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)

A very well told story

Love it. An interesting story told well. performance was excellent. Can't wait for Day 2.

Absolute most read for fantasy lovers!

Skipped some classes just to get another couple of chapters in! The reading was perfect!

Speechless...

This book absolutely blew me away and even more with the second in the series. I haven't read a book in years, but this got me right back in to it. I Recommend to anyone any age.

Best thing I have heard this year.

Absolutely great book. Characters are interesting and draw the reader in for a great story.
When is the third book gonna get here already?!!

a wonderful story

Any fan of role-playing and fantasy enthusiasts should read this work of art!

This book has so many ups and downs, the main character is something brilliant to say the least.

Epic story

Loved it. My only complaint is that Nick Poedehl isn't Michael Page (not his fault, Michael Page is just such a pleasure to listen to). Nick does a fantastic job of conjuring all the different character voices. Looking forward to what happens in the 2nd and 3rd books in the series.

Best overall book!

People are real and easy to like, just enough fantastic to hold your interest. Really enjoyed the book.

My favorite book ever

Love it. Brilliant high fantasy masterfully put together, captivating, wonderful, amazing and performed perfectly. Must read!

A well written epic fantasy!

I enjoy this book, though at times found the prose dense and the main character a little...frustrating. The latter point I actually score in the favor of the author; I love when a writer gets me to have moments of severely disliking the protagonist. The world Rothfuss weaves is large and well thought, and owes much, I think, to LeGuin's Earthsea (again, a point in the author's favor). I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction into his epic world, ready for the second book, truly hoping the author gets to finishing the third.

excellent book, highly reccomend

To begin, im just a random guy who listens to 2-3 books a year. I normally never write these reviews because, who cares ua know? I have read the Harry Potter series to the point where they're no longer enjoyable and have felt that another series wouldn't ever be able to capture the "magic" again. In that regard, this book exceeded my expectations by a large margin.

Imagine Ender from Enders Game having a Harry Potter like origin story in a medievil world as cruel and mysterious as Game of Thrones.

Im usually very critical of fiction and only listen to it somewhat sparingly, but this book had me hooked. Not only would I find myself eager to come back to Kvoths world, but i would put aside extra time (and stay up way too late) listening to this book.

The writing kept me deeply engaged and the portrayal of our protaganonist is not only very relatable, but difficult not to care about. Some of the childhood romance scenes really evoked memories and emotions from my youth.

If you like the "super" protagonist from Enders Game you will probably like this book.

If you like the zero to hero journey of a young magician like Harry Potter, you probably like this book.

If you like the sort of cold, dark, ungorgiving medievil world that's "realistic" but still has that high fantasy element like in Game of Thrones, you will probably like this book.

Excellent story, great voice acting, really can't say enough good things. In the age of apathy that's quite a statement. 10/10