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)

Good once you get to the main story

I had to struggle through the first couple chapters but once you get to the maun story it picks up. It was worth the wait.

Incredible story made better by excellent delivery

Listening to this book was a treat beginning to end. The performance was committed and impressive

Excellent storyline, intriguing, left wanting more

The narrator's range of accents was impressive and expertly separated the characters. Dynamic storytelling on the whole. Unexpected. Loved it!

My all time favorite Audible story

Top notch in every way, writing and performing. This story is patient, and takes you in to every scene and situation. A stellar performance gives you genuine feeling and allows you to exist in the story itself as it unfolds.

please finish this series

this was a great story and the way it is set up with flashbacks and forth to the present sadly, the next book hasn't been written yet...

love!!!!

amazing book, amazing reader as well! this book made me go through so many emotions! definitely top 5, although I wish it touched more on his later adventures but I suppose that is in the sequel

Poor choice of narrator

After reading this book when it came out, I thought I would familiarize myself with the content in case Doors of Stone comes out before Rothfuss dies. The voice of the narrator did not match my expectation for Kvothe. I expected a “baratone” (according to the book), and what we got sounds like a soft spoken skinny kid from Chicago. His pronunciation of “A”s sometimes gave it away entirely. Kvothe is a badass, so get someone with a badass voice to narrate him.

A classic to return to again and again

I purchased this audiobook, despite already owning copies of the physical book, just so I could listen to it at work.

Within a compelling and delightful story, Rothfuss has created a deeply vibrant, complex, truly unique world that feels fresh and fantastical.

Fans of fantasy will quickly elevate The Name of the Wind and its sequel to the top of their favorites list.

True Storytelling

It's been a trend with fantasy authors to build a world so complex and fraught with oblique storyline that you need a sherpa to make it through. They can't trust the story. I'm so happy to find a book driven by the story and brought to life with excellent narration. Bravo!

A silence of three parts!

This title for the review speaks solely to the silence of the 3rd book not forthcoming! That being said it is a fantastic story incredibly well read! I highly recommend the story as long as you have severe patience to await the last book