From Publishers Weekly
Big, bland and conventional, Goodkind's first novel is an epic fantasy that doesn't conjure up much magic. Its hero, Richard Cypher, is no ordinary woodsman. He is, at first unknown to himself, the "Seeker," wielder of the Sword of Truth and the only possessor of the arcane knowledge contained in the powerful Book of Counted Shadows. After his father is killed for refusing to disclose that book's location, Richard is wandering in his beloved forest when he spies a beautiful woman, Kahlan, being stalked by several assassins who have pursued her from her magic-filled homeland of the Midlands. Stalwart Richard saves Kahlan and, along with a wizard named Zedd, sets out to foil the power-hungry designs of the evil Midlands tyrant Darken Rahl. Many of the best moments here come during encounters with secondary characters: Adie, a crotchety old woman who traffics in Underworld magic by using bones; Rachel, an abused child who longs for her hair to be evenly trimmed; and Mistress Denna, a sadist who tortures Richard. Goodkind's writing improves as the book winds on, giving hope that the promised sequel will outclass this volume, but, for the most part, his prose is flat, his ideas hackneyed (Wizard's First Rule is, "people are stupid"), his characters tediously moralistic and his plot without originality. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
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.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
Goodkind's first volume of an epic fantasy series relates the efforts of three friends to save the world from Darken Rahl, the sadistic ruler who seeks to control and possibly destroy the world. Dick Hill maintains pace, vocal characterization and emotional inflections throughout this long work. Accomplishing these with apparent ease, he uses voices and dialects appropriate to the characters and enables the listener to identify them easily. Graphic scenes of torture and sado-eroticism are integral to the story but may not be to some listeners' tastes. This is an engrossing saga, which leaves the listener looking forward to its sequel. M.A.M. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
In a classic fantasy world, young Richard Cypher must go on a perilous quest with the Sword of Truth in order to deal with evils that have a contemporary degree of ambiguity about them. On the way, he acquires the normal collection of wizards, dragons, and human companions as well as an equivalent roster of enemies. Both the characters and their world come to life, and Goodkind's ambitious juxtaposition of modern ambiguities and the classical fantasy setting works more often than not. Although a fairly self-contained story, the book has something of the flavor of the first volume of a saga; neither Goodkind nor his publisher will receive too many complaints if a sequel is in the works. Hardly an aspirant to Tolkien's mantle, Goodkind certainly seems, at any rate, to be working on being mentioned in the same breath as Robert Jordan. Roland Green

From Kirkus Reviews
The magical boundaries between the three lands of forest guide Richard Cypher's world are crumbling: Strange beasts from the Midlands, where magic still exists, appear in his Westland forest. And so does Kahlan Amnell, a young woman with some interesting powers and four assassins on her trail. She is in search of the great wizard who left the Midlands not long after he set the boundaries. He is the only one who can possibly thwart Darken Rahl, an evil wizard who has set in motion a process that will result in the enslavement of the three lands. When Richard's eccentric friend and mentor, Zedd, is sought out for advice about finding the great wizard, Kahlan identifies Zedd as the object of her search. The process that Darken Rahl has initiated requires him to obtain the three boxes of Orden, and, within one year, to open the proper box. As time grows short, Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, and a border guard, Chase, go in quest of the one box that the evil wizard still lacks. Among the truths that Richard learns along the way is the wisdom of the Wizard's First Rule: People are stupid and will believe almost anything. A wonderfully creative, seamless, and stirring epic fantasy debut. -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review
"This is a phenomenal fantasy, endlessly inventive, that surely marks the commencement of one of the major careers in the genre. It has three things I find rare in combination: an interesting, lucid narrative; almost unremitting development and action; and some genuinely original and thoughtful aspects. Wizard's First Rule may be Terry Goodkind's first novel; his career is nevertheless already impressive." --Piers Anthony

"A wonderfully creative, seamless, and stirring epic fantasy debut." --Kirkus Reviews

"Goodkind choreographs and intricate duality in which the dividing line between good and evil is often turned upside down." --Romantic Times


Review
"This is a phenomenal fantasy, endlessly inventive, that surely marks the commencement of one of the major careers in the genre. It has three things I find rare in combination: an interesting, lucid narrative; almost unremitting development and action; and some genuinely original and thoughtful aspects. Wizard's First Rule may be Terry Goodkind's first novel; his career is nevertheless already impressive." --Piers Anthony

"A wonderfully creative, seamless, and stirring epic fantasy debut." --Kirkus Reviews

"Goodkind choreographs and intricate duality in which the dividing line between good and evil is often turned upside down." --Romantic Times


Review
"This is a phenomenal fantasy, endlessly inventive, that surely marks the commencement of one of the major careers in the genre. It has three things I find rare in combination: an interesting, lucid narrative; almost unremitting development and action; and some genuinely original and thoughtful aspects. Wizard's First Rule may be Terry Goodkind's first novel; his career is nevertheless already impressive." --Piers Anthony

"A wonderfully creative, seamless, and stirring epic fantasy debut." --Kirkus Reviews

"Goodkind choreographs and intricate duality in which the dividing line between good and evil is often turned upside down." --Romantic Times


Book Description
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.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Terry Goodkind is one of the hottest writers on the fantasy scene. His popularity is growing by leaps and bounds with each new novel, mostly due to his brilliant, page-turning style. Wizard's First Rule is a brick -- just the way we fantasy fans love 'em. But I'm telling you, you'll gobble this right up -- it flies by with lightning quickness. In this novel, we meet Richard Cypher as he and his trusted companions -- the beautiful and mysterious Kahlan and the zany sorcerer Zedd -- begin their quest to destroy Darken Rahl, an evil mage who bids to control the world by using his dark, magical powers. Goodkind's fantasy is enormously engaging and so, so addictive.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, appears in Richard Cypher's forest sanctuary in the aftermath of the brutal murder of his father. Kahlan seeks help ... and more. Richard's world, his very beliefs, are shattered when ancient debts come due with thundering violence.

In a dark age when it takes courage to live, and more than mere courage to challenge those who hold ominion, Richard and Kahlan must take up that challenge or become the next victims. Beyond awaits a bewitching land where even the beat 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 tell him.

In their darkest hour, hunted relentlessly, tormented by treachery and loss, Kahlan calls upon Richard to reach beyond his sword -- to involke within himself something more noble. Neither knows the rules of battle have just changed ... or that time has run out.

This is the beginning. One book. One Rule. Witness the birth of a legend.

FROM THE CRITICS

AudioFile - Melody Moxley

Goodkind￯﾿ﾽs first volume of an epic fantasy series relates the efforts of three friends to save the world from Darken Rahl, the sadistic ruler who seeks to control and possibly destroy the world. Dick Hill maintains pace, vocal characterization and emotional inflections throughout this long work. Accomplishing these with apparent ease, he uses voices and dialects appropriate to the characters and enables the listener to identify them easily. Graphic scenes of torture and sado-eroticism are integral to the story but may not be to some listeners￯﾿ﾽ tastes. This is an engrossing saga, which leaves the listener looking forward to its sequel. M.A.M. ￯﾿ﾽAudioFile, Portland, Maine

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

A phenomenal fantasy, endlessly inventive, that truly marks the commencement of one of the major careers in the genre. — Piers Anthony