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)

slow start

it was an interesting book but the it started was to slow and the main story is interrupted to many times by side stories.

So much love.

I love this book so much I feel it in my bones. I wanted to cry when I finished, tears of joy that I'd found this incredible work.

Just Wow!

A very well written work. Take your time with your ending Patrick. This is your legacy and it is beautiful.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

I don’t even read Fantasy. I got this recommend off a TBR from Movie Death Cult on YouTube, a great follow if you like intelligent vids about books and movies. What a stunning performance. In the first few minutes I thought I would like the narrator. Just didn’t reach me, I thought. Boy was I wrong. Brilliant performance. Really. The story was fantastic. It wasn’t the old High Fantasy I remember from years ago. This was fresh, to me at least, and outstanding. What a great story. The arc is wonderful and I never really knew where it would take me. It surprised me, but it didn’t. I found myself knowing the characters as if they were my friends. I could laugh or cry with them as they walked their story paths. Just wonderful. Definitely read this.

Great book.

Solid 7.5/10. Not my favorite book but definitely a good one that I would recommend.

Immersive

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and performance. It was a listen I'd recommend to any fantasy enthusiast and many non fantasy enthusiasts. The only issue I had with it was that the protagonist wasn't particularly relatable. Some of the events in his life/story are stirring and sad and I felt bad for him at moments, but I didn't feel a connection like I did with Ender, Eregon, Frodo, Kalladin, Vin, or Rand al Thor. I give this story a near perfect score for this reason.

The narrator was fantastic! He had a diverse arsenal of voices which he wielded effectively. He differentiated plenty and I didn't find a single voice that I didn't enjoy listening to. I'm used to a deeper tone, but I felt that the slightly higher pitch wasn't bothersome and in fact befit the story well.

It's what got me into Audio books

This is by far one of the most well done and well written Audio book series on the market. Do yourself a favor and buy it.

Good novel for running

I listened to this while running and it kept me exceptionally entertained. I will download the next book in the series as soon as I finish writing this review!

Great, but not what you may think at first

I had never heard of Patrick Rothfuss and the Kingkiller Chronicle. I decided to give it a try due to the overall high rating. I was expecting a mature character going on adventures. This is not exactly what you will hear. The very start of the book is a bit confusing, however, it soon makes sense and Kvothe starts narrating his life. The story unfolds smoothly, we flashback, without knowing much or nothing about the present's characters. What happens to Kvothe shapes his character and person, he grows throughout the events in his youth. He is thirsty for knowledge and learning, and he has his own mission. I highly recommend this book as it takes you along the life of the main character. If you expect any big wars between kings or the kind, you will be disappointed.

Absolute Banger!

The story was so well written and the world/characters that Rothfuss created are absolutely captivating! Nick Podehl does a spectacular job at narrating and really makes the story come to life. My husband who hates reading was enthralled by this book, worth a listen!