The Sword of Truth, Boxed Set I, Books 1-3
Wizard's First Rule, Stone of Tears, and Blood of the Fold
Book 1: Wizards First Rule
The masterpiece that started The 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.
This is the beginning. One book. One Rule. Witness the birth of a legend.
Book 2: Stone of Tears
An Epic of Awesome Power
Kahlan has at last gained the one goal she had always thought was beyond her grasp ... love. Against all odds, the ancient bonds of secret oaths, and the dark talents of men long dead, Richard has won her heart.
Amid sudden and disastrous events, Richard's life is called due to satisfy those treacherous oaths. To save his life, Kahlan must forsake Richard's love and cast him into the chains of slavery, knowing there could be no sin worse than such a betrayal.
Richard is determined to unlock the secrets bound in the magic of ancient oaths and to again be free. Kahlan, alone with the terrible truth of what she has done, must set about altering the course of a world thrown into war. But even that may be easier than ever winning back the heart of the only man she will ever love.
Book 3: Blood of the Fold
An Epic of Two Worlds
In a world as rich and real as our own, Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell stand against the ancient forces which besiege the New World— forces so terrible that when last they threatened, they could only be withstood by sealing off the Old World from whence they came. Now the barrier has been breached, and the New World is again beset by their evil power.
War and treachery plague the world, and only Richard and Kahlan can save it from an armageddon of unimaginable savagery and destruction.
Terry Goodkind, author of the brilliant bestsellers Wizard's First Rule and Stone of Tears, has created his most masterful epic yet, a sumptuous feast of magic and excitement replete with the wonders of his unique fantasy vision.
One of the most popular writers of fantasy today, Terry Goodkind divides his time between Maine and Nevada.
I have read a great deal of books. By a great variety of authors. Every author has their own unique style of writing that may or may not appeal to certain groups of people. Terry Goodkind has made a profound impression on me. His use of detail makes it seem as though you were looking at the scene before your very eyes instead of through his words. Goodkind also has a unique way of making his heroes inexcapably human, like they really were and not simply fictitious beings made for our own enjoyment. They have faults, they make mistakes. This has got to be one of the best series I've read by one of the best authors I've encountered.
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.gospeedy012
Posted May 14, 2012
The best fantasy series I've ever read. The way Terry Goodkind tells the story makes you feel like you can see it as it unfolds. Well worth the investment of time and money to read the complete the series. I'm currently purchasing the hardcover edition of each volume to add to my library. I really appreciate that this is a complete series unlike The Wheel of Time and A Game of Thrones series.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 22, 2011
This series is a must read. It has become one of my favorite series and I am only on the fourth book. This series has made me happy and sad, angry and joyful, laugh and cry. I highly recommended this book to anyone.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Susiek77
Posted July 4, 2010
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The Sword of truth series is a great read! The characters are developed well; the plot flows easily. My only complaint is that I didn't want to put it down.
It made me laugh at times and cry at others.
It is dramatic, touching, romantic, and thrilling. I would recomend it for bookclubs or just to enjoy on a rainy day.
It gives all hope that someday we will find a love like Richard and Kahlan.
Both the main characters have a a strength that is rarely seen even in fiction. They both show great insight. The battle stratagies are of sound principle so that they are believable. The side characters of Zed and Adie are believable.
This is a set that I had to have in my permanent library. I look forward to rereading it over and over again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.sptlightstar
Posted March 22, 2010
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I first started reading these novels after seeing the first season of Legend of the Seeker. I loved the show, so I wanted to see where the idea came from. Turns out, The Sword of Truth series is totally different that the TV medium. Now, I still am a diehard fan of the show, but I have come to grow and love this book series as well. I view them as two entirely separate entities, due to the creative differences. I found Wizard's First Rule to be an excellent and thrilling read, but I was less impressed with books 2 and 3, due to the depressing nature. Goodkind has a way with his plots, where he makes his characters suffer endlessly until the last 100 pages or so, then everything is wrapped up nicely. Which is comforting for a reader to know because some of the content is so dark that you need to know that the character's will make it through.
The rest of the series is far more enjoyable than these first three. Book 6, Faith of the Fallen, is one of my favorite books of all time. Stick with this series! You won't regret it!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 4, 2010
From book one of this series I've enjoyed reading every page. Goodkind's ability to write draws you into a story where the characters are human and allows the perspective of each to develop the storyline. Throughout a majority of the series he keeps you interested in what's going to happen next, while providing vivid descriptions of the world and people that you're coming to know. The best part is he doesn't bore you while building on the story. There are times when you have to press through a few pages in the beginning of each book, mostly because he's building upon the world he started in the previous books. I wish I could provide a better review of the story, however it's the series in general that I'm talking about. Enjoy the character development and the unfolding plot. If you like George R.R. Martin, or perhaps Robert Jordan, you'll definitely enjoy hours of reading through this immense and enveloping world.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 16, 2009
Wizard's First Rule is a book that once you start reading it you can't put away. It is not only a great work of imagination, but is also one of the greatest love stories ever told, which is not only interesting to read for women, but also for men. It is a pretty violent book(torture, rape, you name it), so it might not appeal to everybody, but if you enjoy Fantasy, this is the book for you. Stone of Tears is my favorite book out of the series, very compelling. Terry Goodkind is a great author, although he has the tendency to over-explain things at times.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I am reading book 3 right now. The first 2 books were so entertaining, I just couldn't put them down. The characters are well defined - you can identify with them easily. The books are lengthy - I can hardly wait to see what happens next. Anyone who loves the TV series and is an avid reader should give this series a try.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The Sword of Truth Series by Terry Goodkind is amazing, it's original, and has characters that actually act like people, smart people, it's got the right mix of action, adventure, thrill, and everything to make a perfect series.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 8, 2006
I have no other words to describe these books. I like to pride myself on reading all of Mercedes Lackey's works, and George RR Martin,John marco, and roughly 200 works of fantasy by little known authors. This series and these books, just grab the readers attention.It is worth the 7.99 even if you dont like it it still will give you an outlook on the fantasy series.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 17, 2012
A good audiobook requires two things: good material (Terry Goodkind writes an awesome book) and a good reader.
Book 1...couldn't stay away...had to have it playing in the car, in the shower, when I made it in from work. The reader did the material justice.
Book 2...don't waste your money. The guy sounds like someone trying to sound like a robot reading a book. Like the guy you'd hire to talk at you about not leaving your bags unattended in the airport. I listen to a lot of audiobooks...even the mediocre readers, you can get into them after accustoming yourself to their cadence. Book 2, however, is read by Jim Bond, and Jim Bond is a terrible reader. His voice is nice, sure, but his ability to perform the book just isn't there. It has me thinking I should avoid Book 3, on audio, if he's the reader...he's just that bad. Unless, perhaps, they let him read the role of a robot in a cartoon...he shouldn't read aloud for money.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 21, 2010
I am not into SI-Fi books. I read mostly Romance. but a friend lent me the first book, and well now i cant stop reading.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 6, 2010
I'm not generally much into fairly detailed books, but Terry Goodkind's The Sword of Truth series are so intriguing they just draw you in. He can be a little too vivid in some of the more "adult" parts which I don't particularly care for, but overall I absolutely love the characters and the story. Both my sister and I have added all the books to our must have list so we can read them again and again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 20, 2010
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I started reading these books because I enjoyed the show Legend of the Seeker. Though the characters are the same for the most part, very little else is. The books, I feel, are geared more toward an adult audience. Some scenes are pretty graphic. Goodkind is very good at building suspense. I like how sometimes he starts chapters with only "he" or "she says" and you have to guess who's in the scene until he tells you a page later. The world he has created for his characters is creative, but at least in the books I've read so far, doesn't include traditional other races such as dwarves and elves. Other than people, there are gargoyle type creatures called gars and a number of half people, half magical beings.
If you're just starting to read the series and aren't sure if you loved the first books, stick with it! The third and fourth have been my favorite so far in the series. The author has to do a lot of set up in the first books because it is such a long series. Unlike other long series I've read, I'm not getting bored with the characters or the plot because in each book there is some hurtle Richard and his entourage must overcome. There is a love story without it being overpowering of the rest. They are excellent reading material and I have recommended them to friends!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 20, 2010
I decided to read the series because I've come to love the television series based on the books, Legend of the Seeker. I think the plot drags in places, but maybe it was because I was excited for the action to begin. However, a thought kept occuring to me as I read the books - that Terry Goodkind must be a sick, sick man. Whenever an author creates a new world, nothing exists in it until he thinks of it, and he thought up some terrible things! Had the television show stayed true to the book, it couldn't be aired even on Showtime! That being said, I still liked the books. I must be a little sick too ;)
I would also like to rate the publisher as well. The quality of the paperback printing is substandard in my opinion. The page margins change in places, the printed letters are smudged in places, the paper quality is poor, and I even found a typo. I've never before looked at a book and thought how cheeply it was put together. Shame on Tor-forge.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 30, 2010
This box set was purchased as a gift for my husband. He loves stories of fantasy & wizards like Lord of the Rings. He thoroughly enjoyed these books & my son did too!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
I found this book by watching the T.V series, Legend of the Seeker, who didnt? Well, I say if you compare the book to the show, the events in the show eventually come into play in the book. But yes there is alot more events in the show then in the book, and I like it. But honestly, i like the book, even if each one is about 600-1000 pages,it keeps your attention and makes you want to keep reading.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I also got started reading these books from the TV show, which is different from the books but also awesome. The books have soooo much more action and great descriptions of the world these stories take place. I loved each book and have read the whole series in less than 3 months. The books are very long at more than 700 pages but to me I flew right through them. It was such a great escape and I loved all the characters, even Nicci whom I hated at first but I feel it's a good thing when you love to hate a character that an author has created. If you've got the time and want a great escape from everyday life buy these books! Parent's be warned though as there is some graphic violence in these books and a bit of other graphic topics. Not much sex though and I kind of wanted more, lol! Romance was epic though and this series has set a high bar for other fantasy books I look to read.
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Posted February 7, 2010
I have truly enjoyed the "Legend of the Seeker' ON tv, which is based on these books. The tv doesn't hold a candle to the books. If you enjoy the renassaince period, A hero that doesn't totally reallize he's a hero, and a plethara of vile villains, this is for you. The entire series will be added to my personal library and has been shared by family members as they have been acquired. Great conversation.
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Posted December 8, 2009
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Epic characters! Epic plot! Epic world! Epicly written! Pretty much...EPIC!
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Overview
The Sword of Truth, Boxed Set I, Books 1-3
Wizard's First Rule, Stone of Tears, and Blood of the Fold
Book 1: Wizards First Rule
The masterpiece that started The 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 ...