I picked up Wizard's First Rule for two reason: It was through the public library and thus free, and it is the beginning of a series of novels. This is one of the audio books I've been listening to on my commute to and from work so a long series seemed like a good idea.

I quickly discovered upon starting the second book in the series, Stone of Tears, that the Sword of Truth series isn't so much a series of novels about the same characters but instead one complete story separated by books as well as chapters. Each novel begins almost immediately where the previous left off, continuing the narrative without even a moments pause. Each book can stand on its own but rather than post a separate review for each I decided to combine them into one.

You'll have to look hard to find something wrong with Goodkind's story. The characters are unique and the setting, while medieval, does not fit into the traditional fantasy world with Elves, Dwarves, and other races that have become familiar. There are dragons and a few other magical creatures but everything else is new. The landscape is well thought out and described in great detail.

Goodkind is definitely writing for adults. There are several passages with “adult content” including explicit torture scenes with dominatrix-style women controlling men that are definitely not for the faint of heart. It's a tough call on how much detail to include and I don't think Goodkind was trying to titillate with these scenes since they happened only once and for a specific reason. But they are there.

One of the good things is the lack of profane language. Even the brutes in the enemy army don't give voice to such thoughts except with terms like “cursing and swearing” that let you know they type of words used without actually using them. There is one reoccurring character that uses a “bad” word on a regular basis. The “bad” word in that world, however, is benign in ours and I can't figure out the connotation without really grasping at straws. Everyone around him admonishes him to “not say bad words,” lending a little comic relief to the story.

The philosophy behind The Sword of Truth is that of Ayn Rand's Objectivism. The series as a whole is designed to teach the reader without explicitly stating that teaching. The characters learn their lessons through trial and error, realizing the axioms of Objectivism. The axioms are incorporated in the Wizard's Rules which govern magic and life.

There are many points of agreement between Conservative Christianity and Objectivism. Both believe in an objective reality that exists regardless of our perceptions. Both believe in capitalism as the best form of a market economy. But because of their belief in logic, perceptions, and reason, many Objectivists are also Materialists and so do not believe in a spiritual world or God since God cannot be perceived through the normal senses. Goodkind stumbles a bit in this regard since in his world he acknowledges both a Creator and a Keeper of the Underworld, one that rules the living, the other rules the spirits of the dead. The Spirits often come to speak with the living and offer advice and guidance. It's possible that Goodkind may not believe in spiritual forces in this world and is simply using this “fantasy” device to further his stories and reveal his philosophy.

There are some passages that could possibly be read as anti-Catholic and anti-God. The Sisters of the Light are devoted to the Creator and train young wizards. The Sisters may punish them with pain, if necessary. I was left with the impression of nuns using rulers on the palms of student's hands. Also, when they refer to the written teachings of their order, the Sisters are often met with such sayings as “Did your Creator tell you himself? Did he write the words for you?”

Goodkind does not suffer any fool, whether conservative or liberal, and so is not uniquely anti-religious. The Fellowship of Order is about as liberal and socialist as any organization and is the source of misery in the world. This group is the embodiment of liberal social justice, believing self-sacrifice for others as the ultimate – and only – means of salvation. From each according to his means, to each according to his need would fit very will in the Order and is taken to its logical conclusion. Life under the Order is similar to Communist Russia where prices were set regardless of costs. Do you have money? How dare you be so greedy as not to share with those less fortunate than yourself? Those with money or ability thus become slaves to those without. I suggest every Democrat in the United States should read this series and perhaps study Objectivism in great detail.

Another interesting item is the Bond. In order to save the people of D'Hara from the influences of mind readers (the Dreamwalkers) one powerful Wizard created a spell that bonded the people to the descendants of the House of Rahl. To be saved, a person must acknowledge and accept the Lord Rahl. There is a ritual devotion that is said but it is not required for the magic to work. Is it just me or is there a very overt Salvation theme here? Does anyone else think this odd for an Objectivist to include?

Christians believe in salvation through Jesus Christ. We must believe and accept that salvation in order to be free from our sins.

Have I become an Objectivist through reading The Sword of Truth series? No. I recognize some of the shared “truth” but also the differences. Christians should not avoid the series due to the philosophy.

I make a favorable recommendation but note the scenes that Christians may find objectionable.