Reviews

The Name of the Wind really part 1 of a story, which I didn't expect. I expected a plot from beginning to end. While the story-telling was amazing, I'd rather have been given a full 3000 pages of one book rather than been given a third of it. I suppose I'm just waiting to see where this goes. This series has the potential to be amazing, but as it stands alone, this book is not.

book_bound's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5/5 stars

This book was certainly a journey. I enjoyed reading this slowly and at my own pace because there is tons of world building and character development. I really applaud Rothfuss' world-building abilities. I felt that I was truly transported into another world with different sciences, magics, and societies. Somehow, though, I was able to see similarities between his world and our own. It was a great first installment to an epic series, overall.
Even though it was a great book, I feel somewhat disappointed by the story. A lot of people are always claiming that THIS is the best fantasy series and their favorite book of all time. I can see why they feel this way, but at the same time, I wasn't enamored with it like everyone else was. It's a great book in many ways, don't get me wrong, but I think it's too overhyped in some instances. And with this hype, I was expecting to be blown completely out of the water. Basically, I bought into the hype and the hype gave me false expectations.
I will definitely continue this series, though!

alliwantforcrhistmasisyou06's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Its awesome. I could keep reading it again and again and i wouldnt stop. Ever.

adithyanair's review against another edition

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5.0

“The Waystone Inn lay in silence, and it was a silence of three parts.”

So it begins, the story of Kvothe The Arcane. So it begins, the story of Kvothe The Bloodless. And so it begins, the story of Kvothe Arliden.

This story is tuned to perfection. Not a single sentence is wasted. Every word is chosen with careful consideration. Reading the book has a smoothness that makes every other book look sloppy in comparison.

This is the closest thing to the mythical 'perfect book'. It does everything right. But that isn't enough for a book to be perfect. Patrick Rothfuss doesn't just do everything right, he elevates the standard for what is right.

This book always reminds me why I started reading fantasy. The sense of wonder that pushes me to turn the page. I can't think of any book that captures that sense of wonder quite like this book, except perhaps the first 3 Harry Potters. The magic actually feels like magic, it has that delightful balance of knowing enough to understand it, but not enough to know what it exactly is.

The world is so vast and unique, yet so small and intimate. From the grimy streets of Tarbean, the taverns of Imre, the University big enough to be a city by itself, the Waystone Inn. All of these locations are small, and yet Rothfuss wastes not a single word in bringing these tiny magical places to life.

The characters are so filled with life that I'm sure Patrick Rothfuss has hundreds of other novels about them that he hasn't published, just to get the timelines straight. Every character has their own story and plot line going on that Kvothe is only a tiny part of, and it's so much fun trying to figure out what's going on in the background.

Especially because this is a story being told to you, rather than you being in the character's head, there's so much being revealed about Kvothe with everything he seems to focus on and the things he misses that you might notice. The mysteries in this book are mysteries with answers already hidden within the pages, and that's why the fandom thrives after 15 years and just 2 books.

To all those who haven't read this book, read it... there's nothing quite like it. It will change your understanding of what the heights of fantasy can be. To those who have already read it, reread it... because there are countless new things you'll notice. To those who have reread it as much as I have, you don't need me to tell you why you and I have poured so much time on these two books for so long.

And to those who are uncertain because there is no ending in sight, it's always about the journey and not the destination, and Kvothe's story is one worth hearing regardless of the fact that you only get two-thirds of it, and I envy you for being able to experience this masterpiece of a book for the first time.

(Pat, I know you put in 20 years for each book, and that your craftsmanship is a slow but steady process, but this trilogy is woefully incomplete because of your excellent work. Please release book 3 as soon as possible, I have never wanted a conclusion to a trilogy like I have for this one. I don't know you personally, but your work speaks for itself, I admire you and everything that you have done within these pages.)

msbyfield's review against another edition

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5.0

I’m a sucker for high fantasy, a genre rooted in the brilliance of classic Tolkien. However, few of such titles translate well to non-fantasy readers. THE NAME OF THE WIND, then, is an ideal introduction into the fantasy fiction community for the logical, no-nonsense reader. Here is a world grounded in a sense of reality, with a consistent and believable explanation for its magic. Rothfuss delivers all the great checkpoints of a solid, compelling fantasy and then some. Epic, headstrong hero with a knack for trouble? Check. A finely crafted setting full of perilous travels? Check. An unlikely romance? Check. I demolished it, then the second (WISE MAN'S FEAR), and eagerly anticipate the third.

Read my other book reviews on my staff reviews page at Grass Roots Books!

lookmairead's review against another edition

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5.0

“You have to be a bit of a liar to tell a story the right way. Too much truth confuses the facts. Too much honesty makes you sound insincere.”

So many great quotes in this.

It’s been over a decade since I read this, and I basically forgot everything. Which is crazy because I credit Rothfuss for forever altering my reading habits to embrace fantasy wholeheartedly.

Hence, this series has been on my nerdy pedestal for favorite unfinished series. (Though, I remember book 2 being my favorite.) And with new world building novellas brewing, I knew it was time to fall in love with Kvothe again.

Rereads are sometimes funny.
One moment you are reading and you’re thinking, “Yes this -ish is brilliant and words are hitting the right notes.”

But if a note hits different or feels off, you start to wonder – did I evolve as a reader?

Yes. >sighs<

Here are a few examples:

- I’m relieved that Denna isn’t a flat character but I think Rothfuss simplifies her sad girl motivation. But I wasn’t buying that it was patron or bust theory. It just felt like she was born with wings vs roots. I’m not loving the “cruel” personality build. Like I’m delighted that Rothfuss talks/shows budding love in a way most male fantasy writers fail to– but we need to like both characters.

- I’m kinda surprised that our boy Kvothe didn’t have more permanent damage /injuries from all his fights/beatings/ rough street living. It just felt… convenient vs. realistic.

- The part where the professor says: “Rian, would you please cross your legs?” The request was made with such an earnest tone that not even a titter escaped the class. Looking puzzled, Rian crossed her legs. “Now that the gates of hell are closed,” Hemme said in his normal, rougher tones. “We can begin.” And so he did, ignoring her for the rest of the lecture. Which, as I see it, was an inadvertent kindness.”

I mean… what? How? The inequality between men and women is kinda head scratching because it just isn’t needed and falls flat. Like we’re over stupid sexist patriarchy ways- if you are going to make fake worlds for us to love, give women equal footing ground. Like we are in a post-Harry Potter world- make women equal players and make this fictional problem much more interesting by giving women a more equal playing ground.

Please don’t misread these examples, I don’t have less love for Rothfuss. The reason I love this series is because it appeals fantasy/ AND romantasy fans.

But where I used to refuse to hear criticism, I now can understand the tiffs better (after years of fantasy reading).

I’ll do a more thorough review after book two.

1st Read ♾️⭐️ (Pre-Goodreads life

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