• 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 (83,137 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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must read

This is a must read trilogy. I'm so glad there's a third to dive into!

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great book

very interesting book with lots of adventures. the way magic works in this world is new and fun.

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One more book to go. Don't want it to end!

I have loved this series from the start. Almost done with Book 2 and so sad to hear 3 is not out yet! I love the characters, the complexity of the relationships, the adventures (though the part with Thalorien (sp?) was a bit long. Patrick Rothfuss has a gift! And Nick Podehl - well he's just flat out amazing. Book 2's 42 hours must have been quite a challenge especially with all the characters. Nick certainly has chosen a job where he's a shinning star of readers.

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brilliant

this book and its predecessor are the best fantasy books in my opinion. I dont know where to begin, so ill just be writing things.
worldbuilding is superb, characters are realistic, no sillyness, feels like things are important and that things really can go horribly wrong.

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Captivating

This sequel lived up to every expectation I had for it, based on how good the first book was. The narrator once again was spectacular! The only downside is book 3 hasn’t been published yet

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Not a great narrator

I loved reading this book and enjoyed listening to the story... but this narrator makes most things sound whiny or petulant. It’s almost constant and got on my nerves.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Very much like name of the wind

I am a little less than half of the way through and find to similar to The name of the Wind. The books are very similar Making it repetitive, so much so that I get confused to the storyline.

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Astounding

A simply beautiful world, a crew of characters i already consider old friends, and a budding tragedy that is tearing my heart into scraps of morbid anticipation and foolish hope

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good world

honestly the plot goes nowhere. we need all three books in order to make sense of things. the book is great in a sense of world building and characters but its hard to see a definitive plot line other than we are just hearing about his life. which I still enjoyed. just need to hear how it all wraps up.

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I usually don't read books twice

This book and the prior seem to have completely circumvented my issue with rereading or listening to books. Perhaps it has something to do with how long they are, that it's impossible to remember all the details for a second reading. Perhaps it's the emotions captured so succinctly. Nick Podehl absolutely does this story credit, and I feel it could only be improved with a full cast re-telling. Even so, I would still want all narration and Kvothe's lines read by Podehl, his voice and characterization suit him so well.

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