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)

An investment in time but a good entertaining book

I am used to mostly action books so switching to this was definitely a change. At times I found my mind wandering and had to replay a section here and there to get back in the story. I was about to give up and request a refund but went back and saw the 57,000 mostly positive reviews. As some of the other reviews state it does start off slow but the story develops and becomes very entertaining. It is a twenty-nine hour book which was also a change. I am moving on to something different for a bit but will be coming back for book two. I did notice book two is forty something hours long but you’re getting a lot of book for one credit.

Everything a story should be

This story was amazing, I had to grab the next book right away. I loved the depth of each character even the secondary characters had depth and were multifaceted. I am not sure if it'll be a happy ending, but it's a story I won't mind reading either way.

Do it

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and well told story.

The Sound of Silence

Good pace, good descriptive narratives, excellent characaterization of what the absence of sound feels like in different types of atmosphere. Really enjoyed the common sense aspect to the adventuring. How the character faced away from the fire to save his night vision was a small but very appreciated detail.

Still magical after multiple reads/listens!

This is one of my all-time favorite books. My only complaint is how long I have been waiting for book 3.

Amazing!

This novel is breathtaking! You will cling to every word and get consumed in the story.

uuhhhhhhmazing!! it begs the reader to keep on

has to be one of my favorite stories!! I love the shear terror mixed with the exhaultation

Beautiful! Wonderful! Special!

This book had it all. Deep wisdom. Great characters. Rich narrative. Terrific narrator. Looking forward to next book. Really delicious.

great concept

What I loved about this book is that when you really get into it you have to realize that the series that will finalize with the end of his backstory is simply the beginning of the larger story that has started around them.

A Fantasy book for non-fantasy book people

Oh my goodness. I'm not generally a fantasy book reader, but I loved this book, soooooo much. The story is so well done, with just the right amount of fantasy elements while still adhering to a coherent narrative- this is something I find lacking in many fan stay books. The narrator was also excellent, I would probably try a book I knew nothing about if he was narrating it.