• The Wise Man's Fear

  • Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 2
  • By: Patrick Rothfuss
  • Narrated by: Nick Podehl
  • Length: 42 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (83,204 ratings)

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The Wise Man's Fear  By  cover art

The Wise Man's Fear

By: Patrick Rothfuss
Narrated by: Nick Podehl
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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

Day two: the wise man’s fear

“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”

My name is Kvothe. You may have heard of me.

So begins a tale told from his own point of view - a story unequaled in fantasy literature. Now in The Wise Man’s Fear, Day Two of The Kingkiller Chronicle, Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero and learns how difficult life can be when a man becomes a legend in his own time.

Not just another day: listen to more in the Kingkiller Chronicles.
©2011 by Patrick Rothfuss. (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Nick Podehl arrives at the end of this long audiobook, the second in the Kingkiller series, as engaged and fresh as he was at the start.... Podehl adeptly presents the broad cast of characters - from moneylenders and courtesans to kings. One of the most fascinating portrayals by Podehl begins with a young mercenary from the Adem who says little. And when he does speak, he has a flat voice, mostly devoid of expression. Podehl builds on this when Kvothe returns with him to study among the Adem, where the mercenary develops a recognizable pattern of speech reflecting many of the culture's characteristics." ( AudioFile)

“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)

Featured Article: 55+ Quotes About Fear—of the Unknown, Change, Love, and More


Looking for a little confidence boost? These quotes about fear from some of literature’s greatest writers can help bolster your bravado. In moments of fear, it’s natural to turn to others—from loved ones to professional counsel—for comfort, encouragement, and advice. But sometimes, it’s most helpful to hear what people you’ve never met have written on the topic. These quotes offer a comprehensive, reassuring portrait of fear and ways to conquer it.

What listeners say about The Wise Man's Fear

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the best ever!

this story is as good as LOTR or the dark tower I suggest it wholeheartedly.

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Great Read!

This book along with a few other's falls into the category of "Cant stop listening".

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Absolutely fantastic

Where does The Wise Man's Fear rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

First audiobook I've listened to - loved it!

What did you like best about this story?

Don't want to give anything away, but it is so engaging, absorbing, the world constantly unfolding with new dimensions and ideas ...

Best of all, this is obviously a book by a writer who loves stories - there are so many stories within the story that expand the world and the tale of Kvothe.

What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?

I think Nick Podehl really captured the voices so wonderfully, in particular Kvothe's friends, Elodan, the people in Ademre ... It must be especially hard to get female voices right, and I think he did a great job with them.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Kvothe and the Sword Tree. Read it and discover your own!

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Fantastic!

I've written a review for the first part of this story, and this one just continues the magic! Very entertaining - makes you eager for the drive to/from work! Can't wait for the next installment.

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Great but Slow

I found my self getting lost in this book. But it was slow. loved it

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Great book overall

This is a great book. Some 46 hours of listening doesn't feel long at all. But after 2 gigantic books out of three finished. I feel as if nothing has really happened. The main storyline might be the driving force behind the story, but it takes up perhaps 2% of the books so far...

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This is the best book I have ever read.

I have read and re-read this book at least 20 times. The narrator is amazing. He nails the beauty and emotion in the prose. Enjoy.

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great story!

can't wait for the next book. the reader was excellent. his performance seemed to build and get better throughout the book.

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a must read, great book. fun read. I have to fill

I have to fill twenty words. can't undertake why I can't leave a shorter review

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Fantastic series!

loved it! great story that had me listening to the very end. very hard to break away from.

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