Wizard's First Rule [Jan 22, 2018]

[Laura]

Thank you Chris. :) You never steer one wrong so I'll follow your advice.

[Chris]

Glad to hear, Laura :)

As far as Sword of Truth, I see that several of the books are currently discounted on Amazon US.

[Laura]

I for one bought the whole series already. Took a gamble, same as with Outlander and Malazan. Malazan is definitelly paying off. I hope Sword of Truth also will.

[Choko]

Laura wrote: "I for one bought the whole series already. Took a gamble, same as with Outlander and Malazan. Malazan is definitelly paying off. I hope Sword of Truth also will."

I have it too... If and when you decide to read it, let me know:)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I decided to join in on this starting tomorrow morning/today... I remember watching some Legend of the Seeksr... didn't know it was connected...

I read the first 3 Shannara books in publication order... liked Allanon... pre-kindle and I had to order 1 of the books I couln't get at B&N immediately, so I never continued with other trilogies in the setting...

@Charlie: Cringey & stilted dialogue are a big thing to me as well...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Chapter 4/5: The Lady (Richard) Doth Protest Too Much... more thoughts later...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Chapter 19/21: (view spoiler)[Because Darken Rahl wasn't setup as a bad guy enough with his plans of conquest, now we add all this rape / child molestation and manipulation to make him look really evil (hide spoiler)]

General thoughts: how old are these characters? Their actions seem all over the place at times, so I have no idea...

The writing style is really easy to read, I've been listening at 2x speed since about 45 minutes in at 1.5x, and could almost go faster... but it leaves me cringing at times, like Charlie said...

A symptom of this easy straightforward writing is that a lot of things seem obvious, as the reader... and a lot of problems resolve quickly... (view spoiler)[since The Seeker is the solution to every problem... except when he acts stupidly/rashly... (hide spoiler)]

[Pat the Book Goblin]

Yeah, I’ve heard that WFR has a simple writing style and crappy dialogue. I haven’t started to read it yet though. In a few days I will.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Late chapter 21: (view spoiler)[I'm wondering if maybe the demons replaced Kahlan, the one person Richard is too worried about to question finding again... that seems like something that would happen in a more complicated book, but I'm not sure about this one... I'm not even sure the demons can leave the Barrier like that... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Patrick wrote: "Yeah, I’ve heard that WFR has a simple writing style and crappy dialogue. I haven’t started to read it yet though. In a few days I will."

Yea... I think this is his first book, so hopefully those things improve over time...

[Charlie]

I'm holding out hope it'll get better. Sometimes the characters talk and behave like they're kids and it bothers me. I'm about 20% of the way in now and the story is still really cool so in looking forward to some awesome magical battles hopefully.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Yea... half the characters seem bipolar (altho I'm probably misusing the term)... their emotions swing at the drop of a hat... then everything is "normal" again, a page later...

[Pat the Book Goblin]

lol would you say the book is worth reading? you don't seem to like it haha

[Choko]

Just started and I am hooked... It is very early, just finished CH. 1, so I have no real judgement of the writing or anything yet, but I am enjoying it so far. I like the fighting scenes :):):)

[Choko]

Ch. 4... So, Michael is an asshole! Good to know...

I like it very much, so far... I am still reserving judgement though...

[Choko]

It is all just perception. Whoever wins thinks he is right...

So true!...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

@Patrick: I feel like I'm being overcritical, maybe... I've read so many great/better books lately... I'm trying to give it the benefit of the doubt for now...

@Choko: Everyone is the hero of their own story... history is written by the victors... etc...

Mud people chapters: (view spoiler)[ Another round of seesawing emotions... I don't feel these characters are very worthy of their roles... and Kahlan needs to come clean about this Confessor stuff already....... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29: (view spoiler)[I'm worried for Rachel... children aren't doing very well at surviving, so far... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30: (view spoiler)[ REALLY?!?... Do they never learn to be wary?... And Kahlan is missing again... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I hope people don't find all my comments/spoilers too negative... don't want to sour anyone enjoying the book's experience... I think my frustrations have snowballed to the point that I'm hypercritical of everything that happens, now...

[Laura]

I'm running behind again. will start this tomorrow and try to catch up.

@Iain - you really do seem to have very strong negative feelings towards this while Choko liles it. Hmm! I wonder which side I'll take. 😊

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Can't love them all...

I'm on chapter 40 now, and I think Rachel is my favorite character...

Chapter 35 (view spoiler)[ was my favorite chapter to date... I liked Richard and Kahlan more through Rachel's POV than I have alone for awhile... it's almost funny how much easier this plot would be if people just pooled their knowledge sooner... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 36 I think: (view spoiler)[I wonder if Richard will ever find out he accidentally did the right thing here, with the bone... probably only if Darken has a Bond Moment and reveals info... (hide spoiler)]

I wonder, if Sam Tsoutsouvas's characterizations are having an effect on my perceptions... he kinda seems to exacerbate the things I find annoying about the characters, I think...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Chapter 41: This is different... sort of... (view spoiler)[in that basically Richard is in as bad a situation as most of the children have been in so far in this book... I assume Michael is the Betrayer... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

You are way ahead of me. We just got to the blind Bone woman. I like her.

This is differently written than what we are used to reading. It is very linear as a storytelling style but that doesn't bother me, it reminds me of the Fantasy written before the 80's... I read a lot of those when I was a kid and I just put it in this category and don't compare it to the very contemporary trend of writing... But this is me and if you guys don't enjoy it, I am sorry. I hope you would find something satisfying in it though 😊😀😊

[Choko]

Every time they talk about spicy soup I always want to call the Chinese restaurant and order the Hot and Spicy soup! I love it so much, but it is rather early in the morning right now... 😀😀😀

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I must have liked this book more when I read it 15-20 years ago... I don't remember feeling so strongly about it, anyway...

Chapters 41-42 are very long... I'm near the end of 42 now... then the story starts to wrap up... only 6 shorter chapters and 3hrs left...

I plan to read the next one, I think, and hope I like it more... this'll probably be 3 stars for me...

I think the spreadsheet is helping me be more critical in my ratings... I can just look at the books I read and be like "I can't give these the same rating, because this book was so much better..."

[Rob]

Iain wrote: "I must have liked this book more when I read it 15-20 years ago... I don't remember feeling so strongly about it, anyway...

Chapters 41-42 are very long... I'm near the end of 42 now... then the ..."

I remember adoring the first book or two of this series. It was the new big thing when it came out originally, but then the third book got rather....(view spoiler)["rapey" (hide spoiler)]. the fourth book was meh...Then he went off the deep end on repetitive digressions of lame philosophy. I seem to recall liking book 5 and 6 (6 especially)) though much less on a reread of 6. I am not sure I ever finished I made it through the 10th book.

I don't regret selling every last book years ago via Amazon.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

@Rob: That's kinda what I gathered skimming some reviews...

I've actually been liking the story more at the end here (view spoiler)[ with Richard separated from Kahlan for an extended period of time... first in captivity, now with the dragon... (hide spoiler)]

[Pat the Book Goblin]

Man does Richard like Kahlan! I have to agree with you Iain, the dialogue is cheesy haha. But overall the story is interesting!

[Pat the Book Goblin]

OH WOW Iain, you're almost done? Haha I'm on chapter 3!

[Elizabeth]

I'm only on chapter 2, had a really sucky last two days and haven't read much.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Just finished... it dove right back into the frustrating, when the "revelations" started dropping towards the end... but then it managed some actual surprises...

(view spoiler)[ altho I should have seen it coming the way Richard speculated about Richard's parentage, and all the talk of bastards in the Rahl line earlier in the book...

Michael, tho, was hardly a revelation...

I hope the dragon is a fixture of the series going forward... she was fun... her and Rachel were my favorites... (hide spoiler)]

For all the talk early on... (view spoiler)[ the Book of Shadows sure seemed to make obvious sense at the end... (hide spoiler)]

[Pat the Book Goblin]

Who is reading the next book after this?

[Choko]

Elizabeth wrote: "I'm only on chapter 2, had a really sucky last two days and haven't read much."

I am so sorry, Elizabeth!!! I hope all is well now!!!

I am up to the Mud People and this has been a very interesting visit. Loved every moment about it, even (view spoiler)[ the jealous tantrum Kahlan threw! Hahaha! And she has not been open with her secret to him yet?!?!?! She deserves what she gets:):):) (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I am enjoying it very much, although I can see why people might be not so pleased with it:):):) Iain, you are a reading champion! I could not have read this as fast as you ever!!! I am only 48% in and this is one big book! It reads fast, but I am not as good as you:):):)

[Charlie]

I'm reading this a few pages at a time on my break at work in between the other books I've got going on so i'm probably not going to finish anytime soon but I'm happy taking it slow.

I'm 22% in now and (view spoiler)[they're camping outside the border. Richard has just been playing on the magic rock, I really wish he was training to be a wizard and not a seeker, he'd likely be less boring as a wizard. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

One thing though, I did not expect Kahlan to be so quick to cry and Richard so quick to anger... I guess I am still having difficulty separating it from the TV show...

[Choko]

Charlie wrote: "I'm reading this a few pages at a time on my break at work in between the other books I've got going on so i'm probably not going to finish anytime soon but I'm happy taking it slow.

I'm 22% in no..."

I wish he would too!!! Zedd is a very fun character:)

[Choko]

Iain wrote: "Chapter 19/21: [spoilers removed]

..'..."

That was pretty awful!!! I hated those scenes...

[Charlie]

Choko wrote: "Charlie wrote: "I'm reading this a few pages at a time on my break at work in between the other books I've got going on so i'm probably not going to finish anytime soon but I'm happy taking it slow..."


Yeah I LOVE Zedd, he's just brilliant. In comparison I find Richard super boring.

[Choko]

Charlie wrote: "Choko wrote: "Charlie wrote: "I'm reading this a few pages at a time on my break at work in between the other books I've got going on so i'm probably not going to finish anytime soon but I'm happy ..."

I agree! And all of his temper tantrums - gosh, control yourself, man!!!

[Choko]

Ch. 29... I just met Rachel and Princess Violet... Am I a terrible person to want something bad to happen to the princess and her mother?

[Choko]

Up to Ch. 35... (view spoiler)[ Finally! It was about time for her to come clean, but again, this Richard here is being such a drama queen!!! I want him to get more emotionally stable somehow!!! Could be just me... (hide spoiler)]

[Pat the Book Goblin]

Ugh. Can we leave politics out? Lol

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "I am enjoying it very much, although I can see why people might be not so pleased with it:):):) Iain, you are a reading champion! I could not have read this as fast as you ever!!! I am only 48% in ..."

I have had a good 2 days... a lot of it comes down to the straightforward nature of the book... I listened to 34/2 = 17hrs of audiobook in about 42hrs... I've been struggling to read at home the last few days since I've gotten tired of the things I've been doing the past months to fill time while I listen... but then I decided to start playing Path of Exile again... an Action RPG that requires very little thought for me to play... since you have to start over to play in each league that introduces new game mechanics...

And anyway... you seem to be reading 2-3 books at a time, anyway... I can't be reading that much faster than you if you add up all the books you're reading...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "One thing though, I did not expect Kahlan to be so quick to cry and Richard so quick to anger... I guess I am still having difficulty separating it from the TV show..."

That's probably why I like Rachel more... I think she's younger, so I can accept her behavior more...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "Ch. 29... I just met Rachel and Princess Violet... Am I a terrible person to want something bad to happen to the princess and her mother?"

Absolutely not... something bad needs to happen to almost everyone in this book, it seems... another aspect of this being a straightoforward book, I guess... it beats you over the head with how bad some of the characters are... it was bad enough learning about Rahl's 2nd-in-command-guy... but then towards the end you get a number (view spoiler)[80-120 children molested (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "Just got to the First Wizard's rule and it explained exactly the whole strategy of Trump's campaign and administration! Wow!"

I loved that part... I think it would be funny to read a Fantasy book with the title being the actual rule :)

[Choko]

Patrick wrote: "Ugh. Can we leave politics out? Lol"

Yeah, sorry, just couldn't stop myself from reacting:) I can delete that note:)

[Choko]

Iain wrote: "Choko wrote: "Ch. 29... I just met Rachel and Princess Violet... Am I a terrible person to want something bad to happen to the princess and her mother?"

Absolutely not... something bad needs to ha..."

This and the villages victims, gosh, it breaks my heart!!!

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥]

I'm on chapter 24. I'm listening to it and marking my place in the book. The only bad thing about that is that I miss a lot of stuff. I'm trying to save my eyes but then I get distracted and walk off and forget to hit pause.

From what I have l listened to so far, I'm liking it.

I can't remember what all happened in the show since that was so long ago and I have problems with memory (long term and short term) which is another reason I don't do a lot of buddy reads. I can't help it with my medical issues.

But since hearing that the show goes off in another direction from the books, it's a good thing I don't remember what all happened. I wish they did it right and could have made the whole series!

[Pat the Book Goblin]

Where are you listening to it? Youtube? I need to listen to it. I can’t make myself read it. It’s dragging for me. It just doesn’t compare to Lies of Locke Lamora or The Way of Kings. The two other books I’m reading now lol