Terry Goodkinds first book, Wizard's First Rule, became the start of an epic fantasy series consisting of 11 novels. An extra novella "Debt of Bones", taking place in the same universe a few decades before the main story, was released in 2001.

The main character throughout the different books is Richard Cypher, a simple woods guide. He assists a stranger looking for a Wizard.
Every novel is based around a wizard's rule.

The rule
"People are stupid. People can be made to believe any lie, either because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it's true."

Plot
The story takes place in the New World and starts between the Midlands and the Westlands when Richard Cypher decides to assist a woman named Kahlan Amnell who is in need of the help of a wizard in the Westland. With her, bad news comes. D'Hara and the Midlands are no longer separated by a Boundary and Darken Rahl, ruler of D'Hara, goes to war against the Midlands for total domination.
Together, they find the wizard who names Richard to be the Seeker, the one who must stop Darken Rahl.

New artwork
The original artwork (above) was designed by Doug Beekman. Keith Parkinson designed new artwork for Wizard's First Rule after the first print (left).

The rule
"The greatest harm can result from the best intentions."

Plot
Darken Rahl has been defeated but Richard is not done yet. He discovers he's actually the bastard son of Darken Rahl and with the intention of doing good, by opening the boxes of Orden he accidently removes the veil between the world of the living and the underworld violating the second rule.
When trying to repair the veil, Richard violates the rule a second time, and brings his father, Darken Rahl, back to the living.

Richards gets a visit of 3 Sisters of the Light, telling him his headaches will kill him if he doesn't receive magical training. Kahlan who loves Richard tries to convince him to wear the collar to save him, but Richard misinterprets the action as a sign she no longer loves him. He gives up resisting and submits to the Sisters.
The story continues in the Palace of the Prophets, where Richard learns his magical power, and that his abilities haven't been found in anyone since 3000 years.

New artwork
Keith Parkinson designed the original (above) and new artwork for Stone of Tears (left).

The rule
"Passion rules reason."

Plot
The Stone of Tears left Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell reunited in a place between worlds.
When Richard gets back, he finds there is only 1 way to stop the rise of the Imperial Order. he has take seize power over the Midlands. Richard becomes the new Master of D'Hara.

While the Midlands are plagued with a struggle for power, the Old World has its own problems. Sister Verna, the newly named Prelate, finds out the truth about the former Prelate, Annalina. She's not actually dead and is on a mission together with Nathan Rahl to fulfill the Prophecies and save the New World from the Jagang, the Dream Walker.

In the Midlands, there is a third force. The Blood of the Fold bows for noone. Tobias Brogan, the Lord General of the Blood of the Fold, manages to capture Kahlan Amnell and bring her to the Palace of the Prophets, unknowingly on a mission for the Dream Walker himself.
Richard finds out his love is captured, but he cannot reach her in the normal fashion. He uses an ancient means of transportation, the Sliph, to travel to her instantaneously. By accident he releases the Mriswith Queen, who then flees to Aydindril back through the Sliph.

Richard then destroys the Palace of the Prophets to prevent Jagang from gaining any advantage over him, saves Kahlan, and gets back to the Midlands. There he goes to war against the Blood of the Fold and the mriswith.

New artwork
Kevin Murphy was the designer of the original artwork (above).
Keith Parkinson, again, designed the new artwork for Blood of the Fold (left).

The rule
"There is magic in sincere forgiveness. Magic to heal. In the forgiveness you grant, and more so in the forgiveness you receive."

Plot
The wizard Marlin appears in Aydindril and openly announces to kill Richard Rahl. This is the start of a series of events that eventually lead Richard into the Temple of the Winds, a difficult place to get in, but an even more difficult place to get out.

Artwork
Keith Parkinson designed the original and current artwork of the Temple of the Winds.

The rule
"Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie."

Plot
Richard and Kahlan are married and are enjoying life to the fullest during their wedding night, but not for long. Unexplainable deaths occur soon after.
Zedd seems to know how to stop the havoc. A bottle with a special spell must be retrieved, and Richard and Kahlan start out for another quest.

Artwork
Keith Parkinson designed the artwork of Soul of Fire.