The Name of the Wind

Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1

By: Patrick Rothfuss

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 27 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

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 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)

©2007 by Patrick Rothfuss. (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“The originality of Rothfuss's outstanding debut fantasy, the first of a trilogy, lies less in its unnamed imaginary world than in its precise execution…As absorbing on a second reading as it is on the first, this is the type of assured, rich first novel most writers can only dream of producing. The fantasy world has a new star.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Fantasy readers-a notoriously discerning group-tend to dole out praise judiciously, which makes the reception of The Name of the Wind, the first volume in Patrick Rothfuss's The Kingkiller Chronicle, that much more remarkable. Critics are already throwing around comparisons to some of the biggest names in fantasy, including George R. R. Martin, Tad Williams, the recently deceased Robert Jordan, and even Tolkien. (Bookmarks Magazine)

“New fantasy authors are usually overhyped, and it's rare to find one who writes with such assurance and narrative skill right from the start. I was reminded of Ursula LeGuin, George R. R. Martin, and J. R. R. Tolkien, but never felt that Rothfuss was imitating anyone. Like the writers he clearly admires, he's an old-fashioned storyteller working with traditional elements, but his voice is his own. I haven't been so gripped by a new fantasy series in years. It's certain to become a classic." (Lisa Tuttle, The Times)

Keep listening

I was dubious went I started listening but it just keeps getting better and better as goes.

beautifully told stories within a story

absolutely loved it. the story and narration worked very well together. I could listen to the story over and over again

Incredible.

One of the best books I've ever read, period. If you're debating on this or another book, get this.

I love this book!

I’ve read this book before, but I wanted to listen to it and gain a different perspective. I love this story. Patrick Rothfuss is an incredible writer and can’t pain a story with words better than most. This narrator was great, too! Would recommend to everyone!

Intriguing

The book kept me entertained entire way through.I've already downloaded the second book. I have also come to learn anything read by Nick Podehl is worth your time. All the voices he does during the reading really sell it.

No entendí el libro

Excelente historia, pero no se me hizo coherente
Dejó muchos hilos abiertos mmm mm mm

Very entertaining

The story kept this listener engaged throughout. It was sad when it reached the end, as I wanted to keep listening. Looking forward to the next book.

Dope

This book is for those who enjoyed reading Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter. keyword "READING"

I looked at this book incredulously, I shrugged.

Harry Potter meets Forest Gump in the this tale of K'volthe, a young apprentice that knows everything yet makes mistakes.
The author paints a good picture by explaining how the characters feel and what a room looks like. K'volthe has an interesting life that is told through a long flashback making you wonder how he became an innkeeper at all.
I loved the environment created by the author and enjoyed this book, my only con is that there are times where the book seems like it's reaching for reasons for an event to be explained always.
This book does a good job of teasing you with possible encounters of the Chandrian or a relationship with Denna. All in all, I thought this was original and left me craving more.

Don't give up

I've really gotten into fantasy novels lately. This week I'm listening to "The Name of the Wind" on Audible. It starts off super slow. I mean, I had to power through at least 15 chapters before the pace of the story and the action picked up. I'm so glad I read the reviews because I may have given up after the first few chapters. The beginning was good but it was incredibly slow.

I stuck it out and I'm glad I did. By the end of the first third of the book I was completely invested in the main character and I couldn't wait to see where the story was going.
One not so fun fact is "The Name of the Wind" is the first book in a unfinished trilogy. The first two books have been published but no release date for the final book has been announced. I would still definitely recommend it to lovers of fantasy. ❤