a must read...

[Anuj]

an awesome book!!

[John]

I enjoyed The Name of the Wind a lot, and thought Rothkuss was going to be a 'must read' author in future. However, his second book in the sequence, The Wise Man's Fear, I really struggled with. I thought he'd contracted Jordan's Disease, the tendency for fantasy writers to reduce the ratio of plot-to-padding in subsequent books in their series. There are many good parts, but also a lot of inconsequential waffle. Approach with care, as it's a big book, takes quite a while to read, and may annoy as much as it pleases.

[Sebastiaan]

The Name of the Wind is a fantastic book, it's one of those books that I re-read at least once a year.
I quite enjoyed The Wise Man's Fear though it wasn't as good as tNoTW. However, I still finished it within three days.

[[deleted user]]

John wrote: "I enjoyed The Name of the Wind a lot, and thought Rothkuss was going to be a 'must read' author in future. However, his second book in the sequence, The Wise Man's Fear, I really struggled with. I..."

This was such a nonsense reply. What's the plot, John? Kvothe is the son of a God trapped in a box. Oh holy shit, he spent time with mercenaries!!

[Amber]

I liked Both.

Name of The Wind wasnt without it's own waffling in certain aspects.

Wise Man's fear had more scenes of Kvothe actually doing things. Which I liked. It also included my favorite scene from the books so far. Just wish we could have found out more on The Chandrian.

Oh Well, just one more book to go for Kvothe's story. So hardly Jordan's Disease just yet. I'm more worried about him contracting GRRM disease. (The inability to publish a book within 5 years of the previous....LOL)

[Sparrowlicious]

I didn't read the second book yet. I'm really struggling with the decision of reading it or not. I mean. I heard a lot about how Kvothe now got from somewhat!Gary Stu to completely Gary Stu. Ugh.
I mean, it's really obvious that the MC is the author's pet. (Did any of you read the confrontation between Aslan and Kvothe on Rothfuss's blog? If you weren't convinced yet - read that thing!)
Well, despite the MC being so perfect I quite enjoyed the first book. It was a nice enough adventure.

Hmm. I really want to know what happens next but I don't think I could struggle through 'perfect character antics'. D: Even if it's Rothfuss.

[Cynthia]

Read the second book. Not perfect but still really creative. For some reason the author thinks Kvothe is a sex crazed teenager, though.

[Bruna]

I don't think its a must read, i'm sorry... I read the first book, but i still don't feel like to read the sequel.
Kvothe is a nice character, but i think the book was a little bit dragging.

[Pickle]

i bought this at the same time as The Lies of Locke Lamora (buy 1 get the other half price). NOTW had the higher rating so i read Locke first and completely loved it.

When i read NOTW i was very disappointed with it.. i cant recall ever reading a book and really not liking the main protagonist and i still cannot get that scene with the dragon out my head, it was outrageously cringeworthy.

[Bruna]

Pickle wrote: "...and i still cannot get that scene with the dragon out my head, it was outrageously cringeworthy..."

heheh I suuuper agree with u! I also can't forget this awful part of the book with the dragon!

[Dusty Bibliophile]

NOTW has the distinction of being one of the few books I put down before finishing. Marty Stu indeed! The plot points were interesting enough until ye old Kvothe did his lamp project his own way without taking suggestions from more experienced hands. Then the story fell over on itself. I lost all interest in completing the story and have no desire to try the follow on books.

Thank goodness for libraries and the ability to return books.

[Amber]

I did not care for draccus part myself either. But I always thought it was because I had to much invested in my hopes of actually finding out something about The Chandrian.

I later read this whole part was not even in his original manuscript, but his editor felt they needed something exciting to close the book out with, so it got written up and added in.

I've never seen Kvothe as perfect. I think Rothfuss tries to create that air to his character, but really he's a bit of an idiot. He mostly comes out ahead because he cheats or lies, which is a bit of a character flaw in my opinion.

[Bruna]

I also don't see Kvothe as perfect, either. I just find him clever and he knows how to deal with certainly situations, Afterall, he was a smart kid and lived on streets.

[Dusty Bibliophile]

It's not that Kvothe is perfect but that everything always turns up roses for him, regardless of how bad the situation is portrayed. I never felt any concern that he might fail or that he would be scarred by an event. The story lacked humanity for me.

[Amber]

Yes, I would describe him as clever, but not a Marty Stu...
The bit with Felurian is a stretch, but thats the only time I ever felt he was coming off as overpowered. It's really not even that ridiculous actually though, since thats in the Fae and things work differently there.


He is zero comparison to Richard Rahl, who though I did enjoy, is a complete and utter Marty Stu.
I mean, we know for sure, thanks to the frame story, that Kvothe isn't going to come out on top in the end.

[Amber]

Dustin wrote: "It's not that Kvothe is perfect but that everything always turns up roses for him, regardless of how bad the situation is portrayed. I never felt any concern that he might fail or that he would be..."

I think I'll just have to disagree with you.

(view spoiler)[ In the frame he fails at using sympathy which results in another persons death and he is beaten severely by bandits in the next book. Not to mention his constant inability to find anything of substance related to The Chandrian, his most complete and utter failure within the narrative. (hide spoiler)]

[Dusty Bibliophile]

Amber wrote: "Dustin wrote: "It's not that Kvothe is perfect but that everything always turns up roses for him, regardless of how bad the situation is portrayed. I never felt any concern that he might fail or t..."

I guess I lost interest before those plot points come out. I'll accept the disagreement. :)

[Amber]

LOL, we can't all like the same thing.

I did like the second book better though, even though I've seen the most complaints about it.

[Bruna]

Amber wrote: "LOL, we can't all like the same thing.

I did like the second book better though, even though I've seen the most complaints about it."

Yeah! heheh
Aww... really? I still don't hav courage to read the second book... heheh

[Amber]

I thought more happened in it.
(view spoiler)[
Class with Elodin - Win, love his character
Travel to other Cultures and Countries of the Four Corners - Cool world Building
Kvothe gets some fancy epic loot - every hero needs that right?
Sexy Time Occurs - a bit of a stretch, but whatever.
some parts are a bit drawn out and every Denna scene makes me want to wretch but, I enjoyed Adem and thought Maer Alveron was cool (hide spoiler)]

[Bruna]

Amber wrote: "I thought more happened in it."

Tks for the tips! :D hehe
I also think that Denna is sooo annoying! I don't get this character, at all!
But pls, tell me we lean more about the Chandrians, atleast! I was hoping to find out something about them, but we didn't get nothing...

[Amber]

No Problem.
I find her annoying as well, probably because she the worst sort of woman in my opinion. LOL! I'm hoping something will come together on her in the end because otherwise she's just kinda lame and I have no idea why Kvothe is so in love with her other than he thinks she is hot.


(view spoiler)[
Yes you find out more about The Chandrian but it only makes you want more!
You find out what is on the pottery found at the Mauthen Farm, they discuss them at length in Ademre, and Kvothe meets a character in Fae who makes you even more confused about them but in a good way. (I liked it at least)
Also Kvothe meets Cinder again while in Vintas but doesn't realize it.
You are also given more information on Iax, who is mentioned by Selitos in the story of Myr Tarinial (or Lanre's Betrayal, however you like to remember it) (hide spoiler)]

[Bruna]

I agree with you! She is the worst kind of woman and i still can't understand why Kvothe loves her so much! Well... men! hahah
Ohh.. good to know that atleast, something will be discovery!
I find Haliax very interesting.. i would like to find more about him.
And what about Auri? She is just weird or will have something to offer to the story? hehe

[Amber]

I find The Chandrian extremely interesting myself. Haliax/Lanre is one of the most interesting characters, but after reading book Two I have developed a real interest in Cinder as well.

I think Auri has something to offer the story, but I doubt she will play a major role. She was added into the story during editing and Patrick has said she isn't a major player, just a side thing Kvothe has going. I think she is meant to show his softer side a bit, she is the only character he makes himself emotionally available for.

I think the main speculation on her character is she will turn out to be Princess Ariel whom Kvothe is rumored to have saved.

[Bruna]

Ohh.. that's nice! Yeah.. i wanna know more about Cinder, too and i also hope then, that Auri won't be just a weird and hopeless as annoying Denna! hehe

Ok, you won! I'll give a chance to the second book, then! hehe ^^ Tks! :D

[Amber]

Yah, Cinder has some play in book two, however we only ever get very much info on Cinder and Haliax compared to the rest of The Chandrian.

Auri is nothing like Denna thank goodness. She is just weird, but sorta insightful about things. A lot of people find her gifts the most interesting thing she does. (view spoiler)[ since she gives him the same items that Taborlin the Great carried (hide spoiler)]

If you do end up reading the second (anyone! even just the first is cool if you don't mind spoilers, I don't think they are all tagged) come to the Rothfussian boards, there are tons of interesting theories and discussions going over there.

[Bruna]

That's good to know! ^^
Don't worry, i don't mind for the spoilers, at all! hehe ^^
And, once again, tks alot!

[[deleted user]]

Loved this book. There were some scenes where I was close to tears, and that is a big thing for me as I hardly ever cry...

[Kevin]

OK, I'm 150 pages into the book. Someone please convince me I should continue reading. I think Rothfuss has an excellent writing style. I like the plot of the book. The like the world that Rothfuss has created. The problem is the length of the book. I've read 150 pages and, really, not much has happened. There are the occassional clever comments, but I honestly feel the first 150 pages could be cut down to about 30-40 pages. Easily. The characters have spent too much time just sitting around chatting. I know some of the chatter has been background info that is meant as a refresher of the first book in the series. However, I'm just not really motivated to wade into the next 850 pages. Help!! Tell me it's worth continuing!!

[Amber]

I'm guessing you are on Wise Man's Fear?

I can't say if you should continue or not since I don't know what you like in novels, but I thought the last half of Wise Man's Fear was enjoyable.

He leaves The Commonwealth and travels to Vintas, Fae, and Ademre all of which are interesting since they are new places. I liked that we got away from The University and met some new characters but it's still quite a slow burn. I personally found I enjoyed these books a lot more on my second and third reads of them because I started putting plot lines together and seeing directions in the story. The first time there is so much random chatter it gets a bit lost in translation.

[D.C.]

Kevin wrote: "OK, I'm 150 pages into the book. Someone please convince me I should continue reading. I think Rothfuss has an excellent writing style. I like the plot of the book. The like the world that Roth..."

I strongly recommend you to go on; the beginning is the dullest part, kinda of slow, but then it improves a great deal. To tell you the truth, I was not really excited when I began to read it- I had bought it in an impulse on a visit to the library basically because I liked the cover, it is not the kind of thing I would do but I decided to give it a chance. Honestly, after page 200 I just could not put it down. By the time I finished, it had become in my favourite book. Of course you can expect everybody to like it, but I just hope you enjoy it as much as I did. The second volume is good, yet not as captivating as the first.

[Sarah]

I have just finished the first book and bought the second. Thought the was really good so looking forward to the second.

[Kevin]

I appreciate the advice of those who urged me to continue reading TWMF. I enjoyed the book and gave it 4 stars upon finishing it this morning.

The book picked up the pace a bit after the first few hundred pages, but never really took off. There were some negatives that I mention in my review. Probably the most frustrating for me was the relationship between Kvothe and Denna. Extremely boring and annoying...and I wonder how Denna will feel when she finds out about Kvothe's romp at the Fae Mustang Ranch.

What saves the book and makes it fun is the world Rothfuss has created and his writing.

[Vatsal]

The book is one of the most amazing experience I have had in my life.

[Vatsal]

Amber wrote: "Dustin wrote: "It's not that Kvothe is perfect but that everything always turns up roses for him, regardless of how bad the situation is portrayed. I never felt any concern that he might fail or t..."
Very true.. I came here to discuss how amazing the book was. After seeing all these negative comments I dont know what to say

[Vatsal]

Sparrowlicious wrote: "I didn't read the second book yet. I'm really struggling with the decision of reading it or not. I mean. I heard a lot about how Kvothe now got from somewhat!Gary Stu to completely Gary Stu. Ugh.
..."
He is not perfect at all. He made a lot of mistakes and his friends paid price for that . He is very sorry , That is one of the reasons he lives like this. Complete the book . Its worth it .

[D.C.]

Kevin wrote: "I appreciate the advice of those who urged me to continue reading TWMF. I enjoyed the book and gave it 4 stars upon finishing it this morning.

The book picked up the pace a bit after the first fe..."

I'm glad you liked it, and I agree with you in the sense that Rothfuss' writing style is probably one of the best things in this novel. He really has a special of presenting and describing things

[Benji]

Bruna wrote: "Pickle wrote: "...and i still cannot get that scene with the dragon out my head, it was outrageously cringeworthy..."

heheh I suuuper agree with u! I also can't forget this awful part of the book ..."

I liked the Dragon, As with all the magic in this series it seems as though it has a realistic basis. So why wouldn't the dragon be rationalized this way. Besides the action was decent.

[Benji]

Bruna wrote: "Amber wrote: "I thought more happened in it."

Tks for the tips! :D hehe
I also think that Denna is sooo annoying! I don't get this character, at all!
But pls, tell me we lean more about the Chan..."

The Denna character is for any guy that remembers what it was like as a young man not knowing what to do with a major babe. Every guy's been there.