Wizard's First Rule

Sword of Truth, Book 1

By: Terry Goodkind

Narrated by: Sam Tsoutsouvas

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)

This book is a blast

I first listen to this many years ago on cassette. I loved it, so when audible offered it at almost nothing, I had to listen again. I was a little worried, since the first time I listened it was read by Dick Hill, who was great. It took I little while to get into ST, but by the end I thought he did a great job.

This book is a thrill ride from the first minute and all the way through the 34 hours of listening. The main character Richard is no super hero, he is a guy like you and me. He has anger issues, he makes mistakes, he questions himself, etc. I must admit that at times the book sounds almost YA and it is a little preachy about Friends and the Truth and working hard, but with all the action, all the drama, all of Goodkind's wild imagination, this can easily be overlooked. There are no filler chapters, something is always happening. Here are just some of what you will find in the book: Quad Assassins, Gars, Blood Flies, Shadow People, Wayward Pines, a night wisp, snake vines, The Book of Counted Shadows, a Seeker, Heart Hounds, Wizard Rocks, The Underworld, Night Stones, Bone Woman, grippers, birdman, Wizard's Fire, Mistress Denna, Additive and Subtractive magic, the Con Dar, The Blood Rage, Scarlett the Dragon, etc.

My favorites of any book I have ever read were The Mother Confessor, The Mud People, and Mord-Sith. The Mother Confessor can with one touch, make you her slave. You will be in constant anguish, worried that she is not happy. If she says to you "I wish you would just die." You will make your heart stop and die. The Mord-Sith are women torturers who dress in red leather, so your blood won't show as much. From little girls they are raised to torture others and are tortured themselves. There are some strong women in the this book. The Mud People have a great since of humor and are very funny. As a form of greeting they slap each other. Any of these three would have been great to make a book around, yet TG has all three and so much more.

There are probably only two books I like better then this, Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb and Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

A Great Listen

I found this audiobook entertaining and thought the narrator was great! I particulary liked his rendition of Zed. Can't wait to listen to more from this series with this narrator. Story is fabulous too!

Great book but not for the impressionable

Defiantly not for kids shaping their world-view because of some really controversial ideology and situations. That being said, for less impressionable adults who can appreciate the story for what it is... its great. I really enjoyed it

Wizard's First Rulez!!!!!

A great book with a great narrator! Sam Tsoutsouvas did a great job. He really pulled me into the book, I could visual see a picture as if I was reading it myself. Looking forward to listening to the next book.

A modern take on classic fantasy.

An excellent story coupled with an excellent performance. This will be one of the best audio books you will ever listen to. The fantasy is dark and mature. Well thought out and engrossing. You will always want to continue to learn more about the world. Do not pass this one up you WILL love it!

Amazing narration!

This is one of my favorite books. I have read it many times through the years but the narrator brought a new level of enjoyment. 10 out of 10.loved it!

Word to the Wise: Take the First Rule to Heart

First of this series and the beginning of an incredible journey, Wizard's First Rule has long been at the top of my personal list of favorite literary works. The late, great Terry Goodkind infused his works with fundamental truths about humanity, and the first of the wizard's rules marks the baseline for understanding them all.

I am only just listening to the audiobook variants. Sam Tsoutsouvas does a wonderful job relating Mr. Goodkind's characters, plot, and descriptive settings of this first volume. I am eager to hear how the other VAs performed in some of the subsequent volumes.

Never forget: people are fundamentally stupid and willing to believe anything for the sake of the cause... provided they do not have to think things through for themselves. Only when that spell is broken, and people learn to think for themselves, do individuals and communities alike see a shift toward changes for the better. Ignorance may seem bliss, but in truth it is nothing more than a prison of our own making.

Simply Amazing!

Where does Wizard's First Rule rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is my favorite audiobook I have listened to so far!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Richard is my favorite character because he is learns from his mistakes to only better himself each and every time. He is also just more so than just because he is the Seeker.

What about Sam Tsoutsouvas’s performance did you like?

I really enjoyed Sam's voice. I felt like I was being told a story from the heart rather than someone just reading a book to me.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and cried many times in this book. I also got very nervous at times because the writer does such a good job making you think the character you love is going to be lost. It was so good I am a little hesitant to start the next book because of the emotional journey I know I will go on.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book so much I plan on purchasing every one from this series. I was saddened to see so many different narrators though. A person gets used to how the character sounds and so I don't see the benefit of switching narrators constantly. Fingers crossed that they are as good as Sam Tsoutsouvas.

Wonderful Performance

I felt some parts were a bit cheesy and sometimes rolled my eyes at certain parts of dialogue that pulled me out of the magic of the story. If you can look past the blemishes and accept it for what it is, the book is good adventure. The narrator is incredible and captures tone and character extremely well.

WAY TOO LONG & WORDY

What made the experience of listening to Wizard's First Rule the most enjoyable?

Well performed

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

NO

Any additional comments?

This series is way too long...it would take months to complete. The book wastes time with unnecessary and unwanted detail