The Name of the Wind

[Levi]

"The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss is stellar, extraordinary, and captivating. I read the entirety of the hefty tome over the course of a weekend: I couldn't put it down.
Our protagonist, Kvothe, appears to be a simple innkeeper at first. But it is the story he tells that reveals the mythical hero behind the apron. The novel is composed as a frame narrative with the present being Kote, the innkeeper telling his tale, and the past being his true self, Kvothe, the arcanist-warrior whose adventures have inspired a thousand stories. This brilliant use of frame narrative create two dimensions of conflict in the novel that are irresistibly enthralling.
The writing is elegant, lyrical, poetic, and just plain amazing. Rothfuss' use of language and world building transport us into the story. The magic is tangible, the action is present, and the characters are three dimensional beings.
As the first installment to a trilogy entitled "The Kingkiller Chronicle," this novel sets the stage for a tale of epic proportions: the story of Kvothe the Kingkiller. The second installment, "The Wise Man's Fear," somehow manages to top this one in its lyricism and depth. Alas, we await the third. Someone send Rothfuss a letter and plead for its publication.
I recommend this novel to EVERYONE. Rothfuss has proven himself to be a true master of fantasy.

Rating: 5/5