The Sword of Truth, Boxed Set I, Books 1–3 – “Wizard's First Rule,” “Stone of Tears,” and “Blood of the Fold”

Book 1: Wizards First Rule
The masterpiece that started “The New York Times” bestselling epic Sword of Truth
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 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 best 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 say.
In their darkest hour, hunted relentlessly, tormented by treachery and loss, Kahlan calls 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.

Book 2: “Stone of Tears”
An Epic of Awesome Power
Kahlan has at last gained the one goal she had always thought was beyond her grasp … love. Against all odds, the ancient bonds of secret oaths, and the dark talents of men long dead, Richard has won her heart.
Amid sudden and disastrous events, Richard's life is called due to satisfy those treacherous oaths. To save his life, Kahlan must forsake Richard's love and cast him into the chains of slavery, knowing there could be no sin worse than such a betrayal.
Richard is determined to unlock the secrets bound in the magic of ancient oaths and to again be free. Kahlan, alone with the terrible truth of what she has done, must set about altering the course of a world thrown into war. But even that may be easier than ever winning back the heart of the only man she will ever love.

Book 3: “Blood of the Fold”
An Epic of Two Worlds
In a world as rich and real as our own, Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell stand against the ancient forces which besiege the New World– forces so terrible that when last they threatened, they could only be withstood by sealing off the Old World from whence they came. Now the barrier has been breached, and the New World is again beset by their evil power. War and treachery plague the world, and only Richard and Kahlan can save it from an armageddon of unimaginable savagery and destruction.

Terry Goodkind, author of the brilliant bestsellers “Wizard's First Rule "and "Stone of Tears,” has created his most masterful epic yet, a sumptuous feast of magic and excitement replete with the wonders of his unique fantasy vision.

Age 16 to adult

Reviews for 1st book in series

“A wonderfully creative, seamless, and stirring epic fantasy debut.” Kirkus Reviews

“Gawrsh. It's…big. Yessiree, there's no denying that you can't miss Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth novels on your local bookstore shelves, if only for the fact that they're so goddamn huge that one copy of a Goodkind novel takes up the same rackspace as three or four novels by most anyone else. With this 820-page monster debut, Goodkind becomes the heavyweight champion of the VLFN sweepstakes, even out-Jordaning Robert Jordan in the effort to astonish potential readers with the utter enormity of his creation. The question of whether or not this sort of thing is just writerly machismo gone horribly overboard is perhaps best settled by a critical rumble in the alley. (Clearly James Frenkel is the most generous editor in the business in allowing his writers to indulge themselves this way.) The important issue at hand for us is: Do the merits of the story justify the length and the investment of time required by the reader? Pissed-off readers of this website already know how I would answer that question in Jordan's case. How does Goodkind fare? Happily, I am able to say: much, much better than Jordan. Yes, this doorstopper of a novel is markedly flawed in several areas, and many of these flaws are due to both its extreme length as well as the routine mistakes one would reasonably expect a first-time novelist to make. While he won't win any awards for originality (to put it gently), Goodkind has created a quest fantasy that eschews the most obvious Tolkienian clichés, offers up its fair share of unexpected twists and turns, and, most importantly, features absorbing characters who, though archetypes, engage the reader both intellectually and emotionally…on the whole, this is a surprising, ambitious work of adult fantasy that amply rewards readers willing to ignore its size and shortcomings and give it a fair hearing. (If you don't see yourself granting those indulgences, stay far away.) At this point there's sufficient reason to hope that Goodkind will get better, and his Sword of Truth get sharper. And as a reviewer, it's always nice to be reminded of the Critic's First Rule: that just because many novels in a particular genre suck doesn't mean they all do.” SFReviews.Net

“The protective barrier that separates Westland from its neighbors to the east is about to fall, letting loose a monstrous evil upon the world. Only the combined efforts of a young man dedicated to finding the truth, an enigmatic woman intent on concealing her past, and a crusty old hermit resigned to his inevitable destiny can prevent the opening of the three boxes of Orden-an event with the potential to destroy existence itself. The inclusion of graphic scenes of sado-eroticism, though integral to the story, may deter purchase by some libraries. Nevertheless, this first novel offers an intriguing variant on the standard fantasy quest. The richly detailed world and complex characters will appeal to mature fantasy aficionados.” Library Journal