Sample
  • 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 (83,855 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Wise Man's Fear

By: Patrick Rothfuss
Narrated by: Nick Podehl
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $35.69

Buy for $35.69

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

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

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    70,883
  • 4 Stars
    10,154
  • 3 Stars
    1,940
  • 2 Stars
    520
  • 1 Stars
    358
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    66,594
  • 4 Stars
    7,697
  • 3 Stars
    1,142
  • 2 Stars
    216
  • 1 Stars
    114
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    62,948
  • 4 Stars
    9,472
  • 3 Stars
    2,298
  • 2 Stars
    621
  • 1 Stars
    376

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing can't wait for the next book!

I have to admit when I started the first book, The Name of the Wind, on audiobook I hated the narrator at first. I had read both books previously and just wanted to experience them again and thought listening would be better than rereading. BUT Boy has he grown on me. His performance is perfect and his voices for other character and other languages bring the book to life. I know they're making TV shows and movies and games and whatever else, but I think the audiobooks are enough!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good story

Interesting.... Good story it needs an ending... But i would reccomend regardless keep reading

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story and acting

Wonderful rich story and looking forward to the next. Great job on characters and emotional context from the voice actor.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

BEST THING ON AUDIBLE

What made the experience of listening to The Wise Man's Fear the most enjoyable?

This is probably the best Audio Book on Audible. I've been searching for something as good but so far nothing compares. The writing here is clean and eloquent so you never feel lost but there is a good deal of figurative language that is quite beautiful as well.

What did you like best about this story?

The character's victories are earned. Whenever something awesome happens it's wonderful because you're totally rooting for the hero. He pulls off something amazing feats but they all are grounded in the legwork the protagonist put in so they feel like true accomplishments not flights of fancy.

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

Lots, you really feel like you're in the character's head.

Any additional comments?

Everyone I suggest this series to falls madly in love with it. really looking forward to book 3.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Rich and gripping

the detail and craft that went into this book are joys to behold. Highly recommend for any lover of fantasy.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The best

This is the best book I have ever read or listened to. I have recommended the king killer chronicles to countless people, none of which end up disappointed. Can't wait for day 3!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Masterwork of Modern Fantasy

Patrick Rothfuss certainly knows how to turn a phrase, I especially love his use of similes. There are some uncomfortably sexual parts with falurian and ademre, but I have a rather low tolerance for such things.

Nick Podehl reading is superb. His work with the various accents is simply fantastic, I sincerely hope he is selected as the reader for the third book (when ever it finally comes out).

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

it's like Tolkien but better in every way

there are some stories like a lake 2 feet deep others more like wells. This story is like a vast sea of interwoven interesting narrative that only says what it must but saying much with every word.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Another Masterful Effort from Rothfuss!

If you could sum up The Wise Man's Fear in three words, what would they be?

Engrossing, Moving, Entertaining

What did you like best about this story?

Rothfuss tells the story of Kvothe's life so skillfully that it feels like I'm listening to an actual person tell his own life story.

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't want to spoil the story but, toward the end, we're given reason to wonder if Kote/Kovthe has been exaggerating the tales of his exploits, yet there's also alternate possible explanations for what transpires.

Any additional comments?

People have criticized this book because it doesn't do much to advance the Chandrian subplot but, as Rothfuss has explained, this series is not about Kvothe vs the Chandrian. It's the story of a man's life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Quickly becoming one of my favorite series..

Magic, fighting, women, music, good, evil, and deep rooted mysteries. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful