Books in Order
Terry Goodkind Books in Order
About Terry Goodkind
Terry Goodkind (1948–2022) was an American author best known for the Sword of Truth epic fantasy series — seventeen novels following Richard Cypher (Rahl) and Kahlan Amnell across a vast magical world. The series is notable for its Objectivist philosophical underpinnings (Goodkind was an admirer of Ayn Rand) and its willingness to explore dark themes including torture, slavery, and totalitarianism. The first book, Wizard's First Rule (1994), was a massive commercial success, and the series eventually sold over 26 million copies. It was loosely adapted as the TV series Legend of the Seeker (2008–2010). Goodkind later wrote the Nicci Chronicles spinoff series and the Children of D'Hara five-part follow-up.
Start with Wizard's First Rule. It introduces Richard and Kahlan and establishes the world. The series is long — the first three books make a satisfying arc.
Sword of Truth
His flagship series. Richard Cypher discovers he is a Seeker of Truth and embarks on a world-spanning quest against the wizard Darken Rahl and his successors.
Book 1![Wizard's First Rule]()
Wizard's First Rule
1994
Start hereRichard Cypher meets the Confessor Kahlan. The quest to defeat Darken Rahl begins.
Get this book →Book 6![Faith of the Fallen]()
Books 7–11![...continues through Pillars of Creation, Naked Empire, Chainfire, Phantom, Confessor]()
...continues through Pillars of Creation, Naked Empire, Chainfire, Phantom, Confessor
2001–2007
Get this book →The Nicci Chronicles
Spinoff series set in the same world, following the former Sister of the Dark Nicci and Nathan Rahl.
Book 1![Death's Mistress]()
Death's Mistress
2017
Spinoff — read Sword of Truth firstBest read after completing the Sword of Truth.
Get this book →Frequently Asked Questions
How many Sword of Truth books are there?
The main Sword of Truth series has 17 novels (11 in the original arc, plus 3 in The First Confessor prequel and Legend of the Seeker tie-ins). The original 11-book arc runs from Wizard's First Rule (1994) through Confessor (2007).
Is the Legend of the Seeker TV show faithful to the books?
Loosely — the ABC/syndication series (2008–2010) adapts the first two books but simplifies and softens much of the content. The show ran for two seasons. Most Sword of Truth fans found it a reasonably entertaining adaptation but significantly different from the books.
What is the Sword of Truth's reading order?
Read the original 11 books in publication order (Wizard's First Rule through Confessor), then the prequel The First Confessor (2012), then the Nicci Chronicles spinoff series (4 books), then Children of D'Hara (5 novellas, 2019–2020).