Wizard's First Rule

I realize that I am a little late jumping on the Terry Goodkind bandwagon but never being a huge "fantasy genre" fan, I did not know they even existed until the TV came out. It really was all a turn of fate because I just happened to come across the show on Saturday night at 11pm, when looking for something to fill my normal "Friends reruns" slot. I began obsessing over the show (based on the books) early in season 1 and then a friend bought me the first book for Christmas. Little did either of us know the consequences of her actions. With that one purchase, she ruined me life- subjecting me to the emotional distress and financial investment that is this 12-part series. Basically, I have done NOTHING else for the past 3 weeks and don't know how I'm going to get through me school classes with 9 books to go. Humor me a moment while I tell you of my new love:

Sword of Truth: Wizard's First Rule
Book Review by Christine Antonios

While the TV show is solid, it does not even come close to the understanding of the main characters that the reader experiences in the text. The story follows Richard Cypher's journey to save the world. He is accompanied by a Confessor, Kahlan Amnell, and a Wizard of the First Order, Zedd. Though the setting is completely made up, the reader learns all about the rules of magic and of the land through Richards eyes, because he is discovering this world along with us. He is named The Seeker and was prophesied as the only one who defeat Darken Rahl. For those just joining us, this may sound identical to most other fantasy stories. It is not uncommon, considering they all stem from Tolkein's Lord of the Rings- therefore carrying much of the same language. Richard must wheeled the Sword of Truth to defeat evil and free the Midlands.

Though the summary seems unoriginal, it is the captivating characters that keep the reader interested. Richard and Kahlan quickly fall into a forbidden love and the magic that defines their existence is a perfect contrast to their characters. Kahlan is feared by everyone who encounters her, yet she carries the burden of Confessor with grace and respect. Her fragility as a woman counters her persona as a Confessor and the power she holds as the highest rank in the world. The reader (as does Richard) goes almost 500 pages before learned what Kahlan is, and by that time, we have fallen in love with her so much that it would not even matter. It's brilliant on the writers part, because we learn enough to know she is a force to be reckoned with, but not enough to prevent us from knowing her as a person first. Richard, on the other hand, has the character necessary to every hero. He is quick and intelligent, learning fast as he goes and reasoning his way out of mind-tricks. He is, again, a perfect contrast to the Sword he carries because he has a knack for befriending ever creature that he encounters but is forced to carry the burden of death. The author also ties Richard's background to the magic- balancing his destiny and his choice that allow him to accomplish his quest.

The most fascinating part of the book is Richard's capture by the Mord-Sith. The text presents an interesting psychology into the character that will continue to alter his actions for books to come. The Mord-Sith are a unique kind of evil that specialize in torture. and enslavement They are women trained to use capture one's magic and break them into submission. It is one of the most terrifying and interesting portions of the text. Through Richard's 'Mistress', Denna, Goodkind describes a kind of madness that is created deep in Richard's psyche. Like Richard, the reader is brought to an understanding of the woman, blaming her yet never being able to hate her. The weird mix of subtle love/ compassion and frightening pain works to further character development rather then plot development.

Lastly, the flow of the text itself is it's saving grace. From the very beginning, the book moves at an even pace and there is a constant mix of danger and pleasant humor. The reader is never overwhelmed by the information- but is constantly learning new things that fit in with and complete previous knowledge. The novel chooses a few key characters and switches the point of view periodically. It never re-tells any information, but it allows the reader insight into other characters while progressing the story with key information. I have no complaints about the book because its arch is just right and the ending/climax is neither too quick nor too slow. The author resolves all parts of the text but opens new possibilities to carry us into the sequels.