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pokecol's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I don't think either of these perspectives are necessary to expose the nature of the book or series (singular) to. There is outside context but leave this to a future generation and such context will be largely meaningless. We can discuss the impact of WWII on Tolkien's Trilogy, but that is not the critical point on what makes Middle-Earth and The Lord of the Rings what they are - nor is its exclusive positives in prose the aspect we solely take away from that series.
When it comes to the King Killer Chronicles, the Name of the Wind is, again, just enjoyable. Its a straight-forward story with brilliant description, beautiful flow, interesting if not particularly deep characters, great moments and a wonderful sense of connection.
My way of looking at it is mostly that its a book where nothing really happens - a little silly sounding, but in the idea of a story there is no main plot that unfolds and ends its just part of an adolescent boys journey written through extremely lyrical expression and perspective. Its like a riveting tale a new friend might tell you about their time in another country or some fun way they look back on things they did as a child that they've mastered the telling of - because that's what the book is, Kote providing a personal take on how he perceives the tale of his life so far. Its a really enjoyable peek into nothing happening. Weird.
The book also leaves off on just enough of a hook to get you to keep wanting to read, ultimately it feels like a foundation to build upon and I gather that is it's purpose in part. If the context of the pages of The Name of the Wind were evaluated alone though, I would say it was great.
The highlights were often the parts that in other books would be dull, in how story-tellers with a story-telling told tales of the world. That of Lanre sticks out VERY specifically. The downsides however are that lack of central plot means it doesn't feel like we're moving towards anything and for a book touting the name "King Killer Chronicles Book 1" it had an awful lack of King Killing, or steps towards King Killing, or reference to Killing a King at all for that matter - in terms of expectations it is disappointing as the scope of the story is very small. And the book could do without the very dated way women are perceived by straight men, its old-hack and was the most detractive part of the book, even if Denna specifically was able to appear fairly involved as a character, taking a breath to describe her sexual perception to Kvothe is unnecessary and is explicitly about appealing to a pretty bad straight male ideology which should probably be avoided.
At the time of writing, this was the longest book I have read, and simultaneously one the books I had the easiest time getting through. I know not what to feel for things to come but I intend to proceed without any lens coming from Patrick Rothfuss' public expression or the public perception of the books, it services no-one.
Tl;dr: a book where nothing happens, but its the most enjoyable nothing I've had the pleasure to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Violence, Police brutality, and Sexism
alyssasaurus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
mullemit's review
2.75
It’s almost impressive to be able to make up a complex magic system with physical laws, different practices, and an institution to teach it, and not be able to imagine women as people. For a while I looked past the locker room talk, the objectivization, the fact that for every character we meet 9 out of 10 are men. I kept thinking about it as a good book in spite of the anger I felt every time a woman was boiled down to her ability to please or serve a man (literally wtf to the women are instruments metafor, or women are flames, or wild things, gross!), but in the end that anger is all the book is to me now.
You know, just because you want to write about swords, nobels, and horses and take some light inspiration from historical periods doesn’t mean you have to bring the sexism! It’s actually way more interesting world building if you let women be people?!
You know, just because you want to write about swords, nobels, and horses and take some light inspiration from historical periods doesn’t mean you have to bring the sexism! It’s actually way more interesting world building if you let women be people?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
frankyreadsbooks's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism
vonny3492's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book is one of those books written by a man that sort of just forgot to include women? There is even a line from one of the characters that's like "there's been such a lack of women in this story" and then the story promptly is like what no women? There's ONE woman! With I think complete lack of insight into the irony.
When they get to speak, especially the ONE woman, they aren't totally vapid and one dimensional, but mostly they are plot devices and manic pixie dream girls. You can tell the author is trying and even thinks he's doing a good job being pro-woman but he falls flat.
Frankly there are too many common phrases at the expense of sex workers...
He manages to somehow pull off being a very good writer who's obsessed with his own prose without being totally annoying, which is impressive.
I will say overall I liked the book and thought it was engaging. And I think the author does a good job of sprinkling in the mystery and some fun parallel language use.
When they get to speak, especially the ONE woman, they aren't totally vapid and one dimensional, but mostly they are plot devices and manic pixie dream girls. You can tell the author is trying and even thinks he's doing a good job being pro-woman but he falls flat.
Frankly there are too many common phrases at the expense of sex workers...
He manages to somehow pull off being a very good writer who's obsessed with his own prose without being totally annoying, which is impressive.
I will say overall I liked the book and thought it was engaging. And I think the author does a good job of sprinkling in the mystery and some fun parallel language use.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Sexism
Minor: Police brutality
martinatheweirdo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I find this book to be beautiful. The way Rothfuss uses literary devices to foreshadow events and provide exposition is beautiful. Compared to other authors, I find Rothfuss’ use of exposition and worldbuilding to be masterfully crafted. If you’re looking for a slow paced and intricate look into the stereotypical hero arc story than you’re looking in the right place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness, Alcohol, and Bullying
Minor: Sexism and Religious bigotry
lunep's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Child abuse, Grief, Medical content, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Classism, Addiction, Blood, Gore, Police brutality, Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Xenophobia, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Kidnapping, Medical content, Misogyny, Animal cruelty, Sexism, and War
Graphic depictions of poverty and homelessness take up a significant portion of the story. Graphic description and discussion of giant spiders.manarnia's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A bit meandering, but overall an engrossing fantasy book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction, Rape, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Gore, War, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Sexual violence
collidatur's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love the way the author describes certain imagery of scenes n such, but there is definitely a problem with the portrayal of women within the story, and no poc representation at all.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Sexism