Discover #1 New York Times-bestselling Patrick Rothfuss’ epic fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicle. “I just love the world of Patrick Rothfuss.” —Lin-Manuel Miranda • “He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.” —George R. R. Martin • “Rothfuss has real talent.” —Terry Brooks OVER 1 MILLION COPIES SOLD! DAY ONE: THE NAME OF THE WIND My name is Kvothe. I have stolen princesses back from sleeping … WIND
My name is Kvothe.
I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.
You may have heard of me.
So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature—the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man’s search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.
Praise for The Kingkiller Chronicle:
“The best epic fantasy I read last year…. He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.”
—George R. R. Martin, New York Times-bestselling author of A Song of Ice and Fire
“Rothfuss has real talent, and his tale of Kvothe is deep and intricate and wondrous.”
—Terry Brooks, New York Times-bestselling author of Shannara
“It is a rare and great pleasure to find a fantasist writing…with true music in the words.”
—Ursula K. Le Guin, award-winning author of Earthsea
“The characters are real and the magic is true.”
—Robin Hobb, New York Times-bestselling author of Assassin’s Apprentice
“Masterful…. There is a beauty to Pat’s writing that defies description.”
—Brandon Sanderson, New York Times-bestselling author of Mistborn
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If only he’d write the last one
One of my favorites – a “read again” book.
An extremely well put together series! I cannot wait for the rest of these books to come out!
A most unusual and beautifully written book. It takes a while to get going, then slowly unfolds and draws you in. Difficult to pinpoint in terms of genre. I was halfway through the sequel when it was recalled to the library—can’t wait to finish that one! Anyway, I was worried as I like strong female leads, and it initially seemed as though they play a minor role, but in fact they are equally important. This is not steamy, nor is it a young adult novel (thankfully)! Just a tale that will transport you away…
Great book, I wish he would write another.
I absolutely loved this book. It was a real treat to read.
fantastic book. waiting for the 3rd novel
I have read hundreds of fantasy books. The Name of the Wind is, without a doubt, one of the best fantasy novels ever written. I reread it every year. So many books I read these days have pathetic, sniveling, undeveloped characters and lackluster, predictable plots. The Name of the Wind is the exact opposite. If I could choose a book world to travel to, it would be this one.
Pat Rothfuss is the Albert Einstein of high fantasy. His characters and settings and plot and… oh, just everything… about this series is first rate, enthralling, sometimes gritty, sometimes suspenseful, occasionally lighthearted, but always engaging the lucky reader in one of the best fiction experiences ever.
My favorite book and author
Big fan, keeps you interest
Wish he would just get on with it and finish the third book. He is an awesome writer but it really seemed like he got caught up in his own success.
Wish he would put out another in the series.
Delightfully fun read. Characters are beautiful developed and the story is stunningly creative. I’ve read everything by Rothfuss and he doesn’t disappoint.
One of the best books ever!
Fabulous read, great characters and story recommend to everyone
A good read, although I had a hard time fully immersing in the story due to the constant change between the past and present of the narrator.
A fantastic book that trickles in like a new addiction. At first, it’s just interesting, and then it gets page-turning intriguing, filling the mind with new questions that demand answers. By the end, the next book isn’t a want, it’s a need.
Kvothe, the protagonist, tells the story of his incredible life. This book covers his youth and early teen years.
The world built by the author is not very different from our own world. There isn’t much that requires a great deal of explaining or severe stretches of imagination.
Appropriate even for conservative audiences. (PG-13)
Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
“All stories are true. But this one really happened, if that’s what you mean.”
“When necessity demands it, I’m an excellent liar. Not the noblest of skills, but useful. It ties closely to acting and storytelling…”
“It was a dragon.”
“There’s no such thing as dragons.”
“There are names for people who take advantage of women who are not in full control of themselves, and none of those names will ever rightfully be applied to me.”
“Words can light fires in the minds of men.”
“We all become what we pretend to be.”
I’m none too patiently awaiting the rest of the story. So far, it’s exceptional, the glimpses we get into future possibilities make for great expectations.
*Even infinite potential can be tempered by absolute apathy. This is an endearing tale of a boy that grows into a legend to be respected and feared.*
I’ll start this review off simply: If you love fantasy, don’t bother reading this, just go read Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind. Of the books that I have reviewed over the last year or so (2011 original review date), this is quite possibly the best. It is hard to adequately convey just how good this book is. It may not be perfect, but it comes close.
For the rest of you that insist on knowing more, or have long since made this novel’s acquaintance, read on…
Kvothe is a singular talent. A man of song and heart, cunning and thievery, power of mind and magic. He is many things. Success is always at his fingertips, and yet he is broken down by horror, stretched thin by a life turned hard and he very nearly forgets all that he was. This is a story of a boy seeking to unravel the mysteries of the universe, and a man waiting to die.
Being first person, it should be no surprise that Kvothe is the very foundation and substance of this novel. Kvothe carries this story on his shoulders, bearing its sometimes incredible weight, even though it breaks him in the process.
For much of the novel, I tried without success to dissect Rothfuss’ story and learn what made it so compelling, however it was so well written the prose was mostly invisible. So, instead I learned about life.
And that’s when you know you have something special in your hands.
The book does have one weakness, one flaw that some might find issue with: plot. Largely it lacks an apparent overarching plot. There is one, but it is far in the background, moving slowly, a specter that we wish to see more of, but have to wait until the fullness of time has come about and given us the opportunity. In the mean time, the plot becomes Kvothe: his life and his trials, and lays the foundation for what I feel are great things to come. It is without doubt a journey, though one incomplete. A beginning.
To someone who has not read The Name of the Wind, this may sound like a huge failing, and if Rothfuss had managed a stronger overarching plot, it would have made the book that much better; but it should be noted the author’s sheer skill with telling a story is such that it renders much criticism: moot.
This book does not read like a debut, it reads like it is from the hands of a master, experienced in his craft. Yes, it had its irregularities, but one might argue that these are not a detriment and could very well be part of what makes it great. At times I was ready to call this book 5 stars, but as a whole I give it 4.5 incredible stars. Even though the ending does suffer, you are so thoroughly ensnared by the novel by then that you really don’t care. For me, I can’t wait to read the sequel. It’s out now, so what are you waiting for?
Come read more on my blog http://www.CliftonH.com where I document my own writing journey and artistic pursuits.