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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Wizard's First Rule is the type of book I'd recommend to someone who wants a big, predictably happy story. It's the type of book that makes me think of a classic fantasy with it's reluctant but rise-to-the-challenge hero versus the big bad of evil.
To me, the pure size of Wizard's First Rule injures it for me. A few parts of the plot aren't very interesting, coming off as needless ways to extend the plot by just shoving small, useless sections in. Most of these sections, I suspect, are put in to help build this big world for the reader so that if you move along down the series, this giant world within the book is already sort of flushed out.
The main plot is wonderful. Though the romances in the book do happen unnaturally quick and someones just out of the blue, the characters are a very simple type of enjoyable. A menagerie of side characters appear that range from memorable to not so memorable.
The plot is a very simple 'reluctant hero is called upon to save the world from a tyrant, with friends' format that works out. The magic that's introduced isn't anything special.
One of the things about the book is that it could probably do with some less text-book fantasy aspects. The biggest one being that a random talking dragon just seems to be thrown in there, and it feels out of place.
Overall...it's ok. It's nothing special, but it's ok.
To me, the pure size of Wizard's First Rule injures it for me. A few parts of the plot aren't very interesting, coming off as needless ways to extend the plot by just shoving small, useless sections in. Most of these sections, I suspect, are put in to help build this big world for the reader so that if you move along down the series, this giant world within the book is already sort of flushed out.
The main plot is wonderful. Though the romances in the book do happen unnaturally quick and someones just out of the blue, the characters are a very simple type of enjoyable. A menagerie of side characters appear that range from memorable to not so memorable.
The plot is a very simple 'reluctant hero is called upon to save the world from a tyrant, with friends' format that works out. The magic that's introduced isn't anything special.
One of the things about the book is that it could probably do with some less text-book fantasy aspects. The biggest one being that a random talking dragon just seems to be thrown in there, and it feels out of place.
Overall...it's ok. It's nothing special, but it's ok.
This doesn't deserve one star, child rape? Unacceptable descriptive SA involving children.
Lack of description of the world and creatures, over description of SA
Characters consistently go against how they are described, and seem to have the intilect of early elementary school with the idiotic mistakes they make.
The misogyny is everywhere.
Lack of description of the world and creatures, over description of SA
Characters consistently go against how they are described, and seem to have the intilect of early elementary school with the idiotic mistakes they make.
The misogyny is everywhere.
Awesome book overall. Slow start but really picks up and doesn't slow down.
This book would have gotten 4 stars, but the author is long winded in areas that aren't necessary, and there are way more spelling mistakes than there should be in a book that's been in print this long. Overall though, it's a good story, and I'm looking forward to the next book.
another generic Tolkien-esque fantasy.
Though the red fruit thingy was neat.
Though the red fruit thingy was neat.
ok so i had a bit of a cool down after reading it. my review rests at 4 stars.
I enjoyed this book IMMENSELY. i thought the magic system, the division of the world, the character roles were really interesting. I think the greatest success of this book was that it gives the nostalgic epic fantasy feeling in the movies circa late 80s - early 2000s. It also helps if you remember that no fantasy novel should ever be taken so seriously, they’re all a lil comical every now and then and this book def has its moments of goofy gooberism and oh my gosh the world is ending and crumbling right in my hands and i can’t turn away from it.
Also? this book is 100% a romance. An OG romantasy if you will. it deserves a bit more attention. I would die for Richard and Kahlan those pure lil babies deserve happiness and love and UGH the drama between these two is anything but drama? more wholesome. VERY MUCH Aragorn & Arwen vibes of two people you just know are fated for each other and they’re gonna find a way to make it friggen work.
I feel weird knowing this is a massive series? like i truly think if this had been a solo stand alone it would be equally as strong. that being said, i am interested to see where the series goes.
ps: thanks grandpa for giving me your collection of fantasy books, this was SICK.
I enjoyed this book IMMENSELY. i thought the magic system, the division of the world, the character roles were really interesting. I think the greatest success of this book was that it gives the nostalgic epic fantasy feeling in the movies circa late 80s - early 2000s. It also helps if you remember that no fantasy novel should ever be taken so seriously, they’re all a lil comical every now and then and this book def has its moments of goofy gooberism and oh my gosh the world is ending and crumbling right in my hands and i can’t turn away from it.
Also? this book is 100% a romance. An OG romantasy if you will. it deserves a bit more attention. I would die for Richard and Kahlan those pure lil babies deserve happiness and love and UGH the drama between these two is anything but drama? more wholesome. VERY MUCH Aragorn & Arwen vibes of two people you just know are fated for each other and they’re gonna find a way to make it friggen work.
I feel weird knowing this is a massive series? like i truly think if this had been a solo stand alone it would be equally as strong. that being said, i am interested to see where the series goes.
ps: thanks grandpa for giving me your collection of fantasy books, this was SICK.
I really took my time with this book. I haven't read a proper 'epic' fantasy, hero quest story afresh in a little bit, and this one was a big chunk, so I thought I'd give it proper time.
I didn't mind it, the writing was generally decent, and I didn't mind the mystery of the storyline initially. It was interesting, and slightly new to me, this was however until my fantasy-inclined friend told me to look up the plot to a set of Robert Jordan books. At that point, it became obvious, just from reading the blurb that there was some serious imitation going on.
Things I liked about the book: Richard Cypher. His character was actually fairly good through most of the book, I enjoyed reading his parts. I also really liked Rachel, and her interactions with Princess Violet and Giller. I liked how the power/magic of the Sword was handled - that part was probably the most interesting to me. The whole idea of the 'Wizard's First Rule' - I really, really loved that, it made me laugh because in most cases, it's true. I also liked the character of Denna, once her back story was explained, I was curious about her history, rather than the things she was doing in the present of the novel.
Things I didn't like: Kahlan being a whiny tortured soul wondering whether to tell Richard about who she really is. The whole extremely long winded S&M routine with Denna the Mord-Sith. The obvious hints of where the plot was going. The extremities in the characters, there was no one who I felt was really good and bad, it seemed very clear that characters were either pure evil (Princess Violet, Demmin Nass) or good - aside from Denna who was messed up.
As I finished the book, I was kind of unsure as to how Goodkind could drag this out for another 10 novels, considering how the book ended. I could see tying of loose ends, but that was it. I've been advised to stop now, but once I've started something, I like to know what the ultimate end is. What have I gotten myself into?
Overall, the book wasn't bad, otherwise I wouldn't have read through it all, but fantasy always had a way of capturing me, even if it wasn't the best in the world. Anyway, thanks for entertaining me on the train, Terry.
I didn't mind it, the writing was generally decent, and I didn't mind the mystery of the storyline initially. It was interesting, and slightly new to me, this was however until my fantasy-inclined friend told me to look up the plot to a set of Robert Jordan books. At that point, it became obvious, just from reading the blurb that there was some serious imitation going on.
Things I liked about the book: Richard Cypher. His character was actually fairly good through most of the book, I enjoyed reading his parts. I also really liked Rachel, and her interactions with Princess Violet and Giller. I liked how the power/magic of the Sword was handled - that part was probably the most interesting to me. The whole idea of the 'Wizard's First Rule' - I really, really loved that, it made me laugh because in most cases, it's true. I also liked the character of Denna, once her back story was explained, I was curious about her history, rather than the things she was doing in the present of the novel.
Things I didn't like: Kahlan being a whiny tortured soul wondering whether to tell Richard about who she really is. The whole extremely long winded S&M routine with Denna the Mord-Sith. The obvious hints of where the plot was going. The extremities in the characters, there was no one who I felt was really good and bad, it seemed very clear that characters were either pure evil (Princess Violet, Demmin Nass) or good - aside from Denna who was messed up.
As I finished the book, I was kind of unsure as to how Goodkind could drag this out for another 10 novels, considering how the book ended. I could see tying of loose ends, but that was it. I've been advised to stop now, but once I've started something, I like to know what the ultimate end is. What have I gotten myself into?
Overall, the book wasn't bad, otherwise I wouldn't have read through it all, but fantasy always had a way of capturing me, even if it wasn't the best in the world. Anyway, thanks for entertaining me on the train, Terry.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After putting off reading this for a year, I finally made the effort once the TV show premiered. Now I wish I had just finished it last Thanksgiving. Definitely a great read, but the last half of the book is very aggravating in that a LOT of bad things happen. At one point, I thought I would have to give up the book for a while just to cool down from the anger at some of the antagonists...and protagonists a few times. Even with the excruciating frustration and anger, I loved it.