Book Review: The Wizard's First Rule

The Sword of Truth is a fantasy book series, penned by Terry Goodkind. The first book in the series is “The Wizard's First Rule” which introduces the main characters Richard, Zedd, and Kahlan who endeavor on many desperate and fantastic journey and do many deeds, as one would expect from the genre of epic fantasy fiction.

Terry Goodkind weaves a plot that surrounds both political intrigue between several nations and peoples, and tells of the oft brutal life that those living in medieval times would have gone through without all the modern accoutrement of our technological age. Themes abound in this first novel, and those that follow, but fundamental rely on the decisions of the main characters and how they respond to the often impossible seeming tasks they must do. The steadfast nature of these characters, and their unfaltering morals and values, play the central theme, where the political tangents seem to input a reading of objectivistic philosophy. Other adult natured themes and the harshness of depictions of violence lend these books to a strictly adult audience. The political plot lines would probably not appeal greatly to younger readers which ultimately, considering the rest of the content, is probably a wise turnoff for those without the maturity to comprehend the themes of the novels. The 11^th and final book of the series has been contracted and is due for a release sometime in the year of 2008.