The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles #1) by Patrick Rothfuss
Rating: 3 stars
Source: Library
Buy the Book: Amazon
Summary: "Told in Kvothe's own voice, this is the tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen.
The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king form a gripping coming-of-age story unrivaled in recent literature.
A high-action story written with a poet's hand, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that will transport readers into the body and mind of a wizard."
Review: This one snuck up on me. I almost DNFed about twenty times, and then I found myself requesting its sequel from the library. It's a slow burn for sure, with the first 150 pages being exceptionally slow. And it ended rather abruptly without any real conclusion. But some of the scenes were real lessons in masterful writing. And Qvothe is such a likable rogue. While I ended up liking much of the book by the end, I'm still torn on my feelings for it as a whole.
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Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: Library
Buy the Book: Amazon
Summary: "“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”
My name is Kvothe. I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trehon. 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 the tale of a hero told from his own point of view — a story unequaled in fantasy literature. Now in The Wise Man's Fear, an escalating rivalry with a powerful member of the nobility forces Kvothe to leave the University and seek his fortune abroad. Adrift, penniless, and alone, he travels to Vintas, where he quickly becomes entangled in the politics of courtly society. While attempting to curry favor with a powerful noble, Kvothe uncovers an assassination attempt, comes into conflict with a rival arcanist, and leads a group of mercenaries into the wild, in an attempt to solve the mystery of who (or what) is waylaying travelers on the King's Road.
All the while, Kvothe searches for answers, attempting to uncover the truth about the mysterious Amyr, the Chandrian, and the death of his parents. Along the way, Kvothe is put on trial by the legendary Adem mercenaries, is forced to reclaim the honor of the Edema Ruh, and travels into the Fae realm. There he meets Felurian, the faerie woman no man can resist, and who no man has ever survived...until Kvothe.
In The Wise Man's Fear, Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero and learns how difficult life can be when a man becomes a legend in his own time."
Review: I really enjoyed this high fantasy. Qvothe is a really spectacular character. I was engrossed in his adventures, and enjoyed speculating about the mysteries. I am concerned about how past-Qvothe turns into present-Qvothe. I hope this isn't a tragedy in the end, but all the times present day Qvothe insists that this isn't a happy story has me worried. The thing I am the most concerned about, however, is that there is no release date for book three yet. This is a complex story with a large cast. Hurry up and release the last book before I forget anything!!
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I've heard such great things about this series. I'm waiting to read it until I know there's going to be a third book, lol.
ReplyDeleteSmart woman! I kind of wish I'd waited.
DeleteI'm so stressed about these books. I want to like them and I'm afraid I won't so I keep putting them off. Since book three isn't out I guess I'll wait.
ReplyDeleteI'd recommend giving them a shot, but, yes, wait until the last book is released before starting. The fact that there is no news whatsoever about the third book yet is distressing to me.
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