The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 1) Paperback – June 12, 2008

Here's the thing you should really get about this book: Patrick Rothfuss can *write*. He's clever and knows how to turn a phrase. He narrates in such a way that the destination -- which, since the book is told in flashback, you already know -- is not as important as the journey. The plot does not move quickly or predictably, and yes, there are many "slow" spots that other readers have criticized as unimportant. But to me I just wanted to know what was going on with the characters, and didn't really care how long it took to get there. This book, and especially the next, are long novels that meander through various rich landscapes and characters, never hurrying to reach any notable crux. It's a good read first and foremost.

However, readers should be warned that, at this time, the third book in the series is not yet published and there is no publication date. Apparently Rothfuss is methodical, and doesn't churn out novels at as rapid a pace as other authors, so it may yet be a while before the series is resolved with a third (and possibly a fourth) book. I don't mind that there is more to look forward to, although of course it is hard to wait.

While I was trying to find out when Book 3 in the Kingkiller Chronicles might be expected I noticed gripes in the readers' forum about the 5 year gap between the publication of Books 1 and 2, and suggestions that the author didn't care about his readers. Honestly I think the complete opposite. This is such a richly imagined world that I am not surprised it is taking Patrick Rothfuss many years to write. It is a master-work. I have deep respect for the fact that he hasn't rushed out a third book to take advantage of the popularity of Books 1 and 2. It took me a little while to get into Book 1 but once Kvothe's story started to unfold I was completely captivated. It has layer upon layer of complexity and betrays deep knowledge of human character - and diversity. I didn't want Book 2 to ever end but given the quality of the writing I am perfectly happy to wait as long as need be for the sequel. One thing I forgot to mention: how often Books 1 & 2 made me burst into laughter. Really a very captivating and enjoyable read.

My Disclaimer: I purchased this book (and the second book) for full price after reading a review by Brendon Sanderson. I am providing an honest review for which I am receiving no compensation of any kind. All opinions are fully my own.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review

My Review:
What an amazing story! No wonder Brandon Sanderson was so impressed with it. I am, too! The world-building that was done to create this setting is great! The character is certainly well-developed with lots of depth and more to come. Other characters not so much, they are peripherals at this point. Though some are more developed than others. No one is as developed as the main character known as Kvothe or Kote or Reshi. What he's called depends on who you are or what you want him for. But the story is his life. We could almost call it an autobiography or a memoir.

We hear about his younger years growing up with a traveling family and learning the beginnings of sympathy. Sympathy is what they call magic. Kvothe has a very good mind and picks things up quickly. He learns things easily and fast. Faster than even the fast learners. And he is good with music and his lute.

Then disaster strikes when he's not there. His whole life is changed. It creates a focus for him and sends him off to the University to find answers. One thing he'd never really learned, though, was humility. And he didn't understand why he couldn't go ahead of others if he knew more. This was something he had to figure out quickly before it got him into more trouble than he could handle. Good thing he was a quick learner with a good brain! He got quite enough stripes as it was! He came very close to being expelled from University because he'd made an enemy that just wasn't going to back down. And while Kvothe was poor and living by his wits and music, Ambrose had a rich father to fall back on and enough money to pay for nasty tricks and deeds in the dark. And, of course, there's a girl to add to the mix and cause him trouble.

Since the series is call the Kingkiller Chronicle, I suspect in the next book we'll get to hear how someone kills the king. Namely, Kvothe. He's the main character and this is the chronicle of his life. Sounds like pretty good reasoning to me, but then it's my reasoning and I haven't read the next book, yet.

I was confused when I looked at the title page of the book. It called it Day 1 rather than Book 1. But now that I've read it to the end, I understand. The whole of the first book takes place in one day. It's all a story being told for Chronicler to write down. That's what Chronicler does. He goes around writing down stories of what people do. Now he's tracked down Kvothe and wants his story. Kvothe has told him he needs three days to tell it. So this book is Day One. Book two is already available and called The Wise Man's Fear: Day Two. I have no idea when the third book, Doors of Stone: Day Three will be available, though. It is in a rewrite stage with no current release date. There is a related book called The Slow Regard of Silent Things. It's Auri's story and is only 177 pages.

The next book in this series is The Wise Man's Fear: Day Two (1007 pages) and is currently available from booksellers.

I am not usually a fantasy fan, but read this book on the advice of a friend and was immediately sucked in. The book does contain some fantasy (magical spells and a school for wizardry) but the focus is much more on character development and there is a marvelous sense of humor that pervades the novel without ever making things silly. And there are also many thoughtful sentences/paragraphs that make you stop and think. Am about to buy the next book from this author.

I wanted to like this book. The writing was very good and the characters were interesting and well drawn. However, very little actually happens in the book. I'm not sure why the author had to rehash the same plot lines again and again. Kvothe is poor, he gets some money, he loses the money he gets more money. He gets a lute, he loses the lute, he gets another lute, he loses that lute. He meets Denny, he loses track of her, she reappears, she disappears, she reappears. I found myself skimming through some chapters - never a good sign for a book. I realize that this is the first book in a series and I am mildly interested in knowing what happens to the characters. However, I don't think I am interested enough to slog through a second book. It's too bad, really. This could have been edited down to about 200 pages and, perhaps, expanded beyond that to get the plot line moving.