Book Review: The Wise Man’s Fear

The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

The blurb: Sequel to the extraordinary THE NAME OF THE WIND, THE WISE MAN’S FEAR is the second instalment of this superb fantasy trilogy from Patrick Rothfuss. This is the most exciting fantasy series since George R. R. Martin’s A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, and a must-read for all fans of HBO’s GAME OF THRONES. Picking up the tale of Kvothe Kingkiller once again, we follow him into exile, into political intrigue, courtship, adventure, love and magic . . . and further along the path that has turned Kvothe, the mightiest magician of his age, a legend in his own time, into Kote, the unassuming pub landlord.

Packed with as much magic, adventure and home-grown drama as THE NAME OF THE WIND, this is a sequel in every way the equal to its predecessor and a must-read for all fantasy fans. Readable, engaging and gripping THE WISE MAN’S FEAR is the biggest and the best new fantasy novel out there.

My review: There’s a lot of capitalisation going on there, not a big fan of unnecessary capitals! Anyway… This book is exactly 1000 pages long. This sort of length would normally send me running for the hills but bring on the next 1000 I say as this is an amazing book. So rich in detail, characterisation and magic, without neglecting the human side of his characters it’s Rothfuss who is the real magician.

I only wish that I could remember half of the things that had happened in the first book, they’re both so big that it’s hard to remember all the subtle little plot lines that could come back. I would say I was only very slightly disappointed as I would’ve liked more time at the University but it’s not my story and the author obviously knows what he’s doing! The Kingkiller Chronicles were by a city motorway my favourite books of 2011! Looking forward to 2012!

10 out of 10 stars! What else! **********

BUY ME! The Wise Man’s Fear (The Kingkiller Chronicle)

June Books!

I felt the need for a prettier, image led post. After all words are my currency but sometimes its nice to just look at the pictures! The books I am currently reading or would like to read in June are:

      

And am also very excited about the new Christopher Paolini but there’s a bit of a wait yet!

Jacket Musings…

I’m still in Rothfuss World! I noticed this cover for The Name of the Wind on google from one of the foreign publishers, it didn’t say which and while I think I know I’m not going to guess here (just in case!) Anyway I really like this cover, what they’ve done with the font it beautiful, I can’t decide which one I prefer…

Book Review: The Name of the Wind

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

The blurb: ‘I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. My name is Kvothe. You may have heard of me’ S

o begins the tale of Kvothe – currently known as Kote, the unassuming innkeepter – from his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, through his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a difficult and dangerous school of magic. In these pages you will come to know Kvothe the notorious magician, the accomplished thief, the masterful musician, the dragon-slayer, the legend-hunter, the lover, the thief and the infamous assassin.

My review: This book was given to me as a birthday present and what a present it has turned out to be! Recommendations from friends who like the same books as you are golden and this did not disappoint.

The Name of the Wind is Kvothe’s story, but so much more, it spans a whole world. It’s the first novel in the Kingkiller Chronicles, which pleases me greatly! Rothfuss has created his world from scratch, the look and feel of it, history, geography and mythology. There is an epicness about it that you only find in books such as The Lord of the Rings. But it’s never too heavy, or too deeply fantasy that you can’t relate to the characters, it’s a fine blend of some fantastic ingredients.

Kvothe begins the book a talented, young trouper, visiting towns in his region and performing before an unfortunate series of events leads him to enrol in the University and study to become a member of the Arcanum. I loved all the scenes at the University, especially the masters. In fact, the only character I found it hard to warm too is the female lead, Denna, too much time is spent trying to make the reader sympathetic to her but it feels false. She’s not one I’m too bothered about!

So this is the reason for my long absence, I read it twice! And it’s a good 700 pages long, it’s got to be a ten out of ten from me!

10 stars out of 10! *********

BUY ME! The Name of the Wind