L's Reviews > The Name of the Wind

The most outstanding epic fantasy debut novel I have ever encountered, that kept me awake reading into the night!

This has to be the most incredible, astonishing and intensely gripping debut fantasy novel I have ever encountered. I was recommended this book a while back on GoodReads in view of the fact that I am an avid reader of the fantasy genre and love to hear about new, fresh works within this genre. As soon as I began to read chapter one I knew that I had stumbled upon something quite exceptional, that I can only explain as my reaction being something on a par with how I responded the first time I ever read JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. I would like to reiterate the comments by Publishers Weekly who said “…this is the type of assured, rich first novel that most writers can only dream of producing…the fantasy world has a new star.” I couldn’t agree more with this statement that is so true, as I feel that although there is so much great works within the fantasy genre, I have just found something quite remarkable and momentous. It is Patrick Rothfuss’ originality, depth and complexity of plot, fluid and beautiful narrative that makes this story not just your average magical, fantastical delight but somewhat truly great. It is like someone has opened a door onto the fantasy world glancing at Narnia, Middle-Earth, Pern and Novaria and has then looked even further across the horizon to see the four corners of civilization, where this inspired writer’s world lies amidst all of the familiar and outstanding creations that we know and love. It is humorous in places as well and absolutely terrifying, as it touches upon all the senses making you feel so many different emotions like never before; with one minute anxious and scared to the next feeling totally elated and empowered. Rothfuss’ world and entire creation full of magic and demons, Dragons, bloodlust and great power. It has that wonderful historical element to it that so many readers love with formidable battles between the good and the ambitious. The book is divided into two time periods with the first in the present and the other covering years of the past, that chronicling Kvothe's youth as he tells his story to a Chronicler who asks for the unexaggerated version of his life.
“…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. My name is Kvothe.You may have heard of me”. So begins the tale of Kvothe with his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a difficult and dangerous school of magic. One comes to know Kvothe the notorious magician, the accomplished thief, the masterful musician, the dragon-slayer, the legend-hunter, the lover, the thief and the infamous assassin. The more you read on into the story the more you want to know about the protagonist who is so believable, who one can relate to and connect with in a tale that is so delicately woven and subtle but has the most powerful and profound effect on the imagination. I am just so excited and cannot wait until the release of the sequel ‘The wise mans fear’ day 2: the Kingkiller chronicles. This has to be my read of the year and one which is a great testimony and verification as to why I am a devotee and enthusiast of the fantasy genre.