Wizard's First Rule

I wanted to like this book because the TV series was not so bad. The quality of the writing is not the best, the main storyline is interesting, but the quest to achieve the main characters goals includes some side plots that were just not fun at all, like the Mud People.

Richard Cypher is the “Farm Boy” (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FarmBoy) who meets the damsel in distress Kahlan that turns out to be not so helpless after all. I liked the friendship between the two of them, it was very true and beautiful.

I already knew some of the story, so even though Kahlan decided to keep her secret from Richard for a long time, I understood her decisions along the way. However, I would be very frustrated if I did not knew that beforehand, as it took too long for it to be revealed, and was accompanied with a few few plot holes with it.

The Darken Rahl scenes were a bit annoying. He is an evil psychopath, and way too much time was spent trying to show how he could behave nicely to get what he wants. The outcome of one scene where this happened was very nice though, as it really transmitted his personality. He is only interested in knowledge and power, and the things he do to people to achieve his goals are of no consequence for him.

Zed is the very likable mentor/father figure for Richard. He is the old wizard who decided to live in isolation because the world is irrational and would not heed his warnings and advices.

One thing that REALLY bothered me is the book's title part of the story. The Wizard's first rule is stated as an actual “rule” for becoming a wizard, and it is a very “stupid” one (unintended pun, if you know the story). Basically they reduce being a wizard as being smart an intelligent. “You fooled me, therefore you could be a wizard” (paraphrasing). Not only that, but when Zed speaks of this, he makes it seem that only wizards can be smart. “Ah, you would know not to trust people if you were a wizard” (paraphrasing). It does makes sense that you need to be intelligent to be a wizard, but the exposition of this fact was too crude, close to saying “You need Int 14+ to be a wizard”.

I liked the Mord-Sith plot, as the transmitted perversion of goodness feeling was very fitting with the story. I think this might be the most memorable and unique part of the book. Oh, and I did not find the torture scenes too harsh as some people pointed out, but they were strong enough.

I do not intend to read any more books in the series because:
- This is the best book, and I didn't like it
- The way it ended, somewhat in the lines of the hero achieving ultimate power, is never conducing for a good sequel. (take Dune, Matrix or any other example for this)
- I know the plot of the second book because of the TV, and it is kind of good, but poorly executed.

By the way, the TV series as I remember was very faithful and well adapted from the book. Some concessions had to be made of course, such as the way Kahlan powers work. I found them to be much more interesting in the TV and a more convincing reason for she and Richard never being able to be together.