Reading Goodkind is like a roller coaster ride and each book in the series leaves you wanting the next one. Can't wait for the final book myself. I think generally if you like the WoT series you will like SoT as well as they share some similar traits but very different focus and style. Good series to start with if you are a beginner in the fantasy genre.

An epic writer in our day, his work is positively wonderful. Probably the best of the fantasy writers of the day, he spins his tales like a bard. The characters seem real and are intricate; they blossom over time, as does the story. The Sword of Truth series wrap around their audience and provide a rivetting experience for any reader. Detail is rich and provides an image that you can not only feel, but see. Though I did not enjoy Soul of the Fire, I found the other books to be quite enjoyable. I give Goodkind a great round of applause for his imagination and his contribution of writing to our society.

Greeeeeeat! love it love it! For sale: Wheel of Time books 1-6

Only a child or an idiot would think that Robert Jordan is a better writer than Terry Goodkind. Admittedly though, Jordan's fantasy world is more magical. Almost as magical as J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth. jordan is even more creative in naming cahracters and places. But pleeeease! Jordan's books are sooooo booooring! Wheel of time is only a well written Dragonlance series. Like Dragonlance, the wheel of time lacks detail and history. now on the subject of sex and violence, I don't think it's out of context . It is totally necessary to mention such things because it is through these books do we get a feel of how evil and cruel people are. It also gives an idea how necessary it is for people to kill, for the sole purpose of self-preservation. Violence in these books, also give highlight to how important life is, and why we should be thankful that we exprience the simple joys in life- brief as they may seem . You have to read between the lines to grasp what Terry Goodkind truly writes about.

It would be an accurate summarization of the sword of truth to say that it is a medium thru which the author can shove complicated, self-conflicting philosophies down our throats. More and more so, every new bk becomes even more painful to read, having whole sections devoted to pointless philosophies. After re-reading the series a couple times, i still cant exactly find the point of the story. it seems like every bk is a variation of the same plotline: girl gets taken, reluctant hero saves the day. Intolerably repetitive. Like the Wheel of Time, SoT is a total blur. Atleast WoT has a believable world...SoT has nothing to its name but the sermons. Im also not impressed with the authors reaction to criticism. Instead of improving from what his readers had to say about him, he becomes even more adamant in his beliefs, ultimately leading to the destruction of his story. Like Brooks, my advice would only be: dont start...its just not worth it.

About average for the genre. Tends to get pretty wearing after the second book.

The man may have interesting ideas (though they don't appeal to me), but his sentence structure and grammar is appalling. I thought writers were supposed to be technically proficient as well as creative. His dialogue is weak and adolescent (perhaps explaining why so many of his biggest supporters are in hgh school)and his descriptions are flat, giving his world a bland,one dimensional quality. His gross use of violence, thrown in primarily to shock rather than to illuminate some point, shows the real measure of the author.

This guy is a plagiarizing hack. I cant fathom how anyone likes him. Aes Sedai = Sisters of the light, they have their own little dark societies, the blood of the fold is the Children of the Light, I could go on all day. His writing is horrid, and even if it was good, who the hell wants to read the same story twice? Please, get a new hobby Terry Goodkind, and do try to form an original thought in your feeble little mind. Its like you just go around reading fantasy and write down good ideas to steal them. Then he insults his fanbase in every interview, what a complete douche. If anyone brings up the fact that hes a hack copycat he gets all pissed off, this guy is a serious nut. Go on criticizing things that are cliché Mr. Goodkind, your story obviously isnt.

To hell with all of you Moronic Idiots who think that Robert Jordan could ever compare to Terry Goodkind and his ability at writing. You make me sick, Robert Jordan isn't worthy to lick Goodkind's boots. Even if Terry Goodkind was inspired by some ideas from Wheel of Time, theres an old saying, Good Writers Copy, Great Writers Steal, and anyways, he made them better jackasses. Goodkind kicks Robert Jordan's ass!!!

his books are the greatest books i've ever read and they help my imagination run wild. the wizards first rule is the first book i've read all the way through. i read the whole series in less than two months it was so good.

Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series is the best that I've ever read. I received his first book for my birthday and spent half the night reading it. I couldn't put it down! To those who think that the story is becoming predicable and less interesting, I say that I must disagree, however, I also pressure you to find any story that doesn't get a little predictable after so many installments of it. It happens to everyone and I think that the story is evolving for the better and cannot wait for the next book. For those who think that Terry Goodkind is insane, I must simply say that all the greatest people in history have also been considered crazy, but that didn't make them less great. I met Terry Goodkind and listened to a book talk and must say that he is a truly intriguing person and I would read at least the first novel just after listening to him speak. To those who think he is sadistic for the gruesome scenes, I say that it wouldn't be as realistic if there weren't some parts that were unsavory. There are people in life who truly are as horrible as the villains in these novels and Goodkind manages to capture their essence while simultaneously creating beings of beauty and truth. I think that the horrible villains only add to the admirable work of Terry Goodkind. Now after that LONG post, I finish. ^_^

this has got to be the best fantasy series i have EVER read. (and I previously held Wheel of time in my highest esteem!)

Naked Empire, Goodkind's latest Sword of Truth book, was the best book I have ever read. His characters have depth and intelligence. If you're looking for action, there's not a lot but there's loads of suspense.

i love terry goodkind!!!!!! his books are so richly detailed you feel as if you are really in them. you feel for the characters as if they are your own friends. i thought the series was incredibly well written and disagree that the books are too predictable. i have never read a series like this. i don't even like fantasy but his books were just so good it didn't matter. p.s i really hate robert jordan

I found this to be one of, if not the best fantasy serie out there. Ive read all Eddings work, Tolkien, Robert Jordan, Katharine Kerr, Tad WIlliams, Stephen DOnaldsson but I found Terry Goodkinds "Sword of Truth"-series to be top notch. Ultimately becasue it involves thrilling magic and immense suspense. On the negative side I must say it ended rather quickly and sort of abruptly. I litteraly read each book almost without putting it down.

Very intense author, Terry Goodkind goes to the extreme to get his point across by his profound use of brutality. I love the immense amount of emotion that he gives to his characters, especially Richard Rahl.

Very good series. The first books are fantastic.However from the 4th book the story is repetitive. The author wants to make the story longer(maybe to sell more books) and that ruins the whole story

I love Terry's books! He is brilliant. All the rules he applies, the creativity and the imagination that takes place. He takes me into his world fully. He is one of my favorite authors! I love Richard's need for truth, and he knows how special life is, how Nicci makes that realization even bad people can change, and just everything about it. The meanings make me so spirited that there is something out there in this world that can be good. The people are so real, you feel them. The only bad thing about his books is that when I stop reading them, I am back to my world. The world where people dont have the passion or truthness of life.

The best writer in the fantast genre. captivating characters, real emotions, excellent plot with great twists and even a bit sadistic at times. The sword of truth series is simply the best of fantasy even the romance is a tear jerker. although the last one pillars of creation was just average, the series is a must read.

I find that Terry Goodkind a very good writer. After reading the first book, I couldn't wait for the second. All the way up to the last book he is my favorite. But that last book. I was a little upset with the fact that the main characters weren't in it till the end. I understand he had to introduce the new characters, but I will have to say, that was just a little too much. Otherwise the end of Pillars of Creation was great. His books make me laugh, cry, and worry for the main characters. I re-read his books all year long so I am ready for the last one to come out. Terry, if you read this, keep up the good work, and hurry up with the next book.. (smile)

The writing is spectacular. The story has its overly familiar societies and characters. The only problem is, it's been done. It's a less-than retelling of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time.

I don't care what any of you assheads have to say about Terry, he is a genius and maybe you don't like him because you're too stupid to get the message he's conveying. I found the books to be brilliant works of art and there is no other series like it. Terry is a master of writing and imagry and will continue to write great books for years to come. The books not only have a lot of detail, but they can help you life. The wizard's first rule "people are stupid" is a good example of why people gave him 1 star. Anyone who thinks that Terry isn't a genius should be dragged out into the street and shot. We don't need anymore simple-minded mofos in this country. Go back to Canada where they write books you can understand.

The first book was good, there was/is no doubt about that. The books thereafter though are not very good at all. Most of the characters are well-written, and if one had not read Robert Jordan before, one would even say original. But the Sisters of the Light are too akin to Aes Sedai, the Stone of Tears to the Stone of Tears, the Baka Men to the Aiel, and some other conspicous details exist that point to a right out copyright tresspassing. The first book was well-inspired, but the latter ones were inspired by other works (Jordan's), and they seem to show it. The series slowly goes downhill, and the last book is horrible. It seems to be a treatise on government more than a fantasy book.

I have some trouble as to whether to give him a 3 or a 4, I enjoyed the series...loved Gratch...but I am still left with a loss of something I can't quite put my finger on. Perhaps it's that the plot is so simple. Bad things happen to truly good people, yet in the end all is forgiven and everyone is blissfully happy until the next tragedy stikes in the forthcoming book. I have yet to read the newest addition though. I just haven't been all that eager to run out and buy it. Of course I've been a little pre-occupied with RJ, maybe after this next book Goodkind will get a 4 instead of a 3.5. We'll see...

Briliant author who's books show the true meaning of science fiction. Richard and Kahlan are getting rather prodictable though. Goodkind dives a little too deaply into the love factor also.

Good Books! Slightly monotonous though.Richard and Kahlan are getting a little boring and predictable. Needs a fresh new face. Goodkind's kind of perverted too. parts-think sister of the dark's 'initiation'-disgust me. Overall though he has a colorful world with good characters and a great plotline. He has faults-but nobody's perfect and he is still great!

pulp fantasy trash

hack

I can not understand no matter how hard I try why anyone likes this man's writing. The story lines are predictable. The man is clearly psychotic. Perhaps some therapy would help him release some of his blatant hosility towards women. The constant torture of his main characters is to say the least annoying. I purchased the first 4 of his sword of truth books on cassette tape (unabridged) and after the 2nd tape of the first book was looking for ways to return them to the store. I kept hearing rave reviews of how great the books are so I kept listening hoping beyond hope that somehow it would get better. It got worse. Mr. Goodkind, perhaps you might find some other type of employment ... something less injurious to the fantasy genra.

Robin hobb is better

Second best author!-

Terry is da best author in the world!!!!

Though his first book was good they more than lost their luster. I had to stop reading in the middle of the third book, Isimply lost all interst in the book

Terry Goodkind started out great but his Sword of Truth books have been going downhill ever since. They've become predictable and seem to have the same formula/

Goodkind is a very good storyteller, but his writing skills leave something to be desired. The dialogue that he has between his characters seems very contrived and somewhat adolescent, and at times makes me cringe, but he does seem to be improving some as he goes along and as I stated, he does have very interesting stories.

I love him! Simply a great author who can really write great plots and can create great characters.

Another favorite, can't wait till the next book.

amazing author

If Robert Jordan wasn't my favorite Terry Goodkind would be.

Terry is almost as good as Robert Jordan, his story is slightly less world encompassing, less characters then Jordan

Good writing but not very original. Try and compare the worlds of Goodkind and Jordan.

The first four novels in the Sword of Truth series were excellent. Although the fifth one wasn't as good, it still held its own very well. I'm also a big Robert Jordan fan, but I think Terry beats him in one aspect. Goodkind's books always have closure, and you don't feel like you've been left hanging. Come on RJ....let's pick it up a bit with book 9 shall we???

You know what, I just mixed up Goodkind with Brooks, what a dufus! Well, anyhoo, you can find my thoughts on this man under Terry Brooks. So I guess I should talk about Brooks here then. I'd give him a good. His books weren't that great, not as in-depth as I like. But a good beginner-reader book.

great writer!