Wizard's First Rule (Sword of Truth, Book 1)

Paperback, 848 pages

English language

Published July 15, 1997 by Tor Fantasy.

ISBN:
978-0-8125-4805-1
Copied ISBN!
OCLC Number:
33051536

View on OpenLibrary

3 stars (86 reviews)

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.

29 editions

Review of "Wizard's First Rule (Sword Of Truth)" on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

You have to accept failure before you can have success.

I have been told to read the first book in this series and stop. With how good Wizard's First Rule was this will be hard to do, but I realize that a fantasy series can easily overstay their welcome and I'd rather end with fond memory of the series and not a potential slog.

Sword of Truth reminded me a lot of Jordan's Wheel of Time series. There were parts in the story I had flashbacks to Rand or even to Aes Sedai and I found myself missing Wheel of Time. Similarities in fantasy stories are to be expected, and Sword of Truth is fairly basic but it kept me entertained.

The pacing of the story was excellent and I never found that one part dragged on. Strong secondary characters were introduced and I never felt that they were …

Review of "Wizard's First Rule (Sword Of Truth)" on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

If I was reading this as a book, I would probably have given up. I was listening to an audiobook, however, and that makes a lot of difference, I've found. Especially if, like this one, the narrator is really excellent.

The story itself, though... Fairly predictable. Main characters tend to suffer from massive bouts of stupidity here and there. I'm sure the fact that Michael was a traitor was supposed to be a major plot twist, but that doesn't really work when one has guessed as much already at the beginning of the book. Richard having the enemy web and how it works explained to him in great and elaborate detail, immediately forgets this and wonders why his friends attack him. And of COURSE the confessor's power doesn't work on him because he's speshul and of COURSE the dragon actually ends up not wanting to eat him after all.

Contained …

Review of "Wizard's first rule" on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I decided to read this book because I watched the TV series which is based on it, Legend of the Seeker. I rather enjoyed that series, and I thought that I would enjoy the book also. I wasn't disappointed!

Be warned, this is a long book. I only have time to read about half an hour a day, so it took me over a month. I think that's a testament to how good it is, though, that I would stick with it for that long!

If you've watched the TV series, let me also warn you that the book is very different. I can understand why, though - there is so much in the book that simply wouldn't work on television, or that would make it impossible to tell neat little stories that fitted in one hour episodes.

The book is also quite a bit gorier than the television series. …

Review of "Wizard's First Rule (Sword Of Truth)" on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I loved it. I bought it because it looked decent and was 5 bucks, boy, did I make a good decision! I can understand some of the lower starred reviews on the site but do not agree. This book does explore issues of good and evil and overcoming extreme odds (something that is highly prevalent through out the whole series). I have always been a sucker for the strong integration of swords and magic and this hits that spot! It does get a little weak here and there because Richard (the main character) seems to be above all which is something that i didn't like all that much.

This book started my reading fascination up again and it hasn't stopped yet! Read this book!

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Subjects

  • Fantasy - Series
  • Fiction
  • Fiction - Fantasy
  • Fantasy
  • Fantasy - Epic
  • Fiction / Fantasy / Epic
  • Fantasy - General