The Wise Man's Fear

Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 2

By: Patrick Rothfuss

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

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)

Well worth your time

This review covers the first books of the series Kingkiller Chronicles. Some fantasy can be exhausting: Dan Simmons, Brandon Sanderson, George R. R. Martin, Robert Jordan, even sometimes Neil Gaiman. Their stories can take your breath away but sometimes, also, knock the wind out of you with a force. Patrick Rothfuss is not about that. He is more about an easy-going kind of entertainment. These books do not knock you over with amazement, epic wars or adventure. They are more subtle and a great richness comes through in that subtlety. While usually light, do not be fooled; they contain a depth and richness that is just easy to read and easier to appreciate. This is nothing short of outstanding fantasy prose and character development. These stories are long but not too long. Rothfuss does not ramble. The continuity of the protagonist Kvothe’s stories is there but not so complex or convoluted that one can get lost over the span. While there are many characters there is a core of them that are easy to know and become invested in. The stories are more about people and their relationships than about what the wizard-in-training is actually learning and practicing. At least the first two books do not contain that much magic but they do not leave you wanting either. They only leave you in great anticipation of the next book to come in the series. Nick Podehl’s reading is impeccable. I am loathe to say this is a great book for YA’s for fear it might deter older readers from venturing here. That would be a mistake. These are great books for readers of all age or gender.

YEARS for the next book?

The book was great. I found it better than the first. I don't care for the way the book ended. It just "stopped".abrubtly. It needed a better transition spot but it is still really good. I can't believe they are talking about 4 yrs for the next book!! If I realized that, I wouldn't have started it.

44 hours are not enough

It is one of those books which you wont be able to put down. It has five sections, and I was dreading that book will come to an end at the start of 5th section. Like the first one, books just flows smoothly. The narrator does a great job as well and fits well for this style of book.

The best way to provide a comparison for Pat's writing is that he writes like a great director makes a movie. Every dialog is deliver at the right time with right intensity. The affect is amazing even on small things that take place in the book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone except for the people who have not read the first one : ) go read that one first.

I hope Pat is working furiously to get us the next book soon : ) may be next month? We can hope cant we?

Not as good as the first book, but ok

If you’ve listened to books by Patrick Rothfuss before, how does this one compare?

I listened to the first book, and enjoyed it. This book I found myself actually fast forwarding just to get to something interesting. I have over 400 books in my Audible account, and I love long reads, but there were sections of this book that just dragged endlessly.

What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?

Narrator handled the book well, and even the slow sections were read well.

Some of the best writing in years... hands down!

I was eager to listen to book 2 of The Kingkiller Chronicles, having read the first, and I was not disappointed! Patrick Rothfuss once again turns out some of the best writing I've read/heard this decade, and the story does not disappoint. Nick Podehl's narration was also wonderful, each voice distinct and memorable.