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aleciahatfield's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
one of the best series i’ve read in a while! filled to the brim with action, mystery, intriguing worldbuilding, and even a little smidge of romance. the last half of the book was a little slow for me, but the ending made up for it. now i’ll join everyone else in patiently waiting for the last book to be published. :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
fisherjam's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Sexual assault
music_maker's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual assault
lenore2185's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Spoiler free review: way too horny, too many pointless tangents, not a single interesting character in sight, adult Kvothe was the only redeeming quality, Rothfuss can't write women unless they exist to serve men
The first half was fine, but what in the weird male power fantasy was that second half? And on top of that it was boring.
First of all, the Felurian calling Kvothe a "lusty man" after trying to death by snu snu. Bitch, that's a child. He is sixteen. Go to prison.
Then all the Adem women finding this child irresistible. I don't know a single woman in her late 20s who would look at a 16-17 year old boy (again, a child) and go "Yeah, I want that." Go to prison.
Then Kvothe bravely rescues two girls from bandits, living out that weird power fantasy that men seem to have where they stop a rape by beating up a rapist (and yet they won't call their male friends out for sexually harassing or assaulting someone....okay). And after being brutally raped for days on end, one of these girls has the audacity to say "I hate men." I know, the horror. A girl experiences multiple brutal assaults by multiple men and has decided that she doesn't particularly like or trust men right now. And Kvothe, the dumbass, gets upset and says "I'm a man :( we're not all like that." He really looked this girl in the eye after she survived being raped and said "Well not all men!" Fuck off. It's even worse that it's implied he almost experienced sexual assault in his backstory, and yet he couldn't conjure up even a little bit of empathy. What the actual fucking fuck is all of this.
Tl;dr why did this book have to get so horny when the main character is a 16 year old boy. That's a child. Kvothe is a child. There are multiple sex scenes featuring a child. Go to prison.
First of all, the Felurian calling Kvothe a "lusty man" after trying to death by snu snu. Bitch, that's a child. He is sixteen. Go to prison.
Then all the Adem women finding this child irresistible. I don't know a single woman in her late 20s who would look at a 16-17 year old boy (again, a child) and go "Yeah, I want that." Go to prison.
Then Kvothe bravely rescues two girls from bandits, living out that weird power fantasy that men seem to have where they stop a rape by beating up a rapist (and yet they won't call their male friends out for sexually harassing or assaulting someone....okay). And after being brutally raped for days on end, one of these girls has the audacity to say "I hate men." I know, the horror. A girl experiences multiple brutal assaults by multiple men and has decided that she doesn't particularly like or trust men right now. And Kvothe, the dumbass, gets upset and says "I'm a man :( we're not all like that." He really looked this girl in the eye after she survived being raped and said "Well not all men!" Fuck off. It's even worse that it's implied he almost experienced sexual assault in his backstory, and yet he couldn't conjure up even a little bit of empathy. What the actual fucking fuck is all of this.
Tl;dr why did this book have to get so horny when the main character is a 16 year old boy. That's a child. Kvothe is a child. There are multiple sex scenes featuring a child. Go to prison.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Rape
proza's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Mental illness, Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, and War
nerdkitten's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Violence, Xenophobia, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Classism, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Torture
Moderate: Mental illness, Medical content, Chronic illness, Cultural appropriation, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Cursing, Excrement, Grief, Sexual violence, War, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Death of parent, Biphobia, and Racial slurs
samhackett's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Violence, and Death
claire_bear26's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Murder, Violence, and Sexual assault
amelia_d's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I'm quite disappointed to be honest, but my feelings about the book are very mixed so it's quite hard to give it a star rating that feels right.
The main positive for me is the incredible, detailed and original world building. I felt really engrossed in the world and loved learning more about how this world works.
For the most part I also found the story very compelling and intriguing, although it is quite scattered in a real-worldy kind of way which I'm aware some people didn't like.
Despite all that, the negatives for me almost made it unreadable at times. The main issue for me was that I found Kvothe thoroughly unlikeable, for most of the book he's constantly bragging about everything he does and how brilliant he is at everything he tries. I found this very grating. However it was almost unreadable due to the way Kvothe talks about women. I won't get into the details so this can remain spoiler free but at times I felt like I was reading a fanfic written by a 14 year old boy or an incel. I was cringing and sending pics to my friends/boyfriend of some paragraphs because I actually couldn't believe what I was reading. It felt very much like reading an incel's sexual fantasy who wishes that they could be Kvothe and I absolutely hated it. (also mild spoiler, there's a bit where Kvothe almost literally says "not all men" to a SA victim, seriously.)
So I am very torn. As I say, the story is compelling and intriguing and the world building is very impressive but at times the writing got so bad in terms of female characters in particular that I really don't know that I could bring nyself to read the 3rd book if it's ever completed.
The main positive for me is the incredible, detailed and original world building. I felt really engrossed in the world and loved learning more about how this world works.
For the most part I also found the story very compelling and intriguing, although it is quite scattered in a real-worldy kind of way which I'm aware some people didn't like.
Despite all that, the negatives for me almost made it unreadable at times. The main issue for me was that I found Kvothe thoroughly unlikeable, for most of the book he's constantly bragging about everything he does and how brilliant he is at everything he tries. I found this very grating. However it was almost unreadable due to the way Kvothe talks about women. I won't get into the details so this can remain spoiler free but at times I felt like I was reading a fanfic written by a 14 year old boy or an incel. I was cringing and sending pics to my friends/boyfriend of some paragraphs because I actually couldn't believe what I was reading. It felt very much like reading an incel's sexual fantasy who wishes that they could be Kvothe and I absolutely hated it. (also mild spoiler, there's a bit where Kvothe almost literally says "not all men" to a SA victim, seriously.)
So I am very torn. As I say, the story is compelling and intriguing and the world building is very impressive but at times the writing got so bad in terms of female characters in particular that I really don't know that I could bring nyself to read the 3rd book if it's ever completed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
tinyjude's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.25
I AM FREE.
I thought the book was never going to end, even when I skipped some chapters because they were so fcking unnecessary. So, because I was dreadfully bored and I want to get this done quickly here it goes:
The first half is the same as the first book, same problems, same enemies, everything felt like the 1st book which doesn't help to further the plot. Then, he travels the world but it quickly becomes boring as the story drags and drags and drags on inconsequential events. And just when I was starting to tolerate Denna, it gets worse. No single woman character can be saved here oh my god. The sexism in the descriptions... I wanted to hit myself with the book (and mind you, it weights more than a fcking brick so I could probably end with my skull half-opened). They are disgustingly described and characterized by their beauty and sensual qualities, they all fall for him, try to be cold but melt under his touch and oh, the part with the fata woman. I thought it was satire. I didn't need to read about how much he fcks and how a virgin boy is so good in bed. Dude, I can't believe that and I don't care, go back to the important plot.
And none of the big questions are answered. Just more sub-plots are added and not resolved. The pacing is bad, many chapters were not needed, the female characters need a shit ton of development, he is still a pain in the ass knowing-all and annoying. Many information about how intelligent or dexterous he is, is repeated following the exact same grammatical structure, which made it even more irritating. I just wanted this torture to end. I am probably missing a lot of other complaints and criticisms but I just want to forget already about this book
I thought the book was never going to end, even when I skipped some chapters because they were so fcking unnecessary. So, because I was dreadfully bored and I want to get this done quickly here it goes:
The first half is the same as the first book, same problems, same enemies, everything felt like the 1st book which doesn't help to further the plot. Then, he travels the world but it quickly becomes boring as the story drags and drags and drags on inconsequential events. And just when I was starting to tolerate Denna, it gets worse. No single woman character can be saved here oh my god. The sexism in the descriptions... I wanted to hit myself with the book (and mind you, it weights more than a fcking brick so I could probably end with my skull half-opened). They are disgustingly described and characterized by their beauty and sensual qualities, they all fall for him, try to be cold but melt under his touch and oh, the part with the fata woman. I thought it was satire. I didn't need to read about how much he fcks and how a virgin boy is so good in bed. Dude, I can't believe that and I don't care, go back to the important plot.
And none of the big questions are answered. Just more sub-plots are added and not resolved. The pacing is bad, many chapters were not needed, the female characters need a shit ton of development, he is still a pain in the ass knowing-all and annoying. Many information about how intelligent or dexterous he is, is repeated following the exact same grammatical structure, which made it even more irritating. I just wanted this torture to end. I am probably missing a lot of other complaints and criticisms but I just want to forget already about this book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Stalking, Violence, and Xenophobia