debt of bones terry goodkind

Should I read Debt of Bones by Terry Goodkind? Is it necessary?

is it necessary to read this book? just started reading the series and am on blood of the fold at the moment. from what i’ve read debt of bones is a short prequel. the book store doesn’t happen to have any copies although i could order it if i need.

In addition, Goodkind wrote a novella titled Debt of Bones for the 1998 anthology Legends, edited by Robert Silverberg. The novel takes place in the Sword of Truth universe and is set a few decades before the events in the main series. In 2001, the story was published as a stand-alone book.

so doesnt look as if it is necessary to read it to enjoy the rest of the series