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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Currently, my favorite fantasy book out there. It is like an adult version of Harry Potter. There is a University like Hogwarts, magic based in science, and evil. The book is so well written you will want to read it over and over again. The main character, Kvothe, is realistic in the sense that he makes mistakes. He is a hero, but also infamous.
Reading and reviewing a very popular novel like The Name of the Wind has made me examine why do I read fiction? Is it to escape the humdrum and monotony of my everyday life? Is it to learn about someone who is different from my background and can cause me to become more empathetic? Or is it to relate or identify with the protagonist or other characters in the novel? I will acknowledge that some of the aforementioned factors could be reasons people read fiction. However, I believe that I read fiction to feed my imagination and stretch what is possible in human creativity and ingenuity.
The Name of the Wind has brought that last sentence home for me. A protagonist like Kvothe, comes across as larger than life, when he reveals his life to a chronicler that arrives at his inn to get the legend’s full story. Kvothe tells his story of loss, love, hardship, peril, and heroism in a convincing fashion and had me riveted while reading the novel. I know a lot of readers don’t like their characters larger than life or too fantastical in a novel. But, I’m realizing that fiction needs to have characters like Kvothe pushing the boundaries of what readers should expect when reading a novel.
The fantasy genre, especially epic fantasy, has these larger than life characters more than any other genre in publishing. And a lot of novels in the genre can go too far and make those characters too unbelievable for readers to suspend their disbelief. However, there are a few novels that you will suspend your disbelief for and The Name of The Wind jumps onto that stage for me alongside novels like Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin, Home is the Sailor by Jorge Amado, and The Wooden Sea by Jonathan Carroll.
the story has a bad beginning and I had to start it twice, but after the first 50 pages the story picks up really great. The start is not something new, but the way he narrates things is interesting and leave you hungry for more. The sequel is great, still waiting for the third book after all these years!
I loved The Name of the Wind. It’s one of the best novels in the fantasy genre I’ve read. I would recommend to George R.R. Martin fans. Can’t wait for more in this series.
I absolutely loved the tiny details packed in each sentence, building this fantasy world into a place that is actually believable! Great read!
I am currently the second book in this series and wish there were more books to read. Its a wonderful series and have enjoyed every moment
This for me is a re-read and it is one that I absolutely adore. Such a beautiful tale, so gripping, tragic, haunting… As a reader for me it is something that is a rare and beautiful novel you rarely find and something you always hope to find again. It is an epic tale to me.
Great Fanatsy novel. I wish he would finish the third book.
I think it is the best story ever! A definite must-read for every person who loves a really good story that picks you up and takes you along with it!
Totally captivating book! I couldn’t put it down. It’s hard to grasp that a single author could have such a strong command of storytelling skill, imagination, and the English language. The writing is fantastic. One of my favorites!
Great book from the moment I picked it up. I was transported into another world by the author’s wonderful gift with words and it is hard to put this book down. I received this & the sequel as bday gifts & am SO happily surprised. I enjoyed the characters & the plot was believable & well thought out. Storytellers tell stories inside of stories being told by storytellers, and a hiding traumatized hero. I read a lot of fantasy & this is GOOD STUFF! First read from this author. d+D shades..
This book is a masterpiece, although I recognize it’s lenght is intimidating, this is definitely a must read, this is the story of an intelligent and brave boy, Kvothe, that learned many things until he became a legend and a great magician. Fantasy at it’s best.
The storytelling was excellent and his characters drew me in right away. I can’t wait to read the second book in this series!
The series is very good, but the last book has yet to be finished. Has been over 7 years, wtf.
The storyline and characters have so much depth making the story a great one to read
I wish this man would write a lot more books…he’s a special author, plain and simple!!!
I absolutely adore this book. The world building is phenomenal, and the characters are realistic and relatable. I can’t wait to read more of this series.
Blew me away. This was so beautifully written that I hated for it to end. Like half the world, I wish he would finish the series. Until then, I’m greatful for the gifts of the books he has written.
I am much more of a sci-fi fan than a fantasy fan, but I really enjoyed this book. It does take a while to get into it (as fantasy always seems to), but once you get over that hump, it is fantastic. The second book in the series is just as good. The only problem is that we are all waiting for the final book.
I found this book to be interesting, the POV of the main character is someone from the outskirts of society now navigating his way through the upper tiers in search of “his answer” to why his parents were killed. The main character is smarter than society prefers and combined with his quick wit (and naive charm) can usually connect enough facts to out think his opponents rather than muscle his way through. His dogged stubbornness to find “the answer” to things helps to move the story along. Thoroughly enjoyable read!