for those things you believe in.They are very strong, courageous characters. While the obstacles they face are inappropraite for children to read, they are vital for the reader so they may understand the complexities and horrible incidents that occur in our world.It is difficult to read at times because the issues mirror the horrible stories we have all heard about on the news and they become much more disturbing when reading about the thoughts and feelings that those people surely experience.This book is a complex and highly enteraining story filled with heroic characters, disturbing images and righteous victories (both spiritual and political).I highly recommend this book to anyone that sees the issues surrounding us in our own lives.This book is for anyone who is looking to step up and accept truth for what it is.Read it and see...

Great Book, and An Awesome Start to a Great Series
Wizard's First Rule is a great start to the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind.He does a great job of introducing us to the characters and helping us to really get to know them, while at the same time introducing us to the plot and storyline of the books.We learn about Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, Darken Rahl, and a number of other characters in this first book, and we get to know the main characters very well.We learn about the world they live in, and the magic that their world contains.I won't post a storyline so as to not include any spoilers, but the book is well written and interesting, with a great ending.It might be a bit long for some people, but if stick with it, you will really enjoy it!

(The reviewer was compensated for posting this review.However, the opinion stated in the review is that of the reviewer and the reviewer alone. Further, the reviewer independently selected this product to review and has no affiliation with the product maker/distributor, Amazon or the review requester.)

People Are Stupid!
Terry Goodkind is a gifted author who has a unique and fascinating way of making his characters come to life. I've read this book 5 times now (out loud and to myself) and every time I do, I fall in love with the people, the place, the imagery... over and over again. The beginning of a breathtaking, life-changing series, Wizard's First Rule has a special place on my bookshelf. Even if sci-fi/fantasy isn't your favorite, I believe you will still enjoy this novel because it is most simply just a great story. Highly, highly recommended!

Good Read
I read alot. I have read alot of books and i can honestly say that if you are into fantasy this series is a good one. The first book of the series is a great read and it held my attention the entire book (some thing hard to do). I like Goodkinds writing style and the style of the book is very well written. This book isnt a very hard read but it is deff well worth it. The story is very easy to get into and terry does a good job of telling that story. The main focus of the book is to biuld characters and give them personality. The good people in the book are very good and the bad people are very bad. Its very easy to sympathise with the "good" characters in this novel. I am on the 6th of the series and i have yet to get bored yet. You will enjoy this book, trust me ... Read more

Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

How novel...intelligent fantasy
In Naked Empire, Terry Goodkind weaves a plot that, through the action of the story, illustrates increasingly deeper themes with great relevance to our culture today.Politically, and most superficially, it is a story about the hopelessness of the doctrine of pacifism for establishing genuine peace, but that it rather leads to tyranny.Ethically, it is about whether people are justified in fighting for their values by retaliating against physical threats to them, or whether it is ever proper to turn the other cheek.Epistemologically, it is about whether genuine knowledge comes by revelation from another world, or by reasoning about our perception of this world.And metaphysically, it is about the doctrine of mind-body dualism versus that of mind-body unity, and the results of accepting each.(There is even a bit about esthetics, though not nearly as a much as in Faith of the Fallen, in which the nature of art played a much more central role.)

As usual, the plot advances the stories of the characters and the world in which they live, and Goodkind's characterization is excellent (though Owen is a bit obnoxious at first, but not as bad as Nadine in Temple of the Winds).It is true that Goodkind has begun using somewhat formulaic phrases to introduce familiar characters (but hey, if it was good enough for Homer...).So some of the criticisms about his writing at this point in the series are slightly valid.It is not one of the best books in the series, which is why I didn't rate it five stars.However, the kind of vitriol being spewed by the book's critics--many of whom seem to have a personal grudge against Goodkind--can only be explained by their unthinking bias against his theme, or, in the case of escapists, the fact that his books have themes at all.

Goodkind's work is both entertaining and thought-provoking--a rare thing.Ironically, it is perhaps those who find themselves so angered by his books that need his message the most. ... Read more