The Sword of Truth is a fantasy series featuring a young man named Richard Cypher, who, over the course of the series, learns about his past, develops powers untold, and strives to change the world for the better. Each book is loosely themed around a Wizard's Rule, tenets by which all wizards should abide.
The novels in the series are:
- Wizard's First Rule (1994)
- Stone of Tears (1995)
- Blood of the Fold (1996)
- Temple of the Winds (1997)
- Soul of the Fire (1999)
- Faith of the Fallen (2000)
- The Pillars of Creation (2001)
- Naked Empire (2003)
- Chainfire (2005)
- Phantom (2006)
Goodkind portrays in his novels, through complex character development, that individuals can remain true in the face of adversity without sacrificing their values and moral beliefs. Goodkind's protagonists show that they have courage when making choices, even when faced with difficult situations, and they remain steadfast even when faced with mistakes in their own judgment.
The Sword of Truth series is written with an adult audience in mind. There are sections in which topics such as philosophy are addressed at a level beyond the interest of most younger readers, as well as frank depictions of the sometimes brutal and violent nature of life in a medieval world. Goodkind himself has stated that he wrote the books with mature adults in mind, not children or those seeking to escape reality.
The Sword of Truth series is written with an adult audience in mind. There are sections in which topics such as philosophy are addressed at a level beyond the interest of most younger readers, as well as frank depictions of the sometimes brutal and violent nature of life in a medieval world. Goodkind himself has stated that he wrote the books with mature adults in mind, not children or those seeking to escape reality.