Wizard's First Rule

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 when 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 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 cals 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.

I have read many fantasy and science fiction novels and also listened to quite a few.

This book in audio format definitely rides high amongst the many fantasy novels I have read and/or listened to.

The action in the book starts straight away and when you start to think the book is quietening down the action starts up afresh. This is definitely one of the most action filled book I have ever read/listened to and unlike quiet a lot of other books I have read is not split into three parts to get more cash out of the reader.

Even though it is part of a large set of books the story within is self contained and still leaves you wanting for more, to see what the heroes will get up to next and to see where the story will take them.

As I have said before the action never seems to slow down (apart from one bit three quarters of the way through the book) and is packed with unexpected turns which makes this quite considerable sized book hard to put down. To give you an idea of the size of the story the audiobook goes on for 33 hours.

The part where the story slowed down is probably the most controversial part of the book when Richard is captured by a Mord-Sith. It is very S&M based and some will probably find it disturbing and it definitely goes on way too long. But it is a key element to Richard's character building.

Terry Goodkind's character building is excellent and not too overly drawn out like Robert Jordan's Characters are in The Wheel of Time.

If you like fast action and are not too overly bothered with world building then this is definitely the novel for you.

Wizard's First Rule was originally going to be made into a mini-series but the project got so big that now it is being made into a 22 part series and will air on November 1st 2008 with the first episode being a double episode and bareing the new title of 'Legend Of The Seeker'. The following episodes will fit into the classic hour long slot (approx 45 mins per episode).

Most of the casting so far looks okay with Bridget Regan as Kahlan and Bruce Spence ("Mad Max 2" and "The Matrix Revolutions") as Zedd. Unfortunately though they have cast Craig Horner to play Richard Cypher and he looks way to wimpy for the role in my eyes and only time will tell if he really fits the role.

Rest assured though that Terry Goodkind is working with crew to make Legend of the Seeker and if you want more information on the production click on this link!