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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Initially, Patrick Rothfuss’s fantasy novel The Name of the Wind drifts along at the pace of a gentle breeze. But it races like a tempest by the end.
The story starts slowly because Rothfuss sets it up as a tale within a tale. The first few chapters are in third person, hinting at larger events while introducing us to Kote (an innkeeper in a small town), Bast (Kote’s assistant), and Chronicler (a traveling scribe). Chronicler identifies Kote as Kvothe, a legendary magician, and offers to transcribe his life’s story. Kvothe accepts, and the narration switches to first person for the rest of the book, except for occasional interludes back at his inn.
It took me a while to appreciate this structure. At first, I thought Rothfuss would have been better off jumping straight to Kvothe’s point of view and his retelling of how he came to be a clever orphan who self-finances his education at a more adult-version of Hogwarts. Because that story has lots to recommend it: a distinctive, self-reliant protagonist; a convincing magic system; a larger mystery to unravel (concerning why Kvothe lost his parents)—good stuff all around.
For much of the book, though, the scenes in the inn didn’t seem particularly necessary. But as the main narrative proceeds, the interludes allow Rothfuss to drop clues about what’s in store and interject a joke or two. More importantly, the presence of these scenes makes the novel’s inconclusive ending more palatable: when Kvothe agreed to share his story, he warned Chronicler it would take three days to tell in full, and the first day’s recording amounts to the 600+ pages in The Name of the Wind. Days two and three (presumably) require separate books.
A lesser author wouldn’t get away with this. But Rothfuss’s writing is strong (aside from some occasional comma abuse), Kvothe is a hero worth rooting for, and the final sequences are exhilarating. So, like Bast and Chronicler, I’m eager for another day’s tale—I’ve already started reading The Wise Man’s Fear, the sequel to The Name of the Wind.
(For more reviews like this one, see http://www.nickwisseman.com)
Best unfinished series EVER
For those of you who love Harry Potter, but don’t want to dive into the deep end of “high fantasy”, The Kingkiller Chronicles is the perfect place to start. It combines the fun school aspect of Hogwarts with the massive world building capabilities of Tolkien. Yes, the trade paperback is something like 700 pages, but you won’t believe how fast those pages flip.
One of my all time favorite books.
Best debut book I’ve ever read. Fantastic epic page turner that made me read the story in a week and wish there was more. If only he would finish the tale…
Good book but is he ever going to finish the series?
Te opening and closing line alone is enough to give this stars. Loved it, liked the second book, but waiting FOREVER for the third book.
Excellent fantasy, as is the second book
I really love the main character and it is really hard to lay this book down! I’m waiting for the 3rd book in the series now!
No one can build a world like Patrick Rothfuss. After a year of collecting dust on my shelf, I finally started the -best book my sister has ever read-. I easily fell in love with Kvothe and his tough, no-nonsense attitude mixed in with just enough sweet goodness. Kvothe is a brilliant student of “magic” who gets himself into scrape after scrape but I found myself cheering him on every step of the way! I tried to read slowly so the story would last but I devoured this book and am looking forward to what else Pat has in store for Kvothe!
This book took me away from everything that I have ever know about reading. it was so full of suspense that i was devastated when i finished. then I learned that there was more books and i practically jumped out of my seat.
My favorite first line, paragraph and page of any book.
Loved it, and the sequels, have been waiting a long long time for the next in the series
I’m still not quite sure I’m ready to say that this beats out East of Eden as my number one favorite novel of all time, but it’s close. Very close. The world-building is so grounded and feels so tangible. The magic system seems like something I could figure out on YouTube if I didn’t have the funds to learn at the University. The characters have major flaws, but not in a grim dark anti-hero way. Just in a “they’re just normal people” kind of way. If you have a pulse, you will enjoy it. If you are a human being, you should buy this book.
Told in the protagonist’s own voice, The Name of The Wind is the tale of a magically gifted young man who grows up to be the most notorious wizard the world has seen. The world building of Temerant is tremendous and intricately crafted. The currency, mythology, legends, songs, and a unique magic system called Sympathy (my personal favourite ; there are many) felt believable and impactful; they enhanced the immersive and vivid nature of the narrative. The narration is extremely engaging and intense in some places. The Name of the Wind will not pull you into the usual grand tale where the main story revolves around the protagonist’s struggle against the villains to save the world. Music is vastly integral to the overall quality of the book. Rothfuss’s writing style is unquestionably phenomenal and absolutely graceful. It’s meticulous, elegant, lyrical, poetic and brilliantly unputdownable. We have two different times and storylines and the way they are interwoven with each other so masterfully is amazing. Intriguing characters, engrossing depiction and an extremely compelling read. Highly recommend!
I’ve devoured all the Kingkiller Chronicles and have longed for more. By this point, my heart is breaking.
Fantastic heroic fantasy novel. Only problem is it’s a trilogy and he hasn’t finished the 3rd book yet.
I cannot say enough GOOD about these books ~ I only wish they were COMPLETED!!! Where is #3?????
I have been waiting forever for the third book in this magnificent fantasy. he actually is in a class with Tolkien in my estimations. I have. given the Rothfuss books as gifts to special people in my life
This writings is very strong, characters are wonderful, hated for this to end!