The Wise Man's Fear (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2) in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Jul 03, 2018 Dave Johnson rated it really liked it

What I find really intriguing about this book is that it seems many people like this less than the original, which I completely disagree with.

The first book, while not my favorite, still had some bright glimmers of enjoyment. But I think the second book far exceeds the first one. One of my complaints with the first book is that for a legendary character, Kvothe's life seems mostly boring. A school life is hardly the series of events that leaves someone in awe. But in book two, many fantastic th What I find really intriguing about this book is that it seems many people like this less than the original, which I completely disagree with.

The first book, while not my favorite, still had some bright glimmers of enjoyment. But I think the second book far exceeds the first one. One of my complaints with the first book is that for a legendary character, Kvothe's life seems mostly boring. A school life is hardly the series of events that leaves someone in awe. But in book two, many fantastic things happen outside of the school (though about a third of the book--or more--is still at school). Much of the fantastic things regard the magic of the world, the exploits of Kvothe (both fantastical and, sadly, sexual), and the world itself. After reading this, I now understand how Kvothe could be a legendary character within this world, and I want to see more what happens to him.

A few gripes I have: I am sick of the whole story with Denna. She's really tiring, and every time she pops up, I want to skip forward. For two books now, absolutely nothing happens with her. Nothing. And, I get it. I see what Rothfuss is hinting at with book three, and I can forsee Denna's fate at the hands of the Chandrean. At the same time, her character is dull and unrealistic. I guess there is supposed to be some romance between Kvothe and Denna, but it's not enjoyable to read. Then there is Kvothe's new horny side. While I think the author held back a bit (thankfully), Kvothe's new sexual awakening is jarring, and reading the "sexual liberation" undertone from the author makes my eyes roll. Couple that (pardon the pun) with the subplot with Denna, and it seems very weird. On one hand, you have a very horny Kvothe who wants to get in the pants of any girl ready and willing, and then on the other hand you have this long, tedious romance between him and Denna, and he seems happy to be friend-zoned with his ideal love interest. I am also starting to wonder if Kvothe is a Mary Sue. With only a couple of minor incidents, almost everything he does succeeds somehow. Hopefully that changes in the next book (I think it will). One other complaint that I need to mention is something that really bothered me when it happened in the story. There is a point in which something big happens to Kvothe and he has a trial. But then the story breaks, and Kvothe tells the Chronicler that he wants to leave that completely out of the story. From the author's point of view, this seems like a way to throw some chaos into Kvothe's narration, but from a reader's POV, it's very jarring. I want to hear that part of the story since, apparently, it worked out well for him. But also, if Kvothe is narrating the story at all, why wouldn't he just leave that out completely? It doesn't make sense.

This is a very, very long book. And though he stays on some arcs a little longer than I expected, overall the book really works. I liked this book a lot more, even with my minor gripes. And again there are more times while reading that gave me pause to really respect the author for his obvious skill at writing. I don't understand why this is regarded by some to be inferior to the first, because I really see it as superior in many ways. I get the impression that Rothfuss himself wasn't completely happy with the final result, because he had to write this quicker than writing the first. But it doesn't seem rushed, and the overall quality is either equal to or greater than the original, I find. So I find it strange why so many prefer the first book.

Overall, a very good book. Looking forward to part three, whenever that comes out. ...more

Like · see review

Apr 08, 2011 Bryce rated it it was amazing

The Name of the Wind was one of the biggest things to happen in fantasy in recent years, making a huge splash on the scene, and propelling Patrick Rothfuss from newcomer to fantasy star. But you have to sort of wonder anytime an author has a breakout book--will he be able to do it again? After all, often with first books, the author has had years (sometimes even decades) to work on that one book. There are such things as one hit wonders, and I always worry that the first book in a series will th ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 16, 2012 Rachel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy-and-sci-fi, read-in-2012

Ok, when is the next one coming out? I can't wait. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 06, 2011 Jeffrey rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, read-in-2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss was a hugely hyped novel with blurbs on the back cover from a bunch of well known authors. In my mind, the hype was justified as the novel was well-written, stylish and an overall great read. Kvothe is a great character.

Now four years or so later, the sequel has come out, and while I enjoyed the novel as a whole, it suffers in comparison. While Kvothe is a great character, the novel is episodic in nature, with great swaths devoted to Kvothe wooing Denna, ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jul 18, 2011 Tom rated it really liked it

Shelves: hard-copy, re-read

It pains me to deduct a star on this novel, but I feel compelled. Maybe Ambrose Jakis slipped me a plumb bob or something. (Sorry, reader's inside joke!)

Rothfuss is a gifted storyteller. And while he might view this as a slap in the face, he's also a gifted poet. (The narrator in this novel has a dim view of poets... or maybe just a dim view of bad poets). I actually really enjoyed the snippets of poetry sprinkled throughout the book.

So why the one star deduction? Because I'm getting sick of t It pains me to deduct a star on this novel, but I feel compelled. Maybe Ambrose Jakis slipped me a plumb bob or something. (Sorry, reader's inside joke!)

Rothfuss is a gifted storyteller. And while he might view this as a slap in the face, he's also a gifted poet. (The narrator in this novel has a dim view of poets... or maybe just a dim view of bad poets). I actually really enjoyed the snippets of poetry sprinkled throughout the book.

So why the one star deduction? Because I'm getting sick of the perfection of the main character, Kvothe.

If there is a beautiful woman, you can be assured that Kvothe is going to bed her. It doesn't matter if she is, a mythological goddess, the most beautiful creature in the known universe. He will find a way to make it happen. This despite the fact that he professes to being an idiot where women are concerned and by rough guess, about 17 years old. If there is an evil villain, Kvothe will put him down in the most clever and heroic way. There's nothing he can't do. He's always the smartest and bravest person in any given situation.

Serious nerd-as-hero fantasy here, people.

Yes, I get the fact that this is a "story-within-a-story" and so the telling may be skewed by the story teller (Kvothe himself), but it gets annoying after awhile. Especially when all this brilliance and perfection goes out the window when the plot line finds it necessary.

Whenever a minor story arc has concluded and the villain (or maiden) vanquished; Kvothe will say or do something indescribably stupid or inappropriate so he is forced to move on. In this way, it keeps him on the move, steering him clear of "Happily Ever After" territory. But you get to anticipate it after awhile. "OK.. things are nicely wrapping up, it's about time for Kvothe to do something dumb to move onto the next arc. Ah... there it is!"

Complaints about that writing trick aside, I really love this book. It's most interesting during the interludes, those moments when we flash forward to "now" with the present day Kvothe (more human, less heroic) is at his inn.

I'm hoping the final book will spent most of its time in that scenario. ...more

Like · see review

May 31, 2013 Dolphe rated it it was amazing

As frustrating as it is to know I must wait until 2014 to read the next installment of this storyline, I still didn't hesitate to start this second collection of Kvothe adventures. I do not doubt the wait will be worthwhile. Rothfuss creates an immensely entertaining universe for the reader. He succeeds on levels contemporaries such as J.K.Rowlings and George R.R. Martin fail: the tale is noble while escaping a fairy tale quality and epic without being stilted. ...more

Like · see review

Mar 07, 2011 Celeste rated it really liked it

I simply love Patrick Rothfuss' writing. The man is a genius in my book. This second installment in his Kvothe series has Kvothe telling Chronicler more of his story and what a story it is. These are the things legends are made of. Read these wonderful and enter a world only Patrick Rothfuss could have given us. ...more

Like · see review

Jan 13, 2020 Alan rated it really liked it

An entertaining sequel. I'm not sure it's quite as good as the first book. There's a section in the middle I felt was a little stretched out, but overall, I enjoyed it, and am looking forward to the next instalment. ...more

Like · see review