The Dean Koontz Community

[dnurse]

Wizards First Rule! Where are you at? You've met Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, and Chase? What do you think of Kahlan's history on Darken Raul? Isn't Richard sweet? Has Zedd lectured about perception and used the thief and the woman who thinks you've kidnapped her baby analogy? I'm sure you've read that part. Magic is used as an example of arms control in saying that magic isn't evil, it's the use of magic that can be right or wrong.

[Brittany_Lauren]

Currently, I am on page 247.

Thus far, I have met Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, Chase, Michael, Adie, Bill, and Randy.

Okay...I've discussed this tons with Snowman, so bear with me if my thoughts don't come across as fresh as they once did. Richard is so dense!!! I mean COME ON DUDE! There are so many clues and hints to him about what Kahlan is and what her secret is that it's like seriously?! Please get it soon! Adie was soo cool. I loved the connection between her and Kahlan's mother and how Kahlan's mother wore one of her necklaces while she was pregnant with Kahlan. That was awesome. I love the wizards and magic and sorceresses and the boxes of Orden and all that jazz. It's so cool. It bears a striking resemblance to LOTR in some ways, yet in others it is as different as night and day. For one, Darken Rahl reminds me a lot of Sauron in the sense that he keeps tabs on Richard. Sauron did that with Frodo, especially when he'd put the ring on. Not saying that LOTR is better than SoT or anything (I like this WAYYY better) but I'm just pointing out things I've noticed. Also, another difference that I've noticed is that this series or book for now, concentrates mostly on magic whereas LOTR was written by Tolkien, which could explain a lack of magic for the most part and moral lessons behind every little detail. I have to point out a truly hilarious moment for me (amongst many) - when Chase's wife gave Zedd a bag of fried chicken to take with them. I was like say WHAT?! There are flying gars and grippers and heart hounds...but they have fried chicken there?! It was too funny. I had to read it twice to really make sure I did indeed read about chicken. Goodkind is hilarious. Also, when Kahlan and Richard made it to Zedd's house and they found him on his stone outside butt naked? That was hilarious. OH and when Richard and Kahlan walked into Bill's bar when Zedd and Chase were like, unconscious thanks to the boundary underworld minions of Darken Rahl and the men said about Kahlan that she was an expensive whore and wondered if Richard would pass her around and she said something like no, it's his day off, I'm paying him and slapped his ass? LOLOLOLOL! I was like DANG! Ahahah I did NOT expect that one. So far, by far, that is my most favorite part.

Sry...I'm answering questions one at the time. Told you I needed my own thread.

Kahlan's history on Darken Rahl was terrifying. I felt so badly for her when Richard tried handing her an apple and she about killed him because it was red. I was heartbroken when Zedd was telling of how the poor children died because of the poisoned red fruit. It was a great history that recounted things starting with Panis Rahl. Every time I hear Panis I can't help but think penis. It just happens. Her history of him almost likens him to like an adolescent that just wants a bunch of power just to have it. It's disgusting.

*random note: there is so man speaking in really loud Korean near me and I want to shoot him!

Zedd did lecture about the perception of the mother and baby. That was funny, too. I was so excited to finally see Richard let the righteous anger take over. I agree, weapons in and of themselves are not evil, it's the way they are used, the way the power is wielded that can cause great things or destruction. Richard is the perfect man for the position of Seeker because he is always wanting to do whatever it takes to find out the TRUTH. He is so pure in the sense of a real genuine man that embodies all of the ideal characteristics. I can't wait for Kahlan to tell him about being a Confessor! I want to know NOW! I'm heartbroken right now that they supposedly cannot be together and that she cannot choose him.

Right now where I am they are just starting to navigate the pass through the boundary. I'm sad they cannot take their horses.

I'm concerned about the boxes of Orden. I wonder, because I know that magic could not have been in the Westland before the boundary went up, if like what Richard's father did with the Book of Counted Shadows, someone took a box through the pass into the Westland? It's just speculation at this point. I enjoy trying to solve things before it's possible. I know he cannot put the boxes into motion until he has them all, otherwise it is exceptionally foolish. But Darken Rahl is overconfident..another quality that lends me the mental image of an overeager adolescent. Richard is the only one alive who can possibly know the Book because he was made to memorize and burn it before he was an adult. I found something interesting in my reading earlier today...this passage that Richard thought of from the Book:

"Verification of the truth of the words of the Book of Counted Shadows, if spoken by another, rather than read by the one who commands the boxes, can only be insured by the use of a Confessor. . . ."

Okay...that looks an awful lot like foreshadowing to me, anyone else?! I'm worried now. I also fear they will have to travel so far and long without Zedd and his magic...they will have to go to D'Hara, too, I'm sure in search of these boxes.

Another interesting note? Darken Rahl bans fire in the Midlands. Michael, Richard's brother, blames fire itself for their mother's death. What is up with him, by the way? He's such an altruistic loony toon. He bothers me so much. I really don't like Michael. Especially when he grabbed Kahlan's ass at his party...I was like WTF?! He blames the wrong thing...instead of seeing how the man's anger led to the fire, he blames fire. What an idiot. Which is another reason that Richard is so wonderful...he was able to see the truth...past the effects to the cause of the problem. Like how the found the root of the snake vine. BTW if those come ready to repel spiders, I want one as a wedding gift one day. Hint Hint, peeps

I really don't think that when Chase awakens and heeds the Seeker's instructions to go to Hartland and inform Michael to get the armies ready at the border for Darken Rahl that Michael will do it. I think there's something going on there behind the scenes somewhere between Michael and Darken, possibly. The fire thing is too coincidental. See? So many speculations I have. Not sure if any of them are true or not, though...we'll find out.

HURRY UP AND TELL DENSE RICHARD THAT YOU ARE THE CONFESSOR, KAHLAN! GAH!!!

I am totally positive, also, that Zedd is the great one Ohhhh I can't wait until they get to the Midlands!!!!!!!!!! YAY!

So what do you guys think? Am I crazy and random and full of tangents, or am I? I told you I needed my own thread.

[dnurse]

No, your not crazy, I'm loving every word of your post!. The Confessor part drove me CRAZY! Richard is dense many times. LOL. I think it's suppose to be part of his charm. Sometimes I want to tap his head and say "Knock, knock. Who's there? Anybody home?"

The lawyer Richard A. Peniston. I still laugh at that. Panis made me remember it.

[masha99]

This is awesome! It's like I'm vicariously re-reading the series. If you like it now, it will only get better.

In fairness, Kahlan and Zedd get dense sometimes too. And they're supposed to be more sophisticated than Richard because he grew up as a simple woods guide. How could he possibly know about Confessors? I was mad at everyone for not telling him. He did guess something was off when Kahlan almost starts making love to him and he goes, nope, no until I know who you are.

[dnurse]

Richard evolves too. He and Odd are my top heroes now. Richard is another ideal man in my opinion.

[Brittany_Lauren]

I'm glad that he has his secret of the Book of Counted Shadows that they supposedly do not know that he has memorized and destroyed. I want to know what Zedd's secret from Richard is. I know!!! She HAS to tell him soon...I'm about to die here waiting for it! I can't wait to get further into the story.

[dnurse]

I'm excited for you to discover it all. You're just like me about Zedd and the secrets. I felt the same way. This is the best fantasy series ever.

[Brittany_Lauren]

I can't stand secrets. When it's Christmastime I always go nuts detective trying to discover what people got me...I can get reallllly sneaky. Secrets are good in a story, but really! I won't get to read much today because of my family reunion...but tonight I'm definitely going to go forward.

[Brittany_Lauren]

I'm on page 630 of WFR now. Okay whoa....soooo much has happened.

I left off with Richard and Kahlan passing through the boundary after they left Adie's house with Zedd and Chase left behind in a death sleep thanks to the creatures in the boundary from the underworld. The shadow things that kept following them were creepy as HELL. I love the stone that Adie gave to light the way - convenient! I was sad when Siddin found it and all that happened with that, though anyway, I digress...that is next paragraph.

I love the Mud People!!! WHOA! When they greet people by slapping them...I about DIED laughing my ass off at that! That one elder that was so smug about rejecting Richard's request for a meeting was an asshole...I was glad when Kahlan killed him...that sounds mean, but oh well. I loved when the cool hunter guy with the name S and v something or another was appointed...I forgot his name. Kill me. His son Siddin was ADORABLE, though. Whoa Masha...when you said last time about Richard shutting Kahlan down when she was about to make love to him was a spoiler at the time and I just read it today...that was awesome! I was so glad he told her like it was! I loved the Mud People part...it was so funny and so awesome at the same time how Richard handled them. He didn't get angry and strike them down and stuff - he was patient, and didn't want to deceive them by going along with that they thought he was a spirit...I thought that was really moral of him. Well duh, he is the Seeker.

I hated when they visited the witch lady...sorry, I don't have the book with me and I always forget character and place names, but you get my drift, I hope. I hated seeing Kahlan with the snakes all over her and Richard being told that Zedd was going to use his power against him and that Kahlan would turn on him. I felt so badly for him! I find it funny how he continually wants to be rid of the sword and to go back to his normal life after all is said and done. I know that isn't going to happen. I mean c'mon!

FINALLY on page 508 Kahlan reveals that she is the Mother Confessor. FINALLY! GAH! I was so happy it was finally out in the open! When I found out all that a Confessor did I was awestruck...what a burden to have such powers. I wouldn't want it, I know that. There's no way I could handle going to prisons and listening to condemned criminals confess their sins. I'd die. I also found it interesting how males cannot be Confessors because they let the power go to their head. Strengths and weaknesses of men and women. Nature is so fascinating. I felt so badly for Richard, however, when he found out whey they could never be together. I wanted to cry for him!!!

Zedd was sooo funny when he woke up at Adie's house and asked if she wanted to use his Wizard's rock naked...I laughed SO LOUD at that!

I also find interesting the differences between Additive and Subtractive magic. I hate how Darken Rahl has power over both...not even Zedd does! He only can do Additive. How sad right now!

I hate Darken Rahl's second in command guy - that damn pervert! GROSS! OMG it about kills me reading about how he likes to kill the boys after he's through because he likes to see them squirm...REALLY?! Gah I don't know how Goodkind comes up with these demented characters - I'd hate to have his imagination. I felt so badly for Carl - he seemed so adorable and sweet and trusted Darken Rahl (Father Rahl) so much...then he was sacrificed Darken is a sick bastard. I hated when he took Siddin from the Mud People for his sick second in command guy, too...my heart just sank when I read that!

I also hated how he treated the guards in his father's crypt - beheading them if one rose petal hit the floor. They weren't there to see it?! Yet he was going to behead them?! What a douche!

Okay, I want to see this dragon. I know Richard has to have one because a red dragon's magic is about on par with Darken Rahl's...it's already been revealed that Zedd, Kahlan, and Richard all together are no match for Darken, but a red dragon is! That would be quite beneficial to these guys right now...especially now that they have the third box of Orden. Oh yeah! (next paragraph)

I love Rachel! She is awesome! I was so glad when Giller turned out to be good and gave her the box for safe-keeping. It was awesome how his Wizard's Life Fire tasted sweet because he sacrificed himself to save another. I love how she originally thought Kahlan was mean like the queen LOL. OMG speaking of which - Princess Violet must die! Porky douchepacker!

I love Brophy!!! I want a wolf that talks like that! I love how he has ties to the Mother Confessor and Rachel. That was too perfect. I'm so glad to see the gang all together again. Chase, Zedd, Richard, Kahlan, Brophy, Siddin, and Rachel! Aww I love how Chase is going to take her to his home to be with him. I also thought for sure that dang gar was going to eat her - so glad Chase saved her!!!

Wizard's First Rule: people are stupid. LMAO!!! Okay when I first read that I about died! How appropriate! I love how Richard passed the "first test" and shows the gift of a First Order wizard!!! Yeah, he'll become a wizard eventually, for sure...he has to (pure speculation at this point...I love my random ideas). I love how Richard uses the rule against Zedd to get what he wants...it is hilarious.

Okay so when is Richard going to admit to Zedd he knows the Book of Counted Shadows?! It's already been revealed that Darken Rahl possesses the magic to open the boxes without the book, so what's the big deal?! I know that witch lady's prophecy may have something to do with Zedd destroying Richard when he finds out about Richard knowing the book - but I'm unsure right now. I also know that Darken Rahl has the potential to use Kahlan against Richard as a Confessor to get information about the book if he so chooses...according to the actual Book itself. It's so interesting.

I still believe there's stuff going on between Michael and Darken Rahl behind the scenes...okay, gotta run to class...I'll write more later but right now I have to print a paper and run...gonna be late!

So far that's what I've got...

[masha99]

Sorry about the spoiler. I thought it happened pretty early on in the book.

All this good stuff and STILL the best part of the book is ahead of you.

The part with the prophecies about Kahlan using her powers on Richard and Zedd using wizard's fire was so upsetting to me. Richard already has such an impossible task ahead, and now he's told he can't trust those closest to him. I felt terrible for him and Kahlan.

Oh and the witch woman is Shota. She's one of my favorite characters. You never know what her game is.