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)

strong, fully realized characters.

slow start but once i got into it i think it was the most I've been invested in a story in some time. well worth the time, if you into the whole story within a story thing set in a fantasy world. to each there own.

Captivating Story!

This book is so well written and provokes such empathy that it is impossible to put aside, despite it’s other worldly aspects. I believe that this is the work of a truly talented writer, and I can’t wait to get to the next in the series!

wonderful!

I felt like I was a part of this! cannot wait for #3! Worth it!

Builds a world with subtle strokes

The story in this evolves slowly, achingly so sometimes. It's not that the charger lacks engagement, but rather I find the narrator to be flat. There's little inflection or emphasis, despite accent. The richness of the setting, drawn with subtle tells, one building upon another, redeems the audio. I adore that Rothfuss layers commentary about the history of the world and the interactions if it's inhabitants without any great introspection, leaving it to the reader to mentally complete the image for themselves.

Simply DYING for the sequels

This book is the most interesting of many. such an elaborate story. can't wait for the sequels. and I hope the story doesn't end with a trilogy but with several books.

It grew on me

This book, and in particular the narrator, grew on me. This book has a unique voice, and I grew to like it. Unique to me, anyway. It is not necessarily for fantasy fans only.

So good, dude.

the only silence I have now is waiting for the final book. you have to have this book.

A world you feel like you've always known

While I must confess I was a little apprehensive at the mention of a "minstrel style hero" from a friend, this series has risen to the top of my most favourite listens. An excellent weaving of hopes, failures, dreams, and disappointments if ever there was one.
I feel like I've always known Kvoth's world, yet have barely seen a glimpse of what's to come.

Roller coaster ride

If you could sum up The Name of the Wind in three words, what would they be?

Up and down

Any additional comments?

This is a very long story & very emotional. Most of it is sad. Always. Looking for the girl, finding her but the relationship never comes to fruition. A boy introduced to tragedy when his family & troupe are all murdered. He goes on for many years living in the streets then finds his way to the university, the Arcanam. This is where the adventure takes its many twists & turns for this very talented young man who will grow up to become a legend
Never super exciting but always interesting read by a master. This is a really good listen & the next book should get to some of the answers we are teased about & will be looking for as the legend is about to grow

The way this book was meant to be "read"

I can not get enough of this book. Do you ever have those books you see in stores right when they come out? You pick it up, read the back, get a little drawn in, but for some reason, you just never get into it. This happened to me. I read the first chapter in a preview on my phone, and it didn't suck me in. A year or so later, my friends were telling me how great it was, but I was knee deep into the Wheel of Time series, and I wasn't about to go jaunting off into another book unprepared. Plus, I just had to finish that series. So finally, about a 7 or 8 months back, I had two credits left, and my audible subscription was about to expire, so on a whim, I used them both on this book, and the second of this series. Wow. This book is written as if the main character is telling the story of his life, over the course of three days, hence day 1 for book 1, day 2 for book 2, and so on. Listening to this Audiobook, I feel as if I am sitting right there around the table, having a slice of his apple pie, and some apple cider to wash it down.

Nick Podehl does an incredible job of getting the right tone out of the excellent words that Rothfuss writes. I can hear the laughter in his voice, the pride, the hate. I have read hundreds of books, and not a single one of them has gotten me as close to tears as this series has. Even my second time through the books, and I find myself tearing up.

And Patrick Rothfuss! This man is incredible. If you ever want to write, I would not suggest reading these books. The details alone. I am currently on my second listen, and the world that he has created, all the tiny details. It makes you feel like every word in this book was written with a purpose. Not a single line is wasted. I have been drawn into books before, but not like this.

Now no review would be complete without a little complaint. Like I said in the beginning, the book is a little slow to start. I have to admit, with a little shame, that I was slightly bored in the first few chapters. Largely due to the voice acting. As much as I love it now, it grated on my when I first started listening. But as I listened more and more, it grew on me. There are a few characters that seem a little out of place, like one of the guys in the very beginning had what seemed like a Brooklyn accent, which sounded so odd to me, but luckily he is a minor character, and listening to it for the second time, it's much easier to handle.

All in all, though, I would highly recommend this book! Sit down, have a beer, maybe even invite a few friends over, and enjoy. You will not regret a single minute spent listening to this masterpiece.