Wizard's First Rule
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Wizard’s First Rule is the first book in the Sword of Truth series of books. It was written by Terry Goodkind and was released on August 15, 1994 in hardcover and in paperback on July 15, 1997. The book also was re-released with new cover artwork in paperback on June 23, 2001.
The Story
Wizard’s First Rule stars a young man by the name of Richard Cypher, a single young woods guide. Richard lives in an area of the fantasy world known as Westland separated from everyone else by a dangerous magical boundary that prevents anyone from passing through it. Through the boundary (though Richard does not know this) also lies many sovereign nations, jointly known as The Midlands, and the large empires D'Hara and The Old World. Richard works as a woods guide leading important political figures through dangerous forests, while his brother's interests lay entirely in politics.
Richard is naturally compelled to investigate the mysterious murder of his father when he happens upon his destiny, a woman Kahlan Amnell, and keeps her from also being murdered by a group of four men known as a quad.
After saving Kahlan’s life, it is revealed that Kahlan has somehow come through the boundary and is now searching for the First Wizard. Richard feels that this woman is in need of protection, and takes her to the only man he can trust: his best friend, a friend who had helped to raise him: Zedd.
Richard is surprised to learn that this close friend of his has kept many secrets from him for Richard's entire life - Zedd is not the simple man that he had presumed he was, but rather the Wizard that Kahlan is looking for.
Kahlan tells him of the events taking place on the other side of the boundary to convince him to come with her. An evil leader called Darken Rahl is leading his Imperialist army against The Midlands. At the same time, Zedd comes to the decision that Richard is the one true Seeker of the time and gives him the Sword of Truth.
The story follows the team of Richard and Kahlan as they cross back through the boundary and as they attempt to collect one of the mysterious boxes of Orden to prevent Darken Rahl from gaining ultimate power over all.
Characters
- Richard Cypher
- Kahlan Amnell
- Zedd (Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander)
- George Cypher
- Michael Cypher
- Darken Rahl
- Demmin Nass
- Dell Brandstone (Chase)
- The Bird Man
- Wizard Giller
- Rachel (Sword of Truth)
- Zedd's Cat
- Shota
Wizard's First Rule
In this volume we discover the Wizard's First Rule:
"People are stupid. They will believe anything that they want to be true or fear to be true."